Patent Application
20220192403
The present invention relates generally to the field of utensils. More specifically, the present invention relates to a snack grabbing utensil comprising a pair of tongs specially designed to enable users to eat chips and other snacks, such as pretzels or peanuts, while keeping their hands clean. The snack grabbing utensil may be scissor-like or tong-like shaped and comprises one end which allows a user to hold the utensil, and a second end which grabs or plucks a chip and/or snack from a bag or bowl. The grabber/clip end of the snack grabbing utensil is manufactured of foam and is replaceable once the grabber end becomes greasy after use. The snack grabbing utensil of the present invention allows users to easily eat snacks at work without the worry of their hands becoming dirty and/or greasy. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, a variety of utensils are available that are used in food preparation and/or serving food items to others. For example, tongs, flippers and the like are used during or after grilling, barbecuing, baking and/or frying any food items. Some utensils such as spoons, knives and forks are commonly used for eating food once it is served. However, eating snacks such as potato chips, pretzels, peanuts, etc., requires users to use their hands to access the snack and eat it.
While using their hands to hold and eat snacks such as potato chips, etc., users may not enjoy the residue or grease left behind on their fingertips. If their hands are not cleaned properly after eating such snacks, then grease and other residue can end up on computer keyboards, clothing, paperwork, etc. Thus, users may avoid snacking at places like the office for fear of soiled and/or greasy hands. Further, to clean their hands after eating snacks, users may use napkins to remove the residue and/or grease that remains on their fingertips after eating snacks. However, the use of napkins doesn't properly clean a user's hands efficiently. Thus, users are often required to get up to frequently wash their hands in a restroom, which is also not a convenient option.
Existing utensils do not provide a convenient means for handling and eating snack items such as potato chips, pretzels, etc. Further, with utensils such as spoons, forks or knives, users may be unable to properly grab snack items such as chips, pretzels, peanuts, etc. Additionally, users with soiled and/or greasy hands may not be comfortable in using their hands to eat snacks in the office. Further, eating directly with a user's hands not only leads to transmission of germs, but also causes the spread of infectious diseases. Users may desire to have an alternate means for eating snacks.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a utensil that can be conveniently used to handle and eat snacks such as potato chips, pretzels, peanuts, etc. There is also a long felt need in the art for a snack grabbing device that enables users to easily grab snack items such as potato chips, peanuts, etc., from a snack bag or bowl. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a utensil that assists in grabbing and eating any snack item, and eliminates the need to use the hands for eating snack items. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a snack grabbing device that helps in grasping snack items from a snack bag, and ensures that any snack residue and/or grease is not left behind on a user's hands. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a snack grabbing utensil that eliminates the need for a user to wash their hands or use napkins to clean their hands after eating snacks. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for a snack grabbing device that prevents the snack residue and/or grease from getting onto computer keyboards, clothing, paperwork, etc. There is a long felt need in the art for a snack grabbing utensil that provides a hygienic solution to the access and eating of snack items, thereby preventing the transmission of germs and spread of infectious diseases. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a snack picking utensil that allows users to eat snacks at work without worry of getting their hands soiled and/or greasy.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a snack eating device for grasping and eating snack items to protect a user's hands from becoming soiled and/or greasy. The snack eating tong device comprises tong-style arms or scissor-style arms with gripping ends to enable a user to hold the device while eating snack items. The snack eating tong device further includes a grabber component or scoop-shaped grabber component for retaining snacks such as potato chips, pretzels, peanuts, etc. The grabber components are generally manufactured of foam material and are replaceable once they are too greasy to use. The grabber components can be connected to the tong-style or scissor-style arms using a connecting pin mechanism. Different models of the snack eating device can be created by combining different arm styles with different grabber components.
In this manner, the novel snack eating device/utensil of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives, and provides a relatively safe, easy and convenient solution for accessing and grabbing snack items such as potato chips, pretzels, peanuts, etc., from a snack bag or bowl. The snack eating device of the present invention is also user-friendly, as it eliminates the need for users to use their hands when eating snack items, and therefore prevents a user's hands from becoming soiled and/or greasy. Additionally, the snack grabbing/eating utensil eliminates the need for a user to frequently clean his or her hands using napkins, and/or going to the restroom to wash hands after eating snacks. The snack grabbing utensil can be conveniently used at workplaces, homes, etc., for picking up snack items from a snack bowl or bag, without computer keyboards, clothing, paperwork, etc., getting dirty.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a tong device for eating food items. More specifically, the tong device is used for grasping and eating snack items to protect a user's hands from dirt and/or grease. The tong device comprises a first tong arm having a first gripping end and a first terminating end, a second tong arm having a second gripping end and a second terminating end and a V-shaped grip component joining the first gripping end and the second gripping end together. Further, the tong device comprises a first hole at the first terminating end of the first tong arm, and a second hole at the second terminating end of the second tong arm, wherein a first grabber component comprises a scalloped-shaped foam portion for supporting a snack item, and a second grabber component comprising a scalloped-shaped foam portion for supporting a snack item. Then, a first connecting pin is inserted into the first hole to attach to the first tong arm, and a second connecting pin is inserted into the second hole to attach to the second tong arm. The first tong arm and the second tong arm are then maneuvered towards each other to retain a snack item between the first grabber component and the second grabber component without damaging the snack item.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the first grabber component is in the form of a scoop-type shape and the second grabber component is in the form of a scoop-type shape. The grabber components are removably-attached to the tong arms, and are replaceable when worn out or soiled.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, a tongs device for grasping food items from a package is disclosed. The tongs device comprises a pair of tong arms, wherein each tong arm has a removably-attached scalloped edged or scoop-shaped grabber component, and each tong arm is maneuvered toward each other to grasp a food item between the grabber components and retain the food item securely, without soiling a user's hands with the grease and/or residue on the food items.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, a scissor-type device for grasping and eating food items is disclosed. The scissor-type device comprises a first scissor arm having a first finger hole and a first outer end, a second scissor arm having a second finger hole and a second outer end and a lock hinging the first scissor arm and the second scissor arm together. The scissor-type device also comprises a first hole at the first outer end of the first scissor arm, a second hole at the second outer end of the second scissor arm, a first grabber component for supporting a snack item and having a first connecting pin to insert into the first hole to attach to the first scissor arm and a second grabber component for supporting a snack item and having a second connecting pin to insert into the second hole to attach to the second scissor arm. Then, the first scissor arm and the second scissor arm are maneuvered towards each other using the finger holes to retain a snack item between the first grabber component and the second grabber component, without damaging the food item.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the first grabber component can be in the form of a scoop-type shape or comprise scalloped edges, and the second grabber component can be in the form of a scoop-type shape or comprise scalloped edges. The grabber components are removably-attached to the scissor arms, and are replaceable when worn out and/or greasy or soiled.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for a utensil that can be conveniently used to handle and eat snacks such as potato chips, pretzels, peanuts, etc. There is also a long felt need in the art for a snack grabbing device that enables users to easily grab snack items such as potato chips, peanuts, etc., from a snack bag or bowl. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a utensil that assists users in grabbing and eating any snack item, and eliminates the need for users to use their hands while eating snack items. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a snack grabbing device that helps users in picking snack items from a bag, and ensures that any snack residue and/or grease is not left behind on their hands. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a snack grabbing utensil that eliminates the need for a user to wash his or her hands or use napkins to clean the hands after having snacks. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for a snack grabbing device that prevents the snack residue and/or grease from getting onto computer keyboards, clothing, paperwork, etc. There is a long felt need in the art for a snack grabbing utensil that provides a hygienic solution to accessing and eating snack items, thereby preventing the transmission of germs and spread of infectious diseases. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a snack-picking utensil that allows users to eat snacks at work without worry of getting their hands dirty.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel tong device comprising grabber components for grasping and eating food items. The device includes a pair of tong arms, wherein each tong arm has a removably-attached scalloped edged or scoop-shaped grabber component, and each tong arm is maneuvered together to grasp a food item between the grabber components and hold the food item securely without soiling a user's hands by the grease and/or residue of the food item.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The first terminating end 1020 of the first tong arm 102 has a first receiving hole 108 to receive a first pin 114 of a first grabber component 112. The first grabber component 112 includes a first connecting pin 114 and a first foam portion 1120. The first grabber component 112 is removably-secured to the first tong arm 102 by inserting the first pin 114 into the first receiving hole 108. Similarly, the second terminating end 1040 of the second tong arm 104 has a second receiving hole 110 to receive a second pin 118 of a second grabber component 116. The second grabber component 116 is removably-secured to the second tong arm 104 by inserting the second pin 118 into the second receiving hole 110. The second grabber component 116 includes a second connecting pin 118 and a second foam portion 1160.
