US20150107117A1

US20150107117A1 - Utensil holder

Info

Publication number: US20150107117A1
Application number: US14/519,361
Authority: US
Inventors: Grant Bell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-10-21
Filing date: 2014-10-21
Publication date: 2015-04-23

Abstract

A utensil holder is described. The utensil holder can include a holding body with a central longitudinal axis and a plurality of utensil sleeves for receiving utensils. The utensil sleeves extend longitudinally on the holding body and are spaced apart in a radial orientation from the central longitudinal axis of the holding body.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/893,799 entitled “Utensil Holder” filed on Oct. 21, 2013, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed generally to storage and organization of kitchen utensils and, more particularly, to a holder and organizer for knives.

BACKGROUND

Kitchen utensils, such as knives, sharpeners, spoons, forks, ladles and other kitchen accessories, are commonly used for cooking and dining in households and the restaurant industry. Kitchen utensils are stored in various ways to provide efficient organization and ready access to the utensils as needed. For example, kitchen utensils may be stored in holders in drawers, on countertops and/or hanging from a portion of a kitchen.
When displayed such as on a countertop or a table, it can be preferred to have a utensil holder that is not only compact and efficient, but also aesthetically pleasing. While conventional holders, such as knife blocks, are useful in some instances, there are still numerous deficiencies and potential opportunities for more efficient and more attractive utensil holders.

SUMMARY

A utensil holder is described herein. The utensil holder can include a holding body having a central longitudinal axis and a plurality of utensil sleeves for receiving utensils. The utensil sleeves can extend longitudinally on the holding body and can be spaced apart in a radial orientation from the central longitudinal axis. The utensil sleeves can also include knife sleeves for receiving a blade of a knife.
The plurality of sleeves can be evenly spaced apart. In some embodiments, the utensil sleeves include a substantially wedge shape. The utensil sleeves and utensil restraints can combine to form substantially wedge shaped shapes.
In some embodiments, the utensil sleeves can include utensil restraints coupled to the holding body. In some embodiments, at least one of the utensil sleeves can include a slot in the holding body and a utensil restraint can be coupled to the slot for supporting a utensil received within the sleeve. The utensil restraint can include a clip coupled to an upper rim of the slot on the holding body, or the utensil restraint can include a covering coupled to the holding body over a portion of the slot. The utensil holder can have a securing ring coupled to a body recess on the holding body generally at a top of the holding body.
The holding body of the utensil holder can include a first material and the utensil restraints can include a second material different from the first material. The first material can include a wood. The second material can include a metal. The holding body can include a symmetrical shape. In some embodiments, a shape of the holding body can be substantially cylindrical. A shape of the holding body can also include a conical frustum.
The holding body can also include a central cavity along the central axis for receiving additional utensils. The central cavity can be substantially cylindrical. The central cavity can also include a substantially cylindrical sharpening rod support for receiving a distal portion of a sharpening rod.
Another utensil holder is described herein. The utensil holder can include a holding body formed by a plurality of substantially wedge-shaped sections. Each wedge-shaped section can include a utensil sleeve. The plurality of wedge-shaped sections can form a generally cylindrical holding body with spaced apart utensil sleeves for supporting a utensil received within the sleeve. The utensil sleeves can include knife sleeves and the utensil restraints can include knife restraints for receiving knives.
The utensil sleeves can extend longitudinally through the holding body with an opening on a top end of the holding body. In some embodiments, the utensil sleeves can include longitudinally extending slots in a side of the holding body with an opening on a top end of the holding body. The utensil holder can also include a utensil restraint coupled to each of the slots. The utensil restraint can include an opening having a width greater than the width of a knife blade and less than the width of a bolster or handle of a knife.
The utensil holder can also include a base connected to a bottom end of the holding body. The holding body can be rotatably connected to the base.
A knife holder set is also described herein. The set can include a holding body having a central longitudinal axis and a plurality of knife sleeves for receiving knives spaced apart in the holding body. The knife sleeves can extend longitudinally through the holding body and can be spaced apart in a radial orientation from the central longitudinal axis.
The knife sleeves can be configured to receive a plurality of knives with edges of the knives towards the central longitudinal axis and spines of the knives towards on outer side of the holding body. The knife sleeves can include slots in the holding body and knife restraints coupled to the slots for supporting a plurality of knives within the sleeves. The set can also include a plurality of knives configured for a blade to fit within the knife sleeves.
The holding body can also include a central cavity along the central axis for receiving an additional utensil. The set can also include an additional utensil. In some embodiments, the additional utensil can include a knife sharpener. In some embodiments, the additional utensil can include a salt and pepper dispenser. The holding body and a handle of the additional utensil can include a same material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the presently disclosed invention and, together with the description, disclose the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a utensil holder described herein.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the utensil holder of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the utensil holder of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the utensil holder of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along cut lines A′-A′ of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a utensil holder described herein.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the utensil holder of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the utensil holder of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the holder along cut lines B′-B′ of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view, side view, top view and front view of the utensil restraints of utensil holder of FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a utensil set described herein.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the set along cut lines C′-C′ of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a utensil set described herein.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the utensil set of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the utensil set of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the set along cut lines D′-D′ of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a utensil set described herein.

