GB2478939A - Serving device - Google Patents

Abstract

A serving device (10) includes one or more, and preferably a plurality of, scoops 14 mounted for pivotal movement and operatively connected to an actuating device mounted at or with the handle 11. The handle is preferably of a resiliently compressible oval shape 12 and in use moves an actuating rod 13 to cause relative movement of the scoop or scoops. In use, the serving device is especially suited for use when serving salads or other foodstuffs and may be used instead of conventional tongs.

Description

SERVING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a serving device, particularly for serving salad or other foodstuffs.

The most common type of serving method for salad is to use a pair of spoons and/or forks to capture and carry the foodstuff therebetween. This concept has been developed into the use of tongs, often featuring a spoon and fork arm adapted for relative movement about a spring loaded or otherwise resilient joint. Also known are scissor-action variations that include spoon, fork or spatula-like ends.

Preferably these devices are able to be used with one hand while the other hand is often used to hold a plate or steady the salad bowl.

While such devices can be simple and cheap they have varying degrees of success in efficiently serving food, i.e. preventing salad falling from the device before it is placed on a plate.

Accordingly the present invention seeks to improve upon or at least provide an alternative to existing salad tong devices.

In one broad aspect of the invention there is provided a serving device including one or more scoops mounted for pivotal movement, a handle and an actuating element mounted at or with the handle adapted to cause relative movement of the scoop.

Preferably there are three or four equally spaced/opposed scoops mounted for relative pivotal movement such that they achieve a "grab" function. It should be noted that the term "scoop" should be given its widest interpretation. It could otherwise be referred to as a finger, fork, spoon or claw in the context of the invention to perform an equivalent function.

Preferably the handle has incorporated therewith a resilient means or equivalent spring bias capability to transfer a push/pull force to the actuating element and thereby cause the scoops to open/close relative to one another. Preferably the handle is constructed from a resilient material, e.g. including a compressible oval shape, whereby a squeeze action imparts a pushing force on the actuating element, which is preferably a rod.

The serving device of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:-Figure 1 shows a frontal perspective view of the serving device according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a rear perspective view; Figure 3 shows a side elevation view (closed position); Figure 4 shows a side elevation view (open position); Figure 5 shows a side elevation section view; Figure 6 shows a plan elevation view; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment; Figure 8 shows a side elevation view of the second embodiment; and Figures 9A and 9B show a section view of a spring mechanism within the second embodiment.

Figure 1 best shows an overview of components for the serving device 10 according to the invention. Device 10 includes a handle 11 including a resilient element 12 connected to an actuating element or rod 13 that causes a gripping movement in a plurality (in this case four) scoops 14. Each scoop 14 is pivotally mounted by a pin or fastener 15 at an even spacing. Preferably the foremost ends of each scoop 14 come together to form a holding area 16, best seen in Figure 2.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate "closed" and "open" forms of the invention respectively. It will be apparent that the "at rest" form of the invention is closed, but when a squeezing force F is applied by manual manipulation to the outside of handle 11, the scoops 14 move away from each other to an open state. In use, salad or other articles can be positioned between the scoops with a view to grabbing and lifting them.

Figure 5 best illustrates the opening mechanism, namely utilising the resilient nature of the handle 11 which forms, in one-piece, an internal oval with element 12. Squeezing the handle in the direction of arrows F causes the oval to squash (Figure 4) and a pushing force P to be applied to rod 13. This is possible because the compressible oval is otherwise held in a fixed relative position to pivots 15 by extending arms ha. This in turn actuates a sliding bush 17 within a cavity 18 adjacent mounting of the scoops at pivots 15. Bush 17 includes notches 19 or an annular channel to receive stubs 20 extending from the handle-proximal end of scoop 14 adjacent where it is mounted for pivoting via pin 15.

It will be apparent that, due to proportions of the leverage arrangement illustrated, a small lateral movement in the direction P generates a relatively pronounced opening movement in the scoops 14 (Figure 4) . Thus, with a relatively small hand squeeze a user can open the scoop/claw arrangement and position it over an object to be held/gripped within area 16.

It will also be apparent that, once released, scoops 14 close under the resilience of handle 11/12 introducing a pulling force U to rod 13 (Figure 3) . Accordingly, device 10 can grip an item indefinitely until a squeezing force F is applied to again open scoops 14.

It is intended that the embodiment of Figures 1 to 6 can provide a simple gripping mechanism, easily operable by one hand. The construction can be substantially completed in metal or plastic so long as the required resilience is present in handle 11 and element 12. The preferred form is a one-piece resilient handle of suitable plastic, however, the resilient element 12 could be a separate insert, either fixed or free moving in a channel, achieving the same functionality.

Further modifications may be possible. For example, the distal end 21 of handle 11 may be discarded, so long as bowed resilient element 12 imparts a force onto rod 13.

Alternatively, resilient element 12 may be discarded wherein rod 13 extends to the far curve of end 21. In this configuration rod 13 would impart a pulling force as handle 11 is squeezed. Therefore the "resting state" of the device could be an open configuration (Figure 4) and manual squeezing causes the scoops 14 to close.

Such an embodiment could be modified using skill in the art to include a gear (intermeshed teeth) mechanism to reverse the forces such that a pulling force on rod 13 causes an opening of the claw.

An alternative eodiment is illustrated by Figures 8 and 9.

This apparatus comprises: a stem 100, at least three scoops 102, and means for opening and closing said scoops, wherein the means for opening and closing said scoops is a pivot 104 for each scoop, on which the scoop is mounted. There is also a lever (stub) 110 for each scoop, a plunger 112 for depressing said levers, and a spring 114 connecting said plunger to a handle 106 for depressing said spring. The apparatus preferably further comprises a palm protector 108, an advantage being that the palm is protected from the pressure of the stem and the use of the implement is therefore more comfortable.

Operation of the opening and closing mechanism is shown in Figure 9A and 9B wherein Figure 9A shows the scoops open and Figure 9B shows the scoops closed. The mechanism operates as follows: At rest, the spring 114 holds the plunger 112 away from levers 110 such that the scoops are closed (Figure 9B) To open, a user grips handle 106 with fingers while palm protector 108 is disposed in the palm of the user's hand.

When the handle is pulled up by squeezing the fingers towards the palm, the spring releases the plunger 112 to press down on the levers 110 which pivot the scoops about pivots 104 causing them to open. When the grip is released on the handle, the spring returns to its rest position, the plunger is pulled away from the levers, and the scoops close.

It is preferred that the scoops are closed in the rest position as this will occupy less space during storage.

However, alternatively the mechanism may operate such that squeezing the handle towards the palm protector closes the scoops and releasing it opens the scoops.

In both embodiments the scoops preferably comprise drainage holes 116. Most preferably, each scoop has two small drainage holes to allow fluid to drain irrespective of the angle at which the apparatus is held. However, it may be the case that only one or more scoops have one or more drainage holes, which may be simpler or cheaper to manufacture.

The scoops preferably have a forked edge 118 to enable the food or other small objects to be separated or rearranged by the forked edge to arrange the food advantageously for scooping. Alternatively the scoops may have a pointed edge for a similar purpose.

Preferably the apparatus of the second embodiment comprises three scoops since this gives maximal coverage of the food or small objects to be scooped, with the minimum of materials and moving parts. However, the scope of all embodiments of the invention extends to more than three scoops up to any number of scoops arranged around a stem. The scoops may be substantially spoon or fork shaped or may be flat, curved in only one plane, or any shape capable of picking up objects.

The scoops may comprise one or more hooks, nets, a mesh or other means of retaining objects.

Furthermore, one or more scoops may be fixed (i.e. no pivot) to cooperate with one or more moving scoops operated by the actuating mechanism.

It will be apparent that the present invention suggests a useful serving device as an alternative to available tong designs.

Claims (13)

1. WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A serving device including one or more scoops mounted for pivotal movement, a handle and an actuating element mounted at or with the handle adapted to cause relative movement of the scoop.
2. 2. The serving device of claim 1 wherein there are three or four equally spaced/opposed scoops mounted for relative pivotal movement such that they achieve a "grab" function.
3. 3. The serving device of claim 1 or 2 wherein at least one scoop has a lever for engagement with a bush associated with the actuating means.
4. 4. The serving device of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the actuating element is a rod.
5. 5. The serving device of any preceding claim wherein the handle is or has incorporated therewith a resilient means to transfer a push or pull force to the actuating element.
6. 6. The serving device of claim 5 wherein the resilient means is a compressible oval shape.
7. 7. The serving device of claim 5 or 6 wherein the resilient means includes a resilient element located between two opposed parts of the handle, with the actuating element attached thereto.
8. 8. The serving device of claim 5 wherein the handle includes a looped distal end that is attached to the actuating element at its inner surface.
9. 9. The serving device of any of claims 1 to 5 wherein a spring is connected to the actuating element.
10. 10. The serving device of claim 9 further including a palm protector.
11. 11. The serving device of any of the preceding claims wherein at least one scoop includes a drainage hole.
12. 12. The serving device of any of the preceding claims wherein at least one scoop includes a pointed edge.
13. 13. A serving device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.L