CHOPSTICKS
Each of a pair of chopsticks includes a food-carrying portion formed on a first end thereof, and a magnetic portion formed on a second end thereof opposite to the first end. The magnetic portion has a receiving space defined therein and a magnet received in the receiving space. The magnetic portion has a tapered section disposed on an outer periphery thereof and corresponding to the magnet. The tapered section gradually tapered toward a distal end of the second end. When the two magnets of the chopsticks magnetically attract each other, the two tapered sections of the chopsticks contact with each other and the two food-carrying portions are separated. The two food-carrying portions are able to pivotally move toward/outward each other.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pair of chopsticks, and more particularly to each chopstick having a magnet disposed thereon.
2. Description of Related Art
Each of a pair of conventional chopsticks eating utensils in accordance with the prior art generally includes an elongated, hollow tube formed of rigid non-toxic plastic. The elongated, hollow tube has a lower closed end and an upper closed end. The tube has a sidewall of sufficient thickness to make the tube rigid. The tube has an intermediate corrugated portion disposed near said lower closed end. The intermediate corrugated portion comprises a series of axially spaced corrugations extending substantially entirely about said sidewall.
However, when a user holds the conventional chopsticks for grasping food, the tube only has an intermediate corrugated portion for preventing food from dropping. The tube does not have any structure to prevent either chopstick from easily dropping. It is inconvenient for the user to use the chopsticks.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantages of the conventional chopsticks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe main objective of the present invention is to provide a pair of improved chopsticks.
To achieve the objective, each of the chopsticks in accordance with the present invention include a food-carrying portion formed on a first end thereof, and a magnetic portion formed on a second end thereof opposite to the first end. Each chopstick is in an elongated cylindrical shape. The magnetic portion has an outer diameter relatively greater than an outer diameter of the food-carrying portion.
The magnetic portion has a receiving space defined therein and a magnet received in the receiving space, the magnetic portion having a tapered section disposed on an outer periphery thereof and corresponding to the magnet, the tapered section gradually tapered toward a distal end of the second end;
Each chopstick has a holding portion formed thereon and located adjacent to the magnetic portion, the holding portion having an outer diameter relatively smaller than the outer diameter of the magnetic portion.
When the two magnets of the chopsticks magnetically attract each other, the two tapered sections of the chopsticks facially contact with each other and the two food-carrying portions are pivotally separated. The two food-carrying portions are able to pivotally move toward/outward each other for picking up or releasing a food.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, each chopstick is in an elongated rectangular shape. Each magnetic portion has a width relatively greater than a width of the food-carrying portion.
In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, the magnetic portion has an annular protrusion disposed thereon. The receiving space is defined in the magnetic portion and corresponds to the annular protrusion. The tapered section is annularly disposed on an outer periphery of the annular protrusion.
Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to the drawings and initially to
The magnetic portion 12 of each chopstick 1 has a receiving space 121 longitudinally defined in a distal end thereof. A magnet 122 is received in the receiving space 121. The magnetic portion 12 has a tapered section 123 (shown in
Moreover, each chopstick 1 has a holding portion 13 formed thereon and located adjacent to the magnetic portion 12. The holding portion 13 has an outer diameter relatively smaller than the outer diameter of the magnetic portion 12, such that a user can easily and comfortably grip the holding portions 13 of the chopsticks 1.
As shown in
With reference to
With reference to
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
Claims
1. A pair of chopsticks, each chopstick comprising:
- a food-carrying portion formed on a first end thereof; and
- a magnetic portion formed on a second end thereof opposite to the first end, the magnetic portion having a receiving space defined therein and a magnet received in the receiving space, the magnetic portion having a tapered section disposed on an outer periphery thereof and corresponding to the magnet, the tapered section gradually tapered toward a distal end of the second end;
- wherein when the two magnets of the chopsticks magnetically attract each other, the two tapered sections of the chopsticks facially contact with each other and the two food-carrying portions are pivotally separated, the two food-carrying portions being able to pivotally move toward/outward each other.
2. The chopsticks as claimed in claim 1, wherein each chopstick is in an elongated cylindrical shape, each magnetic portion having an outer diameter relatively greater than an outer diameter of the food-carrying portion.
3. The chopsticks as claimed in claim 2, wherein each chopstick has a holding portion formed thereon and located adjacent to the magnetic portion, the holding portion having an outer diameter relatively smaller than the outer diameter of the magnetic portion.
4. The chopsticks as claimed in claim 1, wherein each chopstick is in an elongated rectangular shape, each magnetic portion having a width relatively greater than a width of the food-carrying portion.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 20, 2009
Publication Date: May 26, 2011
Inventor: Tung Yu HSU (Taichung City)
Application Number: 12/622,434
International Classification: A47G 21/10 (20060101);