GB2465711A

GB2465711A - Handheld utensil

Info

Publication number: GB2465711A
Application number: GB1003840A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Marcus Colby Berry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-07-24
Filing date: 2010-03-09
Publication date: 2010-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 2030-03-09
Also published as: GB0912943D0; GB2465711B; GB201003840D0

Abstract

A hand held item, usually a toothbrush 6, has two interconnected portions 6,4 one of which is a tube 4, open at both ends, and attached circumferentially around a handle of the hand held item 6, which may feature a bifurcated engagement portion (42,fig.3). A circumferential gap between the tube 4 and handle 6, permits fluid generated during use of the item to pass between tube 4 and handle 6, so that a grippable portion of the tube does not become wet during use. The item may alternately be a piece of cutlery or some other tool. The arrangement may aide the gripping of hand held items by persons with gripping problems, such as those with arthritis.

Description

Ergonomic utensils with improved handles

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to utensils with improved handles.

Problems to be solved A specific problem that the invention seeks to solve is the holding of utensils such as toothbrushes, wet razors and cutlery, espedally for those with arthritis, conditions of the joints or hands which are weak or weakened for any other reason. When brushing one's teeth with a toothbrush or cutting with a knife, the ability to exert force and to effectively control the tip of the implement from the handle, is a major factor in the efficiency and efficacy of the performance of the task. Providing a way of making those tasks easier will be of great benefit to the user.

More generally, tasks such as eating and more especially brushing of the teeth produce effluent from the mouth. In conventional handheld utensils, which tend to be of a beam shape, the effluent will travel down the central beam and onto the user's hand. This can be unpleasant and messy, as well as detracting from the grip the person has on the utensil.

Where the brusher or cutter is arthritic, the presence of saliva, toothpaste or food on a handle may cause grip to lessen, thereby rendering the task more difficult or impossible to do or do with precision or force. If both the problem of effluent flow and the problem of grip could be solved in the same invention then that would make the invention doubly useful.

A satisfactory solution will likely involve a handle of enlarged diameter; however, the full life-cycle of the device needs to be considered wherein such a handle embodies more raw materials and energy than a conventional beam-shaped handheld utensil. In the case of a toothbrush, it will be the bristles that will wear-out much sooner than the handle itself and require replacing, so it is important to design a solution that is embracing of environmental concerns and not wasteful of resources.

Prior Art

Examples of prior art can be found of attempts at resolving the problem of effluent flowing onto the gripping area of a toothbrush, but it can be reasonably argued that they have failed to adequately address the problem without simultaneously introducing new problems which are notably worse than the original problem. Hence no commercial application has been found for these disclosures and an opportunity awaits a more ingenious and consumer-oriented solution.

The principal problem with prior art relating to handle adaptors designed to prevent effluent from interfering with the gripping area of a toothbrush or suchlike is that they either intentionally or unintentionally trap the effluent. DE 202006008479 Ui is an example of prior art that falls squarely within this category. Since the effluent from toothbrushing is especially unhyglenic if allowed to dry and accumulate within the chamber or collar of a hollow handle adaptor, this is an extremely undesirable outcome notwithstanding its general unpleasantness. Furthermore, a toothbrush ought to be self-cleaning simply by holding it under a running tap for a few seconds.

Any so-called solution that requires the user to perform a tricky or lengthy task in order to clean-out the device on a regular basis does not represent an advantage to the user or to the field in general. DE 202006008479 Ui is a case in point, wherein the handle consists of two half-shells that must be broken apart by the user following use so that the collected effluent may be deaned out. There are further intrinsic design errors in DE 202006008479 Ui which make it unsuitable for commercial application that I shall come to describe shortly.

