(12) United States Patent
`Miksovsky et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9.468,321 B2
`Oct. 18, 2016
`
`USOO9468321B2
`
`EATING UTENSL SYSTEM
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`34,069 A *
`
`32,916 A * 7/1861 Richards ................ A47G 21,06
`30,147
`33,703 A * 1 1/1861 Hardie ................... A47G 21,06
`30,147
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`30,147
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`30, 143
`RE7.925 E * 10/1877 Ulmer ............................. 30,147
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`
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`(Continued)
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`International Search Report dated Jul. 8, 2015 from International
`Application No. PCT/US2015/019017.
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner — Jason Daniel Prone
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Beyer Law Group LLP
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A combination spoon and fork system capable of being
`stored in a nested configuration or used as a combination
`eating utensil with the spoon and fork connected end to end.
`An interlocking mechanism can interlock the spoon and fork
`in either the nested position or in the end to end configura
`tion. The interlocking system allows the handle of the spoon
`to slide between rails on the handle of the fork and to snap
`and lock the spoon in place either nested with the fork or end
`to end with the fork to form an elongated combination eating
`utensil. The spoon and fork of the system can also be used
`separately from one another.
`21 Claims, 24 Drawing Sheets
`
`(54)
`
`(71)
`
`(72)
`
`Applicant: humangear, Inc., San Francisco, CA
`(US)
`
`Inventors: Christopher A. Miksovsky, San
`Francisco, CA (US); Clint N. Slone,
`San Francisco, CA (US); Evelyne
`Chaubert, San Francisco, CA (US);
`Charlie Nghiem, Oakland, CA (US);
`Robert Charles Lane, Larkspur, CA
`(US); Jonathan Paul Downing,
`Belmont, CA (US)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: humangear, Inc., San Francisco, CA
`(US)
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 123 days.
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.: 14/204,497
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 11, 2014
`
`(65)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2015/0257561 A1
`Sep. 17, 2015
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`Int. C.
`A47G2/06
`A47G 2L/02
`A47G 2L/04
`U.S. C.
`CPC ............. A47G 21/06 (2013.01); A47G 21/023
`(2013.01); A47G 21/04 (2013.01)
`Field of Classification Search
`CPC ... A47G 21/06; A47G 21/065; A47G 21/04;
`A47G 21 FO23
`USPC ............ 30/147-150, 322–328; D7/643, 644,
`D7/653
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`
`
`Ex. 2003, Page 1
`Patent Owner Humangear, Inc.
`Industrial Revolution, Inc. v. Humangear, Inc.: IPR2023-01174
`
`

`

`US 9,468.321 B2
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
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`. D7/643
`
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`s .
`OaS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`
`D362,160 S * 9/1995 Brabeck ...
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`w I -
`W
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
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`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`. 3:
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
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`
`alllll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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`10/2006 Evans
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`RS: s : 3.39, this ...
`OWSK
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`3/2011 Nordwall
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`30,147
`
`. .B26 R
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
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`lll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`ck
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`5/2014 Bagley .................... At 9:
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`. R2
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`
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`
`
`
`
`KSOWSKW ....................
