Chopstick Holder
At least one embodiment of the present invention relates to a resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks. The resilient connecting element includes a resilient flexible plate and two pairs of breakthrough portions, each pair of breakthrough portions including a first and a second breakthrough portion. Each second breakthrough portion is positioned at a unidirected distance perpendicularly from an imaginary line extending between each first breakthrough portion. The distance (a) between the second breakthrough portions is equal or shorter than the distance (b) between said first breakthrough portions. At least one embodiment of the present invention also relates to a chopstick arrangement including a resilient element and one pair of chopsticks and to the use of the resilient connecting element in combination with chopsticks for eating food.
The present invention relates to a resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks. It furthermore relates to a chopstick arrangement comprising a resilient element and one pair of chopsticks which are resiliently connected together by means of said resilient element.
TECHNICAL BACKGROUNDEvery day all over the world plenty of portions of Chinese food, Sushi an other oriental food are served at restaurants and take-aways. These kinds of food are often served and eaten with chopsticks, and it is common today even in the Western World to eat with chopsticks. But all people can not operate or use the chopsticks, especially when they are not yet used to it. The people in the Western World have instead been learning to eat with a fork and a knife. In this operation you are using both of your hands and therefore you do not need a very good dexterity. When you are using chopsticks, you have both chopsticks in the same hand and this operation does need a good dexterity. Therefore, some kind of device to facilitate or allow the use of chopsticks is sometimes desired, at least as a learning tool. Furthermore, in the Asian countries, where eating with chopsticks is an everyday occurrence, the younger people and children are beginners as well and have to learn to operate the chopsticks. Thus, in those situations, some kind of device to facilitate or allow the using of chopsticks, is desirable as well.
Chopstick holders are previously known. These chopstick holders are often rather large devices and some of them tend to not give necessary stability to the chopsticks. In addition, known chopstick holders can often be considered as aids to disabled persons and can therefore also be considered as negative devices. Furthermore, some users find the chopstick holders to be complicated to assemble with the chopsticks, even necessitating an elaborate user's guide. In addition, today, it is not always easy for the users to get hold of a chopstick holder. However, it should be noted that it is important for users not to loose their face, especially when the user are sitting among strangers, such as at a restaurant. Therefore, a chopstick holder, easy to assemble and easy to use, is desirable. Accordingly, it is desirable that the chopstick holders are found where the needs are and it is desirable that the chopstick holders are not being considered as negative devices, such as only for disabled persons.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn object of the present invention is to provide an improved resilient connecting element which at least partly eliminates at least some of the above mentioned problems.
According to one aspect of the present invention, this and other objects are achieved by a resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks, wherein said resilient connecting element comprises a resilient flexible plate and two pairs of breakthrough portions wherein each pair of breakthrough portions consist of a first and a second breakthrough portion, wherein each second breakthrough portion is positioned at a unidirected distance perpendicularly from an imaginary line extending between each first breakthrough portion, wherein the distance between said second breakthrough portions is equal or shorter than the distance between said first breakthrough portions. When the distance between said second breakthrough portions is equal to the distance between said first breakthrough portions, the chopsticks are in a parallel relationship to one another, when the resilient connecting element are assembled with the chopsticks. When the distance between said second breakthrough portions is shorter than the distance between said first breakthrough portions, a desirable angle between the chopsticks is achieved when the resilient connecting element is assembled with the chopsticks and the assembly is used. The combination of the resilient flexible plate and the position of the two pairs of breakthrough portions on the resilient flexible plate, through which breakthrough portions the chopsticks at usage are passed, will achieve a gripping action with the chopsticks to be more stable for the users, as well as provide the resilient connecting element to be easy to assemble with the chopsticks. The combination of the resilient flexible plate and the position of the two pairs of breakthrough portions also creates the desirable stiffness between the chopsticks, when they are used. The stiffness is helping the user to keep the chopsticks in an adequate position for eating and to separate them again after the release of a gripped food product. Accordingly, a suitable path for the gripping part of the chopsticks, between an initial position and an food gripping position, is achieved. Hence, this helps the user to grip the food and to keep the food between the chopsticks, without the need for the necessary dexterity.
According to an embodiment of the invention, said distance between said second breakthrough portions is shorter than said distance between said first breakthrough portions.
According to an embodiment of the invention, said second breakthrough portions of each pair of breakthrough portions are equally distanced from said imaginary line.
Further, said two pairs of breakthrough portions are through holes.
According to an embodiment of the invention, said second breakthrough portions of each pair of breakthrough portions are interconnected to form one continuous breakthrough portion. By providing a continuous breakthrough portion in this way, it will be easier for the users to assemble the chopsticks with the resilient connecting element, especially when the chopsticks are formed conically. By interconnection the two breakthrough portions this way, it is also possible to give the resilient connecting element a contour that resembles for example a happy face in order to limit the experience of using an aid for disabled.
Preferably, said resilient connecting element is made of resilient plastic material. By using a resilient plastic material, the resilient connecting element is provided with an improved back spring effect. Accordingly, the element will strive to achieve its initial position, when the resilient connecting element is assembled with the chopsticks and the assembly is used. Furthermore, by using a resilient plastic material, the invention could be produced by for example punching at a very low price.
According to an embodiment of the invention, said resilient connecting element is detachably connected to a food package. By providing the resilient connecting element in this way to a food package, the resilient connecting element is easily available for the users. Hence, all of the chopstick users who are receiving the packages, will also receive the resilient connecting element. Thus, the users that have a need for the resilient connecting element, can have them close at hand. Accordingly, the users do not have to loose their face, since the users do not, for example, have to ask separately for the resilient connecting element. Further on, a connecting element easy and inexpensive to distribute such as to take-away restaurants and users, is achieved. An easy user's manual can also be printed on the packages, and therefore there is no need for extra or separate guidance.
According to an embodiment of the invention, said resilient connecting element is integrated with said package suitable for food. By providing the resilient connecting element in this way to a food package, the resilient connecting element is formed by the food package.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the contour of said resilient connecting element is formed of an indication of fracture in said package suitable for food, whereby said connecting element can be broken out of said package. By providing the resilient connecting element in this way to a food package, the connecting element can be supplied to the users easily and naturally. Hence, the users can easily press the resilient connecting element out of the package, with no need for extra tools.
According to another aspect of the present invention the chopstick arrangement comprises a resilient element and one pair of chopsticks which are resiliently connected together by means of said resilient element wherein said resilient element comprises a plate of flexible material, comprising two pairs of breakthrough portions of which each pair is penetrated by one of said chopsticks, wherein said resilient element is bent into an essentially U-shaped form, wherein one of the breakthrough portions of each pair of breakthrough portions is arranged to be positioned at one side of the bend and the other one of the breakthrough portions of each pair of breakthrough portions is positioned at the opposite side of said bend. By providing the chopstick arrangement in this way, a desirable angle between the chopsticks is achieved. Thus, the desirable stiffness between the chopsticks is created. The stiffness is helping the user to keep the chopsticks in an adequate position for eating and to separate them again after the release of a gripped food product. Accordingly, a suitable path for the gripping part of the chopsticks, between an initial position and an food gripping position, is achieved. Hence, this helps the user to grip the food and to keep the food between the chopsticks, without the need for the necessary dexterity.
According to an embodiment of the invention, said resilient element is bent against the resiliency of its material into said essentially U-shaped form. When the resilient element is bent against the resiliency of its material, the spring action in the element maintaining the desirable position of the chopsticks. Accordingly, the chopsticks are connected steadily to the resilient element and the chopstick arrangement will be more stable for the user.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the breakthrough portions of each pair of breakthrough portions that are positioned closest to an end of said chopsticks for gripping food have a larger distance in relation to one another than the distance between the other breakthrough portions of each pair of breakthrough portions, wherein said chopsticks diverge towards said ends for gripping food. By providing the chopstick arrangement: in this way, a suitable and stable handle position for gripping pieces of food, is achieved.
Another aspect of the present invention is the use of a resilient connecting element in combination with chopsticks for eating food.
The invention will be described in the following in more detail by means of one embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:
A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in the following. The examples described should not be regarded as restricting but merely as illustrative examples.
The preferred embodiment described above is to be understood as exemplary only and the scope protection of the claims should not be limited by those teachings.
There are many other embodiments that lie within the protection sought. As an example the distance c′ and c″ could be unequal in length. In addition, the distance a and b could be equal, positioning the chopsticks 3 in a parallel relationship to one another. Furthermore, the chopstick holder 2 could also be decorated in different ways. For example, the hole 8 could be formed as a happy mouth and the holes 4, 5 could represent eyes in a happy face. Accordingly, the invention is intended to not be considered as an aid for helping disabled persons, rather a humorous chopstick holder and the users would not have to loose their face when using it. Furthermore, the resilient connecting element can be attached to the food package by glue or adhesive tape. Furthermore, the breakthrough portions could have the cross sectional form of for example a triangle or a polygon.
Claims
1. Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks, comprising:
- a resilient flexible plate; and
- two pairs of breakthrough portions, each pair of breakthrough portions including a first and a second breakthrough portion, each second breakthrough portion being positioned at a unidirected distance perpendicularly from an imaginary line extending between at least one first breakthrough portion, wherein a distance (a) between said second breakthrough portions is equal to or shorter than the distance (b) between said first breakthrough portions and wherein said second breakthrough portions are interconnected to form one continuous breakthrough portion.
2. Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to claim 1, wherein said distance (a) between said second breakthrough portions is shorter than said distance (b) between said first breakthrough portions.
3. Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to claim 1, wherein said second breakthrough portions of each pair of breakthrough portions are equally distanced from said imaginary line.
4. Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to claim 1, wherein said two pairs of breakthrough portions are through holes.
5. Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to claim 1, wherein said second breakthrough portions of each pair of breakthrough portions are interconnected to form one continuous breakthrough portion.
6. Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to claim 1, wherein said resilient connecting element is made of resilient plastic material.
7. Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to claim 1, wherein said resilient connecting element is detachably connected to a food package.
8. Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to claim 7, wherein said resilient connecting element is integrated with said package suitable for food.
9. Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to claim 7, wherein the contour of said resilient connecting element is formed of an indication of fracture in said package suitable for food, and whereby said connecting element can be broken out of said package.
10. Chopstick arrangement, comprising:
- a resilient element; and
- one pair of chopsticks, resiliently connected together by said resilient element, said resilient element including a plate of flexible material including two pairs of breakthrough portions, each pair of breakthrough portions being penetrated by one of said chopsticks, wherein said resilient element is bent into an essentially U-shaped form, wherein one of the breakthrough portions of each pair of breakthrough portions is arranged to be positioned at one side of the bend and the other one of the breakthrough portions of each pair of breakthrough portions is positioned at the opposite side of said bend and wherein one of said pairs of breakthrough portions is interconnected to form one continuous breakthrough portion.
11. Chopstick arrangement according to claim 10, wherein said resilient element includes
- a resilient flexible plate; and
- two pairs of breakthrough portions, each pair of breakthrough portions including a first and a second breakthrough portion, each second breakthrough portion being positioned at a unidirected distance perpendicularly from an imaginary line extending between at least one first breakthrough portion, wherein a distance (a) between said second breakthrough portions is equal to or shorter than the distance (b) between said first breakthrough portions and wherein said second breakthrough portions are interconnected to form one continuous breakthrough portion.
12. Chopstick arrangement according to claim 10, wherein said resilient element is bent against the resiliency of its material into said essentially U-shaped form.
13. Chopstick arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the breakthrough portions of each pair of breakthrough portions that are positioned closest to an end of said chopsticks for gripping food have a larger distance (b) in relation to one another than the distance (a) between the other breakthrough portions of each pair of breakthrough portions and wherein said chopsticks diverge towards said ends for gripping food.
14. A method, comprising:
- using the resilient connecting element according to claim 1 in combination with chopsticks for eating food.
15. Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to claim 1, wherein said second breakthrough portions form the outer portions of said one continuous breakthrough portion.
16. Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to claim 2, wherein said distance (a) between said second breakthrough portions is shorter than said distance (b) between said first breakthrough portions.
17. Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to claim 15, wherein said distance (a) between said second breakthrough portions is shorter than said distance (b) between said first breakthrough portions.
18. Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to claim 2, wherein said second breakthrough portions of each pair of breakthrough portions are equally distanced from said imaginary line.
19. Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to claim 15, wherein said second breakthrough portions of each pair of breakthrough portions are equally distanced from said imaginary line.
20. Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to claim 8, wherein the contour of said resilient connecting element is formed of an indication of fracture in said package suitable for food, and whereby said connecting element can be broken out of said package.
21. Chopstick arrangement according to claim 11, wherein said resilient element is bent against the resiliency of its material into said essentially U-shaped form.
22. Chopstick arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the breakthrough portions of each pair of breakthrough portions that are positioned closest to an end of said chopsticks for gripping food have a larger distance (b) in relation to one another than the distance (a) between the other breakthrough portions of each pair of breakthrough portions and wherein said chopsticks diverge towards said ends for gripping food.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 30, 2005
Publication Date: Jul 1, 2010
Inventor: John Björlund (Goteborg)
Application Number: 11/922,138
International Classification: A47G 21/10 (20060101);