Resilient sleeve for a dish

Abstract

A resilient sleeve for a rigid dish is adapted to closely fit around, contour, and frictionally engage the exterior of the dish. The resilient sleeve has a sidewall that extends upwardly from a bottom portion to a perimeter that defines an opening into the resilient sleeve. A securing element may be provided on the bottom portion for removably securing the bottom portion to a support surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A resilient sleeve for a rigid dish, the rigid dish having an upwardly extending sidewall, the sleeve comprising:
 a resilient body adapted to closely fit around, contour, and frictionally engage the exterior of the rigid dish, the resilient body having a sidewall that extends upwardly from a bottom portion to a perimeter that defines an opening into the resilient sleeve, the sidewall of the resilient sleeve being large enough to substantially cover the upwardly extending sidewall of the dish, such that the rigid dish becomes frictionally engaged with the resilient body when the rigid dish is inserted into the resilient body.   
     
     
         2 . The resilient sleeve of  claim 1 , further comprising a securing element arranged on the bottom portion for removably securing the bottom portion to a support surface. 
     
     
         3 . The resilient sleeve of  claim 2 , wherein the securing element is in the form of a plurality of suction cups. 
     
     
         4 . The resilient sleeve of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of suction cups is in the form of three suction cups arranged in a triangular configuration on the bottom portion. 
     
     
         5 . The resilient sleeve of  claim 1 , further including an annular ridge that extends downwardly from a bottom surface of the bottom portion. 
     
     
         6 . The resilient sleeve of  claim 1 , further including an annular ridge that extends downwardly from a bottom surface of the bottom portion, and further comprising at least one suction cup positioned within the annular ridge. 
     
     
         7 . The resilient sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion is generally disk-shaped, and the sidewall has a round cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         8 . The resilient sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient sleeve is constructed of silicone. 
     
     
         9 . The resilient sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion further includes an aperture. 
     
     
         10 . A combination dish and sleeve comprising:
 a rigid dish having a base, and an upwardly extending sidewall extending upwardly from the base to a lip;   a resilient sleeve adapted to closely fit around, contour, and frictionally engage an exterior of the rigid dish, the resilient sleeve having a resilient body that includes a sidewall that extends upwardly from a bottom portion to a perimeter that defines an opening into the resilient sleeve; and   wherein the sidewall of the resilient sleeve extends upwardly approximately to the lip of the rigid dish to substantially cover the upwardly extending sidewall of the rigid dish is covered by the resilient sleeve.   
     
     
         11 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein the dish is in the form of a bowl. 
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein the dish is in the form of a plate; and
 wherein an inner surface of the resilient sleeve is polished.   
     
     
         13 . A combination dish and sleeve comprising:
 a rigid dish having a base, and an upwardly extending sidewall extending upwardly from the base to a lip;   a resilient sleeve adapted to closely fit around, contour, and frictionally engage an exterior of the rigid dish, the resilient sleeve having a sidewall that extends upwardly from a bottom portion to a perimeter that defines an opening into the resilient sleeve;   wherein the sidewall of the resilient sleeve extends upwardly approximately to the lip of the rigid dish to substantially cover the upwardly extending sidewall of the rigid dish; and   a securing element arranged on the bottom portion for removably securing the bottom portion to a support surface.   
     
     
         14 . The combination of  claim 13 , wherein the dish is in the form of a bowl. 
     
     
         15 . The combination of  claim 13 , wherein the dish is in the form of a plate; and
 wherein an inner surface of the resilient sleeve is polished.