SPATULA

Abstract

A spatula having a handle and a blade extending from the handle. The blade has at least one curved, convex section, along the blade's length. The curved, convex section forms a line that is not aligned with the handle's longitudinal axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description, given by way of example and not intended to limit the present invention solely thereto, will best be appreciated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and parts, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing a lateral view of the spatula of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another schematic illustration of the spatula of the present invention, particularly showing an inner frame of the blade of the spatula;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the frame of the spatula of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration showing a section view of the spatula of the present invention;

FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are schematic illustrations showing three successive stages of turning of a food product, generally during a cooking operation, by the spatula of the present invention.

Claims

1. A spatula, comprising: a handle extending along a handle axis; anda blade extending from the handle, the blade having at least one curved, convex section, along a length of the blade length, the curved, convex section forming a line not aligned with the handle axis.

2. The spatula according to claim 1, wherein the blade includes a curved, concave, longitudinal section.

3. The spatula according to claim 1, further comprising a silicone cover disposed over the blade.

4. The spatula according to claim 1, further comprising a cover disposed over the blade, the cover being made of a thermoplastic material.

5. The spatula according to claim 1, wherein the blade is comprised of an inner frame and an outer cover fully disposed over the inner frame.

6. The spatula according to claim 5, wherein the inner frame is made of metal.

7. The spatula according to claim 5, wherein the inner frame is made of spring steel.

8. The spatula according to claim 5, wherein the inner frame is made of a thermoplastic material.

9. The spatula according to claim 5, wherein the inner frame is substantially flat and includes curved sections.

10. The spatula according to claim 1, further comprising an inner frame, the blade fully covering the inner frame.

11. The spatula according to claim 10, wherein the inner frame has a thickness of substantially between 1 and 2 mm.

12. The spatula according to claim 10, wherein the inner frame has a length of substantially between 20 and 30 cm.

13. The spatula according to claim 10, wherein the inner frame extends from a first end adjacent the handle to a second end, and a width of the inner frame increases from the first end to the second end.

14. The spatula according to claim 10, wherein the inner frame extends from a first end adjacent the handle to a second end, a width of the first end of the inner frame being substantially between 10 and 20 mm, and a width of the second end of the inner frame being substantially between 15 and 30 mm.

15. The spatula according to claim 10, wherein the inner frame has a deflection of substantially between 10 and 30 mm.

16. The spatula according to claim 10, wherein the inner frame has a mid-section length of substantially between 40 and 60 cm.

17. The spatula according to claim 10, wherein the inner frame includes an insert disposed within the handle.

18. The spatula according to claim 1, wherein the blade has a flat, external envelope and includes curved edges.

19. The spatula according to claim 1, wherein the blade longitudinally extends from a first end adjacent the handle to a second end opposite the first end, and a width of the blade progressively increases from the first end to the second end.

20. The spatula according to claim 1, wherein the blade longitudinally extends from a first end adjacent the handle to a second end opposite the first end, and a width of the blade progressively increases from the first end to a mid-section between the first and second ends, and the width of the blade decreases from the mid-section to the second end.

21. The spatula according to claim 1, wherein the blade longitudinally extends from a first end adjacent the handle to a second end opposite the first end, a width of the first end being substantially between 15 and 30 mm, and a width of the second end being substantially between 20 and 50 mm.

22. The spatula according to claim 1, wherein the blade has a thickness of substantially between 3 and 6 mm.

23. The spatula according to claim 1, wherein the blade has a length of substantially between 25 and 35 cm.

24. The spatula according to claim 1, wherein the blade has a deflection of substantially between 15 and 40 mm.

25. The spatula according to claim 1, wherein the blade includes a concave section, a mid-section of the blade at the concave section having a length of substantially between 40 and 60 cm.

26. The spatula according to claim 1, wherein the blade includes first and second substantially flat, longitudinal surfaces on opposite sides of the blade, the first and second surfaces converging to form at least one tapered cutting edge.

27. The spatula according to claim 26, wherein the tapered cutting edge is disposed along the convex section of the blade.

28. The spatula according to claim 26, wherein the tapered cutting edge is disposed at an end of the blade opposite the handle.

29. The spatula according to claim 28, wherein the tapered cutting edge of the blade extends from the convex edge of the blade at an angle of substantially between 50 to 80° angle.

30. The spatula according to claim 1, wherein the blade and handle are made of the same material.

31. The spatula according to claim 30, wherein the material is a thermoplastic material.

32. The spatula according to claim 1, wherein the line formed by the convex section of the blade is disposed at an angle of substantially between 10 and 40 degrees with respect to the handle axis.

33. The spatula according to claim 1, wherein the blade is comprised of an inner frame and an outer cover fully disposed over the inner frame, the inner frame having a plurality of apertures and the outer cover extending through each of the apertures of the inner frame.

34. The spatula according to claim 1, wherein the blade extends from the handle at a position defining a joint, and the joint having a strength that is weaker than strengths of the handle and the blade.

35. The spatula according to claim 1, wherein the blade has a width adapted to form a constant curvature of the blade under a constant effort by the handle, regardless of an area of curvature of the blade.

36. The spatula according to claim 1, wherein the handle and blade are symmetrical along a plane.

37. A method of manufacturing a spatula, comprising the steps of: covering a long, substantially flat, semi-rigid, curved frame with a pliable material to form a blade;forming, simultaneously to the covering step, a handle from which the formed blade extends.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the pliable material is silicone.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the covering step is carried out to form a blade having at least one curved section, convex along a length of the blade, the curved section forming a line not aligned with a longitudinal axis of the formed handle.

40. The method of claim 37, wherein the covering step is carried out to form a blade having first and second curved longitudinal sections, the first section being concave and the second section being convex.

41. The method of claim 37, wherein the frame includes a plurality of apertures; the method further comprising the steps of supporting the frame using the apertures during the covering and forming steps; and filling holes within the blade caused by supporting the frame during the supporting step.