INTEGRATED UTENSIL AND LID APPARATUS
An integrated utensil device includes a lid having an interface portion. The lid is configured to connect to an opening of a container. A tool portion is integrated with the interface portion. The tool portion includes a handle, an arm and a utensil portion.
Sugar, pepper and salt are some of the foods that are often left in exposed bowls, or containers with direct passage to the food by numerous contaminants—particularly in the commercial sector. Cafes have long relied on metallic, wooden, plastic or glass sugar, salt or pepper containers, that are often left for hours or even days exposed to the elements and at the mercy of airborne or human intervention and contaminants.
In one example, sugar bowls are often double dipped by users who take a spoonful of sugar then return for a second helping with the same spoon, which has sometimes been in the users mouth before it makes the second journey back to the sugar bowl or may still be wet from coffee or tea that was used for stirring before being dipped again.
Salt and pepper products (e.g., chili spices, seeds, etc.) are also touched by people multiple times, which is an infringement of food safety acts of most nations. Salt, pepper, sugar and other products are often treated as though they are not a food or that cross contamination will not occur. Food contaminants through these delivery methods are a significant problem worldwide and the products mentioned above are variously responsible for a significant proportion of person-to-person gastrointestinal maladies.
SUMMARYEmbodiments relate to combined lid and utensil devices. One embodiment includes an integrated utensil device having a lid with an interface portion. The lid is configured to connect to an opening of a container. A tool portion is integrated with the interface portion. The tool portion includes a handle, an arm and a utensil portion.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become understood with reference to the following description, appended claims and accompanying figures.
The descriptions of the various embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.
Embodiments relate to combined lid and utensil devices. One embodiment includes an integrated utensil device including a lid having an interface portion. The lid is configured to connect to an opening of a container (e.g., a jar, a spice/seasoning container, a condiment container, fruits, vegetables, etc.). A tool portion is integrated with the interface portion. The tool portion includes a handle, an arm and a utensil portion (e.g., a spoon portion, a fork portion, a scoop portion, a measuring portion, a spear/harpoon portion, etc.).
In one example, by the sight of the integrated utensil and lid device 100, people will not be inclined to use their provided spoon to take sugar to their cup as the utensil integrated with the lid 130 is made for this purpose. The integrated utensil and lid device 100 helps eliminating the so called “double dipping” putrefaction that occurs, for example, when patrons stir in sugar with already wet spoons (often people stir their drinks then reuse the same spoon for extra helpings—sometimes after the spoons have already been in their mouth.
The integrated utensil and lid device 100 has utility at home, in the office as well as in restaurants. In one example, a user may store their own select foodstuffs in a container 150 (e.g., ajar) with an affixed integrated utensil and lid device 100 and use it in a private way, such as storing spices, teas, any foods or any items whatsoever that could be disposed with, for example, a spoon utensil of a particular serving size for cooking recipes or use for medicines for dosing specific amounts, etc. The uses of the integrated utensil and lid device 100 are quite extensive and are not limited to any way of being used.
In one embodiment, the integrated utensil and lid device 100 may be manufactured by injection molding, pultrusion, handmade, cast in a mold, made of acrylic, plastics, glass, metal or metal alloys, etc. Worldwide bisphenol A (BPA) food standards may be applied for the integrated utensil and lid device 100 when made with plastics or naturally occurring materials such as wood or bamboo. In one example, the integrated utensil and lid device 100 may be made with toughened glass, treated bamboo, food grade metals, etc. In one embodiment, the integrated utensil and lid device 100 is rounded as one would expect from a basic jar and lid. The integrated utensil and lid device 100 may include a container 150 in any shape, such as squared, rectangular, etc.
In one embodiment, the integrated utensil and lid device 100 may be used for a myriad of products both edible and inedible, dry or wet, etc. In one embodiment, the integrated utensil and lid device 100 may use a lid 130 that is fitted to have a portion reside inside the container 150, flush mount (or lift-off) fitted to a top portion of a lid 130, a twist on/off type lid 130, an over-fitted type lid 130 that fits over an existing lid of a container 150 (e.g., when the lid 130 is made of a stretchable/flexible material), etc. In one example, the integrated utensil and lid device 100 may be colored, clear, etc.
In one example, the integrated utensil and lid device 100 provides the safety of a lid at all times when foods in a jar are not in use. Accordingly any lid 130 also provides protection from airborne or human sourced contaminants such as people speaking over and coughing or sneezing over the foods that are conventionally left exposed in open bowls, metal dome top sugar tubes, flip flop dispensers, etc. In one embodiment, the integrated utensil and lid device 100 is used by both the lid 130 and integrated utensil being simultaneously visible and simultaneously lifted in one clean motion as to achieve the task of delivering food as required while a user is being acutely aware that the integrated utensil and lid device 100 is neither just the user's spoon nor the user's lid but in fact a symbiotic and communal tool for a very specific product delivery; and not for the act of stirring one's own food. A fundamental difference here is that a user will not be inclined to use the integrated utensil and lid device 100 as his or her personal utensil (e.g., spoon). This negates the second delivery of, for example, sugar with a spoon which has already once made the journey as a stirring mechanism to a beverage or has already gone into the mouth of a user. In one example, the nature of the design of the integrated utensil and lid device 100 makes it amply visible as being communal that simple mistakes are not made to stir one's own beverage with the integrated utensil and lid device 100 when the utensil is a spoon.
