Abstract:
A utensil set having a spoon and a bowl with multiple receptacles can be used by multiple young children to prevent cross contamination. A parent can hold the bowl, with two connected food receptacles, with one hand, while using the other hand to use the spoon with two food receptacles to efficiently feed multiple young children. The food being fed may be the different or the same for each child.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Application 62/041,729 filed on Aug. 26, 2014, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0002]    The field of the embodiments of the present invention relate to eating utensils designed for infants and/or young children. In particular, the present invention provides a spoon and bowl that can be used to feed multiple children, such as twins, or others who require assistance without having the two individuals use the same spoon and/or bowl. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0003]    Any parent can attest to the fact that having a child imparts a tremendous amount of responsibility on the parent. If a parent has two or more children of generally the same young age, such as twins, the complexities and responsibilities are exponentially magnified. Parents of multiple young children often find it hard to accomplish even the most menial tasks pertaining to an individual child while simultaneously keeping a watchful eye over the other child(ren). 
         [0004]    For example, during mealtime, a parent may attempt to feed two or more children during the same time period with the same or different food. Often a child will become upset if one child is eating and the other is not. However, it is virtually impossible for a parent to be able to hold multiple food items while juggling utensils back and forth to prevent cross contamination between the children. 
         [0005]    For example, one child may have one spoon and bowl and another child may have another spoon and bowl. In order to feed one child, a parent may position food on the spoon and insert the spoon into the child&#39;s mouth. As the child eating the mouthful of food and the parent is ensuring the child either sufficiently chews or does not choke, the parent would be picking up the separate spoon to feed the second child from a differing bowl having the same or a different food item. This process is repeated until the food has all been consumed or until the child(ren) no longer desires to have any more food. Such an endeavor is not only time consuming for the parent, but can lead to the incorrect utensil being used for one child. An incorrect utensil usage can spread sickness or lead to more serious consequences in the event of one of the children has a food allergy. 
         [0006]    Thus, there needs to be a solution that enables a parent to effectively and safely feed multiple children at once. This may be achieved by using a utensil having a common handle with multiple receptacles and having multiple utensils that may each be utilized with only one hand of the parent thereby expediting the feeding process. The present invention and its embodiments meets and exceeds these objectives. 
       REVIEW OF RELATED TECHNOLOGY 
       [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,425,711 pertains to a metal or plastic spoon for babies that has, at each end of a generally flat handle, a generally flat head having oppositely facing food-holding concavities. The handle margins and the rims of the heads are safely rounded to avoid sharp edges that could injure the baby. The double-concave and double-ended construction facilitates self-feeding and accelerates its learning by making the spoon always functional when held in a closed hand. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 1,192,659 pertains to a spoon designed to stir or mix two separate drinks at the same time, the device being primarily intended for use in bar rooms, cafes, drug stores, and like places. The spoon has two bowl portions with each bowl being formed with a finger to permit the use of the device in the capacity of a fork to place garnishes on drinks thereby eliminating the use of unsanitary fingers for such purpose. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 1,520,402 pertains to a dish designed for individual use in serving flaked cereal foods which are furnished in dry and crisp form, said dish being of a double connected bowl form adapted to contain the dry food and the milk or cream in separate bowl portions thereof. 
         [0010]    Various devices are known in the art. However, their structure and means of operation are substantially different from the present disclosure. The other inventions fail to solve all the problems taught by the present disclosure. The present invention and its embodiments teach and describe a utensil combination that can be utilized to feed multiple children effectively and efficiently. Further, each utensil may be require only one hand each for proper usage. At least one embodiment of this invention is presented in the drawings below and will be described in more detail herein. 
       SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0011]    Generally, the present invention and its embodiments provide for a utensil set that can be used to feed multiple individuals, such as young children or invalids, without fear of cross contamination from using the same utensil for multiple people. Such a utensil set may have a spoon having a single handle with two spoon bowls stemming therefrom. In turn, there is also a bowl having two coupled concavities capable of holding an amount or volume of a food item. The bowl is configured to be held by one hand or positioned upon a resting surface, while the spoon is used with the other hand to feed the desired individuals. The utensils may have removable components for easy cleaning. Further, the utensils may have visual cues to help identify the two feeding mechanisms and prevent using the wrong concavity or spoon bowl for the wrong person. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment of the present invention there is a spoon for feeding multiple children a handle section; at least two spoon bowl connection sections extending from the handle section; at least two spoon bowls with one spoon bowl coupled to each of the at least two spoon bowl connection sections; and an identifying indicia disposed on at least one of the spoon bowl connection sections. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment of the present invention contains a bowl for feeding multiple children having a first bowl having a first concavity and a first lip structure and a second bowl having a second concavity and a second lip structure, wherein the first concavity and the second concavity are coupled by a connection point, wherein ribbing is disposed on an outer surface of the first concavity and the second concavity on both sides of the connection point; and an identifying indicia on the lip structure. 