FIG. 18 is a top view of the utensil set of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the utensil set of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a utensil holder described herein.

FIG. 21 is an exploded view of the utensil holder of FIG. 21.

FIG. 22 is a top view of the utensil holder of FIG. 20.

FIG. 23 is a side view of the utensil holder of FIG. 20.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view along cut lines A′-A′ of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the utensil restraints of utensil holder of FIG. 20.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a utensil holder described herein.

FIG. 27 is a side view of the utensil holder of FIG. 26

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view along cut lines C′-C′ of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a utensil holder described herein.

FIG. 30 is a side view of the utensil holder of FIG. 29

FIG. 31 is an exploded view of the utensil set of FIG. 26.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present teachings, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional changes may be made without departing from the respective scope of the present teachings. Moreover, features of the various embodiments may be combined or altered without departing from the scope of the present teachings. As such, the following description is presented by way of illustration only and should not limit in any way the various alternatives and modifications that may be made to the illustrated embodiments and still be within the spirit and scope of the present teachings.
The description herein is directed to a utensil holder 10, which provides safe, secure and attractive storage and organization of culinary utensils. The utensil holder 10 is configured to hold a set of utensils and/or a variety of utensils for easy storage, organization, and access when cooking or dining. Aspects of the utensil holder 10 will be explained in connection with a holder 10 adapted for receiving knives 70, but the detailed description is intended only as one example. The utensil holder 10 can be adapted for use with a variety of other utensils such as other cutlery (such as spoons, forks etc.), cooking utensils (such as ladles, spatulas, barbecue forks etc.), and culinary accessories (such as sharpeners, salt shakers or mills, pepper shakers or mills etc.).
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the holder. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Additionally, to the extent that the terms “including,” “includes,” “having,” “has,” “with,” or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description and/or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Furthermore, relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “over” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the holder be constructed or used in a particular orientation.
As shown in the FIGS. 1-31, the utensil holder 10 includes a holding body 20 and a plurality of utensil sleeves 40 on the holding body 20 for receiving utensils. In some embodiments, the utensil holder 10 can be a knife holder 10 for holding a plurality of knives. The holding body 20 can have a top 21, a bottom 22, and a central longitudinal axis Y. In some embodiments, the holding body 20 can form a block, as shown in FIG. 1. For example, the holding body 20 can form a substantially solid block. In other embodiments, the holding body 20 can form a frame.
The holding body 20 can have a generally symmetrical shape. As used herein, “symmetrical” means having at least one line of symmetry. In some embodiments, the holding body 20 can form a substantially cylindrical shape. As used herein, “substantially cylindrical” encompasses cylinders having top and bottom ends the same size and conical frustums having top and bottom ends of different sizes. For example as shown in FIG. 2 the holding body 20 can form a conical frustum having a top end 21 that is larger than a bottom end 22 of the holding body 20, or vice versa. In other embodiments, the holding body 20 can form another shape having polygonal top and bottom ends, i.e. pentagon, hexagon, etc.
In some embodiments, the holding body 20 also includes a base 30 or 33 connected to the bottom end 22 of the holding body 20. The base 30 or 33 can provide additional stability when the utensil holder 10 rests on a surface, such as a counter top or a table. For example, the base 30 or 33 can prevent tipping or slipping of the utensil holder 10 by adding additional weight to the bottom 22 of the holder 10, providing a larger surface area than the bottom 22 of the holding body 10 for engaging with the counter surface, or including non-slip materials such as rubber, plastic, microfibers, polymers, and other materials having a frictional coefficient greater than the bottom 22 of the holding body 20 alone on the same surface.
The holding body 20 can be fixedly connected to the base 30 or movably connected to the base 30. The holding body 20 can also or alternatively be fixed to the base 33 a which can be movably connected to a base 33 b, which may provide additional stability when the utensil holder 10 rests on a surface, such as a counter top or a table. In some embodiments, the holding body 20 is rotatably connected to the base 30. For example as shown in FIG. 2, the base 30 can be connected to the holding body 20 with a connector 31 that allows the holding body 20 to rotate around an axis, such as the central longitudinal axis Y. The connector 31 can include bearings, slip rings, and other rotatable connectors. In other embodiments, the connector 31 can allow the holding body 20 to move in other directions, for example tilting the body 20 with respect to the base 20. Further, the holding body 20 can be fixed to the base top 33 a which can be affixed to base bottom 33 b with base bearing screw 35. Base top 33 a and base bottom 33 b can be separated by a second bearing 34. This configuration can allow the base top 33 a and holding body 20 to rotate around the axis Y.
As shown in FIGS. 1-31 the tool holder 10 includes one or more utensil sleeves 40 arranged radially on the holding body 20 and configured for receiving utensils, such as knives. The utensil sleeves 40 can form pockets, channels or similar receptacles extending longitudinally along the holding body 20. The utensil sleeves 40 can include slots 50 within the holding body 20, utensil restraints 60 coupled to the holding body 20 for supporting a utensil, or both, e.g., utensil restraints 60 coupled to slots 50 in the holding body 20. Each slot 50 can extend longitudinally with an opening 51 on at least the top 21 of the holding body 20. The slots 50 can also form openings along the outer surfaces 23 of the holding body 20. As used herein, the relative term “outer” refers to the direction extending radially outward from the central longitudinal axis Y.
The utensil restraints 60 can include coverings 61, clips 65, securing ring or sheaths. For example as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the utensil sleeves 40 can be formed by coverings 61 over the slots 50 to enclose or partially enclose the utensil sleeve 40, leaving an opening 64 proximate the top surface 21 for receiving a utensil. The covering 61 can be shaped and sized to cover the sides of the slot 50, the bottom of the slot 50 and/or partially cover the top of the slot 50. The shape of the covering 61 can correspond to the shape of the slot 50 and/or the holding body 20. For example, the utensil sleeve 40 can include a wedge-shaped channel 50 in the holding body 20 and the utensil restraint 60 can include a covering 61 having a corresponding shape to fit within the slot 50 or over at least a portion of the slot 50.
In some embodiments, the utensil sleeves 40 can be formed by a utensil restraint 60 coupled on or proximate a slot 50. The utensil restraint 60 can have an opening for receiving a knife blade 71 and a base 67 proximate an outer perimeter of the holding body 20 for preventing a knife blade 71 from pivoting out of the slot 50 when the knife blade 71 is inserted in the sleeve 40. For example, in the arrangements of FIGS. 6-10, the utensil restraints 60 can include a clip 65 coupled to slots 50 in the holding body 20. The clip 65 can have a shape corresponding to the lateral cross section of the slot 50 and attach to an upper portion of the holding body 20. For example, the clip 65 can attach over an upper rim 52 of the slot 50 as shown in FIG. 6 or within the slot 50. As shown in FIG. 10, the clip 65 can include substantially bar-shaped sides 66 with at least two opposing sides 66 a, 66 b and a back side 67 forming an opening 68 through which the distal portion of a utensil can pass. The two opposing sides 66 a, 66 b can form an opening 68 having a width greater than the width of a distal end of a utensil but less than the width of a proximal end or handle of the utensil. The opening can have a generally triangular shape for receiving a knife blade. The back side 67 of the clip 65 can form an angle with the two opposing sides 66 a, 66 b and provide further support to a utensil when it is positioned within the sleeve 40. For example, the slots 50 can form openings on the top end 21 and outer side 23 of the holding body 20 and the back side 67 of the clip 65 can restrain a utensil from lateral movement when inserted into a slot 50.
Additional embodiments of a utensil holder according the present teachings are described below. In the descriptions, all of the details and components may not be fully described or shown. Rather, the features or components are described and, in some instances, differences with the above-described embodiments may be pointed out. Moreover, it should be appreciated that these other embodiments may include elements or components utilized in the above-described embodiments although not shown or described. Thus, the descriptions of these other embodiments are merely exemplary and not all-inclusive nor exclusive. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the features, components, elements and functionalities of the various embodiments may be combined or altered to achieve a desired utensil holder without departing from the spirit and scope of the present teachings.
As depicted in FIGS. 20-31, a utensil holder 10/100 can include a utensil restraint 143. The utensil restraint 143 can include a utensil restraint inner wall 49 coupled to ring body recess 27 and aligning ring step 45 with slots 50 in the holding body 20. The utensil restraint 143 can have a shape generally corresponding to the lateral cross section of the body top outer edge 21 and attach to an upper portion of the holding body 20. For example, the utensil restraint 143 can attach over the ring body recess 27 and slot 50 as shown in FIG. 21 and align aligning ring step 45 with slot 50. As shown in FIG. 25, the utensil restraint 143 can include a substantially ring shaped top profile 44 with the inner wall 49, opening 48, a plurality of steps 45 and back sides 46. The opening 48 can have a generally circular shape with a plurality of steps 45 for receiving knife blades. The back side 46 of the ring step 45 can form pocket and provide further support to a utensil when it is positioned within the utensil restraint 143. For example, the ring step 45 can form openings on the top end 21 and outer side 23 of the holding body 20 and the back side 46 of the utensil restraint 143 can restrain a utensil from lateral movement when inserted into a slot 50.
In some embodiments, the material for the holding body 20 can be different from the material for the utensil restraints 60/143. For example, the holding body 20 material can include wood and the utensil restraint 60/143 material can include metal; or the holding body 20 material can include metal and the utensil restraint 60/143 material can include plastic or a different metal. For example, a wood holding body 20 block can include metal utensil restraints 60/143; or a metal holding body 20 frame can include plastic utensil restraints. In other embodiments, the materials for the utensil holder 10 components 20, 60/143 can be the same.
A distal end of a utensil can be removably inserted in the sleeve 40 with a proximal end or handle of the utensil extending above the top end 21 of the holding body 20. For example as shown in FIGS. 13-19 and 29-31, the utensil sleeve 40 can be configured to receive the blade 71 of a knife 70 and the sleeve opening 51, 64, 68 can have a width greater than the width of the blade 71 but less than the width of a bolster 72 or handle 73 of the knife 70.
