US3586161A - Cutlery cluster - Google Patents
Cutlery cluster Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3586161A US3586161A US840699A US3586161DA US3586161A US 3586161 A US3586161 A US 3586161A US 840699 A US840699 A US 840699A US 3586161D A US3586161D A US 3586161DA US 3586161 A US3586161 A US 3586161A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- sheet
- cutlery
- cluster
- tabs
- items
- 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.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
- B65D77/22—Details
- B65D77/24—Inserts or accessories added or incorporated during filling of containers
- B65D77/245—Utensils for removing the contents from the package, e.g. spoons, forks, spatulas
-
- 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
- A47G21/04—Spoons; Pastry servers
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S206/00—Special receptacle or package
- Y10S206/82—Separable, striplike plural articles
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S215/00—Bottles and jars
- Y10S215/05—Spoons
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S229/00—Envelopes, wrappers, and paperboard boxes
- Y10S229/927—Means for tearing or breaking rigid or semirigid thermoplastic container
Definitions
- ABSTRACT A cluster of cutlery formed in a sheet with each of the several items of cutlery having its handle severably joined by tabs to the sheet while the remaining portion of each cutlery item is completely severed from the sheet. Each cutlery item may be separated from the sheet without separating the other items.
- This invention relates to plastic cutlery and more particularly comprises a new and improved arrangement for marketing a cluster of cutlery items together.
- cutlery The demand for disposable tableware including cutlery has increased very substantially in recent years, and this demand not only comes form the home market but from the food packaging industry as well.
- food processors now propose to sell various food items in a package also containing disposable containers within which the packaged food may be prepared and/or eaten.
- the cutlery as well as the containers may be packaged with the food at negligible cost to the food manufacturer and provide very great convenience to the customer.
- One important object of this invention is to provide a very inexpensive means of marketing a plurality of eating utensils.
- Another important object of this invention isto provide a cluster of cutlery in a unitary structure, which enables each item to be separated from the others in the cluster when each is to be used.
- Another important object of this invention is to provide means for holding a plurality of cutlery items in a cluster and which allows each to be broken away from the cluster without producing burs or other rough edges on the utensils that could render them unsuitable for use.
- Another important object of this invention is to provide a utensil formed from sheet material, which possesses enough rigidity so as to enable the utensil to be used comfortably and effectively without bending.
- this invention includes a cluster of cutlery vacuum and/or pressure formed in a sheet of material, with each utensil having substantially uniform thickness with the opposite faces of the utensils each being parallel to one another.
- the utensils formed in the sheet are completely severed from it except for tabs which join the sheet to the handle of the utensil.
- the remaining portion of the utensil is severed from the sheet by die cutting or some other technique, which leaves the utensil free of sharp edges or burs.
- FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sheet formed with a cluster of spoons, in accordance with this invention, and with one such spoon removed from the sheet;
- FIG. 2 is a plan view showing one spoon as it appears removed from the sheet
- FIG. 3 is a side view of the spoons shown in FIG. 2;
- FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are cross-sectional views taken along the section lines 44, -5, and M, respectively, of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section line 7-7 ofFIG. II.
- FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section line 3-8 of FIGnl and suggesting that at the location of the section the handle is completely severed from the sheet.
- FIG. )1 a sheet of styrene is shown approximately 0.025 inch in thickness within which are formed four spoons l2. One of the spoons has been removed from the sheet leaving an outline of the spoon as shown at M.
- the spoons 12 in the sheet are formed in a manner so that each may separately be removed without difficulty.
- a plurality of dimples 18 which are used to register the sheet during trimming operations.
- FIGS. 2-6 the spoon 12' which has been severed from the sheet and which has left the opening 14 therein is shown in detail.
- the spoon includes a handle 20 and bowl 22, both generally trough-shaped in a cross section, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
- the handle 20 has a uniform cross section from the bowl 22 to its outer end 24, and the cross-sectional shape gives rigidity to the handle so that it can be used for its intended purpose without appreciable bending. THe shape is readily achieved in the process of forming the spoons in the sheet.
- the bowl 22 of the spoon is U-shaped in longitudinal cross section but the size of the U diminishes toward the end 26. It is evident that the configuration of the bowl 22 achieves stiffness for it, and like the handle 20 it will perform its intended function without bending or otherwise distorting to an appreciable extent.
- the handle 20 and bowl 22 are shown to be completely severed from the sheet by the die-cut line 28 that exactly conforms in outline to the outline of the spoon, except for the bridges or tabs 30 that join the handle and sheet together.
- the bridges 30 are formed by gaps in the cutting tool which severs the spoon from the sheet, and the tabs remain only to be broken after the sheet shown in FIG. 1 is formed when a spoon is to be removed.
- tabs 30 are shown only connecting the handle to the sheet, and no tabs are provided in the bowl part of the spoon.
- the tabs are confined to the handle portions so that any bur or irregularity left in the side edge of the utensil when the tab is broken will not be placed in the mouth when the utensil is used normally, for such burs or irregularities could scratch the mouth.
- the spoon 12 is shown in FIG. 2 to include four nicks 32 in the handle portion 20 left by the severed tabs in detachment of the spoon from the sheet. It will be noted in FIG. 1 that the tabs 30 which formerly connected the spoon 12 to the sheet remain connected to the sheet itself rather than form extension of the spoon which has been removed.
- the device shown in FIG. 1 is very suitable for marketing in a package, and a purchaser may break a single spoon from the sheet when required and without disturbing the other spoons.
- a purchaser may open one package at a time and use one disposable plastic container that is also provided and break one spoon from the sheet.
- the purchaser wants to make a second mix he may strip a second spoon from the sheet.
- the sheet may be packaged very readily in a box with the other materials which comprise the package and use a minimum of space. The customer will easily find the spoon as part of the sheet and will not have to fish at the bottom of the box to find one.
- a cluster of cutlery comprising: a sheet of plastic material, a plurality of cutlery items having handles and portions formed in the sheet, and several tabs joining only the handle to the sheet and the remaining outline of each cutlery item being completely severed from the sheet and with the items lying within the sheet whereby said tabs may be ruptured to separate each of said items from said sheet, said separated items being free of any irregularities about its performing portion.
- a cluster of cutlery as described in claim 1 further characterized by each cutlery item being of substantially uniform thickness with the contours of the opposed faces being parallel, said cutlery item lying in a substantial single plane with the sheet.
- a cluster of cutlery as described in claim 2 further performing characterized by the handle being trough-shaped. 4.
- a cluster of cutlery as described in claim 3 further characterized by each cutlery item being a spoon with the trough-shaped handle extending to the bowl of the spoon. 5.
- a cluster of cutlery as described in claim 4 further characterized by said spoons alternately extending in opposite directions for compact forming in the sheet. 6.
- a cluster of cutlery as described in claim 3 further characterized by said cutlery items alternately extending in opposite directions forcompact forming in the sheet. 7.
- a cluster of cutlery as defined in claim 1 further characterized by,
- said tabs being so constructed and arranged so that when said tabs are ruptured to separate said items from said sheet, the major portion of each of said tabs will tend to remain attached to said sheet.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Table Equipment (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (7)
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US84069969A | 1969-07-10 | 1969-07-10 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3586161A true US3586161A (en) | 1971-06-22 |
Family
ID=25282991
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US840699A Expired - Lifetime US3586161A (en) | 1969-07-10 | 1969-07-10 | Cutlery cluster |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3586161A (en) |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS4896093U (en) * | 1972-02-16 | 1973-11-15 | ||
US4153162A (en) * | 1978-01-12 | 1979-05-08 | The Gillette Company | Product display card |
US4203515A (en) * | 1978-08-10 | 1980-05-20 | Henry Kahn | Dental cap package |
US4953699A (en) * | 1984-12-24 | 1990-09-04 | Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | Tape structure provided with electronic components |
US6412653B1 (en) * | 1996-05-03 | 2002-07-02 | Carter Holt Harvey Limited | Plastic moulded container with detachable eating utensil |
US20070101578A1 (en) * | 2005-08-10 | 2007-05-10 | Kamran Shirazi | International dining kit |
US20160288972A1 (en) * | 2015-04-01 | 2016-10-06 | Readyman, Llc | Tool kits |
US20170000276A1 (en) * | 2014-03-10 | 2017-01-05 | HumanGear, Inc. | Eating utensil system |
USD862997S1 (en) | 2018-06-16 | 2019-10-15 | HumanGear, Inc. | Extendable fork |
USD862996S1 (en) | 2018-06-15 | 2019-10-15 | HumanGear, Inc. | Extendable spoon |
US10857661B2 (en) | 2018-06-15 | 2020-12-08 | HumanGear, Inc. | Telescoping eating utensil |
-
1969
- 1969-07-10 US US840699A patent/US3586161A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS4896093U (en) * | 1972-02-16 | 1973-11-15 | ||
US4153162A (en) * | 1978-01-12 | 1979-05-08 | The Gillette Company | Product display card |
US4203515A (en) * | 1978-08-10 | 1980-05-20 | Henry Kahn | Dental cap package |
US4953699A (en) * | 1984-12-24 | 1990-09-04 | Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | Tape structure provided with electronic components |
US6412653B1 (en) * | 1996-05-03 | 2002-07-02 | Carter Holt Harvey Limited | Plastic moulded container with detachable eating utensil |
US20070101578A1 (en) * | 2005-08-10 | 2007-05-10 | Kamran Shirazi | International dining kit |
US7905021B2 (en) * | 2005-08-10 | 2011-03-15 | Kamran Shirazi | International dining kit |
US20170000276A1 (en) * | 2014-03-10 | 2017-01-05 | HumanGear, Inc. | Eating utensil system |
USD845085S1 (en) | 2014-03-11 | 2019-04-09 | HumanGear, Inc. | Combination spoon and fork |
US10555629B2 (en) | 2014-03-11 | 2020-02-11 | HumanGear, Inc. | Eating utensil system |
US10568447B2 (en) | 2014-03-11 | 2020-02-25 | HumanGear, Inc. | Eating utensil system |
US11503933B2 (en) | 2014-03-11 | 2022-11-22 | HumanGear, Inc. | Eating utensil system |
US11540654B2 (en) | 2014-03-11 | 2023-01-03 | HumanGear, Inc. | Eating utensil system |
US20160288972A1 (en) * | 2015-04-01 | 2016-10-06 | Readyman, Llc | Tool kits |
US10661957B2 (en) * | 2015-04-01 | 2020-05-26 | Readyman, Llc | Tool kits |
USD862996S1 (en) | 2018-06-15 | 2019-10-15 | HumanGear, Inc. | Extendable spoon |
US10857661B2 (en) | 2018-06-15 | 2020-12-08 | HumanGear, Inc. | Telescoping eating utensil |
USD862997S1 (en) | 2018-06-16 | 2019-10-15 | HumanGear, Inc. | Extendable fork |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US3828999A (en) | Package including disposable utensil | |
US3931925A (en) | Paperboard container lid convertible into a spoon | |
US3586161A (en) | Cutlery cluster | |
US3360121A (en) | Spoon-shaped package element | |
US3565245A (en) | Combination food container and utensil | |
US3428171A (en) | Card supported package | |
JP2021046253A (en) | Packaged food product and method of producing the packaged food product | |
US3891088A (en) | Display card for knives and the like | |
JP2006248615A (en) | Container for foods | |
US20030178339A1 (en) | Feline treat container | |
US2401534A (en) | Spoon | |
US3650391A (en) | Composite package and method of forming same | |
JP2004261336A (en) | Eating utensil composite | |
EP0173525A2 (en) | Food packaging tray | |
GB1580791A (en) | Blister packs | |
US2353582A (en) | Receptacle and closure means therefor | |
JP2002347756A (en) | Individual-food container for solid food | |
US3650390A (en) | Composite package and method of forming same | |
US4489489A (en) | Disposable utility blade | |
US1915392A (en) | Confection | |
JPH0449075Y2 (en) | ||
JPH0764350B2 (en) | Disposable package container for individual products | |
JP3331457B2 (en) | Connecting container | |
US2707793A (en) | Disposable brush | |
JPS5849961Y2 (en) | Connecting container with lid |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SWEETHEART PROPERTIES, INC., A CORP. OF MD. Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:SWEETHEART PLASTICS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:004568/0656 Effective date: 19841231 Owner name: MARYLAND CUP CORPORATION Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:SWEETHEART PROPERTIES, INC.;REEL/FRAME:004568/0663 Effective date: 19841231 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, AS COLLATERAL AGENT Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:FORT HOWARD CUP CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:005287/0404 Effective date: 19891114 Owner name: LILY-TULIP, INC., A DE CORP. Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:MARYLAND CUP CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:005300/0311 Effective date: 19861217 Owner name: FORT HOWARD CUP CORPORATION Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:LILY-TULIP, INC.;REEL/FRAME:005300/0320 Effective date: 19861231 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SWEETHEART CUP COMPANY INC. Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:FORT HOWARD CUP CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:005346/0001 Effective date: 19891129 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SWEETHEART CUP COMPANY INC., ILLINOIS Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:006687/0491 Effective date: 19930830 Owner name: SWEETHEART CUP COMPANY INC., ILLINOIS Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:007029/0011 Effective date: 19930830 |