( 12 ) United States Patent
`Miksovsky et al .
`
`( 10 ) Patent No .: US 10,568,447 B2
`( 45 ) Date of Patent :
`Feb. 25 , 2020
`
`US010568447B2
`
`( 54 ) EATING UTENSIL SYSTEM
`( 71 ) Applicant : humangear , Inc. , San Francisco , CA
`( US )
`( 72 ) 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 )
`Subject to any disclaimer , the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154 ( b ) by 0 days .
`( 21 ) Appl . No .: 16 / 213,536
`( 22 ) Filed :
`Dec. 7 , 2018
`( 65 )
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2019/0104873 A1 Apr. 11 , 2019
`Related U.S. Application Data
`( 62 ) Division of application No. 15 / 268,175 , filed on Sep.
`16 , 2016 , now abandoned , which is a division of
`( Continued )
`
`( * ) Notice :
`
`( 51 )
`
`Int . Ci .
`A47G 21/06
`A47G 21/02
`A47G 21/04
`( 52 ) U.S. CI .
`CPC
`
`( 2006.01 )
`( 2006.01 )
`( 2006.01 )
`
`A47G 21/06 ( 2013.01 ) ; A47G 21/023
`( 2013.01 ) ; A47G 21/04 ( 2013.01 )
`( 58 ) Field of Classification Search
`CPC
`A47G 21/06 ; A47G 21/065 ; A47G 21/04 ;
`A47G 21/023
`
`( Continued )
`
`( 56 )
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`*
`32,916 A
`7/1861 Richards
`33,703 A * 11/1861 Hardie
`( Continued )
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`A476 21/06
`30/147
`A47G 21/06
`30/147
`
`CN
`CN
`
`7/1996
`2231889
`4/2000
`2373000
`( Continued )
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Light My Fire Spork Medium BPA - Free Tritan Spork with Full
`Sized Spoon , Fork and Serrated Knife Edge , Dec. 2 , 2009 ; https : //
`www.amazon.com/Light-Fire-BPA-Free-Full-Sized-Serrated/dp/
`BOOB5A2YX0 / ref = sr_1_2_sspa ? ie = UTF8 & qid = 1544804816 & sr =
`8-2 - spons & keywords = light + my + fire + spork & psc = 1. *
`( Continued )
`
`Jason Daniel Prone
`Primary Examiner
`( 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
`
`112
`
`se
`
`151
`
`110
`
`120
`
`157
`
`CHA WS
`
`-
`
`hustust ?
`
`we
`
`Ex. 2006, Page 1
`Patent Owner Humangear, Inc.
`Industrial Revolution, Inc. v. Humangear, Inc.: IPR2023-01174
`
`

`

`US 10,568,447 B2
`Page 2
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`application No. 14 / 204,497 , filed on Mar. 11 , 2014 ,
`now Pat . No. 9,468,321 .
`Field of Classification Search
`USPC
`30 / 147–150 , 322–328 ; D7 / 643 , 644 , 653
`See application file for complete search history .
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 2
`
`

`

`US 10,568,447 B2
`Page 3
`
`( 56 )
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`
`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 25 , 2020
`
`Sheet 1 of 24
`
`US 10,568,447 B2
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`100
`
`140
`
`FIG . 1A
`
`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 25 , 2020
`
`Sheet 2 of 24
`
`US 10,568,447 B2
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`110
`
`100
`
`?
