JP2021029926A - cutlery - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide cutlery such as spoons, forks, knives reducing waste (so-called "plastic reduction") and decreasing environmental load.SOLUTION: A head part 1C of a spoon 1 is formed with a spoon part for scooping the object to eat/drink. The shape suppressing the angularity by bending in an obtuse angle through a bent part 1D and a crease 1E improves touch feeling of the users and can achieve both the securing of the strength and suppression of the weight. Pulp is the main material and the cutlery is molded three-dimensionally in molded pulp.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates to cutlery such as spoons, forks and knives.

Plastic cutlery is known as one of the simple cutlery used for meals such as in-flight meals and take-out lunch boxes. For example, a cutlery in which a plastic material is molded has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

Special Table 2017-52449

By the way, from the viewpoint of reducing the environmental load, it is required to reduce the amount of plastic waste (so-called "de-plasticization"). On the other hand, the cutlery in which the plastic material is molded as described above can be a waste of plastic, which may increase the environmental load.
Therefore, there is room for improvement in reducing the environmental load.

The cutlery of this case was created in view of the above issues, and one of the purposes is to reduce the environmental load. Not limited to this purpose, it is also possible that the actions and effects derived from each configuration shown in the “mode for carrying out the invention” described later and which cannot be obtained by the conventional technique are exhibited. It can be positioned as another purpose.

The cutlery disclosed here is three-dimensionally molded with molded pulp.

According to the cutlery of this case, the environmental load can be reduced.

It is a front view which shows the spoon of 1st Embodiment. It is a rear view which shows the spoon of 1st Embodiment. It is a left side view which shows the spoon of 1st Embodiment. It is a right side view which shows the spoon of 1st Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the spoon of 1st Embodiment. It is a bottom view which shows the spoon of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the spoon of 1st Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the fork of 1st Embodiment. It is a rear view which shows the fork of 1st Embodiment. It is a left side view which shows the fork of 1st Embodiment. It is a right side view which shows the fork of 1st Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the fork of 1st Embodiment. It is a bottom view which shows the fork of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the fork of 1st Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the knife of 1st Embodiment. It is a rear view which shows the knife of 1st Embodiment. It is a left side view which shows the knife of 1st Embodiment. It is a right side view which shows the knife of 1st Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the knife of 1st Embodiment. It is a bottom view which shows the knife of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the knife of 1st Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the stacking structure of 1st Embodiment. It is a rear view which shows the stacking structure of 1st Embodiment. It is a left side view which shows the stacking structure of 1st Embodiment. It is a right side view which shows the stacking structure of 1st Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the stacking structure of 1st Embodiment. It is a bottom view which shows the stacking structure of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the stacking structure of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along the line AA of FIG. It is a front view which shows the spoon of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a rear view which shows the spoon of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a left side view which shows the spoon of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a right side view which shows the spoon of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the spoon of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a bottom view which shows the spoon of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the spoon of the 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along the line BB in FIG. It is a front view which shows the fork of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a rear view which shows the fork of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a left side view which shows the fork of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a right side view which shows the fork of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the fork of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a bottom view which shows the fork of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the fork of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the knife of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a rear view which shows the knife of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a left side view which shows the knife of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a right side view which shows the knife of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the knife of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a bottom view which shows the knife of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the knife of the 2nd Embodiment.

Embodiments relating to cutlery will be described.
Cutlery includes a variety of eating utensils such as spoons, forks, knives, ladles (so-called "ladles") and tongs. In this embodiment, the cutlery will be described by taking a spoon, a fork, and a knife as an example.

In the following embodiment, a coordinate system having an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis (orthogonal coordinate system) is used as the reference of the direction used in the description as three coordinate axes orthogonal to each other.
In this coordinate system, the direction along the X axis is called the "X direction" (first direction), the direction along the Y axis is called the "Y direction" (third direction), and the direction along the Z axis is called the "Z direction". "(Second direction).
A plane along both the X and Y directions is referred to as an "XY plane" (a direction that intersects both the first and second directions), and a plane along both the Y and Z directions is referred to as a "YZ plane". , A plane along both the X and Z directions is referred to as an "XZ plane" (directions along both the first and second directions).

