EP1430817A1 - Multifunctional cutlery piece - Google Patents
Multifunctional cutlery piece Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1430817A1 EP1430817A1 EP03079000A EP03079000A EP1430817A1 EP 1430817 A1 EP1430817 A1 EP 1430817A1 EP 03079000 A EP03079000 A EP 03079000A EP 03079000 A EP03079000 A EP 03079000A EP 1430817 A1 EP1430817 A1 EP 1430817A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- cutlery piece
- blade part
- fork
- multifunctional
- cutting edge
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G21/00—Table-ware
- A47G21/08—Serving devices for one-handed persons
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G21/00—Table-ware
- A47G21/02—Forks; Forks with ejectors; Combined forks and spoons; Salad servers
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a multifunctional cutlery piece comprising a blade part provided with a cutting edge and fork part.
- Such a cutlery piece is known from the American patent USP 4,535,538. Described therein is a table utensil with a blade part provided with a cutting edge and extending from a handle. On a free end prongs are arranged in the line of the blade part so as to thus form a fork. The blade part is convex in form and also fulfils a spoon function.
- This known cutlery piece thus combines all functions of a complete cutlery setting in a single object.
- the present invention has for its object, among others, to provide a multifunctional cutlery piece which does not possess this drawback, or at least does so to a significantly lesser degree.
- a multifunctional cutlery piece of the type stated in the preamble has the feature according to the invention that the fork part extends at least partially outside the blade part on a side of the blade part remote from the cutting edge.
- a portion of food can , among other things, be speared with the fork part. Because the fork part is placed according to the invention on a side of the blade part remote from the cutting edge, this food material can thereby be taken without coming into contact with the cutting edge. This protects the comers of the mouth.
- the cutlery piece otherwise retains its multifunctionality in that the cutting edge remains available to fulfil a cutting function.
- the cutlery piece according to the invention has the feature that the fork part extends at least almost perpendicularly from the blade part. It is possible here to use the cutlery piece to cut on the one side, with the cutting edge, while directly opposite it is possible to spear and eat with the fork.
- the cutlery piece according to the invention has the feature that the blade part extends from a handle, and more particularly that a spoon part extends from the handle on a side remote from the blade part.
- the cutlery piece provides in a single utensil all functions that can be required of a complete cutlery setting.
- the cutlery piece according to the invention has the feature that the fork part is curved in a direction of the prongs thereof.
- Such a curve or wave shape provides a greater stability to a portion of food resting thereon which is being eaten with the cutlery piece and prevents the portion of food from falling off the fork part.
- the cutlery piece can herein be given both a right-handed and left-handed form.
- a further preferred embodiment of the cutlery piece has the feature according to the invention that the fork part extends at least substantially in the same plane as said other parts of the cutlery piece.
- the cutlery piece can be stored flat, and this enhances the packing density with other similar cutlery pieces.
- FIG 1 a first embodiment of a multifunctional cutlery piece according to the invention.
- the cutlery piece comprises a blade part 1 with a cutting edge 2 on one of its longitudinal sides.
- Blade part 1 extends from a handle 3 with which the cutlery piece is manipulated.
- the cutlery piece is manufactured integrally, for instance forged, so that the handle and the blade part are manufactured from steel or other suitable metal. Another material such as for instance wood, bone or plastic can however also be applied per se for the handle.
- the cutlery piece also provides a fork function in that a fork part 4 is arranged on a side of the blade part remote from the cutting edge.
- Fork part 4 comprises prongs which extend wholly outside the blade part 1 and with which food can be speared. In addition, a portion of food can be placed on the fork part and then eaten therefrom.
- the blade part 1 On a free outer end the blade part 1 also comprises a secondary fork part 5 which is intended mainly for spearing food material. It is the case for both fork parts that variations can be made therein, in the sense of for instance the number, form and length of the prongs, in accordance with specific wishes.
