Partially insulated dishware and cookware

Abstract

Partially insulated dishware and cookware may be provided with selected areas of insulation to provide the user with the ability to grasp the dishware or cookware without the use of an oven mitt or other external device. The selected areas of insulation may also maintain a desired temperature for the dishware or cookware contents, provide sealing capability, and provide resistance to damage by way of shock absorption.

1 . A dish, comprising: 
 a food retaining surface made of cellulosic material; and    an insulative layer mounted to the food retaining surface.    
     
     
         2 . The dish of  claim 1 , wherein the food retaining surface is provided in the form of a plate.  
     
     
         3 . The dish of  claim 1 , wherein the food retaining surface is provided in the form of a bowl.  
     
     
         4 . The dish of  claim 1 , wherein the food retaining surface is provided in the form of a cup.  
     
     
         5 . The dish of  claim 1 , wherein the food retaining surface is provided in the form of a drinking glass.  
     
     
         6 . The dish of  claim 1 , wherein the food retaining surface is provided in the form of a pan.  
     
     
         7 . The dish of  claim 1 , wherein the food retaining surface is provided in the form of a platter.  
     
     
         8 . The dish of  claim 1 , wherein the insulated layer is provided about a rim of the food retaining surface.  
     
     
         9 . The dish of  claim 1 , wherein the insulated layer is provided at a base of the food retaining surface.  
     
     
         10 . The dish of  claim 1 , wherein the dish further includes a lid adapted to cover the food retaining surface.  
     
     
         11 . The dish of  claim 1 , wherein the insulated layer is provided about a rim of the lid.  
     
     
         12 . The dish of  claim 1 , wherein the insulative layer covers the entire lid.  
     
     
         13 . The dish of  claim 1 , wherein the insulative layer is provided in the form of foam styrene.  
     
     
         14 . The dish of  claim 1 , further including first and second insulative layers, the first layer being provided as a grasping area, the second layer being provided as a shock-absorbing area.  
     
     
         15 . The dish of  claim 14 , wherein the second layer is provided at a base of the dish.  
     
     
         16 . The dish of  claim 1 , further including a heating element mounted within the food retaining surface.  
     
     
         17 . A dish comprising: 
 a food retaining surface;    an insulative layer mounted to the food retaining surface; and    a shock absorbing layer mounted to the food retaining surface.    
     
     
         18 . The dish of  claim 17 , wherein the insulative layer and shock absorbing layer are both manufactured from foam styrene.  
     
     
         19 . The dish of  claim 17 , wherein the insulative layer is mounted about a rim of the food retaining surface.  
     
     
         20 . The dish of  claim 17 , wherein the shock absorbing layer is mounted at a base of the food retaining surface.  
     
     
         21 . The dish of  claim 17 , further including a lid.  
     
     
         22 . The dish of  claim 21 , wherein the lid includes an insulative layer mounted about a rim of the lid.  
     
     
         23 . The dish of  claim 17 , wherein an insulative layer covers the entire lid.  
     
     
         24 . The dish of  claim 17 , wherein the dish is provided in the form of a plate.  
     
     
         25 . The dish of  claim 17 , wherein the dish is provided in the form of a bowl.  
     
     
         26 . The dish of  claim 17 , wherein the dish is provided in the form of a cup.  
     
     
         27 . The dish of  claim 17 , wherein the dish is provided in the form of a drinking glass.  
     
     
         28 . The dish of  claim 17 , wherein the dish is provided in the form of a pan.  
     
     
         29 . The dish of  claim 17 , wherein the dish is provided in the form of a platter.  
     
     
         30 . The dish of  claim 17 , further including a heating element provided in the food retaining surface.