Systems and methods for providing dishware having a utensil retainer

Abstract

A dish and utensil retainer corresponding to the dish, wherein the utensil retainer is sized and shaped to selectively receive and retain a utensil on the dish.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a dish having a utensil retainer that is sized and shaped to receive and selectively retain a utensil on the dish.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the utensil retainer is an embedded magnet within the dish. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the utensil retainer is a protruding utensil retainer extending from the dish. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising the utensil having a retaining element that corresponds with the utensil retainer. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the retaining element includes a magnet. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the retaining element of the utensil mates with the utensil retainer. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the utensil retainer is integral with a top surface of the dish. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the utensil retainer is integral with a side surface of the dish. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the dish defines a concave top surface having a flat surface within the concave top surface and an outer, curved surface surrounding the flat surface. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the utensil retainer is located on the outer, curved surface of the concave top surface. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus comprising:
 a dish; and   a utensil retainer coupled to the dish, the utensil retainer protruding from a surface of the dish.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the utensil retainer includes an embedded magnet. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the utensil retainer includes a concave top surface. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a utensil, the utensil having a retaining element that mates with the utensil retainer. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the utensil retainer is integral with a top surface of the dish. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus comprising:
 a dish; and   a magnet embedded within the dish, the magnet being of sufficient strength to retain a metal utensil on the dish.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising the metal utensil, which includes a magnetic portion. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the magnet is disposed within a protruding element of the dish. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the protruding element includes a concave top surface. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein magnet is located on a side of the protruding element.