Fork

Abstract

A fork includes a handle and a fork head. The handle substantially extends in a front-rear direction. The fork head is connected to the handle. The fork head includes a plurality of columnar tines that extend in the front-rear direction, and a fork body that is connected between the tines and the handle. The tines are arranged in a left-right direction that is transverse to the front-rear direction. The tines are mainly made of pliable and flexible materials.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Taiwanese Utility Model Patent Application No. 109204135, filed on Apr. 9, 2020.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to an eating utensil, and more particularly to a fork.

BACKGROUND

A conventional fork as shown in FIG. 1 is made of stiff materials like metals. The conventional fork includes a handle 11 that extends in a front-rear direction and a fork head 12 that extends forwardly from the handle 11. The handle 11 is adapted to be held in one hand by a user. The fork head 12 includes a plurality of tines 13 that extend in the front-rear direction and that are spaced apart and arranged in a left-right direction, and a fork body 14 that is connected between the tines 13 and the handle 11.

Each of the tines 13 extends in the front-rear direction and is in a shape of a leaf that is thin, long and flattened. Moreover, each of the tines 13 cooperates with at least one adjacent tine 13 so that it is easy for the user to pierce food. Although such conventional fork has the ability of piercing food, the user may be exposed to potential injuries such as being pierced or stabbed in view of the specific characteristics of the tines 13 (i.e. the stiff materials and the thin and flattened shape). Thus, the conventional fork is not safe enough for use, especially by babies or preschool children. Furthermore, the configuration of the tines 13 makes it difficult for the conventional fork to hold grain-shaped or stick-shaped food, so that food in such shapes may easily separate from the tines 13.

SUMMARY

Therefore, an object of the disclosure is to provide a fork that can alleviate at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art.

According to the disclosure, the fork includes a handle and a fork head. The handle substantially extends in a front-rear direction. The fork head is connected to the handle. The fork head includes a plurality of columnar tines that extend in the front-rear direction, and a fork body that is connected between the tines and the handle. The tines are arranged in a left-right direction that is transverse to the front-rear direction. The tines are mainly made of pliable and flexible materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional fork;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a fork according to the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, enlarged top view illustrating the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken in a front-rear direction through a fork handle of the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along a horizontal cutting plane through a handle tongue of the fork handle;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view illustrating the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 3 through a plurality of tines; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 3 through the tines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the disclosure is described in greater detail, it should be noted that where considered appropriate, reference numerals or terminal portions of reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements, which may optionally have similar characteristics.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, an embodiment of a fork according to the disclosure includes a handle 2 and a fork head 3, and is adapted for piercing and holding food so that a user can pick up the food. The handle 2 substantially extends in a front-rear direction (D1), and the fork head 3 is connected to and integrated with the handle 2, and extends forwardly from the handle 2.

The handle 2 includes a handle body 21 that is connected to and integrated with the fork head 3, and a handle core 22 that is surrounded by the handle body (i.e., embedded in the handle body 21).

The handle body 21 is a bent rod that substantially extends in the front-rear direction (D1). More specifically, from the rear to the front, the handle body 21 first curves upward and then curves downward. Moreover, a width of the handle body 21 in a left-right direction (D2) that is transverse to the front-rear direction (D1) generally decreases from the rear to the front. Because the handle body 21 is designed with a shape that is curved and that tapers forwardly, the handle body 21 is ergonomic.

The handle body 21 is mainly made of silicone rubber. Hardness of silicone rubber can be measured in the Shore type A hardness scale of the Shore durometer. The Shore type A hardness scale ranges from 0A to 100A; the higher the number, the harder the material. In the embodiment according to the disclosure, the hardness of the silicone rubber that is used to make the handle body 21 is substantially 80A. With the silicone rubber as the main constituent, the handle body 21 provides not only stiffness for the fork to pierce the food, but also softness for the comfort and safety of use. Furthermore, silicone rubber is relatively stable when used as eating utensils, and eating utensils made of silicone rubber would not contain harmful substances such as heavy metals or Bisphenol A. Therefore, silicone rubber is suitable for making the handle body 21 of the fork as it is relatively safe and does not contaminate the food.

In other embodiments, the handle body 21 of the fork may be made of silicone rubber that has a hardness of xA, where x is an integer ranging from 60 to 95. In addition, the silicone rubber can be added with silver for its antibacterial properties so that food safety is not only achieved but further ensured.

The handle core 22 extends and bends in a similar direction as the handle body 21 to conform to the structure of the handle body 21. In the present embodiment, the handle core 22 is mainly made of polyamide that has a hardness greater than that of the handle body 21 so that the handle core 22 can support and reinforce the handle body 21.

