EP4258951A1

EP4258951A1 - Length-adjustable cutlery item

Info

Publication number: EP4258951A1
Application number: EP21840433.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Libor MILOSEVSKY
Original assignee: Cardbox Packaging Holding GmbH; Greiner Packaging International GmbH
Current assignee: Cardbox Packaging Holding GmbH; Greiner Packaging International GmbH
Priority date: 2020-12-09
Filing date: 2021-12-06
Publication date: 2023-10-18
Also published as: AT523843B1; WO2022120399A1; AT523843A4

Abstract

The invention relates to a length-adjustable cutlery item (1) which can be unfolded from a shortened and folded-together storage position into a use position that is lengthened with respect thereto, and is formed from a planar blank (2). In the direction of a longitudinal axis (7), the cutlery item (1) comprises a rear end (5) and a front end (6), spaced apart from one another, and a first embossed line (10) extending in the transverse direction. Cutlery-item portions (11, 12) that face one another are detachably held on one another in the storage position by means of a locking device (13) comprising a first and second locking element (14, 15). Both locking elements (14, 15) are each defined by severed-material regions (16, 17), which pass through the the blank (2) in the direction of its thickness and which have in each case a longitudinal extent that extends so as to be oriented substantially in parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis (7).

Description

LENGTH-ADJUSTABLE EQUIPMENT

The invention relates to a piece of cutlery formed from a planar blank which can be unfolded from a shortened and folded storage position into a longer use position.

WO 2020/043251 A1 describes a generic cutlery item, in particular a so-called folding spoon, which is formed from a planar blank and can be unfolded from a shortened and folded storage position into a longer use position. The cutlery planar blank has a front end and a rear end and is foldable along fold lines and score lines to form the spoon. This has a handle section and a shell section connected thereto. The blank also has a front side edge and a longitudinal axis that divides the planar blank into two generally symmetrical halves. An elongated grip groove extends from the front side edge along the longitudinal axis to a rear side edge opposite the front side edge and terminates in the shell portion. A first lateral groove is in turn located in the handle portion at a position closer to the rear side edge than the front side edge and extends transverse to the longitudinal axis.

A second lateral notch is also located in the stem portion at a distance from the first lateral notch, which distance corresponds to the distance between the first lateral notch and the rear lateral edge. The second lateral notch extends transverse to the longitudinal axis with a separating cut extending from the second lateral notch to the rear lateral edge and back to the second lateral notch, thereby forming a containment flap. The retaining flap is arranged so that it can be arranged behind an edge region on the rear side edge when the spoon is in its folded state, being folded over along the first lateral notch. This piece of cutlery has basically proven itself in practice, however, when unlocking the cooperating locking elements, the cutlery head could already be touched and thus the same could be unintentionally soiled or damaged. Furthermore, due to the large lever lengths between the fold line and the locking elements, it was easier for them to unintentionally detach from one another. DE 20 2018 003 477 U1 describes an application device for a pasty mass of food, in particular for a spread. The application device can be stored in a resealable lid, preferably in a screw lid, of a jar for the pasty food mass. This has a receiving part for receiving the food mass, with the application device comprising a predetermined first folding line about which the application device can be converted from an unfolded working state into a folded storage state by folding. When folded, it can be stored in the closed lid of the jar. Handling for the storage condition was made more difficult by the fact that no locking device was provided.

The object of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to form a foldable piece of cutlery from a planar blank, by means of which a user is able to carry out a simple and hygienically safe unfolding process. In addition, the handling process of the cutlery item should also be improved in its folded storage position.

This object is solved by the cutlery part according to the claims.

The piece of cutlery according to the invention can be designed, for example, as a spoon, fork, spork or knife, which can be unfolded or moved from a shortened and folded storage position to a longer use position in a space-saving manner. The cutlery item is formed from a planar blank with an upper side and an underside and comprises a rear end and a front end spaced apart therefrom in the direction of its longitudinal extension, with a longitudinal axis extending between the two ends, and the front end has a cutlery item head forms, a first embossing line, which first embossing line is aligned in the transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the blank and divides the blank into a first cutlery section and a second cutlery section, the first cutlery section extending between the rear end and the first embossing line and the second cutlery section extends between the first embossing line and the front end, the first embossing line forming at least one fold line, and a locking device comprising a first locking element and a second locking element that interacts with it in the folded-up storage position, wherein in the storage position and when the first and second locking elements are in locking engagement with one another, the first cutlery section and the second cutlery section are releasably held together, with the first locking element in the region of the first cutlery section is arranged and the second locking element is arranged in the region of the second cutlery section, and wherein the first locking element is defined by a first material severing through the blank in the direction of its thickness, it also being provided that the second locking element of a the blank in direction its thickness penetrating second material severing is defined, and that the material severings each running essentially in a parallel direction with respect to the longitudinal axis a have aligned longitudinal course.

The advantage achieved in this way is that the locking elements releasably holding the folded piece of cutlery together with its cutlery piece sections facing one another are arranged at a distance from the cutlery piece head. This also significantly shortens the lever arm between the folding line, which runs transversely and is defined by the embossing line, and the locking elements. Usually, that of the locking elements which is located within the second cutlery section with the cutlery head is also arranged outside of this and is thus located in a longitudinal section between the end region of the cutlery head facing the first embossing line and the first embossing line. The locking elements can thus be unlocked in the folding area, which avoids touching the head of the cutlery part directly. Furthermore, due to the mutual abutment of the locking elements in locking engagement after the folding process, a certain pretension or spring effect is built up or exerted on the cutlery part sections extending towards the ends. After the mutual unlocking of the locking elements, the blank can easily be brought into its stretched and unfolded operating position and is available for consumption in a hygienic state.

Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the first material severing and the second material severing are each linear and each formed by a cut are. In this way, a clear, sharp-edged formation of the locking elements can be achieved and the locking security can thus be increased.

Another embodiment is characterized in that the first material severance and the second material severance are each arranged to run completely inside the blank. In this way, despite the cuts that completely penetrate the blank, a continuous and uninterrupted cohesion can be achieved.

Another possible embodiment has the features that in the folded storage position the first locking element is supported with its underside of the blank on the underside of the blank of the second locking element or that in the folded storage position the first locking element with its upper side of the blank on the upper side of the blank of the second locking element is supported. Depending on the application and design of the cutlery item, the direction of folding, namely top side to top side or bottom side to bottom side, can thus be selected as required.

Another embodiment is characterized in that the first material severance and the second material severance are each arranged to run essentially along the longitudinal axis. A central and central arrangement can thus be achieved. In addition, however, the formation of a handle can also be facilitated by forming a longitudinal fold edge and at the same time a stiffening in the handle section can be made possible.

A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that one of the material severings has a curved longitudinal course, in particular an arcuately curved longitudinal course, and the other of the material severings has a straight longitudinal course and one of the locking elements is defined by each of the material severings. This allows the locking elements to be shaped by means of a rather slight overlap.

Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the material severing is arranged with the curved longitudinal course in the first cutlery section. Another alternative embodiment is characterized in that the first material severance and the second material severance each have a curved longitudinal course, in particular a curved longitudinal course, and the first locking element defined by the first material severance is arranged on one side of the longitudinal axis and the second locking element defined by the second material severance is arranged on the opposite side thereof with respect to the longitudinal axis and each of the locking elements is formed with a convex curvature with respect to the longitudinal axis. In this way, in the locking position of the locking elements which are in locking engagement with one another, an even better and larger overlapping area or a greater extent of overlapping can be achieved.

A further possible and optionally alternative embodiment has the features that the first material severing and the second material severing form a common cutting line that extends continuously over the first embossing line. In this way, an even better mutually acting prestressing force can be built up in the folded transport state.

A further embodiment provides that the first material severing and the second material severing and thus the locking elements formed by them are each arranged directly adjacent to the first embossing line. In this way, the lever arm from the first embossing line or the fold line defined by this line to the locking elements can be reduced to a minimum.

Another embodiment is characterized in that in the folded storage position and when the first and second locking elements are in locking engagement with one another, partial sections of the blank located laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis are offset from one another in the direction of the thickness of the blank. In this way, the folded cutlery sections can be held together even better and more securely against unintentional detachment.

A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that a second embossing line is formed in the first cutlery section of the cut and the second embossing line is arranged to run in the longitudinal axis. In this way, a mostly symmetrical unfolding and associated stiffening of the handle section can be achieved. Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the second embossing line extends, starting from the first material severing, in the direction of the rear end of the blank, in particular extends to the rear end of the blank. In this way, an almost to complete, simple unfolding of the handle in the transverse direction to its longitudinal extent can be made possible.

