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 spill resisting devices and more specifically to a no-spill ring accessory that attaches to a bowl containing food items such as hot soup.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INSTANT INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide a resilient trough shaped ring that can be attached around the perimeter of a bowl that can catch liquid such as hot soup or other food items that may accidentally spill from 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 no-spill ring made of injection molded resilient plastic or rubber that can fit snuggly around the perimeter of a bowl, the ring having a raised distal perimeter wall, a floor and an proximal resilient aperture wall forming a radial trough, snugly conforming to the outside wall of a bowl used for holding food items such as hot soup, the resilient quality of the proximal aperture wall allowing the no-spill ring to adhere to the distal wall of the bowl via frictional forces, the ring also including a pair of opposing, outwardly extending handles for a person to hold onto while transporting the bowl when the contents of the bowl are hot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention mounted on a standard soup bowl.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the no-spill ring attached to a bowl.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the no-spill ring as it is about to be attached to a bowl.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the no-spill bowl ring without the bowl.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

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 the no-spill ring of the present embodiment 100. The ring 100 is made of resilient material such as thermoformed silicone or TPE. It includes a proximal aperture wall 12A, a floor 8 and a distal wall 6 forming a radial trough. A pair of handles 2, 4 are integrally attached to the distal wall 6 allowing a person to carry a bowl 10 that may contain a hot food item such as hot soup. The proximal wall 12A fits snuggly against the distal wall of the bowl 10 and is held in place by frictional forces. The elasticity of the proximal wall 12A allows the embodiment 100 to fit on a variety of diameters of bowls. If liquid or other food items is accidentally spilled over the lip of the bowl 10, it will be caught and trapped by the extending ring formed by proximal wall 12A, floor 8 and distal wall 6.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the present embodiment 100 frictionally attached to a bowl 10. Handles 2, 4 are molded onto the distal wall 12 of the no-spill ring comprised of proximal wall 12, floor 8 and distal wall 6.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the bowl 10 about to be inserted into the no-spill ring of the present embodiment 100. The proximal aperture wall is made up of an upper portion 12A that extends upward from the floor 8 and a lower portion 12 that extends down from the floor 8. The diameter of lower portion 12 of the proximal aperture wall is tapered inward to allow the wall 12, 12A to fit snuggly onto the distal surface of a bowl, whose shape also tends to tapper inward from top to bottom. The snug fit is water-tight meaning that any spilled liquid will remain in the trough shaped radial ring formed by proximal wall 12A, floor 8 and distal wall 6, and not be able to fall to the floor of a kitchen or dining area.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the embodiment 100 clearly showing proximal wall 12, 12A, floor 8 and distal wall 6 as well as attached handles 2, 4.

The above described and illustrated embodiment 100 allows a user to safely transport a bowl of hot soup or other hot food items without the danger of the hot soup or other food items contacting the hands of the carrier, and also insures that any accidentally spilled items will not fall to the floor, but instead, remain trapped within the radial trough formed by proximal wall 12 A, floor 8 and distal wall 6.

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.