US20150230640A1 - Fork - Google Patents
Fork Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20150230640A1 US20150230640A1 US14/624,314 US201514624314A US2015230640A1 US 20150230640 A1 US20150230640 A1 US 20150230640A1 US 201514624314 A US201514624314 A US 201514624314A US 2015230640 A1 US2015230640 A1 US 2015230640A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- tines
- fork
- tine
- end portion
- extend
- 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
Links
Images
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
- A47G21/02—Forks; Forks with ejectors; Combined forks and spoons; Salad servers
- A47G21/023—Forks; Forks with ejectors
-
- 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
- A47G2400/06—Articles adapted for a particular kind of foodstuff
- A47G2400/067—Articles adapted for a particular kind of foodstuff for pasta or noodles
Definitions
- Embodiments of the present invention relate to a utensil. More specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to a fork that includes one or more tines that are extend and are arranged in one or more directions.
- a conventional fork often includes tines.
- the tines are typically similarly shaped and usually all extend in the same direction and that the same curve.
- Such a fork often has difficulty is picking certain types of food, such as spaghetti.
- FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a fork that includes a curved tine
- FIG. 2 illustrates another example of a fork that includes a curved tine and a center tine
- FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a fork that includes laterally directed tines that stem from a central tine
- FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a fork that includes tines with one or more nodules formed thereon
- FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a fork that includes another tine arrangement.
- Embodiments of the invention relate to utensils. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to utensils such as forks.
- a conventional fork includes one or more tines. However, the tines are usually very similar in form and are arranged in the same shape.
- Embodiments of the invention relate to forks that include tines that are may of different shapes and that may extend in different directions.
- Embodiments of the invention relate to a fork that is configured to facilitate eating foods such as, by way of example, spaghetti.
- a fork that is configured to facilitate eating foods such as, by way of example, spaghetti.
- embodiments of the invention can suppress spaghetti or noodles from slipping off of the tines and that are configured to more easily engage a food such as noodles.
- the end members (the tine arrangements) of the forks disclosed herein allow the forks to better grab and hold foods such as noodles or other materials.
- Embodiments of the invention can also be sized.
- a fork intended for use by a child for example, may be a smaller version of an adult fork.
- the figures discussed herein may or may not be to scale. Larger forks may be formed for use in food preparation rather than food consumption.
- FIGS. 1-5 illustrate examples of forks.
- the forks illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 include end portions with different configurations.
- the end portion may include one or more tines that are arranged in at least two directions.
- the tines may be arranged horizontally and/or vertically and/or at angles (including angles that are not perpendicular) with respect to other tines.
- the tines of any given fork may be of different lengths, of different widths, of different cross-sectional areas and/or shapes.
- the tines may have rounded, blunt, or sharpened tips. Tines may be provided that branch from other tines. Some of the times may be connected to each other.
- a middle portion transitions the handle of the forks to the end members.
- the handles and middle portions can have various shapes and configurations.
- the middle portion and end portion may have a curved shape similar to a conventional fork.
- FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a fork.
- the fork 100 includes a handle 102 , an end member 104 and a middle portion 106 that connects the handle 102 with the end member 104 .
- the end portion 104 includes a single tine 112 .
- the tine 112 has a serpentine shape with first portions 108 and second portions 110 .
- the number or undulations in the end portion 104 may vary and the distance between adjacent portions 108 can be constant or different.
- the tine 112 terminates in a tip 114 .
- the tip 114 may be rounded or pointed.
- the portions 108 and 110 are examples of partial tines in one example.
- the spaces between the first portions 108 may be sized such that a food such as spaghetti can be accommodated therein.
- the tine 112 allows the fork to hold the spaghetti.
- the end portion 108 may be configured with additional tines that are shorter such that a food item may be stabbed if necessary.
- the portions 110 extend in a first direction and the portions 108 are arranged in a second direction that is transverse or orthogonal to the first direction.
- the portions 110 and the portions 108 may intersect non-orthogonally.
- the arrangement of the tine 112 is essentially square shaped or rectangular. However other arrangements including triangular, oval, or the like are contemplated.
- sides of the tine 112 may be jagged, have small bumps, or the like, to facilitate holding the food.
- the tine 112 may have a constant cross section or have a cross section that tapers gradually from the middle portion 106 to the tip 114 .
- the members 108 may have different lengths in the second direction.
- the corners 116 of the tine may be sharp or rounded.
- the body of the fork 100 in the first direction may have a non-linear shape (e.g., shaped like a conventional fork) as illustrated by the side view 118 .
- the overall length direction of a fork, such as illustrated in FIG. 1 may have wave form.
- the wave form of the body may be distinct from the directions of the tines themselves.
- FIG. 2 illustrates another example of a fork 200 .
- the fork 200 is similar to the fork 100 and includes a serpentine tine 212 .
- the fork 200 also includes a center tine 203 that extends from the middle portion 204 and that intersects the portions 208 .
- the tine 208 terminates in the portion 214 .
- the tine 208 could extend through the portion 214 , however. As the end member 206 extends from the middle portion, the width may taper and become smaller.
- the fork 100 and other examples discussed herein may be similarly configured.
- the tines 214 and 208 may be integrally formed.
- FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a fork 300 .
- the fork 300 includes a handle 302 , a middle potion 304 and an end member 306 .
- the end member 306 includes a central tine 310 with second, shorter tines 308 extending laterally from both sides of the tine 310 .
- the fork 300 may include multiple central tines 310 .
- the inner space between the central tines may not have any tines while the tines 308 extend from the outer sides of the central tines 310 .
- the ends of the tines 308 and/or the tine 310 may be sharp, blunt, or rounded, by way of example.
- the width of the end member 306 may taper and become smaller as the end member 306 extends from the middle portion 304 to the tip 312 of the tine 310 .
- a width of a gap 314 which is between adjacent tines 308 , may be sized to accommodate certain foods.
- a typical noodle for example, may fit in the gap 314 .
- the gap 314 may be wider than a typical noodle, however.
- FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a fork 400 .
- the fork 400 includes a handle 402 a middle portion 404 and an end member 406 .
- the end member 406 includes tines 408 , 414 , 416 , and 412 .
- Nodules 419 (considered to be a type of tine as used herein) are disposed at certain intervals on the tine 412 and on the tine 408 .
- the tines 414 and 416 are connected by tines 418 . In one example, however, none of the tines extending in a lengthwise direction of the fork are connected by the nodules.
- the nodules 410 and the tines 418 have a thickness that is different from the thickness of the tines 408 , 412 , 414 , and 416 as illustrated in the side view 420 .
- the tines 418 are arranged orthogonally or transversely to the tines 414 and 16 .
- the tines 408 and 414 and the tines 416 and 408 could be connected by tines 418 and no nodules 410 would be present.
- the tines 418 could be at different locations and form a step arrangement in a direction towards the handle 402 .
- the tines 418 and/or the nodules 410 may be thicker than the tines 408 , 412 , 414 , and 416 ), food can be acquired and held on the end portion 406 with more efficiency.
- FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a fork 500 .
- the fork 500 includes a handle 502 , a middle portion 504 , and an end member 506 .
- the end member 506 includes tines 510 and tines 508 .
- there are four of the tines 510 (although the fork could include more or less).
- the tines 508 connect the top two tines 510 and additional tines 508 connect the bottom two tines 510 .
- An end 512 of the tines 508 extends outside of the outer tines 510 .
- the ends 512 provide a ledge that can hold, by way of example, noodles.
- Embodiments of the forks shown in FIGS. 1-5 includes features that can be incorporated together. Many of the aspects of the forks in FIGS. 1-5 can be incorporated into other of the forks.
- the tines 508 may be thicker than the tines 510 in one example.
- the features of the various tines discussed herein may not be applied to all similar tines.
- the fork 510 may be configured with 3 of the tines 508 on one side of the end member 506 and 2 of the tines 508 on the other side of the end member. Further, the intersection of the tines 508 and the outer tines 510 may be thicker than the rest of the end member 506 .
- FIG. 1 shows a single tine.
- a fork may be provided with two or more serpentine tines of FIG. 1 .
- the width would be shorter.
- Tines extending laterally may not be pointed to avoid scraping or cutting a person's mouth.
- the tine may exhibit symmetry.
- Other examples may not include symmetry.
- left tines may be configured differently from the right tines.
Abstract
A fork is disclosed. The fork includes one or more tines. The tines may extend in multiple directions that cross each other or that follow a curved path.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application 61/490,188 filed on Feb. 14, 2014, which application is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- 1. The Field of the Invention
- Embodiments of the present invention relate to a utensil. More specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to a fork that includes one or more tines that are extend and are arranged in one or more directions.
- 2. The Relevant Technology
- A conventional fork often includes tines. However, the tines are typically similarly shaped and usually all extend in the same direction and that the same curve. Such a fork often has difficulty is picking certain types of food, such as spaghetti.
- In order to describe the manner in which the advantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a more particular description of embodiments of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, embodiments of the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a fork that includes a curved tine; -
FIG. 2 illustrates another example of a fork that includes a curved tine and a center tine; -
FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a fork that includes laterally directed tines that stem from a central tine; -
FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a fork that includes tines with one or more nodules formed thereon; and -
FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a fork that includes another tine arrangement. - Embodiments of the invention relate to utensils. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to utensils such as forks. A conventional fork includes one or more tines. However, the tines are usually very similar in form and are arranged in the same shape. Embodiments of the invention relate to forks that include tines that are may of different shapes and that may extend in different directions.
- Embodiments of the invention relate to a fork that is configured to facilitate eating foods such as, by way of example, spaghetti. In contrast to a conventional fork, embodiments of the invention can suppress spaghetti or noodles from slipping off of the tines and that are configured to more easily engage a food such as noodles. The end members (the tine arrangements) of the forks disclosed herein allow the forks to better grab and hold foods such as noodles or other materials. Embodiments of the invention can also be sized. A fork intended for use by a child, for example, may be a smaller version of an adult fork. The figures discussed herein may or may not be to scale. Larger forks may be formed for use in food preparation rather than food consumption.
-
FIGS. 1-5 illustrate examples of forks. The forks illustrated inFIGS. 1-5 include end portions with different configurations. The end portion may include one or more tines that are arranged in at least two directions. For example, the tines may be arranged horizontally and/or vertically and/or at angles (including angles that are not perpendicular) with respect to other tines. The tines of any given fork may be of different lengths, of different widths, of different cross-sectional areas and/or shapes. The tines may have rounded, blunt, or sharpened tips. Tines may be provided that branch from other tines. Some of the times may be connected to each other. - A middle portion transitions the handle of the forks to the end members. The handles and middle portions can have various shapes and configurations. The middle portion and end portion may have a curved shape similar to a conventional fork.
-
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a fork. Thefork 100 includes ahandle 102, anend member 104 and a middle portion 106 that connects thehandle 102 with theend member 104. Theend portion 104 includes asingle tine 112. In this example, thetine 112 has a serpentine shape withfirst portions 108 andsecond portions 110. The number or undulations in theend portion 104 may vary and the distance betweenadjacent portions 108 can be constant or different. Thetine 112 terminates in atip 114. Thetip 114 may be rounded or pointed. Theportions first portions 108 may be sized such that a food such as spaghetti can be accommodated therein. If the fork is inserted into spaghetti and twisted, thetine 112 allows the fork to hold the spaghetti. One of skill in the art can appreciate that other pastas and other foods may be picked up with embodiments of the invention discussed herein. In one example, theend portion 108 may be configured with additional tines that are shorter such that a food item may be stabbed if necessary. - In this example, the
portions 110 extend in a first direction and theportions 108 are arranged in a second direction that is transverse or orthogonal to the first direction. However, theportions 110 and theportions 108 may intersect non-orthogonally. The arrangement of thetine 112 is essentially square shaped or rectangular. However other arrangements including triangular, oval, or the like are contemplated. In addition, sides of thetine 112 may be jagged, have small bumps, or the like, to facilitate holding the food. Thetine 112 may have a constant cross section or have a cross section that tapers gradually from the middle portion 106 to thetip 114. Themembers 108 may have different lengths in the second direction. - The
corners 116 of the tine may be sharp or rounded. The body of thefork 100 in the first direction may have a non-linear shape (e.g., shaped like a conventional fork) as illustrated by theside view 118. The overall length direction of a fork, such as illustrated inFIG. 1 , may have wave form. The wave form of the body, however, may be distinct from the directions of the tines themselves. -