`
`FIG . 1B
`
`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 25 , 2020
`
`Sheet 3 of 24
`
`US 10,568,447 B2
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`100
`
`148
`
`148
`
`140
`
`FIG . 2A
`
`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 25 , 2020
`
`Sheet 4 of 24
`
`US 10,568,447 B2
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`100
`
`148
`
`-148
`
`FIG . 2B
`
`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 7
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 25 , 2020
`
`Sheet 5 of 24
`
`US 10,568,447 B2
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`110
`
`140
`
`FIG . 3
`
`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 8
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 25 , 2020
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`Sheet 6 of 24
`
`US 10,568,447 B2
`
`142
`
`144
`
`145
`
`140
`
`145
`
`156
`
`FIG . 4A
`
`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 25 , 2020
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`Sheet 7 of 24
`
`US 10,568,447 B2
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`142
`
`140
`
`145
`
`144
`
`156
`
`extr
`
`***
`
`148
`
`FIG . 4B
`
`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 25 , 2020
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`Sheet 8 of 24
`
`US 10,568,447 B2
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`140
`
`145
`
`144
`
`142
`
`145
`
`FIG . 4C
`
`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 25 , 2020
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`Sheet 9 of 24
`
`US 10,568,447 B2
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`156
`
`153
`
`163
`
`148
`
`FIG . 4D
`
`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 25 , 2020
`
`Sheet 10 of 24
`
`US 10,568,447 B2
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`HA
`
`151
`
`V
`
`FIG . 4E
`
`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 13
`
`

`

`Sheet 11 of 24
`
`US 10,568,447 B2
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 25 , 2020
`
`AU
`
`4444 44444444444444444
`
`157
`
`In
`
`151
`
`FIG . 4F
`
`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 25 , 2020
`
`Sheet 12 of 24
`
`US 10,568,447 B2
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`151
`
`11111111 # 1118117011111111111111
`
`13315 41
`
`1038711
`
`157
`
`1931
`
`FIG . 4G
`
`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 15
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 25 , 2020
`
`2
`
`Sheet 13 of 24
`
`US 10,568,447 B2
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`142
`
`140
`
`A
`
`148
`
`FIG . 4H
`
`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 16
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 25 , 2020
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`Sheet 14 of 24
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`US 10,568,447 B2
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`112
`
`WE
`
`FIG . 5A
`
`120
`
`116
`
`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 17
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 25 , 2020
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`2
`
`Sheet 15 of 24
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`US 10,568,447 B2
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`110
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`112
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`120
`
`FIG . 5B
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 18
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 25 , 2020
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`Sheet 16 of 24
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`US 10,568,447 B2
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`114
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`122
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`122
`
`FIG . 5C
`
`112
`
`118
`
`118b
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 19
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 25 , 2020
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`Sheet 17 of 24
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`US 10,568,447 B2
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`112
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`FIG . 5D
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`116
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 20
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 25 , 2020
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`Sheet 18 of 24
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`US 10,568,447 B2
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`100
`
`www
`
`FIG . 6A
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 21
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 25 , 2020
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`Sheet 19 of 24
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`US 10,568,447 B2
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`110
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`100
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`- 148
`
`140
`
`hun
`
`FIG . 6B
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 22
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 25 , 2020
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`Sheet 20 of 24
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`US 10,568,447 B2
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`100
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`122
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`148
`
`KOLL TELU
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`122
`
`FIG . 6C
`
`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 23
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 25 , 2020
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`Sheet 21 of 24
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`US 10,568,447 B2
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`122
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`-148
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`116
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`140
`
`FIG . 6D
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 24
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 25 , 2020
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`Sheet 22 of 24
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`US 10,568,447 B2
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`212
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`210
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`220
`
`218
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`200
`
`240
`
`245
`
`244
`
`241
`
`242
`
`244 245
`
`FIG . 7A
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 25
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 25 , 2020
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`Sheet 23 of 24
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`US 10,568,447 B2
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`240
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`TE
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`244
`
`242
`
`244
`
`241
`
`200
`
`220
`
`ET
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`210
`
`212
`
`218
`
`218b
`
`FIG . 7B
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 26
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 25 , 2020
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`Sheet 24 of 24
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`US 10,568,447 B2
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`218b
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`218
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`212
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`200
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`1
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`244
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`242
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`FIG . 70
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 27
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`US 10,568,447 B2
`
`5
`
`15
`
`1
`EATING UTENSIL SYSTEM
`
`2
`outer tine has a curved chamfered outer edge that extends
`along substantially an entire length of the head portion . The
`chamfered edge tapers to a point where the handle portion
`CROSS - REFERENCE TO RELATED
`meets the head portion .
