(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
(19) World Intellectual Property Organization
International Bureau
Illlll llllllll II llllll lllll lllll lllll llll III Ill lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111111111111111111
(10) International Publication Number
(43) International Publication Date
1 July 2010 (01.07.2010)
(51) International Patent Classification:
G09B 19112 (2006.01)
(74) Agent: HATZMANN, M.J.; Vereenigde, Johan de Wittlaan 7,NL-2517 JRDenHaag(NL).
(21) International Application Number:
PCT/NL2009/050790
(81) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM,
AO, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BH, BR, BW, BY, BZ,
CA,CH,CL,CN,CO,CR,CU,CZ,DE,DK,DM,DO,
DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT,
HN, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KM, KN, KP,
KR, KZ, LA, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LY, MA, MD,
ME, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI,
NO, NZ, OM, PE, PG, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, RU, SC, SD,
SE, SG, SK, SL, SM, ST, SV, SY, TJ, TM, TN, TR, TT,
TZ, VA, VG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, ZM, ZW.
(22) International Filing Date:
22 December 2009 (22.12.2009)
(25) Filing Language:
English
(26) Publication Language:
English
(30) Priority Data:
PCT/NL2008/050839
22 December 2008 (22.12.2008)
1037235
28 August 2009 (28.08.2009)
NL
NL
(84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
kind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH,
GM, KE, LS, MW, MZ, NA, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, VG, ZM,
ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ,
TM), European (AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE,
ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LT, LU, LV,
MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, SM,
TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ, GW,
ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
(71) Applicant (for all designated States except US):
PATENTCHECK.NL [NL/NL];
Storm van 'sGravesandeweg 119, NL-2242 JE Wassenaar (NL).
-
WO 2010/074568 Al
PCT
(72) Inventors; and
(75) Inventors/Applicants (for US only): KROEZE, Paul
Edward Arthur [NL/NL]; Storm van 's-Gravesandeweg
119, NL-2242 JE Wassenaar (NL). KROEZE, Robert
Hugo [NL/NL]; Storm van 's-Gravesandeweg 119,
NL-2242 JE Wassenaar (NL).
Published:
with international search report (Art. 21 (3))
----
[Continued on next page]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(54) Title: SYSTEM FOR LEARNING TO IDENTIFY INDICIA
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FIG.1
(57) Abstract: System for learning to
identify indicia comprising a food
serving plate and at least one utensil,
wherein the food serving plate comprises an approximately centrally positioned mounting element for cooperation with the utensil, and wherein
the food serving plate comprises indicia on a peripheral edge for cooperation with an end of the utensil for
indicating said indicia.
WO 2010/07 4568 Al Illlll llllllll II llllll lllll lllll lllll llll III Ill lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111111111111111111
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with amended claims (Art. 19(1))
WO 2010/074568
Title:
PCT/NL2009/050790
System for learning to identify indicia
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a system for learning to identify indicia.
5
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Various systems are known for learning, for in particular children, to
tell the time or to identify indicia such as pictures. For example is known a
wooden disc on which numbers 1 to 12 representing the hours are provided on
10
a peripheral edge of said disc, thus forming a clock face. In the centre of the
clock face a pin is provided for coupling of an hour and a minute hand to the
clock face. The hands can be moved manually by a parent or child to indicate a
particular time. A drawback of this system is that 'time' itself is relatively
abstract and difficult to put into context for children. Also is known a food
15
serving plate with pictures of animals thereon depicted positioned within the
boundaries of the outline shape of a slice of bread. A drawback of this system is
that the pictures are only visible when the plate is empty. Also is known a food
serving plate with letters A, B and C on its peripheral edge. A drawback of this
system is that if a parent asks a child to point out a letter and a child tries to
20
point at it with a utensil that food which is on the serving plate or utensil
might unintentionally smudge areas of the kitchen like floor, wall or ceiling.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
25
The invention provides for an improved system for learning to
identify indicia in which at least one of the above drawbacks may be obviated.
Thereto provides the invention a system for learning to identify indicia
comprising a dish and at least one utensil, wherein the dish comprises an
approximately centrally positioned mounting element for cooperation with the
WO 2010/074568
PCT/NL2009/050790
2
utensil, wherein said dish comprises indicia on a peripheral edge for
cooperation with an end of said utensil for indicating the indicia.
When using 'dish', a food serving plate is meant, such as e.g. a
dinner plate, a soup plate or a bowl. A 'utensil' is meant as an item of cutlery.
5
By providing a dish and a utensil that are adapted for learning to
identify indicia, identifying e.g. pictures or telling the time may be learned in a
relatively recurring setting. For example during the daytime with each meal,
the system may be used to learn to identify indicia or e.g. tell the time that for
10
example corresponds with the mealtime, like breakfast, lunch or dinner time
respectively. Such a recurring setting may put for a child telling the time or
learning the indicia into context and may make telling the time or learning the
indicia less abstract.
15
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The peripheral edge of a dish is provided with indicia, like numerals
1-12 representing e.g. hours, or letters, or pictures representing various
objects, such as pictures representing everyday objects or representing animals
20
or representing vegetables or plants. When the indicia are numerals, the dish
may represent a clock face. The dish comprises an approximately centrally
positioned mounting element. A utensil is provided with the dish. The utensil
may be adapted for cooperation with the mounting element. For example, the
utensil may be adapted to cooperate with the mounting element at and/or near
25
a first end of the utensil. The utensil may be loosely coupled with the mounting
element and the coupling may easily be undone to use the utensil to serve food
to a child's mouth. The utensil may cooperate at an end with the indicia of the
peripheral edge, e.g. at a second end of the utensil opposite the first end. The
second end of the utensil may be provided as a pointer or arrow that
30
cooperates with the indicia.
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PCT/NL2009/050790
3
When using numbers as indicia, the child may learn to tell the time
and/or may learn to read the numbers. By providing a utensil or utensils as
(one of) the hands of a clock, the dish with the utensil(s) may give more
5
directly the association of a clock to, for example, a child and a child may learn
to tell the time by being taught the meaning of the position of the utensil in
relation to the indicia.
When using for example pictures as indicia, the child may learn to
10
identify the pictures. By providing the utensil for instance as an arrow or e.g.
similar to a garden spade (or fork) with open grip and pointy blade or e.g.
resembling a builder's saw, the utensil may be used to point to an indicia, e.g.
a picture. The picture may be a photo or a drawing or a schematic
representation of an object, such as a carrot or other vegetable, or plant or an
15
animal or an everyday object, e.g. a coat, house or builder's vehicle.
When using letters as indicia, the child may learn to identify the
letters and/or may learn to read the letters.
The first end of the utensil is referred to herein as 'head'. The second
20
end of the utensil is referred to herein as 'tail-end'.
The system comprising a dish and a utensil is free of a transmission
mechanism and/or a driving motor. The utensil is not driven, but may be laid
25
on the mounting element and the position of the utensil may be changed
manually.
For example at breakfast time, before the breakfast meal a parent
may lay the utensil in such a way on the dish according to the invention that a
30
proper time, like for example seven o'clock, may be indicated. In this way the
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4
child is taught the association of seven o'clock with breakfast time. The child
could lay the utensil in a different position to attempt to indicate the time
when kindergarten starts, etcetera. When ready with the exercise of learning
to tell the time, food may be served (if it was not yet) onto a food serving area
5
of the dish and the child may use the utensil for eating the food.
For example, when the indicia represent pictures, the child may be
asked by a parent to point the utensil towards the picture of e.g. the carrot or
the picture of e.g. a dog or the picture of e.g. the chicken. Also, the child may be
10
asked to tell which animal eats the vegetable shown in the picture pointed at
with his utensil or may be asked to perform the noise of the animal or tool like
e.g. a hammer(-like spoon) which points at a plank or window (shown on the
picture).
15
For example, if the utensils match the theme of the indicia like e.g. the
hands of a clock or garden or building tools (e.g. for the latter a knife which
approximately looks like a builder's saw) and thereby an appearance of the
utensils corresponding to the indicia on the dish is arranged, a relatively
complete and appealing overall impression may be created by the dish pictures
20
in combination with the utensils, e.g. the clock with the hands, a garden theme
or building theme, etc.
Many pictures, indicia and/or themes for pictures and indicia are
possible. A theme could support interaction between a child and a parent
25
during a meal and for such a theme for example a haft could resemble a police
man, fire man, train driver and the like, to be combined with indicia depicting
a police car, a fire engine, a train respectively, and so on. Alternatively a haft
could resemble a cartoon character in combination with indicia depicting the
character's vehicle and other characteristic objects, e.g. the "Fat controller" as
30
a haft combined with indicia of Thomas & friends™ vehicles, like e.g. Thomas,
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5
Percy, Bertie and James and/or tunnel, station, junction or signal. In a similar
way a theme could be for example 'garden' wherein the utensils could be
garden tools and the indicia garden items such as flowers, vegetables, pond,
hedge and the like.
5
Furthermore the tail end of a utensil may be provided with a shape or
picture that forms one half and wherein at least one indicia on the peripheral
edge forms the other half of the shape or picture, such that when the tail end is
coupled with the at least one indicia, two halves are juxtaposed and form
10
together a single complete depicted item such as for example a square or a
circle or an animal. The child could than match said halves by rotating the
utensils, which could result in e.g. a combination of a lower half of a zebra on
e.g. the haft and an upper half of a (sea) lion as an indicia on the peripheral
edge of the dish, whereas the peripheral edge further may also provided with
15
an indicia as an upper half of the zebra to form a complete picture.
By providing the mounting element as a support for the first end of
the utensil, the utensil may easily cooperate with the mounting element. The
bottom side of for example the head of a fork or spoon may usually be convex,
20
and the upper side of for example the head of a fork or a spoon may usually be
concave. For example may the top surface of the mounting element be concave
in which the convex side of the head of a utensil, e.g. the head of a spoon or
fork, may be laid. Also, the mounting element may be provided with a convex
support surface over which the concave side of the head of the utensil may be
25
laid. Once a utensil is laid over the mounting element, the head of a second
utensil may be laid over the head of the first utensil. The cooperation with the
head of the utensil and the mounting element is loosely and a child and/or
adult may easily pick up the utensil or may easily lay the utensil in a different
position for indicating a different time.
30
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6
By providing the mounting element with a protrusion for
cooperation with a recess or opening near the first end of the utensil, a
relatively simple coupling mechanism may be provided. For example, the
recess or the opening may be provided between the head as first end and the
5
haft of the utensil, thereby positioning the recess near the first end of the
utensil. For example may a utensil be mounted on the protrusion by laying the
recess or opening onto the protrusion. By providing a recess or opening in the
utensil for cooperation with the protrusion of the mounting element, two
utensils may be relatively easily laid above each other onto the mounting
10
element as to simulate a clock with for example an hour hand and a minute
hand.
A protrusion and opening, magnetic elements or a protrusion and
recess may be arranged as cooperating elements on the utensil and the dish.
15
Many other variants of cooperating elements are possible, for example a ball
and socket as cooperating elements.
