EP0306800B1 - Disposable piece of cutlery, in particular a spoon - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a piece of cutlery, in particular a spoon, for one-way use consisting of a front working part and a rear handle molded onto it and having a dimensionally stable frame, in which, on both sides of an opening formed in the frame, a bulbous wall that is elastically deformable at least in some areas to form a Chamber is designed to hold an ingredient, the chamber being connected via a channel running inside the cutlery part to an outlet opening in the area of the working part which is closed when not in use.

Such a piece of cutlery for one-way use in the form of a spoon is known from DE-PS 35 03 167. The known spoon is a plastic injection molded part and consists of a front spoon recess, on which a rear spoon handle is molded. This spoon handle is designed with a chamber for holding an ingredient, for example for holding milk or sugar for a drink. In order for the chamber to be able to dispense the ingredient, a channel runs inside the plastic material of the spoon and opens into an outlet opening in the transition area between the spoon depression and the dipper stick. This outlet opening is closed when not in use and can be opened if necessary so that, for example, milk or sugar escapes in the region of the spoon depression and can be added to the drink.

Since the known spoon for disposable use has only a single chamber, only a single ingredient can be stored in it and dispensed if necessary. For example, it is only possible to store either milk or sugar in the spoon handle, but not both, although both can be desired, so that an ingredient has to be stored and dispensed separately, which is associated with increased expenditure.

From BE-A 893 968 a packaging for beverage ingredients is also known, which is formed from a molded plastic part with three recesses in the front area for receiving three ingredients and a handle. The disadvantage of this previously known packaging is that this object is not suitable for being simultaneously usable for storing ingredients and for use as a piece of cutlery.

Furthermore, a packaging for ingredients is known from US Pat. No. 3,428,460 which also serves as a stir bar. This packaging, which consists of a molded plastic part, has recesses for holding different ingredients, which are covered by a common peel-off film. With this known packaging, it is also disadvantageous that it cannot be used as a piece of cutlery. In addition, it is disadvantageous that all three ingredients can only be removed together.

Based on this prior art, the object of the invention is to further develop the cutlery part known from DE-A 35 03 167 for single use so that several ingredients can be stored separately in the stem without the stability of the stem suffering.

To solve this task, it is proposed that a total of three chambers for receiving different stems Ingredients are formed, wherein the stem has a flat frame in which openings are assigned to the respective chambers, on which bulges are formed on both sides to form the chambers, which are elastically deformable at least in some areas, with two at the rear end of the stem Chambers in the longitudinal direction of the stem are arranged side by side and extend towards the front end of the stem and wherein at the front end of the stem between the first and the second chamber, the third chamber is arranged parallel to the first two chambers, the first and the second Chamber in this area are each tapered in cross-section and that the chambers are each connected to an outlet opening for each of the chambers via separate channels, which are each closed by tear-off tabs.

A cutlery part designed according to this technical teaching has the advantage that several, in particular two or three, ingredients can be kept in stock in corresponding chambers in the handle and can be dispensed accordingly if required. Since the chambers are each provided with their own outlet opening, the ingredients can be dispensed separately from one another by opening the corresponding outlet opening. If a user does not want any ingredient at all, he can keep the corresponding compartment closed and be satisfied with the other ingredients in the remaining compartments. For example, a spoon can consist of three compartments, the first compartment containing a tea or coffee concentrate, the second compartment containing condensed milk and the third compartment containing a sugar concentrate. Such a spoon is very suitable for example for tea and coffee machines, since only hot water and the spoon according to the invention have to be dispensed. The user can then first take the tea or the hot water from the spoon handle Add coffee concentrate and then condensed milk and / or the sugar concentrate as required. This proves to be advantageous in that the very strict hygiene regulations are very easy to meet in such vending machines, which is particularly true with regard to condensed milk, since hygienic problems have repeatedly arisen in the past. In contrast, in the spoon handle, the condensed milk can be kept for a long time without fear of any impairments. In addition, the spoon with several compartments is suitable for catering for guests on airplanes, for example when serving tea or coffee. It is also ideal for a camping holiday.

The outlet openings are each closed by tear-off tabs. Such tear-off tabs can be attached in a simple manner after the chambers have been filled with the ingredients, and the outlet openings can thereby be closed. If necessary, they can then be removed individually for the optional removal of the ingredients, so that quick and unproblematic access to the chamber contents in the stem is possible. The stem consists of a flat, dimensionally stable frame in which openings are assigned to the respective chambers, on which bulky walls are formed on both sides of the frame to form the chambers, which are elastically deformable at least in some areas. The frame gives the stem the necessary internal stability, while the chambers formed by the bulbous walls can hold very large amounts of ingredients. The frame takes up very little space compared to the chambers, so that most of the stem is available for holding the ingredients. Due to the elastic deformability of these bulbous walls, the corresponding ingredient can be pressed out of the respective chamber in a simple manner.

The same advantages are achieved with a second embodiment of the cutlery part according to the invention. In this second embodiment it is provided that a total of three chambers are formed in the stem for receiving different ingredients, the stem having a flat frame in which the respective chambers are formed openings, on each of which bulbous turns are formed on both sides to form the chambers , which are elastically deformable at least in partial areas, a first chamber being arranged at the rear end of the stem over its entire width and tapering in its cross section running towards the front end of the stem, the tapered region of the first chamber being in this region the second and the third chamber are arranged on both sides, and the chambers are connected to each other via separate channels with an outlet opening for each of the chambers, which are each closed by tear-off tabs.

Finally, the invention proposes a third embodiment of the cutlery part according to the invention, which also has the mentioned advantage. In the third embodiment of the cutlery part it is provided that three chambers are formed in the stem for receiving different ingredients, the stem having a flat frame, in which openings are formed for the respective chambers, on each of which bulbous twists are formed on both sides to form the chambers are, which are elastically deformable at least in some areas, being staggered from the rear end to the front end of the stem in the three chambers and arranged one after the other, the chambers running side by side at the front end of the stem and the chambers each with a separate channel Exit opening for each of the chambers in communication, which are each closed by tear-off tabs.

The different chamber divisions of the three embodiments on the one hand enable different chamber sizes to be designed in accordance with the quantity of ingredients to be added and on the other hand allow the ingredients to be pressed out of their corresponding chambers in an optimal manner.

Fig. 1

eine Draufsicht auf eine erste Ausführungsform;

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht der Ausführungsform gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

eine Ansicht von vorne;

Fig. 4

eine Ansicht von hinten;

Fig. 5

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie A-B in Fig. 1 in vergrößertem Maßstab;

Fig. 6

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie C-D in Fig. 1, ebenfalls in vergrößertem Maßstab;

Fig. 7

eine Draufsicht auf eine zweite Ausführungsform;

Fig. 8

eine Seitenansicht der Ausführungsform gemäß Fig. 7;

Fig. 9

eine Ansicht von vorne;

Fig. 10

eine Ansicht von hinten;

Fig. 11

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie A-B in Fig. 7 in vergrößertem Maßstab;

Fig. 12

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie C-D in Fig. 7, ebenfalls in vergrößertem Maßstab;

Fig. 13

eine Draufsicht auf eine dritte Ausführungsform;

Fig. 14

eine Seitenansicht der Ausführungsform gemäß Fig. 13;

Fig. 15

eine Ansicht von vorne;

Fig. 16

eine Ansicht von hinten;

Fig. 17

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie A-B in Fig. 13 in vergrößertem Maßstab;

Fig. 18

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie C-D in Fig. 13, ebenfalls in vergrößertem Maßstab;

Fig. 19

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie E-F in Fig. 13, ebenfalls in vergrößertem Maßstab.

Further details and advantages result from the following description of the associated drawings, in which three embodiments of a cutlery part according to the invention in the form of a spoon for one-way use are shown schematically. In the drawings:

Fig. 1

a plan view of a first embodiment;

Fig. 2

a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

Fig. 3

a front view;

Fig. 4

a rear view;

Fig. 5

a section along the line AB in Figure 1 on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 6

a section along the line CD in Figure 1, also on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 7

a plan view of a second embodiment;

Fig. 8

a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 7;

Fig. 9

a front view;

Fig. 10

a rear view;

Fig. 11

a section along the line AB in Figure 7 on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 12

a section along the line CD in Figure 7, also on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 13

a plan view of a third embodiment;

Fig. 14

a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 13;

Fig. 15

a front view;

Fig. 16

a rear view;

Fig. 17

a section along the line AB in Figure 13 on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 18

a section along the line CD in Figure 13, also on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 19

a section along the line EF in Fig. 13, also on an enlarged scale.