         [0014]    In another aspect of the invention there is a feeding system multiple children having at least one spoon comprising, a handle section; at least two spoon bowl connection sections extending from the handle section; at least two spoon bowls coupled with one spoon bowl coupled to each of the at least two spoon bowl connection sections; and at least one bowl comprising, a first concavity and a second concavity, wherein the first concavity and the second concavity are coupled by a connection point. In general, the present invention succeeds in conferring the following benefits and objectives, as well as additional benefits and objectives not expressly mentioned below. 
         [0015]    It is an object of the present invention to provide eating utensils that limit or prevent cross contamination between multiple users. 
         [0016]    It is an object of the present invention to provide eating utensils that can hold multiple food receptacles. 
         [0017]    It is an object of the present invention to provide eating utensils that are safe and non-toxic. 
         [0018]    It is another object of the present invention to provide eating utensils that facilitate the feeding of multiple young children at once. 
         [0019]    It is another object of the present invention to provide eating utensils that are dishwasher safe. 
         [0020]    It is another object of the present invention to provide eating utensils that are both durable and inexpensive. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a double spoon of a utensil set of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a double spoon of a utensil set of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a double bowl of a utensil set of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a double bowl of a utensil set of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals. 
         [0026]    Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 , there is a spoon  100  having two spoon bowls  115 . Each of the spoon bowls  115  may generally be the same in terms of size and dimensions as one another. In some instances, it may be preferable to have the spoon bowls  115  have differing dimensions. Further, the spoon bowls  115  may be comprised of the same or a different material which is preferably a suitably soft material that is food safe such as silicone. Depending on the intended usage, the spoon bowls  115  may be fully formed from such material or only coated in said material. The materials may also differ in that one material may be more suited for hot food items whereas the other material may be more appropriate for cooler food items. In some instances, a combination of materials may be applied or other materials having a wider range of properties may be applied. 
         [0028]    Each of the spoon bowls  115  may be identified by an identifying indicia  120  such as colors, textures, patterns, logos, images, characters, and the like or any combination thereof. The identifying indicia  120  may be solely located on the spoon bowls  115  or be located on any position on any other part of the spoon  100 . For example, the identifying indicia  120  is shown on the spoon bowl connecting section  110 . The identifying indicia  120  may also be removable or may be a separate structure from the spoon  100 . For example, in one embodiment the identifying indicia  120  is a color of the spoon bowl  115  and the spoon bowl connecting section  110 . In another embodiment, the identifying indicia  120  is a removable tag configured to be coupled to the spoon  100 . The coupling mechanism (not shown) may generally operate via means known in the art such as adhesives, bands, grooves, clasps, and the like. 
         [0029]    Each of the spoon bowls  115  is connected to the handle  105  via a spoon bowl connecting section  110 . The spoon bowl connecting section  110  is preferably a thin piece of resilient material that, if needed, is capable of being manipulated to change the position of one spoon bowl  115  in relation to the other spoon bowl  115 , either in a vertical or horizontal plane, or a combination of planes (i.e. bent upwards and away from the other bowl). Preferably each of the spoon bowl connecting sections  110  is about 0.25″ inch in height and about 0.5″ in width, however, the exact dimensions can vary. 
         [0030]    The spoon bowl connecting sections  110  are coupled to the handle  105 . The spoon bowl connecting sections  110  can be permanently coupled to the handle  105  or removably coupled to facilitate cleaning the spoon  100  as a whole. The handle  105  may have any number of shapes and textures that promote grip and control to prevent dropping or slipping of the spoon  100  when attempting to feed one or more young children. The handle  105  may have a number of designs, patterns, textures, and the like that contribute to the aesthetic nature of the spoon  100 . 