FIG. 2 illustrates another example of afork 200. Thefork 200 is similar to thefork 100 and includes aserpentine tine 212. Thefork 200 also includes a center tine 203 that extends from themiddle portion 204 and that intersects theportions 208. Thetine 208 terminates in theportion 214. Thetine 208 could extend through theportion 214, however. As theend member 206 extends from the middle portion, the width may taper and become smaller. Thefork 100 and other examples discussed herein may be similarly configured. In addition, thetines -
FIG. 3 illustrates an example of afork 300. Thefork 300 includes ahandle 302, amiddle potion 304 and anend member 306. In this example, theend member 306 includes acentral tine 310 with second,shorter tines 308 extending laterally from both sides of thetine 310. In another example, thefork 300 may include multiplecentral tines 310. In this case, the inner space between the central tines may not have any tines while thetines 308 extend from the outer sides of thecentral tines 310. The ends of thetines 308 and/or thetine 310 may be sharp, blunt, or rounded, by way of example. The width of theend member 306 may taper and become smaller as theend member 306 extends from themiddle portion 304 to thetip 312 of thetine 310. A width of agap 314, which is betweenadjacent tines 308, may be sized to accommodate certain foods. A typical noodle, for example, may fit in thegap 314. Thegap 314 may be wider than a typical noodle, however. -
FIG. 4 illustrates an example of afork 400. Thefork 400 includes a handle 402 amiddle portion 404 and anend member 406. Theend member 406 includestines tine 412 and on thetine 408. Thetines tines 418. In one example, however, none of the tines extending in a lengthwise direction of the fork are connected by the nodules. - In one example, the
nodules 410 and thetines 418 have a thickness that is different from the thickness of thetines side view 420. Thetines 418 are arranged orthogonally or transversely to thetines 414 and 16. In one example, thetines tines tines 418 and nonodules 410 would be present. In this example, thetines 418 could be at different locations and form a step arrangement in a direction towards thehandle 402. By having a fork, whose tines have different thicknesses (thetines 418 and/or thenodules 410 may be thicker than thetines end portion 406 with more efficiency. -
FIG. 5 illustrates an example of afork 500. Thefork 500 includes ahandle 502, amiddle portion 504, and anend member 506. Theend member 506 includestines 510 andtines 508. In this example, there are four of the tines 510 (although the fork could include more or less). In this example, thetines 508 connect the top twotines 510 andadditional tines 508 connect the bottom twotines 510. Anend 512 of thetines 508 extends outside of theouter tines 510. The ends 512 provide a ledge that can hold, by way of example, noodles. - Embodiments of the forks shown in
FIGS. 1-5 includes features that can be incorporated together. Many of the aspects of the forks inFIGS. 1-5 can be incorporated into other of the forks. For example, thetines 508 may be thicker than thetines 510 in one example. In addition, the features of the various tines discussed herein may not be applied to all similar tines. For example, thefork 510 may be configured with 3 of thetines 508 on one side of theend member 506 and 2 of thetines 508 on the other side of the end member. Further, the intersection of thetines 508 and theouter tines 510 may be thicker than the rest of theend member 506. - In one example,
FIG. 1 shows a single tine. However, a fork may be provided with two or more serpentine tines ofFIG. 1 . In this case, the width would be shorter. Tines extending laterally may not be pointed to avoid scraping or cutting a person's mouth. Further, to the extent tines extend upward or downward, the height not so much as to cause discomfort in using the fork. In other examples, the tine may exhibit symmetry. Other examples may not include symmetry. For example, left tines may be configured differently from the right tines. - The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Claims (9)
1. A fork comprising:
a body that includes:
a handle
a middle portion; and
an end portion, wherein the end portion includes a first tine arranged in a first direction and a second tine arranged in a second direction that crosses the first direction.
2. The fork of claim 1 , where the first tine extends in a lengthwise direction of the body and wherein the second tine includes portions that extend from a body of the first tine.
3. The fork of claim 1 , wherein the second tine comprises a plurality of second tines that extend from a body of the first tine, wherein the plurality of second tines are each separated by a space in the first direction.
4. The fork of claim 3 , wherein the space is sized to accommodate a noodle.
5. The fork of claim 1 , wherein the second tine comprises a nodule formed on the first tine and wherein the first tine comprises a plurality of similarly arranged tines that extend in the first direction.
6. A fork comprising:
a body that includes:
a handle
a middle portion; and
an end portion, wherein the end portion includes a first tine arranged in a serpentine shape.
7. The fork of claim 6 , wherein an end portion of the first tine extends in a second direction that is transverse to a lengthwise direction of the body.
