COMPACT EATING UTENSIL

Abstract

The present invention comprises of a novel eating utensil that combines the function of impaling and grabbing food in a compact and planar form. The advantageous compact and planar form allows the present invention to be included inside the prepared grab-and-go food, including, but not limited to, fruit bowl, salad, noodle, and sushi. Moreover, the novel utensil has further advantage for food such as, but not limited to, hors d'oeuvre, cut fruits, nuts, and desserts in family or social gatherings. The novel form allows various materials and processes to be used in production providing greater market selections. The compact utensil promotes healthier slow eating habit and environmental conservation. Furthermore the form allows for portability and ease of cleaning, promoting multiple reuse of the present invention.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional of and claims priority from provisional application 62/523,124 filed Jun. 21, 2017 by same inventor Scott P. Liu entitled Compact Eating Utensil, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of compact eating utensils.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

The way of eating is an essential part of human existence. The way of eating is an art, ceremony, and deeply rooted in human history and culture. There are health and safety awareness that comes with ways of consuming food. In some cultures, hands, particularly the fingers, are still the main tool for eating. Hands if not wash properly can be detriment to health. One time use wooden utensil, such as toothpick and chopstick, undergo high amount of industrial chemical treatments during production. One time use polystyrene utensil releases toxic chemicals, under heat, and over time. These toxic chemicals are harmful to both health and the environment.

In majority of cultures, tools or utensils are the main way of eating. These utensils come in various shapes and functions. Moreover utensils are still evolving and many are newly added in recent times. The multi-functional utensils, also known as combination utensils, are these recent additions. Examples of combination utensil are, Chopfork, Chork, Forkchops, Knork, Pastry Fork, Spoon Straw, Sporf, Spife, Splayd, and Spork.

These combination utensils are similar in size to the common household eating utensils, such as spoons, forks, knives, and chopsticks. Some are not intended to be one time use utensils.

Some are intended to be more of an entertainment rather than purely functional. For example, plastic chopstick combination utensils, which combines fork, knife, and chopstick as one utensil, to use as chopstick, the plastic are too flexible to hold larger food. These combination utensils visually represent the iconic shape of chopsticks, fulfilling the Asian theme meal, however in actual consuming the food, fork and knife part of the utensil are mostly used as the eating tool.

The most well known single use combination utensil is Spork, which combines fork and spoon. The Spork holds around half of loose food as traditional fork and holds around half of liquid as traditional spoon. Even though the Spork function is a compromise, it did succeed in combine two utensils into one. However the traditional spoon size of Spoke consumes valuable capacity to be included inside the prepared grab-and-go container. Furthermore, the large size of these ubiquitous single use utensils are lasting contributor to the expanding landfills.

Utensils in the fast-paced society need to address health and environmental responsibilities as well as conveniences. The present invention addresses these needs. The novel compact and planar form of present invention is well suited to be packaged in sealed film pouch. The package outer dimensions are close to the commonly used condiment packaging sizes, such as ketchup, mayonnaise, and soy sauce. The utensil can be provided by itself, sold in bulk, or be included along with other condiment for grab-and-go eating or snacking convenience. The present invention further promotes healthier slow eating habit. In addition it lessen the environmental footprint.

A variety of different patents describes utensils providing different functionality. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,734, entitled Utilitarian Combination Utensil by inventor Rory F. Krieger, published on Aug. 21, 2001 describes “an improved eating utensil. To attain this, the present design provides a utensil base (10) interconnected with both proximal and distal ends. Oriented al the proximal most end of utensil base (10) is a symmetrical counterbalanced handle member (28). Base (10) also includes angled asymmetrical tine members (14A,B) which are oriented along its' distal end. Which further includes interior jaws (17A,B).

Wherein, interconnected distal members include elongated tong members (20A,B) horizontal crimping jaws (24A,B) and distal tweezer prong tips (22A,B). Urged manipulation against food morsels occurs along these interconnected distal members and the like.”

For example, United States patent publication number US 2010/0049243A1, entitled Hinged Forceps by inventor Join Y. Luh published on Feb. 25, 2010 describes “In some embodiments, a forceps may include at least two arms, at least one finger grip, and a hinge. Finger grips may be positioned on an arm. A hinge may couple two or more arms together In an embodiment, a hinge may allow 60 degrees of separation between coupled arms. A hinge may allow uninhibited movement of one arm relative to the other arm.”

For example, the Chinese patent number CN2712200Y, entitled Universal Chopsticks by inventor Hu Denghuang that was published on Dec. 9, 2003 describes “The utility model is universal chopsticks with convenient use. The chopsticks increase a hinge capable of realizing the combination of two chopsticks handles on the chopsticks handles of the common chopsticks; finger rings for coating the fingers are arranged on the chopsticks handles. The finger rings of the universal chopsticks provided by the utility model can restrict the fingers when operating the chopsticks, and as a result, people who cannot use the normal chopsticks can master the use of the dinnerware rapidly.”

For example, for German patent number DE202005017917U1, entitled Forceps Or Pincers by inventor Stefanie Zoeller that was published on Feb. 23, 2006 describes “The forceps or pincers for picking up small objects have two tapered prongs (A1,A2). The outside surfaces of the prongs may be roughened to provide a firm grip for the user's fingers. For most of their length, the inside surfaces of the prongs are approximately parallel to each other. The prongs are tapered toward each other at the bottom and are joined together to make an elongated U-shape with a thick bottom portion. The forceps or pincers may be used with or combined with various other items of cutlery.”

For example, United States patent publication number US2008/0224490A1, entitled Eating Utensil by inventor Michel Ina, published on Sep. 18, 2008 describes “An eating utensil has first and second elongated Stick members extending parallel to each other and a U-shaped connector attaching the Stick members together. Each of the Stick members has a base portion extending in a first plane, a intermediate portion extending in a second plane, and an end portion extending in a third plane. The connector located in the first plane and attaches together the base portion of the first stick member with the base portion of the second stick member. Both of the stick members are thus curved to facilitate handling and use of the utensil.”

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,639, which is Grasping utensil by inventor Roger A. Nicoletta that was published on Dec. 29, 1987 describes “A hand-operated utensil for grasping and picking up articles or food is comprised by a pair of elongated stick members arranged in intersecting relationship at a midpoint of the members. The members are integrally connected at the intersection, and the lower portions of the elements at one side of the intersection are made flexible toward and away from each other by a recess or recesses forming flex hinges in the members.”

For example, German patent number DE4335907A1, entitled Chopsticks In The Form Of Tweezers by inventor Ulrich Rehag that was published on Oct. 21, 1993 describes “The two chopsticks are held together by a rubber band (elastic band) (2) at the ends. The wedge-shaped ends (1) are pressed shut and held together by (2). (3) prevents the rubber band from slipping off. (4) female spline and (5) male spline serve for better guidance of the sticks.”

For example, United States patent publication number US20100052347A1, entitled Server Tongs With Side Cross-Over Arms by inventor Eric Y. Teng published on Mar. 4, 2010 describes “ A pair of tongs having two elongated forearms that adjoin their respective crossovers that transform the upper forearm into the lower handle means and the lower forearm into the upper handle means. The upper and lower handle means adjoin via a bias close spring that Supports the two forearms in a bias open position via the crossovers. This pair of tongs can be easily used to handle food and other materials through hand-squeezing action applied to its forearms.”

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises of a novel eating utensil that combines function of a fork, toothpick, and chopstick. It combines function of impaling and grabbing food in a compact and planar form. The advantageous compact and planar form allows the present invention to be included inside prepared grab-and-go food. Furthermore the present invention allows various processes and materials to be used, including, but not limited to, recyclable polymers, organic and environmentally friendly materials.

To impale food hold the connection loop as a handle and puncture or impale the food with the appendage ends. After impaling the food, squeeze or bring the appendages together creates additional tensions between the appendages to further secure the food. There are different ways to hold the present invention and grab the food. One example to hold the invention and grab the food is to slide the thumb and index finger into the finger-hooks on each side of the appendages, spread the thumb and index finger apart to open up the appendages and squeeze the fingers to grab the food between the appendage ends. This serves well for small objects that is difficult to impale, such as peas, bean, and nuts.

The finger nails shield the pressure from fingerhooks in opening the appendages. The other example and preferred method to hold the invention is to use three fingers. First orient the invention vertically, where the finger-hooks are aligned on top of one and another. To secure a hold on the invention, pinch the lower finger-hook between the thumb and middle finger. Keep the thumb and middle finger stationary and slide the index finger into the upper finger-hook. Move the index finger away to separate and open up the appendages, squeeze or move the index finger inward to grab the food between the appendage ends.

The embodied form of the invention aids both stiffness and flexibility through its construction. Short appendages are stiffer, which aids control and picking up the food. The thick and thin part of the connection loop increases the flexibility to spread apart the finger-hooks, in turn opening the appendages, and squeezing the finger-hook closes the appendages. Therefore the general short length of the appendages, the thick and thin of the connection loop, and the structural integrity of the finger-hooks are essential embodiment of the invention.

The embodied invention allows various materials and processes in production. The novel form factor allows the invention to be produced in injection molding, press formed, cut from sheet, or extrusion, with little or no secondary process. The selected material determines the suited production process without departing from the spirit of this invention. Recyclable polymers, including, but not limited to, PP, PET, PLA, and HDPE could be produced in injection molding or by extrusion process. Organic materials, including, but not limited to, wood pulp, bagasse, or edible materials could be cut from sheet, press formed, or extruded. The novel form allows various materials while maintaining the embodied function.

The utensil's compact and planar form allows for single use convenience. The size and planar shape allows the invention to be packaged in sealed film if desired or requested. The package outer dimensions are close to the commonly used condiment packaging sizes, such as ketchup, mayonnaise, and soy sauce pouches. The present invention can be provided individually, sold in bulk, or be included along with other condiment for grab-and-go eating or snacking convenience.

The initial claims of the invention can be summarized as follows. A compact eating utensil has a pair of appendages connected at a connection loop. The pair of appendages and the connection loop have a planar configuration. The pair of appendages includes a right appendage and a left appendage. A pair of finger hooks, includes a right hook and a left hook. The right hook connects to the right appendage at a right hook joint, and the left hook connects to the left appendage at the left hook joint.

A pair of appendage ends includes a right appendage end and a left appendage end. The pair of appendage ends are pointed to allow both impaling of food and grasping of food without reorientation. The pair of appendage ends is configured to simultaneously impale food and change angle.

The connection loop is formed as a variable width connecting joint having a thin portion. The pair of finger hooks are configured to receive finger nails as pressure barriers. The compact eating utensil is made by one of the following manufacturing methods including injection molding, press forming, die cut from a sheet, or by extrusion. The compact eating utensil may be made of polymer, including, PP, PET, PLA, and HDPE materials. The compact eating utensil is made of wood pulp, bagasse or edible materials.

The right hook has a right hook backward bend that bends in an opposite direction of the right hook, and wherein the left hook has a left hook backward bend that bends in an opposite direction of the left hook. The right hook backward bend terminates at a right hook backward bend tip, and wherein the left hook terminates at a left hook backward bend tip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a is a top elevation view of the invention.

FIG. 1b is a left elevation view of the invention.

FIG. 1c is a front elevation view of the invention.

FIG. 1d is a right elevation view of the invention.

FIG. 1e is a rear elevation view of the invention.

FIG. 1f is a bottom elevation view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is the perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 3 is the view of the invention in a sealed package.

FIG. 4a is the view of the invention size in relation to an average adult hand.

FIG. 4b is the view of a hand holding the invention to impale food.

FIG. 4c is the view of a hand holding the invention to grab food.

FIG. 5a is the view of a hand holding the invention in an open position to grab food.

FIG. 5b is the view of a hand holding the invention in a close position to grab food.

FIG. 6 is the view of a hand holding the invention impaling the food.

FIG. 7 is the view of a hand holding the invention grabbing the food.

The following call outs can be a useful guide in referencing the elements of the drawings.

