JP2008148967A - Chopsticks - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide chopsticks which are economical, have great mechanical strength, are easy to hold and eat with, are easy to eat with good manner, and have beautiful appearance when manufactured by a molding means. <P>SOLUTION: Chopsticks have longitudinal recessed grooves 1a and 1b in a direction along a longitudinal direction of the chopsticks formed on the surface of the chopsticks. The recessed grooves 1a and 1b are formed in an area covering back end part side to a middle part of the chopsticks, but not on tip part sides of the chopsticks. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention particularly relates to resin chopsticks.

  It is no exaggeration to say that disposable chopsticks are Japanese culture. In other words, split chopsticks (one piece of chopsticks) with two shafts made of wood or bamboo attached to each other are on sale, and users who purchase them have cracks (slits: slits). Since you can get two chopsticks by dividing along, you eat with this. Once used, disposable chopsticks are discarded.

  Since disposable chopsticks are disposable, they are said to be a waste of resources, and an exercise to bring their own chopsticks to the restaurant is proposed. This movement is valued as such.

  However, it is difficult to bring your own chopsticks when eating out.

  Therefore, in some restaurants and the like, there are cases where chopsticks of the type that are washed and used over and over are provided instead of disposable disposable chopsticks.

  However, movements to review disposable chopsticks have been advocated because of the fear of diseases such as AIDS and Thurs. Incidentally, disposable chopsticks are being reconsidered in China, where there was no culture of disposable chopsticks.

  Now, as mentioned above, the chopsticks are usually made of wood or bamboo. If this disposable disposable chopstick is a culture only in Japan, depletion of wood and bamboo resources is not as problematic as it is on the left.

  However, if disposable chopsticks are frequently used in China with a population of more than a billion, depletion of wood and bamboo resources will be a problem. In other words, it will be impossible for Japan to import disposable chopsticks from abroad. In recent years, in particular, there have been a lot of questions about restrictions on the export of disposable chopsticks.

  That being said, it is extremely difficult for Japanese people to use chopsticks used by others again.

  Therefore, the development of disposable chopsticks to replace wooden chopsticks made of wood and bamboo has been urgently demanded today.

  The material that comes to mind as an alternative to wood and bamboo is still synthetic resin.

  Now, I realized that chopsticks made of synthetic resin by molding means can be made with molding means, so that chopsticks with different characteristics from conventional wooden and bamboo chopsticks can be made. Furthermore, since it is made of resin, it has been found that chopsticks with a structure utilizing the characteristics of the material can be produced.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a chopstick having a structure capable of greatly exerting its characteristics when the chopstick is made of resin.

That is, the first problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a chopstick that is economical and has high mechanical strength.
The second problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a chopstick that is easy to hold and eat, and that is easy to eat with good manners when held by hand, particularly when an infant or the like holds it.
The third problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a chopstick having an excellent aesthetic appearance when manufactured by molding means.

The above-mentioned problem is a chopstick in which a longitudinal groove is formed on the surface of the chopstick in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the chopstick,
The concave groove is formed in a region in the middle of the chopstick, but is not formed on one end of the chopstick.

In particular, a chopstick in which a longitudinal groove is formed on the surface of the chopstick in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the chopstick,
The concave groove is formed in a region extending from the rear end portion side to the middle portion of the chopstick, but is not formed on the front end portion side of the chopstick.

Among them, a chopstick in which a long concave groove is formed on the surface of the chopstick in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the chopstick,
Although the concave groove is formed in a region extending from the rear end side to the middle portion of the chopsticks, it is in a region within 3 cm (further, for example, 4 cm, 5 cm, and further 7 cm) from the tip of the chopsticks. Is solved by chopsticks characterized in that they are not formed.

Furthermore, the above chopsticks,
It is solved by a chopstick characterized by being a disposable chopstick made of resin.

Furthermore, the above chopsticks,
It is solved by chopsticks molded by molding means.

  In the chopsticks of the present invention (particularly, resin chopsticks), a long concave groove is formed on the surface of the chopsticks in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the chopsticks. The concave groove is formed at least in the middle part of the chopsticks, particularly in the region extending from the rear end part side to the middle part of the chopsticks, but extends over the tip part side of the chopsticks (for example, a length of at least 3 cm from the tip part). (Region) is not formed.

  Therefore, the amount of material can be reduced as much as the groove is formed, which is economical. Moreover, it is not only economical, but also has a substantially concave shape, so that a rib effect is produced and mechanical strength is improved.

  In addition, when the chopsticks are held by hand, especially when an infant or the like holds it, a concave portion is formed on the surface of the chopstick, so that the concave portion is caught and an anti-slip effect is exerted and is easy to hold. That is, it is easy to eat with good manners.

  Furthermore, since the concave groove is not formed over the range of, for example, 3 cm or less from the tip of the chopsticks, rice or the like does not fit into the concave groove. From the point of view, you can eat with good manners.

  When chopsticks are manufactured by the molding means, if the resin injection port in the molding die is made to correspond to the concave groove portion, even if the resin protrudes from the resin injection port portion, it is difficult to stand out. The product value is unlikely to drop. Also, when taking out the chopsticks molded from the mold, the extrusion pin of the molding device can push out the bottom part of the groove groove, in which case the trace of extrusion becomes inconspicuous and the product value decreases. Is hard to get up. That is, a chopstick having an excellent appearance (appearance) can be obtained.

  The present invention is a chopstick, in particular, a chopstick made of a resin (a thermosetting resin or a synthetic resin such as a thermoplastic resin). The chopsticks are molded by a molding means. Furthermore, a longitudinal groove is formed on the surface in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the chopsticks. The concave groove is formed in the middle part of the chopsticks, for example, in the region extending from the rear end part side to the middle part, but is not formed on the front end part side of the chopsticks. The region where the groove is not formed is particularly a region within 3 cm (further, for example, 4 cm, 5 cm, and 7 cm) from the tip of the chopsticks.

  When the chopsticks of the present invention are disposable chopsticks, the split chopsticks are connected to the end of the first projection provided on the split chopsticks half A and the end of the first projection provided on the split chopsticks half B. It has been done. In addition, since this coupling | bonding is mutually connected in this coupling | bond part when resin is filled into a shaping | molding die, it has a coupling structure. A second convex portion is provided on a side portion of the first convex portion (joining portion) of the chopsticks halves A and B. However, this 2nd convex part is different from the 1st convex part, and is not what was mutually couple | bonded. That is, there is a slight gap (which may be a micro size) between the tips, and they are not connected integrally. It is preferable that the 2nd convex part is provided in the both sides of the 1st convex part. That is, it may be provided only on one side, but for example, it may be provided on either the upper side or the lower side of the chopsticks (the lower side where the ingredients are gripped by the tip of the chopsticks), but it is provided on both sides. It is preferable. And it is preferable that the 2nd convex part is comprised so that the side of the 1st convex part may become asymptotically high until it reaches the maximum height position of this 2nd convex part. Especially, it is preferable that the virtual line formed by extending to the position of the first protrusion along the end line of the second protrusion is configured to be higher than the first protrusion.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of chopsticks according to the present invention. FIG. 1 (a) is a plan view, FIG. 1 (b) is a plan view in a state of being divided into halves, and FIG. 1 (c). FIG. 4 is a side view showing a split surface side in a state of being divided into halves. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a mold for molding chopsticks according to the present invention.

In each figure, X is a disposable chopsticks molded from a thermoplastic resin such as polypropylene. In addition, a recycled resin can also be used as the resin.
A is a split chopsticks half that constitutes a portion of disposable chopsticks X, and B is a split chopsticks half that forms a pair of split chopsticks X in combination with A. As can be seen from FIG. 1A, the split chopsticks half A and the split chopsticks half B have the same shape.
The split chopsticks halves A and B are molded so that the width on the tip side (lower side: the lower side where food is gripped by the tip of the chopsticks) is narrow and the width on the rear end side (upper side) is wide. Has been.

  Then, on the upper and lower surfaces of the chopsticks halves A and B, long groove grooves 1a and 1b are formed in the direction along the longitudinal direction of the chopsticks X (only the upper surface is shown in FIG. 1 (a), As can be seen from FIG. 2, it is also formed on the lower surface side. The concave grooves 1a and 1b are formed from the rear end side (upper side) of the split chopsticks halves A and B to the middle part of the split chopsticks halves A and B. Side: It is not formed on the lower side) where the ingredients are gripped by the tip of the chopsticks. For example, if the total length of the disposable chopsticks X is x, it is recessed in a region about (1/4) x from the tip (for example, a region within 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, and 7 cm from the tip). No groove is formed. In the present embodiment, the chopsticks have a total length of 20 cm, but in this case, no concave groove is formed up to a position of 8 cm from the tip. That is, the groove grooves 1a and 1b are formed over the region from the position 8 cm from the tip to the rear end (position 3 mm before the rear end).

  The groove widths and depths of the concave grooves 1a and 1b may be appropriately determined in consideration of the strength and the like. For example, the groove width of the groove grooves 1a and 1b is about 1/5 to 4/5 of the chopstick width. The groove depth of the concave grooves 1a and 1b is about 1/10 to 4/10 of the thickness of the chopsticks.

  The disposable chopsticks X are divided into two halves A and B when they are used for the first time. Therefore, it has been connected to one until then. This connection (connection) is achieved by adopting a structure in which the tip portions of the convex portions 2a and 2b formed to protrude from the opposing surfaces of the chopstick halves A and B are integrally connected. That is, when the disposable chopstick forming mold K is filled with resin, the portion corresponding to the projections 2a and 2b has the mold portion 11a of the split chopstick half A and the split chopstick half as shown in FIG. Since the B mold part 11b is connected, the resin is integrated. That is, the tip of the convex portion 2a and the tip of the convex portion 2b are integrally connected. In addition, in order to make it easy to divide the disposable chopsticks X, the convex portions 2a and 2b have a substantially lower shape (or a substantially bowl shape) on the lower end side as seen from FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b). Is formed. Further, as can be seen from FIG. 1C and FIG. 2, the upper and lower surfaces thereof are formed in a substantially V shape (or a substantially U shape).