For example, in the X direction, the direction from the negative to the positive of the X axis and the direction from the positive to the negative of the X axis are opposite to each other, and two kinds of directions are inherent. Therefore, regarding the X direction, one _{is referred to as "X 1} direction" and the other is referred to as "X ₂ direction". Similarly, with respect to the Y direction, one _{is referred to as "Y 1} direction" and the other is referred to as "Y ₂ direction". Regarding the Z direction, one _{is referred to as "Z 1} direction" and the other is referred to as "Z ₂ direction".

In addition, unless otherwise specified, the expression "numerical value X to numerical value Y" in this embodiment means a range of numerical value X or more and numerical value Y or less.
Hereinafter, the contents of the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be outlined in item [A]. Then, the content of the first embodiment is described in item [B], and the content of the second embodiment is described in item [C]. Then, the contents of the modified examples relating to these embodiments will be described in item [D].

[A. Outline of the first embodiment and the second embodiment]
The cutlery of the first embodiment and the second embodiment uses pulp as a main raw material, and is three-dimensionally molded with molded pulp (also referred to as "mould pulp").
The cutlery molded in this way is an eco-friendly product because it uses natural materials. Furthermore, this cutlery is lightweight but has a certain level of strength, is easy to use, and is easy to store by stacking.
As a method for producing the above cutlery, various known methods for three-dimensionally molding a pulp mold can be adopted. For example, the manufacturing methods described in JP-A-09-286468 and JP-A-07-42100 can be used.

As an example, cutlery is manufactured through the following steps a to d.
-Procedure a: Pulp is dissolved in water or defibrated in water to prepare raw materials.-Procedure b: Foreign matter is removed or concentrated from the material (undiluted solution) prepared in step a.
Adjust the raw material (raw material) for the mold (also referred to as "molding") -Procedure c: Press-mold the raw material adjusted in step b with a mold provided in a predetermined shape-Procedure d: Step c Dry what was molded in

For the manufacturing method of this cutlery, it is preferable to adopt the so-called "fine mold" manufacturing method from the viewpoint of ensuring the surface property for finishing a smooth surface and ensuring the tactile sensation to the user. For example, cutlery with ensured surface properties can be produced by pressure-drying at 120 [° C.] or higher in the above procedure d. The cutlery molded in this way has excellent surface smoothness, so that it looks good and does not cause any discomfort during use.
In addition, the density of cutlery is preferably not more than a predetermined lower limit value from the viewpoint of ensuring strength, and is preferably not more than a predetermined upper limit value from the viewpoint of suppressing weight. Specifically, the predetermined lower limit ^{is preferably 0.45 [g / cm 3} ], more preferably 0.55 [g / cm ³ ], and 0.65 [g / cm 3]. ³ ] is more preferable. The predetermined upper limit value is ^{preferably 0.95 [g / cm 3} ], more preferably 0.85 [g / cm ³ ], and preferably 0.75 [g / cm ³ ]. More preferred.

A water repellent or a water resistant agent may be used in the cutlery in order to provide water repellency and water resistance. For example, a water repellent or a water resistant agent may be coated (surface coated) or laminated on the surface of the cutlery, or the water repellent or the water resistant agent may be internally added (containing) to the cutlery. An example of a water repellent or a water resistant agent is a sizing agent.

[B. First Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the structure of the cutlery will be described by items [B-1] to [B-3]. Item [B-1] describes a configuration common to each cutlery, and item [B-2] describes an individual configuration for each cutlery. Item [B-3] describes the stacking structure of the cutlery set in which the cutlery is stacked. Then, the action and effect due to the configuration of items [B-1] to [B-3] will be described in item [B-4].

