CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of bowl construction and more specifically to a bowl stabilization system. There are occasions where it is helpful for a bowl to remain stable during use. For example, in the hair coloring profession, a hair stylist must dip a brush into a bowl filled with colored die and then apply it to a person's hair. In the process of using the brush, the hair stylist tends to remove excess liquid from the brush by sliding the bristles over the top edge of the bowl. If the bowl is unstable, it can tip during the brush sliding operation causing hair coloring die to spill from the bowl. Other situations requiring a stable bowl. For example, when a young child is eating from a bowl and perhaps causing the bowl to tip when the eating utensil he or she is using is knocked against the side wall of a bowl causing the contents to spill.

Various methods of securing bowls have been used in the past including heavy weighted bottoms, or suction cups.

However, there is a deficiency in the prior technology in that it has not been possible to firmly secure a bowl to a flat surface in such a way that it is immovable except when applying significant strength to the removal process.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide a bowl stabilization system that allows a user to put pressure on the lip of the bowl without causing the bowl to tip over.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bowl stabilization system that can be attached to existing trays or working surfaces that are made of any rigid material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bowl stabilization system that allows a brush handle to be securely held in one location as it extends beyond the lip of the bowl.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a bowl stabilization system comprising: a rigid bowl, a plurality of magnets, a flat ferrous metal panel, a double sided adhesive panel, said rigid bowl having a flat bottom and circular perimeter, said flat bottom having a plurality of indentations in the underside of said bottom, said plurality of magnets capable of being fixedly attached into the indentations in the underside of said bottom, said magnet bottom plane in line with the bottom plane of said bowl bottom, said double sided adhesive panel fixedly attached to the underside of said ferrous metal panel, said double sided adhesive panel fixedly attached on its opposite side to any flat working surface, and said bowl capable of remaining in place on said ferrous metal panel via said magnets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bowl of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the underside of the bowl.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the magnets ready to be inserted into the bottom of the bowl.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bristles of the brush being wiped along the top edge of the bowl.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hair coloring brush sitting inside the bowl.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bowl sitting on a tray.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the bowl about to be placed on a ferrous metal panel.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the bowl, metal panel, adhesive panel and tray.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

Referring now to FIG. 1 we see a perspective view of bowl 2. The bowl 2 includes a flat base 8 and outwardly expanding side walls. The bowl 2 includes a flat top edge 6 and a concave cutout area 4.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the underside of the bowl 2. The flat base 8 includes a plurality of magnets 10 that help hold the base 8 of the bowl 2 onto a ferrous metal surface.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing magnets 10 ready to be inserted into indentation 12. The magnets can either be press fit or glued in place so that they remain attached to the bottom 8 of the bowl even when magnetic forces are pulling at the magnets 10.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bowl 2 with a brush head 14 being wiped against the top edge 6 of the bowl 2 as a person's hand, not shown, holds onto the brush handle 16. This type of action is common when dipping a brush into a hair coloring liquid and then squeezing out excessive liquid by wiping the bristles 14 against the rim 6. In normal circumstances, if the user presses too hard when squeezing out excessive liquid, the entire bowl 2 can have the tendency to tip to one side. However, because of the magnets 10 of the present invention, the bowl can remain flat to any working surface that includes a ferrous metal panel even when excessive pressure is put on the rim.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bowl 2 where the brush handle 16 is sitting in the concave 4 portion of the bowl 2 thereby holding it in place when not in use. This feature allows the user to always know exactly where the handle is, even, with practice, without having to visually see it thereby saving valuable time while coloring a person's hair.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bowl 2 sitting on a tray 18. If the tray is made of ferrous metal, then the magnets of the bowl will automatically adhere to the tray, thereby holding the bowl 2 in place during use. If the tray is made of a material that does not included ferrous metal, a ferrous metal panel 20 may be fixedly applied to the tray 18 or any other flat working surface, to create the holding feature afforded by the magnets 10 located on the underside of the bowl 2.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing the ferrous metal panel 20, which is preferably approximately four inches in diameter and thirty thousandths of an inch thick, attached to the tray 18 by double sided adhesive 22 clearly shown in the exploded view of FIG. 8.

In the above described and illustrated way, the present invention creates a stable environment for a bowl even when excessive force is applied to the bowl's perimeter edge. The invention can be used in a variety of locations because the ferrous metal panel 20 can be attached as needed by double sided adhesive panel 22 to flat surfaces made of aluminum, wood, plastic, fiberglass or cardboard or any other rigid or semi rigid surface.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.