GB2622769A

GB2622769A - Carrying case for cutlery

Info

Publication number: GB2622769A
Application number: GB2212279.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gould Kate
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-08-23
Filing date: 2022-08-23
Publication date: 2024-04-03
Also published as: GB202212279D0

Abstract

A carrying case 201 which may be narrow at centre and wider at ends for containing cutlery 303 which might also carry condiments, comprising of top 203 and bottom shell 202 which may be separate components or can be stackable; releasably closable and openable together through may be 180 degrees 301 using fastening means 312 with a keeper 313. The sealing means may be a flange (601, 602, fig 7) configured to mesh or may be a sprung clip closure (1904, 2011, fig 20) with latches (2012, fig 20). Further the two shells could be hinged together on one end 302. The bottom shell might further comprise location means for cutlery which may be an array of conical bosses (1402, fig 14) defining valleys (1404, fig 14) which might be integrally formed with the bottom shell. The carrying case may also be dish washable and / or have a magnet (1702, fig 17) attached. The case might be manufactured by process moulding in plastic material, including polypropylene, or bamboo resin. The case can further be carried in a pocket (1102, fig 11). The case’s top shell may be made from transparent material.

Description

Carrying case for cutlery

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a case configured to contain items of cutlery so as to facilitate easy carrying of said items in a pocket or bag, for example.

Backdround of the Invention At the present time there is a growing consciousness of health and safety particularly as regards the transmission of pathogens, pollutants and hazards to human health. This trend has been greatly exacerbated as a consequence of the worldwide Covid pandemic which started in 2020. The impact of the pandemic has been particularly keenly felt by certain industries and service providers. It is appreciated that foremost among these have been the catering and hospitality sectors, which have endured long periods of closure interspersed with all manner of onerous restrictions on working practices. Even when allowed to operate many venues including restaurants, cafes, pubs and events have encountered high levels of anxiety amongst their customers regarding the potential for infection.

As a consequence it has been found necessary for such operations to take as many additional precautions as possible in order to reassure the public and boost their trade.

It is common practice to take precautions including the provision of barrier screens, hand sanitiser, the wearing of face coverings where possible, clean air devices and careful management of customer flows including virus testing. However an additional concern has been raised concerning the potential for pathogens to be transmitted via restaurant cutlery. -1 -

As a consequence service providers have substituted regular cutlery with plastic or disposable alternatives that unfortunately also have an adverse impact on the environment to a greater or lesser degree The hospitality industry has made huge steps since 2011 in reducing the use of single use plastics including disposable cutlery. However the effects of the aforementioned Covid pandemic have reversed all the prior achievements in this respect of single use plastics in the bid to preserve health. Now there is a commitment by the industry to achieve net zero carbon by 2050, which includes ending the use of disposable cutlery.

High street retail outlets selling salads and other hot and cold pot meals are currently reliant on giving away disposable cutlery. Said disposable cutlery is often displayed in large containers where customers can handle multiple items representing a risk of them contaminating cutlery that other people will use.

Some outlets have chosen to withdraw all disposable cutlery meaning that unless customers carry their own eating implements they are forced to purchase hand held items such as sandwiches. A drawback however of said sandwiches for example is that these are often the least healthy option.

As has been pointed out patrons could bring their own cutlery. This would not only provide people with the security that they can protect their own health by using their own hygienically cleanable cutlery but it would also address the issue of using plastic, wood or bamboo all of which are carbon deficient through the manufacturing and disposable process.

As has already been demonstrated with the adoption of reusable cups the industry appears ready to introduce reusable cutlery. People are ready to change behaviour for the good of the environment and a suitable case for carrying cutlery would provide a solution to facilitate this.

However a number of problems are encountered with carrying around items of cutlery. -2 -

Firstly, said items of cutlery are generally carried in a pocket or handbag, for example. Because they are relatively long in shape with sharp points on knives and forks for example these have a tendency to work loose and escape through the bottom a stitched pocket and cause damage in doing so. There is also the possibility of personal injury for the same reasons, whether this is to the carrier or to others. In a restaurant, for example, there may be concerns on the part of the management about carrying knives around in what are public spaces. Furthermore, such managers may be concerned about public liability in case of injury.

Secondly, after knives, forks and spoons have been used these will have food detritus remaining on them which presents a problem for carrying in pockets and bags, for example. It is sometimes possible to wrap the items in a disposable napkin but this method is far from ideal where the cutlery can still readily escape.

Thirdly, after knives, forks and spoons have been used there is the corresponding risk of contamination by pathogens including viruses and bacteria.

It is an object of the invention to provide a substantially sealable carrying case which will contain items of both clean and used cutlery to and from eating establishments and the like.

Brief Description of the Fiqures

The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a restaurant table with a place setting complete with a first set of cutlery; Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of a carrying case for a set of cutlery in a closed condition; -3 -Figure 3 shows the carrying case in Figure 2 with items of cutlery in an open condition; Figure 4 shows the carrying case in Figure 3 with items of cutlery removed; Figure 5 shows the carrying case in Figures 3 and 4 with a second item of cutlery; Figure 6 shows a longitudinal section through the carrying case in Figures 2 to 5; Figure 7 shows a widthways cross section through the carrying case in Figures 2 to 6; Figure 8 shows a closer cross section through the hinge of the carrying case in Figures 2 to 7; Figure 9 shows a hanger on the carrying case in Figures 2 to 8; Figure 10 shows a restaurant table with a place setting complete with a second set of cutlery; Figure 11 shows the carrying case in Figures 2 to 8 being inserted into a jacket pocket; Figure 12 shows a second embodiment of a carrying case for a set of cutlery in an open condition; Figure 13 shows a widthways cross section through the carrying case in Figure 12; Figure 14 shows a third embodiment of a carrying case for a set of cutlery in an open condition; -4 -Figure 15 shows a widthways cross section through the carrying case in Figure 14; Figure 16 shows a fourth embodiment of a carrying case for a set of cutlery in an open condition; Figure 17 shows a fifth embodiment of a carrying case for a set of cutlery; Figure 18 shows a sixth embodiment of a carrying case for a set of cutlery; Figure 19 shows a seventh embodiment of a carrying case for a set of cutlery in a closed condition; Figure 20 shows the carrying case in Figure 19 with an item of cutlery in an open condition; Figure 21 shows a top plan view of the carrying case in Figures 19 and 20; Figure 22 shows a bottom plan view and end elevation of the carrying case in Figures 19 to 21; Figure 23 shows a side elevation of the carrying case in Figures 19 to 22; Figure 24 shows a longitudinal section through the carrying case in Figures 19 to 23; Figure 25 shows a closer cross section through the closure detail of the carrying case in Figures 19 to 24; Figure 26 shows an eighth embodiment of a carrying case for a set of cutlery; Figure 27 shows a ninth embodiment of a carrying case for a set of cutlery; and -5 -Figure 28 shows a tenth embodiment of a carrying case for a set of cutlery.

Detailed Description

A restaurant table set for dinner 101 is shown in Figure 1. A dinner plate 102 is shown together with a smaller side plate 103. Adjacent to said dinner plate 102 is an array of cutlery items including a fork 104, a knife 105, a smaller knife 106 and a spoon 107. A drinking glass 108 is also shown.

The kind of table setting shown in Figure 1 is typical of that commonly found in numerous eating establishments such as restaurants, cafés and public houses. At the present time however many such establishments are struggling with effects of the ongoing global Covid pandemic. Typical of these effects are the various enforced closures and limitations on business including lack of trade, lack of staff and so on.

One particular effect has been noted since said eating establishments have been allowed to reopen and serve their customers at tables. There has become established in diners' minds a marked degree of anxiety concerning transmission of and infection by viruses including coronaviruses. Specifically therefore many diners are worried about using eating establishments' own cutlery 104, 105, 106 and 107 and have instead taken to bringing their own cutlery.

Problems have arisen however concerning said practice of diners using their own cutlery, where said cutlery is typically made of metal.

A first problem is that of carrying metal cutlery having sharp points and edges in a convenient manner without posing any hazard to either the diner or other patrons and staff of the eating establishments.

A second problem is that after a meal said cutlery will typically be dirty and wet thus presenting a challenge for carrying away by the user in a jacket pocket or bag, for example. -6 -

An alternative to using metal cutlery exists in the form of disposable cutlery items typically manufactured from plastics. It will be appreciated that the previously cited problems relating to metal cutlery will be mitigated somewhat, particularly where said disposable cutlery items can be thrown away at the end of a meal. However there are further problems with this approach.

A first problem is that many diners object to using disposable cutlery in a restaurant for example this spoiling the occasion somewhat.

A second and much more serious problem however has arisen at the present time relating to using disposable cutlery at all. Legislation is currently being proposed which will probably lead to a ban on the use of single use plastics such as disposable plastic cutlery. The purpose of said legislation is to reduce the impact of landfill, incineration and other practices deemed harmful to the environment.

A requirement has therefore been identified for a means of transporting items of cutlery to and from eating establishments, for example.

Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of a carrying case 201 for a set of cutlery in a closed condition.

In the present embodiment the case 201 is manufactured by a process of injection moulding in a plastics material. Preferably said plastics material is polypropylene. A first advantage of employing said material is overall strength and ruggedness when used for carrying items of cutlery. A second advantage of employing said material is resistance to the effects of heat and chemicals when placed in a dishwasher, for example. A third advantage of employing said material is its degree of flexibility allowing for what are termed live hinges and interference fits when the bottom shell 202 and the top shell 203 are closed together as in the present view. -7 -

Logos and other branding devices may be applied to the case. This is helpful for marketing purposes because it enables a bespoke offering for a particular client, such as one of the large restaurant chains for example. In the present embodiment a logo 204 is seen moulded into the top shell 203. By employing interchangeable inserts in the injection moulding tool it is possible to exchange said logo 204 for another depending on the wishes of the client. An advantage of said practice is it saves the cost of retooling for a complete new case every time a new client desires their own branded mark applied to said case 201.

Figure 3 shows the carrying case 201 in Figure 2 with items of cutlery in an open condition. The bottom shell 202 and the top shell 203 are shown opening through 180 degrees in the direction of arrow 301 about a hinge 302. A fork 303 with a handle 304 and fork tines 305 can be seen contained within bottom shell 202.

In the present embodiment the carrying case 201 is configured with a substantially narrow portion about its centre 306 and 307 together with substantially wider portions 308, 309, 310 and 311 at either end. Said narrow and wider portions respectively correspond substantially to the profile of typical items of cutlery such as fork 303 having a substantially narrow handle 304 and substantially wider fork tines 305.

An advantage of having said narrow and wider portions respectively in the carrying case 201 is an overall reduction in size which is desirable for carrying of said case in pockets, bags and so forth.

Said two shells are closed and fastened shut in the present embodiment by means of closure 312 and corresponding keeper 313. A stud 314 is provided on said keeper 313 and a corresponding receiving hole 315 is provided on said closure 312. It will be appreciated however that any number of fastening methods may be employed for this purpose including magnets, twist locks and so forth. -8 -

It will be appreciated that for cleaning including placing in a dishwasher the case 201 is kept in an open condition.

If desired the carrying case 201 may also be used for carrying further items such as condiments sachets, wipes, napkins, marketing card inserts and the like.

Figure 4 shows the carrying case 201 in Figures 2 and 3 in an open condition with items of cutlery removed. In addition to the fork 303 can be seen a large knife 401, a small knife 402 and a spoon 403.

Figure 5 shows the carrying case 201 in Figures 2 to 4 in an open condition with a second item of cutlery 501 can be seen contained within top shell 203. In the present embodiment said second item of cutlery 501 is known as a spork, wherein a handle is provided with a fork feature with tines 502 at one end and a spoon feature 503 at the other end.

Other items of cutlery for which the case is suitable include chopsticks.

Figure 6 shows a longitudinal section through the carrying case 201 in Figures 2 to 5, where said case is in an open condition. In the present embodiment the bottom shell 202 and the top shell 203 are shown opening about a hinge 302. The bottom shell 202 and the top shell 203 are provided with flanges 601 and 602 which mesh together when closed in order to create a seal against leakage.

Figure 7 shows a widthways cross section through the carrying case in Figures 2 to 6. It will be seen how when the case is closed flanges 601 and 602 mesh together to create a seal against leakage. An advantage of said sealing means is that no additional components are required to create the required seal such as gaskets and so forth. In the present embodiment therefore the entire case 203 is manufactured from a single plastic moulding giving benefits of low cost. -9 -

Figure 8 shows a closer cross section through the hinge 302 of the carrying case in Figures 2 to 7. The type of hinge shown is known as a live hinge in that there are no separate moving parts. Instead the action of opening and closing is achieved by moulding a plastics material such as polypropylene in the correct shape to provide the required flexibility. Such live hinges are commonly used in many products particularly single use items.

However in the example of the present case 203 the intention is that, far from being single use, the product will have a lengthy service life. One of the limitations of said live hinges can be their tendency to work harden and break following repeated cycles of opening and closing. Accordingly a special adaptation of standard live hinge design is employed to hinge 302.

In the present embodiment 302 the hinge consists of two flexing pivots 801 and 802 juxtaposed at the open faces of bottom shell 202 and top shell 203 respectively. Said flexing pivots are linked together by a bridge 803. When the case is closed the amount of flexing required by flexing pivots 801 and 802 respectively is substantially less than if only a single pivot had been employed. A first advantage of using said pair of flexing pivots is that the service life of the plastic part is correspondingly extended. A second advantage of using said pair of flexing pivots is that flanges 601 and 602 are more easily aligned for meshing together when the case is closed. As has already been pointed out said easier meshing improves the effectiveness of the sealing of the case 203.

I should be noted that where the two shells 202 and 203 respectively are closed and fastened shut in the present embodiment by means of closure 310 and corresponding keeper 311, said closure 310 may also employ a live hinge.

Figure 9 shows the closure 312 on the carrying case in Figures 2 to 8. In the present embodiment said closure is provided with a hanging hole 315 in order to help with storage at home but also point of sale in shops.

Figure 10 shows a restaurant table with a place setting complete with a second set of cutlery. This set of cutlery may have been brought by a diner for their own use in order by replace that originally offered by the establishment as originally shown in Figure 1. The fork 303 is again seen together with an array of cutlery items including a large knife 401, a smaller knife 402 and a spoon 403.

Figure 11 shows a jacket 1101 worn by a diner. The carrying case 201 in Figures 2 to 8 is shown being inserted into a pocket 1102 in the jacket.

Figure 12 shows a second embodiment of a carrying case 1201 for a set of cutlery in an open condition. The case consists substantially of two shells in the form of the bottom shell 1202 and the top shell 1203. A seal is provided 1204 to help prevent escape of liquids arising from carrying around items of used cutlery. Said seal 1204 may be manufactured from many different materials such as rubber and silicone. Equally, the whole case 1201 could be a 2 shot injection moulding, wherein the bottom shell 1202 and the top shell 1203 are moulded as one part from semi-rigid polypropylene for example, and the sealing part 1204 is flexible thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

Figure 13 shows a widthways cross section through the carrying case 1201 seen in Figure 12. The flexible sealing part 1204 is shown located between the two shells in the form of the bottom shell 1202 and the top shell 1203.

Figure 14 shows a third embodiment of a carrying case 1401 for a set of cutlery in an open condition. A problem has been found carrying around metal cutlery in that said items can tend to rattle around and make a noise. Location means are therefore provided for said items of cutlery including fork 303, large knife 401, small knife 402 and spoon 403. In the present embodiment said location means take the form of an array of substantially conical bosses such as 1402 moulded into the floor of a lower shell 1403. Said bosses define valleys 1404 into which the handles of said items of cutlery such as fork handle 304 can locate securely thus eliminating the noise.

A further advantage of said valleys and cones is the provision of sufficient space to allow water to drain away for example in the direction of arrow 1405. This is important to eliminate any potential moisture or dirt traps for reasons of cleanliness and sanitation.

The bosses 1402 and valleys 1403 described in Figure 14 are seen again in Figure /5 this time as a widthways cross section. Fork handle 304 can be seen retained in valley 1404.

Figure 16 shows a fourth embodiment of a carrying case 1601 for a set of cutlery in an open condition. The case consists substantially of two shells in the form of the bottom shell 1602 and the top shell 1603. As an alternative to providing location means as an integral part of the case such as in bottom shell 1602 said location means may take the form of a separate component 1604 which can be housed in turn within said bottom shell.

In the present embodiment said separate component 1604 takes the form of a tray provided with recesses such as 1605 to receive items of cutlery such as fork 303, large knife 401, small knife 402 and spoon 403. The tray may be injection-moulded or alternatively vacuum formed.

A commercial advantage of using a separate tray 1604 is that it is possible to exchange said tray 1604 for another depending on the wishes of the client. An advantage of said practice is it saves the cost of retooling for a complete new case every time a new client desires their own internal specification for said case 1601. Such internal specification may relate to numerous factors including different types of cutlery and the deployment of condiments sachets, wipes, napkins, marketing card inserts and the like.

Figure 17 shows a fifth embodiment of a carrying case for a set of cutlery. The case may be used around environments such as metal vans and storage lockers. Accordingly the case 1701 is provided with a magnet 1702 to enable instantaneous stowage on suitably magnetic surfaces 1703. Preferably said magnet 1702 is of the high strength neodymium type.

Figure 18 shows a sixth embodiment of a carrying case for a set of cutlery. There is presently increasing demand within the industry for products manufactured from sustainable materials. Accordingly the present embodiment 1801 takes the form of a pair of shells 1802 and 1803 moulded in bamboo resin. Certain grades of said resinous material are biodegradable. It should be noted that the kind of live hinge described previously would not be suitable owing to the brittleness of the resinous material. Therefore a barrel hinge 1804 is provided to join the two halves 1802 and 1803 together.

Figure 19 shows a seventh embodiment of a carrying case 1901 for a set of cutlery. The present embodiment consists of a pair of shells 1902 and 1903 fitted together by means of clips such as 1904 as opposed to the hinged arrangements described in previous embodiments of the invention. Preferably the shells 1902 and 1903 are moulded in plastics materials.

In the present embodiment the case 1901 is manufactured by a process of injection moulding in plastics materials. Preferably said plastics material is polypropylene. A first advantage of employing said material is overall strength and ruggedness when used for carrying items of cutlery. A second advantage of employing said material is resistance to the effects of heat and chemicals when placed in a dishwasher, for example. A third advantage of employing said material is its degree of flexibility enabling the action of sprung clips 1904 when the bottom shell 1902 and the top shell 1903 are closed together as in the present view.

Figure 20 shows the carrying case 1901 in Figure 19 with an item of cutlery in an open condition. The bottom shell 1902 and the top shell 1903 are seen as separate components. A spork 2001 with a handle 2002 fork tines 2003 and a spoon bowl form 2004 can be seen contained within bottom shell 1902.

-13 -In the present embodiment the carrying case 1901 is configured with a substantially narrow portion about its centre 2005 and 2006 together with substantially wider portions 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 at either end. Said narrow and wider portions respectively correspond substantially to the profile of typical items of cutlery such as spork 2001 having a substantially narrow handle 2002 and substantially wider fork tines 2003 and spoon bowl form 2004.

An advantage of having said narrow and wider portions respectively in the carrying case 1901 is an overall reduction in size which is desirable for carrying of said case in pockets, bags and so forth.

Said two shells are closed and fastened shut in the present embodiment by means of sprung clip closures 1904 and 2011. A latch such as 2012 is provided on bottom shell 1902 which engages with said sprung clip closure 1904 to lock the two shells together, for example for transport and storage.

There is a particular advantage for the user of the present embodiment consisting of two separate components. It will be appreciated that for cleaning including placing in a dishwasher having a case 1901 which is relatively compact will make for more convenience in kitchens and so forth.

There is an additional particular advantage for the supplier of the present embodiment consisting of two separate components. Preferably the two respect shells are stackable in a manner which would not be possible with a hinged product. A first advantage of said being stackable is efficiency of transportation where corresponding greater quantities of the case may be shipped for a given amount of capacity on palettes and so forth. A second advantage of being stackable is that said efficiency of transportation translates also to storage areas in restaurants, for example, where space may be at a premium. -14-

Figure 21 shows a top plan view of the carrying case 1901 in Figures 19 and 20. An opposingly deployed pair of sprung clip closures 1904 and 2011 are seen at the respective longitudinal ends of top shell 1903.

Figure 22 shows a bottom plan view and end elevation of the carrying case in Figures 19 to 21. An opposingly deployed pair of sprung clip closures 1904 and 2011 are seen at the respective longitudinal ends of top shell 1903 and closed over corresponding bottom shell 1902.

Figure 23 shows a longitudinal side elevation of the carrying case 1901 in Figures 19 to 22. The bottom shell 1902 and the top shell 1903 are seen closed together and fastened shut by means of a pair of sprung clip closures 1904 and 2011.

Figure 24 shows a longitudinal section through the carrying case in Figures 19 to 23. The bottom shell 1902 and the top shell 1903 are seen closed together so as to enclose an item of cutlery such as spork 2001. It can be seen that said spork is retained tightly between said shells so as to prevent slipping around within case 1901. The two shells are held closed by sprung clip closures 1904 and 2011.

Figure 25 shows a closer cross section through the closure detail of the carrying case 1901 in Figures 19 to 24. Where bottom shell 1902 and the top shell 1903 are closed together a seal is created between bottom shell interface wall 2501 and top shell interface wall 2502. To maintain the seal in place top shell sprung clip closure 2011 is in the first instance forced outwards by the tapered profile of bottom shell latch 2503 in the direction of arrow 2505. When the shells are fully closed together the sprung clip closure 2011 snaps back in the opposite direction to arrow 2504 to achieve the seal.

As has already been pointed out the present embodiment is preferably manufactured from a type of plastic having the required flexibility and strength such as polypropylene, where said material has the property of memory enabling sprung clips 1904 to flex. Thus said clips may also correspondingly be pulled outwards in the direction of arrow 2504 to release the shells and open the case.

-15 -Figure 26 shows an eighth embodiment of a carrying case 2601 for a set of cutlery 2001. A top shell 2602 is seen incorporating a logo or similar feature. In the present embodiment said logo takes the form of a moulded feature 2603 integral to said shell 2601.

By employing interchangeable inserts in the injection moulding tool it is possible to exchange said logo 2603 for another depending on the wishes of the client. An advantage of said practice is it saves the cost of retooling for a complete new case every time a new client desires their own branded mark applied to said case 2601.

Figure 27 shows a ninth embodiment of a carrying case for a set of cutlery. Within bottom shell 2702 a separate tray 2704 is housed in order to hold items of cutlery. Top shell 2703 closes over said bottom shell 2702 incorporating said tray 2704.

In the present embodiment said tray 2704 is provided with recesses to receive items of cutlery such as fork 2705 and knife 2706. The tray may be injection-moulded or alternatively vacuum formed.

A commercial advantage of using a separate tray 2704 is that it is possible to exchange said tray for another depending on the wishes of the client. An advantage of said practice is it saves the cost of retooling for a complete new case every time a new client desires their own internal specification for said case 2701. Such internal specification may relate to numerous factors including different types of cutlery and the deployment of condiments sachets, wipes, napkins, marketing card inserts and the like.