- Fork part 4 lies substantially in the same plane as handle 3 and blade part 1 with cutting edge 2, whereby the cutlery piece can be stored flat, thus enhancing the packing density.
- the cutlery piece of figure 1 thus provides a number of functions in one object which can not only be employed advantageously for the physically disabled but also provides a solution for the non-disabled in situations where owing to circumstances only one hand is available. Stand-up receptions and informal gatherings can for instance be envisaged here.
- the fork part 4 of the cutlery piece of figure 1 lies at least practically at right angles to blade part 1. It is also possible to opt for a smaller angle instead, as is the case for instance in the embodiment of figure 2.
- the starting point is a cutlery piece with a handle 3 from which extends a blade part 1 with a cutting edge 2.
- Fork part 4 is on an outer end at an acute angle of 30-50° relative to blade part 1. This facilitates eating with the fork part 4 and storage of the cutlery piece in a conventional cutlery drawer when the cutlery piece is not being used.
- a third embodiment of the cutlery piece according to the invention is shown in figure 3.
- This is an cutlery piece which can be arranged releasably in an associated handle (not shown).
- a blade part 1 of the cutlery piece is provided on a base thereof with suitable coupling means 6.
- both parts of the cutlery piece can be cleaned individually, wherein the metal blade part 1 in particular can be exposed to usually aggressive dishwashing agents of a machine cleaning process and the handle can be protected therefrom.
- the blade part comprises a sharpened cutting edge 2 on one of its longitudinal sides and a fork part 2 on an opposite side.
- a secondary fork part 5 is also present in this embodiment which can only be used for spearing in particular.
- a multifunctional cutlery piece which fulfils all the functions of a cutlery setting is formed by a fourth embodiment of the cutlery piece according to the invention, which is shown in figure 4.
- a handle 3 herein bears on its one end a blade part 1 having thereon a cutting edge 2 and on the opposite side a fork part 4, and on its opposite end a spoon part 7.
- the cutlery piece can be further supplemented with a secondary fork part 5 as shown in the above described exemplary embodiments.
- the fork part is preferably provided with a curve or wave shape 8, for instance as shown in figure 5 in the fifth embodiment of the cutlery piece according to the invention.
- the cutlery piece is in this case also manufactured integrally from high-grade (precious) metal or steel.
- Figure 5 herein shows a right-handed embodiment of the cutlery piece with a fork part 4 to the left-hand side of cutting edge 2 of blade part 1, while figure 6 shows a left-handed embodiment wherein, conversely, the fork part 4 is placed to the right of cutting edge 2, extending from a downward directed curvature 8.
Landscapes
- Table Equipment (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a multifunctional cutlery piece comprising a blade part provided with a cutting edge and fork part.
- Such a cutlery piece is known from the American patent USP 4,535,538. Described therein is a table utensil with a blade part provided with a cutting edge and extending from a handle. On a free end prongs are arranged in the line of the blade part so as to thus form a fork. The blade part is convex in form and also fulfils a spoon function. This known cutlery piece thus combines all functions of a complete cutlery setting in a single object.
- Although the known table utensil provides a solution not only for the physically disabled but also for other situations where, for whatever reason, only one hand is available, it does have the drawback that during use of the fork-cum-spoon the cutting edge can injure the comers of the mouth of a user, or at any rate must be handled carefully. The present invention has for its object, among others, to provide a multifunctional cutlery piece which does not possess this drawback, or at least does so to a significantly lesser degree.
- In order to achieve the intended objective, a multifunctional cutlery piece of the type stated in the preamble has the feature according to the invention that the fork part extends at least partially outside the blade part on a side of the blade part remote from the cutting edge. A portion of food can , among other things, be speared with the fork part. Because the fork part is placed according to the invention on a side of the blade part remote from the cutting edge, this food material can thereby be taken without coming into contact with the cutting edge. This protects the comers of the mouth. The cutlery piece otherwise retains its multifunctionality in that the cutting edge remains available to fulfil a cutting function.
- In a particular embodiment the cutlery piece according to the invention has the feature that the fork part extends at least almost perpendicularly from the blade part. It is possible here to use the cutlery piece to cut on the one side, with the cutting edge, while directly opposite it is possible to spear and eat with the fork.
- In a further particular embodiment, the cutlery piece according to the invention has the feature that the blade part extends from a handle, and more particularly that a spoon part extends from the handle on a side remote from the blade part. In this latter case the cutlery piece provides in a single utensil all functions that can be required of a complete cutlery setting.
- In a preferred embodiment the cutlery piece according to the invention has the feature that the fork part is curved in a direction of the prongs thereof. Such a curve or wave shape provides a greater stability to a portion of food resting thereon which is being eaten with the cutlery piece and prevents the portion of food from falling off the fork part. The cutlery piece can herein be given both a right-handed and left-handed form.
- A further preferred embodiment of the cutlery piece has the feature according to the invention that the fork part extends at least substantially in the same plane as said other parts of the cutlery piece. In this case the cutlery piece can be stored flat, and this enhances the packing density with other similar cutlery pieces.
- The invention will be further elucidated hereinbelow with reference to a number of exemplary embodiments and an associated drawing. In the drawing:
- figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a multifunctional cutlery piece according to the invention;
- figure 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a multifunctional cutlery piece according to the invention;
- figure 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a multifunctional cutlery piece according to the invention;
- figure 4 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a multifunctional cutlery piece according to the invention.
- figure 5 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a multifunctional cutlery piece according to the invention; and
- figure 6 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a multifunctional cutlery piece according to the invention.
-
- The figures are otherwise purely schematic and not drawn accurately to scale. For the sake of clarity some parts in particular may be shown exaggerated to a greater or lesser extent. Corresponding parts are designated as far as possible in the figures with the same reference numeral.
- In figure 1 is shown a first embodiment of a multifunctional cutlery piece according to the invention. The cutlery piece comprises a
blade part 1 with acutting edge 2 on one of its longitudinal sides.Blade part 1 extends from ahandle 3 with which the cutlery piece is manipulated. In this case the cutlery piece is manufactured integrally, for instance forged, so that the handle and the blade part are manufactured from steel or other suitable metal. Another material such as for instance wood, bone or plastic can however also be applied per se for the handle. - In addition to a cutting function by means of
cutting edge 2, the cutlery piece also provides a fork function in that afork part 4 is arranged on a side of the blade part remote from the cutting edge.Fork part 4 comprises prongs which extend wholly outside theblade part 1 and with which food can be speared. In addition, a portion of food can be placed on the fork part and then eaten therefrom. On a free outer end theblade part 1 also comprises asecondary fork part 5 which is intended mainly for spearing food material. It is the case for both fork parts that variations can be made therein, in the sense of for instance the number, form and length of the prongs, in accordance with specific wishes.Fork part 4 lies substantially in the same plane ashandle 3 andblade part 1 withcutting edge 2, whereby the cutlery piece can be stored flat, thus enhancing the packing density. - The cutlery piece of figure 1 thus provides a number of functions in one object which can not only be employed advantageously for the physically disabled but also provides a solution for the non-disabled in situations where owing to circumstances only one hand is available. Stand-up receptions and informal gatherings can for instance be envisaged here.
