The present invention relates to a container for the consumption of spaghetti, noodles and other string-form foods. Spaghetti or other similar, long noodles are usually consumed by winding them up on a fork and lifting the spaghetti wrap to the mouth. However, the winding of spaghetti on a fork requires skill and training and often presents difficulties.

A spoon is sometimes used in conjunction with the use of a fork to help wind the spaghetti onto the tines of the fork. However, the use of a spoon in conjunction with a fork is only slightly easier than using the fork alone.

Moreover, in some instances table manners prevent the use of a spoon.

An aim of the present invention is to provide a container that facilitates the consumption of spaghetti and other string-form food.

An object of the invention is to provide a container in a dish form that may be easily handled and staked as a conventional dish.

A further object of the invention is to provide a container in a dish form suitable for use in restaurants and catering business in general.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a container that may be easily and thoroughly washed in dishwashing machines. Still a further object of the invention is to provide a container that may be produced by means of conventional production technology and machinery.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a container in a dish form that is aesthetically pleasant.

The above aims and other aims that will be more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a container for the consumption of spaghetti, noodles and other string-form foods, comprising a bottom portion joined to a side portion to form a dish or bowl, characterized in that it comprises a side appendix joined to said side portion.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent by the following description of an embodiment of the invention, illustrated by way of example in the enclosed drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the container of the preceding figure;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the container of the preceding figure;

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing two stacked containers; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a container according to a further aspect of the invention;

Figure 6 is a side view of the container of the preceding figure;

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the container of the preceding figure;

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing two stacked containers. With reference to the figures, a container according to the invention, globally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a bottom portion 2 joined to a side portion 3 to form a dish or bowl.

According to the invention, a side appendix 4 is joined to the side portion 3.

The appendix 4 is crescent shaped and concave. The appendix 4 has a perimeter 5, which is blended with the perimeter 6 of the side portion 3 and has a cavity 7.

The cavity 7 has a depth C, measured between the perimeter 5 and the bottom of the cavity 7.

A preferred depth C is approximately up to 2 cm. The appendix 4 forms an angle A with a horizontal plane, which is preferably approximately 75°. The angle A is measured between the horizontal plane and the bottom surface of the cavity 7.

The appendix 4 extends along a sector B of the perimeter 6 of the container.

The sector B is approximately 1/6 of the perimeter 6. The position of the appendix on the side perimeter, its extension, and the depth of the concavity provide several advantages.

The shape and size of the concavity makes it easy to use it as a base for holding and guiding the food strings, i.e. the spaghetti, while winding them on a fork or similar implement. An important advantage of the position of the appendix on the side of the dish is to allow the user to gather just enough food strings as desired and wind them on the fork without interfering with the rest of the food on the plate. This means that the user may also choose the amount of sauce, condiment, or other extra food present on the plate that is to be added to the wound strings. In other words, the user is not obliged to wind the spaghetti inside the sauce or condiment which is more or less in a liquid state and gathers on the bottom of the plate; rather, the user may scoop the desired amount of spaghetti and sauce into the concavity and then wind the spaghetti onto the fork.

Although it is generally considered desirable to include as much sauce or condiment in the spaghetti mouthful, personal taste and dietary considerations may lead the user to limit the amount of sauce or condiment added to the mouthful of spaghetti; the side appendix, provided with a cavity, arranged on the side portion of the container, allows the user to wind up the spaghetti away from the bottom of the container where the sauce or condiment is gathered. The side appendix 4 allows to stack several dishes 1 by arranging each dish with the appendix offset with respect to the underlying dish preventing their interference.

When several dishes are stacked, the appendixes are arranged in a spiral configuration.

The appendix provides an easy grip when removing a dish from a stack. Figures 5 to 8 illustrate a container, globally designated by the reference numeral

101 , according to a further aspect of the invention.

The container 101 comprises a bottom portion 102 joined to a side portion 103 to form a dish or bowl.

According to the invention, a side appendix 104 is joined to the side portion 103. The appendix 104 is concave and has a perimeter 105, which is blended with the perimeter 106 of the side portion 103.

The appendix 104 has a cavity 107, which has a substantially hemispherical shape.

The cavity 107 has a depth G of approximately up to 1.5 cm measured between the rim 108 of the cavity 107 and its bottom. The appendix 104 forms an angle D, with a horizontal plane, which is preferably approximately 45°. The angle D is measured between the horizontal plane and a plane containing the rim 108 of the cavity 107.

The cavity 107 has a diameter, measured at its rim 108, of about 5 cm. The appendix 104 extends along a sector E of the perimeter 106 of the container.

The sector E is approximately 1/4 of the perimeter 106.

The container according to the invention facilitates the consumption of spaghetti and of any other string-form food preventing the use a spoon which would be in any case less effective than the side appendix of the present invention. The side appendix of the container facilitates the winding of the food strings on the fork in a position which is far enough from the bottom of the container where the food is gathered.