In the embodiment according to the disclosure, the fork head 3 includes three columnar tines 31 that extend generally in the front-rear direction (D1), that are arranged in the left-right direction (D2), and that are bent, and a fork body 32 that is integrated with and connected between the tines 31 and the handle body 21 of the handle 2. However, one or more other embodiments where the fork head 3 includes only two of the tines 31 or the fork head 3 includes at least four of the tines 31 can also be practiced.

The fork body 32 and the tines 31 are made of the same materials as the handle body 21. The fork body 32 cooperates with the bent tines 31 to forma spork-shaped structure that is curved, that has a concave upper spork-shaped surface 33 and a convex lower spork-shaped surface opposite to the upper spork-shaped surface 33.

The handle core 22 further includes a handle tongue 221 (see FIG. 5) that extends into the fork body 32 in the front-rear direction (D1). However, in one or more other embodiments of the fork according to the disclosure, the handle core 22 is only surrounded by the handle body 21 but does not extend into the fork body 32 of the fork head 3, so that the fork head 3 can be more flexible than this embodiment. As for effects that the fork can achieve in the case where the handle tongue 221 of the handle core 22 extends into the fork head 3, relevant descriptions will be provided after detailed descriptions of the tines 31.

In the embodiment according to the disclosure, adjacent pairs of the tines 31 with a common tine 31 between the pairs cooperatively define two fork gaps 34. Each of the fork gaps 34 generally extends in the front-rear direction (D1) and is located between the corresponding pair of the tines 31. Besides, each of the tines 31 includes a first end 311 that is connected to the fork body 32 and a second end 312 that is opposite to the first end 311.

Each of the fork gaps 34 is partitioned into a first gap area 341 that is defined by the first ends 311 of the corresponding pair of the tines 31, a second gap area 342 that is defined by the second ends 312 of the corresponding pair of the tines 31, and a third gap area 345 that is located between the first gap area 341 and the second gap area 342.

For each of the fork gaps 34, a maximum width 343 of the first gap area 341 in the left-right direction (D2), a maximum width 346 of the third gap area 345 in the left-right direction (D2), or both of the maximum width 343 of the first gap area 341 in the left-right direction (D2) and the maximum width 346 of the third gap area 345 in the left-right direction (D2) are greater than a minimum width 344 of the second gap area 342 in the left-right direction (D2). In this embodiment, a distal portion of each fork gap 34 defined by the corresponding pair of tines 31 has a width smaller than that of an intermediate portion of the fork gap 34. Further, in this embodiment, the second gap area 342 slightly diverges toward a distal end of the fork gap 34.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 7 and 8, for each of the tines 31, a cross-section of the first end 311 is dimensionally greater than a cross-section of the second end 312, and each of the tines 31 gradually tapers from the first end 311 to the second end 312.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, each of the tines 31 includes a first tine surface 313 that substantially faces upwardly in an up-down direction (D3) and that extends in the front-rear direction (D1), and two connecting tine surfaces 314 that extend in the front-rear direction (D1), that are arranged in the left-right direction (D2) and that extend downwardly from the first tine surface 313 in the up-down direction (D3).

In the embodiment, the tine 31 in the middle (hereinafter also referred to as “middle tine 31”) further includes a second tine surface 315 that is located below the first tine surface 313 in the up-down direction (D3). The second tine surface 315 extends in the front-rear direction (D1) and substantially tapers away from the fork body 32 (see FIG. 6). The connecting tine surfaces 314 of the middle tine 31 extend downwardly from the first tine surface 313 of the middle tine 31 toward the second tine surface 315 of the middle tine 31 in the up-down direction (D3), so that a cross-section of the middle tine 31 is roughly a trapezoid that is wider at the top, where the cross-section is perpendicular to the front-rear direction (D1).

In addition, the connecting tine surfaces 314 of each of two of the tines 31 that are located respectively at the outermost sides (hereinafter also referred to as “outermost tines 31”) extend downwardly from the respective first tine surface 313 in the up-down direction (D3), so that a cross-section of each of the outermost tines 31 is in an inverted triangle-like shape that is wider at the top, where the cross-section is perpendicular to the front-rear direction (D1).

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the embodiment of the fork is characterized in that the tines 31 are mainly made of pliable and flexible materials, so a user is safe from being pierced or stabbed when the tines 31 get into contact with the user. Therefore, the embodiment of the fork is assured to be safe not only for adults but also for babies or children during use.

