CN106793883A - Spoon head device for use with chopsticks - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a spoon head device used with chopsticks, which can be used by a user to eat solid food, and the chopsticks are changed into a soup ladle to eat liquid food, such as soup. In various embodiments of the present invention, hygienic storage, various chopstick tip engagement structures, floatation, and other features of the device during use are disclosed.

Description

Spoon head device for use with chopsticks

Cross References to Related Applications

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/991,169 filed on May 09, 2015.

technical field

The present invention relates to a safe and simple spoon head device that can be detachably grasped by chopsticks. In addition, the present invention is more about a method for the user to conveniently and hygienically switch between eating solid food with chopsticks and eating/drinking liquid food with a detachably grasped spoon head device. (such as drinking soup, etc.)

Background technique

Chopsticks and spoons are tableware that are often used in people's daily life. Typically, when people are eating solid food and drinking soup, they will switch between using chopsticks and spoons to eat respectively. However, when switching tableware, people will inevitably place unused tableware on the table or other places. Is this table clean? Has anyone else eaten here before? This creates potential sanitation issues, as well as the mess and hassle of repeatedly switching utensils.

Devices combining chopsticks and spoons are known in the art, however these devices typically have two holes in the base portion for a user to insert and grasp with the tip of the chopsticks. From this, the user creates a long-handled spoon. However, the spoon head assembly as described above is neither easy nor hygienically removable. It requires the user to manually separate the spoon head assembly from the chopsticks.

Therefore, the disadvantage of the spoon head device in the prior art is that the spoon head device is not easy to switch between the soup spoon mode and the chopsticks mode, so that the user cannot enjoy solid food and drink soup at the same time when using the spoon head device.

A spoon head device that can be quickly and hygienically disassembled by chopsticks when a person switches between solid and liquid food, and/or compatible with chopsticks of different sizes and forms (for example, Chinese chopsticks are wider , Japanese chopsticks are narrower) demand has emerged. Still further, a spoon head device that can be dispensed in an accurate and/or predictable manner, and can be stored with the bowl or rested on top of the bowl to avoid floating for convenient storage when not in immediate use demand emerged.

Contents of the invention

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a spoon head device for use with chopsticks, which can overcome the above-mentioned problems in the prior art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a spoon head device that can be easily assembled and firmly held by a pair of chopsticks.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a spoon head assembly which can be easily and conveniently stored when not in use.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a spoon head device that is compatible with chopsticks of different sizes and shapes.

The objects of the above-mentioned inventions can be realized through the spoon head device used with chopsticks described in the specification of the present invention.

The above invention and its associated advantages and features should become more apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the following more detailed description of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

1 to 3 are the top view, side view and perspective view of a specific embodiment of the spoon head device used with chopsticks according to the present invention.

4 to 6 are the top view, side view and bottom perspective view of another specific embodiment of the spoon head device used with chopsticks according to the present invention.

7 and 8 are perspective views of two different embodiments of the spoon head device used with chopsticks according to the present invention.

9 to 10 are perspective views of another specific embodiment of the spoon head device used with chopsticks according to the present invention.

detailed description

1 to 3 are the top view, side view and perspective view of a specific embodiment of a spoon head device 100 used with chopsticks according to the present invention.

4 to 6 are the top view, side view and bottom perspective view of another specific embodiment of the spoon head device 200 used with chopsticks according to the present invention. FIG. 4 shows the spoon head device 200 in use, and FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of the spoon head device 200 hanging from the edge of a bowl. Wherein, the use and storage methods of the spoon head device 100 in FIGS. 1 to 3 are similar to those of the spoon head device 200 .

The spoon head device 100 includes a spoon bowl 110. The spoon bowl 110 is composed of a bottom 112 and connecting sides 114 (similar to a common soup spoon), so as to define a liquid-carrying volume. Chopstick tip engaging structures (CTES) 118 , 119 are preferably disposed at a base area 120 or rear end of the spoon bowl 110 . In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 , the chopstick tip engagement structures 118 , 119 respectively include chopstick contact surfaces 121 , 122 . Chopstick contact surfaces 121, 122 extend from the spoon bowl 110 and are configured to be easily gripped by the chopsticks, enabling the chopsticks to effectively become handles for the soup spoon. A hook, recess-and-hook or other structure/arrangement to provide fixation is provided. The chopstick contact surfaces 121, 122 and the engagement structure 140 are located at or adjacent to the base region 120 of the spoon head assembly. When not in use (or temporarily not in use), the engaging structure 140 can hang the spoon head device on the edge of a bowl or other structures, so that the spoon head device does not touch the table or other surfaces to avoid contamination.

The spoon head device 100 can be made by mold processing or integrally formed by a single material, or can be made by combining multiple parts, or can be made by other methods (such as 3D printing, etc.).

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the contact surfaces 121, 122 of the chopsticks must be or approximate to a cylindrical groove, or have other designs, such as having an included angle, having other radians, or a combination of angles and radians, etc. . As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the aforesaid chopstick contact surfaces 121 , 122 are respectively the surfaces of the members 125 , 126 facing outward. The aforementioned contact surfaces are optimally symmetrical to each other about the longitudinal centerline 130 of the spoon head assembly 100 . As shown in FIG. 4 , when the spoon head device 100 is grasped with chopsticks, the chopsticks essentially become the handle of the soup spoon.

By properly picking and placing the spoon head device 100 with the chopsticks, the user has to switch between directly using the chopsticks to pick up solid food, and combining the chopsticks with the spoon head device 100 to scoop up liquids. The distance between the contact surfaces 121, 122 of the chopsticks must meet the distance at which the tips of the chopsticks can be easily grasped. The chopstick contact surfaces 121, 122 have to gradually approach near the rear side or bottom of the spoon bowl 100 to reflect the natural convergence of the user's hands to the tip of the chopsticks as the user uses the chopsticks.

The size and arrangement of the chopstick contact surfaces 121, 122 are preferably selected in such a way that the spoon head can be picked up by the chopsticks firmly and stably, and the spoon head can be quickly picked up and placed by the chopsticks. Chopsticks can also be used to quickly switch between holding the spoon head and holding solid food.

Members 125, 126 may be made of a resilient material that deforms slightly when subjected to the grip of the chopsticks, thereby aiding in grip and allowing for angle changes between the two chopsticks (angle changes depend on the user's hand). the size of the chopsticks, the length of the chopsticks, and the distance from the user's hand to the chopstick contact surfaces 121, 122). The members 125, 126 may also be formed as a single member and the chopstick contact surfaces 121, 122 are provided thereon facing outward. One suitable material from which the components are made is elastic plastic. In addition, the contact surfaces 121 and 122 of the chopsticks can be made of high friction material to help the chopsticks to grip. For example, the spoon head device 100 can be made of unprocessed wood, metal or ceramics, and the surfaces of the components 125 and 126 can be optionally covered with rubber to increase friction. But the above materials are not limited thereto, and other suitable materials or combinations thereof also fall within the scope of the present invention.

2-3 show the engagement structure 140 . In the embodiment of FIG. 2 , the engaging structure 140 is provided with a groove 142 facing the bottom of the components 125 , 126 at the bottom of the components 125 , 126 . These grooves are set in size and direction to enable the spoon head device 100 to lean against or hang on the edge of the bowl, for example, the size and direction are set to match with the edge of a general bowl (as shown in Figure 5). In addition, the groove 142 is preferably wide enough so that the spoon head device can simply lean on or hang on the side of the bowl, but also small enough to hang safely (a bias member must also be included to enhance the secure engagement) . The engagement structure 140 is oriented to provide a convenient and comfortable angle for the user to grasp the chopstick contact surfaces 121 , 122 to pick up the spoon head device. The spoon head is arranged to lean primarily against the inside or outside of the bowl and allows the bowl to face or face away from the container on which it is placed.

Figure 2 shows that the chopstick tip engagement structure 118 has a main axis B, and has an included angle α with the optimal horizontal plane A (the optimal horizontal plane is a horizontal plane where the spoon bowl carries most of the liquid, and in the optimal position, the aforementioned horizontal plane and parallel to the liquid surface), the included angle α is between 0-90 degrees, 5-80 degrees, 10-70 degrees, or more ideally between 15-60 degrees, which is similar to the general The angle of the spoon.

Please refer to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention. The spoon head device 200 is grasped by chopsticks 50, wherein the spoon head device 200 preferably includes a spoon bowl with a bottom and adjacent sides, a back Or base region 220 and two chopstick tip engaging structures 218, 219, each chopstick tip engaging structure preferably includes a chopstick contact surface 221 and 222 respectively.

While the chopstick contact surface of the spoon head device 100 is concave, the contact surfaces 221, 222 of the members 225, 226 are substantially planar. Secure placement and maintenance of the chopstick tips is achieved through contact of each tip with an engagement member and the bowl adjacent to the engagement structure. In this embodiment, the tips of the chopsticks are inserted into the base area 220 and firmly buckled. FIG. 4 shows that the spoon head device 200 is grasped by chopsticks and used as a soup spoon.

The chopstick tip engaging structures 218 , 219 are preferably disposed at the rear side of the spoon bowl with an included angle α, and the arrangement of the chopsticks is similar to the included angle α of the aforementioned spoon head device 100 .

As shown in FIG. 4 , the tip 51 of the chopstick 50 is in contact with the contact surfaces 221 , 222 of the spoon head device 200 and the rear side of the spoon bowl 210 .

Please refer to FIG. 5 , which shows that the spoon head device 200 is installed on the bowl 60 . It can be seen from the bottom perspective view of the spoon head device 200 in FIG. There is also a notch 243 at the bottom of the spoon bowl 210 to facilitate the formation of the engaging structure 240 . The contact surface 222 forms substantially symmetry with the contact surface 221 along the longitudinal centerline 230 .

The spoon head device 200 is similar to the spoon head device 100 and includes a spoon bowl 210 and a base area 220 . The spoon bowl preferably includes a bottom 212 and adjacent sides 214 . Two members 225 , 226 extend from the scoop bowl 210 and are arranged at a desired angle and position to present the engagement surfaces 221 , 222 . The bottoms of the members 225, 226 include grooves 242 for hanging from bowl rims. A notch 243 is also included behind the bottom of the spoon bowl 210 to help form the engagement structure 240 so that the spoon head assembly can be stored on the side of the bowl (or other structure) when not in use.

It should be appreciated that both the angular profile of the engagement surface and its location behind the spoon head assembly are suitable for guiding the user's chopsticks in an accurate and predictable position for lifting and holding the spoon head assembly. Such accurate and safe positioning can also be achieved through other embodiments of this specification.

Please refer to FIG. 7 , which is a perspective view of a spoon head device 300 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The spoon head device 300 is similar to the spoon head device 100 and the spoon head device 200 , but includes a spoon bowl 310 and a base area 320 . The scoop bowl 310 preferably includes a bottom 312 and adjacent sides 314 .

In FIG. 7 , the chopstick tip engagement structures 318 , 319 are configured to form an integral part of the spoon bowl 310 . Spoon bowl 310 may include retracted formations 327, 328 towards base region 320, thereby defining chopstick contact surfaces 321, 322 of chopstick tip engagement formations 318, 319, respectively. Lip 361, discussed below, also forms part of the chopstick tip engagement structure. The chopstick tip engagement structures 318 , 319 further include a major axis disposed at an included angle α of the spoon head device 100 , 200 .

The engaging structure 340 may include a flange-shaped or other-shaped mounting member 341 , and the mounting member 341 may include or define a groove 342 for combining the spoon head device 300 on the bowl rim 61 (as shown in FIG. 5 ).

Please refer to FIG. 8 , which is a perspective view of a spoon head device 400 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the spoon head device 100 , 200 , 300 , the spoon head device 400 has to include a spoon bowl 410 , a base region 420 . The spoon bowl 410 has a bottom 412 and sides 414 . Two chopstick tip engagement structures 418, 419 may extend from the spoon bowl, comprising guide grooves 431, 432 and chopstick contact surfaces 421, 422, respectively. The two guide grooves 431 , 432 are preferably aligned with the chopstick contact surfaces 421 , 422 at the rear side of the spoon bowl 410 . In use, the user places the tips of the chopsticks in the guide grooves 431, 432 to hold the spoon head device from the side of the spoon head device, and the tips of the chopsticks extend a sufficient distance from below the guide grooves 431, 432 to be supported on the spoon. Chopstick contact surfaces 421 , 422 behind the bowl 410 . In this way, the spoon head device 400 can be stably fixed and can further resist relative rotation from the vertical plane of the chopsticks and the horizontal plane of the chopsticks.

The spoon head device 400 preferably includes an engaging structure 440 including two engaging grooves 442 for detachably hanging from a bowl rim or other similar structures. In the embodiment of FIG. 8 , the spoon bowl can be easily hung inside the bowl with the cavity of the bowl facing the bowl. Alternatively, the engagement member may drop from a point pointing towards the rear of the scoop bowl.

Any possible variations of both the chopstick tip engagement structure and the edge storage structure are within the scope of the present invention. The edge engaging formations do not necessarily have to be continuous with the chopstick tip engaging formations, and in some embodiments they may be configured at different locations on the spoon head assembly. The edge storage structure can be on the top, bottom, front, rear or side of the spoon head device, and the contact point with the edge of the tableware can be above or below the area where the chopsticks are pinched and held. In some embodiments, a groove that fits the edge of the cutlery is formed in the bottom of the spoon head assembly. These structures or other modifications allow the utensils of the present invention to be conveniently placed on tableware, hanging bowls, cups or other open containers in a position where chopsticks are easily accessible. In addition, the spoon head device of the present invention can be stored in a suitable container or placed on a suitable base.

In some embodiments, the spoon head devices can be stacked or nested with each other.

The spoon head arrangement (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, etc.) according to the invention has to be arranged to be buoyant. The spoon head is made of a buoyant material (or air is added to the material to increase buoyancy), or a floating material is attached to the spoon head to achieve the purpose of floating.

Please refer to FIGS. 9-10 , which are perspective views of a spoon head device 500 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Spoon head device 500 incorporates features of other spoon head devices herein - spoon bowl 510 , chopstick tip engagement structure 518 , 519 , lip 561 , and contains flotation structure 560 . The floating structure 560 or the use of floating materials to make the spoon head device 500 is not only to prevent the spoon head device from sinking (or possibly disappearing), but also has a "storage" function, allowing the spoon head device to float on the liquid when not in immediate use, That is, the joint structures 140, 240 and the like do not need to be provided.

Additionally, the floating structure 560 or the way the spoon head assembly 500 is made (injecting air into the material or adding a ballast weight, etc.) can allow the spoon head assembly 500 to float on a surface when the user attempts to use their chopsticks to engage the tip of the chopsticks When the structure is combined, the tip of the chopsticks engages the position where the structure can be easily connected. Alternatively, the material selection or manufacturing process of the spoon head device must be designed to have a low-density area and a high-density area, so that the spoon head device can move or guide to a desired position on the liquid.

Then talk about the chopsticks tip engagement structure, this structure must include a lip or protrusion (extending laterally along the centerline (130 in Figure 1) for a distance greater than an adjacent surface, and close to the spoon (as in Figure 8) guide grooves 431, 432). Lips 161, 261, 361, 461, 561 cooperate with another point close to the spoon bowl to prevent the spoon head device from slipping, turning forward or turning downward. For example, each The tips of the chopsticks are all in contact with the lip 261 and the back of the spoon bowl 210 .

The spoon head device can be used in any occasion where a soup spoon is normally used, and is especially used in an occasion where chopsticks and a soup spoon are used together when eating. When the soup ladle can be used to eat soup and non-soup (or chopsticks in one hand and a soup ladle in the other), the spoon head device eliminates the need to put down the chopsticks (or soup ladle). In addition, the present invention solves such as accidental immersion of the soup spoon into the soup, the obstruction of the handle of the general soup spoon, the user cannot directly pick up the soup bowl to drink the soup, and other common problems.

The above descriptions are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and all equivalent changes and modifications made according to the scope of the patent application of the present invention shall fall within the scope of the present invention. According to the principles of the present invention, modifications of the present invention including those known or conventionally practiced in the field to which the present invention belongs, and applicable to the technical features set forth above shall all fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (4)

1. a kind of spoon head device for coordinating chopsticks to use, includes：

One spoonful of bowl, with a bottom and adjacent side to define a volume and be suitable to contain a liquid, this spoonful of bowl has one Most suitable (best-fit) horizontal plane is so that this spoonful of bowl can contain the liquid of maximum volume；

One first chopsticks tip connected structure, is connected to this spoonful of bowl, and be suitable to what is opened at least two points and linearly set Link chopsticks tip on contact point, first chopsticks tip connected structure has a main chopsticks receive axle；And

One second chopsticks tip connected structure, is connected to this spoonful of bowl, and is suitable at least two points and open out what is linearly set again Link chopsticks tip on contact point, second chopsticks tip connected structure has a main chopsticks receive axle；

Wherein, this first with the main chopsticks receive axle of second chopsticks tip connected structure from this spoonful of back of bowl with should There is an angle α, the angle of the angle α is between 0~90 degree between most suitable (best-fit) horizontal plane.

2. the spoon head device that cooperation chopsticks as claimed in claim 1 are used, wherein the angle at the angle α angle is between 5~80 degree Between.

3. the spoon head device that cooperation chopsticks as claimed in claim 1 are used, wherein the angle at the angle α angle is between 10~70 degree Between.

4. the as claimed in claim 1 spoon head device for coordinating chopsticks to use, wherein first chopsticks tip connected structure with should Second chopsticks tip connected structure is configured to receive chopsticks tip without barrier, and is applied to user by gravity On chopsticks pinch grip keep the chopsticks tip, when one resistance gravity active force be applied in and this pinch grip be removed When, so as to allow to discharge chopsticks.