In this first embodiment, the cutlery of the spoon 1, the fork 2, and the knife 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 29.
For spoon 1, see FIGS. 1 to 7. In the description of the present embodiment, FIG. 7 showing a perspective view of the spoon 1 is mainly referred to, and in FIGS. 1 to 6 showing a six-view view of the spoon 1, entry of a reference numeral and specific reference are omitted as appropriate. Similarly, for the fork 2, although FIGS. 8 to 14 are referred to, FIG. 14 showing a perspective view is mainly referred to. Regarding the knife 3, although FIGS. 15 to 21 are referred to, FIG. 21 showing a perspective view is mainly referred to.

Refer to FIGS. 22 to 29 for the cutlery set 123 in which the spoon 1, the fork 2, and the knife 3 are stacked. Regarding this cutlery set 123 as well, FIG. 28 showing a perspective view is mainly referred to, and in FIGS. 22 to 27 showing a six-view view and FIG. 29 showing a cross-sectional view, the entry of reference numerals and specific reference are omitted as appropriate. ..
When the cutlery is described as a single item without distinguishing between the spoon 1, the fork 2, and the knife 3, it is referred to as "cutlery 1, 2, 3".

[B-1. Common composition for each cutlery]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 21, cutlery 1, 2, and 3 are roughly classified into the following three parts according to the region in the X direction (here, the longitudinal direction).
-Body parts 1A, 2A, 3A: X ₁ direction side (base end side) -Neck parts 1B, 2B, 3B: Intermediate parts in the X direction-Head parts 1C, 2C, 3C: X ₂ direction side (tip) Side) part

The body portions 1A, 2A, and 3A are portions that form a handle that is gripped by the user of the cutlery 1, 2, and 3.
Neck 1B, 2B, 3B, the body portion 1A, 2A, provided X ₂ direction with respect to 3A, the head portion 1C, 2C, is provided on the X ₁ direction relative to 3C. The neck portions 1B, 2B, and 3B are set to have a smaller cross-sectional area on the YZ plane than the body portions 1A, 2A, 3A and the head portions 1C, 2C, 3C. That is, the shapes of the neck portions 1B, 2B, and 3B are narrowed in the middle of the cutlery 1, 2, and 3 in the X direction.

The head portions 1C, 2C, and 3C are portions that come into contact with the object to be eaten or eaten when the cutlery 1, 2, and 3 are used. When the head portions 1C, 2C, and 3C come into contact with an object to be eaten or eaten, the drag force from the object is input in the Z direction (here, the thickness direction). For example, when an object to be eaten or eaten is scooped by the head portion 1C of the spoon 1, a drag force in the Z direction is applied to the head portion 1C.

Further, the cutlery 1, 2 and 3 are provided with vent portions 1D, 2D and 3D straddling three parts of the body portions 1A, 2A and 3A, the neck portions 1B, 2B and 3B and the head portions 1C, 2C and 3C. ing.
The vent portions 1D, 2D, and 3D are provided in a bent shape via linear folds 1E, 2E, and 3E (the folds 1E and 2E are indicated by alternate long and short dash lines) that are continuous along the X direction. The folds 1E, 2E, and 3E extend over three portions of the body portions 1A, 2A, and 3A, the neck portions 1B, 2B, and 3B, and the head portions 1C, 2C, and 3C.

The folds 1E, 2E, and 3E extend over the entire region in the X direction of the body portions 1A, 2A, and 3A. That is, the vent portions 1D, 2D, and 3D are molded in the entire region of the body portions 1A, 2A, and 3A in the X direction so as to be bent at the folds 1E, 2E, and 3E.
Further, the outer sides of the folds 1E, 2E, and 3E in the vent portions 1D, 2D, and 3D are provided in a straight line along the X direction. In other words, the mountain fold sides of the folds 1E, 2E, and 3E are designed to have a straight shape in the Y direction view (side view).

The cutlery 1, 2, and 3 illustrated here have common dimensions in the X direction.
Cutlery 1, 2, and 3 having the same dimensions in the X direction are molded into a shape with chamfered edges. In other words, _{the curved surface that smoothly connects the surface connecting the surface on the Z 1} direction side (so-called "front surface") and _{the surface on the Z 2} direction side (so-called "back surface") is the end of the cutlery 1, 2, and 3. It is provided on most of the edges.