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`858. Missy
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`30,322
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`
`
`
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`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
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`
`1/2014 Kim
`2014/0026425 A1
`2015/0014329 A1* 1/2015 Konopatsky ........... A47G 21,06
`30,148
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`
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`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
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`
`3,991466 A * 1 1/1976 Smith .................. A47G 21,065
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`30,147
`D284.442 S * 7/1986 Chan .............................. D7/645
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2003, Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 18, 2016
`
`Sheet 1 of 24
`
`US 9,468,321 B2
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`
`
`FIG. 1A
`
`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2003, Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 18, 2016
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`Sheet 2 of 24
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`US 9,468,321 B2
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`
`
`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2003, Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 18, 2016
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`Sheet 3 of 24
`
`US 9,468,321 B2
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`
`
`FIG. 2A
`
`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2003, Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 18, 2016
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`Sheet 4 of 24
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`US 9,468,321 B2
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`
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2003, Page 6
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 18, 2016
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`Sheet S of 24
`
`US 9,468,321 B2
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`
`
`110
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2003, Page 7
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 18, 2016
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`Sheet 6 of 24
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`US 9,468,321 B2
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`
`
`FG. 4A
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2003, Page 8
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 18, 2016
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`Sheet 7 of 24
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`US 9,468,321 B2
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2003, Page 9
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 18, 2016
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`Sheet 8 of 24
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`US 9,468,321 B2
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`
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`144
`
`FIG. 4C
`
`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2003, Page 10
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 18, 2016
`
`Sheet 9 of 24
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`US 9,468,321 B2
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`
`
`FIG. 4D
`
`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2003, Page 11
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 18, 2016
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`Sheet 10 of 24
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`US 9,468,321 B2
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`
`
`F.G. 4E
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2003, Page 12
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 18, 2016
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`Sheet 11 of 24
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`US 9,468,321 B2
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2003, Page 13
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 18, 2016
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`Sheet 12 of 24
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`US 9,468,321 B2
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2003, Page 14
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 18, 2016
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`Sheet 13 of 24
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`US 9,468,321 B2
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`
`
`FIG. 4H
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2003, Page 15
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 18, 2016
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`US 9,468,321 B2
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2003, Page 16
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 18, 2016
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`US 9,468,321 B2
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`112
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2003, Page 17
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 18, 2016
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`US 9,468,321 B2
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`118b
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2003, Page 18
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 18, 2016
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`Sheet 17 of 24
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`US 9,468,321 B2
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`118b
`
`
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`112
`
`FIG. 5D
`
`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2003, Page 19
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 18, 2016
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`Sheet 18 of 24
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`US 9,468,321 B2
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2003, Page 20
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 18, 2016
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`Sheet 19 of 24
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`US 9,468,321 B2
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`F.G. 6B
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2003, Page 21
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 18, 2016
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`US 9,468,321 B2
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2003, Page 22
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`U.S. Patent
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`US 9,468,321 B2
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2003, Page 23
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 18, 2016
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`US 9,468,321 B2
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`FIG. 7A
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2003, Page 24
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 18, 2016
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`US 9,468,321 B2
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`244
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`242
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2003, Page 25
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 18, 2016
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`Sheet 24 of 24
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`US 9,468,321 B2
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`218b
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`212
`
`242
`
`FIG. 7C
`
`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2003, Page 26
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`

`

`1.
`EATING UTENSIL SYSTEM
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`US 9,468,321 B2
`
`2
`along Substantially an entire length of the head portion. The
`chamfered edge tapers to a point where the handle portion
`meets the head portion.
`
`This application is related to U.S. Design application No. 5
`29/484.447, filed on Mar. 10, 2014, which is incorporated
`herein by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`10
`
`15
`
`The present invention relates generally to eating utensils.
`More particularly, the invention relates to combination eat
`ing utensils that may be suitable for transport.
`Eating utensils are used by people all over the world to
`bring food to their mouths. Sometimes, eating utensils, such
`as knives, are used to cut food to a size and shape Suitable
`for placing in a person's mouth. In some Asian countries,
`chopsticks are typically the only eating utensils used
`although spoons are also used for soups in Asia. In Western po
`countries, forks, knives, and spoons are typically used as
`eating utensils. In still other countries, such as India and
`Ethiopia, hands are often used in place of utensils.
`Although these existing utensils work quite well, there are
`continuing efforts to develop new hybrid combinations of 25
`utensils that provide not only improved function and con
`venience but can also reduce the need for separate utensils.
`Such combination utensils are also more easily transported,
`as they take up less space.
`
`30
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`40
`
`35
`
`In accordance with an embodiment, a combination fork
`and spoon system is provided. The combination fork and
`spoon system includes a fork and a spoon. The fork includes
`a recess in a bottom Surface and a pair of rails. Each rail is
`positioned along a portion of an outer edge of the bottom
`Surface of a handle. The spoon is configured to interlock
`with the fork either in a nested position or in an end to end
`configuration to form a single combination utensil. The
`spoon includes a handle that is capable of being slid between
`the rails.
`In accordance with another embodiment, a combination
`eating utensil is provided. The combination eating utensil 4s
`includes a fork and a spoon. The fork has a handle connected
`to a head portion including a plurality of tines. At least one
`tine on a curved outer edge of the head portion has a
`chamfered outer edge along Substantially its entire length.
`The chamfered edge tapers to a point where the handle is 50
`connected to the head portion. The spoon has a Substantially
`pentagonal bowl portion having Substantially flat side and
`end edges. The spoon and fork can be connected at their
`proximal ends.
