BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top view of a hygienic spoon, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a side view of a hygienic spoon, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a hygienic spoon, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hygienic spoon, according to an embodiment of the present invention, disposed in a drinking mug; and
FIG. 5 is a further perspective view of a hygienic spoon, according to an embodiment of the present invention, disposed in a bowl.
FIG. 6 is a more detailed side view of a hygienic spoon, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a hygienic spoon, according to an embodiment of the present invention, disposed on the wall of a container.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a hygienic spoon, according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the hook assembly comprises a transversal groove, disposed on the wall of a container with a lip.
FIG. 9 is a bottom view of a hygienic spoon, according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the hook is created from the material of the stem, leaving a void area within the stem.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The following detailed description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description of the invention. Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
Referring initially to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 there is shown a hygienic utensil, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Utensil 10 in the illustrated embodiment takes the shape of a spoon. The hygienic utensil 10 includes a stem 12, hook assembly 15, and bowl 14. Stem 12 further comprises handle 11 and neck 13. Neck 13 and handle 11 each comprise approximately half of stem 12. Stem 12 can be characterized as having a length, width, and thickness. Width of stem 12 ranges from approximately ⅛ inch to approximately 1 inch, more preferably approximately ¼ inch to approximately ½ inch. Width of hook assembly 15 varies from approximately ⅛ inch to approximately 1 inch, more preferably approximately ¼ inch to approximately ½ inch. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, width of hook assembly 15 is less than width of stem 12. Hook assembly 15 is approximately ⅙ to ⅓ the length of stem 12. Hook assembly 15 is affixed to neck 13. Preferably hook assembly 15 is oriented with respect to bowl 14 so that hook assembly 15 extends from stem 12 in the same direction as the closed side of bowl 14 and opposite the side of stem 12 in which the food-holding portion of bowl 14 is directed.
As indicated in FIGS. 6 and 7, neck 13 of stem 12 has a backside comprising surface one 19 for engaging an inner surface 29 of wall 28 of container 27. Hook assembly 15 comprises material extending from neck 13. Hook assembly 15 has surface two 20 and surface three 21. Surface two 20 of hook assembly 15 cooperates with surface one 19 at a distance 22, at the widest point, to engage the edge of container 27. Distance 22 between stem 12 and clipping portion 17 ranges anywhere from approximately ⅛ inch to approximately 1 inch, more preferably approximately ¼ inch to approximately ½ inch.
Further, utensil 10 can be characterized as having a center of gravity. In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, the manner in which utensil 10 with hook assembly 15 rests on the rim 25 of containers 23 and 24 depends on the center of gravity of utensil 10. Center of gravity can be located above, below or approximately equivalent to the point at which hook assembly 15 is affixed to neck 13 of stem 12. Preferably hook assembly 15 is positioned so that the overall center of gravity is below the point at which hook assembly touches stem 12.
In FIG. 9, hook assembly 15 is formed from material otherwise comprising neck 13 leaving void area 34 where surface one 19 exists in the embodiment set forth in FIG. 6. In this embodiment utensil 10 and hook assembly 15 are created from a continuous allocation of material. Such embodiment requires that the width of neck 13 is greater than the width of hook assembly 15 by a minimum of approximately ⅛″.
As best represented in FIG. 2, 4, and 5, hook assembly 15 consists of a separate piece, preferably made from the same material, affixed to neck 13. In this embodiment, hook assembly 15 consists of lateral portion 16 and clipping portion 17. Lateral portion 16 is approximately 1/16″ to 5/16″ in length. Clipping portion 17 is approximately ⅙ to ⅓ the length of stem 12 and either extends parallel to stem 12 or forms angle 18 with stem 12. Said angle 18 between stem 12 and clipping portion 17 ranges from 1° to 45°, most preferably in the range of 10° to 25°.
