Cutlery Patents (Class 30/142)
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Patent number: 6598297Abstract: A combination food preparation and handling tool comprises a handled main blade body, a turning hook, and a pair of legs protruding from the main blade body. In the preferred embodiment, the turning hook is integrally formed from an extended and pointed tip of the main blade body formed into the desired shape and bent at an angle to the main blade body. One edge of the main blade body is preferably arcuate in shape and sharpened to form a primary cutting edge. The legs can form a bottle de-capper and a secondary cutting edge. The preferred arrangement of the main blade body, the turning hook and the legs forms a likeness of a legged animal, such as an alligator. Further enhancement of the animal appearance may be had through etchings or engravings on the main blade body to represent other features of the animal.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2001Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Inventor: Shane Michael Matt
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Patent number: 6591503Abstract: A pizza cutter and eating tool has a fork portion, an elongated handle connected to a rearward end of the fork portion. A cutting wheel mounting area is located in the handle adjacent the rearward end of the fork portion. An elongated longitudinal slot is located in the mounting area. Cutting wheel mounting tabs have upper ends secured to a center portion of the slot and they extend downwardly therefrom below the fork. A pizza cutting tool is rotatably mounted on the mounting tabs and an upward periphery of the wheel extends partially through the elongated slot. An arcuate elongated guard member extends from a forward end of the slot, thence upwardly and over a portion of a periphery of the cutting wheel, and thence extends downwardly through a rearward end of the elongated slot, and thence outwardly and rearwardly from an adjacent portion of the periphery of the cutting wheel below the elongated slot.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2002Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Marway Industries, LLCInventor: Mark A. Voves
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Publication number: 20030079294Abstract: A combination utility and sporting knife includes a longitudinal knife handle, a utility blade carrier disposed within the handle and linearly movable within the handle, a utility blade carried by the blade carrier, a manual movable blade moving member operatively connected with the blade carrier, and a pivotally movable blade pivotally connected to the handle. The utility blade and the pivotally movable blade are extendable from opposite ends of the handle. The utility blade edge and the pivotally movable blade edge both are exposed towards the bottom portion of the handle when the pivotally movable blade and the utility blade are in operative positions thereof so that the bottom and top portions of the handle retain their relative bottom and top orientations for use of either the utility blade or the pivotally moveable blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2001Publication date: May 1, 2003Inventors: Gary E. Van Deursen, Stephen Rowlay, Craig Roberts
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Publication number: 20030041464Abstract: A cordless electric knife having a rechargeable battery pack interchangeable with other power tools. The cordless knife includes a main housing having a DC motor driving a plurality of pistons. The pistons move at least one blade in a cutting motion. The cordless knife also includes a heavy duty 12-volt battery pack which may be interchanged with other power tools.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2001Publication date: March 6, 2003Inventor: Mark D. Anders
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Patent number: 6490796Abstract: A cooking utensil includes a body with a depressed portion, a handle extending from the body in a first direction, and a blade extending from the body in a second direction not parallel to the first direction. The body has a curved leading edge that is continuous with a lateral edge of the blade. The upper boundaries of the depressed portion of the body form a plane that makes a non-zero angle with the plane of the blade. A leading edge of the blade is sharpened to facilitate use of the utensil as a cleaver.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2000Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Inventor: Andrew J. Armienta
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Patent number: 6457238Abstract: An eating utensil with a spoon shell fastened to a handle enables handicapped people, who have, e.g., only one usable hand, to reduce in size pieces of food, e.g., meat, by cutting into bite-sized pieces. To achieve this, the spoon shell (1, 31) and the handle (6) are of a two-part design. The spoon shell (1) has a first shell part (2) with a first handle shaft (4) and a second shell part (3) with a second handle shaft (5). The respective shell parts (2, 3) and handle shafts (4, 5), which are rigidly connected to one another, are connected to one another by a scissor hinge (7) and can be moved against one another in a scissor-like manner. The shell parts (2, 3) have cutting edges (8, 9) cooperating in a scissor-like manner.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2000Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Inventors: Michael Maier, Thomas Maier, Thilo Schauer
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Patent number: 6453560Abstract: A cutting device especially designed for cutting up salad greens includes two blades, a rib and handles. The two blades are inter-secured to rotate together about a common axis, but are spaced apart from each other along the common axis. The rib is pivotably secured to the two blades so as to rotate about the common axis, and is curved in a direction of rotation so as to have a concave surface. The handles are integrated with the two blades and the rib to control the two blades and the rib to rotate simultaneously between open and closed positions. The concave surface of the rib is the lead surface when moving from the open position to the closed position, and the cutting edges of the two blades cross edges of the concave surface when moving from the open position to the closed position, so as to perform a cutting action.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2001Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Wenco LLCInventors: Michael I. Silver, Wendy L. Silver, Eric Chan, Rama Chorpash, Ira Spool
