CA2247766A1 - Flatware utensil with soft handle - Google Patents
Flatware utensil with soft handle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2247766A1 CA2247766A1 CA 2247766 CA2247766A CA2247766A1 CA 2247766 A1 CA2247766 A1 CA 2247766A1 CA 2247766 CA2247766 CA 2247766 CA 2247766 A CA2247766 A CA 2247766A CA 2247766 A1 CA2247766 A1 CA 2247766A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- flatware
- handle
- shank
- grommets
- tabs
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- Table Equipment (AREA)
Abstract
A flatware piece having a shank that is integral with a utensil body. The body has a hole passing through the mid-section thereof. A soft resilient sleeve is passed over the shank so that the open end of the sleeve is located adjacent to the hole in the mid-section of the body. A tab is integrally attached to the open end of the seal on either side of tabs and the opening in the sleeve.
A pair of grommets are also integrally attached to the tabs and the grommets arranged to surround the hole on either side of the body. End plates are placed over the tabs and the grommets and are joined together by welds to compress the seal and the grommets tightly against the shank of the flatware piece. The sleeve is joined to the shank of the body by ultrasonic welds.
A pair of grommets are also integrally attached to the tabs and the grommets arranged to surround the hole on either side of the body. End plates are placed over the tabs and the grommets and are joined together by welds to compress the seal and the grommets tightly against the shank of the flatware piece. The sleeve is joined to the shank of the body by ultrasonic welds.
Description
FLATWARE UTENSIL WITH SOFT HANDLE
Background of the Invention This invention relates to flatware and, in particular, to flatware having a soft non-slit handle.
As described in U.S. Patent 5,535,484, oversized handles for kitchen tools have been devised which are formed of a hard plastic. The handle is passed over the shank of the tool and held in place by a series of detents that are arranged to snap oversteps formed in the shank.
The shank further contains a stop plate that seats against the front wall of the handle at closure. Although the oversized handle provides for secure gripping of the tool, particularly for persons having a physical impairment, it nevertheless can accept moisture and the like that can find its way behind the stop and penetrate into the handle. The water can have a damaging effect on the joint between the handle and the shank of the tool leading to early failure.
In extreme cases, the water can stagnate behind the plate and provide sites in which germs and bacteria can collect.
In the U.S. Patent 4,446,941, there is disclosed a trowel having a hand grip with a Santoprene outer coating that provides the user with a non-slip surface. The Santoprene outer grip is molded over a plastic inner core and the unit is press fitted onto the tang of the trowel.
Heat may be applied to the handle prior to its insertion onto the tang to facilitate assembly of the parts. A finger guard is injection molded onto the proximal end of the inner core prior to the molding of the outer grip onto the core. As can be seen, because of the many steps involved in forming the grip and mounting it upon the tang, the cost of the trowel can be relatively high.
Summary of the Invention It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a soft non-slip handle for flatware that is not only attractive, but which can be safely immersed in water.
l0 A further object of the present invention is to provide flatware that has a soft non-slip handle that can be rapidly and easily assembled to provide a tight joint between the handle and the shank of the flatware utensil.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a soft sleeve-like handle for a flatware utensil that can be ultrasonically welded to the shank of the utensil.
These and other objects of the present invention are attained by a flatware utensil having a one-piece metal 20 body containing a rectangular shaped shank integrally connected to a tool at about the mid-region of the body. A
soft rectangular shaped handle is passed over the shank which contains a pair of grommets that are joined to opposed side walls of the handle by tabs. The grommets, in assembly, surround a hole in the mid-region of the body on both sides thereof. End plates formed of a relatively hard plastic are placed over the grommets and tabs on either side of the body and are cojoined by a post that passes through the hole to draw the grommets and tabs tightly 30 against the mid-region of the body. The handle is ultrasonically welded to the shank of the body to provide a tight closure therebetween.
Brief Description of the Drawings For a better understanding of these and other objects of the present invention, reference will be made to the following detailed description of the invention which is to be read in association with the following drawings, wherein:
l0 Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a flatware article in the form of a knife embodying the teachings of the present invention Fig. 2 is an end view of the knife illustrated in Fig.
1 with one of the end plates being removed:
Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the knife shown in Fig.
1 further illustrating the handle and the tool portions of the utensil Fig. 4 is a partial view taken along lines 4-4 in Fig.
