The disclosed subject matter relates to the field of utensils, specifically, the construction of a utensil. More specifically, the disclosed subject matter relates to a unitary blank for forming a utensil, a utensil formed by a unitary blank, and a web pattern for a plurality of blanks for forming utensils.
A variety of utensils, such as spoons or forks for food and beverage consumption, are well known in the art. Such utensils can be relatively inexpensive and disposable; and therefore, are extremely popular. Such utensils are often used at parties, picnics, gatherings, and other occasions where minimal clean-up is necessary.
Utensils made of paperboard material are particularly advantageous for both manufacturers and consumers. Such utensils are generally more inexpensive and lightweight than other types of utensils. One disadvantage of many existing utensil designs is that such utensils are lacking ways to secure the utensil when fully assembled from the blank. Moreover, such utensils do not include finger grips on the sides of the utensil.
The disclosed subject matter provides a solution to recognized problems. The disclosed subject matter is intended to provide a utensil with recessed area notches on the handle for finger comfort and control of holding the utensil.
The purpose and advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be set forth in and apparent from the description that follows, as well as will be learned by practice of the disclosed subject matter. Additional advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be realized and attained by the methods and systems particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof, as well as from the appended drawings.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the disclosed subject matter, as embodied and broadly described, the disclosed subject matter includes a unitary blank for forming a utensil having a scoop portion and a handle portion. The scoop portion has a distal edge and a proximal neck region. The handle portion has opposing first and second lateral edges extending from the proximal neck region of the scoop portion and a proximal tail edge extending between the first and second lateral edges. The handle portion further has a first concave recess defined between the first lateral edge and the proximal tail edge and a second concave recess defined between the second lateral edge and the proximal tail edge, and the proximal tail edge has a center notch defined therein. The handle portion further has a center fold line defining a first body segment and second body segment. The first body segment includes a slot and the second body segment includes a tab. The tab is configured to be engaged and locked into the slot when the first and second body segments are folded toward each other along the center fold line.
The disclosed subject matter also includes a web pattern for a plurality of blanks for forming utensils including a first blank, a second blank and a third blank. Each blank includes a scoop portion having a distal edge and a proximal neck region. Each blank also includes a handle portion having opposing first and second lateral edges extending from the proximal neck region of the scoop portion and a proximal tail edge extending between the first and second lateral edges. The handle portion further has a first concave recess defined between the first lateral edge and the proximal tail edge and a second concave recess defined between the second lateral edge and the proximal tail edge, and the proximal tail edge has a center notch defined therein. The distal edge of the first blank is mated with the center notch of the proximal tail edge of the second blank. The third blank is in an inverted orientation relative the second blank with the first lateral edge of the handle portion of the second blank aligned with the first lateral edge of the handle portion of the third blank, and further wherein the neck region of the second blank is mated with the first concave recess of the third blank and the neck region of the third blank is mated with the first concave recess of the second blank.
As embodied herein, the distal edge of the scoop portion can be linear. Each of the first and second lateral edges can be linear. The tab can be defined by a score line in the second body segment. The score line of the tab can be at least partially arcuate. The tab can have a width dimension and outer edges that extend about 0.0156 to 0.0625 inch greater than a corresponding width dimension of the slot. The slot can be defined by a score line in the first body segment. The score line of the slot can be at least partially arcuate. The center notch can be concave and substantially arcuate. The unitary blank can have a thickness of about 0.018 inch.
The disclosed subject matter also includes a utensil formed from a unitary blank having a scoop portion and a handle portion. The scoop portion has a distal edge and a proximal neck region. The handle portion has opposing first and second lateral edges extending from the proximal neck region of the scoop portion and a proximal tail edge extending between the first and second lateral edges. The handle portion further has a first concave recess defined between the first lateral edge and the proximal tail edge and a second concave recess defined between the second lateral edge and the proximal tail edge, and the proximal tail edge has a center notch defined therein. The handle portion further has a center fold line defining a first body segment and second body segment, the first body segment including a slot and the second body segment including a tab. The first and second body segments are folded toward each other along the center fold line and the tab is engaged and locked into the slot.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and are intended to provide further explanation of the disclosed subject matter claimed.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, are included to illustrate and provide a further understanding of the method and system of the disclosed subject matter. Together with the description, the drawings serve to explain the principles of the disclosed subject matter.
