Patent Application
20060053638
The present invention relates generally to eating utensils, and more specifically to clip-on utensils and methods of use therefor, providing disposable eating utensils having an integral device for attachment of the utensils to other tableware, such as flatware and/or hollowware; thereby reducing encumbrance of the user by having to securely hold the utensils while retrieving or transporting food.
It is often necessary for a diner to carry their plate and utensils while obtaining food from a central location, and then transport the acquired food back to a seating area. Such is often the case at buffets or picnics, where food plates and utensils are typically disposable. In addition to carrying a plate and utensils, the diner will typically require a napkin.
Accordingly, it often becomes difficult to hold a plate, utensils and/or napkin, while at the same time serving oneself from platters of food. It is therefore desirable to have some device and method to facilitate handling and transporting of acquired food, so as to free at least one hand for alternate use.
There are devices such as that of Peatross et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,711) that are utilized to support utensils. However, the Peatross et al. '711 device retains the utensil in holes on the side of a basket, or within external slots on the basket, and is, as such, not suited for application to disposable plate/utensil combinations.
Other devices, such as that of Nivin (U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,403), are suited for attachment of utensils together via a nesting facility located on the utensils themselves. However, the device of Nivin '403 lacks any means for attachment to a plate.
The knife of Glesser (U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,129) has a retaining clip incorporated therein; however, such a knife is not particularly suited as an eating utensil, and the clip is designed for retaining the knife within a pocket or upon a belt of the user. Moreover, the clip is an added component, beyond that required as a knife, that inconveniently requires assembly to the knife.
Buj (U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,033) teaches a set of children's eating utensils, such as spoons or spoon/fork combinations (‘sporks’), that have holes therein in order to fit the utensil over a peg on a plate, so as to retain the utensil thereon. However, while well suited for storage of the utensils in such a fashion, the utensils would obstruct the filling of such a plate while acquiring food from a buffet, wherein the pegs would obstruct the user during food consumption.
Hombach (U.S. Pat. No. 3,931,668) teaches a separate holding device for retention of utensils on cooking implements or on a bowl, wherein the holding device is attached via a clothespin or similar clipping device to retain the utensil in position on the bowl's edge. While the device of Hombach '668 may be suited for retention of utensils in such a fashion, it requires components that must be assembled prior to use, thus significantly reducing the expeditious and convenient use and application of same.
Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for clip-on utensils and methods of use therefor, so as to secure eating utensils, and/or napkin, to a plate, (or bowl, cup or glass); thus enabling the person/diner acquiring food to separately carry the plate, utensils, and/or napkin in one hand, while placing food on the plate and/or carrying other objects with the free hand.
Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing clip-on utensils and methods of use therefor, wherein the eating utensils have a clip integrally-formed therewith that facilitates the securing of the utensil on the edge of a plate, bowl, cup or glass.
According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present invention in its preferred form is a variety of clip-on utensils and methods of use therefor, wherein the utensils have an integrally-formed securing clip, or the like, for securing to the edge of a plate, bowl or cup. The present invention further includes an optional napkin holder facility incorporated into the utensil, whereby a napkin is carried by the utensil while the utensil is secured to, and carried by, the plate, bowl, cup or glass.
More specifically, the present invention comprises clip-on utensils and methods of use therefor, wherein the handle end of the utensil incorporates a clip means for securing the utensil to the edge of a plate, bowl or cup. In the preferred embodiment, the clip is at approximately the mid-point of the handle and operates by pushing on a protuberance incorporated into the clip, which thereby opens the clip. The clip portion of the utensil is subsequently positioned over the tableware edge, and the clip is released; thereby, gripping the edge of the tableware and securing the utensil thereon. Various alternative clipping means are described.
Additionally, the structure of the clip permits nesting of several utensils together to provide compact storage and also prevents scattering and/or loss of the utensils. The utensil may include a napkin holder, such as, for exemplary purposes only, a hole through the handle or a clipping means within the handle adapted to removably secure or grasp a napkin therein.
Accordingly, a feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to permit a diner to carry utensils via securing same to other items of tableware, such as, for exemplary purposes only, plates, bowls, cups and/or glasses. Alternatively, the diner could secure the utensils to an article of clothing, or similar.
Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to secure an eating utensil, or set of eating utensils, namely a knife, fork, and spoon, on an item of tableware.
Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to eliminate the need to separately carry utensils when transporting food on or in an item of tableware.
Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to secure a napkin for transport.
Yet still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to retain a napkin together with eating utensils, namely, a knife, fork and/or spoon.
A further feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to nest utensils, and provide the consequent low volume occupied by the utensils when nested together.
An additional feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to be retained securely upon a piece of tableware until subsequently removed for use.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
The present invention will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description of the Preferred and Selected Alternate Embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which:
In describing the preferred and selected alternate embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in
Referring now to
Handle 30 preferably comprises first end 50, second end 60 and middle 70. Food handling member 20 is preferably in communication with first end 50, and gripping member 40 is preferably in communication with middle 70.
Gripping member 40 is preferably disposed on handle 30 of utensil 10, wherein gripping member 40 preferably comprises push button 100, flexible member 140 and grip 130. Grip 30 is preferably either as shown in
Attachment point 80 of flexible member 140 is preferably carried proximate second end 60 of handle 30, wherein flexible member 140 is preferably contained within aperture 90 in handle 30. Attachment point 80 preferably provides flexibility, permitting grip 130 of gripping member 40 to be moved out of the plane of middle 70. Upon moving out of the plane of middle 70, gripping member 40 preferably creates gap 150, wherein gap 150 preferably receives edge E of tableware T. Upon release of gripping member 40, gripping member 40 preferably tends to its original position, approximately coplanar with middle 70, thereby causing grip 130 to retain any article placed therebetween.
In operation, after obtaining a utensil, diner D preferably depresses push button 100, thereby causing flexible member 140 to move apart and open gripping member 40. Gripping member 40 is preferably subsequently placed over the edge of tableware T and pressure on push button 100 is preferably relaxed, whereby gripping member 40 attempts to return to its original position, thereby preferably firmly gripping tableware T, and securing utensil 10 to tableware T.
Push button 100 preferably is round and has first side 110 and second side 120, wherein push button 100 is preferably convex-shaped on first side 110 and concave-shaped on second side 120 thereof, and wherein first side 110 and second side 120 of two different units of utensil 10 are preferably complementary, and, thus, may be cooperatively engaged. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that first side 110 could be concave and second side 120 could be convex, without departing from the present invention.
Grip 130 preferably comprises first side 160 and second side 170, wherein first side 160 is preferably concave and second side 170 is preferably convex, and wherein second side 170 and first side 160 of two different units of utensil 10 are preferably complementary, and, thus, may be cooperatively engaged. Grip 130 could be any shape suitable to grip tableware T. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that first side 160 could be convex and second side 170 could be concave to facilitate gripping of different-shaped tableware T, without departing from the present invention.
Referring now more specifically to
Referring now more specifically to
Referring now more specifically to
Referring now more specifically to
It is envisioned in an alternate embodiment of the present invention that the napkin could be retained by a clip, and that such a clip could be integrally-formed to the handle of a utensil.
It is envisioned in a further alternate embodiment of the present invention that other styles of utensils could comprise an integrally-formed clip, such as, for exemplary purposes only, spatulas, and/or chopsticks.
The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims.