2;
20 Fig. 5 is a front elevation of one of the closure plates taken along lines 5-5 in Fig. 2~ and Fig. 6 is a partial sectional view taken along lines 6-6 in Fig. 2.
Description of the Invention Turning now to the drawings and, in particular, to Fig. 1-4, there is shown a flatware utensil in the form of a knife, generally referenced 10, that embodies the teachings of the present invention. Although the invention 30 will be described with reference to a knife, it is not limited to this single application and can be used in association with any type of flatware or utensil that is used around the kitchen and thus, exposed to problems associated with moisture and machine washing. The utensil includes a single metal piece body 12 and a grip or handle 13. The body section of the utensil includes an elongated flat shank 15 that is integral with the tool portion 17 at the mid-region 23 of the body of the utensil which, as noted above, is a table knife.
l0 The handle section of the utensil is molded from a soft plastic material that has a smooth waterproof texture for providing a non-slip grip to the user, a suitable material from which to mold the handle is distributed under the trademark Santoprene by the Monsanto Corporation. The handle is molded in the form of a sleeve having a closed proximal end 18 and an open distal end 19. The sleeve, as illustrated in Fig. 4, is designed to pass over the rectangular shaped shank of the body and the front face of the opening is arrested against top and bottom shoulders 21 20 and 22 (Fig. 4) provided in the mid-region 23.
The mid-section 23 of the utensil between the shank and the tool sections contains a contoured hole 25 that passes through the two flat side walls 26 and 27 of the utensil. The open end of the handle is provided with a pair of opposed grommets 30 that extend outwardly from the sides 31 and 32 of the handle. In assembly, when the handle is arrested against the shoulders of the body, the grommets are positioned on either side of the mid-region and surround the hole on either side thereof. The grommets 3o are integrally joined to the sleeve by a pair of tabs 32 that are adapted to seat against the opposed side walls of the mid-region and, as will be explained below, form seals at the opening to the handle.
The open end of the sleeve is closed and sealed against the body of the utensil by a pair of plates 35 and 36. The plates are molded from a rather hard plastic material such as polycarbonate. With further reference to Figs. 5 and 6, the plates are of similar construction with each plate being shaped in the form of a hollow dome. The plates are arranged to pass over the grommets surrounding the hole in the body section of the utensil and the tabs that secure the grommets to the handle. Each plate includes a internal circular flange 40 that compliment the shape and size of the hole 25 and which in assembly close in abutting contact against each other. Each plate also contains a flat peripheral rim 43 that passes about the plate and is adapted to rest against one of the flat side walls of the mid-region of the utensil body. A cutout 45 is further provided in the bottom of the plate rim for 2o receiving the tab of the underlying grommet therein. One of the plates 36 contains a post 49 that passes from inside the flange region through the hole in the body. The post is adapted at closure to seat against a pad 50 contained within the flange region of the opposite plate 35.
To assemble the utensil, the sleeve-like handle is passed over the body section and indexed against the shoulders 21, 22 as explained above. This aligns the grommets 30 with the hole 25 in the mid-region 23 of the utensil. Next, the plates are aligned over the grommets 3o and are brought together under pressure to compress the grommets and bring the flanges and the post and pad into abutting contact. The assembly is then subjected to ultrasonic sound waves to weld the abutting parts of the plates together as well as the sleeve to the shank. The peripheral surfaces of the plates are pulled tightly against the opposed sides of the body utensil to close the handle while at the same time, providing an aesthetically pleasing transition piece between the handle and the body of the utensil.
l0 While this invention has been explained with reference to the structure disclosed herein, it is not confined to the details set forth and this invention is intended to cover any modifications and changes as may come within the scope of the following claims:
Background of the Invention This invention relates to flatware and, in particular, to flatware having a soft non-slit handle.
As described in U.S. Patent 5,535,484, oversized handles for kitchen tools have been devised which are formed of a hard plastic. The handle is passed over the shank of the tool and held in place by a series of detents that are arranged to snap oversteps formed in the shank.
The shank further contains a stop plate that seats against the front wall of the handle at closure. Although the oversized handle provides for secure gripping of the tool, particularly for persons having a physical impairment, it nevertheless can accept moisture and the like that can find its way behind the stop and penetrate into the handle. The water can have a damaging effect on the joint between the handle and the shank of the tool leading to early failure.
