Abstract:
A dinnerware article, such as a dish or plate, bearing a raised likeness of a creature connoting obesity. The article also bears a graphical diet reminder, instructing the user regarding healthful amounts and/or types of foods for his/her consumption.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to novelty dinnerware. More particularly, the invention relates to dinnerware comprising an attached three-dimensional figure and a graphical diet reminder.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Novelty dinnerware takes many forms, and is commonly produced for the amusement of children, and sometimes adults. Frequently such dinnerware is designed purely for entertainment purposes, and may include images of cartoon characters or other graphics attractive to children. Less common are dinnerware items that have some novelty aspect designed with a serious message and with an adult consumer in mind, or with the intention of instructing a child (or adult) in some serious pursuit.  
         [0003]     One of the greatest problems confronting modern society in economically successful countries is obesity. Obesity brings with it the increased potential for serious conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and musculoskeletal problems such as lower back pain. In addition, a high-fat diet has been correlated to increased risk of colon cancer, while the consumption of a high-fiber diet is associated with lower risk of this and other medical conditions. One widely read report indicates that there are as many people on the planet who can be considered overweight and/or obese, as there are people who suffer from malnutrition. Another report indicates that in the United States, 55 percent of adults are overweight by international standards, and 23 percent of American adults are considered obese.  
         [0004]     Thus, although attempted weight loss is a common behavior, regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity, and weight loss goals are substantial, obesity remains a major public health problem in the United States. There remains a need for effective ways of encouraging proper eating behavior.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The invention is a dinnerware article adapted to receive food. The article comprises a shallow container with an upper surface having a center, and a lower surface joined to the upper surface at an edge; a raised likeness of a creature affixed to the upper surface; and a graphical diet reminder on the upper surface. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a dinnerware article according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the dinnerware article of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a dinnerware article according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, showing a removably affixed likeness.  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a dinnerware article according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, showing a hollow likeness comprising a bottom and a removable top.  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a dinnerware article according to still another exemplary embodiment of the invention, showing a likeness affixed to the upper surface, the edge, and the lower surface of a shallow container. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The invention will next be illustrated with reference to the figures, wherein the same numbers indicate the same elements in all figures. Such figures are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting and are included herewith to facilitate the explanation of the present invention. The figures are not to scale, and are not intended to serve as engineering drawings.  
         [0012]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a top view of a dinnerware article, indicated generally at  10 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The article comprises a shallow container  12  with an upper surface  14 , a center  16 , and a lower surface  15  (not shown) joined to the upper surface at an edge  18 . A raised likeness  20  of a creature is affixed to the upper surface adjacent the edge, and a graphical diet reminder  22  is on the upper surface. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , likeness  20  is that of a pig, shown from the top, in which there is an optional hollow space  24  adapted to contain at least one pill. As used herein, the term “pill” is any kind of tablet, capsule, caplet, or the like, including for example vitamins, medications, and candies or mints. The hollow space is shown as rectangular and open at the top in  FIG. 1 , but it may be closed, and may be of any shape.  FIG. 1  shows hollow space  24  as situated in the creature&#39;s back, but it may be anywhere on the creature.  
         [0013]     Optionally, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the upper surface  14  comprises a central section  26  and a border section  28  adjacent and surrounding the central section, the border section extending to the edge  18 . The border section  28  may be of a different curvature than the central section  26 . For example, border section  28  may be only slightly concave, or flat, or even convex, thus forming a rim or lip, while central section  26  might be more strongly concave, or may instead be flat or nearly flat. There are no limitations to the contours of central section  26  and border section  28 , provided that shallow container  12  is suitable for receiving food for consumption by a user. By virtue of the presence of a border section  28 , a person using the article may be further encouraged to put food only in the central section, thereby reducing serving size. Border section  28  may be of any width, as measured from the edge  18  to central section  26 . In one embodiment of the invention, the width of border section  28  is between 10% and 40% of the distance from the edge to the center. It is contemplated that by making the border section larger, and thus the central section smaller, use of the dinnerware article may foster the illusion of a large meal, while in fact encouraging the consumption of smaller portions.  
         [0014]     The shallow container  12  may be any commonly used dinnerware article designed for receiving food, and may for example be a saucer, a dish, a bowl, or a plate, such as a dinner, salad, or dessert plate. Shallow container  12  may be of any width, height, and shape. Although the container is shown in  FIG. 1  to be circular, it may be oval, rectangular, triangular, or any other regular or irregular shape.  
         [0015]     The likeness  20  of a creature is a three-dimensional figure, for example a statuette or a raised relief figure. The term “statuette” is used herein to mean an essentially complete figure. Likeness  20  may be that of any creature. Typically, likeness  20  will be of a creature that connotes obesity, to remind the user of the consequences of unhealthful eating habits. Nonlimiting examples of suitable creatures include a walrus, a hippopotamus, a whale, and an imaginary creature such as for example Jabba the Hutt™. Likeness  20  may be that of an obese person. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, likeness  20  is that of a pig.  
         [0016]     The graphical diet reminder  22  is situated on upper surface  14 . Typically, it overlies center  16 , and is optionally centered on upper surface  14 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Although  FIG. 1  shows diet reminder  22  as being on central section  26 , the position of diet reminder  22  can be anywhere on upper surface  14 .  
         [0017]     Graphical diet reminder  22  may comprise a diagram indicating a breakdown of diet according to food categories. The diagram may include images and/or text relating to different food categories. The food categories may be laid out according to any method of organization, for instance caloric value, fiber content, fat content, vitamin content, protein content, suggested percentages of diet, or any other criteria or combination of criteria. In one exemplary embodiment, graphical diet reminder  22  may be an image of a food pyramid, one version of which is shown in  FIG. 1 . Instead or in addition, the graphical diet reminder may comprise numerical nutritional information, for example in chart or table format, laying out caloric value, fiber content, and/or other data such as for example outlined above. Graphical diet reminder  22  may also comprise a motivational message in text or other format. One nonlimiting example of a suitable motivational message is “Don&#39;t Pig Out!”. It is contemplated that, by viewing the graphical diet reminder, the user will be prompted to consume a proper quantity and balance of foods.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the dinnerware article of  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment of the invention, the likeness  20  of the pig is a statuette of the animal lying on its belly on upper surface  14  of shallow container  12 , which in this embodiment is a plate. Alternatively, likeness  20  may be situated so as to appear to be standing upright on upper surface  14 , or may appear to be lying on its side or back, or in any other orientation. It may face toward center  16  or away from it, or in any direction. In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , likeness  20  is permanently affixed to upper surface  14 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a dinnerware article according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention in which likeness  20  has attached to it a projection  30  adapted to fit into receiver  32 , thereby removably affixing likeness  20  to upper surface  14  of shallow container  12 . Projection  30  may be solid or hollow. Although receiver  32  is shown in  FIG. 3  as rectangular, it may be of any shape, and may comprise one or both of an indentation and a hole in shallow container  12 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a dinnerware article according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention in which likeness  20  is hollow and comprises a bottom  34  and a removable top  36 , such that likeness  20  is adapted to contain at least one pill.  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  shows a top view of a dinnerware article according to still another exemplary embodiment of the invention in which likeness  20  is affixed to the upper surface  14 , the edge  18 , and the lower surface  15  (hidden from view). Likeness  20  extends laterally from the edge, so that part of the likeness is above upper surface  14  and part of the likeness is below lower surface  15 , and may be either permanently or removably affixed.  
         [0022]     By used of a dinnerware article such as described above, it is contemplated that a user will be reminded at mealtime to eat wisely, both in terms of quantity and regarding a healthful balance of food types.  
         [0023]     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the invention.