Abstract: A skimmer/separator ladle has a handle, a bowl or spoon integral with the handle, the bowl having a lip at its upper edge forming a spout defining one end of the bowl, the rest of the bowl constituting a container section, and a separator gate removably mounted in the bowl between the spout and the container section. The gate has a concave bottom so as to define a liquid passage between it and the bottom of the ladle.

Abstract: A spoon or other like hand held implement or utensil comprises a spoon bowl (10) or other load carrying formation fixed to an inner stem (12) which also carries a pendulum weight (22). The inner stem rotates freely within a hollow outer stem (24) which is held in the user's hand and which preferably encloses the weight. In this way the spoon or the like can be used in a self-levelling mode; when the bowl is loaded and with the handle stem held horizontally or approaching horizontal the load will be retained despite any lack of mobility or skill or the part of the user (e.g. a blind or disabled person or young child) or disturbance e.g. when used on a moving ship or vehicle. A brake or other locking device (30,32) can be selectively applied to prevent said rotation and the device may also serve to open the outer stem when shifted to another position.

Abstract: A combination utensil is disclosed. The utensil features at least one recess along the back of its handle portion, and a nonlinear end which is received by the user's hand. Both of these features facilitate the utensil's used. Additionally, the other end of the handle portion features a recess adapted for reception of the user's finger. This enables the user to apply pressure to the implement end of the utensil. Placement of this recess on the handle portion and not on the implement portion allows a configuration of the implement portion which includes a concave recess. The utensil may be made, e.g., of biodgradable or recyclable material.

Abstract: A "woodenware" kitchen utensil which has a functional head which is integrally connected to an elongated handle. The utensil has a core of cellular polyolefin which is covered by a skin of solid polyolefin and which has the outer shape of the desired kitchen utensil. The invention also consists of the method of making the kitchen utensil by plasticizing a mixture of polyolefin and a blowing agent in an extruder and injecting the plasticized mixture into a mold cavity having the shape of the article to be formed.

Abstract: A spoon, which comprises a sheet of plastic bags received in a bottom cap which is secured to the body thereof. Plastic bags can be drawn out of the bottom cap one by one, for wrapping up the spoon therein. A retainer ring is provided to sleeve on the handle of the spoon so as to secure a plastic bag to the spoon. Every plastic bag can be removed from the spoon each time after use, so that a new plastic bag can be used to wrap the spoon and the spoon can be repeatedly used without the need to wash.

Abstract: A kitchen tool integrally formed in one piece made of a polyetherimide, having a capacity for withstanding high temperatures and facilitating microwave use.

Abstract: Flatware, especially a spoon, for disposable use. The flatware comprises a front work part and a rear handle that is formed on the work part and in which are provided a plurality of chambers that are separated from one another for receiving different ingredients. Respective channels that are separated from one another are provided in the handle and establish communication between the chambers and respective discharge outlets that are disposed in the vicinity of where the work part and handle merge, and that are closed-off until used.

Abstract: A skimmer/separator ladle has a handle, a spoon integral with the handle; with the spoon having a spout at one end and a container section at the other end and wherein there is provided a separator gate vertically and removably mounted in the spoon between the spout and the container section. The gate has a concave bottom so as to define a liquid passage between it and the bottom of the ladle.

Abstract: A combination utensil capable of being alternatively used as a fork and a spoon. The utensil comprises (a) an elongate handle, (b) a spoon-shaped head attached to the handle, and (c) a movable plate. The spoon-shaped head has a cut out portion at its forward end. The cut out portion provides at least two tines. The plate is capable of being moved between two positions. In one position, the plate substantially covers the cut out portion of the head and the utensil forms a spoon. In the other position, the cut out portion of the head is substantially uncovered and the utensil forms a fork.

Abstract: A device for use by the manually disabled for carrying an eating utensil or the like includes an easily bendable "handle" for wrapping about the limb of a handicapped person, one end of which is terminated by any of an assortment of removable tools and utensils. Once bent, the handle remains in its deformed position.

Abstract: A plastic molded measuring scoop assembly includes a generally cylindrical measuring scoop and a hinged handle assembly which is comprised of a fixed inner handle portion and a foldable outer handle portion. The inner handle portion carries a latching channel at its outer end and the inner end of the foldable handle portion carries upper and lower latching fins. The cooperation between these fins and the latching channel retain the foldable handle portion of the handle assembly in either a folded storage position or an unfolded use position.