In extreme cases, the water can stagnate behind the plate and provide sites in which germs and bacteria can collect.
In the U.S. Patent 4,446,941, there is disclosed a trowel having a hand grip with a Santoprene outer coating that provides the user with a non-slip surface. The Santoprene outer grip is molded over a plastic inner core and the unit is press fitted onto the tang of the trowel.
Heat may be applied to the handle prior to its insertion onto the tang to facilitate assembly of the parts. A finger guard is injection molded onto the proximal end of the inner core prior to the molding of the outer grip onto the core. As can be seen, because of the many steps involved in forming the grip and mounting it upon the tang, the cost of the trowel can be relatively high.
Summary of the Invention It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a soft non-slip handle for flatware that is not only attractive, but which can be safely immersed in water.
l0 A further object of the present invention is to provide flatware that has a soft non-slip handle that can be rapidly and easily assembled to provide a tight joint between the handle and the shank of the flatware utensil.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a soft sleeve-like handle for a flatware utensil that can be ultrasonically welded to the shank of the utensil.
These and other objects of the present invention are attained by a flatware utensil having a one-piece metal 20 body containing a rectangular shaped shank integrally connected to a tool at about the mid-region of the body. A
soft rectangular shaped handle is passed over the shank which contains a pair of grommets that are joined to opposed side walls of the handle by tabs. The grommets, in assembly, surround a hole in the mid-region of the body on both sides thereof. End plates formed of a relatively hard plastic are placed over the grommets and tabs on either side of the body and are cojoined by a post that passes through the hole to draw the grommets and tabs tightly 30 against the mid-region of the body. The handle is ultrasonically welded to the shank of the body to provide a tight closure therebetween.
Brief Description of the Drawings For a better understanding of these and other objects of the present invention, reference will be made to the following detailed description of the invention which is to be read in association with the following drawings, wherein:
l0 Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a flatware article in the form of a knife embodying the teachings of the present invention Fig. 2 is an end view of the knife illustrated in Fig.
1 with one of the end plates being removed:
Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the knife shown in Fig.
1 further illustrating the handle and the tool portions of the utensil Fig. 4 is a partial view taken along lines 4-4 in Fig.
2;
20 Fig. 5 is a front elevation of one of the closure plates taken along lines 5-5 in Fig. 2~ and Fig. 6 is a partial sectional view taken along lines 6-6 in Fig. 2.
Description of the Invention Turning now to the drawings and, in particular, to Fig. 1-4, there is shown a flatware utensil in the form of a knife, generally referenced 10, that embodies the teachings of the present invention. Although the invention 30 will be described with reference to a knife, it is not limited to this single application and can be used in association with any type of flatware or utensil that is used around the kitchen and thus, exposed to problems associated with moisture and machine washing. The utensil includes a single metal piece body 12 and a grip or handle 13. The body section of the utensil includes an elongated flat shank 15 that is integral with the tool portion 17 at the mid-region 23 of the body of the utensil which, as noted above, is a table knife.
l0 The handle section of the utensil is molded from a soft plastic material that has a smooth waterproof texture for providing a non-slip grip to the user, a suitable material from which to mold the handle is distributed under the trademark Santoprene by the Monsanto Corporation. The handle is molded in the form of a sleeve having a closed proximal end 18 and an open distal end 19. The sleeve, as illustrated in Fig. 4, is designed to pass over the rectangular shaped shank of the body and the front face of the opening is arrested against top and bottom shoulders 21 20 and 22 (Fig. 4) provided in the mid-region 23.
The mid-section 23 of the utensil between the shank and the tool sections contains a contoured hole 25 that passes through the two flat side walls 26 and 27 of the utensil. The open end of the handle is provided with a pair of opposed grommets 30 that extend outwardly from the sides 31 and 32 of the handle. In assembly, when the handle is arrested against the shoulders of the body, the grommets are positioned on either side of the mid-region and surround the hole on either side thereof. The grommets 3o are integrally joined to the sleeve by a pair of tabs 32 that are adapted to seat against the opposed side walls of the mid-region and, as will be explained below, form seals at the opening to the handle.
