WO2005013776A1

WO2005013776A1 - Combined cutlery

Info

Publication number: WO2005013776A1
Application number: PCT/NO2004/000239
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kristian Braathen
Original assignee: Accendo Produktutvikling As
Priority date: 2003-08-06
Filing date: 2004-08-06
Publication date: 2005-02-17
Also published as: NO318002B1; NO20033490D0; NO20033490A

Abstract

A multifunctional eating tool is described comprising a spoon section (2), a fork section (3), a knife section (4) and a generally extended handle section (6), where the spoon section (2) and the fork section (3) are formed at each end of the generally extended handle section (6) and that the handle section (6), is provided with a flexible groove or wave furnished section (7), preferably placed at approximately the middle of the length of the handle section (6).

Description

Combined Cutlery

The present invention relates to an eating utensil with several functions according to the preamble to claim 1.

A series of eating utensils of the type mentioned in the introduction is known. Examples of some of these are described in the following publications: US D 60,369 describes a multifunctional eating utensil, which is a combination of a spoon and a fork, comprising an extended body which is formed as a spoon at the one end and as a fork at the other end.

US 2,318,129 describes a similar multifunctional eating utensil comprising a spoon, fork and knife. This utensil is also comprised of an extended body with a spoon at the one end and a combined fork and knife at the other end. The knife is placed at the side of one of the outer prongs of the fork. JP A 01254117 describes an eating utensil of the kind mentioned in the introduction comprised of a combination of a spoon, knife and fork. Contrary to the abovementioned publications, in which the fork and spoon sections are placed at each end of an extended handle, all the three functions are situated at the same end of the handle. The opposite end of the handle is here provided with a finger grip.

An eating utensil is known from WO 03/022111 A1 , where the handle itself can be rotated in a horizontal plane when the eating utensil lies flat, as shown in the figure of the publication. The aim of making the handle flexible is to make it easier for children to eat, in that the eating utensil can be adapted to right-handed and left-handed children. Danish patent application no. DK 1998 01061 L shows a multifunctional eating utensil with a knife, fork and spoon. The spoon and fork are combined at the one end of a handle, while the knife blade is arranged to face downwards between the spoon and the other end of the handle, as shown in the figure of the publication.

US D 249,926 shows a combined spoon and fork, placed at each end of an extended handle. A knife blade is formed at each outer fork prong. To use a flexible mid-section on a combined eating utensil is known from JP 09234150, JP 10052352 and US 4,223,936.

A disadvantage with the abovementioned known multifunctional eating utensils is that they can be difficult to use, especially when eating food that demands simultaneous use of several of the functions. Another disadvantage with several of the abovementioned solutions is that they are relatively complicated, something which leads to higher production costs.

Another disadvantage with the known solutions is that they have no gripping function to get hold of larger pieces of food.

An aim of the present invention is to provide a multifunctional eating utensil, preferably a disposable product, which has an ergonomic form that makes it easier to use, which is inexpensive to produce and which, in addition, has a gripping function to get hold of larger pieces of food.

These aims are obtained with a multifunctional eating utensil which is characterised by the features that appear in the enclosed claims. These and other aims will be clarified from the subsequent detailed description of a preferred embodiment, with reference to the enclosed figures. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the eating utensil according to the invention seen from above.

Figure 2 shows the eating utensil in figure 1 seen from below.

Figure 3 is a section along the line C-C in figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 shows a section along the line A-A in figures 1 and 2. Figure 5 shows a section along the line B-B in figure 1.

Figures 6 and 7 are illustrations that show the eating utensil in a bent condition.

A preferred embodiment example of a multifunctional eating utensil according to the present invention is shown in the figures. The eating utensil 1 comprises a spoon section 2, a fork section 3, a knife section 4 and a generally extended handle section 6. The handle section 6, is provided with a groove or a wave furnished section 7 approximately in the middle of its length, the function of which will be explained in more detail later.

The spoon section 2 and the fork section 3 are placed at each end of the extended handle section 6. Along a part of the one side edge of the handle section 6, preferably close to the fork section 3, a knife section 4 is provided, preferably in the form of an area that is thinner that the rest of the handle section and which can be furnished with serrations or wave forms. Two of the side edges of the handle section 6 can possibly be provided with such a knife section 4. The fork section 3 can be made in the form of two prongs, as shown in the figures. In this embodiment, the prongs are formed as extensions of the outer edges of the handle section 6. In other embodiments of the invention three or more prongs can be provided.

A section 7 which is furnished with grooves of waves is provided approximately in the middle of the handle section 6. The purpose of these grooves or waves is that the utensil 1 can be bent and form tongs, see figures 6 and 7. This results in the advantage that the eating utensil can be used to grip and hold larger pieces. According to one embodiment of the invention, the wave furnished area is formed in such a way that it is not possible to straighten out the utensil once it has been bent into a tongs form.

The eating utensil according to the present invention is particularly suited for disposable use, for cutting up and consuming different types of food materials within the fast-food area, such as eating utensils on planes, trains, boats and in cars, and when camping. The eating utensil can also be delivered together with ready-made-meals, tinned food or portion-packs that are sold in shops.

The eating utensil is preferably injection moulded in a plastic material, preferably food quality polystyrene or polypropylene, possibly with a colouring material mixed in. The eating utensil according to the invention is not so sharp that one can cut oneself, and is at the same time child-friendly in that it is so large that small children cannot swallow it.

Claims

C l a i m s

1.

A multifunctional eating utensil comprising a spoon section (2), a fork section (3), a knife section (4) and a generally extended handle section (6), characterised in that the spoon section (2) and the fork section (3) are formed at each end of the generally extended handle section (6) and that the handle section (6), is provided with a flexible groove or wave furnished section (7), preferably approximately in the middle of the length of the handle section (6).

2.

Eating utensil according to claim 1 , characterised in that the knife section (4), in the form of a serrated or wave furnished area, is provided along one part of at least the one longitudinal side edge of the handle section (6).

3.

Eating utensil according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flexible groove or wave furnished section (7) is formed so that it cannot be straightened out once it has been bent.

4.

Eating utensil according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the eating utensil is made from a plastic material, preferably food quality polypropylene or polystyrene.