[B-2. Individual composition for each cutlery]
The spoon 1 and the fork 2 are provided plane-symmetrically with respect to a virtual XZ plane (plane) including the folds 1E and 2E, and the vent portions 1D and 2D are bent at an obtuse angle via the folds 1E and 2E. Make. Specifically, FIGS. 3, 4, 10, as shown in FIG. 11, the folds 1E, in Z ₁ direction of the 2E, the surface at the two sites that are continuously provided via a crease 1E, 2E The internal angles θ1 and θ2 (vent angles) formed by each other are set to obtuse angles.

On the other hand, the knife 3 is provided in a non-plane symmetrical shape, and has a shape that is bent at a substantially right angle through the fold 3E. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, on the Z ₁ direction side of the crease 3E, the angle θ3 (vent angle) of the internal angle between the surfaces at the two sites connected via the fold 3E. ) Is set almost at a right angle. The term "generally right angle" here is not limited to 90 [°] (that is, right angle), but refers to right angles such as 88 [°] to 92 [°] and 86 [°] to 94 [°] and angles in the vicinity thereof. Means to include. For example, "approximately right angle" means that when the bending angle of the fold 3E is designed to be a right angle, the bending angle measured at the actual fold 3E manufactured is included (including manufacturing error). In the following description, "generally right angle" is simply referred to as "right angle".
The larger the angles θ1, θ2, and θ3 above 180 [°], the lower the strength of the cutlery 1, 2, and 3, but the smaller the angles, the smaller the angles θ1, θ2, and θ3. The tactile sensation to users of cutlery 1, 2 and 3 tends to improve.

Further, the head portions 1C and 2C of the spoon 1 and the fork 2 are set to have common dimensions in the X direction. As described above, the dimensions in the X direction of the head portion 3C of the knife 3 are set larger than those of the head portions 1C and 2C having the same dimensions in the X direction.
Further, the spoon 1 is provided with a vent portion 1D only in the region on the _{X 1 direction side of the head portion 1C.} On the other hand, the fork 2 and the knife 3 are provided with vent portions 2D and 3D in the entire region of the head portions 2C and 3C in the X direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the head portion 1C of the spoon 1 is provided with a spoon portion for scooping an object to be eaten or eaten. Here, a spoon portion molded into a circular shape in the Z direction is illustrated.
As described above, the head portion 1C is provided with the vent portion 1D only on the _{X 1} direction side excluding the X _{2 direction side.} Furthermore, creases 1E forming the vent 1D, the more toward the X ₂ direction in the head portion 1C, is provided in a shape that angular degree decreases. In other words, the vent portion 1D which is bent at fold 1E in the head portion 1C is formed into a rounded shape increases toward the X ₂ direction.

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 14, the head portion 2C of the fork 2, or portion is provided which is branched toward the X ₂ direction. The head portion 2C is molded with a fork portion branched into three (odd numbers).

As shown in FIGS. 15 to 21, the head portion 3C of the knife 3 is provided with a blade portion 31C provided along the XZ plane and a counter surface portion 32C provided along the XY plane.
The extending plane of the blade portion 31C and the extending plane of the opposing surface portion 32C are orthogonal to each other. The blade portion 31C and the opposing surface portion 32C are connected to each other via the fold 3E.
The blade portion 31C is a portion for cutting an object to be eaten or eaten. The blade portion 31C is provided with small blades for cutting the target side by side in the X direction.
The facing surface portion 32C is a portion pressed by the user of the knife 3. The facing surface portion 32C is set to have a smaller extending area than the blade portion 31C.

[B-3. Stacking structure]
As shown in FIGS. 22 to 29, a spoon 1, a fork 2, and a knife 3 are stacked on the cutlery set 123. Here, a cutlery set 123 in which cutlery 1, 2, and 3 are stacked in the order of spoon 1, fork 2, and knife 3 is illustrated.
In the stacking structure of the cutlery set 123, vent portions 1D, 2D, and 3D are provided in regions where the cutlery 1, 2, and 3 overlap when viewed from the stacking direction.