Having each of the tines 31 gradually tapering from the first end 311 to the second end 312 and including the connecting tine surfaces 314 that extend downwardly in the up-down direction (D3) are beneficial designs so that the tines 31 made of pliable and flexible materials can pierce the food. Moreover, each adjacent pair of the tines 31 are able to cooperatively grip the food relatively tightly because of the design of each fork gap 34 with a distal portion smaller in width than an intermediate portion. More specifically, when grain-shaped or stick-shaped food (i.e. peas, corn kernels, vegetable strips and vegetable sticks) enters one of the fork gaps 34 through the respective second gap area 342, the grain-shaped or stick-shaped food does not easily separate from the one of the fork gaps 34 because the respective second gap area 342 is not wide enough for the grain-shaped or stick-shaped food to slip away. Thus, the tines 31 cooperatively achieve an effect of gripping the food tightly, even if the food is grain-shaped or stick-shaped.

In addition, the upper spork-shaped surface 33 of the fork head 3 cooperatively formed by the fork body 32 and the bent tines 31 allows the fork head 3 to have a function similar to a spoon, which means, for the food that is too small for the tines 31 to pierce and pick up, the upper spork-shaped surface 33 of the fork head 3 can be adapted to spoon the food. For such usage, the structure of the fork head 3 can be reinforced to spoon the food more smoothly if the handle tongue 221 of the handle core 22 extends into the fork body 32 of the fork head 3.

In summary, the embodiment of the fork according to the disclosure achieves the effect of eliminating the possibility of harming the user with the tines 31 for the tines 31 are mainly made of pliable and flexible materials. Aside from safety, the columnar tines 31 of the fork can pierce the food effectively and grip the food tightly with each of the fork gaps 34 defined by the tines 31 having a distal portion smaller in width than an intermediate portion.

In the description above, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that one or more other embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. It should also be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” an embodiment with an indication of an ordinal number and so forth means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in the practice of the disclosure. It should be further appreciated that in the description, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of various inventive aspects, and that one or more features or specific details from one embodiment may be practiced together with one or more features or specific details from another embodiment, where appropriate, in the practice of the disclosure.

While the disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the exemplary embodiment, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A fork comprising:

a handle substantially extending in a front-rear direction; and

a fork head connected to said handle, and including a plurality of columnar tines that extend in the front-rear direction, and a fork body that is connected between said tines and said handle, said tines being arranged in a left-right direction that is transverse to the front-rear direction and being mainly made of pliable and flexible materials.

2. The fork as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tines are arranged and spaced apart in the left-right direction, and each adjacent pair of said tines cooperatively defining a fork gap, a distal portion of each of said fork gaps defined by said tines having a width smaller than that of an intermediate portion of said fork gap.

3. The fork as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of said tines includes a first end that is connected to said fork body and a second end that is opposite to said first end, each of said fork gaps being partitioned into a first gap area that is defined by said first ends of the corresponding pair of said tines, a second gap area that is defined by said second ends of the corresponding pair of said tines, and a third gap area that is located between said first gap area and said second gap area,

for each of said fork gaps, a maximum width of said first gap area, a maximum width of said third gap area, or both of said maximum width of said first gap area and said maximum width of said third gap area being greater than a minimum width of said second gap area.

4. The fork as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said tines includes a first tine surface that substantially faces upwardly in an up-down direction and that extends in the front-rear direction, and two connecting tine surfaces that extend in the front-rear direction, that are arranged in the left-right direction and that extend downwardly in the up-down direction.

5. The fork as claimed in claim 4, wherein said fork head includes three of said tines that are arranged in the left-right direction, said tine in the middle further including a second tine surface that is located below said first tine surface in the up-down direction (D3), said second tine surface extending in the front-rear direction and substantially tapering away from said fork body, said connecting tine surfaces of said tine in the middle extending downwardly from said first tine surface of said tine in the middle toward said second tine surface of said tine in the middle in the up-down direction.

6. The fork as claimed in claim 4, wherein a cross-section of each of two of said tines that are located respectively at the outermost sides is in an inverted triangle-like shape that is wider at the top, the cross-section being perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

7. The fork as claimed in claim 5, wherein a cross-section of each of two of said tines that are located respectively at the outermost sides is in an inverted triangle-like shape that is wider at the top, the cross-section being perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

8. The fork as claimed in claim 1, wherein said handle includes a handle body that is connected to said fork head, and a handle core that is surrounded by said handle body, hardness of said handle core being greater than that of said handle body.

9. The fork as claimed in claim 8, wherein said handle body, said fork body and said tines are made of a same material, said handle core further including a handle tongue that extends into said fork body in the front-rear direction.

10. The fork as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said tines is mainly made of silicone rubber that has a hardness ranging from Shore 60 to Shore 95 when measured by a Shore durometer.

11. The fork as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said tines includes a first end that is connected to said fork body and a second end that is opposite to said first end, and each of said tines gradually tapers from said first end to said second end.