1 to 6, a first embodiment is shown in FIGS. 7 to 12, a second embodiment and finally, in FIGS. 13 to 19, a third embodiment of a disposable spoon, which differ from one another only by different chamber divisions, in principle Structure, however, are the same.

Thus, the disposable spoons each consist of a plastic injection molded part with a front spoon recess 1 and a rear handle 2 formed thereon. As can be seen in particular in the sectional representations of the various embodiments, there are three chambers 3a, 3b, 3c in this handle 2 for receiving different ingredients educated. Such ingredients can be, for example, a tea or coffee concentrate, condensed milk and a sugar concentrate, which are required for the production of tea or coffee as required.

As can also be seen in the sectional views, the handle 2 consists of a flat and relatively dimensionally stable frame 4, which gives the handle 2 the necessary rigidity. Openings 5a, 5b, 5c are formed in this frame 4 and are assigned to corresponding chambers 3a, 3b, 3c. On both sides of this flat frame 4 are each to form the chambers 3a, 3b, 3c walls 6a, 6b, 6c formed from a flexible material. These walls 6a, 6b, 6c define the chambers 3a, 3b, 3c for receiving the corresponding ingredients.

Channels 7a, 7b, 7c emanate from the chambers 3a, 3b, 3c and open into outlet openings 8a, 8b, 8c in the area of the transition from the handle 2 into the spoon depression 1. These outlet openings 8a, 8b, 8c are each closed by a tear-off tab 9a, 9b, 9c so that the ingredients stored in the chambers 3a, 3b, 3c cannot run out. If necessary, these tear-off tabs 9a, 9b, 9c can be removed for the optional removal of the corresponding ingredients and the ingredients can be pressed out separately from their chambers 3a, 3b, 3c by pressing the corresponding turns 6a, 6b, 6c together according to a tube.

The outlet openings 8a, 8b, 8c can at the same time also serve as filling openings for mechanically filling the chambers 3a, 3b, 3c by inserting appropriate filling nozzles.

In the embodiment of the disposable spoon shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the two chambers 3a, 3b are arranged parallel to one another at the rear end of the handle 2, while the third chamber 3c between the first two chambers 3a, 3b is located in the front region of the handle 2 is arranged, which are each tapered in their cross sections for this purpose. The chamber 3a can serve for the reception of a tea or coffee concentrate, the chamber 3b for the reception of the condensed milk and the chamber 3c finally for the reception of the sugar concentrate.

The second embodiment shown in Figs. 7 to 12 has a chamber 3a at the rear end of the stem 2, which is extends over the entire width of the stem 2. This chamber 3a tapers in its cross section towards the spoon trough 1, so that there is enough space on both sides for the second chamber 3b and for the third chamber 3c. The rear chamber 3a can serve, for example, to hold the tea or coffee concentrate, the chamber 3b to hold the sugar concentrate and the chamber 3c to hold the condensed milk.

Finally, in the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 to 19, the three chambers 3a, 3b, 3c are arranged one after the other, finally running parallel to one another in the region of the outlet openings 8a, 8b, 8c.

Reference symbol list

1

Spoon trough

2nd

stalk

3a

chamber

3b

chamber

3c

chamber

4th

frame

5a

Breakthrough

5b

Breakthrough

5c

Breakthrough

6a

Wall

6b

Wall

6c

Wall

7a

channel

7b

channel

7c

channel

8a

Outlet opening

8b

Outlet opening

8c

Outlet opening

9a

Tear-off tab

9b

Tear-off tab

9c

Tear-off tab

Claims (3)

1. Disposable cutlery item, in particular spoon, consisting of a front working part and of a rear handle (2) which is moulded onto it and has a dimensionally stable frame (4) and in which, on both sides of a perforation (5a, 5b, 5c) made in the frame (4), a bellied wall (6a, 6b, 6c), elastically deformable at least in part-regions, is constructed in order to form a chamber (3a, 3b, 3c) for receiving an ingredient, the chamber (3a, 3b, 3c) being connected via a channel (7a, 7b, 7c) running inside the cutlery item to an outlet opening (8a, 8b, 8c), which is closed when not in use, in the region of the working part, characterised in that, in all, three chambers (3a, 3b, 3c) for receiving different ingredients are constructed in the handle (2), the handle (2) having a plane frame (4) in which perforations (5a, 5b, 5c) assigned to the respective chambers (3a, 3b, 3c) are constructed, onto which perforations respective bellied walls (6a, 6b, 6c), which are elastically deformable at least in part-regions, are moulded on both sides in order to form the chambers (3a, 3b, 3c), two chambers (3a, 3b) being arranged at the rear end of the handle (2) in such a manner as to run beside one another in the longitudinal direction of the handle (2) and extending towards the front end of the handle (2), the third chamber (3c) being arranged at the front end of the handle (2) between the first and the second chamber (3a, 3b) in such a manner as to be parallel to the first two chambers (3a, 3b), the first and the second chamber (3a, 3b) in each case tapering in cross-section in this region, and in that the chambers (3a, 3b, 3c) are connected via channels (7a, 7b, 7c), which are separated from one another, to a respective outlet opening (8a, 8b, 8c) for each of the chambers (3a, 3b, 3c), which are sealed by respective tear-off tabs (9a, 9b, 9c).
2. Disposable cutlery item, in particular spoon, consisting of a front working part and of a rear handle (2) which is moulded onto it and has a dimensionally stable frame (4) and in which, on both sides of a perforation (5a, 5b, 5c) made in the frame (4), a bellied wall (6a, 6b, 6c), elastically deformable at least in part-regions, is constructed in order to form a chamber (3a, 3b, 3c) for receiving an ingredient, the chamber (3a, 3b, 3c) being connected via a channel (7a, 7b, 7c) running inside the cutlery item to an outlet opening (8a, 8b, 8c), which is closed when not in use, in the region of the working part, characterised in that, in all, three chambers (3a, 3b, 3c) for receiving different ingredients are constructed in the handle (2), the handle (2) having a plane frame (4) in which perforations (5a, 5b, 5c) assigned to the respective chambers (3a, 3b, 3c) are constructed, onto which perforations respective bellied walls (6a, 6b, 6c), which are elastically deformable at least in part-regions, are moulded on both sides in order to form the chambers (3a, 3b, 3c), a first chamber (3a) being arranged at the rear end of the handle (2) over its entire width, which chamber is tapered in its cross-section towards the front end of the handle (2), running in the middle of the latter, the second and the third chamber (3b, 3c) being arranged in this tapered region of the first chamber (3a) on both sides respectively, and in that the chambers (3a, 3b, 3c) are connected via channels (7a, 7b, 7c), which are separated from one another, to a respective outlet opening (8a, 8b, 8c) for each of the chambers (3a, 3b, 3c), which are sealed by respective tear-off tabs (9a, 9b, 9c).
3. Disposable cutlery item, in particular spoon, consisting of a front working part and of a rear handle (2) which is moulded onto it and has a dimensionally stable frame (4) and in which, on both sides of a perforation (5a, 5b, 5c) made in the frame (4), a bellied wall (6a, 6b, 6c), elastically deformable at least in part-regions, is constructed in order to form a chamber (3a, 3b, 3c) for receiving an ingredient, the chamber (3a, 3b, 3c) being connected via a channel (7a, 7b, 7c) running inside the cutlery item to an outlet opening (8a, 8b, 8c), which is closed when not in use, in the region of the working part, characterised in that, three chambers (3a, 3b, 3c) for receiving different ingredients are constructed in the handle (2), the handle (2) having a plane frame (4) in which perforations (5a, 5b, 5c) assigned to the respective chambers (3a, 3b, 3c) are constructed, onto which perforations respective bellied walls (6a, 6b, 6c), which are elastically deformable at least in part-regions, are moulded on both sides in order to form the chambers (3a, 3b, 3c), the three chambers (3a, 3b, 3c) being staggered and arranged one after the other, starting from the rear end towards the front end of the handle (2), the chambers (3a, 3b, 3c) rnning beside one another at the front end of the handle (2), and in that the chambers (3a, 3b, 3c) are connected via channels (7a, 7b, 7c), which are separated from one another, to a respective outlet opening (8a, 8b, 8c) for each of the chambers (3a, 3b, 3c), which are sealed by respective tear-off tabs (9a, 9b, 9c).

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