Another embodiment is characterized in that a third embossing line is formed in the second cutlery section of the blank and the third embossing line is arranged to run along the longitudinal axis. In this way, a mostly symmetrical unfolding and associated stiffening of the handle section can be achieved.

A further possible embodiment has the feature that the third embossing line extends, starting from the second material severing, in the direction of the front end of the blank. In this way, unfolding can also be facilitated in the region or section between the second material severing and the head of the cutlery part, and an additional stiffening effect can thus also be achieved here.

A further embodiment provides that a fourth embossed line is formed in the second cutlery section to form a spoon depression and the fourth embossed line is formed continuously over its length. The head of the cutlery part can thus be reshaped better and more easily into a bowl or shell shape.

Another embodiment is characterized in that the fourth embossing line is arranged to run at an equal distance along a front peripheral section of the front end of the second cutlery part section and is then designed to converge in the direction of the rear end and in the direction of the longitudinal axis. In this way, viewed over the front circumference, a constant peripheral and rising edge section can be formed.

A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that a line end of the third embossing line facing the fourth embossing line is arranged at a distance from both line ends of the fourth embossing line in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Buckling in the transition area between the handle section and the cutlery part head can thus be made more difficult or prevented entirely. Finally, it can also be advantageous if the first embossing line is formed by a first embossing line subsection and a second embossing line subsection and the embossing line subsections are each arranged to run on opposite sides with respect to the longitudinal axis and each of the embossing line subsections the longitudinal axis and spaced from opposite left and right longitudinal edges. In this way, the buckling effect can be reduced in the folding area of the blank.

For a better understanding of the invention, it is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

They each show in a greatly simplified, schematic representation:

1 shows a first possible exemplary embodiment of a foldable piece of cutlery with its planar cut, in top view;

FIG. 2 shows the cut of the cutlery item according to FIG. 1 in its folded storage position and latching elements in locking engagement with one another, in a diagrammatic representation of the fold area;

FIG. 3 shows the folded cutlery part according to FIG. 2 in its folded storage position, in plan view of its underside;

FIG. 4 shows the folded cutlery part according to FIG. 3, in a sectioned view according to the lines IV-IV in FIG. 3;

5 shows a second possible exemplary embodiment of a foldable piece of cutlery with its planar cut, in top view;

FIG. 6 shows the folded cutlery part according to FIG. 5, in a sectioned view in the region of its locking elements which are in locking engagement with one another;

7 shows a third possible exemplary embodiment of a foldable piece of cutlery with its planar cut, in plan view. As an introduction, it should be noted that in the differently described embodiments, the same parts are provided with the same reference numbers or the same component designations, it being possible for the disclosures contained throughout the description to be applied to the same parts with the same reference numbers or the same component designations. The position information selected in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., is related to the directly described and illustrated figure and these position information are to be transferred to the new position in the event of a change in position.

The term “in particular” is understood below to mean that it can be a possible more specific design or more detailed specification of an object or a method step, but does not necessarily have to represent a mandatory, preferred embodiment of the same or a mandatory procedure.

As used ^herein , the terms "comprising,""pointsto,""comprising,""includes,""including,""includes,""containing," and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

Another term that can also be used is “optional”. This means that this process step or this plant component is basically available, but can be used depending on the conditions of use, but this does not necessarily have to be the case.

In all of the different exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 7, locking mechanisms that basically work in the same way are shown and described.

1 to 4 a first embodiment of a piece of cutlery 1 is shown, which is designed in the present embodiment in the form of a spoon. It should be mentioned that a piece of cutlery can be understood to mean all possible embodiments such as spoons, forks, sporks or knives, with the three-dimensional shape for forming the spoon, fork, spork or knife in the area of its use section being designed in very different ways in terms of shape and space can. This depends on the respective application and can be freely selected. A spork is a combination of a fork and a spoon and is shaped like a spoon-like shovel with multiple prongs. Many of the items of cutlery are designed to be adjustable in length. In order to achieve this, the handle part and the cutlery part can, for example, be designed to be telescopic to one another, as is described and shown in AT 522461 A4 or WO 2015/004118 A1, among other things.

In this exemplary embodiment of the cutlery item 1 and all the exemplary embodiments described below, a folding or folding solution is always provided in order to be able to vary the length. The cutlery item 1 is formed from a planar, one-piece blank 2 with an upper side 3 and an underside 4 lying opposite it. In order to achieve a transport position or storage position that is shortened in the direction of its lengthwise stretching, the blank 2 is folded up in this position and can also be unfolded into a usage position that is longer for this purpose.