- The
fork part 4 of the cutlery piece of figure 1 lies at least practically at right angles toblade part 1. It is also possible to opt for a smaller angle instead, as is the case for instance in the embodiment of figure 2. Here too the starting point is a cutlery piece with ahandle 3 from which extends ablade part 1 with acutting edge 2.Fork part 4 is on an outer end at an acute angle of 30-50° relative toblade part 1. This facilitates eating with thefork part 4 and storage of the cutlery piece in a conventional cutlery drawer when the cutlery piece is not being used. - A third embodiment of the cutlery piece according to the invention is shown in figure 3. This is an cutlery piece which can be arranged releasably in an associated handle (not shown). For this purpose a
blade part 1 of the cutlery piece is provided on a base thereof with suitable coupling means 6. Owing to the separation of the cutlery piece into a handle and areleasable blade part 1, both parts of the cutlery piece can be cleaned individually, wherein themetal blade part 1 in particular can be exposed to usually aggressive dishwashing agents of a machine cleaning process and the handle can be protected therefrom. In this case also the blade part comprises a sharpenedcutting edge 2 on one of its longitudinal sides and afork part 2 on an opposite side. Asecondary fork part 5 is also present in this embodiment which can only be used for spearing in particular. - A multifunctional cutlery piece which fulfils all the functions of a cutlery setting is formed by a fourth embodiment of the cutlery piece according to the invention, which is shown in figure 4. A
handle 3 herein bears on its one end ablade part 1 having thereon acutting edge 2 and on the opposite side afork part 4, and on its opposite end aspoon part 7. If desired, the cutlery piece can be further supplemented with asecondary fork part 5 as shown in the above described exemplary embodiments. - For a better stability of a portion of food resting on
fork part 4 and a greater take-up capacity, the fork part is preferably provided with a curve orwave shape 8, for instance as shown in figure 5 in the fifth embodiment of the cutlery piece according to the invention. The cutlery piece is in this case also manufactured integrally from high-grade (precious) metal or steel. Figure 5 herein shows a right-handed embodiment of the cutlery piece with afork part 4 to the left-hand side ofcutting edge 2 ofblade part 1, while figure 6 shows a left-handed embodiment wherein, conversely, thefork part 4 is placed to the right ofcutting edge 2, extending from a downward directedcurvature 8. - Although the invention has been further elucidated above on the basis of only a limited number of exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent that the invention is by no means limited to the given embodiments. On the contrary, many variations and embodiments are still possible within the scope of the invention for the person with ordinary skill in the art.
Claims (7)
- Multifunctional cutlery piece, comprising a blade part provided with a cutting edge and a fork part, characterized in that the fork part extends at least partially outside the blade part on a side of the blade part remote from the cutting edge.
- Multifunctional cutlery piece as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the fork part comprises prongs which extend at least partially outside the blade part.
- Multifunctional cutlery piece as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fork part extends at least almost perpendicularly from the blade part.
- Multifunctional cutlery piece as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the fork part extends at least substantially in the same plane as said other parts of the cutlery piece.
- Multifunctional cutlery piece as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the blade part extends from a handle.
- Multifunctional cutlery piece as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that a spoon part extends from the handle on a side remote from the blade part.
- Multifunctional cutlery piece as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the fork part is curved in a direction of the prongs thereof.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NL1022220 | 2002-12-20 | ||
NL1022220A NL1022220C2 (en) | 2002-12-20 | 2002-12-20 | Multifunctional cutlery part. |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1430817A1 true EP1430817A1 (en) | 2004-06-23 |
Family
ID=32389655
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP03079000A Withdrawn EP1430817A1 (en) | 2002-12-20 | 2003-12-19 | Multifunctional cutlery piece |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1430817A1 (en) |
NL (1) | NL1022220C2 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2875116A1 (en) * | 2004-09-13 | 2006-03-17 | Gerard Antoine Mira | Oyster opening device, has blade fixed with handle of knife, where blade has end terminated by tip with sharp edges and surrounded of two tips that are shorter than former tip |
AT14555U1 (en) * | 2014-12-18 | 2016-01-15 | Dario Rickenbach | One-piece cutlery |
RU2697959C1 (en) * | 2018-07-23 | 2019-08-21 | Игнат Игоревич Иванов | Fork |
RU2697956C1 (en) * | 2018-07-23 | 2019-08-21 | Игнат Игоревич Иванов | Combined cutlery |
WO2020261726A1 (en) * | 2019-06-27 | 2020-12-30 | 梅田裕生 | Eating utensil with fork function |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB107915A (en) * | 1916-11-15 | 1917-07-19 | Edward Geoffrey Fisher | Improvements in, or connected with, a Combined Knife and Fork for the use of Maimed Persons. |
GB519521A (en) * | 1938-07-27 | 1940-03-29 | Percival Elliott | Spoons |
GB1153693A (en) * | 1968-01-18 | 1969-05-29 | Aubrey Hey Berry | Improvements in or relating to Table Forks |
DE10201341A1 (en) * | 2001-02-14 | 2002-10-02 | Werner Daniel | Cutlery item for cutting and impaling e.g. sausages, schnitzel or French fries, has lenticular head with adjacent knife and fork sections on two sides |
-
2002
- 2002-12-20 NL NL1022220A patent/NL1022220C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2003
- 2003-12-19 EP EP03079000A patent/EP1430817A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB107915A (en) * | 1916-11-15 | 1917-07-19 | Edward Geoffrey Fisher | Improvements in, or connected with, a Combined Knife and Fork for the use of Maimed Persons. |
GB519521A (en) * | 1938-07-27 | 1940-03-29 | Percival Elliott | Spoons |
GB1153693A (en) * | 1968-01-18 | 1969-05-29 | Aubrey Hey Berry | Improvements in or relating to Table Forks |
DE10201341A1 (en) * | 2001-02-14 | 2002-10-02 | Werner Daniel | Cutlery item for cutting and impaling e.g. sausages, schnitzel or French fries, has lenticular head with adjacent knife and fork sections on two sides |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2875116A1 (en) * | 2004-09-13 | 2006-03-17 | Gerard Antoine Mira | Oyster opening device, has blade fixed with handle of knife, where blade has end terminated by tip with sharp edges and surrounded of two tips that are shorter than former tip |
AT14555U1 (en) * | 2014-12-18 | 2016-01-15 | Dario Rickenbach | One-piece cutlery |
RU2697959C1 (en) * | 2018-07-23 | 2019-08-21 | Игнат Игоревич Иванов | Fork |
RU2697956C1 (en) * | 2018-07-23 | 2019-08-21 | Игнат Игоревич Иванов | Combined cutlery |
WO2020261726A1 (en) * | 2019-06-27 | 2020-12-30 | 梅田裕生 | Eating utensil with fork function |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
NL1022220C2 (en) | 2004-06-22 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6502314B1 (en) | Knife handle | |
US4317284A (en) | Flatware eating utensils | |
US20200128984A1 (en) | Eating utensil system | |
US10130201B2 (en) | Eating utensil assembly and related methods | |
US4535538A (en) | Combination non-disposable table utensil | |
EP0672373A1 (en) | Cutlery which does not soil and a method for its production | |
MXPA05013096A (en) | Cutlery implement and block. | |
WO2007103663B1 (en) | A multi-purpose eating utensil | |
US5373643A (en) | Enhanced eating implements for a handicapped person | |
US20180255795A1 (en) | Multifunctional shell-opening utensil | |
US4383367A (en) | Potato scoop | |
US20020092181A1 (en) | 4-in-1 meal tools | |
US20080201959A1 (en) | Eating utensil | |
US20050115083A1 (en) | Knife with an ergonomic handle | |
US1991871A (en) | Eating implement | |
US6817937B1 (en) | Shellfish-opening tool | |
US20090293283A1 (en) | Combined Soup Spoon And Dinner Knife | |
EP1430817A1 (en) | Multifunctional cutlery piece | |
US4771541A (en) | Combination fork and knife | |
USD981802S1 (en) | Cutlery set | |
GB2350778A (en) | Dual purpose disposable cutlery | |
USD446087S1 (en) | Disposable flatware with arcuate handle | |
JPH09252910A (en) | Fork-shaped chopsticks | |
USD463221S1 (en) | Eating utensil with toothpick incorporated therein | |
US4442570A (en) | Stuffed shrimp preparation tool |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL LT LV MK |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20041223 |
|
AKX | Designation fees paid |
Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20050315 |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20060817 |