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Patent number: 6425183Abstract: A ring cutting tool for cutting a ring which encircles tubing, the ring cutting tool having a first member with a jaw at one end and a handle at the other end, a second member having a jaw at one end thereof, and a handle at the other end thereof, the first and second jaws being in a substantially abutting relationship when in a closed position, the jaws providing jaw cutting surfaces which define an angle of between 20° and 35°. The ring cutting tool permits an easy lateral cutting and breaking apart of a compression ring.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2001Date of Patent: July 30, 2002Inventor: Joseph R. Lemmens
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Patent number: 6421921Abstract: A utensil having a first portion and a handle. The first portion includes a utensil portion, which can be spoon shaped, forked shaped, knife shaped or other food implement shaped and a shank attached at one end to the utensil portion. The handle is removably attached to another end of the shank. A spring loaded clamp is provided with the handle to coact with the shank so as to engage the shank with the handle. The utensil is particularly well adapted to be used with buffets, whereby first portions of utensils are provided with buffet dishes and handles are provided for the customers of the buffet. A clip can be provided for attaching to a buffet dish and holding the utensil first portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2000Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: Safe Food Systems, Inc.Inventor: John P. Garneau, Sr.
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Patent number: 6401341Abstract: A knife set for removing thorns from the surface of the nopal cactus petal which, in one aspect, is comprised of a cutting tool with a handle and a curved cutting blade extending out of a handle member. The handle is configured in a plane that is elevated above the average longitudinal axis of the curved blade allowing for the thorn removal without exposing the user's thumb and fingers to being cut and injured on the cactus petal prickers. The curved cutting blade has sharpened edges that extend the length of the blade and terminate in rounded corners at the blade end to prevent the cutting end from gouging and tearing the surrounding edible petal tissue. Another aspect of the disclosure comprises a securing tool having a curved blade that is generally perpendicular to the direction of the handle. The securing knife is used in combination with the cutting knife and is positioned against the cactus petal surface, near the base, to prevent the petal from shifting in location during the dethorning process.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2000Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Inventor: Eugene Hernandez
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Publication number: 20020040527Abstract: The invention relates to a hand tool for removing material, in particular for removing burrs, having a handle (2) and a tool head (1) which can be fastened thereto, this hand tool being developed in accordance with the object in such a way that the surface of a workpiece can be deburred with greater accuracy and damage to the surfaces to be worked due to slight, unintentional tilting of the tool can be essentially avoided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2001Publication date: April 11, 2002Inventor: Naftali Hirsch
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Publication number: 20020023354Abstract: A cutting tool which has a first cutting blade which is mounted in a scissors arrangement with a second cutting blade. The first cutting blade has formed at one end thereof a first cutting element and at the opposite end thereof a second cutting element. The second cutting blade has formed thereon a third cutting element at one end thereof and at the opposite end thereof a fourth cutting element. The cutting blades are pivotally connected intermediate their ends by the inner end by a pair of handle members with the cutting blades being captured between the handle members. The handle members are to be pivotable between a first position and a second position. When in the first position, the first cutting element and third cutting element are extended and capable of performing a cutting operation on an exterior structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2001Publication date: February 28, 2002Inventors: Joseph T. Lowe, Richard G. Lowe
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Patent number: 6341425Abstract: The present invention 10 is an improved electric knife with several enhancements which make it uniquely suited for use in its intended watery environment. In case it is accidentally dropped in the water, it has several floatation chambers 54 in the handle 24 and the end cap 52 that will keep it afloat and nearly water and damage free for a reasonably long period, certainly time enough for any reasonably serious effort at retrieval to be effective. The end cap 52 is highly buoyant, having a sealed partial vacuum chamber 54. The housing has several sealed buoyant air chambers 54 in the. rearmost area to directly offset the weight of the battery pack 36. The motor housing unit also provides buoyancy and floatation by the presence of the water-resistant seal 63 at the juncture of the knife blades 42 and the handle housing 24. The critical areas around switches 44, 50 and access openings are also watertight for operating in wet or rainy conditions.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2000Date of Patent: January 29, 2002Inventor: Patrick A. Kahle
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Publication number: 20010020332Abstract: A collapsible barbecue tool assembly includes a barbecue tool, a handle and a latch mechanism mounted in the handle. The handle includes an elongated cavity for slidably receiving a blade portion of the barbecue tool. The blade portion of the tool has one or more locating elements. The latch mechanism releasably engages one of the locating elements so that the tool is movable to and between a collapsed position and an extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2001Publication date: September 13, 2001Inventors: Douglas W. Stein, Bruce E. Ancona, Daniel Winigrad
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Patent number: 6115921Abstract: A utensil having a first portion and a handle. The first portion includes a utensil portion, which can be spoon shaped, forked shaped, knife shaped or other food implement shaped and a shank attached at one end to the utensil portion. The handle is removably attached to another end of the shank. A spring loaded clamp is provided with the handle to coact with the shank so as to engage the shank with the handle. The utensil is particularly well adapted to be used with buffets, whereby first portions of utensils are provided with buffet dishes and handles are provided for the customers of the buffet. A clip can be provided for attaching to a buffet dish and holding the utensil first portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1997Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: Safe Food Systems, Inc.Inventor: John P. Garneau, Sr.
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Patent number: 6115923Abstract: A double-ended teething spoon with a water filled transparent handle formed of a firm, resilient material to provide gum relief for teething infants, as well as hand-eye coordination, training in use of the spoon, and amusement by viewing objects suspended in the handle.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1998Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Inventors: Belinda J. Gentry, Geraldine A. Sisk
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Patent number: 6067717Abstract: A combination utensil tool with attachable utensils, such as forks, spoons, and knives which are easy to attach and detach from a common handle. The present invention comprises a built up contoured handle preferably having a raised rim on a first end and a downward extending lip on a second end. Attached to the first end of the handle is a shaft having a roller knife (or other type of knife) attached thereto. The roller knife enables the user to cut food with the use of one hand. Attached to the second end of the handle is either a spoon, fork or knife (collectively known as a utensil). The utensil comprises a shaft having a head and a notch. The shafts of the utensils are either straight or have an upward or downward angled bend in order to allow the user to eat with minimal wrist movement. The utensil is firmly coupled to the second end of the handle by a spring loaded release mechanism comprising a rod having a downward projection which permits the user to attach and detach several utensil to the handle.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1998Date of Patent: May 30, 2000Assignee: Immix, LLC.Inventors: Richard W. Perlman, John Michael Mitchell
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Patent number: 6056206Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a device having a generally upright standing straw or tube member 18 having an aperture 26 therein which runs the full length of the tube 18 therein. The tube 18 has a bottom base plate 20 located on its lower end which is attached to the tube 18 and supported by brace members 22 near the bottom of the tube 18. The aperture 26 of the tube 18 extends through the base plate 20. The base plate 20 is equipped with numerous protrusions 30 on its underside which are used to crush and extract juice and pulp from slices of fruit 14 in the drink mixture 16. The present invention is also equipped with longitudinal vertical slots or apertures 28 located between the multiple buttresses 22 which slots 28 serve as means to prevent the tube or straw 18 from becoming clogged with pulp or sealed to the drink vessel by providing additional ingress into the tube 18.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1998Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Inventor: Ian Whiton
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Patent number: 6055733Abstract: An extensible cutlery device has a hollow tube, a first casing disposed in the hollow tube, a second casing disposed in the hollow tube, and a fork device disposed between the first casing and the second casing. The first casing engages with the second casing. The fork device has a handle inserted in a spacing defined between the first casing and the second casing. A drive mechanism drives the fork device to extend and retract. A plug seat has two hook ends inserted in a rear end of the hollow tube.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1999Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Inventor: Yih-Long Chen
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Patent number: 5970615Abstract: A pair of combined cutting and thinning shears is comprised of a pair of handles, a pair of cutting blades attached to respective front ends of the handles, and a pair of thinning blades attached to respective rear ends of the handles. The cutting blades are pivoted together at a position adjacent the handles. A guide tab on one of the thinning blades mate with the opposite thinning blade to ensure their proper alignment when closed. In a second embodiment, the handles include inside edges that are in constant engagement with each other throughout their entire range of movement to ensure alignment between the thinning blades. Both embodiments can be used to cut or thin hair by simply positioning hair between either the cutting blades or thinning blades.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1998Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Inventor: Albert Wall
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Patent number: 5966814Abstract: Disclosed is a tune-producing feeding utensil, such as a spoon or a fork. In the case of a spoon, the spoon mainly includes a metal bowl portion, a plastic handle portion, and a metal back cover. The handle portion is provided with compartments for receiving a circuit board and two serially connected button cells, as well as a shallow groove around the compartments for receiving a gasket. When the back cover is fitted onto the handle portion, the circuit board and button cells are sealed in the handle portion and the gasket is tightly pressed against the shallow groove to make the handle portion watertight. When a baby uses the spoon to feed itself with one hand holding the handle portion at the back cover and its mouth contacting with the bowl portion, an integrated circuit on the circuit board is actuated to cause a tune-producing device attached to the back cover to send out music or voice. The music or voice is helpful in encouraging the baby to enjoy feeding itself concentratively.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 1998Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Inventor: Michael Lin