The open end of the sleeve is closed and sealed against the body of the utensil by a pair of plates 35 and 36. The plates are molded from a rather hard plastic material such as polycarbonate. With further reference to Figs. 5 and 6, the plates are of similar construction with each plate being shaped in the form of a hollow dome. The plates are arranged to pass over the grommets surrounding the hole in the body section of the utensil and the tabs that secure the grommets to the handle. Each plate includes a internal circular flange 40 that compliment the shape and size of the hole 25 and which in assembly close in abutting contact against each other. Each plate also contains a flat peripheral rim 43 that passes about the plate and is adapted to rest against one of the flat side walls of the mid-region of the utensil body. A cutout 45 is further provided in the bottom of the plate rim for 2o receiving the tab of the underlying grommet therein. One of the plates 36 contains a post 49 that passes from inside the flange region through the hole in the body. The post is adapted at closure to seat against a pad 50 contained within the flange region of the opposite plate 35.
To assemble the utensil, the sleeve-like handle is passed over the body section and indexed against the shoulders 21, 22 as explained above. This aligns the grommets 30 with the hole 25 in the mid-region 23 of the utensil. Next, the plates are aligned over the grommets 3o and are brought together under pressure to compress the grommets and bring the flanges and the post and pad into abutting contact. The assembly is then subjected to ultrasonic sound waves to weld the abutting parts of the plates together as well as the sleeve to the shank. The peripheral surfaces of the plates are pulled tightly against the opposed sides of the body utensil to close the handle while at the same time, providing an aesthetically pleasing transition piece between the handle and the body of the utensil.
l0 While this invention has been explained with reference to the structure disclosed herein, it is not confined to the details set forth and this invention is intended to cover any modifications and changes as may come within the scope of the following claims:
Claims (8)
1. A flatware that includes a utensil body having a shank integrally joined to a tool at the mid-section of the body, said body further including a mid-region having a hole passing therethrough, a soft resilient handle having an open end and a closed end mounted over the shank so that the open end of the handle is adjacent to the hole formed in said mid-region, a pair of tabs integral with said handle on either side of the open end of said handle, a pair of grommets integral with said tabs, said grommets extending outwardly from the tabs on either side of the body to encircle said hole, a pair of end plates covering the tabs and the grommets on either side of said body, said plates being joined together by a post passing through said hole in said shank so that said tabs and said grommets are compressed against the shank.
2. The flatware piece of claim 1 wherein each end plate contains a flange that passes through an adjacent grommet into said hole and abut at closure, said flanges being joined in assembly by ultrasonic welds.
3. The flatware piece of claim 1 wherein said handle is joined to the shank by one or more ultrasonic welds.
4. The flatware piece of claim 1 wherein the handle is formed of a resilient waterproof material.
5. The flatware piece of claim 4 wherein said end plates are formed of a hard plastic.
6. The flatware piece of claim 5 wherein the post is integral with one end plate and is joined to the other by an ultrasonic weld.
7. The flatware piece of claim 1 wherein the handle is molded from Santoprene.
8. The flatware of claim 1 wherein the end plates are formed of polycarbonate.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US11374598A | 1998-07-10 | 1998-07-10 | |
| US09/113,745 | 1998-07-10 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2247766A1 true CA2247766A1 (en) | 2000-01-10 |
Family
ID=29418326
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2247766 Abandoned CA2247766A1 (en) | 1998-07-10 | 1998-09-15 | Flatware utensil with soft handle |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2247766A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN102773847A (en) * | 2011-03-31 | 2012-11-14 | 双立人亨克斯股份公司 | Knife with a metal end cap |
| CN110340623A (en) * | 2019-07-27 | 2019-10-18 | 广东金辉刀剪股份有限公司 | A kind of metal handle and preparation method thereof for kitchen appliance |
-
1998
- 1998-09-15 CA CA 2247766 patent/CA2247766A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN102773847A (en) * | 2011-03-31 | 2012-11-14 | 双立人亨克斯股份公司 | Knife with a metal end cap |
| CN102773847B (en) * | 2011-03-31 | 2015-08-19 | 双立人亨克斯股份公司 | There is the cutter of metal end caps |
| CN110340623A (en) * | 2019-07-27 | 2019-10-18 | 广东金辉刀剪股份有限公司 | A kind of metal handle and preparation method thereof for kitchen appliance |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |