US20150143703A1 - Flatware and silverware design - Google Patents

Flatware and silverware design Download PDF

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Publication number
US20150143703A1
US20150143703A1 US14/230,374 US201414230374A US2015143703A1 US 20150143703 A1 US20150143703 A1 US 20150143703A1 US 201414230374 A US201414230374 A US 201414230374A US 2015143703 A1 US2015143703 A1 US 2015143703A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
flatware
silverware
improved
utensil
spoon
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
Application number
US14/230,374
Inventor
Unnikrishnan Ramachandran Nair
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Individual
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Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US14/230,374 priority Critical patent/US20150143703A1/en
Publication of US20150143703A1 publication Critical patent/US20150143703A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • A47G21/02—Forks; Forks with ejectors; Combined forks and spoons; Salad servers
    • 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
    • A47G21/06—Combined or separable sets of table-service utensils; Oyster knives with openers; Fish servers with means for removing bones
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G2400/00—Details not otherwise provided for in A47G19/00-A47G23/16
    • A47G2400/02—Hygiene
    • A47G2400/025—Avoiding contact with unclean surfaces

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to forks, knives, and spoons commonly known as flatware or silverware, where the surface of food contact is kept away from table top and other surfaces.
  • the primary object of the present invention is to provide a design for improved flatware and silverware where the surface of food contact is kept away from table top and other unhygienic surfaces.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a design that can be cleaned and reused.
  • Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a design that does not tip over.
  • Yet another objective of the present invention is the utensils can be stacked when necessary to minimize storage space.
  • Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a design that can be manufactured at a reasonable cost making it affordable for both commercial and residential use.
  • FIG. 1 is a top view of a fork, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fork, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a front side elevation view of a fork, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing how the food contact area is kept away from the table surface.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of multiple forks stacked together, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a top view of a knife, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a knife, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a front side elevation view of a knife, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing how the food contact area is kept away from the table surface.
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view of multiple knives stacked together, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a top view of a spoon, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a spoon, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a front side elevation view of a spoon, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing how the food contact area is kept away from the table surface.
  • FIG. 12 is a perspective view of multiple spoons stacked together, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows a top view of the fork 100 , showing the tip of the fork 101 , the inside of the fork 102 , the neck of the fork 104 , and the handle of the fork 105 .
  • the tip of the fork 101 , the inside of the fork 102 , and the back of the fork 103 are the areas of the fork 100 that come in contact with food.
  • FIG. 2 shows the perspective of the fork 100 .
  • FIG. 3 is the front elevation of the fork 100 showing how the back of the fork 103 , the tip of the fork 101 and the inside of the fork 102 are prevented from making physical contact with the surface on which the fork is placed.
  • the fork 100 rests on the neck 104 and the handle of the fork 105 .
  • FIG. 4 shows how the fork 100 can be stacked when it is not in use to minimize usage of storage space.
  • FIG. 5 shows a top view of the knife 200 , showing the tip of the knife 201 , the inside of the knife 202 , the neck of the knife 204 , and the handle of the knife 205 .
  • the tip of the knife 201 , the inside of the knife 202 , and the back of the knife 203 are the areas of the knife 200 that come in contact with food.
  • FIG. 6 shows the perspective of the knife 200 .
  • FIG. 7 is the front elevation of the knife 200 showing how the back of the knife 203 , the tip of the knife 201 and the inside of the knife 202 are prevented from making physical contact with the surface on which the knife is placed.
  • the knife 200 rests on the neck 204 and the handle of the knife 205 .
  • FIG. 8 shows how the knife 200 can be stacked when it is not in use to minimize usage of storage space.
  • FIG. 9 shows a top view of the spoon 300 , showing the tip of the spoon 301 , the inside of the spoon 302 , the neck of the spoon 304 , and the handle of the spoon 305 .
  • the tip of the spoon 301 , the inside of the spoon 302 , and the back of the spoon 303 are the areas of the spoon 300 that come in contact with food.
  • FIG. 10 shows the perspective of the spoon 300 .
  • FIG. 11 is the front elevation of the spoon 300 showing how the back of the spoon 303 , the tip of the spoon 301 and the inside of the spoon 302 are prevented from making physical contact with the surface on which the spoon is placed.
  • the spoon 300 rests on the neck 304 and the handle of the spoon 305 .
  • FIG. 12 shows how the spoon 300 can be stacked when it is not in use to minimize usage of storage space.
  • the present invention allows you to place flatware and silverware on a table top or other surface where the surface of food contact does not make physical contact with the table top or other surface where it is placed, without tipping over. These utensils can be cleaned and reused and the design is such that they can be manufactured at a reasonable cost making is affordable for commercial and residential use. The present invention also allows these utensils to be stacked when not in use to minimize usage of storage space.
  • the Improved Flatware and Silverware Design benefits homeowners and commercial foodservice establishments by providing utensils that minimize contamination from being placed on dirty surfaces. Furthermore, the Improved Flatware and Silverware Design have the additional advantages in that it allows cleaning and reuse of these utensils after use, and allows these utensils to be stacked when stored to save space.

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  • Table Equipment (AREA)

Abstract

Improved Flatware and Silverware Design benefits homeowners and commercial foodservice establishments by providing utensils that eliminate contamination from being placed on dirty surfaces. Furthermore, the Improved Flatware and Silverware Design have the additional advantages in that it allows cleaning and reuse of these utensils after use, and it allows these utensils to be stacked when stored to save space.

Description

    CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
  • This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/909,407, filed 2013 Nov. 27 by the present inventor.
    • STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
  • Not Applicable
    • DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX
  • Not Applicable
    • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention relates to forks, knives, and spoons commonly known as flatware or silverware, where the surface of food contact is kept away from table top and other surfaces.
  • At a table in a restaurant, you will find flatware neatly wrapped in a clean cloth or paper napkin. The dilemma is where you keep them once you take them out of the napkin since we all have seen how these tables are cleaned between uses. The same is true at parties or even in your own home.
  • A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly to the claims of this invention.
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The primary object of the present invention is to provide a design for improved flatware and silverware where the surface of food contact is kept away from table top and other unhygienic surfaces.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a design that can be cleaned and reused.
  • Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a design that does not tip over.
  • Yet another objective of the present invention is the utensils can be stacked when necessary to minimize storage space.
  • Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a design that can be manufactured at a reasonable cost making it affordable for both commercial and residential use.
  • These objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this particular embodiment and that it can be practiced or carried out in various ways.
    • DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is a top view of a fork, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fork, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a front side elevation view of a fork, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing how the food contact area is kept away from the table surface.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of multiple forks stacked together, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a top view of a knife, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a knife, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a front side elevation view of a knife, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing how the food contact area is kept away from the table surface.
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view of multiple knives stacked together, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a top view of a spoon, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a spoon, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a front side elevation view of a spoon, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing how the food contact area is kept away from the table surface.
  • FIG. 12 is a perspective view of multiple spoons stacked together, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Drawings - Reference Numerals
    100 Fork 101 tip of the fork
    102 inside of the fork 204 neck of the knife
    103 back of the fork 205 handle of the knife
    104 neck of the fork 300 Spoon
    105 handle of the fork 301 tip of the spoon
    200 Knife 302 inside of the spoon
    201 tip of the knife 303 back of the spoon
    202 inside of the knife 304 neck of the spoon
    203 back of the knife 305 handle of the spoon
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
  • Detailed description of the preferred embodiment is provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.
  • In accordance with the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a top view of the fork 100, showing the tip of the fork 101, the inside of the fork 102, the neck of the fork 104, and the handle of the fork 105. The tip of the fork 101, the inside of the fork 102, and the back of the fork 103 are the areas of the fork 100 that come in contact with food. FIG. 2 shows the perspective of the fork 100. FIG. 3 is the front elevation of the fork 100 showing how the back of the fork 103, the tip of the fork 101 and the inside of the fork 102 are prevented from making physical contact with the surface on which the fork is placed. The fork 100 rests on the neck 104 and the handle of the fork 105. FIG. 4 shows how the fork 100 can be stacked when it is not in use to minimize usage of storage space.
  • FIG. 5 shows a top view of the knife 200, showing the tip of the knife 201, the inside of the knife 202, the neck of the knife 204, and the handle of the knife 205. The tip of the knife 201, the inside of the knife 202, and the back of the knife 203 are the areas of the knife 200 that come in contact with food. FIG. 6 shows the perspective of the knife 200. FIG. 7 is the front elevation of the knife 200 showing how the back of the knife 203, the tip of the knife 201 and the inside of the knife 202 are prevented from making physical contact with the surface on which the knife is placed. The knife 200 rests on the neck 204 and the handle of the knife 205. FIG. 8 shows how the knife 200 can be stacked when it is not in use to minimize usage of storage space.
  • FIG. 9 shows a top view of the spoon 300, showing the tip of the spoon 301, the inside of the spoon 302, the neck of the spoon 304, and the handle of the spoon 305. The tip of the spoon 301, the inside of the spoon 302, and the back of the spoon 303 are the areas of the spoon 300 that come in contact with food. FIG. 10 shows the perspective of the spoon 300. FIG. 11 is the front elevation of the spoon 300 showing how the back of the spoon 303, the tip of the spoon 301 and the inside of the spoon 302 are prevented from making physical contact with the surface on which the spoon is placed. The spoon 300 rests on the neck 304 and the handle of the spoon 305. FIG. 12 shows how the spoon 300 can be stacked when it is not in use to minimize usage of storage space.
    • Alternate Embodiment
  • In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed typical preferred embodiments or implementation of the invention or the materials used in the construction and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purposes of limiting the scope of the invention.
    • Advantages
  • The present invention allows you to place flatware and silverware on a table top or other surface where the surface of food contact does not make physical contact with the table top or other surface where it is placed, without tipping over. These utensils can be cleaned and reused and the design is such that they can be manufactured at a reasonable cost making is affordable for commercial and residential use. The present invention also allows these utensils to be stacked when not in use to minimize usage of storage space.
    • Conclusion, Ramification and Scope
  • Accordingly, the reader will see that the Improved Flatware and Silverware Design benefits homeowners and commercial foodservice establishments by providing utensils that minimize contamination from being placed on dirty surfaces. Furthermore, the Improved Flatware and Silverware Design have the additional advantages in that it allows cleaning and reuse of these utensils after use, and allows these utensils to be stacked when stored to save space.
  • Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiment but as merely providing illustrations of one of several embodiments. Thus the scope of the embodiment should be determined by the appended claims and legal equivalents, rather than the examples given.

Claims (9)

What is claimed is:
1. Improved Flatware and Silverware:
wherein the food contact area of the said utensil does not make contact with the surface where the utensil is placed.
2. The Improved Flatware and Silverware of claim 1, where the said utensil eliminates contamination when placed on any surface.
3. The Improved Flatware and Silverware of claim 1, where the said utensil can be washed and reused.
4. The Improved Flatware and Silverware of claim 1, where the said utensil can be disposable.
5. The Improved Flatware and Silverware of claim 1, where the said utensil can be made of any material suitable for this purpose.
6. The Improved Flatware and Silverware of claim 1, where the said utensil can manufactured at a reasonable cost.
7. The Improved Flatware and Silverware of claim 1, where the said utensil can be stacked when stored to save space.
8. The Improved Flatware and Silverware of claim 1, where the design prevents the utensil from tipping over when placed on a flat surface.
9. The Improved Flatware and Silverware of claim 1, which benefits both home owners and commercial food service establishments.
US14/230,374 2013-11-27 2014-03-31 Flatware and silverware design Abandoned US20150143703A1 (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14/230,374 US20150143703A1 (en) 2013-11-27 2014-03-31 Flatware and silverware design

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US201361909407P 2013-11-27 2013-11-27
US14/230,374 US20150143703A1 (en) 2013-11-27 2014-03-31 Flatware and silverware design

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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20170202383A1 (en) * 2016-01-14 2017-07-20 Yi Liang Yew Elevated utensil
USD851466S1 (en) 2018-01-24 2019-06-18 Gpcp Ip Holdings Llc Spoon
USD852006S1 (en) 2018-01-24 2019-06-25 Gpcp Ip Holdings Llc Knife
USD852007S1 (en) 2018-01-24 2019-06-25 Gpcp Ip Holdings Llc Fork
US20190335931A1 (en) * 2016-10-28 2019-11-07 Segan Industries, Inc. Sanitary Utensils and Consumer Products
US20220061564A1 (en) * 2020-09-02 2022-03-03 Dart Container Corporation Stackable cutlery
US20230380615A1 (en) * 2020-06-15 2023-11-30 Joelle Mertzel Utensil for mounting on a container and folding for minimizing storage space of the container and utensil combination

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2737399A1 (en) * 1995-07-31 1997-02-07 Mekhalfia Lakhdar Ergonomic cutlery with curved handle - has zone between handle and active part with double curve to keep active part above surface
FR2891127A1 (en) * 2005-09-29 2007-03-30 Joseph Mercurio Items of cutlery or cooking utensils have bend or thick collar between handle and blade, bowl or tines, allowing item to be rested on table while eating without blade, etc. coming into contact with its surface
US20070214650A1 (en) * 2006-03-15 2007-09-20 Tomazini Pedro L Constructive disposition applied to silverware
EP2130462A1 (en) * 2008-06-06 2009-12-09 Di Solle Cutelaria, LTDA. Constructive form applied to set of cutlery
US20100000096A1 (en) * 2006-05-02 2010-01-07 Rolf Muehlemann Stackable Pieces of Flatware
US20120297628A1 (en) * 2011-05-23 2012-11-29 Rayko Jamie Lynn Utensils with integrated stand
US20130133207A1 (en) * 2011-11-24 2013-05-30 Kyle Donovan Post on Eating Utensil

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2737399A1 (en) * 1995-07-31 1997-02-07 Mekhalfia Lakhdar Ergonomic cutlery with curved handle - has zone between handle and active part with double curve to keep active part above surface
FR2891127A1 (en) * 2005-09-29 2007-03-30 Joseph Mercurio Items of cutlery or cooking utensils have bend or thick collar between handle and blade, bowl or tines, allowing item to be rested on table while eating without blade, etc. coming into contact with its surface
US20070214650A1 (en) * 2006-03-15 2007-09-20 Tomazini Pedro L Constructive disposition applied to silverware
US20100000096A1 (en) * 2006-05-02 2010-01-07 Rolf Muehlemann Stackable Pieces of Flatware
EP2130462A1 (en) * 2008-06-06 2009-12-09 Di Solle Cutelaria, LTDA. Constructive form applied to set of cutlery
US20120297628A1 (en) * 2011-05-23 2012-11-29 Rayko Jamie Lynn Utensils with integrated stand
US20130133207A1 (en) * 2011-11-24 2013-05-30 Kyle Donovan Post on Eating Utensil

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20170202383A1 (en) * 2016-01-14 2017-07-20 Yi Liang Yew Elevated utensil
US20190335931A1 (en) * 2016-10-28 2019-11-07 Segan Industries, Inc. Sanitary Utensils and Consumer Products
USD851466S1 (en) 2018-01-24 2019-06-18 Gpcp Ip Holdings Llc Spoon
USD852006S1 (en) 2018-01-24 2019-06-25 Gpcp Ip Holdings Llc Knife
USD852007S1 (en) 2018-01-24 2019-06-25 Gpcp Ip Holdings Llc Fork
US20230380615A1 (en) * 2020-06-15 2023-11-30 Joelle Mertzel Utensil for mounting on a container and folding for minimizing storage space of the container and utensil combination
US20220061564A1 (en) * 2020-09-02 2022-03-03 Dart Container Corporation Stackable cutlery

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