The shortened storage position serves to achieve a minimized or reduced packing volume in the direction of the entire longitudinal extension, in order to be able to integrate the cutlery item 1 with the packaging or with the packaging even with packaging units that are smaller in terms of dimensions. The dimensions shown are only selected as examples, whereby the actual dimensions and proportions can deviate from one another.

The blank 2 is preferably formed from an ecologically harmless material, which can be, for example, paper, cardboard, cardboard or a biodegradable material. The biodegradable material can in turn consist of partially or completely renewable raw materials such as starch, cellulose or polylactic acid.

The blank 2 is usually printed in its undeformed flat position and optionally also provided with an additional coating. A cellulose material is usually used as the material, although this can also be cardboard or strong paper produced in a recycling process. If a layer or ply of the outer part is formed from a recycling material, an additional layer of a higher-quality paper can be arranged or connected to at least one of the surfaces. This additional layer is used for flawless printing to produce decorations, lettering and product information.

In its unfolded or extended position of use, the cutlery part 1 or the blank 2 forming it has a rear end 5 and a front end spaced therefrom 6 on. A longitudinal axis 7 extends between the two ends 5, 6, which, depending on the shape and design, can also form a central longitudinal axis. Preferably, the longitudinal axis 7 divides the planar blank 2 into generally or substantially symmetrical halves on either side thereof. The blank 2 is further bounded by a left longitudinal edge 8 and a right longitudinal edge 9 between its rear end 5 and its front end 6 . For this purpose, the viewing direction is selected starting from the front end 6 in the direction of the rear end 5 . The front end 6 in turn forms that part or section of the cutlery item 1 which is used to hold the item to be consumed and is guided by a user to his mouth. In this way, the front end 6 also forms a so-called cutlery part head.

In order to be able to carry out the folding or folding process more easily, a first embossing line 10 can also be provided. To help distinguish the lines shown, each embossed line is shown with a dotted line representation. The first embossing line 10 is aligned to run in the transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal axis 7 of the blank 2 . The first embossing line 10 is preferably arranged at half the distance of the total length of the blank 2, with an asymmetrical subdivision or division of the total length also being possible.

The first embossing line 10 divides the blank 2 into a first cutlery section 11 and a second cutlery section 12. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first cutlery section 11 extends between the rear end 5 and the first embossing line 10 and can also be referred to as the rear cutlery section, which also forms part of the handle of the cutlery item 1.

The second cutlery section 12 is arranged adjacent to the first cutlery section 11 and extends between the first embossing line 10 to the front end 6. This cutlery section 11 can also be referred to as the front cutlery section and forms at least sections of the cutlery head of the cutlery item 1. A partial section of the handle or shaft part thereof can also be formed. The two cutlery sections 11 and 12 together form the cutlery part 1 and are connected to one another in one piece. The first embossing line 10 in turn forms a fold line along which the folding process or unfolding process to vary the length can be carried out.

To in the shortened and folded storage position mutual support of the two facing and opposite cutlery sections 11 and 12 to achieve, a locking device 13 is also provided. The locking device 13 can also be referred to as a latching device and comprises at least one first locking element 14 and at least one second locking element 15 interacting therewith. If the folded blank 2 is in its storage position and the two locking elements 14 and 15 are also in locking engagement with one another, the first Cutlery section 11 and the second cutlery section 12 releasably held together.

The first locking element 14 is arranged or formed in the area or section of the first cutlery part section 11 , the second locking element 15 , on the other hand, being arranged or formed in the area or section of the second cutlery part section 12 . The arrangement of at least the second locking element 15 should preferably be selected such that it is arranged or formed outside of the head of the cutlery part.

Depending on the material selected, the blank 2 has a thickness, not specified, between its upper side 3 or upper flat side and its lower side 4 or lower flat side.

The first locking element 14 is defined by a first material severance 16 penetrating the blank 2 in the direction of its thickness. However, the same also applies to the second locking element 15 , which in turn is defined by a second material severing 17 . A material severing 16 and/or 17 is understood to mean a complete interruption or separation of the material of the blank 2 between its upper side 3 and lower side 4, which is preferably a cut or a cut line. Preferably, the first material severance 16 and the second material severance 17 are each linear and each formed by a cut.

