US20090050633A1

US20090050633A1 - Popcorn bowl assembly

Info

Publication number: US20090050633A1
Application number: US11/842,362
Authority: US
Inventors: Jimmie Lee Knapp
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-08-21
Filing date: 2007-08-21
Publication date: 2009-02-26

Abstract

A bowl assembly for holding popcorn. The bowl assembly includes a top, a bottom, and a sidewall extending therebetween wherein the bottom has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings are of size and shape that allow unpopped kernels from the popcorn to be disposed through the openings and into a compartment located directly below the bowl. The compartment may then be removed to dispose of the kernels.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a bowl. More specifically, this invention relates to a bowl designed for holding popcorn.
Typically, when popcorn is prepared the popcorn is either made in a microwave or on a stove and placed into a bowl for serving. When the popcorn is popped oftentimes not all of the popcorn kernels pop into popcorn. Specifically, when the popcorn is placed into the bowl the unpopped kernels are additionally placed into the bowl and rest at the bottom of the bowl. Thus, when individuals are eating the popcorn as they get to the bottom of the bowl they can have a tendency to grab the unpopped kernels and place them in their mouths thus causing them to bite down on the unpopped kernel and damaging teeth. Alternatively, an individual must take the time to pick out the popcorn from the unpopped kernels which not only takes time but is an annoyance to the eater.
Therefore, a principle object of the present invention is to provide an improved popcorn bowl that allows for efficient eating of popcorn.
These and other objects, features or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A bowl assembly for holding popcorn. The bowl assembly includes a bowl that has an open top, a bottom and a sidewall extending therebetween. A plurality of openings are exposed through the bottom of the bowl that are of size and shape that are greater than a popcorn kernel and less than the popcorn. Thus, a compartment can be attached to the bottom of the bowl wherein the popcorn kernels are allowed to be disposed through the plurality of openings to be contained within the compartment. Because popcorn does not pass through the plurality of openings only popcorn is left in the bowl for consumption.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side plan view of a popcorn bowl assembly; and

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a popcorn bowl assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a bowl assembly 10 for holding popcorn 12 and popcorn kernels 14. The bowl assembly 10 comprises a bowl housing 16 with and open top 18, a bottom 20, and a sidewall 22 extending therebetween. While the bowl in one embodiment as shown in FIG. 1 has a rounded bottom 20, in another embodiment as shown in FIG. 2 the bottom 20 could be flat without falling outside the scope of this disclosure. Similarly, while the bowl 16 is shown with a rounded sidewall 22 the sidewall could be any size or shape and additionally not fall outside this disclosure.
The bottom 20 of bowl 16 contains a plurality of openings 24 disposed therethrough. Specifically, the plurality of openings 24 are of size and shape that are greater than the popcorn kernels 14 and less than the popcorn 12. Also extending from the bottom 20 of the bowl 16 is an annular threaded flange 26 that receives the threads 28 of a compartment 30. The compartment 30 is thus detachably secured to the bowl threadably. Specifically, the compartment 30 is located directly underneath the plurality of openings 24 to received and contain any kernels 14 that pass through the openings 24. While this embodiment is shown as threadably attached to the bottom 20 of the bowl 16 the compartment 30 could be secured to or detachably secured to the bowl in any manner. Similarly, while the compartment 30 is shown as attached to an annular flange 26 coming from the bottom 20 of bowl 16 the compartment 30 could be attached to the sidewall 22 without falling outside the scope of this disclosure.
In operation, after an individual pops popcorn they place the combination of the popcorn 12 and unpopped popcorn kernels 14 within the bowl 16 via the open top 18. Once in the bowl 16 the popcorn and kernels 12 and 14 may be shaken by a user thus allowing the kernels 14 to pass through the plurality of openings 24 and into the compartment 30. When the compartment 30 contains the unpopped popcorn kernels therein the compartment 30 can be removed to throw away the popcorn kernels 14. Thus, only popcorn 12 is left in the bowl for consumption by the user.
By using the popcorn assembly 10 a user may separate popcorn kernels 14 from popcorn 12 within bowl 16. The separation is easily accomplished without the need to selectively pick out the popcorn 12 from the kernels 14 and without the risk of biting a kernel. Thus, at the very least all of the stated objectives have been met.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other various modifications could be made to the device without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. All such modifications and changes fall within the scope of the claims and are intended to be covered thereby.

Claims

1. A bowl assembly for holding popcorn comprising:

a bowl having an open top, a bottom, and a sidewall extending therebetween;

a plurality of openings disposed through the bottom of the bowl that are of size and shape greater than a popcorn kernel and less than popcorn;

a compartment attached to the bottom of the bowl;

wherein popcorn kernels disposed through he plurality of openings are contained within the compartment.

2. The bowl assembly of claim 1 wherein the sidewall is rounded.

3. The bowl assembly of claim 1 wherein the compartment is detachably secured to the bowl.

4. The bowl assembly of claim 3 wherein the compartment is threadably attached to the bowl.

5. The bowl assembly of claim 1 wherein the bottom is flat.