Utensil held near center of gravity
A utensil including a liquid container having a center of gravity and a handle arranged to provide finger engagement with the liquid container for support and desired positioning thereof, the handle defining a finger engagement location which is at or near the center of gravity of the liquid container.
The present invention relates to drinking and/or pouring utensils generally.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,860,552 and 4,953,737 are believed to represent the current state of the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention seeks to provide improved drinking and/or pouring utensils.
There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a utensil including a liquid container having a center of gravity and a handle arranged to provide finger engagement with the liquid container for support and desired positioning thereof, the handle defining a finger engagement location which is at or near the center of gravity of the liquid container.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the finger engagement location is at or near the center of gravity of the liquid container generally irrespective of the extent to which the liquid container is filled with liquid.
In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention the liquid container is configured to have a generally horseshoe shaped configuration. Additionally, the liquid container defines a lip on one or more locations on an outer edge surface thereof. Preferably, the lip is located at a lip location at which the outer edge surface is curved.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the handle is configured in the form of a generally U-shaped loop. Preferably, the handle is configured in the shape of a shaft. Alternatively, the handle is configured in a shape of a cross bar having depending therefrom a generally elongated loop. Additionally or alternatively, the handle is configured in a shape of a beam having a panel extending upwards therefrom.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the handle is disposed interiorly of the liquid container, such that it is at least partially surrounded by the liquid container.
In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the liquid container is configured generally as a cylinder. Preferably, the handle is defined by a transverse, handle-defining passageway extending through the liquid container. Additionally, the handle is disposed interiorly of the liquid container, such that it is at least partially surrounded by the liquid container.
In accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the utensil is enclosed on a top surface. Preferably, the utensil is provided with an opening. Alternatively, the liquid container is configured to have a generally elliptically shaped top and bottom portion and a generally cylindrically shaped portion interconnecting the top portion and the bottom portion. Additionally or alternatively, the liquid container is configured to have a generally channel shaped central portion with at least one leg portion extending therefrom.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings in which:
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It is appreciated that even though the illustrated embodiment shows a container with a U-shaped cross section the container may have any cross section suitable for containing a liquid.
A handle 20, preferably in the form of a generally U-shaped loop, is disposed interiorly of the container 12, such that it is partially surrounded by container 12. Preferably handle 20 is configured and located such that it defines a finger engagement location 22 adjacent to and interiorly of a central portion 24 of the loop defining the handle 20, which finger engagement location 22 is generally at or near the center of gravity of the utensil 10.
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A handle 119, preferably in the form of a cross bar 120 having depending therefrom a generally elongated loop, is disposed interiorly of the container 112, such that it is partially surrounded by container 112. Preferably handle 119 is configured and located such that it defines a finger engagement location 122 interiorly of the loop defining the handle 119, which finger engagement location 122 is generally at or near the center of gravity of the utensil 110.
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A handle 219, preferably in the form of a cross bar 220 having depending therefrom an elongate shaft, is disposed interiorly of the container 212, such that it is partially surrounded by container 212. Preferably handle 219 is configured and located such that it defines a finger engagement location adjacent to the elongate shaft defining the handle 219, which finger engagement location is generally at or near the center of gravity of utensil 210.
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It is appreciated that even though the illustrated embodiment shows a container with a U-shaped cross section the container may have any cross section suitable for containing a liquid.
A handle 319, preferably in the form of a beam 320 having extending upwards therefrom a panel 322, is disposed interiorly of the container 312, such that it is partially surrounded by container 312. Preferably handle 319 is configured and located such that it defines a finger engagement location adjacent to the panel 322 defining the handle 319, which finger engagement location is generally at or near the center of gravity of utensil 310.
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A handle 620, preferably in the form of a generally U-shaped loop, is disposed on cylindrically shaped portion 618 of the container 612. Preferably handle 620 is configured and located such that it defines a finger engagement location 622 adjacent to and interiorly of a central portion 624 of the loop defining the handle 620, which finger engagement location 622 is generally at or near the center of gravity of the utensil 610.
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It is appreciated that even though the illustrated embodiment shows a container with a generally elliptically shaped top and bottom portion and a generally cylindrically shaped portion the container may comprise any configuration which is symmetrical about axis 611.
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A handle 730, preferably in the form of a generally U-shaped loop, is disposed interiorly of the container 712, such that it is partially surrounded by container 712. Preferably handle 730 is configured and located such that it defines a finger engagement location 732 adjacent to and interiorly of a central portion 734 of the loop defining the handle 730, which finger engagement location 732 is generally at or near the center of gravity of the utensil 710.
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It is appreciated that even though the illustrated embodiment shows a container with a generally channel shaped central portion having a leg portions extending therefrom the container may comprise any portion which is symmetrical about axis 711.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of various features described hereinabove as well as modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing specification and which are not in the prior art.
Claims
1. A utensil comprising:
- a liquid container having a center of gravity; and
- a handle arranged to provide finger engagement with said liquid container for support and desired positioning thereof, said handle defining a finger engagement location which is at or near the center of gravity of said liquid container.
2. A utensil according to claim 1 and wherein said finger engagement location is at or near the center of gravity of said liquid container generally irrespective of the extent to which said liquid container is filled with liquid.
3. A utensil according to claim 1 and wherein said liquid container is configured to have a generally horseshoe shaped configuration.
4. A utensil according to claim 1 and wherein said liquid container defines a lip on one or more locations on an outer edge surface thereof.
5. A utensil according to claim 4 and wherein said lip is located at a lip location at which said outer edge surface is curved.
6. A utensil according to claim 1 and wherein said handle is configured in a shape of a generally U-shaped loop.
7. A utensil according to claim 1 and wherein said handle is configured in a shape of a shaft.
8. A utensil according to claim 1 and wherein said handle is configured in a shape of a cross bar having depending therefrom a generally elongated loop.
9. A utensil according to claim 1 and wherein said handle is configured in a shape of a beam having extending upwards therefrom a panel.
10. A utensil according to claim 6 and wherein said handle is disposed interiorly of said liquid container, such that it is at least partially surrounded by said liquid container.
11. A utensil according to claim 7 and wherein said handle is disposed interiorly of said liquid container, such that it is at least partially surrounded by said liquid container.
12. A utensil according to claim 8 and wherein said handle is disposed interiorly of said liquid container, such that it is at least partially surrounded by said liquid container.
13. A utensil according to claim 9 and wherein said handle is disposed interiorly of said liquid container, such that it is at least partially surrounded by said liquid container.
14. A utensil according to claim 1 and wherein said liquid container is configured generally as a cylinder.
15. A utensil according to claim 14 and wherein said handle is defined by a transverse handle-defining passageway extending at least partially through said liquid container.
16. A utensil according to claim 14 and wherein said handle is disposed interiorly of said liquid container, such that it is at least partially surrounded by said liquid container.
17. A utensil according to claim 1 and wherein said utensil is enclosed at a top surface.
18. A utensil according to claim 17 and wherein said utensil is provided with an opening.
19. A utensil according to claim 1 and wherein said liquid container is configured to have a generally elliptically shaped top and bottom portion and a generally cylindrically shaped portion interconnecting said top portion and said bottom portion.
20. A utensil according to claim 1 and wherein said liquid container is configured to have a generally channel shaped central portion with at least one leg portion extending therefrom.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 20, 2004
Publication Date: Mar 8, 2007
Inventor: Yoram Baruch (Rehovot)
Application Number: 10/595,269
International Classification: B65D 25/10 (20060101);