It can also be seen in FIG. 1 that the first material severance 16 and also the second material severance 17 each have a longitudinal course which is essentially aligned in a parallel direction with respect to the longitudinal axis 7 . It is advantageous if both the first material severance 16 and the second material severance 17 are each arranged to run completely within the blank 2 . This means that none of the material severings 16 and 17 reaches as far as the outer peripheral edge of the blank 2 and even ends in front of it. The first embossing line 10 described above, which defines the fold line or transverse fold line, does not have to extend completely over the entire width of the blank 2. It is also shown here that the first embossing line 10 can comprise a first embossing line subsection 18 and a second embossing line subsection 19 or can be formed from these. The two embossing line sections 18 , 19 are each arranged to run on opposite sides with respect to the longitudinal axis 7 . Each of the score line sections 18,19 terminates both spaced from the longitudinal axis 7 and spaced from the opposite left and right longitudinal edges 8,9.

Depending on the chosen turn-over direction of the blank 2, the two partial upper sides on both sides of the first embossing line 10 can be turned towards one another and preferably arranged one on top of the other. In this case, in the folded storage position, the first locking element 14 is supported with its underside 4 of the blank 2 on the underside 4 of the blank 2 of the second locking element 15 . It is more favorable if the two top sides of the parts are turned towards one another, since in this way the partial section accommodating the product to be consumed is arranged on the inside.

If, on the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the blank 2 is folded over in such a way that the two undersides of the parts on both sides of the first embossing line 10 face each other and are preferably arranged one on top of the other, the first locking element is supported in the folded storage position 14 with its upper side 3 of the blank 2 on the upper side 3 of the blank 2 of the second locking element 15.

The first material severance 16 and the second material severance 17 are preferably each arranged to run essentially along the longitudinal axis 7 . If the longitudinal axis 7 also forms a central axis, the two material cuts 16 and 17 are arranged running centrally in the direction of the longitudinal stretching.

However, it would also be possible for the two material cuts 16 and 17 defining the locking elements 14 and 15 to be offset laterally - i.e. in the transverse direction - with respect to the longitudinal axis 7, as indicated in dashed lines in the side section on the right-hand side of the longitudinal axis 7. This creates the possibility of providing the locking elements 14 and 15 either only on one side of the longitudinal axis 7 or also on both sides of the longitudinal axis 7 . The locking elements 14 and 15 described above are defined by the material cuts 16 and 17 located and formed in the blank 2 or formed by their selected longitudinal course. In this exemplary embodiment, it is provided that one of the material cuts 16 or 17 has a curved longitudinal course, in particular a curved longitudinal course, and the other of the material cuts 17 or 16 has a straight longitudinal course. In this exemplary embodiment, the first material severing 16 has the curved longitudinal course and defines or forms the first locking element 14. The second material severing 17 is straight here and defines the second locking element 15. The material severing 16 with the curved longitudinal course is thus located in the first cutlery section 11. However, an opposite arrangement of the material cuts 16 and 17 with respect to the first embossing line 10 would also be possible.

The arc height or the extent of the lateral projection of the material severing 16 or 17 with the curved longitudinal course with respect to the longitudinal axis 7 forms the overlapping surface with the other of the locking elements 15 or 14 . The lateral offset of the material severing 16 or 17 with the curved longitudinal course can have an extent with a lower limit of 0.3 mm, in particular 0.6 mm, and an upper limit of 1.5 mm, in particular 1.0 mm. The dimension is particularly preferably 0.8 mm. A curved longitudinal course is also understood to mean the arrangement of short, straight sections, one behind the other, which at the beginning lead away from the longitudinal axis 7 and at the end lead back to the longitudinal axis 7 and end there.

Provision is also made here for the first material severing 16 and the second material severing 17 to form a common cutting line which extends continuously over the first embossing line 10 . Thus, in the folded storage position, a left-hand section 20 and a right-hand section 21 are formed on both sides of the longitudinal axis 7 . Furthermore, the two locking elements 14 and 15 defined by the material cuts 16 and 17 are each directly adjacent to the first embossing line 10 and thus to the fold line formed by this.

Due to the continuous and connected material cuts 16 and 17 over the first embossing line 10, in the folded storage position and when the first and second locking elements 14 and 15 are in locking engagement with one another, respectively the partial sections 20, 21 of the blank 2 located laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis 7 are arranged offset in relation to one another in the direction of the thickness of the blank 2. This can best be seen by looking at FIGS. 2 to 4 together.

Due to the required inherent rigidity and user-friendliness, the cutlery item 1 is usually formed from a thicker and stronger material. In order to be able to carry out an easier formation or shaping of the cutlery item 1 from the folded storage position to the use position and other possible transformations, further embossing lines can be provided in addition to the first embossing line 10 already described and formed into the material of the blank 2, e.g this is well known from the prior art.

A second embossing line 22 can be provided or formed in the first cutlery section 11 of the blank 2 in order to give the cut 2 greater inherent rigidity in the area or section of its first cutlery section 11, which in the use position forms a section of a handle. Since the two material cuts 16 and 17 are preferably located along the longitudinal axis 7 , the second embossing line 22 is also arranged to run along or in the longitudinal axis 7 . This creates the possibility of bringing the first cutlery section 11 into a kind of “V” position, at least viewed in cross section, and thus increasing the inherent rigidity and buckling resistance.

The second embossing line 22 can extend, starting from the first material severing 16 , in the direction of the rear end 5 of the blank 2 , in particular as far as the rear end 5 of the blank 2 .

Depending on the position and arrangement of the first embossing line 10 and the material cuts 16 and 17, a third embossing line 23 can also be formed or arranged in the area or section of the second cutlery part section 12 of the blank 2. Likewise, the third embossing line 23 can also be arranged running in the longitudinal axis 7 . The third embossing line 23 extends, starting from the second material severing 17, in the direction of the front end 6 of the blank 2. The second and third embossing lines 22, 23 are thus arranged in alignment with one another and running one behind the other. A fourth embossing line 24 can also be formed in the second cutlery section 12 for better shaping and formation of a type of bowl or dish. In this way, a spoon depression with an upstanding edge area can be formed. The fourth embossing line 24 is preferably formed continuously over its length. It is also shown that the fourth embossing line 24 is arranged to run at an equal distance along a front peripheral section of the front end 6 of the second cutlery section 12 and is then formed in the direction of the rear end 5 and in the direction of the longitudinal axis 7 so that they converge . Here both line ends of the fourth embossing line 24 are arranged spaced from the longitudinal axis 7 on both sides. The line end of the third embossing line 23 facing the fourth embossing line 24 is arranged at a distance from both line ends of the fourth embossing line 24 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 7 . In this way, a kink formation starting from the rear end 5 into the section of the spoon recess can be largely prevented.

5 and 6 show a further embodiment of the cutlery item 1, which may be independent of itself, with the same reference numerals or component designations as in the previous FIGS. 1 to 4 being used again for the same parts. In order to avoid unnecessary repetitions, reference is made to the detailed description in the preceding FIGS.

Except for the formation of the two material cuts 16 and 17, the blank 2 corresponds exactly to that described in detail above with reference to FIGS. For this reason, only the different and deviating design will be described in detail below.

Here, both the first material severance 16 and the second material severance 17 each have a curved longitudinal course. An arcuately curved longitudinal course is preferably selected in each case. In order to be able to achieve an even better locking effect when locking elements 14 and 15 are in locking engagement with one another, the overlapping area between the two locking elements 14 and 15 is made larger. For this purpose, seen in the direction of the longitudinal axis 7, the two material cuts 16 and 17 are arranged running in opposite directions to one another. The first locking element 14 defined by the first material severing 16 is on one side of the longitudinal axis 7 arranged same and defined by the second material severing 17 second locking element 15 is arranged with respect to the longitudinal axis 7 on the opposite side thereof. Together, the two material cuts 16 and 17 form a type of “S” line or an “S”-shaped line.

The two material cuts 16 and 17 are also here arranged to run completely within the blank 2 and run essentially along the longitudinal axis 7. Furthermore, the two material cuts 16 and 17 also form a continuous cutting line extending over the first embossing line 10.

Another variant for forming the third and fourth embossing lines 23 and 24 is shown. In contrast to the embodiment described above, the fourth embossing line 24 extends with its two line ends facing the rear end 5 of the blank 2 up to the longitudinal axis 7 and ends there in each case. The line end of the third embossing line 23 can reach as far as the two line ends of the fourth embossing line 24 facing the rear end 5 of the blank 2 . This design and arrangement of the third and fourth embossing lines 23 and 24 can also be provided in the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and FIG. However, an arrangement of the third and fourth embossing lines 23 and 24 as described in FIGS. 1 to 4 and FIG. 7 is also possible in this exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of the cutlery item 1, which may be independent of itself, with the same reference numerals or component designations as in the preceding FIGS. 1 to 6 being used again for the same parts. In order to avoid unnecessary repetitions, reference is made to the detailed description in the preceding FIGS.

Except for the formation of the two material cuts 16 and 17, the blank 2 corresponds exactly to that described in detail above with reference to FIGS. Therefore, only the different and deviating training is described below.

In contrast to the exemplary embodiments described above, the first material severance 16 for forming the first locking element 14 and the second material cutting 17 to form the second locking element 15 is not formed continuously but arranged or formed spaced apart from one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis 7 . The first material severing 16 is in turn formed or arranged in the first cutlery part section 11 and spaced in the direction of the longitudinal axis 7 from the first embossing line 10 and in the direction of the rear end 5 from this. The second material severing 17 for forming the second locking element 15 is formed or arranged in the second cutlery section 12 of the blank 2 and spaced in the direction of the longitudinal axis 7 from the first embossing line 10 and in the direction of the front end 6 from this.

In the folded state of the blank 2 and thus in the storage position of the cutlery item 1, the blank 2 is continuous and uninterrupted in the area of its fold line formed by the first embossing line 10 in cross section over the width between the two longitudinal edges 8, 9.

In order to be able to unfold the blank 2 more easily in the section located between the two material cuts 16 and 17 viewed in cross section along the longitudinal axis 7 , a fifth embossing line 25 can be provided or formed between the two material cuts 16 and 17 .

The formation of the two material cuts 16 and 17 in their longitudinal direction can also take place as described in FIGS. 5 and 6, with the only difference being that they are spaced apart from one another in the direction of the longitudinal extension.

A possible bilateral arrangement or formation of cutlery heads is indicated in dashed lines in the end section of the rear end 5 of the blank 2 . This could be a fork or a spork, for example. A user of the cutlery item 1 can thus be able to select one of the two ends 5 or 6 for receiving the item to be consumed, depending on this. The embossed lines 22 and/or 23 and/or 24 and/or 25 are to be adjusted and/or arranged accordingly.

The exemplary embodiments show possible variants, it being noted at this point that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated variants of the same, but rather also various combinations of the individual variants with one another are possible and this possibility of variation due to the The teaching of technical action through a concrete invention lies within the ability of the person skilled in the art working in this technical field.

The scope of protection is determined by the claims. However, the description and drawings should be used to interpret the claims. Individual features or combinations of features from the different exemplary embodiments shown and described can represent independent inventive solutions. The task on which the independent inventive solutions are based can be found in the description.

All information on value ranges in the present description is to be understood in such a way that it also includes any and all sub-ranges, e.g. the information 1 to 10 is to be understood in such a way that all sub-ranges, starting from the lower limit 1 and the upper limit 10, are also included , i.e. all subranges start with a lower limit of 1 or greater and end with an upper limit of 10 or less, e.g. 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1, or 5.5 to 10.

Finally, for the sake of clarity, it should be pointed out that some elements are shown not to scale and/or enlarged and/or reduced in size for a better understanding of the structure.

list of reference numbers

piece of cutlery

cutting

top

bottom rear end front end

Longitudinal axis left longitudinal edge right longitudinal edge

Embossed line first cutlery section second cutlery section

Locking device first locking element second locking element first material severing second material severing first embossed line section second embossed line section left section right section second embossed line third embossed line fourth embossed line fifth embossed line

Claims

P atentClaims

1. Piece of cutlery (1), in particular a spoon, fork, spork or knife, which is designed to be variable in length and can be unfolded from a shortened and folded storage position into a longer use position and consists of a planar blank (2) with an upper side (3) and a underside (4), the cutlery part (1) comprises a rear end (5) and a front end (6) spaced from it in the direction of its longitudinal extension, with a longitudinal axis (7) extending between the two ends (5 , 6) and the front end (6) forms a cutlery head, a first embossing line (10), which first embossing line (10) is aligned to run in the transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal axis (7) of the blank (2) and the blank (2 ) Divided into a first cutlery section (11) and a second cutlery section (12), the first cutlery section (11) extending between the rear end (5) and the first embossing line (10) and de r second cutlery section (12) between the first embossing line (10) and the front end (6), the first embossing line (10) forming at least one fold line, and a locking device (13) comprising a first locking element (14) and a second locking element (15) interacting therewith in the folded-up storage position, wherein in the storage position and when the first and second locking elements (14, 15) are in locking engagement with one another, the first cutlery section (11) and the second cutlery section (12) are releasably held together, the first locking element (14) is arranged in the area of the first cutlery section (11) and the second locking element (15) is arranged in the area of the second cutlery section (12), and wherein the first locking element (14) moves the blank (2) in the direction of its Thickness-penetrating first material severance (16) is defined, characterized in that the second locking element (1 5) is defined by a second material severance (17) penetrating the blank (2) in the direction of its thickness, and that the material severances (16, 17) each have a longitudinal course that is aligned essentially in a parallel direction with respect to the longitudinal axis (7).

2. Cutlery item (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first material severance (16) and the second material severance (17) are each linear and are each formed by a cut.

3. Cutlery item (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first material severance (16) and the second material severance (17) are each arranged to run completely within the blank (2).

4. Cutlery item (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the folded storage position the first locking element (14) with its underside (4) of the blank (2) on the underside (4) of the blank (2) of the second Locking element (15) is supported.

5. Cutlery item (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in the folded storage position the first locking element (14) with its upper side (3) of the blank (2) on the upper side (3) of the blank (2) of the second locking element (15) is supported.

6. Cutlery item (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first material severance (16) and the second material severance (17) are each arranged to run substantially along the longitudinal axis (7).

7. The cutlery item (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the material cuts (16, 17) has a curved longitudinal course, in particular a curved longitudinal course, and the other of the material cuts (17, 16) has a straight longitudinal course and from each of the material cuts (16, 17) is defined in each case one of the locking elements (14, 15).

8. Cutlery part (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the material severing (16) is arranged with the curved longitudinal course in the first cutlery part section (11).

9. Cutlery item (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first material severance (16) and the second material severance (17) each have a curved longitudinal course, in particular a curved longitudinal course, and that of the first material severance ( 16) defined first locking element (14) is arranged on one side thereof with respect to the longitudinal axis (7) and the second locking element (15) defined by the second material severance (17) is arranged on the opposite side thereof with respect to the longitudinal axis (7) and each of the locking elements (14) is formed with a convex curvature with respect to the longitudinal axis (7).

10. Cutlery item (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first material severing (16) and the second material severing (17) form a common cutting line extending continuously over the first embossing line (10).

11. Cutlery item (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first material severance (16) and the second material severance (17) and thus the locking elements (14) formed by them are each arranged directly adjacent to the first embossing line (10). .

12. Piece of cutlery (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that in the folded storage position and with the first and second locking elements (14, 15) in locking engagement with one another, partial sections (20, 21) are located laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis (7). of the blank (2) are offset from one another in the direction of the thickness of the blank (2).

13. Cutlery item (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a second embossing line (22) is formed in the first cutlery item section (11) of the blank (2) and the second embossing line (22) is arranged to run in the longitudinal axis (7). is.

14. Cutlery item (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the second embossing line (22) extends from the first material severing (16) in the direction of the rear end (5) of the blank (2), in particular up to the rear End (5) of the blank (2) extends.

15. Cutlery item (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a third embossing line (23) is formed in the second cutlery item section (12) of the blank (2) and the third embossing line (23) is arranged to run in the longitudinal axis (7). is.

16. Piece of cutlery (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that the third embossing line (23) extends starting from the second material severance (17) in the direction of the front end (6) of the blank (2).

17. Cutlery item (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a fourth embossed line (24) is formed in the second cutlery item section (12) to form a spoon recess and the fourth embossed line (24) is continuous along its length.

18. The cutlery item (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that the fourth embossing line (24) is arranged to run at an equal distance along a front peripheral section of the front end (6) of the second cutlery item section (12) and then each in the direction of the rear end (5) and in the direction of the longitudinal axis (7) is designed to converge.

19. Cutlery item (1) according to one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that a line end of the third embossing line (23) facing the fourth embossing line (24) is spaced from both line ends of the fourth embossing line (24) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (7). is arranged.

20. Cutlery item (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first embossing line (10) is formed by a first embossing line section (18) and a second embossing line section (19) and the embossing line sections (18, 19) are each arranged to extend on opposite sides with respect to the longitudinal axis (7) and each of the embossing line sections (18, 19) ends both spaced from the longitudinal axis (7) and spaced from opposite left and right longitudinal edges (8, 9).