The preferred solution of the present invention is that of a handle and tool I utensil combination wherein the handle has a tubular form and the utensil projects from within the handle whilst providing a circumferential gap between the two which is aqua-dynamic and encourages the flow of effluent into and through the chamber and out through the chamber's exit., diverting It away from the gripping area of the handle in the process. The achievement and chief novelty of the present invention lies in the design of the aqua-dynamic characteristics of the handle / tool combination. It will be known to creators of prior art In this field that dimensional constraints constitute the main challenge: the handle portion ought not to be any bigger in circumference than a large screwdnver otherwise it will be uncomfortable to hold and manoeuvre. In turn, this constrains the diameter of the hollow chamber running through it from end to end, which in turn constrains the circumference of the tool to be inserted within whilst maintaining a circumferential gap between the two. The tool must not be susceptible to breaking or bending under the typical load of toothbrushing (or other task relevant to the utensil in question) though and therefore cannot be below a certain critical diameter at critical points along its length espedally where it is anthored to the handle. Thus the combination of these factors leaves quite a small envelope In which to develop the circumferential gap which must be so sized and shaped as to allow effluent -which is viscous -to freely pass through the chamber and this flow of effluent, in turn, must not be significantly impeded by the connecting or anchoring mechanism between the tool and the handle.

DE 202006008479 Ui is designed as a handle adaptor' into which "commercially available' toothbrushes would be inserted. Therein lays a fundamental conceptual flaw: the majority of toothbrushes commercially available nowadays, feature such highly variable and exotic handles as to be wholly unsuitable for use in conjunction with such a generic handle adaptor'. Hence, toothbrushes that are smaller in section than the optimum for such an adaptor would tend to significantly move about, and would evenwork themselves loose entirely whilst the tool is in use, and as a consequence presents a potential hazard while brushing teeth that could lead to damage of the mouth and gums. Also, toothbrushes with handles larger in cross-section will be difficult or even impossible to clamp in. The manufacturing of this handle adaptor incorporating a plurality of inwards-facing projections or lobes, whose purpose is the clamping and gripping of a wide variety of toothbrush handles is likely to be both complex and costly in relation to the value to the end-user. And this clamping system presents a further problem in that even a commercially available toothbrush with a handle of optimum size and shape for the adaptor will tend to move about in relation to the handle adaptor itself because the projections are, by definition, flexible, and the utensil is held in place by pressure -a pressure that can easily be overcome by manual force.

These deficiencies also apply to the primary embodiment of DE2610663 (as disclosed in Fig 1 and Fig 2 of DE2610663), which is a strikingly similar device to DE202006008479 Ui -albeit designed for use with hardware tools, not toothbrushes. In said primary embodiment of DE2610663, movement of the tool clamped within the handle's flexible projections is a fundamental objective of the design, rather than an unfortunate consequence, which just proves that such a system is wholly incompatible with the objectives defined above. Hence, another way must be found to provIde a suitable circumferential gap within the given constraints -that requires an innovative step.

Whilst the disdosure of DE202006008479 provides a holder for pre-existing toothbrushes, which it holds within a hollow chamber; this present invention discloses a handle and utensil combination, which either forms part of a handle-attachment pair, or comprises a part of an integrally formed utensil. Such a solution is not only elegant and effective but also meets the aesthetic preferences of the contemporary consumer.

Summary of the invention

In a first broad, independent aspect, the invention comprises a handheld utensil, comprising an elongate hollow body which in use is held by the user, a separate utensil portion, and means for releaseably attaching the utensil portion and the hollow body together so that the one projects from the other, wherein the hollow body is tubular having a chamber running along the length of the body from a first end of the hollow body to a second opposite end of the hollow body, said hollow body being open at both ends.

The elongate hollow body advantageously allows effluent to flow through it by means of an aqua-dynamic circumferential gap between it and the inserted utensil portion thus avoiding contact between the effluent and the user's hand. And it allows the effluent to be directed In a single desired direction -in the case of a toothbrush, into an awaiting sink or bowl. This is only possible because the hollow body is open at both ends and by virtue of the fact that the perimeter surface of the inserted utensil Is free from obstructions designed to attach it to the hollow body.

The hollow body is furthermore tubular in shape with an enlarged diameter, allowing in preferred embodiments for ease of grip by the hand of the user, particulatly in cases where the user has a weak, damaged or arthritic hand, and permits the device to be used comfortably in a plurality of rotational positions relative to the hand, for more thorough brushing.

