GB2512090A

GB2512090A - An item of cutlery

Info

Publication number: GB2512090A
Application number: GB201305078A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kathryn Baldry-Chourio
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-03-20
Filing date: 2013-03-20
Publication date: 2014-09-24
Anticipated expiration: 2033-03-20
Also published as: GB201305078D0; GB2512090B

Abstract

A knife, fork or spoon has a cutlery head attached to a proximal end of an elongate handle. The handle is in the approximate form of a prolate spheroid with the faces of approximate triangular orientation with respect to each other. The handle three faces each comprise an indentation adapted to accommodate a portion of a digit of a user, for training in adoption of a tri grip.

Description

AN ITEM OF CUTLERY

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to item of cutlery, more particularly but not exclusively item of cutlery that helps form and train the grip used by children,

Background

It is recognised that children and in some cases, adults with disabilities, find it difficult to learn and to use the conventional way of holding cutlery. Cutlery having handles adapted to guide, train and assist the adoption of the so named fri grip', in which all of the thumb, the first finger and the second finger are in contact with the handle in positions appropriate for the conventional ways of using each item of cutlery, would have practical and commercial use. Specific configurations and designs of the handles are necessary, which preferably differ between each of a knife, a spoon and a fork. In the prior art, attempts have been made to design cutlery to assist handling, but none has made provision adequately to guide and assist use of the tn-grip. The present invention aims to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art cutlery.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: JP2004249042 discloses items of cutlery adapted to solve a problem that an existing spoon or fork is difficult for an infant to grip correctly, much less firmly by his/her clumsy hand. In the spoon or fork for children, the middle of a handle part 1 is made to swell in the shape of a mountain, and the swollen part of the handle is dented in arcs projecting inward so that the thumb and the index finger abut on the dented parts and also dented in an arcprojecting inward so that the middle finger abuts on a lower part of the handle part. A user can easily hold the spoon or fork in the correct way as in the case of holding chopsticks or a pencil, so that a child, especially infant, can learn the correct way of using the spoon or fork in a short period of time and can practice holding chopsticks.

US5975909 discloses a utensil kit with a knife, spoon and two forks and method particularly for training adolescents to hold eating utensils correctly and in the a proper eating position where each of the utensils includes a contoured gripping portion formed over the utensil handle adapted to receive and register fingers and the thumb in color coded grooves corresponding to the proper position for the respective eating utensil and to enhance hand comfort when the utensil is being held and manipulated according to proper etiquette.

In contrast the present invention provides a means of promoting standardised three digit use of cutlery.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an item of cutlery comprising a cutlery head selected from a knife blade, a tined projection and the head of a spoon, in which said cutlery head is attached td a proximal end of an elongate handle, the handle being arranged such that the longitudinal axis of the handle leads to said cutlery head and in which the handle has a substantially triangular cross-sectional profile, and in which the handle comprises three faces each comprising an indentation adapted to accommodate a portion 01 a digit of a user.

In preferred embodiments the faces are joined by curved portions having curvature substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Preferably the handle is in the form of a prolate spheroid having curvature along the direction of its longitudinal axis and three faces substantially triangularly opposed formed in the surface of the spheroid.

Preferably the item of cutlery is formed to define an orientation having an upper and a lower side, the upper side being defined as adjacent to one of the upper edge of* the knife blade, a major surface of the tined projection or the concave face Of the spoon, and wherein the curvature along the longitudinal axis is convex with respect td the upper side of the item.

In preferred embodiments the curvature is such that at least a portion of each end of the handle comes into contact with a surface when placed on the surface while the centre portion of the handle lies above the surface.

In this way the item of cutlery presents curved surfaces in a cross-sectional direction relative to the longitudinal axis, and along the longitudinal axis itself, so as to fit comfortably within the hand of the user. The cutlery presents three faces imposed on the curvature of the handle, each face having a indentation to receive and guide fingers or the thumb of the user. The user is thereby assisted to hold the item of cutlery in a comfortable and usable way. This is useful in particular for small children and others who have difficulty in holding and using cutlery. The indentations formed within the faces are shaped and positioned so as to assist the user in adopting a comfortable and secure tn-grip' that allows the item of cutlery to be used in the conventional way, as will be described in more detail below.

In particular the indentations make it uncomfortable or difficult for the cutlery not to be held in the conventional way therefore aiding in providing guidance for users to hold cutlery in the conventional way. For example it may be uncomfortable to hold the knife in the left hand as it is typically dimensioned for use in the right hand.