Abstract: A manipulatable utensil figure member for a handheld eating or writing utensil. The figure member has a figure face portion, and defines a handle receiving opening for receiving therethrough the handle of the utensil such that the figure member is positioned on the handle and the figure face portion is disposed generally above the handle and generally forward towards the head of the utensil. The figure member has a hand grip portion, which, when the figure member is in the handle received position, is disposed generally below the handle. The figure member further defines a finger receiving channel disposed from a rear surface of the figure member generally forwardly towards the figure face portion. The figure member is adapted and configured so that, when in the handle received position, the user's hand can grasp the hand grip portion with his thumb and at least one of his fingers, and position his index finger in the finger receiving channel.

Abstract: An utensil for feeding infants and small children is which an elastomeric handguard is mounted around the utensil handle near the food carrying portion of the utensil, e.g. spoon bowl. The removable guard has an object such as an amusing face thereon facing the child.

Abstract: This relates to a utensil such as a spoon which is collapsible to occupy a minimum of space. The utensil preferably has a handle formed in two parts joined together by a hinge with there being a releasable interlock between the two handle parts adjacent the hinge for maintaining the handle parts in longitudinal alignment and as an extension of one another. The handle parts may also be provided with cooperating interlocking structure for maintaining the handle parts in longitudinally aligned overlapping relation when the utensil is collapsed. This abstract is not to be constructed as limiting the claims of the application.

Abstract: An eating utensil, such as a fork, spoon or dinner knife, for use in correctional institutions. The utensil is formed of a polymeric plastics material and includes a handle which is constructed so as to prevent the utensil from being formed into a sharpened weapon by grinding or other alteration. In the preferred embodiment the handle includes a shallow recess on the bottom side, and a plurality of diagonal slots on the top side, which effectively prevent any portion of the handle from being fashioned into a sharpened instrument of sufficient length to constitute a dangerous weapon.

Abstract: A collapsible eating utensil having food engaging means and integrally formed handle means. The food engaging means may be a knife, fork, or spoon. The handle means includes a rigid stem and segments adapted to be moved from folded position adjacent the stem to extended position in substantially longitudinal alignment with said stem. Locking means in the form of interengaging male and female members are provided on the segments to retain them in extended position.

Abstract: Young children often find it difficult to grip and control cutlery since they lack the muscle control possessed by adults. Accordingly, the piece of cutlery described is designed to make it easy for use by a young child and comprises a handle and an operative portion such as a spoon bowl, fork prongs or pusher. The handle is generally of round, barrel-shape for easy fist-like grasping by a small child and has a relatively flattened surface adjacent the operative portion for the ball of the thumb of the child to allow gripping and control of the piece of cutlery between the ball of the thumb and the four fingers grasping the handle. The longitudinal axis of the operative portion is turned in from the longitudinal axis of the handle so that when the handle is grasped, the operative portion is turned towards the body of the user.

Abstract: A spoon for the sanitary tasting of liquid food products characterized as having a bowl and handle is disclosed which is improved over prior art devices by providing a baffle located substantially within the bowl which is characterized as emanating from an inner side wall of the bowl and extending away from the bowl at an angle to a line of geometric centers of the spoon, and being further characterized as having an opening located proximate the edge of the baffle remote from the inner surface of the bowl.

Abstract: An improved egg scoop or spoon suitable for handling hot boiled eggs wherein the spoon bowl is itself egg shaped and is constructed so as to be easily positionable around an egg, to surround and firmly retain an egg and to provide for the drainage of fluids from the egg without its retention within the spoon bowl and the ready floatation of an egg from the spoon bowl when presented to a body of fluid.

Abstract: A metal or plastic spoon for babies has, at each end of a generally flat handle, a generally flat head having oppositely facing food-holding concavities. The handle margins and the rims of the heads are safely rounded to avoid sharp edges that could injure the baby. The double-concave and double-ended construction facilitates self-feeding and accelerates its learning by making the spoon always functional when held in a closed hand.

Abstract: An eating utensil for use by the manually impaired is disclosed. An easily grasped utensil handle is provided which may be weighted to enhance the use of the utensil. The handle may carry adjustably positioned rings for supporting the fingers of the user and may be built-up by having a sleeve disposed thereon to further facilitate grasping as may be required. The utensil may be attached to the user or to adjacent structure to prevent it from falling out of reach.

Abstract: A pocket-sized nut opener serves for separating the shell of a pistachio or similar nut that has an obloid shape and is composed of a mating pair of half shells which enclose a nutmeat and define therebetween a narrow slit. The opener is in the form of a generally spoon-shaped implement with a contour that approximates that of a substantial portion of one of those half shells, the implement defining a tip portion and a base portion opposite the tip portion. A generally flat tab is joined to and projects integrally away from the base portion outwardly from the implement. The tab is of a size to be comfortably grasped merely between a thumb and forefinger of a user when inserting the tip portion into the slit and prying the half shells apart.

Abstract: A removable closure for a hollow container carries a member for dispensing the contents of the container and the member is mounted on the closure for movement between a retracted position within the container when the closure is secured on the container and an extended position in which the member may contact substantially all parts of the interior of the container when the closure is removed from the container.

Abstract: An improved frangible beverage stirrer is disclosed which is capable of being broken into two toothpicks. The utensil includes a handle portion having an upper surface and a lower surface with a relatively long dimension along an axis. A first end of the handle has a gripping surface and a second end of the handle opposite thereto has a spoon bowl or other appliance mounted thereon. The handle portion has a first straight diagonal groove in the upper surface thereof located between the first and second end and oriented at an angle with respect to the axis. A second straight diagonal groove parallel to and juxtaposed with the first groove, is in the lower surface of the handle. The handle is capable of being broken into two portions along the grooves by grasping the gripping surface and the spoon bowl and applying a torque along the axis, thereby forming two toothpicks with their respective pointed ends formed by the grooves.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ice cream spoon, comprising a highly heat conductive bowl and shaft assembly, in which the shaft portion of the assembly is embedded in a handle portion of a lightweight heat resistive material enclosed in a layer of heat insulating material.

Abstract: A plurality of measuring spoons, for measuring liquid or dry materials, each having a bowl and an integral elongated handle. The bowls vary in capacity from each other. The handles of the spoons are releasably affixed to a spoon holding ring by a slot at the end of the handle. Each slot has an arcuate section so that a tubular spoon holding ring can be snapped into the slot due to flecture of the spoon handle portions defining the slot. The slots permit the spoons to be individually pivoted on the spoon holder ring, or individual spoons can be removed from the spoon holder ring. The spoons nest together to form a compact unit. The spoon holder ring is designed to permit the entire assembly to be hung up in the kitchen in a convenient location. Each spoon is clearly marked with an indication as to its bowl capacity. Several of the spoons have a measuring ledge within the bowl and these spoons can be used to measure two different capacities depending on whether the spoon is filled to the ledge or to the top.

Abstract: A locking assembly for controllably locking a first assembly to a second assembly against relative rotation about an axis. The locking assembly provides a positive angular lock at any relative angular orientation with a minimum of actuation force required. Control of the locking mechanism may vary depending upon the application of the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A gravy warming ladle has a bowl comprising a pair of concavo-convex shell-like upper and lower parts with the upper part received within and having its bottom spaced from the lower part to form a hollow cavity therebetween that tapers from a maximum size at the center to a minimum size at the edges and with the edges of the parts being united in a thin free edge. An electric heating element is disposed in a mass of asbestos heat storing insulation filling the cavity. A tubular handle is attached to a neck on the bowl formed by fitted-together semi-cylindrical projections on the upper and lower parts. Current supply wires extend through the handle and are connected to the heating element at the neck portion. Insulating blocks in the neck portion insure proper insulation of the connections between the wires and heating element.

Abstract: An orange peeler tool is formed of a handle to which is attached a blade for peeling an orange in a single operation. The blade is curved both transversely and longitudinally, and the radius of curvature longitudinally is greater than the radius of curvature transversely. The blade is substantially spoon-shaped, with straight edges in its front portion, but with a cut-away part at each side at the rear end, the cut-away part having a sharp corner edge at the point where it joins the straight edge portion for making it possible to cut a slit in the orange peel substantially the depth of the peel.