The first grabber component 112 comprises a first scalloped-shaped foam portion 1120, and the second grabber component 116 comprises a second scalloped-shaped foam portion 1160, which are manufactured of a soft material such as foam, or any other suitable material as is known in the art. The first foam portion 1120 and the second foam portion 1160 are used for retaining a food item without damaging the food item. In operation, a user holds the eating utensil device 100 using the V-shaped grip 106, and grasps a food item between the first foam portion 1120 and the second foam portion 1160 by maneuvering the tong arms 102, 104 towards each other, thus pivoting or pinching the tong arms 102, 104 together, thereby causing the first foam portion 1120 and the second foam portion 1160 to surround a food item. The tong arms 102, 104 are long enough to pick up snacks and other food items from within a large package, and are easy to maneuver.
The first grabber component 112 and the second grabber component 116 are replaceable, and can be detached from the tong arms 102, 104 respectively, and replaced with the new grabber components once the foam of the grabber components 112, 116 becomes soiled and/or damaged. The grabber components 112, 116 form a central concave housing or space for retaining the food item, and provide a greater surface area allowing the food item to be easily grasped without damaging the food item between the first grabber component 112 and the second grabber component 116. Thus, a food item can easily be placed between the grabber components 112, 116, allowing a user to eat snack foods safely without soiling their hands.
The tong arms 102, 104 can be manufactured of lightweight plastics or polymers, etc., or any other suitable material as is known in the art, allowing easy maneuvering and control while grabbing a food item. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the tong arms is approximately between 4-6 inches. For children, the tong arms can typically be smaller, and have a maximum length of up to approximately 4 inches.
Once the scalloped-shaped grabber components 112, 116 are attached to the first tong arm 102 and the second tong arm 104 respectively, the first foam portion 1120 and the second foam portion 1160 are used for grasping and holding the food items. The foam portions 1120, 1160 provide an anti-skidding surface for a stable and secure grip of the food item.
The use of the tong-style eating utensil device 100 eliminates the necessity of washing a user's 300 hands 302 both before and after eating snacks and other food items, as the user's hands 302 never touch the food item 304. The user 300 can safely and hygienically work on a computer, read books and do other personal work without soiling his or her hands due to grease and/or powder coating on the snack items.
In the present embodiment, in order for a user to grasp and hold a food item, a first scoop-shaped grabber 402 is attached to the first tong arm 102 by inserting the first connecting pin 406 into the first hole 108. Similarly, a second scoop-shaped grabber 404 is attached to the second tong arm 104 by inserting the second connecting pin 408 into the second hole 110. The scoop-shaped grabbers 402, 404 easily grasp and retain the food item without a spoon or a fork, even if the food item comprises gravy.
Further, the foam portion 1120 of the first grabber component 112 and the foam portion 1160 of the second grabber component 116 securely provide a non-skid surface for the food item. The grabber components 112, 116 are removably secured to the shanks 502, 504 respectively, and can be replaced as per the wants and/or needs of a user.
The use of the scissor-style eating utensil device 500, 600 eliminates the washing of a user's hands both before and after eating snacks and other food items, as a user's hands never touch the food item while eating. The user can safely and hygienically work on a computer, read books and do other personal work without soiling his or her hands due to the grease and/or powder coated on the snacks and other food items.
It should also be noted that in any embodiment of the device 100, the first grabber 112, second grabber 116, first scoop shaped grabber 402, and second scoop shaped grabber 404 are interchangeable with one another such that each grabber 112,116,402,404 can be received by the first tong arm 102 and second tong arm 104 or the first shank 502 and second shank 504. As a result, each grabber 112,116,402,404 can be used in an embodiment of the device 100 that has a v-shaped grip 106 or a first finger loop 508 and second finger loop 510. Therefore, the device 100 is extremely versatile and accommodating to the preferences of a user.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “eating utensil device”, “tongs device”, “tong-style eating utensil device” and “tong-shaped eating utensil device” are interchangeable and refer to the eating utensil device 100, 400 of the present invention. Additionally, the terms “scissor-style eating utensil device” and “scissor-shaped eating utensil device” are interchangeable and refer to the eating utensil device 500, 600 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the eating utensil device 100, 400, 500, 600 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the eating utensil device 100, 400, 500, 600 as shown in
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/126,809, which was filed on Dec. 17, 2020 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63126809 | Dec 2020 | US |