  And convex part 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b is provided in the both sides of convex part 2a, 2b. That is, the convex portions 2a are sandwiched between the convex portions 3a and 4a, and the convex portions 2b are sandwiched between the convex portions 3b and 4b, so that the convex portions 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b is provided. However, unlike the convex portions 2a and 2b, the convex portion 3a and the convex portion 3b are not connected (not coupled), and the convex portion 4a and the convex portion 4b are not connected. That is, in the portions corresponding to the convex portions 3a, 3b, 4a and 4b, the mold part 11a of the split chopsticks half A and the mold part 11b of the split chopsticks half B are connected as shown in FIG. Therefore, the resin is not integrated, and a gap is formed between them.

  As can be seen from FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the protrusions 3a, 3b, 4a and 4b have their tip heights gradually (asymptotically) approaching the projections 2a and 2b. It is molded to be high. In particular, a virtual line obtained by extending the tips (vertices: ridge lines) of the convex portions 3a and 3b (4a and 4b) to the convex portion 2a (2b) is a convex portion 2a (2b) as shown in FIG. ) The convex portions 3a and 3b (4a and 4b) are formed so as to be at a higher position. Then, the protrusion height suddenly decreases at a certain arbitrary point and becomes flat. Note that the degree of change of the tip portions (vertices: ridge lines) of the convex portions 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b may be linear or curved.

  When the disposable chopsticks X configured as described above are used, a force is applied to tear the convex portion 2a and the convex portion 2b that are connected and coupled to each other. Then, the split chopsticks X are separated into the split chopsticks half A and the split chopsticks half B. At this time, the split surface of the split convex portion 2a and the split surface of the convex portion 2b are not fibrous, unlike the case where the bamboo split chopsticks are broken, and therefore, as shown in FIGS. 1 (b) and 1 (c). As you can see, a jagged uneven surface will be created. However, this jagged uneven surface is guarded by the convex portions 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b formed on the side portions thereof, and the surface side of the convex portion 2a (2b) of the chopsticks half A (B) , The convex portions 3a, 3b (4a, 4b) having no jagged uneven surface hit before the jagged uneven surface of the convex portion 2a (2b) hits the skin, and the skin is hardly damaged. That is, it is very safe.

  Further, on the surface of the split chopsticks half A (B) of the split chopsticks X, long groove grooves 1a and 1b are formed in the direction along the longitudinal direction. Therefore, less material is required for the grooves 1a and 1b, which is economical.

  Moreover, it is not only economical, but also has a substantially concave shape, so that a rib effect is produced and mechanical strength is improved.

  Furthermore, when the chopsticks half A (B) is held by hand, especially when an infant or the like holds it, a recess is formed on the surface of the chopsticks half A (B), so this recess becomes a catch. It is slippery and easy to hold. As a result, good manners can be eaten.

  And since the groove grooves 1a and 1b are not formed over the range of, for example, 3 cm or less from the tip of the disposable chopsticks X, rice or the like fits into the groove grooves 1a and 1b. There is also a feature that you can eat well with good manners.

  In addition, if the resin injection port in the molding die is made to correspond to the concave grooves 1a and 1b, even if the resin protrudes from the resin injection port, it is not noticeable and the commercial value is lowered. hard. In addition, when taking out the disposable chopsticks X molded from the mold, the extrusion pin of the molding device can extrude the bottom part of the groove 1a, 1b, in which case the extrusion trace becomes inconspicuous, Decline in value is unlikely to occur. That is, chopsticks with excellent aesthetics can be obtained.

  In addition, although the said embodiment demonstrated the case where it shape | molded with thermoplastic resins, such as a polypropylene, it is not restricted to this. Any resin can be used as long as it can be molded.

Explanatory drawing of disposable chopsticks according to an embodiment of the present invention Cross section of mold for molding disposable chopsticks in Figure 1

Explanation of symbols

X Split chopsticks A, B Split chopsticks half 1a, 1b Groove groove

Representative Katsumi Udaka

Claims (5)

A chopstick in which a longitudinal groove is formed on the surface of the chopstick in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the chopstick,
The concave groove is formed in a region in the middle of the chopstick, but is not formed on one end of the chopstick. A chopstick in which a longitudinal groove is formed on the surface of the chopstick in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the chopstick,
The concave groove is formed in a region extending from the rear end side to the middle part of the chopstick, but is not formed on the front end side of the chopstick.   The chopsticks according to claim 1 or 2, wherein no groove is formed in an area within 3 cm from the tip of the chopsticks.   The chopsticks according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the chopsticks are made of resin.   The chopsticks according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the chopsticks are molded by a molding means.

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