Tableware for Specialized Persons

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a set of tableware for use by persons with neuro-cognitive impairment, compromised or under developed motor skills, or any persons with difficulties eating foods and imbibing drinks. As described herein, the tableware set includes at least one container and at least one spoon. The container has a smooth sidewall portion, a vertically slanted basin portion to define an asymmetrical cavity enclosed by the container. A flat base is provided on the underside of the container. A spoon is provided to match the curvature of the container along or more axes. To assist disabled persons with using the spoon, the side edges of the spoon matches the vertical curvature of the sidewall container, and the tip of the spoon matches the horizontal curvature. The handle of the spoon is designed along an arc to match the alignment of a closed hand when holding a spoon.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tableware set, comprising:
 at least one bowl, the at least one bowl comprising:
 a substantially flat, circular bowl base; 
 a bowl basin disposed over the bowl base, an upper surface of the bowl basin comprising a slanted portion and a flat portion, wherein a first side of the bowl basin corresponding to the vertically slanted portion has a greater height above the bowl base than a second side of the bowl basin corresponding to the horizontally flat portion, the first side of the bowl basin being on an opposite side of the bowl from the second side of the bowl basin; 
 a rigid sidewall portion comprising a first sidewall portion corresponding to the first side of the bowl basin and a second sidewall portion corresponding to the second side of the bowl basin; and 
 a tab portion extending substantially horizontally from a section of the first sidewall portion corresponding to the first side of the bowl basin. 
   
     
     
         2 . The tableware set as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the bowl further comprises a circular lip portion encircling the rigid sidewall portion on opposite sides of the tab portion. 
     
     
         3 . The tableware set as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the circular lip portion extends outwardly from the bowl sidewall portion at an upwards angle. 
     
     
         4 . The tableware set as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the bowl further comprises a handle attached to the circular lip portion, the handle extending in a downward facing direction from the circular lip portion. 
     
     
         5 . The tableware set of as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a spoon, wherein the spoon comprises:
 a spoon basin portion;   a spoon handle extending from a first end of the spoon basin portion; and   a tip disposed along an opposite end of the spoon basin portion with respect to the spoon handle.   
     
     
         6 . The tableware set as recited in  claim 5 , wherein a curvature of the tip of the spoon substantially matches with a curvature of the bowl basin along a vertical axis. 
     
     
         7 . The tableware set as recited in  claim 5 , wherein a curvature of a side edge of the spoon basin portion substantially matches with a curvature of the bowl sidewall portion along a horizontal axis. 
     
     
         8 . The tableware set as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the spoon handle extends from the first end of the spoon basin along a curvature that corresponds to an alignment of a human hand when the spoon is gripped. 
     
     
         9 . The tableware set as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the bowl sidewall portion comprises an exterior surface with a color that matches a color of the spoon handle. 
     
     
         10 . The tableware set as recited in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first sidewall portion extends vertically along an arc above the basin,   further wherein the second sidewall portion extends vertically above the bowl basin along a substantially straight line.   
     
     
         11 . The tableware set as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a tray, the tray comprising:
 a flat surface;   a plurality of handles on opposite ends of the flat surface; and   a plurality of fastening mechanisms disposed along at least one edge of the flat surface, the fastening mechanisms being operable for detachably fastening a piece of fabric to the tray,   wherein the tray is operable to support a simultaneous placement of the at least one bowl and at least one cup.   
     
     
         12 . The tableware set as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the fastening mechanisms comprises a fastening mechanism from the group of fastening mechanisms comprising:
 an aperture with a plurality of opposable flaps;   a clip;   a clasp;   a clamp;   a ring; and   a tie.