It will be understood that in preferred embodiments by reference to faces is meant substantial orientations of a continuously curved body, the faces being recognised by regions of larger radius of curvati.jre and the body having ridge regions separating the faces of smaller radius of curvature.

In some embodiments the faces are substantially planar, having indentations formed within them as described herein, and the ridge regions are substantially in the form of edges, preferably having a small radius of curvature.

In preferred embodiments one or more faces may extend substantially all, or most of the distance from the proximal to the distal end of the handle.

In preferred embodiments a faces may be shorter than the two other faces, the region of the handle outside the shorter face being continuously convexly curved between the other two faces.

In some embodiments as described below the item of cutlery is a knife adapted for use in a user's right hand.

In a preferred embodiment the item of cutlery comprises a knife blade and the curvature along the longitudinal axis is in a plane substantially parallel to the knife blade.

Preferably the item of cutlery comprises a knife blade and the handle comprises: a first face provided on the. upper side of the handle substantially oriented perpendicularly to the plane of the blade and adjacent to the top of the blade, and a first indentation formed in the first face; a second face on the lower left side of the handle relative to the axis from the distal end of the handle towards the proximal end, and a indentation formed in the second face, and a third face on the lower right side of the handle, and a indentation formed in the second face, the three faces being substantially triangularly opposed to one another.

Preferably the item of cutlery comprises a knife blade and the first indentation extends from a starting position adjacent to the proximal end of the handle towards the distal end of the handle and the second and the third indentations extend from a starting position distal of the starting position of the first indentation towards the distal end of the handle.

In a preferred embodiment the item of cutlery comprises a knife blade and the first indentation extends from a starting position adjacent to the proximal end of the handle towards the distal end of the handle; the second indentation extends from a starting position distal of the starting position of the first indentation towards the distal end of the handle, and the third indentation extends from a starting position distal of the starting position of the second indentation towards the distal end of the handle.

In preferred embodiments the indentations are shaped and positioned so as to accommodate and receive the index finger of a user in the first, upper indentation, the thumb in the second lower left side indentation and the second finger in the third lower right side indentation.

In this way the item of cutlery, such as for example a knife is formed so as to guide the adoption of a conventional holding position for the right hand of the user.

In some embodiments as described below the item of cutlery is a fork adapted for use in a user's left hand.

In a preferred embodiment the item of cutlery comprises a tined projection in the manner of a fork and the curvature along the long axis is in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the tines.

Preferably the item of cutlery comprises a tined projection and the handle comprises: a first face provided on the upper side of the handle arranged to be substantially oriented parallel to the plane of the tines, and a first indentation formed in the first face; a second face on the lower left side of the handle relative to the axis from the distal end of the handle towards the proximal end, and a indentation formed in the second face; and a third face on the lower right side of the handle, and a indentation formed in the second face; and in which the three faces are substantially triangularly opposed to one another.

Preferably the item of cutlery comprises a tined projection and the first indentation extends from a starting position adjacent to the proximal end of the handle towards the distal end of the handle and the second and third indentations extend from a starting position distal of the starting position of the first indentation towards the distal end of the handle.

Preferably the item of cutlery comprises a tined projection and the first indentation extends from a starting position adjacent to the proximal end of the handle towards the distal end of the handle; the third indentation extends from a starting position distal of the starting position of the first indentation towards the distal end of the handle, and the second indentation extends from a starting position distal of the starting position of the third indentation towards the distal end of the handle.

In preferred embodiments the indentations are shaped and positioned so as to accommodate and receive the index finger of a user in the first, upper indentation, the second finger in the second, lower left side indentation and the thumb in the third, lower right side indentation.

In this way the item of cutlery, for example a fork, is formed so as to guide the adoption of a conventional holding position for the left hand of the user.

In preferred embodiments the fork prongs may be shorter than standard fork prongs, typically being less that 20mm and preferably less than 15mm. In this way the fork may be easier for the user to handle, in particular amount of food which can be loaded on the fork is limited and the prongs are prevented from being pushed too far into mouth.

Preferably the prongs are substantially parallel projections or having parallel axes, with pointed ends so as to spear food wherein the ends are rounded so as not to be sharp.

In a preferred embodiment the item of cutlery comprises a spoon head comprising a recessed form having a rim and the curvature along the long axis is in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the rim.

In some embodiments as described below the item of cutlery is a spoon adapted for use by a right-handed user.

Preferably the item of cutlery comprises a spoon head and the handle comprises: a first face provided on the lower side of the handle arranged to be substantially oriented parallel to the plane of the rim, and a first indentation formed in the first face; a second face on the upper left side of the handle relative to the axis from the distal end of the handle towards the proximal end, and a indentation formed in the second face; and a third face on the upper right side of the handle, and a indentation formed in the second face; and in which the three faces are substantially triangularly opposed to one another.

Preferably the item of cutlery comprises a spoon head and the third indentation extends from a starting position adjacent to the proximal end of the handle towards the distal end of the handle and the first and second indentations each extend from a starting position distal of the starting position of the third indentation towards the distal end of the handle.

In a preferred embodiment the starting position of the first and the starting position of the second indentation are substantially at the same distance from the proximal end of the handle.

Preferably the item of cutlery comprises a spoon head and the third indentation extends from a starting position adjacent to the proximal end of the handle towards the distal end of the handle; the first indentation extends from a starting position distal of the starting position of the third indentation towards the distal end of the handle, and the second indentation extends from a starling position distal of the starting position of the first indentation towards the distal end of the handle.

In preferred embodiments the indentations are shaped and positioned so as to accommodate and receive the index finger of a right-handed user in the third, upper right indentation, the thumb in the second, upper left side indentation and the second finger in the first, lower side indentation.

In this way the spoon is formed so as to guide the adoption of a conventional holding position for the right hand of the user, with the spoon handle held in a pen-like grip with the thumb and index finger opposed on the upper left and upper right sides of the handle respectively and the lower face of the handle resting on the second finger.

In some embodiments as described below the item of cutlery is a spoon adapted for.

use by a left-handed user.

Preferably the item of cutlery comprises a spoon head and the handle comprises: a first face provided on the lower side of the handle substantially oriented parallel to the plane of the rim, and a first indentation formed in the first face; a second face on the upper left side of the handle relative to the axis from the distal end of the handle towards the proximal end, and a indentation formed in the second face, and a third face on the upper right side of the handle, and a indentation formed in the second face, the three faces being substantially triangularly opposed to one another.

Preferably the item of cutlery comprises a spoon head and the second indentation extends from a starting position adjacent to the proximl end of the handle towards the distal end of the handle; the first indentation extends from a starting position distal of the starting position of the second indentation towards the distal end of the handle, and the third indentation extends from a starting position distal of the starting position of the first indentation towards the distal end of the handle.

In preferred embodiments the indentations are shaped and positioned so as to accommodate arid receive the index finger of a left-handed user in the second, upper left side indentation, the thumb in the third, upper right side indentation and the second finger in the first, lower side indentation.

In this way the spoon is formed so as to guide the adoption of a conventional holding position for the left hand of the user, with the spoon handle held in a pen-like grip with the thumb and index finger opposed on the upper right and upper left sides of the handle respectively and the lower face of the handle resting on the second finger.

In a preferred embodiment the three faces are disposed substantially evenly spaced around the circumference of the handle.

In a preferred embodiment the three faces are disposed substantially at an internal angle of 60 degrees to each other in a plane forming a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the handle.

In a further preferred embodiment the three faces are disposed at an internal angle between the first and the second plane in the range from approximately 45 degrees to approximately 75 degrees.

In preferred embodiments one or more indentations are provided with marking means to indicate which finger or thumb is placed in each indentation.

Preferably the marking means comprises paired marking means each one of the pair having a matching design, one of the pair being provided on a portion of a indentation and the other of the pair adapted to be mounted on a user's finger.

In a preferred embodiment the marking means comprises sticker means adapted to stick to one or both of a portion of a indentation and a user's finger.

In this way the correct finger to place into each indentation is readily indicated and the user is trained to use the item of cutlery in a conventional manner.

According to a further aspect the invention provides a cutlery set comprising a knife, a fork and a spoon each as described herein.

According to a further aspect the invention provides a method for training the use of cutlery comprising the step of providing one or more items of cutlery as described herein.

In preferred embodiments the method further comprises the step of providing one or more indentations with marking means arranged to indicate which finger or thumb is placed in each indentation.

Preferably the method further comprises the step of providing paired marking means each one of the pair having a matching design, one of the pair being provided on a portion of a indentation and the other of the pair being mounted on a user's finger In a preferred embodiment the method comprises the further step of providing sticker means on one oi both of a portion of an indentation and a user's finger or fingernail.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made.to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of FiQures

Figure la shows a right side view of an embodiment of a knife according to the invention Figure lb shows a top view of an embodiment of a knife as shown in figure is Figure ic shows a left side view of an embodiment of a knife as shown in figure la Figure id shows a three quarter view of an embodiment of a knife as shown in figure la Figure le shows a view of an embodiment of a knife as shown in figure la as it Figure 2a shows a right side view of an embodiment of a fork according to the invention Figure 2b shows a top view of an embodiment of a fork as shown in figure 2a Figure 2c shows a left side view of an embodiment of a fork as shown in figure 2a Figure 2d shows a three quarter view of an embodiment of a fork as shown in figure 2a Figure 2e shows a view of an embodiment of a fork as shown in figure 2a as it would be held by a user Figure 3a shows a right side view of an embodiment of a spoon according to the invention adapted for a right handed user Figure 3b shows a top view of an embodiment of a spoon as shown in figure 3a Figure 3c shows a left side view of an embodiment of a spoon as shown in figure 3a Figure 3d shows a three quarter view of an embodiment of a spoon as shown in figure 3a Figure 3e shows a view of an embodiment of a spoon as shown in figure 3a as it Figure 4a shows a right side view of an embodiment of a spoon according to the invention adapted for a left handed user Figure 4b shows a top view of an embodiment of a spoon as shown in figure 4a Figure 4c shows a left side view of an embodiment of a spoon as shown in figure 4a Figure 4d shows a three quarter view of an embodiment of a spoon as shown in figure 4a Figure 4e shows a view of an ethbodiment of a spoon as shown in figure 4a as it

Detailed Description of Figures

Referring to figures la -le, an embodiment 100 of a knife according to the invention comprising a knife blade 102, attached to a handle 104 at the proximal end 106, the handle being in the form of an elongated form having a long axis and curvature along the long axis, the handle having three faces substantially triangularly opposed and extending along the handle in the direction of the long axis. The handle comprises a first face 110 provided on the upper side of the handle substantially oriented perpendicularly to the plane of the blade and adjacent to the top of the blade, and a first indentation 112 formed in the first face, a second face 120 on the lower left side of the handle relative to the axis from the distal end of the handle towards the proximal end, and a indentation 122 formed in the second face, and a third face 130 on the lower right side of the handle, and a indentation 132 formed in the second face, the three faces being substantially triangularly opposed to one another, adapted to accommodate a portion of a digit within the indentation in use, and the faces being joined by curved portions having curvature substantially perpendicular to the long axis As shown in the figures the first indentation 112 extends from a starting position 114 adjacent to the proximal end 106 of the handle towards the distal end 108 of the handle; the second indentation 122 extends from a starting position 124 distal of the starting position 114 of the first indentation towards the distal end of the handle, and the third indentation 132 extends from a starting position 134 distal of the starting position 124 of the second indentation towards the distal end of the handle.

The indentations are shaped and positioned so as to accommodate and receive the index finger of a user in the first, upper indentation 112, the thumb in the second, lower left side indentation 122 and the second finger in the third, lower right side indentation 132.

In this way the knife is formed so as to guide the adoption of a conventional holding position for the right hand of the user.

Referring to figures 2a -2e, an embodiment 200 of a fork according to the invention comprising a tined projection 202, attached to a handle 204 at the proximal end 206, the handle being in the form of an elongated form having a long axis and curvature along the long axis, the handle having three faces substantially triangularly opposed and extending along the handle in the direction of the long axis. The handle comprises a first face 210 provided on the upper side of the handle substantially oriented perpendicularly to the plane of the blade and adjacent to the top of the blade, and a first indentation 212 formed in the first face, a second face 220 on the lower left side of the handle relative to the axis from the distal end of the handle towards the proximal end, and a indentation 222 formed in the second face, and a third face 230 on the lower right side of the handle, and a indentation 232 formed in the second face, the three faces being substantially triangularly opposed to one another, adapted to accommodate a portion of a digit within the indentation in use, and the faces being joined by curved portions having curvature substantially perpendicular to the long axis.

In this embodiment the first indentation 212 extends from a starting position 214 adjacent to the proximal end 206 of the handle towards the distal end 208 of the handle; the third indentation 232 extends from a starting position 234 distal of the starting position 214 of the first indentation towards the distal end of the handle, and the second indentation 222 extends from a starting position 224 distal of the starting position 234 of the third indentation towards the distal end of the handle.

In this way the fork is formed so as to guide the adoption of a conventional holding position for the left hand of the user.

Referring to figures 3a -3e, an embodiment 300 of a spoon according to the invention comprises a spoon head 302 comprising a recessed form having a rim 305 and the curvature along the long axis is in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the rim. The spoon head is attached to a handle 304 at the proximai end 306, the handle being in the form of an elongated form having a long axis and curvature along the long axis, the handle having a first face 310 provided on the lower side of the handle substantially oriented parallel to the plane of the rim, and a first indentation 312 formed in the first face, a second face 320 on the upper left side of the handle relative to the axis from the distal end of the handle towards the proximal end, and a indentation 322 formed in the second face, and a third face 330 on the upper right side of the handle, and a indentation 332 formed in the second face, the three faces being substantially triangularly opposed to one another, adapted to accommodate a portion of a digit within the indentation in use, and the faces being joined by curved portions having curvature substantially perpendicular to the long axis.

In some versions of this embodiment the starting position of the first and the starting position of the second indentation are substantially at the same distance from the proximal end of the handle.

In the embodiment shown in figures 3a -3e the third indentation 332 extends from a starting position 334 adjacent to the proximal end 306 of the handle towards the distal end 308 of the handle; the first indentation 312 extends from a starting position 314 distal of the starting position 334 of the third indentation towards the distal end of the handle, and the second indentation 322 extends from a starting position 324 distal of the starting position 314 of the first indentation towards the distal end of the handle.

In preferred embodiments the indentations are shaped and positioned so as to accommodate and receive the index finger of a right-handed user in the third, upper right indentation, the thumb in the second, upper left side indentation and the second linger in the first, lower side indentation.

Referring the figures 4a to 4e an embodiment 400 of a spoon adapted for use by a left-handed user.

The embodiment 400 is substantially as described for embodiment 300, but in this embodiment the second indentation 422 extends from a starting position 424 adjacent to the proximal end 406 of the handle towards the distal end 408 of the handle; the first indentation 412 extends from a starting position 414 distal of the starting position 424 of the second indentation towards the distal end of the handle, and the third indentation 432 extends from a starting position 434 distal of the starting position 414 of the first indentation towards the distal end of the handle.

In preferred embodiments the indentations are shaped and positioned so as to accommodate and receive the index finger of a left-handed user in the second, upper left side indentation, the thumb in the third, upper right side indentation and the second finger in the first, lower side indentation.

As will be seen from figures la to 4e, in this embodiment the three faces are disposed substantially evenly spaced around the circumference of the handle, such that they form an internal angle of 60 degrees to each other in a plane forming a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the handle.

It will be understood that one or more indentations are provided with marking means to indicate which finger or thumb is placed in each indentation.

Such marking means may comprise for example colour coding, the indentation being moulded in a different colour of plastic or comprising an insert of a different colour from the rest of the handle or from other inserts.

Such marking means may comprises stickers as described above, and the embodiments of the items of cutlery may be supplied together with a sheet of stickers adhesive to the material of the handle. The items of cutlery may be formed from materials as known in the art, such as a pressed metal blade, fork head and spoon head mounted in a moulded plastic handle, for example mounted in and attached within a recess or slot in the handle. The handle might be moulded around the metal component. Alternatively the *entire item may be moulded from one material for example the entire item may be moulded from plastic or metal, the knife blade, fork head and spoon head being formed from the same material and integral with the handle.

In a preferred version of the embodiments above a pressed stainless steel end is insert moulded into a handle formed from food grade melamine, silicone or polypropylene, all of which are dishwasher-safe and can be provided in a wide range of colours.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to indentations of any specific size or shape, and that the indentations may be provided in a range of sizes and shapes to suit different users. The items of cutlery might be provided in a range of sizes, for example smaller for children and larger for adults, for example adults with learning difficulty or difficultly in physically manipulating cutlery.

A printed an part perforated sheet of stickers as known in the art may be provided to be used with the items of cutlery, with pairs of stickers, one mounted on an indentation and the other on a user's finger or fingernail(s) to instruct which finger fits into which indentation.