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Patent number: 5967408Abstract: A combination miniature golf club bag and humidor for cigars positioned centrally in the golf bag. The humidor carryall in the form of a miniature golf bag may be decoratively displayed when not in use, but all the while storing and humidifying cigars contained therein.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1998Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Inventor: Thomas Garabedian
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Patent number: 5934722Abstract: A portioning tool designed to provide consistent portions of ground beef or other food product. The portioning tool has a scoop with a plurality of apertures. The apertures allow drainage of any excess liquid from the food product and aids in smoothly dispensing the ground beef. The apertures are larger than the average size of the food particle to be portioned. This prevents the food product from clogging the scoop or sticking to the scoop's side, which results in uneven portioning. The portioning tool also has an ergonomic shaped handle which aids in the proper orientation of the portioning tool in the user's hand. The handle may be attached to accommodate either left-handed or right-handed users.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1997Date of Patent: August 10, 1999Assignee: Taco Bell CorporationInventor: Todd D. Evans
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Patent number: 5924203Abstract: A retractable knife device includes a first and a second blade respectively and retractably received in two ends of a casing of the tool. A connecting device is connected between the two blades and has a knob slidably disposed to a side of the casing. The first blade is moved to extend from the casing by a trigger device and the second blade is moved to extending from the casing by moving a pin member connected thereto which slidably extends from the casing. A spring has one end thereof fixedly connected to the casing and the other end thereof connected to the first blade. The connecting device ensures that only one of the first blade and the second blade can be moved to extend from the casing when in use.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1998Date of Patent: July 20, 1999Inventor: Jung-Sheng Huang
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Patent number: 5904250Abstract: The invention relates to a bundle (40) of disposable cutlery implements (6) (knives, forks or spoons). The bundle (40) consists of a stable stack of nesting implements (6) secured together by a strip or band (42). The implements have a handle (8) and an operative part (10) (blade, tines or bowl). The handle (8) of each implement (6) has a roughly U-shaped cross section over its entire length. The two arms (14) and (16) of the U-section form a blunt angle with the web (18). At the end of the handle both arms are joined together also to form a blunt angle with the wall section (20) formed by the web. In order to be able to form large stable stacks of nesting implements of the same kind while reducing the volume of packaging material required, the two arms (14) and (16) of the handles (8) are extended beyond the transition (22) to the operative part (10) and gradually taper to merge with the edge thereof.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1996Date of Patent: May 18, 1999Assignee: De Ster N.V.Inventor: Jef De Schutter
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Patent number: 5813120Abstract: A food utensil and grate cleaning tool includes an elongate shaft having a first end and a second end, a handle at the first end, and a hook portion at the second end and being continuous with the elongate shaft. The hook portion has a tapered and pointed end for pierces and hooking onto food such as corn on the cob, steak being grilled, and pickles in a jar, and further has an inside edge and a bladed edge along the inside edge for scraping and cleaning grates or grills. Also, the hook portion generally lies in a plane which is generally perpendicular to the elongate shaft and is capable of moving in the plane upon rotation of the elongate shaft about its longitudinal axis. Further, the user can move the bladed edge along the grate or grill for the scraping and cleaning thereof.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1997Date of Patent: September 29, 1998Inventor: Emanuel A. Stroh
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Patent number: 5791053Abstract: A food handling utensil having a handle component and a food engagement component constructed such that the handle component releasably retains the food engagement component. Food engagement components can include forks, knives, spoons, etc. which are retained by respective handle components to thereby provide table utensils used while eating. In another embodiment, the utensil incorporates two food engagement components such as forks and or spoons retained by two respective handle components, with a spring biasing component connected to the two handle components such that the handle components are held away from each other in a resting mode and are hand movable toward each other for use. This embodiment provides utility in grasping food items. The utensils of the present invention provide versatility for changes of handle appearance, replacement of damaged components, and/or requirements for small-space packing accommodations.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1997Date of Patent: August 11, 1998Inventor: Shang Shi Koong
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Patent number: 5699614Abstract: A utensil having a first portion and a handle. The first portion includes a utensil portion, which can be spoon shaped, forked shaped, knife shaped or other food implement shaped and a shank attached at one end to the utensil portion. The handle is removably attached to another end of the shank. A spring loaded clamp is provided with the handle to coact with the shank so as to engage the shank with the handle. The utensil is particularly well adapted to be used with buffets, whereby first portions of utensils are provided with buffet dishes and handles are provided for the customers of the buffet. A clip can be provided for attaching to a buffet dish and holding the utensil first portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1995Date of Patent: December 23, 1997Inventor: John P. Garneau, Sr.