Where the utensil is a toothbrush and the user has a weakened hand, clearly the diverting of the effluent also serves to increase gripping in a significant manner.

In a first subsidiary aspect, the Invention further comprises at least one beam, the beam running along at least 10% of the tubular chamber, and extending from a first side of the thamber towards a second substantially opposite second side of said chamber.

The beam feature has two key advantages. First it serves as a means of reinforcing the tube.

Second, it provides a component of the preferred means of attaching the utensil portion to the hollowed body in a way that dispenses with the traditional system of plug & socket', wherein the shank or neck of the utensil portion contacts with the handle along its full length. This is discussed in more detail in the detailed description.

In a second subsidiary aspect the utensil portion comprises a head and a neck, the neck having a bifurcated portion, said bifurcated portion defining a recess and being so proportioned that when placed in the recess, the beam forms a frictional fit with the recess, said bifurcation and said beam thereby comprising the attachment means.

The bifurcation of the neck feature also forms a component of the attachment. It is advantageous because such a fit is cheap and simple; this simplicity is also one of the key factors in making the handheld utensil self-cleaning. Also, the frictional fit may be broken by most users -leading to the quick and easy changing over of utensil portions.

In a third subsidiary aspect the beam is affixed to both a first and a second side of the chamber.

The fixing of the beam to both sides of the thamber is advantageous because it provides a strong form of reinforcement, particularly In cases where said beam is situated so that it crosses the middle of the chamber.

In a fourth subsidiary aspect, the leading edge of the beam is rounded by fillets.

The rounding of the leading edge is advantageous in promoting the flow of effluent around the sides of the beam as well as in assisting with the spreading of the tines of the utensil portion during attachment.

In a fifth subsidiary aspect, the hollow body has a substantially triangular cross-section.

The triangular cross section is exceedingly advantageous because it provides in the angles of its corners means of directing effluent along a given channel. Again this will be discussed in more

detail in the description.

In a sixth subsidiary aspect, the utensil portion has a substantially triangular cross-section in preferred embodiments.

In a seventh subsidiary aspect, the utensil portion is located within the hollow body off-centre, top of centre.

The top-of--centre alignment provides an advantage In preferred embodiments by increasing the flow of effluent along the base wall portion of the hollow chamber.

In an eighth subsidiary aspect, the utensil portion has a strategically positioned serpentine-shaped portion with an accompanying reduction In cross sectional area.

The strategically positioned serpentine portion and reduction in cross sectional area is extremely advantageous In increasing the area of circumferential gap at the mouth of the chamber where effluent will enter.

In a ninth subsidiary aspect, the hollow body Is tapered.

The tapering of the hollowed body again provides means of directing the effluent to move in a given direction and in a more speedy fashion, and is especially advantageous when flushing out under a flowing tap after brushing.

In an tenth subsidiary aspect, the hollow body further comprises a projection extending from one end of said body.

In a eleventh subsidiary aspect the projection is tapered.

The projection -and more so the tapered projection -further allows for the speedier and precise disposal of effluent during the operation of the given utensil, directing the effluent away from the palm or wrist of the user, and provides for unimpeded drip-draining when the utensil is stored upright on its base after use.

In a twelfth subsidiary aspect the utensil is a toothbrush or a wet-razor.

As mentioned in the foregoing paragraphs a toothbrush in particular utilises the advantages of the hollow bodied handle, providing as it does an easy to grip large scale holding portion with a means of directing effluent such as toothpaste foam, comprising water, saliva and toothpaste away from the hand.

In a thirteenth subsidiary aspect, the utensil portion is suspended within the hollow body without the aid of frictional elements that contact with the perimeter surface of the utensil portion, providing for an aquadynamic circumferential gap between the utensil portion and the hollow body.

This is crucial in aiding the through-flow of effluent, as well as making the interior of the body significantly easier to clean by flushing-out under a running tap than in examples of holders where the utensil portion forms a frictional or similar fit with an aperture or similar in its body or handle portion, or examples of prior art wherein there are frictional elements that contact with the perimeter surface of the utensil portion.

In a second broad independent aspect, the invention comprises an elongate hollow body which in use is held by the user, wherein the hollow body is tubular having a chamber running along the length of the body from a first end of the hollow body to a second opposite end of the hollow body, said hollow body being open at both ends and further comprising at least one beam, the beam running along at least 10% of the tubular chamber, and extending from a first side of the chamber towards a second substantially opposite second side of said chamber.

In a third broad independent aspect, the invention comprises a utensil portion of a resilientjy deformable material comprising a head and a neck, the neck having a bifurcated end comprising two tines and a recess, each tine having a terminal portion and an elongate portion, the terminal portion being of a greater thickness than the elongate portion.

In a first subsidiary aspect of the third broad independent aspect, the bifurcation runs along between 20% and 65% of the length of the neck.

Iii a fourth broad independent aspect, the invention comprises a handheld utensil, comprising an elongate hollow body which in use is held by the user, and a utensil portion, wherein the hollow body is tubular having a chamber running along the length of the body from a first end of the hollow body to a second opposite end of the hollow body, said hollow body being open at both ends, and providing an aqua-dynamic circumferential gap between the utensil portion and the hollow body, the hollow body and the utensil portion being of a single piece.

The invention also comprises a handheid utensil, an elongate hollow body and a utensil portion substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by any appropriate combination of the accompanying drawings.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Brief description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a handheld utensil embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side view of the handle of figure 1, holding a toothbrush attachment.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional plan view of the handle, holding the toothbrush attachment.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional front view of the handle of the invention, holding the toothbrush attachment.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional side view of the handle of the invention, holding the toothbrush attachment.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein the utensil portion is affixed to the handle portion as part of the manufacturing process and not therefore releasable. It also embodies a variant characterised by a reduced beam portion only io affixed to one side of the hollow chamber.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a spoon utensil embodying the invention.

Detailed descriotion of the Dreferred embodiments At Figure 1 there is a handheld utensil generally indicated at 2. The handheld utensil 2 comprises two major parts: an elongate hollow body 4 and a utensil portion 6. The elongate body 4 is hollow having walls 8 defining a chamber 10. The hollow body 4 is tubular and in this embodiment has a substantially triangular cross-section 12 or gully. The utensil portion 6 has a substantially smaller cross section than that of the waIls 8 of hollow body 4, providing for a circumferential gap 30 between the two bodies (shown to better advantage in Fig's 3 & 4). The base wall 14 (i.e. the one in a substantially planar relationship with the tips of the bristles 16 of utensil portion 6, which in this embodiment is a toothbrush) is the longest of the three walls 8 forming the triangular cross-section 12. The corners 18 of the cross-section 12 are rounded and the cross-section 12 is in this embodiment of a roughly equilateral variety. The cross section is angled, with the result that in this embodiment, the corner 18, which in use is the top corner or apex, lies on a plane behind the head 20 of the utensil portion 6, juts out beyond the other corners 8 (best seen in Fig 2.). This serves the dual purpose of maximising the efficiency of the channelling of effluent from the utensil portion 6, while following the contours of the hand of the user.

Elongate body 4 comprises a single piece of integral construction because it is open at both ends it may easily be washed out. Advantageously no germs can inhabit joins which would exist where the elongate body 4 was not a single piece construction. Also a single integrally formed piece makes it stronger. A two piece moulding may also be used, the pieces being bonded together and supplied as a single piece.

Inside chamber 10 can be seen a portion of beam 22. Beam 22 rises from the middle of base wall 14 and into contact with the recess 44 (visible in Fig 3) between tines 42 (visible in Fig 3) of utensil portion 6. In some embodiments (not shown) it meets the apex 50 of the cross section 12.

The handheld utensil 2 is shown In use being gripped by hand 26 (not part of the invention) of a user. A variety of grip portions 28 has been designed. Here, there are two rows of studs 80, and formation 82 which comprises concentric ellipses of alternately raised and recessed material.