By providing the mounting element with a magnetic element for
cooperation with a magnetic element at and/or near the first end of the utensil,
20
the utensil may relatively easily be laid onto the mounting element and
removed from the mounting element, also by a child. When a magnetic element
is provided at and/or near the first end of each utensil, the utensils may also be
laid upon each other as to represent for example the hour hand and the minute
hand of a clock. The magnetic element may be provided as a magnet, and/or
25
may be provided as an element of magnetic material, such as e.g. metal, or
paint with metallic particles. In an embodiment, the mounting element may be
provided with a magnetic element that may cooperate with the first end of a
utensil. When the first end, for example the head of the utensil is made of
metal, the head may form the magnetic element of the utensil and may
30
cooperate with the magnetic element of the mounting element.
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7
Cooperation of the second end of the utensil e.g. the tail-end with the
indicia means for example that the tail-end may point towards the indicia,
and/or may be laid onto the indicia and/or may be supported by a raised
5
peripheral edge and/or may be coupled to the indicia. For the latter the indicia
on the peripheral edge may further be provided as e.g. protrusions like e.g. riblike or bubble-like elements, but other forms of protrusions are also possible.
The tail-end of a utensil may be provided for example with a recess for
cooperating with said protrusions. Alternatively, the tail-end of the utensil
10
may be provided with a protrusion and the peripheral edge of the dish may be
provided with a recess. By moving the second end of the utensil from one
position to an other position over the peripheral edge of the dish, the second
end may 'click' on indicia of the peripheral edge, thereby helping the child to
find a position of the second end for indicating an appropriate time or for
15
identifying the appropriate picture. For example, the utensil may be rotated
around a vertical axis of the mounting element, the first end may be coupled to
the mounting element and the second end may be moved over the peripheral
edge during rotation.
20
Alternatively, the peripheral edge may be provided with magnetic
and/or metal elements that may be coupled with magnetic and/or metal
elements in the tail-ends of the utensil e.g. to improve stability and/or position
of a utensil positioned on the mounting element. The magnetic and/or metal
elements in the peripheral edge may be provided as an approximately
25
continuous ring or may be provided at discrete locations which preferably
coincide with the positions of indicia. For the latter, when rotating the tail end
of the utensil it may move in discrete steps, i.e. from one magnetic coupling to
the next magnetic coupling, thereby preferably moving from near one indicia to
near the next indicia, e.g. to indicate 9 o'clock, 10 o'clock, etc.
30
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8
Also, if two utensils are provided of which one represents the hour
and the other represents the minute hand, the haft of the utensil representing
the hour hand may be of different appearance, e.g. substantially shorter and/or
wider, than the haft of the utensil representing the minute hand. A third
5
utensil, possibly of different appearance than the other two, may be provided
to represent a seconds hand. In an embodiment, the haft of the utensil
representing the hour hand is substantially shorter and substantially wider
than the utensil representing the minute hand. The haft of a utensil
representing the seconds hand is substantially narrower and/or substantially
10
longer than the haft of the utensil representing the minute hand and the
utensil representing the hour hand.
Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are represented in
the subclaims.
15
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be explained in more detail on the basis of exemplary
embodiments shown in the drawing. In the drawings:
20
FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a
dish of the system according to the invention;
FIG. 2 shows a schematic overhead view of a first embodiment of two
utensils for cooperation with the dish of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of the first embodiment of
25
the system according to the invention along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of a second embodiment
of the system according to the invention;
FIG. 5 shows an exploded overhead view of a utensil for use in the
second embodiment of FIG. 4;
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9
FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of a third embodiment of
the system according to the invention;
FIG. 7 shows an exploded overhead view of a utensil for use in the third
embodiment of FIG. 6;
5
FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of a fourth embodiment of
the system according to the invention;
FIG. 9 shows a schematic overhead view of a utensil for use in the
fourth embodiment of FIG. 8;
Fig. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a
10
dish of the system according to the invention.
The figures are only schematic representations of preferred
embodiments of the invention. In the figures, similar or corresponding parts
are indicated by the same reference numerals.
15
DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a dish 1 for use in a system 16 for learning to identify
20
indicia according to the invention. The dish 1 comprises a food serving area 2
enclosed by a peripheral edge 3. On the peripheral edge 3, indicia 4 represent
with numbers 1-12 the hours. The dish 1 can thus be used for learning to
identify the numbers and/or for learning to tell the time. Preferably, the
peripheral edge 3 is higher than the food serving area 2. In this embodiment,
25
the dish 1 is provided as a soup plate. Then, the food can stay more easily
within the dish 1 during eating of the food by e.g. a child. Approximately
centrally positioned in the food serving area 2 is a frustoconical mounting
element 5. The mounting element 5 can be used to heap food against, which
may facilitate eating the food from the food serving area 2 by a child. The
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10
mounting element 5 may be frustoconical or polygonal or cylindrical or
hemispherical or may have any other shape.
The dish 1 may be manufactured from wood, metal, plastic, bamboo,
5
earthenware, stoneware, porcelain, glass, and durable plastics, such as
melamine resin, or any other suitable durable material or combination of
suitable durable materials.
FIG. 2 shows two utensils 7 for use with the dish 1 of the system for
10
learning to identify indicia, in this embodiment for learning to tell the time of
the embodiment of FIG. 1. The utensils 7 are in this embodiment a spoon 8
and a fork 9 and represent respectively the hour hand and the minute hand
when laid on the mounting element 5 of FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the hafts
of the utensils 7 are suggested to be made from a transparent material such as
15
a transparent plastic like Lexan® or such as Pyrex® glass.
The spoon 8 comprises a haft 10 and a spoon head 11 and the fork 9
comprises a haft 12 and a fork head 13. The heads 11, 13 form the first end of
the utensil 7, the opposite second end is formed by the tail-end 18, 19 of the
20
haft 10, 12. The spoon head 11 and the fork head 13 are in this embodiment
made of a metal such as stainless steel (of e.g. 1.5 mm thickness) or any other
suitable material. Normally such a spoon or a fork head has an extension
which continues into the haft by insert molding. When viewed from above, the
extensions 14, 15 inside the transparent hafts 10, 12 in this embodiment are of
25
the shape of a clock dial similar to an arrow, whereby the arrow 14 in the haft
10 of the spoon 8 is about 25% shorter and about 40% wider than the arrow 15
inside the haft 12 of the fork 9. Herewith we simulate the commonly accepted
form for the difference in the shapes of the hour hand versus the minute hand
of clocks in general.