As best represented in FIGS. 4 and 5, hook assembly 15 can be positioned vertically on stem 12 such that bowl 14 rests a distance 26 proximate to the bottom of mug 23 or bowl 24. When used with baby food jars, it is preferred so position hook assembly 15 so that the bowl touches or rests proximate to the bottom of the jar. It is intended that placement of bowl 14 toward the bottom of the baby food jar will place that portion of the spoon in the most desirable possible position (near the bottom of the jar and away from the opened top) for purposes of hygiene. Further, it will be appreciated that baby food jars have a rim that includes a threaded portion where the lid of the baby food jar has been removed, unlike a bowl or mug which more typically has a generally smooth rim surface. Thus, with respect to those utensils, such as spoons, adapted for use with baby food jars, the space 22 between hook assembly 15 and stem 12 is such that the space 22 allows the rim of the baby food jar to pass within the resting area of the hook assembly 12 so that the spoon can securely rest on the baby food jar rim. The overall length of the hook assembly 12 is also adapted so as to provide that the spoon rests in a secure manner on the baby food jar.
An additional embodiment, as represented in FIG. 8, comprises utensil 10 with hook assembly 15 where clipping portion 17 has transversal groove 32 for improved contact with container 27 containing outwardly extending lip 31. Beveled lower edge 33 of transversal groove 32 allows utensil 10 to slide conveniently over lip 31.
Utensil 10 with hook assembly 15 can be fabricated from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, plastics, composites, metals, glass and wood. Due to the nature of the preferred embodiment, many types of thin and durable material are adequate however certain uses will call for more specific material properties. As an example, convenience may require that a dishwasher-safe material, such as polypropylene is used.
Utensil 10 with hook assembly 15 can be manufactured using a variety of methods including, but not limited to, injection molding, thermoforming, casting, forging, flow forming, rolling, and extrusion. The appropriate method of manufacture is to be determined based on the material selected. Where two distinct pieces need to be affixed during manufacture, likely methods include, but are not limited to, stamping, soldering, welding and melt forming.
Use of the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 5. Utensil 10 will preferably be employed by user 35 in the standard fashion, by eating or serving. User 35 then places hook assembly 15 over the rim 25 of container 23 such that surface one 19 and surface two 20 engage the inner and outer surfaces that comprise the wall of container 23, respectively. Utensil 10 will remain in a generally vertical position for an indefinite period of time, or until user 35 removes utensil 10 by grasping handle 11 and lifting gently upward, a distance roughly equivalent to the length of clipping portion 17. Storage of utensil 10 by the placement of hook assembly 15 on rim 25 of container 27 is performed conveniently without requiring any device separate from the integral utensil. Thus, it is easy to appreciate that the above described embodiments according to the present invention provide an effective solution for preventing contamination of utensil 10 by preventing contact with unsanitary surfaces.
In one preferred embodiment, a utensil, such as a spoon is a substantially solid utensil, meaning that the utensil does not have present any holes, gaps, apertures, or the like in the stem. Thus, a substantially solid spoon or utensil would not have a hook punched out of the stem itself. Also, in a preferred embodiment, the hook assembly is a substantially rigid assembly. A substantially rigid assembly means that the hook itself has relatively little flexibility. A substantially rigid hook achieves its clipping or hanging ability by gravity and by close positioning of the rim within the catching area of the hook assembly; a substantially rigid hook assembly does not achieve its clipping or hanging ability by tensioning or biasing the hook against the rim. In a further preferred embodiment, the utensil comprises an eating utensil. The term eating utensil here means a utensil that is designed to assist a user in eating food; i.e., the utensil carries food to the user's mouth. An eating utensil is further designed such that a portion of the utensil, the bowl in the case of a spoon, is designed to enter the user's mouth. An eating utensil does not have a hook positioned so that the hook would enter the user's mouth. Further, the hook assembly is positioned so that the hook assembly would not interfere with the user grasping the utensil by hand. An eating utensil does not include serving or cooking utensils such as spatulas, which are not intended to be placed in the user's mouth.
While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to a particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Patent Application
20080060206