8. The fork of claim 6 , wherein the end portion of the first tine is blunted.
9. The fork of claim 6 , wherein the first tine includes multiple turns such that the tine includes one or more portions extending in a first direction and one or more portions extending in a second direction.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/624,314 US20150230640A1 (en) | 2014-02-14 | 2015-02-17 | Fork |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201461490188P | 2014-02-14 | 2014-02-14 | |
US201461940188P | 2014-02-14 | 2014-02-14 | |
US14/624,314 US20150230640A1 (en) | 2014-02-14 | 2015-02-17 | Fork |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20150230640A1 true US20150230640A1 (en) | 2015-08-20 |
Family
ID=53796959
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/624,314 Abandoned US20150230640A1 (en) | 2014-02-14 | 2015-02-17 | Fork |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20150230640A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9445691B1 (en) * | 2011-03-18 | 2016-09-20 | Bly Management Limited Partnership | Utensils with elevated ends for preventing contamination |
US20180042416A1 (en) * | 2016-08-11 | 2018-02-15 | David Kopke | Sanitary Utensil |
WO2020261726A1 (en) * | 2019-06-27 | 2020-12-30 | 梅田裕生 | Eating utensil with fork function |
US11504867B2 (en) * | 2020-09-21 | 2022-11-22 | Beauty Perspectives, LLC | Razor handle |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2724207A (en) * | 1952-12-22 | 1955-11-22 | Miller Earl | Fishhook remover |
US4712324A (en) * | 1986-08-04 | 1987-12-15 | Padgett Bobby R | Fishhook and lure retrieving device |
US5274948A (en) * | 1992-12-03 | 1994-01-04 | Harrison Hubert T | Fish hook disengaging tool |
USD366815S (en) * | 1993-06-16 | 1996-02-06 | Erik Lipson | Novelty fork |
USD382628S (en) * | 1995-11-21 | 1997-08-19 | Swindle Raymond L | Fishhook remover |
US7065883B2 (en) * | 2002-07-15 | 2006-06-27 | Ronco Marketing Corporation | Device to lift, move and flip foods |
-
2015
- 2015-02-17 US US14/624,314 patent/US20150230640A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2724207A (en) * | 1952-12-22 | 1955-11-22 | Miller Earl | Fishhook remover |
US4712324A (en) * | 1986-08-04 | 1987-12-15 | Padgett Bobby R | Fishhook and lure retrieving device |
US5274948A (en) * | 1992-12-03 | 1994-01-04 | Harrison Hubert T | Fish hook disengaging tool |
USD366815S (en) * | 1993-06-16 | 1996-02-06 | Erik Lipson | Novelty fork |
USD382628S (en) * | 1995-11-21 | 1997-08-19 | Swindle Raymond L | Fishhook remover |
US7065883B2 (en) * | 2002-07-15 | 2006-06-27 | Ronco Marketing Corporation | Device to lift, move and flip foods |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9445691B1 (en) * | 2011-03-18 | 2016-09-20 | Bly Management Limited Partnership | Utensils with elevated ends for preventing contamination |
US20180042416A1 (en) * | 2016-08-11 | 2018-02-15 | David Kopke | Sanitary Utensil |
WO2020261726A1 (en) * | 2019-06-27 | 2020-12-30 | 梅田裕生 | Eating utensil with fork function |
JP7403773B2 (en) | 2019-06-27 | 2023-12-25 | 裕生 梅田 | Feeding utensil with fork function |
US11504867B2 (en) * | 2020-09-21 | 2022-11-22 | Beauty Perspectives, LLC | Razor handle |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20150230640A1 (en) | Fork | |
US20120297628A1 (en) | Utensils with integrated stand | |
US20130152406A1 (en) | Disposable stackable forks | |
US20130133207A1 (en) | Post on Eating Utensil | |
US20150150396A1 (en) | Eating utensil assembly and related methods | |
US2637104A (en) | Fork construction | |
US20190313859A1 (en) | Double serrated fork | |
USD777532S1 (en) | Utensil handle for fork, knife, teaspoon and soup spoon | |
US20100325896A1 (en) | Food handling utensil | |
JP2007301312A (en) | Chopsticks with function of spoon | |
US20120110861A1 (en) | Eating Fork With Reverse Tapered Tines | |
JP3198663U (en) | kitchenware | |
KR20180003160U (en) | Fork | |
USD722840S1 (en) | Top part of a spoon eating utensil | |
JP3156379U (en) | chopsticks | |
US20190298090A1 (en) | Flatware structured to avoid table contact | |
JP3192028U (en) | chopsticks | |
JP5866050B1 (en) | kitchenware | |
JP3141583U (en) | fork | |
JP6232173B1 (en) | Spaghetti fork | |
JP6148214B2 (en) | Cooking utensils | |
JP3175006U (en) | chopsticks | |
JP2010148756A (en) | Spoon commonly used as fork | |
KR200468312Y1 (en) | Cake Knife for Fork | |
KR20140063015A (en) | A non slip fork |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |