Patent Application
20210204733
The present disclosure relates generally to flatware and serving utensils, and more particularly to a self-balancing and stackable flatware where the head of the spoon does not touch an outside surface even when the flatware contains food.
Many restaurants and homes use reusable flatware where the flatware inevitably comes into contact with a table, kitchen counter or other external surface that is sometimes full of germs. Oftentimes, the portion that holds the food and gets place inside a user's mouth is the same portion that comes into contact with unhygienic outside surfaces. Users then use that same flatware to eat their food thereby contaminating the food itself.
In addition, cafes, bakeries, restaurants, caterers and grocery stores often offer samples or small bite sizes that have to be served on a plate for solid food or little cups for fluids. Currently, there are no solutions that allow for a reusable sample, small bite food holder that is reusable and hygienic.
To overcome at least some of the foregoing disadvantages, people try to leave their utensils on their plates or serving napkins, making the napkins not usable for their intended purpose. It is therefore desired to provide a flatware capable of more efficiently and hygienically serve food. Ideally, that flatware also needs to be reusable, ergonomic and light enough for a user to use comfortably.
As will be disclosed below, the present disclosure addresses these needs. Currently, there are no useful alternatives that effectively offer flatware that is hygienic and where the food holder does not come into contact with external surfaces, reusable, ergonomic and light enough for a user to use comfortably. As will be disclosed below, the present disclosure addresses these needs and covers a flatware to prevent these inconveniences and solve these issues.
The present disclosure provides a flatware that suspends the serving portion of the flatware away from a table, counter or external surface so that the head portion of the flatware is kept away from unhygienic surfaces while still allowing use of the flatware for its intended function. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a flatware which comprises a head portion, a base, a handle which connects the head portion to the base, and one or more supporting elements which can rest on a table, counter or outside surface. These supporting elements are also supported by the outside surface. The supporting elements connect to the handle of the flatware and/or to the base of the flatware. When the flatware contains food or a fluid, it is said to be in a weighted state. When the flatware is empty and does not contain food or fluids, it is said to be in a relaxed state. In either the relaxed or weighted state, the head portion never comes into contact with an external outside surface such that the head portion which users put in their mouths does not come into contact with unhygienic surfaces. The base and supporting elements of the flatware hold the head portion in balance and equilibrium whether the head portion contains food or not and away from the outside and external surface such as a table, counter or serving surface.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, two or more flatware of a relatively similar shape are stackable together, and even when stacked together, the head portion of the flatware does not come into contact with the external surface or outside table or counter.
Before explaining the various embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present embodiment will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the embodiment, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.
It should be noted that the drawing figures may be in simplified form and might not be to precise scale.
The same elements or parts throughout the figures of the drawings are designated by the same reference characters, while equivalent elements bear a prime designation.
The embodiment and various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the embodiments, which are presented as illustrated examples of the embodiment defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the embodiment as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodiments described below. Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments.
Referring now to the drawings and the characters of reference marked thereon,
In one embodiment, the supporting elements are connected to the handle of the flatware and to the base. In other embodiments, the supporting elements are connected to just the handle whereas in other embodiments, the supporting elements are connected just to the base.
In a particular embodiment, when the flatware contains and holds food or fluids, the flatware is said to be in a weighted state 300, whereas when the flatware is empty and does not hold food or fluids, the flatware is said to be in a relaxed state 200. In either state of this particular embodiment, the head portion 110 never comes into contact with an external and outside surface 150. In one embodiment, the head portion 110 never comes into contact with an external and outside surface 150 thanks to the supporting elements 140 and a base 120. These supporting elements and base also help maintain the flatware in equilibrium when the flatware either contains food or is empty.
In one particular embodiment, and as shown in
While the figures show the flatware as a spoon, the flatware may be a knife, fork or spork.
In one embodiment, the head portion 110 is vertically suspended over the base 120 or part of the base 120 such that the inside of the bowl 111 opens up upwardly and away from the base and the upper portion of the base. In other embodiments, the head portion is vertically suspended but not directly over the base.
In one embodiment, the flatware includes a base having an upper surface and a lower surface structurally configured to be engageable with the outside surface of another flatware. In a particular embodiment, the head portion forms a bowl and has a back side and an inside opposite the back side and defining tip portion. The handle forms a C shaped curved member with a neck end and a shoulder end opposite the neck end. The neck end is attached to the head portion and is spaced apart from the tip portion. The shoulder end is attached to the base. The head portion and the handle are vertically suspended above at least a portion of the upper surface of the base, such that the inside of the bowl portion opens in a direction away from the upper surface of the base. The base and the bowl are vertically spaced from one another. In other embodiments, the base and bowl are both vertically and horizontally spaced from one another.
In another embodiment, the supporting elements 140 are attached to the lower surface of the base 122 and are attached to a shoulder end 149 and to a handle 130. In one particular embodiment, the lower surface of the base 122 includes a protrusion which may be a thickened protruding portion and a tip or a tab which terminates in a contact member that rests on an outside surface. The shoulder end 149 of the handle 130, 131 and 132 includes a tab 149 which also protrudes outwardly from the shoulder end and the handle and is opposite the neck end 147. Here, the tab helps the flatware remain in equilibrium and comes into contact with an outside surface when the flatware contains food 305 and is in a weighted state 300, but the tab is usually away from the outside surface 150 when the flatware is in a relaxed state 200.
In one embodiment, the protrusion 122 extending outwardly from the lower surface of the base 120 is structurally configured to engage with the outside surface 150 in both the weighted state 300 and the relaxed state 200. The tip terminating in a contact member 142 is structurally configured to engage with the outside surface in the relaxed state 200. The tab protruding outwardly from the shoulder end 149 is structurally configured to engage with the outside surface in the weighted state 300.
In some embodiments, the supporting elements 140 are the elements that help support the flatware 100 rest on an external and outside surface 150 while staying self-balanced and remaining in equilibrium when there is either food or other material on the flatware in a weighted state 300 and when the flatware is empty and does not contain anything in a relaxed state 200. In some embodiments, the supporting element 140 can be just one supporting element and can be the same as a base 120 such that the flatware 100 remain in equilibrium thanks to a combined base and supporting element. In other embodiments, the supporting element is a combination of one or more supporting elements 140 such as protrusions 142, a leg or multiple legs 141, a notch 142, a tooth 142, a tab 142, a tip 142, a thickened portion 144 and 120 and/or a shoulder 149 or any elements capable of supporting and maintaining the flatware in equilibrium.
In one embodiments, the supporting elements 140 and the base 120 are the same elements whereas in other embodiments, the supporting elements are elements which are separate from the base, in yet another embodiment some supporting elements can be located on a base whereas in other embodiments, the supporting elements are locate away from the base.
In another embodiment, the curved member of the handle 131 is arched or has an arcuate configuration 132 and a stem portion 132 which terminated in opposing outwardly extending wings 148 at the neck end 147 and the shoulder end 149. In a particular embodiment such as the one depicted in
In one embodiment, the base of the flatware has an upper portion 121 and a bottom portion 122 and the upper portion has an opening, indentation or cavity which is capable to receiving the complimenting shape of the lower portion 122 of a base 120. These complementary shapes facilitate the stacking of the flatware on top of one another. While
In one embodiment, the head 110 remains suspended and at a distance from a surface 150 when holding a weight equivalent to one tablespoon of water. In other embodiments, the weight can be more or less depending on the shape of the flatware and the material used for making the flatware.
In some embodiments, the flatware is made of a material that is freezeproof, waterproof, recyclable, heatproof, reusable, flexible, rigid, semi-rigid and/or rustproof. In some embodiments, no matter how hot or cold a food or fluid is, the temperature of the food does not propagate to the handle or other portions of the flatware.
In all embodiments, the flatware is ergonomically designed to comfortably rest in a user's hand.
In some embodiments, the flatware has a suspended head portion that ever touches the table surface when holding one or more of a fluid or a food and includes a handle portion or shank that connect the head of the flatware to the base of the flatware. In one embodiment, the support or supporting elements along with a base hold the flatware it in equilibrium or in stationary position when the spoon is holding food or fluid and when the spoon is empty. In other embodiments, only the base or only the supporting elements help the flatware remain in equilibrium in both a weighted state and in a relaxed state. In some embodiments, the spoon does not flip over and does not tip when holding food and/or fluid regardless of the weight of the fluid.
Moving now to
In one embodiment, the base of the flatware has a thickened portion of substantially uniform thickness to help the flatware remain in equilibrium in both a weighted and a relaxed state. In another embodiment, the base 120 has an upper portion 121 and a lower portion 122 spaced apart by the thickened portion 144. The lower portion 122 is structurally configured to be engageable with the outside surface and can rest on a table, kitchen counter, serving tray or other outside and external surfaces.
