FLATWARE AND KITCHEN UTENSILS

Abstract

A utensil having a handle portion, a utensil portion, and a connector. The handle portion having a dual design consisting of a first surface with a first decorative handle design and a second surface with a second decorative handle design. The utensil portion has an upper surface and a lower surface. The connecter attaches the handle portion to the utensil portion, such that the connector allows the first and second decorative handle designs to vary relative to the upper surface and the lower surface of the utensil portion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/961,409 filed on Jul. 18, 2007, the contents, which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to flatware and kitchen utensils, and more particularly to flatware and kitchen utensils having a design consisting of a first surface with a first decorative handle design and a second surface with a second decorative handle design, wherein the first and second decorative handle designs vary relative to the upper surface and the lower surface of the utensil portion so that either the first or second decorative handle design is face up.

BACKGROUND

Flatware and kitchen utensils often refer to any hand utensil used in preparing, serving, and especially eating food. Utensils for eating are usually known as silverware or flatware in the United States, and where cutlery typically refers to knives and other cutting instruments. However, since silverware suggests the presence of silver, the term tableware has also come into use.

The major items of flatware and kitchen utensils in the western world are the knife, fork and spoon. Traditionally, good quality flatware was made from silver (hence the U.S. name), though steel was always used for more utilitarian knives, and pewter was used for some cheaper items, especially spoons. From the nineteenth century, electroplated nickel silver (EPNS) has been used; however, nowadays, most cutlery, including quality designs, is made from stainless steel. It can also be appreciated that two forms of utensils combine the functionality of various pairs of cutlery are the spork (spoon/fork) and knork (knife/fork).

It would be desirable to have a set of flatware or kitchen utensils having two different decorative handle designs on one piece of flatware and/or kitchen utensil, and more particularly to a dual design consisting of a first surface with a first decorative handle design and a second surface with a second decorative handle design.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, a utensil comprises: a handle portion, the handle portion having a dual design consisting of a first surface with a first decorative handle design and a second surface with a second decorative handle design; a utensil portion having an upper surface and a lower surface; and a connecter for attaching the handle portion to the utensil portion, and wherein the connector allows the first and second decorative handle designs to vary relative to the upper surface and the lower surface of the utensil portion.

In accordance with another embodiment, a set of flatware comprises: at least one spoon; at least one fork; at least one knife; and wherein each of the at least one spoon, the at least one fork and the at least one knife comprises: a handle portion, the handle portion having a dual design consisting of a first surface with a first decorative handle design and a second surface with a second decorative handle design; a utensil portion having an upper surface and a lower surface; and a connecter for attaching the handle portion to the utensil portion, and wherein the connector allows the first and second decorative handle designs to vary relative to the upper surface and the lower surface of the utensil portion.

In accordance with a further embodiment, a handle portion of a utensil comprises: a first surface with a first decorative handle design; a second surface with a second decorative handle design; and a connecter for attaching the handle portion to a utensil portion having an upper surface and a lower surface, and wherein the connector allows the first and second decorative handle designs to vary relative to the upper surface and the lower surface of the utensil portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, exemplary embodiments will be explained in greater detail in reference to drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a set of flatware or kitchen utensils having a dual design handle portion in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the set of flatware or kitchen utensils of FIG. 1 having a dual design, wherein the handle portion is separated from the utensil portion or utensil head to rotate the decorative handle design from one design to another.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the set of flatware or kitchen utensils of FIG. 1 having a dual design, wherein the handle portion has been rotated 90 degrees.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the set of flatware or kitchen utensils of FIG. 1 having a dual design, wherein the handle portion has been rotated 180 degrees showing a second decorative handle design.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a piece of flatware or kitchen utensil showing a handle portion, a utensil portion or utensil head and a connector in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the handle portion of a piece of flatware or kitchen utensil as shown in FIG. 5 in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a handle portion of a piece of flatware and/or a kitchen utensil in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a handle portion of a piece of flatware and/or a kitchen utensil in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the handle portion, the utensil portion and the connector of a piece of flatware or kitchen utensil in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the handle portion, the utensil portion and the connector of a piece of flatware or kitchen utensil in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the handle portion, the utensil portion and the connector of a piece of flatware or kitchen utensil in accordance with a further embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the handle portion, the utensil portion and the connector of a piece of flatware or kitchen utensil in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a top view of the handle portion, the utensil portion and the connector of a piece of flatware or kitchen utensil in accordance with a further embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the handle portion, the utensil portion and the connector of a piece of flatware or kitchen utensil in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a top view of the handle portion, the utensil portion and the connector of a piece of flatware or kitchen utensil in accordance with a further embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a top view of the handle portion, the utensil portion and the connector of a piece of flatware or kitchen utensil in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the handle portion, the utensil portion and the connector of a piece of flatware or kitchen utensil in accordance with a further embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of the handle portion, the utensil portion and the connector of a piece of flatware or kitchen utensil in accordance with a further embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a top view of a set 10 of flatware or kitchen utensils 100 having a dual design handle portion 110 in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the set 10 of flatware or kitchen utensils 100 preferably includes at least one fork 200, at least one knife 300, and at least one spoon 400. Each of the flatware or kitchen utensils 100 includes a handle portion 110, a utensil head (or utensil portion) 120 and a connector 130, which connects the handle portion 110 to the utensil head 120. It can be appreciated that as shown in FIGS. 1-4, the size of the utensil head or utensil portion 120 can vary.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the handle portion 110 has a dual design consisting of a first surface 112 with a first decorative handle design 114 and a second surface 116 (FIG. 4) with a second decorative handle design 118 (FIG. 4). The utensil portion or head 120 preferably has an upper surface 122 and a lower surface 124. The upper surface 122 is preferably used to lift food and/or liquid to the mouth.

For example as shown in FIG. 1, the handle portion 110 has an engraving in the form vertical striations extending the length of the handle portion 110 on the first surface 112. Meanwhile, the second surface 116 (FIG. 4) has an engraved pattern. In accordance with another embodiment, the handle portion 110 can also have a pair of side surfaces 113, 115 (i.e., third and fourth surfaces), which include decorative handle or side designs or engravings. It can be appreciated that depending on the design of the handle portion 110, the handle portion 110 may or may not have a pair of side surfaces 113, 115 (FIG. 3), since some handle portions 110 may only have a first surface 112 and a second surface 114, which come to a point on the side thereof. In addition, the utensil head 120 and/or neck portion of the utensil head 120 can include engravings, inlays, patterns, designs, words and/or numbers. The handle portion 110 and/or utensil portion and/or head 120 can also include lights sources such as neon lights, fiber optics and/or LEDs, or alternatively, clocks in digital and/or non-digital formats can be added to the handle portion 110 and/or utensil portion or head 120.

It can be appreciated that a fork 200 typically consists of a handle portion 110 with a utensil head 120, which is preferably several narrow tines 210 (usually two, three or four) on one end 230. The fork 200 is used to lift food to the mouth or to hold food in place while cooking or cutting it. Typically, food can be lifted by either spearing it on the tines 210, by collecting it on top of the tines 210, or holding it atop the tines 210 horizontally. To allow for this spoon-like use, the tines 210 can be curved slightly upward. The spoon 300 is a utensil consists of a handle portion 110 with a utensil head 120, which is preferably a small, shallow bowl 310 at the end of a handle portion 110, used primarily for serving and eating liquid, or semi-liquid foods, and solid foods such as rice and cereal, which cannot easily be lifted with a fork 200. A knife 400 is a handheld sharp-edged instrument consisting of handle portion 110 attached to utensil head 120, which is preferably a blade 410 used for cutting.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the connector 130 is a latch pin, which attaches the handle portion 110 to the utensil portion or head 120. In accordance with an embodiment, the design on the handle portion 110 can be changed from a first decorative handle design 114 to a second decorative handle design 118 by varying the first and second decorative handle designs to the upper surface 122 and the lower surface 124 of the utensil portion or head 120 of the flatware and/or kitchen utensil 100.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, a connector 130 in the form of a latch pin can be used to vary the handle design 114, 118 relative the upper and the lower surface of the utensil portion 120 of the flatware and/or kitchenware 100. In accordance with an embodiment, the handle portion 110 is separated from the utensil head or portion 120 of the flatware/kitchen utensils 100 and turns halfway or 180 degrees. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the utensil head or portion 120 is released or let to settle back down on the handle portion 110. It can be appreciated that the flatware or kitchen utensils 100 as described herein is not limited to forks 200, knives 300, and/or spoons 400, and can include handle portions 110 and/or utensil head or utensil portion 120 for serving utensils, such as salad and/or pie servers, coffee and cappuccino spoons, shrimp cocktail forks, pate knives, and other food preparation utensils having at handle portion 110 having a first and a second surface 112, 116.

It can be appreciated that the handle portion 110 (i.e., bottom half) of the flatware/kitchen utensil 100 can have multiple sizes, designs, shapes, patterns, and colors. In addition, it can be appreciated that the flatware/kitchen utensils 100 can be any suitable material, including but not limited to silver, pewter, steel, stainless steel, electroplated nickel silver (EPNS), wood, copper, ceramic, rubber, natural and raw materials, recycled materials and/or synthetic materials such as plastic, and man-made materials. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, it can be appreciated that the flatware/kitchenware 100 can be designed and/or manufactured for kids in different sizes and materials.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the set 10 of flatware or kitchen utensils 100 of FIG. 1 having a dual design, wherein the handle portion 110 is separated from the utensil head 120 to rotate the decorative handle design from one design to another. It can be appreciated that the handle portion 110 is preferably attached to the utensil head 120 using a connector 130, such as a latch pin 132 as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the set 10 of flatware or kitchen utensils 100 of FIG. 1 having a dual design, wherein the handle portion 110 has been rotated 90 degrees relative to the utensil head 120. It can be appreciated that as shown in FIG. the handle portion 110 can include a pair of side surfaces 113, 115 having optional decorative designs or engravings.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the set 10 of flatware or kitchen utensils 100 of FIG. 1 having a dual design, wherein the handle portion 110 has been rotated 180 degrees relative to the handle portion 110 showing the second surface 116 and the second decorative handle design 118.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are a perspective and a top view of a piece of flatware or kitchen utensil 100 showing a handle portion 110, a utensil head 120 and a connector 130 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the handle portion 110 has a central bore or chamber 140 therein comprising a female bore 142 and a spring housing 144, which houses a spring 146 and a nut 149 (and optionally a washer 147). In accordance with an embodiment, the utensil head or portion 120 includes a male fitting portion 141 and a pin or screw 143. A cavity wall 145 separates the central bore or chamber 140 from the spring housing 144. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the pin or screw 143 is configured to fit within spring 146 and attaches at a distal end 148 to the nut 149.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the handle portion 110 of a piece of flatware or kitchen utensil 100 in accordance with another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the handle portion 110 can include a removable panel or inlay 160, which can be removed to change the decorative handle design by changing the decorative panel or inlay 162. The decorative panel or inlay 162 fits within a cavity or bore 164 within the first or second surface 112, 116 of the handle portion 110. It can be appreciated that either or both of the surfaces 112, 116 of the handle portion 110. For example, in accordance with an embodiment, the first surface 112 can be engraved with the second surface 116 having a decorative panel or inlay 162. It can also be appreciated that each handle portion 110 can include one or more decorative panels or inlays 162. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the handle portion 110 includes two decorative panels or inlays 162.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the handle portion 110 of a piece of flatware or kitchen utensil 100 in accordance with another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8 the handle portion 110 includes an engraved portion 170 of either or both of the surfaces 112, 116, of the handle portion 110, and optionally, a removable panel or inlay 160, which can be removed to change the decorative handle design by changing the decorative panel or inlay 162. For example, in accordance with an embodiment, the first surface 112 can be engraved with the second surface having a decorative panel or inlay 162. Alternatively, either or both sides or surfaces of the handle portion 110 can include a removable panel or inlay 160 or engravings 170 or any combination thereof, such as a removable panel or inlay 160 on one side, and a smooth surface or engraving of various sizes, shapes, patterns, number and/or letters.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the handle portion 110, the utensil portion 120 and the connector 130 of a piece of flatware or kitchen utensil 100 in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the connector 130 can be a threaded screw system 500 comprising a threaded screw 502 attached to the utensil portion 120 and a chamber 504 within the handle portion 110 having a threaded bore 506, which is configured to receive the threaded screw 502.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the handle portion 110, the utensil portion 120 and the connector 130 of a piece of flatware or kitchen utensil 100 in accordance with another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the connector 130 can be a plug gasket system 510 comprising a pin 512, which is attached to the utensil portion 120, and a gasket plug 514, and a bolt or Allen nut and washer 516, which is placed within the handle portion 110. In accordance with an embodiment, the gasket plug 514 is preferably a rubber or rubber-like material

FIG. 11 is a top view of the handle portion 110, the utensil portion 120 and the connector 130 of a piece of flatware or kitchen utensil 100 in accordance with a further embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the connector 130 can be a magnetic system 520 comprising a bolt pin 522 attached to the utensil head or portion 120, and a magnetic device 524 within a chamber 526 of the handle portion 110.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the handle portion 110, the utensil portion 120 and the connector 130 of a piece of flatware or kitchen utensil 100 in accordance with another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the connector 130 can be a bearing system 530 having a bolt pin 532 with bearing holes therein 534, a snap pin chamber 536 for a snap pin 537 on handle portion 110, a socket 538 with bearings 540 in a circular ring 542 which the bolt pin 532 fills. The snap pin 537 locks into the bolt pin 532 within the snap pin chamber 536 on the utensil head or portion 120.

FIG. 13 is a top view of the handle portion 110, the utensil portion 120 and the connector 130 of a piece of flatware or kitchen utensil 100 in accordance with a further embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the connector 130 can be a snap system 550 comprised of a snap bolt 552, which is attached or fixed to the utensil head or portion 120, and a snap-in chamber 554 having a cavity or bore 556 within the handle portion 110 of the utensil 100. The cavity or bore 556 is configured to receive the snap bolt 552.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the handle portion 110, the utensil portion 120 and the connector 130 of a piece of flatware or kitchen utensil 100 in accordance with another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, the connector 130 can be a bolt screw system 560 is comprised of an extending member 562 having a bore 563 with a screw thread 564 attached to the utensil head 120 and a cavity or bore 566 within the handle portion 110. The cavity or bore 566 receives the extending member 562, which is configured to be tightened or fixed within the cavity or bore 566 with an Allen wrench or other suitable tightening mechanism.

FIG. 15 is a top view of the handle portion 110, the utensil portion 120 and the connector 130 of a piece of flatware or kitchen utensil in accordance with a further embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the connector 130 can be a utensil arm over handle portion system 570 comprised of a cavity 572 on a lower portion 573 of the utensil head 120, which fits snugly or tightly over an upper end 574 of the handle portion 110. In accordance with an embodiment, the cavity 572 and/or upper end 574 can have ridges and/or other materials to assist with the fitting of the utensil head 120 on the upper end 574 of the handle portion 110.

FIG. 16 is a top view of the handle portion 110, the utensil portion 120 and the connector 130 of a piece of flatware or kitchen utensil in accordance with another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, the connector 130 can be a side lock-in system 580 comprised of a utensil head-locking element 582 and a reciprocating locking element 584 on an upper end 586 of the handle portion 110.

FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the handle portion 110, the utensil portion 120 and the connector 130 of a piece of flatware or kitchen utensil 100 in accordance with a further embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, the connector 130 can be a snap system 590 comprised of a snap button and/or ball 592 attached to the utensil portion 120 and a reciprocating cavity 594 on an upper end 596 of the handle portion 110.

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of the handle portion 110, the utensil portion 120 and the connector 130 of a piece of flatware or kitchen utensil 100 in accordance with another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, the connector 130 can be a snap system 600 comprised of a plurality of protrusions and/or bearings 602 located on the utensil portion 120 and a reciprocating cavity 604 on an upper end 606 of the handle portion 110 of the piece of flatware or kitchen utensil 100.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is merely representative of the invention and is not to be construed as limiting the invention. Various modifications and applications may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A utensil comprising:

a handle portion, the handle portion having a dual design consisting of a first surface with a first decorative handle design and a second surface with a second decorative handle design;

a utensil portion having an upper surface and a lower surface; and

a connecter for attaching the handle portion to the utensil portion, and wherein the connector allows the first and second decorative handle designs to vary relative to the upper surface and the lower surface of the utensil portion.

2. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the utensil portion is comprised of one or more narrow tines.

3. The utensil of claim 2, wherein the one or more narrow tines are curved upward.

4. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the utensil portion is a small shallow bowl.

5. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the utensil portion is a blade.

6. The utensil of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second decorative handle designs has an engraved surface.

7. The utensil of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second decorative handle designs has a cavity, which is configured to receive an inlay.

8. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the connector is a latch pin.

9. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the connector is a snap lock element.

10. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the handle portion has a pair of side surfaces, and wherein at least one of the pair of side surfaces has a decorative handle design.

11. A set of flatware comprising:

at least one spoon;

at least one fork;

at least one knife; and

wherein each of the at least one spoon, the at least one fork and the at least one knife comprises: a handle portion, the handle portion having a dual design consisting of a first surface with a first decorative handle design and a second surface with a second decorative handle design; a utensil portion having an upper surface and a lower surface; and a connecter for attaching the handle portion to the utensil portion, and wherein the connector allows the first and second decorative handle designs to vary relative to the upper surface and the lower surface of the utensil portion.

12. The set of flatware of claim 11, wherein the utensil portion of the at least one fork is comprised of one or more narrow tines.

13. The set of flatware of claim 12, wherein the one or more narrow tines are curved upward.

14. The set of flatware of claim 11, wherein the utensil portion of the at least one spoon is a small shallow bowl.

15. The set of flatware of claim 11, wherein the utensil portion of the at least one knife is a blade.

16. The set of flatware of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first and second decorative handle designs has an engraved surface.

17. The set of flatware of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first and second decorative handle designs has a cavity, which is configured to receive an inlay.

18. The set of flatware of claim 11, wherein the connector is a latch pin.

19. The set of flatware of claim 11, wherein the connector is a snap lock element.

20. A handle portion of a utensil comprising:

a first surface with a first decorative handle design;

a second surface with a second decorative handle design; and

a connecter for attaching the handle portion to a utensil portion having an upper surface and a lower surface, and wherein the connector allows the first and second decorative handle designs to vary relative to the upper surface and the lower surface of the utensil portion.