The embodiments are distinguishable from serving containers that include a spoon in either a slot in the lid (e.g., a side slot to accommodate the shaft of the spoon) or an opening of top slot to accommodate the shaft of the spoon, where the spoon is separate and can be taken and used in other containers, lost, etc. The embodiments include a utensil portion (e.g., a spoon utensil) that is integrated with the lid and is held in place outside of the container/jar and cannot be separated from the lid. In one example, densely structured nature of some foods such as sugar or salt make it impossible to reinstate a spoon into the original position within the jar without manipulation and digging the spoon into the content, which can potentially break or end a spoon shaft of conventional spoons.
In commercial settings that sell hot/cold beverages, users may add sugar from sugar bowls that are often left spoiled by clumpy bits of coagulated sugar and milk from the re dipping of wet spoons. The embodiments may help circumvent the act of double dipping spoons that have already been used physically and handled in ways specific and also provide hygiene requirements of protecting others from using foods that have already had traces of other people and bodily fluids and other contaminating potentials such as free roaming vermin.
Another benefit of the embodiments is that Cafe operators could abolish provided teaspoons. This would be achieved by providing swishing sticks or small disposable and renewable resource wooden spoons in place of metal spoons—as their patrons would not need a provided metal spoon as the swishing stick could act as the stirring device while the integrated lid and utensil acts as the delivery device of sugar.
There are also environmental gains by use of the embodiments. Metal spoons are lost at dramatic pace in commercial environments, often requiring replacement faster than any other hardware and in doing so-requiring much more embodied energy to manufacture, not to mention washing and drying with petrochemical detergents and solvents, and of course the expensive labor of staff being deflected toward the tasks of managing teaspoons instead of providing more useful services. The embodiments can also help in Juice Bars providing safety to the multitude of powders and seeds used in making of smoothies (which are all currently stored in large to medium Jars with rubber lids and hinged metal swing-tops). These lids stay open or ajar all day for quick access as the metals clips are awkward and time consuming during busy periods. In one embodiment, a larger version of the integrated lid and utensil device would always protect the expensive and delicate powders nuts, seeds and nutrients used in this sector. The embodiments are also useful in the pharmaceutical stores, herbalists stores, etc.
References in the claims to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described exemplary embodiment that are currently known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. section 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or “step for.”
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
Claims
1: An integrated utensil apparatus comprising:
- a lid integrated with an interface portion, the lid configured to couple to an opening of a container; and
- a tool portion integrated with the lid, the tool portion comprising a handle, an arm and a utensil portion, wherein the tool portion is configured to be disposed external to the container when the lid is coupled to the container.
2: The integrated utensil apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interface portion has a width that provides a fixed horizontal distance from between the lid and the arm, and the utensil portion comprises one of a spoon portion, a fork portion or a scoop portion.
3: The integrated utensil apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises an inner container coupling portion configured to fit within an opening of a container.
4: The integrated utensil apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises an outer container portion configured to fit over an opening of a container.
5: The integrated utensil apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises an outer container coupling portion configured to fit over a lid of a container.
6: The integrated utensil apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a threaded portion configured to thread onto an opening of a container.
7: The integrated utensil apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a recessed top portion configured to hold a cap element.
8: The integrated utensil apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid is made of a clear material and comprises an upper inner portion configured to couple to a lid of a container.
9: The integrated utensil apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a stretchable material configured to stretch over different sized container lids.
10: The integrated utensil apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tool portion is perpendicular to the lid.
11: The integrated utensil apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tool portion comprises a shape configured to contour to a lower portion of an external surface of a container.
12: The integrated utensil apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid, the interface portion and the tool portion form a contiguous single device.
13: An apparatus comprising:
- a lid integrated with an interface portion, the lid configured to couple to an opening of a container; and
- a spoon integrated with the interface portion, the spoon comprising a handle, an arm and a concave tool portion, wherein the spoon is configured to be disposed external to the container when the lid is coupled to the container.
14: The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the lid comprises an inner container coupling portion configured to fit within an opening of a container.
15: The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the lid comprises an outer container coupling portion configured to fit over: a lid of a container or an opening of a container.
16: The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the lid comprises at least one of:
- a threaded portion configured to thread onto an opening of a container;
- a recessed top portion configured to hold a cap element; and
- a stretchable material configured to stretch over different sized container lids.
17: An apparatus comprising:
- a combined lid and spoon including an interface portion; and
- a container, wherein the combined lid and spoon is configured to couple to an opening of the container, and the spoon is configured to be disposed external to the container when the combined lid and spoon is coupled to the container.
18: The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the lid comprises an inner container coupling portion configured to fit within the opening of the container.
19: The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the combined lid and spoon comprises an outer container coupling portion configured to fit over: a lid of the container or then opening of the container.
20: The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the combined lid and spoon comprises at least one of:
- a threaded portion configured to thread onto the opening of the container;
- a recessed top portion configured to hold a cap element; and
- a stretchable material configured to stretch over a lid of the container.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 22, 2017
Publication Date: Feb 28, 2019
Applicant: Future Projects Trust (Hawthorn)
Inventor: Paul Mathis (Glen Iris)
Application Number: 15/682,880