Lip device for dishware

Abstract

A lip device for dishware includes a dish engagement unit and a generally circular main body having a first end, a second end and a curved middle section. The lip device including either a rigid construction forming a permanent overhang, or a malleable construction functioning to transition the device between an open position wherein the lip is folded against an outside facing surface of piece of dishware, and a closed position wherein the lip forms an overhang radiating toward the center portion of the dishware.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lip device for dishware having a base and a sidewall, said lip device comprising:
 a generally circular main body having a first end, a second end, a curved middle section, a top facing surface and a bottom facing surface; and   a dish engagement unit that is disposed along the first end of the generally circular man body, said dish engagement unit including an outside facing portion, and a raised middle portion, each of said portions forming a generally inverted V-shaped channel that is configured to engage an upper periphery the sidewall of a piece of dishware,   wherein the generally circular main body is constructed from a lightweight piece of generally rigid material.   
     
     
         2 . The lip device of  claim 1 , wherein the dish engagement unit is constructed from a generally malleable material that is configured to allow the inside facing portion and the outside facing portion to expand and retract with respect to each other. 
     
     
         3 . The lip device of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the main body extends away from the first end of the main body, towards a radial center of the device, and the curved middle section forms an overhang. 
     
     
         4 . The lip device of  claim 3 , wherein a radial height of the overhang is between approximately 0.25 inches and 2 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The lip device of  claim 3 , wherein a radial width of the overhang is between approximately 0.25 inches and 2 inches. 
     
     
         6 . A lip device for dishware having a base and a sidewall, said lip device comprising:
 a generally circular main body having a first end, a second end, a curved middle section, a top facing surface and a bottom facing surface; and   a dish engagement unit that is disposed along the first end of the generally circular man body, said dish engagement unit including an outside facing portion, an inside facing portion and a raised middle portion, each of said portions forming a generally inverted V-shaped channel that is configured to engage an upper periphery the sidewall of a piece of dishware,   wherein the generally circular main body is constructed from a generally malleable material, and is configured to transition between an open position and a closed position.   
     
     
         7 . The lip device of  claim 6 , wherein the second end of the main body extends away from the first end of the main body, towards a radial center of the device, and the curved middle section forms an overhang when the device is in the closed position. 
     
     
         8 . The lip device of  claim 6 , wherein the second end of the main body extends away from both the first end of the main body and a radial center of the device, when the device is in the open position. 
     
     
         9 . The lip device of  claim 6 , wherein the dish engagement unit is constructed from a generally malleable material that is configured to allow the inside facing portion and the outside facing portion to expand and retract with respect to each other. 
     
     
         10 . The lip device of  claim 6 , wherein a radial height of the overhang is between approximately 0.25 inches and 2 inches when the device is in the closed position. 
     
     
         11 . The lip device of  claim 6 , wherein a radial width of the overhang is between approximately 0.25 inches and 2 inches when the device is in the closed position. 
     
     
         12 . The lip device of  claim 6 , wherein the bottom facing surface of the main body faces away from a radial center of the device, when the device is in the open position. 
     
     
         13 . The lip device of  claim 6 , wherein the main body is configured to conform to a shape of the dishware sidewall when the lip is in the open position.