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Patent number: 5600889Abstract: An article for supporting the lid of a cardboard box for a food item. The article, or preferably a utensil, comprises a blade having a detachable spacer releasably connected to the blade and a handle attached to the blade. The detachable spacer has a cover support and at least one vertical extending leg to contact a food article, yet at the same time, protect the food article. The handle may extend substantially parallel to, but offset from, the blade and has an top surface which may include advertising indicia thereon.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1995Date of Patent: February 11, 1997Inventor: Irene F. Marotta
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Patent number: 5581889Abstract: A versatile hand-held garden tool for cultivating, digging, weeding, pruning and trimming has a blade, a handle and a neck angling upwards from the blade that connects the blade to the handle. The blade has a body portion that is preferably 5"-7" long and a tip portion angling upwards from the body portion that is preferably about 1 inch long. The body portion has two edges, one edge is serrated and the other edge is beveled. The tip portion has a beveled edge. It is preferred that the handle have a V-shaped cross section to facilitate the mounting of a grip. The garden tool can be made by cutting a blank from a web of cold rolled steel having a thickness of about 0.075 inches, coining the beveled edges into the blank, and forming the tool by bending the blank. It is then preferred to heat treat and plate the cold rolled steel.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 1994Date of Patent: December 10, 1996Assignee: RLJ, Inc.Inventor: Donald R. Reuter
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Patent number: 5572792Abstract: A barbecue utensil set having shanks and handles configured to provide the look and feel of sporting implements such as a golf club, tennis racket, baseball bat and the like. A carryall in the form of a miniature golf bag having an overall size and length for receiving and storing the barbecue utensil set is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1994Date of Patent: November 12, 1996Inventor: Thomas Garabedian
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Patent number: 5526569Abstract: The server disclosed herein incorporates first and second relatively rigid elements joined by an elongate hinge. The elements are essentially complimentary in shape and each provides a half handle portion and, extending from the half handle portion, a flat half blade portion, the half handle portions and the half blade portions being joined by respective sections of the hinge. The two rigid elements are moveable between a first position in which the blade portions are essentially coplanar, where they can be used to lift a food-stuff such as a slice of pizza from a pan, and a second position in which the blade portions form a shallow V-shape to retain the foodstuff. The elements can be moved from the first position to the second position by a user squeezing the handle portions together.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1995Date of Patent: June 18, 1996Assignee: B. Via International Housewares, Inc.Inventor: Bruce Ancona
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Patent number: 5485677Abstract: A knife has a handle, a blade joined to the handle and having a blade back, and a fabric cutter integral with the blade. The fabric cutter includes a fabric cutter body extending laterally outwardly from the back side of the blade, with the outwardly extending margin of the fabric cutter body defining a fabric cutter back. A finger extends rearwardly at least about 0.2 inches toward the handle from the outward margin of the fabric cutter body. The finger and the blade back are substantially parallel to each other and separated by a distance of from about 0.100 to about 0.150 inches to form a fabric cutter slot having a cutting edge at its bottom.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1994Date of Patent: January 23, 1996Assignee: Buck Knives, Inc.Inventor: Brett P. Seber
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Patent number: 5448833Abstract: A hand saw principally for use on sheet rock or gypsum wall board having a bi-partite handle and a thumb stop. The saw blade is provided with in-line teeth which cut on the forward and backward motion of the saw and which are provided with large cleanouts. The cutting teeth are also in line and the saw blade itself is thicker on the cutting surfaces than on the top. The arrangement permits a higher grade of premium steel to be used and the teeth can be readily sharpened. The saw may also have a blade that is sharpened on the top to a cutting edge resulting in an all purpose cutting instrument.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1993Date of Patent: September 12, 1995Inventor: Michael Coon
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Patent number: 5430940Abstract: The present invention relates to scissors combined with a cutter knife. Since scissors and a cutter knife are connected together, a user can easily and conveniently change cutting instruments from scissors to a cutter knife or vice versa depending on his need, in addition to a convenient, easy and simultaneous keeping of both scissors and the cutter knife for later use.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 1994Date of Patent: July 11, 1995Inventor: Sungdae Lym
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Patent number: 5421089Abstract: A fork with timer comprising a fork having a head, a plurality of spaced tines extended from the head, and a handle extended from the head remote from the tines; timer circuitry connected to the handle of the fork and adapted for providing a cue after an elapsed period of time for indicating to user that another bite of food using the fork may be taken; a replaceable power source connected to the fork and coupled to the timer circuitry with the power source adapted for energizing the timer circuitry; and a switch connected to the fork and coupled between the power source and the timer circuitry with the switch having one orientation for energizing the timer circuitry and another orientation for de-energizing the timer circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1994Date of Patent: June 6, 1995Inventors: Nicole M. Dubus, Susan Springfield
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Patent number: 5373640Abstract: An eating utensil comprised of a combination of a tweezer device and fork. To attain this, the present invention provides a utensil which has a first handle member and a second handle member which are mirror images of each other. The first and second handle members are attached at a proximal end and bent away from each other and then parallel to one another such that there is a space in between the handle members. The distal end of each handle member terminates in at least two prongs. The innermost prongs provide contact surfaces for firmly grasping food morsels in a tweezer mode. The tines also permit the utensil to be used as a traditional fork.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1993Date of Patent: December 20, 1994Inventor: James H. Cordeiro, Jr.
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Patent number: 5206998Abstract: A utensil kit is arranged to include a spatula, bifurcated fork, and tong structure, each having telescopingly mounted heads secured to forward tooth portions telescopingly received within support tubes. Spring members are arranged to bias the forward tubes in an extended orientation relative to the support tube structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1992Date of Patent: May 4, 1993Inventors: Jack P. Oriente, Joanie Oriente
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Patent number: 5189793Abstract: A cutlery piece has a food holding portion, a handle and an electronic device capable of generating light or sound. The electronic device comprises a light sensor in the food holding portion and upon receipt of an electric input from this sensor, after a period of darkness, the electronic device generates a transient light or sound signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1992Date of Patent: March 2, 1993Inventors: Eli Ratzon, Itzhak Hadad
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Patent number: 5161691Abstract: A device for protecting articles comprising a plate-shaped protective member connected directly to at least one sharp-pointed portion of the article to be protected by at least one frangible point so as to separate the protecting member from the article before using the latter.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 1991Date of Patent: November 10, 1992Inventor: Henri Vulliez
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Patent number: 5133812Abstract: A completely corrosion resistant, high strength cutting tool such as an orthodontic wire cutter includes a stainless steel body having a pair of corrosion resistant alloy steel bonding tips brazed thereto. The tips are brazed to the body using a nickel alloy brazing foil at a brazing temperature of approximately 1900 degrees F. After a rough grinding to appropriate shape, the entire tool is heat treated in a process that heats the tool to an austenitizing temperature for the cutting tips that is about 2050 degrees F. and substantially above the brazing temperature to achieve a tip hardness of 62-67 Rc. Thereafter finish grinding, buffing, polishing and honing of the cutting edges completes the manufacture of the cutting tool.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1991Date of Patent: July 28, 1992Assignees: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, E.T.M. CorporationInventors: John S. Kelly, Jonel Cera
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Patent number: 5115566Abstract: An electrically actuated food and liquid fanning device (Z) that may be removably secured to a food or liquid holding utensil (F), container, or the like, which will generate a draft in a desired direction that is of material assistance in cooling the food or liquid held by the utensil (F), container, or other food or liquid holding device.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 1990Date of Patent: May 26, 1992Inventor: Eric Zeitlin
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Patent number: 5079840Abstract: A knife with a holder secured at the handle. The elongated, plastic or metal holder is tapered along the lines of the knife. The end of the holder, at the cutting edge of the knife, is curved with teeth pointing downward towards the blade of the knife or the end of the holder is flat. While cutting skin and fat from poultry and meats, the individual grips or holds the skin or fat for easy disposal.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1990Date of Patent: January 14, 1992Inventor: Isaac Stewart, Jr.