Reference will now be made in detail to the disclosed subject matter, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The structure and corresponding method of operation of the disclosed subject matter will be described in conjunction with the detailed description of the system.
The apparatus and methods presented herein can be used for use with food items and other perishable and nonperishable products. The disclosed subject matter is particularly suited for serving and eating of food items.
In accordance with the disclosed subject matter herein, a unitary blank for forming a utensil including a scoop portion and a handle portion. The scoop portion has a distal edge and a proximal neck region. The handle portion has opposing first and second lateral edges extending from the proximal neck region of the scoop portion and a proximal tail edge extending between the first and second lateral edges. The handle portion further has a first concave recess defined between the first lateral edge and the proximal tail edge and a second concave recess defined between the second lateral edge and the proximal tail edge, and the proximal tail edge has a center notch defined therein. The handle portion further has a center fold line defining a first body segment and second body segment. The first body segment includes a slot and the second body segment includes a tab. The tab is configured to be engaged and locked into the slot when the first and second body segments are folded toward each other along the center fold line.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, serve to further illustrate the disclosed subject matter and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. For purpose of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, blanks and utensils in accordance with the disclosed subject matter are shown in
For purpose of illustration, and not limitation, reference is made to a unitary blank 100 of
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, with reference to
For purpose of illustration and not limitation, the blank 100 of
For purpose of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the blank 100 of
The distal edge 132 of the scoop portion can be of any suitable shape and dimension, including but not limited to linear, curved, or substantially arcuate. The first and second lateral edges 122, 124 can be of any suitable shape and dimension, including but not limited to linear, curved, or substantially arcuate. The tab 114 can be defined by a score line in the second body segment 110. The score line of tab 114 can be of any suitable shape and dimension, including but not limited to at least partially or fully “c”-shaped, arcuate, radius corners, angled straight edges, or non-radius corner die-cuts which can pop-out and lock into slot 112 when the utensil is assembled. The slot 112 can be defined by a score line in the second body segment 108. The score line of slot 112 can be of any suitable shape and dimension, including but not limited to partially or fully “c”-shaped, arcuate, radius corners, angled straight edges, or non-radius corner die-cuts which can pop-out when the utensil is assembled. The tab 114 can be scored or partially or fully perforated during manufacture. The slot 112 can be die cut, scored or partially or fully perforated during manufacture. The tab 114 has a width dimension Wd, wherein the outer edges of tab 114 can extend in range of about 0.0156 to 0.0625 inch greater than a corresponding width dimension of slot 112 so that when tab 114 is pushed through slot 112, the tab remains engaged and locked into position to securely hold the utensil handle together. The first concave recess 116, second concave recess 118, and center notch 120 can be of any suitable shape and dimension, including but not limited to partially or fully “c”-shaped, arcuate, radius corners, concave, or angled straight edges.
To form utensil 300 of
With reference to
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter,
In addition to the disclosed subject matter claimed below, the disclosed subject matter is also directed to other aspects of the disclosed subject matter having any other possible combination of the dependent features claimed below and those disclosed above. As such, the particular features presented in the dependent claims and disclosed above can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the disclosed subject matter such that the disclosed subject matter should be recognized as also specifically directed to other aspects of the disclosed subject matter having any other possible combinations. Thus, the foregoing description of the disclosed subject matter has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed subject matter to the aspects of the disclosed subject matter disclosed.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the method and system of the disclosed subject matter without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosed subject matter. Thus, it is intended that the disclosed subject matter include modifications and variations that are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/480,836 filed Jan. 20, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63480836 | Jan 2023 | US |