US20080093871A1 - Food buffet retractable utensil - Google Patents
Food buffet retractable utensil Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080093871A1 US20080093871A1 US11/584,744 US58474406A US2008093871A1 US 20080093871 A1 US20080093871 A1 US 20080093871A1 US 58474406 A US58474406 A US 58474406A US 2008093871 A1 US2008093871 A1 US 2008093871A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- utensil
- food
- retractable
- buffet
- cord
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G21/00—Table-ware
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
- A47J45/00—Devices for fastening or gripping kitchen utensils or crockery
- A47J45/02—Devices for fastening or gripping kitchen utensils or crockery for fastening kitchen utensils to tables, walls, or the like
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a retractable utensil for use at a food buffet.
- Wax patent application Publication U.S. Pub. No. 2004/0006850 discloses a system of securing a pen so as to prevent accidental lost or theft.
- the Lieberman patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,336) discloses a portable power tool having a retractable hook.
- the Kimball patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,708) discloses a retractable golfing tool.
- the Paugh patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,165) discloses a retraction reel for keys and the like.
- the Lombardo et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. Des. 465,645) illustrates a design for a retractable utensil device.
- the Young patent (U.S. Pat. No. Des. 400,39) illustrates a design for a housing for a retraction reel for keys and the like.
- the invention is a retractable utensil holder for use at a food buffet or salad bar.
- the invention is comprised of a utensil, a retractable cord, and a buffet bar.
- the retractable cord would be used to keep the utensil away from the food when not in use, and thus promote a more sanitary facility.
- the invention as used would simply require the patron of the food buffet to grab the utensil and pull it down to the desired location for food retrieval. When the user is finished with the utensil, he or she can simply let go and the retractable cord will carry the utensil away from the food.
- Another added benefit of this invention is that small children would need an adult to serve a child from a buffet table, which will reduce waste that occurs from children who put too much food on their plates.
- FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric rendering of the invention in the retracted state
- FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the invention
- FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an alternative embodiment
- FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the invention in use.
- An invention 10 is comprised of a utensil, tong in this case, 15 that has a clip 16 connected at an end.
- a retractable cord 17 is connected at one end to the clip 16 .
- Connected to the opposite end of the cord 17 is a retractable device 18 .
- a swing 19 is connected to the housing of the retractable device 18 .
- a clip 20 is attached to the swing 19 , and the overhang of a food bar 21 .
- An alternative embodiment is to use a telephone-type cord 30 that coils up in its natural state.
- the telephone-type cord would replace the cord 17 , retractable device 18 , and swing 19 combination mentioned above.
- a utensil may be comprised of a pair of tongs, a ladle, a set of serving forks, a serving spoon, etc.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Table Equipment (AREA)
Abstract
The invention is a retractable utensil holder for use at a food buffet or salad bar. The invention is comprised of a utensil, a retractable cord, and a buffet bar. The retractable cord would be used to keep the utensil away from the food when not in use, and thus promote a more sanitary facility. The invention as used would simply require the patron of the food buffet to grab the utensil and pull it down to the desired location for food retrieval. When the user is finished with the utensil, he or she can simply let go and the retractable cord will carry the utensil away from the food.
Description
- Not Applicable
- Not Applicable
- Not Applicable
- A. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a retractable utensil for use at a food buffet.
- In most restaurants and other eating establishments, sanitation is critical to the success of the business, and is especially important at a food buffet. At most food buffets and salad bars, a pair of tongs or a ladle will rest in the food until the next person picks it up for use. This device seeks to eliminate the dangers of food poisoning by keeping the utensil that interacts with the food away from the food when not in operation.
- B. Prior Art
- The Oliver et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,413) discloses a writing instrument attached to a cord that is retractable into a housing.
- The Wax patent application Publication (U.S. Pub. No. 2004/0006850) discloses a system of securing a pen so as to prevent accidental lost or theft.
- The Lieberman patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,336) discloses a portable power tool having a retractable hook.
- The Kimball patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,708) discloses a retractable golfing tool.
- The Paugh patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,165) discloses a retraction reel for keys and the like.
- The Lombardo et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. Des. 465,645) illustrates a design for a retractable utensil device.
- The Young patent (U.S. Pat. No. Des. 400,349) illustrates a design for a housing for a retraction reel for keys and the like.
- The invention is a retractable utensil holder for use at a food buffet or salad bar. The invention is comprised of a utensil, a retractable cord, and a buffet bar. The retractable cord would be used to keep the utensil away from the food when not in use, and thus promote a more sanitary facility. The invention as used would simply require the patron of the food buffet to grab the utensil and pull it down to the desired location for food retrieval. When the user is finished with the utensil, he or she can simply let go and the retractable cord will carry the utensil away from the food. Another added benefit of this invention is that small children would need an adult to serve a child from a buffet table, which will reduce waste that occurs from children who put too much food on their plates.
- The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention:
- In the drawings:
-
FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric rendering of the invention in the retracted state; -
FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the invention; -
FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an alternative embodiment; and -
FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the invention in use. - Detailed reference will now be made to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in
FIGS. 1-4 . An invention 10 is comprised of a utensil, tong in this case, 15 that has a clip 16 connected at an end. A retractable cord 17 is connected at one end to the clip 16. Connected to the opposite end of the cord 17 is a retractable device 18. A swing 19 is connected to the housing of the retractable device 18. A clip 20 is attached to the swing 19, and the overhang of afood bar 21. - An alternative embodiment is to use a telephone-
type cord 30 that coils up in its natural state. The telephone-type cord would replace the cord 17, retractable device 18, and swing 19 combination mentioned above. - Either of the two embodiments mentioned above could be used for any type of utensil that may be found at a food buffet or salad bar. A utensil may be comprised of a pair of tongs, a ladle, a set of serving forks, a serving spoon, etc.
- While the embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, certain modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to modify the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Claims (5)
1. (canceled)
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. A retractable utensil for use at a food buffet comprising:
(a) a utensil;
(b) a clip connected to one end of the utensil;
(c) a telephone-type cord connected at one end to the clip;
wherein the telephone-type cord is a cord that coils up in a natural state;
(d) a swing connected to the telephone-type cord; and
(e) a clip connecting the swing and a overhang of a food bar.
5. The utensil as described in claim 4 comprising a serving spoon, a serving fork, a ladle, or a pair of tongs.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/584,744 US20080093871A1 (en) | 2006-10-23 | 2006-10-23 | Food buffet retractable utensil |
US12/187,158 US20080289188A1 (en) | 2006-10-23 | 2008-08-06 | Retractable and Sanitary Food Buffet Utensil |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/584,744 US20080093871A1 (en) | 2006-10-23 | 2006-10-23 | Food buffet retractable utensil |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/187,158 Continuation-In-Part US20080289188A1 (en) | 2006-10-23 | 2008-08-06 | Retractable and Sanitary Food Buffet Utensil |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20080093871A1 true US20080093871A1 (en) | 2008-04-24 |
Family
ID=39317206
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/584,744 Abandoned US20080093871A1 (en) | 2006-10-23 | 2006-10-23 | Food buffet retractable utensil |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20080093871A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080135711A1 (en) * | 2006-12-06 | 2008-06-12 | Tracy And Associates Real Estate, Inc. | Food Serving Device with Suspended Serving Utensil |
US20230118620A1 (en) * | 2021-10-19 | 2023-04-20 | Maria Antoinette Santoro | Hand mixer support |
Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4895336A (en) * | 1987-05-20 | 1990-01-23 | Lieberman Richard G | Improved power tool |
US5782708A (en) * | 1997-08-26 | 1998-07-21 | Kimball, Jr.; Madison D. | Retractable golf tool |
USD400349S (en) * | 1997-09-18 | 1998-11-03 | West Coast Chain Mfg. Co. | Housing for retraction reel for keys and the like |
US5833165A (en) * | 1997-10-24 | 1998-11-10 | Paugh; Edward C. | Retraction reel for keys and the like |
US6112357A (en) * | 1998-10-26 | 2000-09-05 | Halloran; Richard | Extendible golf brush |
US6131977A (en) * | 1998-02-05 | 2000-10-17 | Sacks; Steven M. | Tongs assembly |
US6216605B1 (en) * | 1999-11-16 | 2001-04-17 | Marian D. Chapman | Multi-purpose high chair tray construction |
US6419413B1 (en) * | 2001-02-06 | 2002-07-16 | Thomson-Leeds Company, Inc. | Retractable writing instrument assembly |
USD465645S1 (en) * | 2000-12-13 | 2002-11-19 | Craig W. Lombardo | Retractable utensil device |
US20040006850A1 (en) * | 2002-07-09 | 2004-01-15 | Wax David B. | Personal pen retaining system |
US7219767B1 (en) * | 2004-01-13 | 2007-05-22 | Harry Steinbok | Serving utensil on retractable tether |
US20070170335A1 (en) * | 2006-01-26 | 2007-07-26 | Jesus Chavollo | Suspended tool apparatus and method |
-
2006
- 2006-10-23 US US11/584,744 patent/US20080093871A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4895336A (en) * | 1987-05-20 | 1990-01-23 | Lieberman Richard G | Improved power tool |
US5782708A (en) * | 1997-08-26 | 1998-07-21 | Kimball, Jr.; Madison D. | Retractable golf tool |
USD400349S (en) * | 1997-09-18 | 1998-11-03 | West Coast Chain Mfg. Co. | Housing for retraction reel for keys and the like |
US5833165A (en) * | 1997-10-24 | 1998-11-10 | Paugh; Edward C. | Retraction reel for keys and the like |
US6131977A (en) * | 1998-02-05 | 2000-10-17 | Sacks; Steven M. | Tongs assembly |
US6112357A (en) * | 1998-10-26 | 2000-09-05 | Halloran; Richard | Extendible golf brush |
US6216605B1 (en) * | 1999-11-16 | 2001-04-17 | Marian D. Chapman | Multi-purpose high chair tray construction |
USD465645S1 (en) * | 2000-12-13 | 2002-11-19 | Craig W. Lombardo | Retractable utensil device |
US6419413B1 (en) * | 2001-02-06 | 2002-07-16 | Thomson-Leeds Company, Inc. | Retractable writing instrument assembly |
US20040006850A1 (en) * | 2002-07-09 | 2004-01-15 | Wax David B. | Personal pen retaining system |
US7219767B1 (en) * | 2004-01-13 | 2007-05-22 | Harry Steinbok | Serving utensil on retractable tether |
US20070170335A1 (en) * | 2006-01-26 | 2007-07-26 | Jesus Chavollo | Suspended tool apparatus and method |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080135711A1 (en) * | 2006-12-06 | 2008-06-12 | Tracy And Associates Real Estate, Inc. | Food Serving Device with Suspended Serving Utensil |
US20230118620A1 (en) * | 2021-10-19 | 2023-04-20 | Maria Antoinette Santoro | Hand mixer support |
US12053121B2 (en) * | 2021-10-19 | 2024-08-06 | Maria Antoinette Santoro | Hand mixer support |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |