GB2089198A - Chopsticks - Google Patents

Abstract

The head portion (11) of a chopstick has a sealed recess (12), which contains a material 13 whose specific gravity is such as to ensure that the chopstick floats in water either with its head portion disposed downwardly. In a modification a sealed recess contains material which ensures the chopstick floats with the head portion disposed upwardly. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Chopsticks This invention relates to chopsticks.

When immersed in water the conventional chopsticks whether for example of bamboo, wood or plastics do not all float in the same attitude so that, after being cleaned and withdrawn, they still need to be arranged with their heads pointing in one direction and the tapered ends in the opposite direction.

Apart from the inconvenience of thus having to arrange the chopsticks, especially where large quantities are involved, there is also a health risk arising from human contact with the tapered ends of some chopsticks while they are being arranged in a uniform attitude.

The present invention provides a chopstick comprising a recess formed in a head portion thereof and wherein the chopstick is made of a material having a specific gravity less than 1 and said recess sealingly contains a material having a specific gravity greater than 1 such that when said chopstick is immersed in water it floats with said head portion downwardly and the opposite end of said chopstick upwardly.

The present invention also provides a chopstick comprising a sealed recess formed in a head portion thereof and wherein the chopstick is made of a material having a specific gravity greater than 1 such that when said chopstick is immersed in water it floats with said head portion upwardly and the opposite end of said chopstick downwardly.

The present invention is further described hereinafter, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa sectional view of one embodiment according to the present invention; and Figure 2 is a sectional view of another embodiment according to the present invention.

The chopstick 1 of Figure 1 is made of a material having a specific gravity less than 1, such as bamboo or wood. As shown, a recess 12 is provided in the head 11 of the chopstick 1. A heavy material 13 is inserted into the recess 12 which is sealed by a cover 14. When immersed in water chopsticks of this construction would all float with the head downward.

The chopstick 2 of Figure 2 is made of a material having a specific gravity more than 1, such as polycarbonate, melamine, etc. A recess 22 is provided in the head 21 of the chopstick 2. The recess 22 is filled with a buoyant material such as air or foam plastics or a vacuum and sealed up by a cover 24.

The cover 24 may be welded onto the open end of the recess 22 by supersonic welding. When immersed in water chopsticks of this construction would all float with the head upward and the tapered end downward.

The present invention as shown in Figure 1 and 2 obviates the necessity of arranging the cleaned chopsticks in a common attitude. In addition, with all the chopsticks floating with the same end upward in the water they are easily gathered up uniformly.

1. A chopstick comprising a recess formed in a head portion thereof and wherein the chopstick is made of a material having a specific gravity less than 1 and said recess sealingly contains a material having a specific gravity greater than 1 such that when said chopstick is immersed in water it floats withsaid head portion downwardly and the opposite end of said chopstick upwardly.

2. A chopstick comprising a sealed recess formed in a head portion thereof and wherein the chopstick is made of a material having a specific gravity greater than 1 such that when said chopstick is immersed in water it floats with said head portion upwardly and the opposite end of said chopstick downwardly.

3. A chopstick as claimed in Claim 2 wherein said recess sealingly contains a material of specific gravity less than 1.

4. A chopstick constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Chopsticks This invention relates to chopsticks. When immersed in water the conventional chopsticks whether for example of bamboo, wood or plastics do not all float in the same attitude so that, after being cleaned and withdrawn, they still need to be arranged with their heads pointing in one direction and the tapered ends in the opposite direction. Apart from the inconvenience of thus having to arrange the chopsticks, especially where large quantities are involved, there is also a health risk arising from human contact with the tapered ends of some chopsticks while they are being arranged in a uniform attitude. The present invention provides a chopstick comprising a recess formed in a head portion thereof and wherein the chopstick is made of a material having a specific gravity less than 1 and said recess sealingly contains a material having a specific gravity greater than 1 such that when said chopstick is immersed in water it floats with said head portion downwardly and the opposite end of said chopstick upwardly. The present invention also provides a chopstick comprising a sealed recess formed in a head portion thereof and wherein the chopstick is made of a material having a specific gravity greater than 1 such that when said chopstick is immersed in water it floats with said head portion upwardly and the opposite end of said chopstick downwardly. The present invention is further described hereinafter, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa sectional view of one embodiment according to the present invention; and Figure 2 is a sectional view of another embodiment according to the present invention. The chopstick 1 of Figure 1 is made of a material having a specific gravity less than 1, such as bamboo or wood. As shown, a recess 12 is provided in the head 11 of the chopstick 1. A heavy material 13 is inserted into the recess 12 which is sealed by a cover 14. When immersed in water chopsticks of this construction would all float with the head downward. The chopstick 2 of Figure 2 is made of a material having a specific gravity more than 1, such as polycarbonate, melamine, etc. A recess 22 is provided in the head 21 of the chopstick 2. The recess 22 is filled with a buoyant material such as air or foam plastics or a vacuum and sealed up by a cover 24. The cover 24 may be welded onto the open end of the recess 22 by supersonic welding. When immersed in water chopsticks of this construction would all float with the head upward and the tapered end downward. The present invention as shown in Figure 1 and 2 obviates the necessity of arranging the cleaned chopsticks in a common attitude. In addition, with all the chopsticks floating with the same end upward in the water they are easily gathered up uniformly. CLAIMS

1. A chopstick comprising a recess formed in a head portion thereof and wherein the chopstick is made of a material having a specific gravity less than 1 and said recess sealingly contains a material having a specific gravity greater than 1 such that when said chopstick is immersed in water it floats withsaid head portion downwardly and the opposite end of said chopstick upwardly.

2. A chopstick comprising a sealed recess formed in a head portion thereof and wherein the chopstick is made of a material having a specific gravity greater than 1 such that when said chopstick is immersed in water it floats with said head portion upwardly and the opposite end of said chopstick downwardly.

3. A chopstick as claimed in Claim 2 wherein said recess sealingly contains a material of specific gravity less than 1.

4. A chopstick constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.