The utensil sleeves 40 can include an appropriate lateral cross-section for the corresponding type of utensil. For example, the lateral cross-section of the utensil sleeves 40 can be rectangular, triangular or trapezoidal for receiving knives 70. Triangular or trapezoidal cross sections can form wedge-shaped sleeves to provide a form fitting sleeve 40 for a knife blade 71 having the spine 75 with a greater width than the edge 74. The vertex of the wedge can face the central longitudinal axis Y of the holding body 20 and the base of the wedge can face the outer side 23 of the holding body 20 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6. One or more knives 70 can be removably inserted in the sleeves 40 as shown in FIGS. 14 and 18 with their edges 74 facing the central longitudinal axis Y and their spines 75 facing towards the outer side 23 of the holding body 20 as shown in FIG. 19. Such embodiments allow each knife to be stored in a radial arrangement around the central longitudinal axis Y of the holding body 20.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, a utensil holder 10 is provided. The utensil holder 10 includes a plurality of wedge-shaped sections 10 a-e forming a conical frustum as shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, each wedge-shaped section 10 a-e includes a holding body portion 20 and a utensil sleeve 40, which can also include a utensil restraint 60/143. Each of the holding body portions 20 can be the same size and each utensil sleeve 40 can be evenly spaced apart. As shown in FIG. 2, the tool holder 10 includes a solid holding body 20 with a plurality of utensil sleeves 40 comprising slots 50 in the sides extending longitudinally from the top 21 to the bottom 22 of the holding body 20. The utensil sleeves 40 also include coverings 61 as the restraints 60. The coverings 61 can be substantially C-shaped to enclose the side and bottom of the slots 50 and attach to the top of the holding body 20 over the top opening 51. As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the coverings 61 have a width slightly greater than the width of the slots 50 and are coupled over the holding body 20 to form a utensil sleeve 40 compartment with an opening 64 on the top end 21 of the holding body 20 for receiving the blade 71 of a knife 70. The utensil sleeves 40 include a substantially wedge-shaped lateral cross section for receiving a radially oriented knife blade 71 with the edge 74 of the blade 71 facing the central longitudinal axis Y of the holding body 20 and the spine 75 of the blade 71 facing outward.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-10, a tool holder 10 is provided. As shown in FIG. 6, the tool holder 10 includes a solid holding body 20 in the shape of a conical frustum and a plurality of knife sleeves 40 cut into the holding body 20. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the knife sleeves 40 include radially-oriented slots 50 in the sides of the holding body 20 extending longitudinally from the top 21 to a lower portion 24 of the holding body 20 with openings 51 on the top end 21 and sides 23 of the holding body 20. The slots 50 can have different sizes. For example, the length of each slot 50 can correspond to a different type of knife to be held, i.e. a shorter length for a paring knife and a longer length for a cooking knife. The knife sleeves 40 can also include knife clips 65 as the restraints 60. Each of the knife clips 65 are coupled to the top end 21 of the holding body 20 over a slot 50.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the clips 65 can be substantially wedge-shaped with two legs 66 a, 66 b and a base 67. The legs 66 a, 66 b rest on top 21 of the holding body 20 and the base 67 extends past the outer side 23 of the holding body 20. The slots 50 and clips 65 are configured for receiving a knife with the edge of the blade facing the central longitudinal axis Y of the holding body 20 and the spine of the blade facing outward with the base 67 of the clip 65 supporting an inserted knife in an upright position.
The tool holder 10 can include a plurality of utensil sleeves 40 including 2 or more sleeves, 3 or more sleeves, 5 or more sleeves, 6 or more sleeves, 7 or more sleeves, 8 or more sleeves, 9 or more sleeves, and 12 or more sleeves. In some embodiments, the plurality of sleeves 40 can be evenly spaced apart. In embodiments with a symmetrical holding body 20, the tool holder 10 can be symmetrical. The sleeves 40 can be evenly spaced apart or variably spaced.
The tool holder 10 can also include other cavities in the holding body 20 for receiving additional utensils 80. Additional utensils 80 can include a sharpening rod, salt shaker or mill, a pepper shaker or mill, a barbecue fork, similar culinary utensils, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the additional utensil 80 can be a combination salt shaker and pepper mill. For example, the tool holder 10 can include a central cavity 25 along the central axis Y of the holding body 20 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. The central cavity 25 can be substantially cylindrical. The central cavity 25 can be configured to hold an item, such as salt and pepper. The central cavity 25 can include a selectively attachable top that can include a set of apertures whereby an item such as salt and pepper may pass when shaken upside down—see FIG. 14.
As shown in FIG. 19, the central cavity 25 can also include a utensil support 90 configured to receive a specific utensil 80. For example, the central cavity 25 can include a sharpening rod support 90 a for receiving a distal portion of a sharpening rod 80 a. The sharpening rod support 90 a can fit within the central cavity 25 and provide a substantially cylindrical sharpening rod receiving cavity 91. The utensil support 90 can also be removably inserted within the central cavity 25.
The utensil holder 10 can also include one or more utensils 70, 80 to form a set. For example as shown in FIGS. 11-19 and 26-31, the set can include a utensil holder 10, an additional utensil 80 configured to fit within the central cavity 25 of the utensil body 10, and/or a plurality of utensils, such as knives 70, configured to fit within the utensil sleeves 40 of the holder 10. The number of knives 70 in the set can correspond to the number of sleeves 40 on the holding body 20.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a utensil set is provided. The set includes a utensil holder 10 as described above and an additional utensil 80. The additional utensil 80 is a combination salt shaker and pepper mill 80 b and fits into a central cavity 25 in the holding body 20. FIG. 11 shows a side view of the set with the shaker/mill 80 b held in the central cavity 25. FIG. 12 shows a cross-section of the set along cut-lines C′-C′. The shaker/mill 80 b can dispense pepper from a distal end 81 of the shaker/mill 80 b and dispense salt from a proximal end 82. The salt shaker portion of the shaker/mill 80 b forms a handle 83 that is rotatably attached to the pepper mill portion and can be turned to mill peppercorn stored in the distal portion of the shaker/mill 80 b.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13-16, another utensil set is provided. The set includes a utensil holder 10 as described above and a plurality of knives 70. Each of the plurality of utensil sleeves 40 on the holder 10 are shaped to hold one knife 70; and the plurality of knives 70 include blades 71 sized to fit within the sleeves 40. When the knives 70 are in the stored position as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the blades 71 are arranged radially in the holder 10 with the edges 74 facing the central longitudinal axis Y and spines 75 facing towards the outer side 23 of the holding body 20 and the handles 73 of the knives 70 extend over the top 21 of the holding body 20.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 17-19, another utensil set is provided. The set includes a utensil holder 10 as described above, a plurality of knives 70, and an additional utensil 80. As shown in the exploded view of FIG. 19, the additional utensil 80 is a sharpening rod 80 a and fits into a central cavity 25 in the holding body 20. In particular, the holder 10 includes a utensil support 90 within the central cavity 25 of the holding body 20. The utensil support 90 includes a cylindrical receiving cavity 91. When a distal end 81 of the sharpening rod 80 a is inserted in the receiving cavity 91, a handle 83 of the sharpening rod 80 a extend over the top 21 of the holding body 20.
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to just the embodiments disclosed, but that the invention described herein is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the claims hereafter. The claims as follows are intended to include all modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the claims or the equivalent thereof.

Claims

I claim:

1. A utensil holder comprising:

a holding body having a central longitudinal axis; and

a plurality of utensil sleeves for receiving utensils, wherein said utensil sleeves extend longitudinally on said holding body and are spaced apart in a generally radial orientation from said central longitudinal axis.

2. The utensil holder according to claim 1, wherein said utensil sleeves comprise knife sleeves for receiving a blade of a knife.

3. The utensil holder according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of sleeves are evenly spaced apart.

4. The utensil holder according to claim 1, wherein said utensil sleeves comprises utensil restraints coupled to said holding body.

5. The utensil holder according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said utensil sleeves comprises a slot in said holding body and a utensil restraint coupled to said slot for supporting a utensil received within said sleeve.

6. The utensil holder according to claim 5, wherein said utensil restraint comprises a clip coupled to an upper rim of said slot on said holding body.

7. The utensil holder according to claim 5, wherein said utensil restraint comprises a covering coupled to said holding body over a portion of said slot.

8. The utensil holder according to claim 5, wherein said holding body comprises a first material and said utensil restraints comprise a second material different from said first material.

9. The utensil holder according to claim 8, wherein said first material comprises a wood and said second material comprises a metal.

10. The utensil holder according to claim 1, wherein said utensil sleeves comprise a substantially wedge shape.

11. The utensil holder according to claim 4, wherein said utensil sleeves and utensil restraints combine to form substantially wedge shaped shapes.

12. The utensil holder according to claim 1, wherein said holding body comprises a symmetrical shape.

13. The utensil holder according to claim 1, wherein a shape of said holding body is substantially cylindrical.

14. The utensil holder according to claim 1, wherein a shape of said holding body comprises a conical frustum.

15. The utensil holder according to claim 1, wherein said holding body further comprises a central cavity along said central axis for receiving additional utensils.

16. The utensil holder according to claim 14, wherein said central cavity is substantially cylindrical.

17. The utensil holder according to claim 14, wherein said central cavity further comprises a substantially cylindrical sharpening rod support for receiving a distal portion of a sharpening rod.

18. A utensil holder comprising:

a holding body formed by a plurality of substantially wedge-shaped sections,

wherein said plurality of wedge-shaped sections form a generally cylindrical holding body with spaced apart utensil sleeves for supporting a utensil received within said sleeve.

19. The utensil holder according to claim 18, wherein said utensil sleeves extend longitudinally through said holding body with an opening on a top end of said holding body.

20. The utensil holder according to claim 18, wherein said utensil sleeves comprise longitudinally extending slots in a side of said holding body with an opening on a top end of said holding body.

21. The utensil holder according to claim 20, further comprising a utensil restraint coupled to each of said slots.

22. The utensil holder according to claim 18, further comprising a base connected to a bottom end of said holding body.

23. The utensil holder according to claim 22, wherein said holding body is rotatably connected to said base.

24. The utensil holder according to claim 21, wherein said utensil sleeves comprise knife sleeves and said utensil restraints comprise knife restraints for receiving knives.

25. The utensil holder according to claim 24, wherein said utensil restraint comprises an opening having a width greater than the width of a knife blade and less than the width of a bolster or handle of a knife.

26. A knife holder set comprising:

a holding body having a central longitudinal axis; and

a plurality of knife sleeves for receiving knives spaced apart in said holding body, wherein said knife sleeves extend longitudinally through said holding body and are spaced apart in a generally radial orientation from said central longitudinal axis.

27. The knife holder set according to claim 26, wherein said knife sleeves are configured to receive a plurality of knives with edges of the knives towards the central longitudinal axis and spines of the knives towards on outer side of the holding body.

28. The knife holder set according to claim 26, further comprising a plurality of knives configured for a blade to fit within said knife sleeves.

29. The knife holder set according to claim 26, wherein said knife sleeves comprise slots in said holding body and knife restraints coupled said slots for supporting a plurality of knives within said sleeves.

30. The knife holder set according to claim 26, wherein said holding body further comprises a central cavity along said central axis for receiving an additional utensil; and

said knife holder set further comprises an additional utensil.

31. The knife holder set according to claim 30, wherein said additional utensil comprises a knife sharpener.

32. The knife holder set according to claim 30, wherein said additional utensil comprises a salt and pepper dispenser.

33. The knife holder set according to claim 30, wherein said holding body and a handle of said additional utensil comprise a same material.

34. The knife holder set according to claim 26, further comprising a base attached with the holding body.

35. The knife holder set according to claim 34, wherein the base includes a non-slip material.

36. The knife holder set according to claim 35, wherein the non-slip material has a frictional coefficient greater than the holding body.

37. The knife holder set according to claim 35, wherein the non-slip material includes at least one of rubber, plastic, microfiber, or polymer.

38. The knife holder set according to claim 34, wherein the base is rotatably attached with the holding body.

39. The knife holder set according to claim 34, wherein the base comprises:

a top member attached with the holding body;

a bottom member attached with the top portion; and

a bearing positioned between the top and bottom members wherein the bearing rotates either of the top member with respect to the bottom member or the bottom member with respect to the top member.