These recesses and features are advantageously integrally formed, preferably as an elastomeric overmold to the hollow body 4. Not visible in this embodiment is the grip under the user's thumb, which may comprise studs or other raised details, or recesses from a selection to be chosen by the skilled man.

Each of elongate body 4 and utensil portion 6 may be made of a polymeric material.

At Figure 2 the shape of elongate body 4 is more clearly apparent, tapering as it does from a widest point to each end but particularly to the end terminating in projection 34. This projection, tail or quill 34 comprises a means of effectively channelling effluent away from the users palm or wrist and down into a disposal unit from the chamber 10, as wellas providing a suitable gap for enabling drainage to continue unimpeded when the utensil is stored upright on its tail after use.

The projection 34 is relatively blunt in this embodiment.

This embodiment of the invention is of a single piece construction, in contrast with the example shown at Figure 1, which is of two pieces.

Figure 3 shows a handheld utensil 2 comprising an elongate body 4 and utensil portion 6.

Chamber 10 contains beam 22 which has a rounded leading edge 23. Beam 22 extends along the length of the chamber 10 but stops short of either first chamber end 38 or second chamber end 40. Also clearly visible is the bifurcation of utensil portion 6 into two tines 42 forming a recess 44.

The recess 44 of utensil portion 6 is a frictional fit with beam 22. Such a fit may be effected for example by making the utensil portion 6 out of a resiliently deformable plastics material. Tines 42 are thicker at their ends 46 than at their elongate portions 48 and are tapered so as to encourage the tines 42 to spread either side of beam 22 when the utensil portion 6 is pushed against leading edge 23 during attachment. The small gap 100 allows for a effective snap fit of the elongate body 4 and utensil portion 6, when utensil portion 6 is fully inserted.

At Figure 4 the nature of the connection between elongate body 4 and utensil portion 6 is clear.

Beam 22 runs from base wall 14 to the apex 50 of first and second adjoining walls 52 and 54. In this embodiment beam 22 is lodged in but separate from the material of waUs 8; in other embodiments the beam 22 will be part of an integral moulding with the utensil portion 6 and joined to walls 8 during manufacture. Beam 22 (here shown in cross section) has wider portion 56 around which in this embodiment the tines 42 are shaped to fit i.e. seen from this view each tine exhibits an elongate trench 58 occupied by said wider portion. The offsethng to top-of-centre of utensil portion 6 relative to hollow body 4 is shown to advantage, illustrating the increase in circumferential gap 30 between the underside of utensil portion 6 and base wall 14 of elongate body 4, base wall 14 being the main carrying wall for the effluent (not shown) subjected to gravity during use. Elastomeric overmold 28 can be seen completely encircling elongate body 4.

At Figure 5 the nature of the offset of utensil portion 6 relative to the longitudinal axis of elongate body 4 is further clarified. A serpentine portion with diminishing cross-sectional area 62 is strategically incorporated into the neck 24 of utensil 6 so that when fully inserted, the amount of circumferential gap 30 is increased between the top-side of utensil portion 6 and corner 18 at the apex 50 of hollow body 4.

At Figure 6 there is a utensil portion 70 of an alternative embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the beam is an integrally formed part of the utensil portion, which here again is a toothbrush. As part of the manufacturing process the integrated utensil and beam 70 wIll be permanently attached to elongate body 4 by encasing the beam portion 72 within elongate body 4 in the same manner that beam 22 is encased within elongate body 4 in previously described embodiments, thereby resulting in a fixed, single-piece construction.

At Figure 7 there is an alternative embodiment of an integrated beam and utensil portion 70 which here is a spoon.

The system described in the forgoing paragraphs is useful in that utensil portion 6 may be provided with different heads, including for example wet-razors, gardening tools, eating utensils, cooking utensils and other such handheld implements. These may readily be swapped with the result that the single elongate body 4 may be used as a handle for a variety of different tasks.

Although the embodiments described here are for a two-piece detachable and re-attachable construction and a single piece construction, it is envisaged there will be examples where a single attachment may take place followed by permanent locking of beam 22 to recess 44. Non-inventive alternatives to the locking means illustrated will be known to the man skilled in the art.

