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.

1 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a container, said container comprising microwaveable material, said container being provided for use for holding food during heating of the food in a microwave;    said container being provided with a vent for the release of pressure building up in said container while said container is being used in a microwave to heat food in said container;    said vent comprising a flexible material having a slit, wherein said flexible material and slit serve to allow release of pressure through said slit and out of said container during the heating of the food in the microwave, said release of said pressure from said vent being automatic such that there is no need to open said vent prior to insertion of said container into the microwave.    
   
   
       2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said flexible material stretches when pressure builds in said container during the heating of the food in the microwave.  
   
   
       3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said container comprises a ring and a gasket and said flexible material is sandwiched between said ring and said gasket.  
   
   
       4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said flexible material is concave.  
   
   
       5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said vent opens at a predetermined pressure level, and closes below said predetermined pressure level.  
   
   
       6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said container comprises a lid, and wherein said vent is in said lid.  
   
   
       7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said container comprises a lid, and wherein said lid further comprises a tab for pulling said lid off of said container.  
   
   
       8 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said container comprises a lid, and said lid is a snap-on lid.  
   
   
       9 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said container comprises compartments, and wherein each of said compartments has a lid.  
   
   
       10 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said container comprises compartments, and comprises a lid for each of said compartments, and wherein each of said lids comprises at least one of said vents.  
   
   
       11 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said container is constructed of soft and hard components.  
   
   
       12 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said container includes a soft grip handle.  
   
   
       13 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said container includes a soft, slide-resistant base.  
   
   
       14 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said container is further used as a feeding dish for children.  
   
   
       15 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a container, said container comprising microwaveable material, said container being provided for use for holding food during heating of the food in a microwave;    said container being provided with a vent for the release of pressure building up in said container while said container is being used in a microwave to heat food in said container;    said vent comprising a flexible material having a slit, wherein said flexible material and slit serve to allow release of pressure through said slit and out of said container during the heating of the food in the microwave, said release of said pressure from said vent being automatic such that there is no need to open said vent prior to insertion of said container into the microwave;    wherein said flexible material stretches and said vent automatically releases pressure through said slit and out of said container when pressure sufficiently builds in said container during the heating of the food in the microwave.    said container further comprising a lid, said vent being located in said lid, said lid being a snap-on lid for attachment of said lid to said container.    
   
   
       16 . A method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said automatic vent opens at a predetermined pressure level, and closes below said predetermined pressure level.  
   
   
       17 . A method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said lid further comprises a a tab for pulling said lid off of said container.  
   
   
       18 . A method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said vent is inserted into a hole in said lid and is snapped onto said lid.  
   
   
       19 . A method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said lid further comprises a a tab for pulling said lid off of said container, and wherein said vent is inserted into a hole in said lid and is snapped onto said lid.  
   
   
       20 . A method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said container is provided to further serve as a feeding dish for children.  
   
   
       21 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a container, said container comprising microwaveable material, said container being provided for use for heating food in a microwave;    said container being provided with a vent for the release of pressure from said container;    said vent comprising a flexible material, said flexible material comprising a slit;    said slit being provided to serve as an automatic vent, such that said flexible material stretches and said vent automatically releases pressure through said slit and out of said container when pressure sufficiently builds in said container during the heating of the food in the microwave.    said container further comprising a lid, said vent being located in said lid;    said vent being inserted into a hole in said lid and being snapped onto said lid;    said lid being a snap-on lid for attachment of said lid to said container, said lid further comprising a tab for pulling said lid off of said container.