GB2239588A

GB2239588A - Cutlery set

Info

Publication number: GB2239588A
Application number: GB8928627A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tai Leung Liu
Original assignee: RONSON TRADING Ltd
Current assignee: RONSON TRADING Ltd
Priority date: 1989-12-19
Filing date: 1989-12-19
Publication date: 1991-07-10
Also published as: GB8928627D0

Abstract

A set of cutlery comprises a number of items of cutlery (1-3) provided with securing means (1a-3c) to enable the items to be releasably secured to one another. Certain items of the set are so shaped that when secured together they define a chamber for containing smaller items. The set is particularly useful in connection with serving meals on trains or airplanes. <IMAGE>

Description

CUTLERY SET The present invention relates to a cutlery set.

When meals are being served on aircraft, planes, ships or other forms of transport, the meals may be accompanied by cutlery and smaller accessories contained in a sealed package. Typically, the passenger is given a sealed transparent plastic bag containing cutlery such as a knife, fork, and spoon, and smaller accessaries such as a small device for stirring tea or coffee, and a toothpick.

The cutlery may be disposable or may be reusable.

A disadvantage of the above described arrangement is that the items contained in the package, may fall on the floor at the moment when the contents of the plastic bag are being emptied out. This is because all the items are loose in the sealed plastic bag, and when the plastic bag is opened and the contents emptied out, all the items may emerge together, and some of the items, especially the smaller items, may fall through the fingers. Should these smaller items fall on the floor, they may be difficult or impossible to locate or retrieve, because the passenger is in a very confined space, with the meal table in the operational position. If retrieved, they may be unhygienic.

We have now found it possible to overcome the above described problems.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a set of cutlery in which the items of cutlery are provided with securing means to enable them to be releasably secured to one another.

Preferably, all the items of cutlery are provided with such securing means, so that all the items contained within the package emerge from the package as a single unit, and the items may be then separated from one another on the meal table.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a set of cutlery in which one or more items of cutlery are so shaped that when secured to one another they define a chamber for containing smaller items.

The advantage of this arrangement is that the items of cutlery may be secured together, with the smaller items housed between them, and when the items of cutlery are removed from a package, the smaller items run less risk of falling on the floor.

Various preferred features and embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures la, lb and lc show top, bottom and side views respectively of one embodiment according to the present invention of the knife; Figures 2a, 2b and 2c show similar views of one embodiment of the fork; and Figures 3a, 3b and 3c show similar views of one embodiment of the spoon.

Referring to the drawings one embodiment of the set comprises a knife 1, a fork 2, a spoon 3, a stirring device (not shown) and a toothpick (not shown).

A set of cutlery according to one embodiment of the present invention can be assembled in the following manner. A spoon 3 is placed face upwards. A stirring device and/or a toothpick may each be seated in a recess 3a in the handle 3b of the spoon 3. A knife 1 is then joined to the spoon 3. The spoon 3 and the knife 1 are joined together by snap fitting, the knife 1 being provided with sockets la at each end, and the spoon 3 being provided with complementary studs 3c. A fork 2 is then joined to the knife 1 in similar manner. The assembly comprising knife 1, fork 2 and spoon 3 with the stirring device and/or toothpick housed therein can then conveniently be put into a plastic bag (not shown) for storage.

In use, the plastic bag is opened and the assembly can be removed and placed on the meal table. The assembly can then be separated into its component parts for use.

It will be appreciated that there is little risk of the separate items falling on the floor.

Claims

1. A set of cutlery in which the items of cutlery are provided with securing means to enable them to be releasably secured to one another.

2. A set of cutlery according to claim 1 in which, all the items of cutlery are provided with such securing means, so that all the items contained within the package emerge from the package as a single unit, and the items may be then separated from one another on the meal table.

3. A set of cutlery according to claim 1, wherein all the items of cutlery are releasable secured to one another to form a single unit, which is separated into component items for use.

4. A set of cutlery according to any preceding claim, wherein the items of cutlery are releasably secured to one another by means of co-operating sockets and studs.

5. A set of cutlery in which one or more items of cutlery are so shaped that when secured to one another they define a chamber for containing smaller items.

6. A set of cutlery substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.