Feeding dishes for children

Abstract

Improved feeding dishes for children. The dishes are microwaveable containers such as plates or bowls having one or more lids thereon. The containers include pressure release opening such as vents for releasing pressure from the container while the dish is heated in a microwave. Automatic vents, which release pressure once the pressure releases a given level, and manual vents, which are opened and closed by the parent, are provided. Preferably, the containers are composites of soft and hard components.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A feeding dish for children, comprising: 
 a container, said container comprising a pressure release opening therein.    
     
     
         2 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said dish is constructed of microwaveable components.  
     
     
         3 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said pressure release opening is an automatic vent.  
     
     
         4 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said pressure release opening is a manual vent.  
     
     
         5 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said pressure release opening comprises a flexible material, said flexible material comprising a slit.  
     
     
         6 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein dish comprises a handle, and said pressure release opening is located in said handle.  
     
     
         7 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said dish further comprises a lid and a handle.  
     
     
         8 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said pressure release opening comprises at least two channels, said pressure release opening having an open position wherein said channels overlap and a closed position wherein said channels do not overlap.  
     
     
         9 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said dish comprises a lid and a handle, and wherein said two channels comprise a channel in said lid and a channel in said handle.  
     
     
         10 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said automatic vent opens at a predetermined pressure level, and closes below said predetermined pressure level.  
     
     
         11 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said dish is a plate.  
     
     
         12 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said dish is a bowl.  
     
     
         13 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said dish comprises a lid.  
     
     
         14 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said bowl has a domed lid.  
     
     
         15 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said lid is a snap-on lid.  
     
     
         16 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said feeding dish comprises a lid, and wherein said pressure release opening is a vent in said lid.  
     
     
         17 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said dish comprises compartments.  
     
     
         18 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein each of said compartments has a lid.  
     
     
         19 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein each of said compartments comprises at least one of said pressure release openings.  
     
     
         20 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein each of said compartments has a lid.  
     
     
         21 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said dish comprises a lid for each of said compartments, and wherein each of said lids comprises at least one of said pressure release openings.  
     
     
         22 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said dish is constructed of soft and hard components.  
     
     
         23 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said dish includes a soft grip handle.  
     
     
         24 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said dish includes a soft, slide-resistant base.  
     
     
         25 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein said soft components are selected from the group consisting of: Kraton, silicone, and TPE.  
     
     
         26 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein hard components comprise a rigid plastic.  
     
     
         27 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said dish comprises a handle comprising said pressure release opening, and wherein said handle has a locking mechanism.  
     
     
         28 . A feeding dish as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said dish comprises a lid comprising a handle, wherein said handle comprises a protuberance and said lid comprises an indentation, such that said protuberance extends into said indentation as a locking mechanism.