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DE-102021117318-B4 - Cutlery, method for manufacturing cutlery, use of cutlery

DE102021117318B4DE 102021117318 B4DE102021117318 B4DE 102021117318B4DE-102021117318-B4

Abstract

Eating utensils for picking up food items, including a first arm, a second arm running essentially parallel to and opposite the first arm, and a connecting link the first arm and the second arm are connected to the connecting link at their respective first ends, and wherein The cutlery is designed to allow the arms to move towards each other, so that the second ends of the arms opposite the respective first ends can be brought together, and the cutlery continues to be used comprehensively. each has at least one protrusion on the first arm and on the second arm, whereby the protrusion is arranged between the first end and the second end of the respective arm, and wherein the protrusion extends in a direction away from the opposite arm, and wherein the center of gravity of the cutlery lies between one of the protrusions and the connecting element, whereby which define at least one protrusion of the first and second arms and the connecting link when placed on a substantially flat surface.

Inventors

  • Erfinder gleich Patentinhaber

Assignees

  • Alexander Shtyrlin

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20210705

Claims (10)

  1. Eating utensil for picking up food items, comprising: a first arm, a second arm extending substantially parallel to and opposite the first arm, and a connecting link, wherein: the first arm and the second arm are connected to the connecting link at their respective first ends; and wherein: the eating utensil is configured to allow movement of the arms relative to each other, such that the second ends of the arms opposite their respective first ends can be brought together; the eating utensil further comprising: at least one protrusion on each of the first and second arms, wherein: the protrusion is arranged between the first end and the second end of each arm; and wherein: the protrusion extends in a direction away from the respective opposite arm; and wherein: the center of gravity of the eating utensil lies between one of the protrusions and the connecting link; and wherein: the at least one protrusion of the first and second arms and the connecting link define points of contact when placed on a substantially flat surface.
  2. The cutlery according to Claim 1 , where the cutlery is made from a single piece of material.
  3. The cutlery according to Claim 2 , whereby the eating utensils have no undercuts.
  4. The eating utensil according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting element comprises a spring element, so that the eating utensil returns to a starting position after the movement of the arms.
  5. The eating utensil according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the eating utensil is designed to be substantially symmetrical along a plane lying between the first arm and the second arm, and/or wherein the eating utensil is designed to be substantially symmetrical along a plane lying on the respective second ends of the first and second arms and the connecting element.
  6. The eating utensil according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a longitudinal cross-section of the first arm and the second arm is shaped in an arc shape at least partially in one section on the side facing away from the opposite arm.
  7. The eating utensil according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting element is formed in a ring shape at least in sections between the first arm and the second arm.
  8. The eating utensil according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - a coating in the area of the second ends of the first arm and the second arm, and/or - an opening device for opening crown caps, wherein the opening device is provided in the area of the connecting element.
  9. Method for manufacturing a cutlery set according to one of the preceding claims using a plastic injection molding process.
  10. Use of cutlery according to one of the Claims 1 until 8 , the use comprising: - placing the eating utensils on a substantially flat surface in any initial position, - independent transition of the eating utensils from any initial position to a rest position, wherein the eating utensils in the rest position touch the surface with the at least one protrusion of the first arm, the at least one protrusion of the second arm and the connecting element.

Description

The present invention relates to eating utensils, in particular tongs, for picking up and/or consuming food items, as well as a method for manufacturing and using the eating utensils. The eating utensils are particularly suitable for consuming small portions of food, such as snacks. The eating utensils can be used with one hand. The eating utensils can automatically return to a convenient resting position in a hygienically advantageous manner. Eating small amounts of food between meals, often referred to as snacking, is widespread. Common snacks are typically prepared in ways that would make them more appealing, such as potato chips, peanuts, popcorn, but also, for example, various fruits, vegetables, bite-sized pieces, or similar items. Often, snacking is desired in conjunction with another activity. Recently, snacking while using a computer, game console, smartphone, or similar devices has become increasingly popular. When picking up snacks, the eater's hands often become soiled. This makes it difficult to use the aforementioned items, such as a computer keyboard, game console controller, or smartphone, as, for example, only one hand is available to operate the device, or alternatively, the user risks contaminating the item with food residue when touching it. This results in increased time expenditure for the user, as they have to clean their soiled hands in between tasks, and the resulting contamination is still a nuisance. To solve the aforementioned problems associated with consuming larger dishes or meals, various types of eating utensils are available. However, these are unsuitable for snacking, as the preparation methods typically used for snacks are usually too small or fragile for conventional cutlery. It is well known that some foods, especially snacks, are therefore often referred to as finger food, meaning food intended to be eaten with the fingers. Furthermore, it is often impossible to place familiar eating utensils down after eating a snack without ensuring that the food-contacting part of the utensil comes into contact with the surface. This is particularly disadvantageous from a hygiene perspective. document DE 91 01 418 U1 This describes a serving set. The serving set can be placed in a bowl in such a way that the stop projecting laterally from the leg connecting the handle to the receiving section overlaps the outer edge of the bowl, thus effectively preventing the serving set from accidentally slipping into the bowl. document US 2015 / 0 265 081 A1 This describes a serving utensil. The serving utensil has protective elements that are connected to the respective handle section and extend vertically outwards from it. document DE 85 23 657 U1 This describes a gripping pliers. The gripping pliers include actuating projections. These projections allow, for example, the longitudinal displacement of one half of the pliers. There is therefore a need for improved eating utensils that eliminate the aforementioned disadvantages and allow the user to snack easily and hygienically. The invention described herein solves these problems. According to one aspect, eating utensils, in particular cutlery tongs, are described for picking up food items. The eating utensils comprise a first arm, a second arm running essentially parallel to and opposite the first arm, and a connecting link. The first and second arms are connected to the connecting link at their respective first ends. The eating utensils are designed to allow the arms to move relative to each other, enabling the second ends of the arms opposite their respective first ends to be brought together. The eating utensils further comprise at least one protrusion on each of the first and second arms. The protrusion is located between the first and second ends of each arm and extends in a direction away from the opposite arm. The center of gravity of the eating utensils lies between one of the protrusions and the connecting link. The at least one protrusion of each arm and the connecting link define points of contact when placed on a substantially flat surface. According to one aspect, a method for manufacturing eating utensils is described in terms of execution. shapes are described in a casting process, in particular a plastic injection molding process. According to one aspect, the use of eating utensils according to embodiments is described. This use includes placing the eating utensils on a substantially flat surface in any initial position, as well as the independent transition of the eating utensils from any initial position to a resting position. In the resting position, the eating utensils touch the flat surface with at least one protrusion of the first arm, at least one protrusion of the second arm, and the connecting element. In some embodiments, the first arm runs essentially parallel to the second arm. "Essentially parallel" can also be understood to mean that the first arm is arranged at an angle to the second arm, converging towards the co