`In accordance with yet another embodiment, a combina- 55
`tion fork and spoon system is provided. The combination
`fork and spoon system includes a fork, a spoon, and an
`interlocking mechanism. The fork has a handle with a pair
`of rails along a portion of its side edges. The spoon has a
`handle slidable along the handle of the fork and the handle 60
`of the spoon is slidable between the rails of the fork. The
`interlocking mechanism is for interlocking the spoon and the
`fork either in a nested position or in an end to end position.
`According to yet another embodiment, a fork is provided.
`The fork includes a head portion connected to a handle 65
`portion. The head portion includes a plurality of tines. An
`outer tine has a curved chamfered outer edge that extends
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The invention, together with further objects and advan
`tages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the
`following description taken in conjunction with the accom
`panying drawings in which:
`FIG. 1A is a top perspective of a combination spoon and
`fork system in its nested position in accordance with an
`embodiment.
`FIG. 1B is a top plan view of the combination spoon and
`fork system shown in FIG. 1A in its nested position.
`FIG. 2A is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment
`shown in FIG. 1 in its nested position.
`FIG. 2B is a bottom plan view of the embodiment shown
`in FIG. 1 in its nested position.
`FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIGS.
`1 and 2.
`FIG. 4A is a top plan view of the fork separated from the
`spoon of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3.
`FIG. 4B is a top perspective view of the fork separated
`from the spoon of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3.
`FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional perspective view of the fork
`shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.
`FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional end view of the handle
`portion of the fork shown in FIGS. 4A-4C.
`FIG. 4E is a detailed cut-away view of the handle portion
`of the fork shown in FIGS. 4A-4D.
`FIG. 4F is a bottom plan view of the fork shown in FIGS.
`4A-4E
`FIG. 4G is a bottom perspective view of the fork shown
`in FIGS 4A-4F.
`FIG. 4H is a side view of the fork shown in FIGS. 4A-4G.
`FIG. 5A is a top perspective view of the spoon separated
`from the fork of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3.
`FIG. 5B is a top plan view of the spoon shown in FIG. 5A.
`FIG. 5C is a bottom perspective view of the spoon shown
`in FIGS 5A and 5B.
`FIG. 5D is a side view of the spoon shown in FIGS.
`SA-5C.
`FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the combination spoon
`and fork system in the elongated combination utensil posi
`tion in accordance with an embodiment.
`FIG. 6B is a bottom plan view of the embodiment shown
`in FIG. 6A.
`FIG. 6C is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment
`shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.
`FIG. 6D is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIGS.
`6A-6C.
`FIG. 7A is a top perspective view of an integral combi
`nation utensil in accordance with an embodiment.
`FIG. 7B is a bottom perspective view of the integral
`combination utensil shown in FIG. 7A.
`FIG.7C is a side view of the integral combination utensil
`shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`The present invention relates generally to combination
`eating utensils.
`Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a combination spoon and fork
`system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention
`will be described. In the illustrated embodiment, the com
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`US 9,468,321 B2
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`bination spoon and fork system 100 includes a spoon 110
`and a fork 140 that can nest together for storage and
`transport. To form a single, longer combination utensil with
`a spoon on one end and a fork on the other end, the proximal
`ends of the spoon 110 and fork 140 can slide together and
`lock in place. A low profile interlocking mechanism is used
`to interlock the spoon110 and the fork 140 in both the nested
`position and in the combination utensil mode. The spoon 110
`and fork 140 can also be separated completely and used
`separately.
`FIGS. 1A and 1B are top perspective and top plan views,
`respectively, of the combination spoon and fork system 100
`in its nested position, in accordance with an embodiment.
`FIGS. 2A and 2B are bottom perspective and bottom plan
`views, respectively, of the spoon and fork system 100 in its
`nested position.
`As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the spoon 110 and fork 140 can
`be nested together in a low profile manner for convenient
`storage and transport. FIG. 3 is a side view of the combi
`nation spoon and fork system 100, which illustrates the low
`profile nature of the spoon and fork system 100 nested
`position. In the illustrated embodiment, the fork 140 is
`nested over the spoon 110.
`As discussed above, the spoon 110 and the fork 140 can
`be separated from one another and used separately. The
`geometries of the fork 140 and the spoon 110 will be
`described below. FIGS. 4A and 4B are top plan and per
`spective views, respectively, of the fork 140 separated from
`the spoon 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the fork 140
`has four tines 142, 144. It will be understood that, in other
`embodiments, the fork can have more or fewer tines. The
`fork 140 has a head portion 141, which includes the tines,
`that is connected to a handle 146.
`Each tine 142, 144 has a sharp crest, which aids in
`spearing or piercing pieces of food so that the food can be
`picked up by the fork 140. In the illustrated embodiment, the
`two center tines 142 are straight and the two outer tines 144
`each have a straight inner edge and a curved outer edge 145.
`The curved outer edges 145 of the outer tines 144 and the
`ends of the tines 142, 144 do not extend beyond the outer
`edges of the bowl portion of the spoon 110, as shown in
`FIGS. 1A and 1B. The curvature of the outer edges 145 can
`also be used for scraping food, as the curved edges 145
`follow the curvature of a curved container, such as a bowl,
`better than the straight tines of many conventional forks.
`In addition to being curved, the outer edges 145 of the
`outer tines 144 are also tapered or chamfered such that the
`fork 140 can be used to cut through or separate foods that do
`not require a knife. The tapered or chamfered outer edges
`145 are shown in the cross-sectional perspective view of
`50
`FIG. 4C. As illustrated in FIG. 4C, the top surface of each
`of the outer edges 145 is tapered or chamfered. As illus
`trated, each chamfered edge 145 has one end at the tip of the
`outer tine 144 and extends along the outer curved edge of the
`outer tine 144 to the position where the fork head 141 meets
`the handle 146. As shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, the chamfered
`edge 145 spans the entire width of the outer tine 144 at the
`tip. As the chamfered edge 145 extends down along the
`curved outer edge of the outer tine 144, the width of the
`chamfered edge 145 remains substantially the same until it
`begins to taper toward the end of the fork head 141. In the
`illustrated embodiment, the chamfered edge 145 tapers and
`ends in a point where the fork head 141 meets the handle
`146. Although the fork head 141 is described above as being
`connected to or meeting the handle 146, it will be under
`stood that the fork is formed as an integral piece in this
`embodiment.
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`30
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`4
`In a particular embodiment, the outer edges 145 are
`chamfered at an angle of about 20-25 degrees, and prefer
`ably at an angle of about 23 degrees. The outer edges 145
`have an edge width of about 1 mm at its widest point. In the
`illustrated embodiment, the outer edges 145 of both outer
`tines 144 are chamfered so that both outer edges 145 can
`easily be used to cut or separate food regardless of whether
`the user is right-handed or left-handed.
`In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A and
`1B, a safety feature is that when the spoon 110 and fork 140
`are nested, the tines 142, 144 of the fork 140 do not extend
`as far as the end of the spoon 110 such that the tips of the
`tines 142, 144 cannot poke or stab someone or something
`when the fork 140 and spoon 110 are in the nested position.
`As shown in FIGS. 1A and 4A, the center tines 142 have
`a longer length than the outer tines 144 and therefore extend
`farther distally than the outer tines 144, thereby forming a
`curve at the distal end of the fork 140. The curvature of the
`distal end of the fork 140 can match the curvature of the
`distal end of the spoon 110, but as noted above, the tips of
`the tines 142, 144 do not extend beyond the end edge of the
`spoon 110 when nested. As shown in FIG. 1A, the bowl
`portion of the spoon 110 is slightly wider and longer than the
`corresponding portion of the fork 140 in the illustrated
`embodiment.
`The handle 146 of the fork 140 will be described with
`reference to FIGS. 4D-4H. The handle 146 has a pair of rails
`148 that extend downward from the bottom side of its two
`outer edges. The rails 148 aid in guiding the handle 146 of
`the fork 150 over the handle 114 of the spoon 110 when the
`spoon handle 114 is slid between the rails 148 to either place
`the spoon 110 and fork 140 in the nested position or slid end
`over end to form an elongated combination eating utensil, as
`will be described in more detail below. The rails 148 also
`secure the spoon handle 114 to the handle 146 of the fork
`140, as will be explained in more detail below. As shown in
`the side view of FIGS. 3 and 6D, the rails 148 are very low
`profile, as they do not extend below the lowest bottom
`surface of the spoon handle 114 when the fork 140 and
`spoon 110 are either nested together or slid end over end to
`form the elongated combination eating utensil. FIGS. 2A,
`2B, 6B and 6C show that, in the illustrated embodiment, the
`rails 148 extend only to about halfway across the width of
`the chamfered edge 122 of the spoon 110. The low profile
`nature of the rails 148 allow more efficient stacking of the
`fork and spoon systems 100.
`The outer edge of each rails 148 is aligned and continuous
`with the outer edge of the rest of the fork handle 146.
`Further, the rails 148 taper inward so that the portion of the
`handle 146 with the rails 148 does not feel different from the
`rest of handle 146 when the fork 140 is held in a user's hand.
`The inward tapering as well as the low profile nature of the
`rails 148 reduce the tactile impact they have on a users hand
`holding the fork. That is, the handle with low profile rails
`148 feels better to hold than a handle having big protuber
`ances, edges, etc.
`As shown in FIG. 4D, the handle portion 146 of the fork
`140 has a slight upside down V-shape with a ridge 156 in the
`center when viewed from an end. The center ridge 156 is the
`highest point of the handle 146 and runs down the center
`along substantially the entire length of the handle 146. Each
`side of the handle 146 angles downward from the center line
`to the edge at an angle of about 75-80 degrees, and prefer
`ably about 79 degrees.
`The bottom of the fork handle 146 also includes a recess
`150 that accommodates the contour of the top surface of the
`handle 114 of the spoon 110 as well as a crescent-shaped
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`US 9,468,321 B2
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`raised edge 116 on the proximal end of the spoon 110. As
`shown in FIGS. 4F and 4G, the recess 150 has two straight
`end walls 162, 163, each acting as a hard stop when the
`raised edge 116 of the spoon 110 abuts the end wall.
`The recess 150 also includes two detents 152, 153, one 5
`near each end of the recess 150. As will be explained in more
`detail below, the detents 152, 153 serve to snap and lock the
`spoon handle 114 in place relative to the handle 146 of the
`fork when the spoon 110 and fork 140 are in the nested
`position as well as when the spoon 110 and fork 140 are 10
`attached end to end to form an elongated eating utensil, as
`shown in FIGS. 6A-6D.
`The spoon 110 will be described below with reference to
`FIGS.5A-5D. FIG. 5A is a top perspective view of the spoon
`110. The spoon 110 includes a head portion or bowl 112 and 15
`a handle 114. The proximal end of the spoon handle 114
`includes a crescent-shaped raised edge 116. As shown in the
`side view of FIG. 5D, the raised edge 116 protrudes above
`the top surface of the spoon handle 114.
`The spoon handle 114 and the fork handle 146 are 20
`contoured similarly. As shown in FIG. 5A, the spoon handle
`114 has a ridge 120 in the center. The center ridge 120 is the
`highest point of the handle body (excluding the raised edge
`116) and runs down the center along substantially the entire
`length of the handle 114. Each side of the handle 114 angles 25
`downward from the center line 118 to the edge at an angle
`of about 75-80 degrees, and preferably about 79 degrees.
`The bowl 112 of the spoon 110 has a substantially flat side
`edge 118, which allows for “scraping food from of a
`container (e.g., a yogurt container) or a bowl. A conventional 30
`spoon typically has a rounded edge that is not particularly
`effective for scraping. As illustrated, the side edge 118 and
`front edge 118b of the bowl 112 of the spoon 110 is
`substantially flat, thus providing an effective surface for
`scraping. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 35
`5B, the bowl 112 has a substantially elongated pentagonal
`shape with rounded corners.
`Also, as shown in the side view of FIG. 5D, the bowl 112
`is angled upward to form a deeper bowl, which can be more
`efficient when Scooping liquids, Such as Soups. In a particu- 40
`lar embodiment, the bowl is angled upward at an angle of
`about 20-25 degrees, and preferably about 23 degrees. It will
`be noted that the spoon 110 has a deeper bowl 112 than the
`corresponding head portion 141 of the fork 140 so that the
`fork 140 can be nested on top of the spoon 110 in the nested 45
`position.
`In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom surface of each
`of the edges 122 of the handle 114 of the spoon 110 is
`tapered or chamfered so that the edge 122 can be used as a
`splitter or cutter, similar to the outer tines 144 of the fork 50
`140. In the illustrated embodiment as shown in FIG. 5C, the
`chamfered edge 122 starts at the proximal end of the spoon
`110 and extends along the entire length of the spoon handle
`114. In a particular embodiment, the edges 122 are cham
`fered at an angle of about 65-70 degrees, and preferably 55
`about 67 degrees, and each edge 122 has a width of about 0.7
`mm at its widest point. The width remains substantially the
`same along the length of the chamfered edge 122 but tapers
`to end in a point where the spoon handle 114 meets the head
`portion or bowl 112, as shown in FIG. 5C. Although the 60
`spoon head portion or bowl 112 is described above as being
`connected to or meeting the spoon handle 114, it will be
`understood that the spoon is formed as an integral piece in
`this embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, both edges
`122 are chamfered so that both edges 122 can easily be used 65
`to cut or separate food regardless of whether the user is
`right-handed or left-handed.
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`6
`The taper of the bottom surface edges 122 of the spoon
`handle 114 also allows for low profile rails 148 on the fork
`140, as the edges 122 of the spoon 140 are configured to
`slide under and between the rails 148 of the fork 140 to
`either nest the spoon 110 and fork 140 together or to form
`a longer combination eating utensil. That is, the bottom
`edges 122 are chamfered at an angle that corresponds to the
`angle of the bottom surface of the rails 148 on the fork 140.
`According to an embodiment, the height of the rails is about
`1.5-3 mm and the height of the edges 122 is about 0.5-1.75
`.
`The rails 148 are so low profile that when the spoon 110
`and fork 140 are interlocked (whether in the nested position
`or connected in the elongated combination utensil position),
`the bottom of the spoon bowl 112 actually extends below the
`bottom of the rails 148, as shown in the side view of FIGS.
`3 and 6D.
`The spoon 110 and fork 140 are formed of a plastic
`material. Such as a glass reinforced thermoplastic, that is
`suitable for food contact. A particularly suitable reinforced
`thermoplastic for forming the spoon 110 and fork 140 is
`glass filled nylon. Compared with unreinforced nylon, glass
`filled nylon has increased structural strength and stiffness.
`Nested Position
`As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the spoon 110 and fork 140 can
`be nested together for storage and/or transport. In the nested
`position, the spoon 110 and fork 140 are interlocked with the
`spoon head 112 and the fork head 141 oriented the same
`way. An interlocking mechanism can lock the spoon 110 in
`place relative to the fork 140, as will be described in more
`detail below.
`As described above, there is a recess 150 in the bottom
`surface of the fork 140 that is configured to receive the top
`Surface spoon handle 114 and its crescent-shaped raised
`edge 116. To nest the spoon 110 and fork 140 together, the
`spoon 110 is first positioned underneath the fork 140 in the
`same orientation (the spoon 110 and fork 140 are both facing
`up or both facing down) and both pointed in the same
`direction (the bowl and tines pointed in the same direction),
`with the raised edge 116 at the proximal end of the spoon
`positioned in the recess 150 of the fork 140 laterally between
`the rails 148 and the detent 153 closer to the distal end of the
`fork 140. The curvature of the crescent-shaped raised edge
`116 corresponds to the curvature of the recess 150 such that
`the raised edge 116 fits nicely in the recess 150.
`The raised edge 116 at proximal end of the spoon 110 is
`then slid laterally along the recess 150 toward the proximal
`end of the fork 140 while guiding the outer edges of the
`spoon handle 114 between the rails 148 until the raised edge
`116 abuts the gradually sloped face of the detent 152 closer
`to the proximal end of the fork 140. A greater force is then
`applied in the same direction to push the raised edge 116
`over the gradually sloped face of the detent 152 and over the
`top of the detent 152 to engage the groove 151 between the
`detent 152 and the proximal end wall 162 of the recess 150.
`As the raised edge 116 is pushed over the gradually sloped
`face of the detent 152, the handle-ends of the spoon 110 and
`fork 140 are bent away from each other. This bending allows
`the crescent of the raised edge 116 to ride up and over the
`detent 152. The distance between the ends of the rails 148
`and the detent 152 effectively creates beams in the spoon and
`fork ends that are made to bend through the pressing or
`pulling action. It will be appreciated that the Snapping force
`can be tuned by Such things as changing the length of the
`rails and/or the size of the detent. That is, longer rails results
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`in shorter beams making it more difficult to deflect and Sn