As described above, the angles θ1, θ2, θ3 at which the vent portions 1D, 2D, and 3D bend through the folds 1E, 2E, and 3E (see FIGS. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, and 18). ) Is larger at the angle θ1 of the knife 3 than at the angle θ1 of the spoon 1 and the angle θ2 of the fork 2. In terms of extension, the angle at which the vents 1D, 2D, and 3D bend through the folds 1E, 2E, and 3E toward the side where the cutlery 1, 2, and 3 are stacked (here, the knife 3 side). θ1, θ2, and θ3 are set small.

The stacking structure of the cutlery set 123 is set so that the stacked cutlery 1, 2, and 3 do not interfere with each other.
For example, in the X direction view, the head portion 1C (spoon portion) of the spoon 1 and the head portion 2C (fork portion) of the fork 2 are provided in a corresponding curved shape. Specifically, the curved shape of the cross section of the head portion 1C of the spoon 1 along the YZ plane and the curved shape of the cross section of the head portion 2C of the fork 2 along the YZ plane are similarly set.
In addition, the blade portion 31C (head portion 3C) of the knife 3 is set to have a larger dimension in the X direction than the head portions 1C and 2C of the spoon 1 and the fork 2.

[B-4. Action and effect]
Since the present embodiment is configured as described above, the following actions and effects can be obtained.
<Cutlery>
Since the cutlery 1, 2 and 3 are three-dimensionally molded with molded pulp, it is possible to reduce plastic waste and reduce the environmental load.

The cutlery 1, 2, and 3 have bent portions 1D, 2D, and 3D bent through linear folds 1E, 2E, and 3E that are continuous along the X direction, and the body portions 1A, 2A, and 3A. It extends over three parts, the neck parts 1B, 2B, 3B and the head parts 1C, 2C, 3C. Therefore, the strength of the neck portions 1B, 2B, 3B and the head portions 1C, 2C, 3C is smaller than that of the body portions 1A, 2A, 3A, as compared with the cutlery in which the linear crease is provided only in the body portion. It becomes possible to suppress.

In this way, the strength of the body portions 1A, 2A, 3A, the neck portions 1B, 2B, 3B and the head portions 1C, 2C, 3C is raised, so that the strength of the cutlery 1, 2, and 3 can be secured. it can.
For example, by operating the body portions 1A, 2A, 3A gripped by the users of the cutlery 1, 2, 3, the stress due to the input from the object to be eaten to the head portions 1C, 2C, 3C is applied to the neck portions 1B, 2B, Even if the focus is on 3B, damage to the neck portions 1B, 2B, and 3B can be suppressed.

Since the head portions 2C and 3C of the fork 2 and the knife 3 are provided with vent portions 2D and 3D in the entire region in the X direction, the strength of the head portions 2C and 3C should be secured in the entire region in the X direction. Can be done.
The head portion 1C of the spoon 1, since the bent portion 1D is provided only in the X ₁ direction, except for X ₂ direction, are angular shape is molded into a portion of the X ₂ direction side in the head portion 1C Absent. Therefore, the tactile sensation of the head portion 1C to the user can be improved.
Since the body portions 1A, 2A, 3A of the cutlery 1, 2, 3 are provided with the vent portions 1D, 2D, 3D in the entire region in the X direction, the strength of the body portions 1A, 2A, 3A is increased in the X direction. Can be improved in all areas of.

Since the head portion 1C of the spoon 1 is provided with a spoon portion for scooping the object to be eaten or eaten, the head portion 1C can take on the function peculiar to the spoon 1 among the cutlery 1, 2, and 3. Further, the head portion 2C of the fork 2, since the prongs branching toward the X ₂ direction is provided, the head portion 2C of the specific features of the fork 2 of cutlery 1,2,3 responsible be able to. Since the head portion 3C of the knife 3 is provided with a blade portion 31C for cutting an object to be eaten or eaten, the head portion 3C can perform a function peculiar to the knife 3 among the cutlery 1, 2, and 3.