• 10 Connection Loop
• 11 Hook Radius
• 12a First Finger Hook
• 12b Second Finger Hook
• 13 Two Appendages
• 14 Ends Of Appendages
• 15 Connection Loop
• 16a Food
• 16b Food
• 20 Front Side
• 21 Back Side
• 30 Left Side
• 31 Right Side
• 41 Right Hook Joint
• 42 Left Hook Joint
• 43 Right Outward Loop Bend
• 44 Left Outward Loop Bend
• 45 Loop Bridge
• 46 Right Bevel Edge
• 47 Left Bevel Edge
• 51 Right Hook Backward Bend
• 52 Left Hook Backward Bend
• 53 Right Hook Backward Bend Tip
• 54 Left Hook Backward Bend Tip

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

• Glossary

PP stands for Polypropylene

PET stands for Polyethylene Terephthalate

PLA stands for Polylactic Acid

HDPE stands for High Density Polyethylene

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the elevation views of the novel compact utensil in the preferred embodiment. The front side 20 and back side 21 of the elevation views are the same and can be flat. The left side 30 and right side 31 as seen from the elevation views are the same and can be flat. The connection loop 10 has multiple functions. The primary function of the connection loop 10 is to connect and flex the two appendages 13 in a reciprocating motion when handling food articles. Additionally, the connection loop 10 functions as a handle to impale and grab food. Moreover, the loop 10 also function as a hanger resting on, but not limited to, rim of bowls, rim of cups, or arrangement on a display. The thick and thin width of the connection loop 10 allows extra flexibility at the top of connection loop 15, which is also the narrowest part of the connection loop 10. The variable width of the connection loop 10 can be thin and function as a live hinge, depending on production material. The connection loop 10 is attached to appendage 13 on both sides. The appendage 13 has finger-hook 12 on both sides. The finger-hook 12 also function as a hanger resting on, but not limited to, the rim of bowls, the rim of cups, or arrangement on a display. The hook-radius 11 guides the finger into the finger-hook 12. The ends of the appendages 14 are used to impale or grab the food. The elevation views in FIG. 1 illustrate the planar characteristic of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates the perspective view of the said descriptions.

The planar form shown in FIG. 1 allows the invention to be packaged in a sealed film if desired or required. FIG. 3 illustrates the present invention in the film packaging. The package outer dimensions are close to the commonly used condiment packaging sizes, such as ketchup, mayonnaise, and soy sauce pouches. The utensil can be provided individually, sold in bulk, or be included along with other condiment for prepared grab-and-go eating or snacking convenience.

FIG. 4a shows the preferred compact size compare to an average adult hand. The planar and compact form allows for portability and ease of cleaning, promoting multiple reuse of the present invention. FIG. 1 and FIG. 4a illustrate the compact planar form which allows the invention to be produced in injection molding, press formed, cut from sheet, or extrusion, with little or no secondary process. Recyclable polymers, including, but not limited to, PP, PET, PLA, and HDPE, could be produced in injection molding or by extrusion. Organic materials, including, but not limited to, wood pulp, bagasse, or edible materials, could be cut from sheet, press formed, or extruded. The novel form allows various materials to be developed and maintain the embodied function.

FIG. 4b illustrates holding the connection loop 10 of the present invention as a handle, in use to impale food. After impaling the food, squeeze or bring the appendages together creates additional tensions between the appendages to further secure the food.

FIG. 4c illustrates the preferred holding of the present invention to grab food. To hold the present invention and grab food, first orient the invention vertically, shown in FIG. 4c, aligning the finger-hooks 12a and 12b on top of one and another. Keep the invention in vertical orientation, pinch the lower finger-hook 12b between the thumb and middle finger. The thumb and middle finger that are pinching finger-hook 12b remains stationary. Slide the index finger into the upper finger-hook 12a. To open the appendages 14, move the index finger which is wedge in the upper finger-hook 12a away to separate as in FIG. 5A illustration. The finger nail on the index finger shields the pressure from finger-hook 12a. To close the appendages 14, while keeping the index finger in the upper finger-hook 12a, squeeze or move the index finger inward to grab the food between the appendage ends 14 as shown in FIG. 5B illustration. This function is a benefit for small objects that is difficult to impale, such as peas, bean, and nuts. Another example to hold the invention and grab the food is to slide the thumb and index finger into the finger-hooks 12 on each side of the appendages, spread the thumb and index finger apart to open up the appendages 13, and squeeze the fingers to grab the food between the appendage ends 14.

FIG. 6 illustrates the connection loop 10 used as a handle, impaling food and grabbing food 16a. FIG. 7 illustrates the preferred holding of the present invention and grabbing the food 16b between the appendage ends 14.

The connection loop 15 changes the angle of the appendages 13. The appendages 13 have an open and closed position. Appendage ends 14 extend outwardly from the appendages 13. The appendage ends 14 can be tapered to a chisel tip shape. The appendages 13 have a neutral position that is parallel to each other. A user can bias the appendages 13 between an open position and a closed position. The open position provides an open angle between the appendages 13, and a closed position provides a closed angle between the appendages 13. Therefore, the pair of appendages is mounted in a swivel relationship with each other similar to a scissor joint.

The right hook connects to the appendage 13 at a right hook joint 41. Similarly, the left took connects to the appendage 13 at and left hook joint 42. The right outward loop bend 43 bends outward from the appendage 13 and the left outward loop bend 44 joint at a loop bridge 45. The loop bridge 45 is a thinner and more flexible portion of the connection loop 15. The appendage 13 has a right bevel edge 46 and a left bevel edge 47 where the appendage tapers to a pair of appendage tips.

The hook has an initial radius bending toward the loop bridge 45 and then the hook has a backward bend. The right hook has a right hook backward bend 51 that terminates at a right hook backward bend tip 53. Similarly, the left hook has a left hook backward bend 52 that terminates at a left hook backward bend tip 54.

While the present invention has been described in terms of particular embodiment and applications, in both summarized and detailed descriptions, it is not intended that these descriptions in any way limit its scope to any such embodiment and applications, and it will be understood that many substitutions, modifications, and variations in the described embodiment, applications, materials, and production processes illustrated herein can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of present invention.

Claims

1. A compact eating utensil comprising:

a. a pair of appendages connected at a connection loop, wherein the pair of appendages and the connection loop have a planar configuration, wherein the pair of appendages includes a right appendage and a left appendage;

b. a pair of finger hooks, including a right hook and a left hook, wherein the right hook connects to the right appendage at a right hook joint, and wherein the left hook connects to the left appendage at the left hook joint;

c. a pair of appendage ends including a right appendage end and a left appendage end, wherein the pair of appendage ends is pointed to allow both impaling of food and grasping of food without reorientation.

2. The compact eating utensil of claim 1, wherein the pair of appendage ends is configured to simultaneously impale food and change angle.

3. The compact eating utensil of claim 1, wherein the connection loop is formed as a variable width connecting joint having a thin portion.

4. The compact eating utensil of claim 1, wherein the pair of finger hooks are configured to receive finger nails as pressure barriers.

5. The compact eating utensil of claim 1, wherein the compact eating utensil is made by one of the following manufacturing methods including injection molding, press forming, die cut from a sheet, or by extrusion.

6. The compact eating utensil of claim 1, wherein the compact eating utensil is made of polymer, including, PP, PET, PLA, and HDPE materials.

7. The compact eating utensil of claim 1, wherein the compact eating utensil is made of wood pulp, bagasse or edible materials.

8. The compact eating utensil of claim 1, wherein the right hook has a right hook backward bend that bends in an opposite direction of the right hook, and wherein the left hook has a left hook backward bend that bends in an opposite direction of the left hook.

9. The compact eating utensil of claim 8, wherein the right hook backward bend terminates at a right hook backward bend tip, and wherein the left hook terminates at a left hook backward bend tip.

10. The compact eating utensil of claim 9, wherein the pair of appendage ends is configured to simultaneously impale food and change angle.

11. The compact eating utensil of claim 9, wherein the connection loop is formed as a variable width connecting joint having a thin portion.

12. The compact eating utensil of claim 9, wherein the pair of finger hooks are configured to receive finger nails as pressure barriers.

13. The compact eating utensil of claim 9, wherein the compact eating utensil is made by one of the following manufacturing methods including injection molding, press forming, die cut from a sheet, or by extrusion.

14. The compact eating utensil of claim 9, wherein the compact eating utensil is made of polymer, including, PP, PET, PLA, and HDPE materials.

15. The compact eating utensil of claim 9, wherein the compact eating utensil is made of wood pulp, bagasse or edible materials.