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Patent number: 5056173Abstract: A combination fork and chopsticks utensil is provided and consists of a chopsticks portion integral with and extending from a fork portion. The fork portion can namely be utilized for picking up and eating food, while the chopsticks portion can at times also be used for eating food.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1990Date of Patent: October 15, 1991Inventor: Frank J. Brincat
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Patent number: 4993156Abstract: A spoon or other like hand held implement or utensil comprises a spoon bowl (10) or other load carrying formation fixed to an inner stem (12) which also carries a pendulum weight (22). The inner stem rotates freely within a hollow outer stem (24) which is held in the user's hand and which preferably encloses the weight. In this way the spoon or the like can be used in a self-levelling mode; when the bowl is loaded and with the handle stem held horizontally or approaching horizontal the load will be retained despite any lack of mobility or skill or the part of the user (e.g. a blind or disabled person or young child) or disturbance e.g. when used on a moving ship or vehicle. A brake or other locking device (30,32) can be selectively applied to prevent said rotation and the device may also serve to open the outer stem when shifted to another position.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1989Date of Patent: February 19, 1991Assignee: Tamworth Plastics LimitedInventor: Mark E. Craven
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Patent number: 4835860Abstract: A hand tool for opening a paperboard carton having a push-in tab at a top corner. The tool has a generally spoon-shaped body with a bowl at one end of a handle and a bent arm extending from the handle in the same direction as the bowl and terminating in a free end more than half-way along the bowl toward its pointed distal end. The tool may be held upright, with the free end of its bent arm engaging the top of the carton and the distal end of its bowl engaging the pushed-in tab, and hen rocked to push in the tab. A projection on the inside of the bowl near its distal end is engageable with the push-in tab to pull it out when the tool is pulled away from the carton. The bowl has inclined opposite edges with teeth between its distal end and the free end of the arm for engaging the push-in tab.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1988Date of Patent: June 6, 1989Inventor: Andrew L. Infeld
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Patent number: 4823419Abstract: The utensil has a handle with a spoon/ladle assembly at one end and a spatula assembly at the other. The handle comprises two hollow telescopically engaged parts held in engagement by an elastic cord enclosed in the handle parts. The utensil is collapsed (folded) by disengaging the handle parts against the tension of the cord and folding the two assemblies to nest with each other, held in the collapsed mode by a detent with the cord functioning as a hinge. The spatula assembly is adapted to serve as a spatula, a grater, a cutter and a strainer. The spoon/ladle (spadle) assembly is adapted to function as a spoon, ladle, measuring container, and pot lifter/holder. When folded but not held folded by the detent the utensil functions as tongs. The handle is marked to serve as a linear measuring instrument.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1988Date of Patent: April 25, 1989Inventor: Cynthia C. Stimpson
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Patent number: 4821417Abstract: A device for use by the manually disabled for carrying an eating utensil or the like includes an easily bendable "handle" for wrapping about the limb of a handicapped person, one end of which is terminated by any of an assortment of removable tools and utensils. Once bent, the handle remains in its deformed position.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1987Date of Patent: April 18, 1989Inventor: Anthony H. Levine
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Patent number: 4809435Abstract: An eating utensil (10) which, when used, resembles chopsticks, but which does not require the skilled manipulation of chopsticks. The utensil (10) includes a pair of handles (12 and 14) resembling chopsticks that converge toward their distal ends (16 and 18), where they are secured to a food-engaging member (20), such as fork tines, a spoon, or other Western-style utensil. The food-engaging member (20) may be detachably secured to the handles (12 and 14), to allow replacement of the handles of the food-engaging member if any of such components should break, and to allow substitution of a variety of types of food-engaging members, such as forks or spoons, as desired.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1987Date of Patent: March 7, 1989Inventor: Gerald L. Printz
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Patent number: D411080Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1998Date of Patent: June 15, 1999Inventor: Luis A. Santini