Since the fork of the head portion 2C is branched into three (odd numbers), the portion of the fork that is branched at the center in the Y direction is reinforced by the vent portion 2D, and damage such as bending or bending is suppressed. From this point as well, the strength of the fork 2 can be ensured.
Since the spoon 1 and the fork 2 are provided plane-symmetrically with respect to the virtual XZ plane (plane) including the folds 1E and 2E, they contribute to the improvement of moldability. Furthermore, the plane-symmetrical spoon 1 and fork 2 can ensure both a feeling of use for a right-handed user and a feeling of use for a left-handed user. Such a universal design contributes to improving the usability of the spoon 1 and the fork 2.

Since the vent portions 1D and 2D have a shape in which the vent portions 1D and 2D are bent at an obtuse angle through the folds 1E and 2E, the spoon 1 and the fork 2 can be said to have a shape in which the angular tension is suppressed. Therefore, it contributes to improving the tactile sensation to the user of the spoon 1 and the fork 2.
When the densities of the cutlery 1, 2 and 3 are 0.45 to 0.95 [g / cm ³ ], it is possible to secure the strength and suppress the weight at the same time.

Since the head portion 3C of the knife 3 is provided with a counter surface portion 32C provided along the ZY plane, the head portion is compared with a knife having a linear back portion opposite to the blade portion. Therefore, the user of the knife 3 can easily hold the head portion 3C. More specifically, when the planar opposing surface portion 32C is pressed, the reaction force applied to the user of the knife 3 per unit area can be suppressed as compared with the case where the linear back portion is pressed. .. Therefore, the usability of the knife 3 can be improved.

Since the extending plane of the blade portion 31C and the extending plane of the opposing surface portion 32C are orthogonal to each other, the reaction force when the normal direction of the opposing surface portion 32C cuts the object to be eaten or eaten by the blade portion 31C is input. Along the direction of Therefore, the user of the knife 3 can easily hold the counter surface portion 32C in the direction facing the reaction force when cutting the object to be eaten or eaten by the blade portion 31C. From this point as well, the usability of the knife 3 can be improved.
In addition, since the blade portion 31C and the opposing surface portion 32C are continuously provided via the fold 3E, the knife 3 having a simple shape can be molded.

<Stacking structure>
In the stacking structure of the cutlery set 123, vent portions 1D, 2D, and 3D are provided in regions where the cutlery 1, 2, and 3 overlap when viewed from the stacking direction. Therefore, cutlery 1, 2, and 3 can be stably stacked (so-called "stacking") with a simple configuration.

The angles θ1, θ2, and θ3 that bend through the folds 1E, 2E, and 3E at the vent portions 1D, 2D, and 3D are set smaller toward the side where the cutlery 1, 2, and 3 are stacked. From this point as well, cutlery 1, 2 and 3 can be stacked stably.
Since the outer sides of the folds 1E, 2E, and 3E in the vent portions 1D, 2D, and 3D are provided in a straight line along the X direction, the cutlery 1, 2, and 3 can be stably stacked.
According to the cutlery 1, 2, 3 having the same dimensions in the X direction, the cutlery 1, 2, 3 can be stacked without any of them protruding in the X direction, and the accommodation capacity can be improved.

Since the head portion 1C (spoon portion) of the spoon 1 and the head portion 2C (fork portion) of the fork 2 are provided in a corresponding curved shape, interference between the head portions 1C and 2C is surely avoided, and the cutlery 1 Contributes to the stable stacking of ， 2.
Since the blade portion 31C (head portion 3C) of the knife 3 is set to have a larger dimension in the X direction than the head portions 1C and 2C of the spoon 1 and the fork 2, the dimension in the X direction of the blade portion 31C (so-called "" The blade length ") can be secured. Therefore, the cutlery 1, 2, and 3 can be stacked without impairing the functionality of the knife 3.

[C. Second embodiment]
Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The cutlery of the second embodiment has a different shape from the cutlery of the first embodiment. Specifically, the cutlery of the first embodiment has a shape bent at a crease, whereas the cutlery of the second embodiment has a shape without a crease. Moreover, the cutlery of the present embodiment is not supposed to be stacked as in the first embodiment.
The configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment except for the points described in the second embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to these configurations and the description of each part will be omitted.