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11
Even though the metal arrows 14, 15 will be visible because of the
transparent material of the hafts 10, 12, they could be coated with black paint
or any other suitable alternative to enhance their visibility. Alternatively the
arrows 14, 15 could be provided on hafts made of non-transparent material e.g.
5
by surface applications, painting or on a jacket which slides onto the hafts 10,
12. Alternatively, preferably non-transparent, hafts could be made themselves
in shapes which represent clock hands or other items.
The heads 11, 13 may also be made from plastics and may e.g. be formed
10
in one piece with the hafts 10, 12 e.g. with injection molding.
FIG. 3 shows a cross-section view of a system 16 for learning to identify
indicia, in this embodiment for learning to tell the time. The system 16
comprises a dish 1 (see FIG. 1) and two utensils 7 (see FIG. 2). The spoon head
15
11 and the fork head 13 can cooperate with the mounting element 5. The
mounting element 5 is approximately centrally positioned in the dish 1 and is
here provided with a concave support surface 17. The spoon head 11 and the
fork head 13 are normally concave on the upper side, for supporting food
normally, and convex on the bottom side, of which preferably their convex
20
bottom side is laid on the concave support surface 17. In this manner the
concave side of either the fork head 13 or the spoon head 11 can easily be laid
onto the concave support surface 17 of the mounting element 5. Subsequently
the convex side of the spoon head 11 can be laid onto the concave side of fork
head 13 to cooperate with the latter. Hence, preferably the curvature of the
25
convex and concave sides of the spoon head 11 and fork head 13 are
approximately corresponding and may also approximately correspond with the
curvature of the convex support surface 17 of the mounting element 5.
The second ends 18, 19 of the utensils 7 can be laid onto the peripheral
30
edge 3 for cooperation with the indicia 4. By laying the tail-end 18 of the spoon
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12
8, on or between certain hour indicia (not shown), the hour can be represented.
By laying the tail-end 19 of the fork 9, on or between certain minute indicia
(not shown), the minutes can be represented.
5
With the utensils 7 that are adapted for representing the hour and the
minute hand, and with the dish 1 adapted for receiving the hour and the
minute hand, a clock can be simulated. This way a child can learn to tell the
time in a relatively concrete and less abstract setting, e.g. before the meal
starts the time corresponding with the meal time can be indicated and learned.
10
The utensils 7 may also represent for example an arrow or the tail-end may
have any form, e.g. spade or saw, so it can be used to point towards an indicia
such as a letter or a picture on the peripheral edge 3 of the dish 1.
The utensils 7 are loosely coupled with the mounting element 5. A child
15
can easily lay the utensils 7 onto the mounting element 5, and can easily
remove the utensils 7 therefrom, e.g. to use them for eating.
FIG. 4 shows a cross-section view of a second embodiment of a system 16
for learning to tell the time with a dish 1 and utensils 7. The mounting
20
element 5 comprises a frustoconical base 6 similar to FIG. 1 with a protrusion
20 that can cooperate with an opening 21, 22 near the first ends 11, 13 of the
utensils 7. In particular, in this embodiment, the openings 21, 22 are arranged
between the heads 11, 13 and the hafts 10, 12 respectively. The openings 21,
22 may cooperate with the protrusion 20 to couple the utensil 7 to the
25
mounting element 5 of the dish 1. As shown here, a shoulder 23 is provided for
supporting the utensils 7. By providing a shoulder 23, the utensils 7 may be
coupled relatively stable to the mounting element 5.
By providing a protrusion 20 and openings 21, 22 as cooperating
30
elements, the utensils 7 are loosely coupled to the dish 1. The second ends 18,
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13
19 of the utensils 7 cooperate with the indicia (not shown) on the peripheral
edge 3 of the dish 1 to indicate the time. The utensils 7 can be rotated around
the protrusion 20 and thus the indication of the time can easily be changed.
Also, a child can easily remove utensils 7 from the protrusion 20.
5
In this embodiment, the spoon 8 and/or the fork 9 may be positioned on
the protrusion 20 irrespective of the orientation of the convex or concave side
of the heads 11, 13 of the spoon 8 and/or the fork 9.
10
Preferably, the height of the convex and concave sides of the heads 11,
13 of the utensils 7 may not be larger than approximately the thickness of the
hafts 10, 12, so rotation of one utensil with respect to the other may be
relatively easy.
15
Also the heads 11, 13 and the hafts 10, 12 may have a corresponding
shape and/or curvature to allow relative easy rotation of the utensils with
respect to each other, thereby avoiding collision in at least one orientation of
the utensils with respect to each other, e.g. also when the utensils are above
each other pointing towards the same indicia Preferably the shape and/or
20
curvature is such that the utensils will not collide when rotated with respect to
each other, also in the orientation when they point approximately towards one
and the same indicia, when the utensils are arranged above each other on the
mounting element, in at least one orientation, upwards or downwards of the
concave side of e.g. the spoon- and the fork head.
25
The utensils may be tailored such that when both rotating the utensils
over the peripheral edge, collision between the utensils may be avoided. The
utensils may smoothly rotate along each other when on the mounting element
arranged above each other.
30
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14
Preferably the weight distribution of a utensil 7 is such that when the
utensil 7 is coupled to the protrusion 20, the utensil 7 may have a relatively
stable position. For example, about half of the weight may be distributed on
either side of the opening 21, 22 of the utensil 7. This can for example be
5
accomplished by choosing for the haft 10, 12 a plastic material with a specific
gravity in combination with the volume of said haft that the normally heavier
metal head of the utensil 7 may be approximately counterbalanced. If the
utensils 7 alternatively were to be made of only one material, the haft may be
partly hollow in order to balance properly with the head of the utensil.
10
FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of a utensil 7 for use in the embodiment
of the system 16 according to FIG. 4. The body of the haft 10 itself is in this
embodiment shaped like a clock hand to simulate the hour hand. The spoon
head 11 with an extension 14 may be made from one piece of e.g. metal. The
15
extension 14 from the spoon head 11, which continues into the haft 10 by
insert molding, is provided with an opening 21' which corresponds with an
opening 21" in the haft 10 when the utensil 7 is assembled. The haft 10 may be
injection molded, preferably the haft 10 is injection molded around the
extension 14 of the head 12. Openings 21' and 21" together form the opening
20
21 in the haft 10 as shown in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 shows a cross-section view of a third embodiment of a system 16
for learning to identify indicia, in this embodiment for learning to tell the time
comprising a dish 1 and utensils 7. In this embodiment the frustoconical
25
mounting element 5 is provided with a magnetic element 23 positioned near
the top surface 17. Magnetic elements 24, 25 may be provided near the heads
11, 13 of utensils 7 for cooperation with the magnetic element 23 of the
mounting element 5. The magnetic elements 23, 24, 25 are arranged as
cooperating elements. In this embodiment, the magnetic elements 24, 25 are
30
provided between the heads 11, 13 and the hafts 10, 12 of the utensils 7. The
WO 2010/074568
PCT/NL2009/050790
15
magnetic elements may also be provided in the hafts. By providing a magnetic
element in each utensil, the utensils 7 may also be coupled to and/or on top of
each other, as shown in Fig. 6.
5
The top surface 17 of said mounting element 5 in this embodiment is
preferably approximately horizontal and flat, providing stability to the utensil
7 placed on it and/or to enable to rotate the utensil 7 easily to indicate a
different time. Also, the magnetic coupling can be easily undone by a child,
when the child e.g. wants to use the utensils for eating.
10
The magnetic elements 23, 24, 25 may be cylindrical or of other shapes.
Preferably the magnetic elements 23, 24, 25 are ball-shaped, because then the
magnetic force concentrates on one point, i.e. approximately towards the
middle of the support surface 17.
15
Empirical testing showed that magnetic balls of 7 .5 mm diameter and
N38 of magnetic strength provided sufficient attractive force to keep the
utensils in position, whilst also being weak enough that the user could easily
lift the upper utensil, or both utensils, without lifting the dish 1 of
20
approximately 150 grammes.
Furthermore, the magnetic element 23 preferably is provided in a
housing which allows it to move freely with respect to the mounting element.
Also, the magnetic elements 24, 25 may be provided in a housing in the utensil
25
7 as to allow the magnetic elements 24, 25 to move freely therein. The housing
may also be a part of an haft and/or may be integrated in the haft. This allows
rotating one pole of one magnetic element 24, 25 facing an other pole of the
other magnetic element 23 regardless of orientation of the utensil 7. A
magnetic element may e.g. have a north and/or a south pole. The magnetic
30
element 24, 25 of a second utensil 7 would align itself when the second utensil
WO 2010/074568
PCT/NL2009/050790
16
7 is laid on top of a first utensil 7 placed on the mounting element 5. Also, the
magnetic element of the mounting element and/or the utensil may e.g. be
provided by magnetic paint or a magnetic cover or the magnetic element may
be fixed to the mounting element or the utensil.
5
FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of a utensil 7 for use with the
embodiment of the system 16 according to the invention shown in FIG. 6. The
body of the haft 11 itself is here shaped like a clock hand to represent the
minute hand. The fork head 13 comprises in this embodiment an extension 15
10
to which the haft 11 may be coupled e.g. by injection molding and/or gluing.
The extension 15 from the fork head 13, which continues into the haft by insert
molding, is provided with an opening 21' to accommodate the magnetic
element (not shown).
15
In the haft 11, a housing may be provided to house the magnetic
element 24, 25. To shield the magnetic element 24, 25 from the head 13 which
may be made from metal, a collar 26 (see FIG. 6) may be provided from a nonmagnetic material that may be placed between the magnetic element 24, 25
and a wall of the housing. For example, the collar 26 may be a ring-like
20
element that may enclose the magnetic element 24, 25 loosely, such that the
magnetic element 24, 25 may freely rotate in the collar 26. The collar 26 may
be a separate component and/or be an integral part of the housing of the haft
11.
25
In an embodiment, the magnetic elements may be removable mounted
in the housing, as to remove them before the dish and/or utensil may be
cleaned in e.g. a dishwasher. In an other embodiment, the housing may be
hermetically closed to cover the magnetic element and to prevent ingress of
water, food and/or dirt.
30
WO 2010/074568
PCT/NL2009/050790
17
Also in an other embodiment, the magnetic element 23 of the mounting
element 5 may cooperate with the first ends 11, 13 of the utensils 7, when the
heads 11, 13 are made from metal. No magnetic elements have then to be
provided in the utensils, which may make the utensils more cost effective.
5
FIG. 8 shows a cross-section view of a fourth embodiment of a system 16
for learning to identify indicia, in this embodiment for learning to tell the time
with a dish 1 and the utensils 7. The dish 1 comprises a mounting element 5
with a protrusion 20. The protrusion 20 in this embodiment cooperates with a
10
recess 27, 28 in the haft 10, 12 near the head 11, 13 of the utensils 7. The
protrusion 20 and the recess 27, 28 are arranged as cooperating elements. The
recesses 27, 28 are arranged near the first ends 11, 13. In this embodiment,
the recesses 27, 28 are situated between the heads 11, 13 and the hafts 10, 12
of the utensils 7 respectively. The protrusion 20 of the mounting element 5
15
cooperates with the protrusions 27, 28 for coupling of the utensil 7 with the
mounting element 5. Advantageously, the mounting element 5 comprises a
shoulder 23 adjacent the protrusion 20 for cooperation with a rim around the
recess 27, 28 of the utensil 7. When coupled, the rim rests on the shoulder 23
and the utensil 7 may be positioned more stable on the mounting element 5. In
20
an embodiment, the opposite side 29, 30 of the recess 27, 28 is arranged to
cooperate with a recess 27, 28 of an adjacent utensil 7, as shown in FIG. 8.
FIG. 9 shows a top view of a utensil 7 for use with the embodiment of
the system 16 according to FIG. 8. The body of the haft 31 itself is shaped like
25
a clock hand to represent the seconds hand. The knife head 32 may be made
from metal and coupled to the haft 31 e.g. by injection molding of the haft.
Also, the knife head 32 and the haft 31 may be made from one piece, e.g. from
plastics. The recess 27, 28 and the sides 29, 30 may be formed during the
molding of the haft.
30
WO 2010/074568
PCT/NL2009/050790
18
Fig. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of a dish 1 of a system for
learning to identify indicia according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.
The indicia 4 are here provided as pictures from everyday objects, such as a
house or a flower or a jacket or a bucket, or from animals such as a horse, or a
5
chicken or a duck or a cat or a mouse or a butterfly, or as a letter, here the
letter "A". By providing a utensil 7, the utensil 7 can be mounted on the
mounting element 5 and can be moved over the mounting element 5 and/or
over the peripheral edge 3 to point towards an indicia. A child may point the
utensil 7 to a picture 4 and then may tell what the picture 4 represents and/or
10
in addition may make the noise of e.g. the tool, weather condition, animal or
vehicle the picture represents. Thus, a system for learning to identify indicia
may be provided. Not shown are possible further shapes mentioned for the
utensils like tools as mentioned above like e.g. a garden spade or a fork, a
hammer, a saw, which ideally would match the theme of the pictures on the
15
peripheral edge, like 'farm' or 'garden' or 'Bob the Builder™'.
In the above, the system 16 has been described with a dish as food
serving plate 1 and utensils 7 adapted for cooperation with a mounting
element 5 on the food serving plate 1. In particular, the food serving plate 1
20
may be adapted for receiving utensils 7. The mounting element 5 may be
integrally formed with the dish 1, but may also be a loose element that may be
placed in the food serving area 2 and may be coupled to the dish 1
magnetically and/or mechanically, e.g. by a screw, a snap fit connection, or any
other connection. Also to the mounting element may be attached a plate-like
25
element that corresponds to the food serving area 2 and may be placed in the
food serving area 2 as to adapt a normal food serving plate. The indicia may be
integrally formed on the peripheral edge of the dish. Also, the indicia may be
provided on a separate ring that may be laid over the peripheral edge or may
be coupled to the peripheral as to fix the position of the ring during use.
30
WO 2010/074568
PCT/NL2009/050790
19
According to an other aspect of the invention, also a set of utensils
may be provided wherein the utensils are adapted for use in a system
according to the invention, wherein one utensil represents an hour hand and
one utensil represents a minute hand. The set of utensils may comprise
5
utensils, wherein the haft of the utensil representing the hour hand is
substantially shorter and substantially wider than the haft of the utensil
representing the minute hand. The set of utensils may comprise utensils,
wherein the haft of the utensil representing the hour hand is approximately
25% shorter and approximately 40% wider than the haft of the utensil
10
representing the minute hand. The set of utensils may comprise utensils and
may further comprise a utensil representing the seconds hand. The set of
utensils may comprise utensils, wherein the haft of the utensil representing
the seconds hand is substantially narrower and/or substantially longer than
the haft of the utensil representing the hour hand and the haft of the utensil
15
representing the minute hand. The haft of the utensil representing the seconds
hand may be approximately 25% longer and approximately 40% narrower than
the haft of the utensil representing the minute hand. Each of the embodiments
of the system described above may be provided with a set of utensils
comprising utensils representing one of the hour hand, the minute hand or the
20
seconds hand.
Different embodiments of the utensils, of the dishes and/or of the
mounting elements have been described that may also be used when the dish
comprises numbers and/or letters and/or pictures as indicia. Many
25
combinations of the different embodiments described above may be possible.
In the embodiments explained above, a utensil may be provided with a
cooperating element for cooperation with a cooperating element on the dish,
e.g. a protrusion and opening, or magnetic elements, or a protrusion and
30
recess. The cooperating element on the dish is preferably arranged on at or in
WO 2010/074568
PCT/NL2009/050790
20
the mounting element. The cooperating element of the utensil may be provided
at, in or near the haft. The cooperating element of the utensil may also be the
head-end of the utensil that cooperates with the cooperating element i.e. the
support surface of the mounting element. Many other cooperating elements
5
and positions thereof are possible.
Preferably, for a utensil with a cooperating element, the height of the
convex and concave sides of the heads of the utensils may not be larger than
the thickness of the hafts, so rotation of one utensil with respect to the other
10
may be relatively easy.
More preferably, the weight distribution of a utensil is such that when
the utensil is coupled to the dish via the cooperating elements, the utensil may
have a relatively stable position. For example, about half of the weight may be
15
distributed on either side of the cooperating element of the utensil, such that
the centre of gravity of the utensil approximately coincides with the
cooperating element of the utensil. Also when the hafts of the utensils have
varying thickness, the hafts are preferably tailored such that when arranged
above each other the hafts can smoothly rotate along each other over the
20
peripheral edge and collision between the hafts may be avoided.
Many variants will be clear to the person skilled in the art. Also may
e.g. the first end cooperating with the mounting element be the tail-end of the
haft of the utensil, and may the second end cooperating with the indicia on the
25
peripheral edge be the head of the utensil. Also, a time or picture recognition
system (e.g. battery driven) may be provided in the dish to recognize the time
or picture that is indicated by the utensils. For example, a voice may then say
the time or picture or e.g. copy the noise of an animal indicated to provide
direct feedback to the child that positioned the utensils. For example, the dish
30
may be arranged to give instructions to the child, e.g. with a voice signal (e.g.
WO 2010/074568
PCT/NL2009/050790
21
asking; "where is the dog'' or "indicate 6 o'clock"), and after the child has
positioned the utensils, feedback may be provided by the voice signal (e.g. "well
done!" or "try again?"). The time or picture recognition system could be
arranged removable in the dish, e.g. inside the mounting element, then it may
5
be removed before the dish may be placed in e.g. a dishwasher. Alternatively,
the time or picture recognition system may be arranged in a waterproof casing
of the dish. The variants are understood to fall within the scope of the
invention as set forth in the appended claims.
10
Henceforth it will readily be apparent that numerous modifications and
alterations can be made to the embodiments described about without
departing from the principles underlying this invention, and all such
modifications and alterations are intended to be embraced by the invention as
defined in the following claims.
WO 2010/074568
PCT/NL2009/050790
22
Claims
1.
System for learning to identify indicia comprising a dish and at least
one utensil wherein said dish comprises an approximately centrally positioned
mounting element for cooperation with the utensil, wherein said dish
comprises indicia on a peripheral edge for cooperation with an end of said
5
utensil for indicating said indicia.
2.
System according to claim 1, wherein the utensil is adapted for
cooperation with the mounting element at and/or near a first end of the
utensil.
10
3.
System according to claim 2, wherein the utensil is adapted for
cooperation with the indicia on the peripheral edge at a second end opposite
the first end of the utensil.
15
4.
System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
shape of at least one of the utensils matches the theme of the indicia on the
peripheral edge of the dish.
5.
20
System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
utensil represents either the hour, minute or seconds hand.
6.
System according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising
more than one utensil wherein each utensil represents one of an hour hand, a
minute hand or a seconds hand.
25
7.
System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
peripheral edge is substantially higher than a food serving area of the dish.
WO 2010/074568
PCT/NL2009/050790
23
8.
System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
utensil is provided with a cooperating element for cooperation with a
cooperating element on the dish.
5
9.
System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
mounting element comprises a support surface as cooperating element for
receiving the first end of a utensil as cooperating element of the utensil.
10.
10
System according to claim 8, wherein the mounting element
comprises a protrusion for cooperation with a recess near the first end of the
utensil.
11.
System according to claim 8, wherein the mounting element
comprises a protrusion for cooperation with an opening near the first end of
15
the utensil.
12.
System according to claim 8, wherein the mounting element
comprises a magnetic element and/or metal element for cooperation with a
magnetic element and/or metal element at and/or near the first end of the
20
utensil.
13.
System according to claim 12, wherein the utensil and/or the
mounting element comprises a housing for containing the magnetic element
freely movable therein.
25
14.
System according to any one of the claims 5 - 13, wherein a haft of
one utensil representing the hour hand is substantially shorter and
substantially wider than a haft of an other utensil representing the minute
hand.
30
WO 2010/074568
PCT/NL2009/050790
24
15.
System according to claim 14, wherein a haft of the utensil
representing the hour hand is approximately 25% shorter and approximately
40% wider than a haft of the utensil representing the minute hand.
5
16.
System according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the haft of the utensil
representing the seconds hand is substantially narrower and/or substantially
longer than the haft of the utensil representing the hour hand and the haft of
the utensil representing the minute hand.
10
17.
System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
indicia represent a number and/or a letter and/or a picture.
18.
System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
centre of gravity of the utensils coincides approximately with the cooperating
15
element of the utensil.
19.
System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
height of the convex and concave sides of the head of the utensil is
approximately smaller than the thickness of the haft.
WO 2010/074568
PCT/NL2009/050790
25
AMENDED CLAIMS
received by the International Bureau on 22 April 2010 (22.04.2010)
1.
System for learning to identify indicia comprising a. dish and at least
one utensil wherein said dish comprises an approx:imately centrally positioned
5
mounting element for cooperation with the utensil, wherein said dish
comprises indicia on a peripheral edge for cooperation. with an end. of said
utensil for indicating said indicia.
2.
10
System
accol~ding
to claim 1, wherein the utensil is adapted for
cooperation with the mo1.mting element at and/or near a first end of the
utensil.
3.
System according to claim 2, wherein the utensil is adapted for
cooperation with. the indicia on the peripheral edge at a second erl.d opposite
15
the first end of the ·utensil.
4.
System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
appearance of at least one of the utensils mat.ches the theme of the indicia on
the peripheral edge of the dish.
20
5.
System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
ishape of at least one of the utensils matches the theme of the indicia on the
peripheral edge of the dish.
2!".i
6.
System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
utensi.l represents either the hour, minute or seconds hand.
7.
System according to a.tty one of the preceding claims, comprising
more than one utensil wherein each utensil r.epr.esents one of an hour hand,
80
minute hand or a seconds hand.
AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)
;;:i
WO 2010/074568
PCT/NL2009/050790
26
8.
System acco1·ding to any one of the preceding claims .• wherein the
peripheral edge is substantially higher than a food serving a.rea. of the dish.
5
9.
System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
utensil is provided with a cooperating element for cooperation. with a
cooperating element on the dish.
10.
10
System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
mounting element comprises a support surface as cooperating element for
receiving the first end. of a utensil as cooperating element of the utensil.
11.
System according to claim 9, wherein the mounting element
corop:r.ises a protrusion for cooperation with a recess near the first end of the
15
utensil.
12.
System according to claim 9, wherein the mounting element
comprises a protrusion for cooperation. with an opening near the first end of
the utensil.
20
13.
System according to claim 9, wherein the mounting element
comprises a magnetic element and/or metal element for cooperation with a
magnetic element andlo:r metal element at and/or near the first end of the
utensil.
25
14.
System according to claim 13, wherein the utensil and/or the
mounting element comprises a housing for containing the magnetic element
freely movable therein..
AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)
PCT/NL2009/050790
WO 2010/074568
27
15.
System according to any one of the claims 6 14, wherein a haft of
M
one utensil representing the hour hand is substantially sho:rte:r. and
substantially wider than a haft of an other utensil representing the minute
hand.
5
16.
System according to claim 15, wherein a haft of the utensil
representing the hour hand is approximately 25% shorter and approximately
40% wider than a haft oft.he utensil representing the minute hand.
10
17.
System according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the haft of the utensil
rep1·ese11ting the seconds ha.nd is substantially narrower and/or substantially
longer than the haft of the utensil representing the hour hand and the haft of
the utensil representing the minute hand.
15
18.
System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
indicia i·cpresent a number· an.d./or a letter and/or a picture.
19.
System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
centre of gravity of the utensils coincides approximately with the cooperating
20
element of the utensil.
20.
System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein t.he
height of the convex and concave sides of the head of the utensil is
approximately smaller than the thickness of the haft.
AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)
WO 2010/074568
PCT/NL2009/050790
1/5
~1
2
12
3
3
3
4
6
5
FIG. 1
-t-t-
10r_}
11
3
18
19
3
-t
3
3
15
13
FIG. 2
WO 2010/074568
PCT/NL2009/050790
2/5
18
8
11
9
12r-= 16
3
14
13
1
FIG. 3
13
18
~
12
7
19
16
3
11
10
1
FIG. 4
WO 2010/074568
PCT/NL2009/050790
3/5
21'
21"
10
18
FIG. 5
9 \11
16 \
7\
19
\
\
13
17
1
23
26
FIG. 6
WO 2010/074568
PCT/NL2009/050790
4/5
21'
13
15
11
19
FIG. 7
12
16 ~
1
10
11
FIG. 8
WO 2010/074568
PCT/NL2009/050790
5/5
31
FIG. 9
r-1
2
3
4
5
FIG.
INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
PCT/NL2009/050790
fJ
G09Bl9 12
A. CLASSIFICATION
INV.
International appllcatlon No
SUBJECT MATTER
According lo lnterna1ional Pa1en1 Classificalion (IPC) or to bolh na1ional classification and IPC
B. FIELDS SEARCHED
Minimum documenlalion searched (classifica1ion system followed by classifica1ion symbols)
G09B
Documenta1ion searched other lhan minimum documenlation lo lhe ex1en11ha1 such documenls are included in lhe fields searched
Eleclronic dala base consulted during the in1erna1ional search (name of dala base and, where practical, search terms used)
EPO-Internal, WPI Data
C. DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT
Category•
Cltalion of document, wilh indication, where appropriate, of lhe relevant passages
GB 2 428 824 A (SWAYNE CLARE [GB]; SWAYNE
BARNABY [GB]) 7 February 2007 (2007-02-07)
the whole document
----GB 2 389 955 A (MACLEOD JANE [GB])
24 December 2003 (2003-12-24)
cl aim 1· figure 1
'
-----
A
A
D
Further documents are listed in lhe conlinualion of Box C.
Special calegories of ciled documents :
'A' documenl defining the general slale of lhe art which is nol
considered to be of particular relevance
'E' earlier documenl bul published on or after lhe international
filing dale
'L' documenl which may lhrow doubls on priorily ctaim(s) or
which is cited lo establish lhe publication date of anolher
cita1ion or olher special reason (as specttied)
'O' documenl referring lo an oral disclosure, use, exhibnion or
olhermeans
•p• documenl published prior to lhe interna1ionat filing dale bul
taler lhan the priority dale claimed
Date of the aclual completion of the interna1ional search
20 January 2010
Name and mailing address of the ISN
European Patent Office, P.B. 5818 Patenttaan 2
NL - 2280 HV Aijswijk
Tel. (+31-70) 340-2040,
Fax: (+31-70) 340-3016
Form PCT/ISA/210 (second sheet) (April 2005)
[]
Relevant lo claim No.
1-19
1-19
See pa1en1 family annex.
·r·
taler documenl published after the international filing dale
or priority dale and not in conflicl wilh lhe apptica1ion bul
ciled lo undersland lhe principle or lheory underlying lhe
inven1ion
documenl of particular relevance; the claimed inven1ion
cannol be considered novel or cannol be considered lo
involve an inven1ive slep when the documenl is taken alone
•y• document of particular relevance; the claimed inven1ion
cannot be considered to involve an inven1ive slep when lhe
documenl is combined wilh one or more olher such documenls, such combination being obvious to a person skilled
inlhe art.
'&' document member of the same patent family
·x·
Date of mailing of the international search report
27/01/2010
Authorized officer
Beauce, Gaetan
INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
Information on patent family members
Patent document
cited in search report
GB 2428824
A
GB 2389955
A
I
Form PCT/ISA/210 (pa1ent family annex) (April 2005)
Publication
date
07-02-2007
24-12-2003
l
PCT/NL2009/050790
Patent family
member(s)
NONE
NONE
International application No
l
Publication
date