It is envisaged that a single utensil handle may be used for a variety of a purposes, and may be sold in a kit with a variety of utensil portions bearing distinctive heads designed for specific tasks.

In the case of toothbrushing, Interchangeable utensil portions allows for the possibility of a single handle to be used by the whole family, each member of which will have his or her own detachable utensil portion.

The invention has application generally in domestic contexts. The skilled man will find further suitable utensils to which application of the handle will be beneficial.

Claims

CLAIMS1 A handheld utensil, comprising: a). an elongate hollow body with a gripping portion that in use is held by the user, wherein the hollow body is tubular having a chamber running along the length of the body from a first end of the hollow body to a second opposite end of the hollow body, said hollow body being open at both ends.b). a separate, compatible utensil portion, such as a toothbrush, razor, eating utensil or similar.C). a circumferential gap between the utensil portion and the hollow body at the first end of the chamber where effluent will enter, the circumferential gap either continuing for the entire length of the chamber, or reducing to a partial circumferential gap via a transition further along the chambers length, said circumferential gap having aqua-dynamic properties by virtue of the absence of frictional nodes that contact with the perimeter surface of the utensil portion.d). a means for releasably attaching the utensil portion within the chamber of the hollow body so that one projects from the other and wherein there is no permissible independent movement of the utensil portion in relation to the hollow body or vice versa once fully inserted.
2 A handheld utensil according to claim 1 further comprising at least one beam, the beam running along at least 10% of the tubular chamber, and extending from a first side of the chamber towards a second substantially opposite second side of said chamber.
3 A handheld utensil according to claim 2 whereIn the utensil portion comprises a head and a neck, the neck having a bifurcated portion, said bifurcated portion defining a recess and being so proportioned that when placed in the recess, the beam forms a frictional fit with the recess, said bifurcation and said beam thereby comprising the attachment means.
4 A handheld utensil according to any of the preceding claims wherein the beam is affixed to both a first and a second side of the chamber.
A handheld utensil according to any of the preceding claims wherein the beam is affixed to only a first side of the chamber.
6 A handheld utensil according to any of the preceding claims wherein the hollow body has a substantially triangular cross-section.
7 A handheld utensil according to any of the preceding claims wherein the hollow body Is tapered.
8 A handheld utensil according to any of the preceding claims wherein the hollow body further comprises a projection extending from one end of said body.
9 A handheld utensil according to claim 8 wherein the projection is tapered.
A handheld utensil according to any of the preceding claims wherein the utensil is a toothbrush.
11 An elongate hollow body which in use is held by the user, wherein the hollow body is tubular having a chamber running along the length of the body from a first end of the hollow body to a second opposite end of the hollow body, said hollow body being open at both ends and further comprising at least one beam, the beam running along at least 10% of the tubular chamber, and extending from a first side of the chamber towards a second substantially opposite second side of said chamber 12 A utensil portion of a resiliently deformable material comprising a head and a neck, the neck having a bifurcated end comprising at least two tines and a recess, each tine having a terminal portion and an elongate portion, the terminal portion being of a greater thickness than the elongate portion.13 A utensil portion according to claim 12 wherein the bifurcation runs along between 20% and 65% of the length of the neck.14 A handheld utensil, comprising an elongate hollow body which in use is held by the user, and a utensil portion, wherein the hollow body is tubular having a chamber running along the length of the body from a first end of the hollow body to a second opposite end of the hollow body, said hollow body being open at both ends, the hollow body and the utensil portion being of a single piece and wherein a circumferential gap is provided between the utensil portion and the hollow body at the first end of the chamber where effluent will enter, said circumferential gap either continuing for the entire length of the chamber, or reducing to only a partial circumferential gap via a transition further along the chambers length.A handheld utensil substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by any appropriate combination of the accompanying drawings.16 An elongate hollow body substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by any appropriate combination of the accompanying drawings.17 A utensil portion substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by any appropriate combination of the accompanying drawings.