In this second embodiment, the cutlery of the spoon 1', the fork 2', and the knife 3'will be described with reference to FIGS. 30 to 51.
For spoon 1', see FIGS. 30-37. In the description of the present embodiment, FIG. 36 showing a perspective view of the spoon 1'is mainly referred to, and reference numerals are given to FIGS. 30 to 35 showing the hexagonal view of the spoon 1'and FIG. 37 showing the cross-sectional view. Specific references will be omitted as appropriate. Similarly, for the fork 2', although FIGS. 38 to 44 are referred to, FIG. 44, which shows a perspective view, is mainly referred to. Regarding the knife 3', although FIGS. 45 to 51 are referred to, FIG. 51 showing a perspective view is mainly referred to.

As shown in FIGS. 30 to 51, the body portions 1A', 2A', 3A'of the cutlery 1', 2', 3'are rounded. Specifically, the body portions 1A', 2A', and 3A'are provided with an elliptical shape of a cross section (a cross section intersecting the first direction) along the YZ plane. Here, plane-symmetrical cutlery 1', 2', 3'is illustrated. In addition, the body portions 1A'and 2A'of the spoon 1'and the fork 2'are similarly configured, and the cross section of the body portion 2A'of the fork 2'is the body portion 1A'of the spoon 1'shown in FIG. 37. It has the same shape as the cross section in.
Since the body portions 1A', 2A', and 3A'are molded into such a shape, the tactile sensation of the cutlery 1', 2', 3'to the handle can be improved. With such a universal design, the usability of cutlery 1', 2', and 3'can be improved.

By the way, when the paperboard is bent to form the cutlery, it is difficult to form a shape in which the thickness continuously changes. Therefore, as described above, the moldability of the shape having an elliptical cross section may be insufficient. On the other hand, since the cutlery 1', 2', and 3'of the present embodiment are three-dimensionally molded by a pulp mold, the cutlery having an elliptical cross section (a shape in which the thickness continuously changes) as described above. Formability can be ensured.

Incidentally, 'head portion 1C of the' spoon 1 is a constant Z dimension (the so-called "thickness") is approximately, is molded in a curved shape concaved more toward the center Z ₂ direction.
In addition, in FIGS. 30 to 51, in addition to the components 1 ′, 2 ′, 3 ′, 1A ′, 2A ′, 3A ′ mentioned in the present embodiment, the neck portion is not particularly mentioned in the present embodiment. The symbols 1B ′, 2B ′, 3B ′ and the head portions 1C ′, 2C ′, 3C ′ are also shown in the figure.

[D. Modification example]
The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and there is no intention of excluding the application of various modifications and techniques not specified in this embodiment. Each configuration of the present embodiment can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the gist thereof. In addition, it can be selected as needed and can be combined as appropriate.

<Modified examples of the first embodiment and the second embodiment>
The main raw material of cutlery is not limited to pulp, and various raw materials such as resin and metal may be used. Resin cutlery can generate plastic waste, but can improve moldability and durability. Moldability and durability can also be improved by using metal cutlery.
The method for producing cutlery is not limited to the method for three-dimensional molding with molded pulp, and various known molding methods may be used. For example, a manufacturing method in which a raw material such as a resin or metal plate or a paperboard is bent and molded may be adopted, or a manufacturing method in which the raw material is cut and formed may be adopted.

<Modified example of the first embodiment>
Like the spoon, the knife or fork may be provided with a vent portion only on the _{X 1} direction side of the head portion except for the tip side in the X direction. In this case, the tactile sensation of the head portion to the user can be improved. Further, in the knife, if the vent portion is provided only on _{the X 1 direction side of the head portion, the facing surface portion via the crease is not provided on the X 2} direction side of the head portion, and the thick food material and the height are increased. Suitable for eating certain dishes.
On the contrary, in the head portion of the spoon, a vent portion may be provided in the entire region in the X direction. In this case, the strength of the head portion can be secured in the entire region in the X direction.

The vent portion is not limited to the entire region of the body portion, and may be provided in a part of the region of the body portion. For example, if the vent portion is provided only in the region where the strength is required in the body portion, the strength of the cutlery can be appropriately secured without giving the body portion excessive strength.
The angle of the bent portion bent through the fold is not limited to the above-mentioned angle, and can be set to any angle such as a right angle, an obtuse angle, and an acute angle as long as the stacked cutlery does not interfere with each other. For example, the angle of the vent portion in the spoon or fork may be a right angle, or the angle of the vent portion in the knife may be an obtuse angle. Furthermore, the angle of the vent portion in each cutlery may be the same.

The facing surface portion of the knife is not limited to a form in which it is continuously provided with the blade portion via a crease, and another portion may be provided between the blade portion and the crease. On the other hand, the head portion of the knife may be provided with at least a blade portion, and the facing surface portion may be omitted.
The stacking structure of the cutlery set is not limited to a structure in which spoons, forks and knives are stacked, but may be a structure in which at least one type of cutlery among spoons, forks and knives is stacked. For example, a stacking structure of stacked spoons and forks is suitable for cutlery sets for meals such as salads and soups. The stacking structure of stacked forks and knives makes it suitable for cutlery sets for meals such as steaks and pancakes.

<Modified example of the second embodiment>
For the body portion of the cutlery, the shape of the cross section along the YZ plane (the cross section that has a tolerance with the first direction) is not limited to the elliptical shape, and various cross-sectional shapes can be adopted.

123 Cutlery set 1,1'Spoon (cutlery)
2,2'fork (cutlery)
3,3'knife (cutlery)
1A, 1A', 2A, 2A', 3A, 3A'Body part 1B, 1B', 2B, 2B', 3B, 3B'Neck part 1C, 1C', 2C, 2C', 3C, 3C'Head part 1D, 1D', 2D, 2D', 3D, 3D' Vent part 1E, 1E', 2E, 2E', 3E, 3E' Fold 31C Blade part 32C Opposite surface part θ1, θ2, θ3 Vent angle

Claims (15)

Cutlery characterized by being three-dimensionally molded with molded pulp. It is provided on the base end side in a predetermined first direction and has a body portion that forms a handle.
The cutlery according to claim 1, wherein the body portion is provided with an elliptical shape of a cross section intersecting with the first direction. A body part that is provided on the base end side in a predetermined first direction and forms a handle,
A head portion provided on the tip side of the first direction with respect to the body portion, and a head portion in which the drag force from the target is input in the second direction intersecting the first direction while contacting the target to be eaten or eaten.
A neck portion provided between the body portion and the head portion,
The body portion, the neck portion, and the vent portion extending across the head portion are provided in a bent shape through a continuous linear crease along the first direction. The cutlery according to claim 1. The cutlery according to claim 3, wherein the vent portion is provided in the entire region of the first direction in the head portion. The cutlery according to claim 3, wherein the vent portion is provided only on the base end side of the first direction excluding the tip end side of the first direction in the head portion. The cutlery according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the vent portion is provided in the entire region of the first direction in the body portion. The cutlery according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the head portion is provided with a spoon portion for scooping the target. The cutlery according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the head portion is provided with a fork portion branched toward the tip end side. The cutlery according to claim 8, wherein the fork is branched into an odd number. The cutlery according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the cutlery is provided plane-symmetrically with respect to a virtual plane including the fold. The cutlery according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the vent portion has a shape bent at an obtuse angle through the crease. According to any one of claims 3 to 6, the head portion is provided with a blade portion that extends along both the first direction and the second direction and cuts the target. The cutlery listed. The vent portion has a counter surface portion provided in the head portion on the side opposite to the blade portion with respect to the fold along a direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction. 12. The cutlery according to claim 12. The cutlery according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the vent portion has a shape that is bent at a substantially right angle through the fold. The cutlery according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the cutlery has a density of 0.45 to 0.95 [g / cm ^3].

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