In one particular embodiment, the supporting elements are two parallel legs connected to the handle and the head portion such that when the flatware is in a relaxed state, the base 120 and supporting elements 140 are supported by the outside surface 150, and when the flatware is in a weighted state, the base 120 and the head portion 110 are spaced from the outside surface 150, and the supporting elements 140 supported by the outside surface in a seesaw-like motion. In other embodiments, the supporting element can be just one leg or three or more legs.
In another embodiment, the handle 130 connects the supporting elements 140 to the base 120 and comprises an arcuate configuration spaced from the outside surface 150 in both the weighted state and the relaxed state.
In one embodiment where part of the supporting elements 140 are legs 141 such as the ones shown in
In another embodiment, the supporting elements also have a top portion and a bottom portion where at least part of the bottom portion of the supporting element is structurally configured to engage with the outside surface 150 and where the top portion of the supporting elements defines a neck 147 connecting the supporting elements 140 to the head portion 110. The neck connecting the supporting elements to the head portion is structurally configured to rest ergonomically on a user's hand, an edge of an external dish, a coffee mug, a pan, and/or a resting surface. In one embodiment, the flatware can rest on the edge of the external dish thanks to the neck 147 and remain in equilibrium while resting on the dish in both a relaxed state and weighted state.
In one embodiment, the bottom of a flatware complements the shape of an external serving tray such that the flatware can rest or be snapped or coupled to an external serving tray.
In one embodiment, a kit 500 of flatware is a kit where two or more identical flatware are stacked on one another. In another embodiment, the kit of flatware is a kit where two or more similar but not identical flatware are stacked on one another. Each flatware of the kit includes a head portion 110, a base 120, a handle 130 connecting the head portion to the base, a plurality of supporting elements 140 supported by an outside surface 150. The plurality of supporting elements are attached to either the handle or the base or both the handle and the base. In one embodiment, the plurality of supporting elements and the base hold the flatware kit in equilibrium in both a relaxed state and a weighted state. In other embodiments, the head portions are spaced from one another and from the outside surface when the flatwares are stacked on one another.
In an alternative embodiment where a flatware kit includes two or more identical flatware, the base further includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion being structurally configured to be engageable with the outside surface or the upper portion of another identical stacked flatware and the plurality of supporting elements are two parallel legs connected to the handle and the head portion. In this embodiment, each leg has an inner portion and an outer portion opposite the inner portion of the leg, where the outer portion faces outwardly from the inner portion and where the outer portion of each leg forms a cavity adapted to receive the inner portion of the leg of another identical flatware. Two or more identical flatware are configured to be vertically stacked on one another.
In yet another embodiment where a flatware kit 500 includes two or more identical flatware, the base also includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion forming a cavity or indentation and the lower portion further including a protrusion structurally configured to be engageable with the cavity of another identical stacked flatware, making them easy to stack and stay on top of one another. In an another embodiment, the flatware kit is made of two or more flatware where the cavity further includes a first v-shaped defining edge and a second v-shaped defining edge structurally spaced and facing away from one another such that the protrusion of another identical flatware to facilitate stacking of another identical flatware at an angle and such that when stacked on one another, the flatware form a semi-circle together, or a portion of a circle or other shape. The flatware can be stacked at angle and horizontally spaced away from one another thereby forming a portion of a circle. In certain embodiments, the stacking of the flatware is done on the base of another flatware and can be stacked on identical flatwares or other flatwares with bases adapted to
In yet another embodiment, the flatware kit is a kit including two or more flatware stackable on one another where each flatware includes a head portion 110, a base 120, a handle portion 130 connecting the head portion 110 to the base 120, on or more supporting elements 140 supported by an external surface 150, and where the supporting elements are attached to either the handle or the base or both the handle portion 130 and the base 120. When the top flatware of a flatware kit holds food or fluid or equivalent, the kit is in a weighted state and the head portion is either spaced away from the flatware below it or touches the flatware below it, but in all cases, the head of the bottom flatware does not touch an external surface or outside surface 150. Similarly, when the top flatware of a flatware kit is empty, the kit is in a relaxed state and the head portion is either spaced away from the flatware below it or touches the flatware below it, but in all cases, the head of the bottom flatware does not touch an external surface or outside surface 150.
As mentioned above, other embodiments and configurations may be devised without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.
In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of some of the subject matter described herein may be capable of being distributed as a single flatware or a flatware kit. As mentioned above, other embodiments and configurations may be devised without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.