         [0031]    The handle  105  may also comprise more than one piece that is permanently or removably coupled to one another. Again, this may promote cleaning and disinfecting of the entire spoon  100  and allow for repositioning of the spoon bowl connecting sections  110  within the handle  105  thereby changing the operative length of the spoon bowl connecting sections  110  as well as the overall length of the spoon  100 . For example, there may be apertures in the handle  105  which allow a fastening mechanism to pass therethrough. The spoon bow connecting section  110  may have a similar arrangement of apertures. Thus, the spoon bowl connecting section  110  and handle may be uncoupled by removal of the fastening mechanisms and the spoon bow connecting section  110  repositioned and recoupled to the handle  105  at a different location along the length of the handle  105  thereby changing the operative length of the spoon  100 . 
         [0032]    In one embodiment, there is a portion of the spoon bowl connecting section  110  that extends into and is secured within the handle  105  comprising a “core” of the handle  105 . In some embodiments, the handle  105  comprises only an outer coating covering this “core” and the handle  105  may be comprised of a thermoformed plastic covering or other suitable material. The handle  105  may be secured to the core via conventional mechanisms of adherence such as tacks, screws, and other fastening mechanisms. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 , there is a bowl  200  for feeding multiple children or invalids, and being capable of holding multiple food items, the food items being the same or different as one another. The bowl  200  may have a first concavity  205  and a second concavity  210 . Generally, each of the first concavity  205  and the second concavity  210  are of the same size and dimensions, however, the size and dimensions may vary between the concavities. The two concavities are coupled at a connection point or area  215  located between the two concavities. The connection area  215  may comprise a joining of a lip of the bowl  200 . The connection point or area  215  enables the two concavities to function as a single unit or bowl  200 . The bowl  200  is preferably soft and resilient and food safe such as silicone, plastic, wood, metal, and the like or some combination thereof. The bowl  200  may be coated in any such material or may be fully formed from said material. 
         [0034]    The connection area  215  features at least one and preferably two ribs  225  disposed thereunder. The ribs  225  provide rigidity and structure to the bowl  200  thereby preventing against bending or breakage of the bowl  200  at the connection area  215  resulting in a spilled food item. If a single connection point is used, then the ribs  225  are preferably located on either side of this point. If a larger connection area  215 , as shown, is employed it is preferable that the ribs  225  are located thereunder and spaced such that the desired rigidity is achieved. The enlarged area of  FIG. 4  illustrates the general form and position of one of the ribs  225 , wherein the second rib would be located on an opposing side of the bowl  200 . 
         [0035]    The identifying indicia  220  on the bowl  200  not only may provide a visual cue as to which bowl belongs to which individual, but further may act as a functional surface providing an element which may be grasped for holding the bowl  200 . The identifying indicia  220  may be colored or bear other markings such as images, patterns, words, or characters or some combination thereof to discern the identity of the prescribed user of the bowl  200 . In some instances, the identifying indicia  220  is removable and/or repositionable to suit a user&#39;s needs. In other instances, the identifying indicia  220  is an extension of the bowl  200  and formed from a continuous piece of material forming the bowl  200 . 
         [0036]    Further, the bowl  200  may have stabilizing members  230  located on an outer surface of the first concavity  205  and the second concavity  210 . The stabilizing members  230  may be located around a periphery of the base of the concavity or at strategic points (i.e. front, back, side, side) around the periphery. These stabilizing members  230  are generally triangular extensions configured to contact a resting surface and form an enlarged, substantially flat base for the bowl  200 . This aids in preventing errant knocking of the bowl  200  and spillage of the food item contained therein when the bowl  200  is resting on a surface. In some instances, the stabilizing members  230  are removable and repositionable as needed. 
         [0037]    The bowl  200 , when used, can be held on a lip or identifying indicia  220  of one of the concavities with one hand and the spoon  100  (see  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 ) can be used with the other hand. This greatly simplifies the feeding experience for a parent with multiple young children. A parent or caregiver may simply use one of the spoon/bowl combinations to feed one of the children and then use the opposing two to feed the other. This can be achieved without having to turn to pick up other utensils or take one&#39;s eyes off the children. Such a usage is not only safe but time efficient. 
         [0038]    Further, the spoon/bowl system, as a whole, keeps the food and eating surfaces for each child or invalid separate thereby not cross contaminating foods one or the other may not find palatable or helping to limit or prevent the spread of germs, illness, etc. In addition, such a set up can be particularly helpful in the event one of the two individuals has a food allergy and is required to maintain a separate dish and utensil. 
         [0039]    Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be performed without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.