Figure 28 shows a tenth embodiment of a carrying case 2801 for a set of cutlery. A further advantage of using two separate mouldings to create shells 2802 and 2803 is the potential to employ different colours and grades of materials. The present embodiment shows a bottom shell 2802 manufactured from polypropylene having an opaque colour. The top shell 2803 however is made from a transparent material which enables viewing of the contents of the case such as spork 2804. Said transparent material might typically be a plastics material such as polystyrene.

Claims

Claims I. A carrying case for containing cutlery, comprising: a bottom shell and a top shell releasably closable together from an open condition into a closed condition, sealing means to create a seal between the bottom shell and the top shell when closed together into the closed condition, and fastening means to fasten shut the bottom shell and the top shell in the closed condition.
CO 2. The carrying case of claim I, wherein the sealing means is provided by a flange of C 15 the bottom shell and a flange of the top shell, the flanges of the bottom shell and the top shell configured to mesh together to provide said seal when the bottom shell and the top shell are closed together into the closed condition.
CO 3. The carrying case of claim I, wherein the sealing means is provided by a seal that is formed separately from the bottom shell and the top shell.
4. The carrying case of any one of claims I to 3, wherein the bottom shell and the top shell are hinged together.
5. The carrying case of claim 4, wherein the bottom shell and the top shell are openable from the closed condition through ISO degrees.
6. The carrying case of claim 4 or claim 5, wherein first ends of the bottom shell and the top shell are hinged together, a second end of one of the bottom shell and the top shell is provided with a closure of the fastening means and a second end of the other of the bottom shell and the top shell is provided with a corresponding keeper of the fastening means.
7. The carrying case of claim 6, wherein the first ends of the bottom shell and the top shell are hinged together by one of: a live hinge, a barrel hinge, a hinge arrangement comprising two flexing pivots linked together by a bridge.
8. The carrying case of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bottom shell and the top shell are separate components.
9. The carrying case of claim 8, wherein the bottom shell and the top shell are stackable.
10. The carrying case of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein first ends of the bottom shell and the top shell are provided with a sprung clip closure of the fastening means and second ends of the bottom shell and the top shell are provided with corresponding latches of the CO fastening means. C\J15
00 I I. The carrying case of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the carrying case has a substantially narrow portion about its centre together with substantially wider portions at either end.
12. The carrying case of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the carrying case is provided with location means for securing locating items of cutlery within the carrying case.
13. The carrying case of claim 12, wherein the location means is provided integrally with the bottom shell.
14. The carrying case of claim 13, wherein the location means comprises an array of substantially conical bosses extending upwardly from a floor of the bottom shell, the bosses defining valleys for receiving items of cutlery.
15. The carrying case of claim 12, wherein the location means is provided by a tray removably housed in the bottom shell, the tray defining recesses for receiving items of cutlery. 19*
16. The carrying case of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the carrying case is dishwashable.
17. The carrying case of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the carrying case is provided with a magnetic for enabling stowage of the carrying case on a magnetic surface.
18. The carrying case of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the carrying case is dimensioned for carrying in a pocket of an item of clothing.
19. The carrying case of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein each of the bottom shell and the top shell is manufactured by a process of moulding in a plastics material.CO
20. The carrying case of claim 19, wherein the plastics material is polypropylene. C 1500
21. The carrying case of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the top shell is manufactured from a transparent material.
22. The carrying case of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein each of the bottom shell and the top shell is manufactured by a process of moulding in bamboo resin.
23. The carrying case of any one of claims 1 to 22, and at least one item of cutlery carriable in the carrying case.
24. The carrying case and at least one item of cutlery of claim 23, wherein the least one of item of cutlery comprises at least one of: an item of cutlery made of metal, a fork, a spoon, a knife, a spork, chopsticks.
25. The carrying case and at least one item of cutlery of any one of claims 22 to 24, and at least one of the following additionally carriable in the carrying case: a condiments sachet, a wipe, a napkin.