`APPLICATIONS
`This application is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser .
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`No. 15 / 268,175 , filed on Sep. 16 , 2016. U.S. application Ser .
`The invention , together with further objects and advan
`No. 15 / 268,175 is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser . No.
`tages thereof , may best be understood by reference to the
`14 / 204,497 , filed on Mar. 11 , 2014 ( now U.S. Pat . No.
`9,468,321 ) , which is related to U.S. Design application No. 10 following description taken in conjunction with the accom
`29 / 484,447 , filed on Mar. 10 , 2014 , all of which are incor
`panying drawings in which :
`FIG . 1A is a top perspective of a combination spoon and
`porated herein by reference in their entirety .
`fork system in its nested position in accordance with an
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`embodiment .
`FIG . 1B is a top plan view of the combination spoon and
`fork system shown in FIG . 1A in its nested position .
`The present invention relates generally to eating utensils .
`FIG . 2A is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment
`More particularly , the invention relates to combination eat
`shown in FIG . 1 in its nested position .
`ing utensils that may be suitable for transport .
`Eating utensils are used by people all over the world to
`FIG . 2B is a bottom plan view of the embodiment shown
`bring food to their mouths . Sometimes , eating utensils , such 20 in FIG . 1 in its nested position .
`as knives , are used to cut food to a size and shape suitable
`FIG . 3 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIGS .
`for placing in a person's mouth . In some Asian countries ,
`1 and 2 .
`chopsticks are typically the only eating utensils used
`FIG . 4A is a top plan view of the fork separated from the
`although spoons are also used for soups in Asia . In Western
`spoon of the embodiment shown in FIGS . 1-3 .
`countries , forks , knives , and spoons are typically used as 25
`FIG . 4B is a top perspective view of the fork separated
`eating utensils . In still other countries , such as India and
`from the spoon of the embodiment shown in FIGS . 1-3 .
`Ethiopia , hands are often used in place of utensils .
`FIG . 4C is a cross - sectional perspective view of the fork
`Although these existing utensils work quite well , there are
`shown in FIGS . 4A and 4B .
`continuing efforts to develop new hybrid combinations of
`FIG . 4D is a cross - sectional end view of the handle
`utensils that provide not only improved function and con- 30 portion of the fork shown in FIGS . 4A - 4C .
`venience but can also reduce the need for separate utensils .
`FIG . 4E is a detailed cut - away view of the handle portion
`Such combination utensils are also more easily transported ,
`of the fork shown in FIGS . 4A - 4D .
`as they take up less space .
`FIG . 4F is a bottom plan view of the fork shown in FIGS .
`4A - 4E
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`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 .
`In accordance with an embodiment , a combination fork
`and spoon system is provided . The combination fork and
`FIG . 5A is a top perspective view of the spoon separated
`spoon system includes a fork and a spoon . The fork includes
`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 .
`a recess in a bottom surface and a pair of rails . Each rail is 40
`FIG . 5C is a bottom perspective view of the spoon shown
`positioned along a portion of an outer edge of the bottom
`in FIGS . 5A and 5B .
`surface of a handle . The spoon is configured to interlock
`FIG . 5D is a side view of the spoon shown in FIGS .
`with the fork either in a nested position or in an end to end
`configuration to form a mmthe rails .
`5A - 5C .
`FIG . 6A is a perspective view of the combination spoon
`In accordance with another embodiment , a combination 45
`and fork system in the elongated combination utensil posi
`eating utensil is provided . The combination eating utensil
`tion in accordance with an embodiment .
`includes a fork and a spoon . The fork has a handle connected
`FIG . 6B is a bottom plan view of the embodiment shown
`to a head portion including a plurality of tines . At least one
`in FIG . 6A .
`tine on a curved outer edge of the head portion has a
`FIG . 6C is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment
`chamfered outer edge along substantially its entire length . 50
`shown in FIGS . 6A and 6B .
`The chamfered edge tapers to a point where the handle is
`FIG . 6D is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIGS .
`connected to the head portion . The spoon has a substantially
`6A - 6C .
`pentagonal bowl portion having substantially flat side and
`FIG . 7A is a top perspective view of an integral combi
`end edges . The spoon and fork can be connected at their
`proximal ends .
`55 nation utensil in accordance with an embodiment .
`FIG . 7B is a bottom perspective view of the integral
`In accordance with yet another embodiment , a combina
`combination utensil shown in FIG . 7A .
`tion fork and spoon system is provided . The combination
`FIG . 7C is a side view of the integral combination utensil
`fork and spoon system includes a fork , a spoon , and an
`shown in FIGS . 7A and 7B .
`interlocking mechanism . The fork has a handle with a pair
`of rails along a portion of its side edges . The spoon has a 60
`handle slidable along the handle of the fork and the handle
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`of the spoon is slidable between the rails of the fork . The
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`interlocking mechanism is for interlocking the spoon and the
`The present invention relates generally to combination
`fork either in a nested position or in an end to end position .
`According to yet another embodiment , a fork is provided . 65 eating utensils .
`The fork includes a head portion connected to a handle
`Referring to FIGS . 1-6 , a combination spoon and fork
`portion . The head portion includes a plurality of tines . An
`system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention
`
`35
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 28
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`US 10,568,447 B2
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`3
`4
`connected to or meeting the handle 146 , it will be under
`will be described . In the illustrated embodiment , the com
`stood that the fork is formed as an integral piece in this
`bination spoon and fork system 100 includes a spoon 110
`embodiment .
`and a fork 140 that can nest together for storage and
`In a particular embodiment , the outer edges 145 are
`transport . To form a single , longer combination utensil with
`a spoon on one end and a fork on the other end , the proximal 5 chamfered at an angle of about 20-25 degrees , and prefer
`ably at an angle of about 23 degrees . The outer edges 145
`ends of the spoon 110 and fork 140 can slide together and
`have an edge width of about 1 mm at its widest point . In the
`lock in place . A low profile interlocking mechanism is used
`illustrated embodiment , the outer edges 145 of both outer
`to interlock the spoon 110 and the fork 140 in both the nested
`tines 144 are chamfered so that both outer edges 145 can
`position and in the combination utensil mode . The spoon 110
`and fork 140 can also be separated completely and used 10 easily be used to cut or separate food regardless of whether
`the user is right - handed or left - handed .
`separately .
`In the illustrated embodiment , as shown in FIGS . 1A and
`FIGS . 1A and 1B are top perspective and top plan views ,
`1B , a safety feature is that when the spoon 110 and fork 140
`respectively , of the combination spoon and fork system 100
`are nested , the tines 142 , 144 of the fork 140 do not extend
`in its nested position , in accordance with an embodiment . 15 as far as the end of the spoon 110 such that the tips of the
`FIGS . 2A and 2B are bottom perspective and bottom plan
`tines 142 , 144 cannot poke or stab someone or something
`views , respectively , of the spoon and fork system 100 in its
`when the fork 140 and spoon 110 are in the nested position .
`nested position .
`As shown in FIGS . 1A and 4A , the center tines 142 have
`As shown in FIGS . 1-3 , the spoon 110 and fork 140 can
`a longer length than the outer tines 144 and therefore extend
`be nested together in a low profile manner for convenient 20 farther distally than the outer tines 144 , thereby forming a
`storage and transport . FIG . 3 is a side view of the combi
`curve at the distal end of the fork 140. The curvature of the
`nation spoon and fork system 100 , which illustrates the low
`distal end of the fork 140 can match the curvature of the
`profile nature of the spoon and fork system
`100 nested
`distal end of the spoon 110 , but as noted above , the tips of
`position . In the illustrated embodiment , the fork 140 is
`the tines 142 , 144 do not extend beyond the end edge of the
`25 spoon 110 when nested . As shown in FIG . 1A , the bowl
`nested over the spoon 110 .
`As discussed above , the spoon 110 and the fork 140 can
`portion of the spoon 110 is slightly wider and longer than the
`corresponding portion of the fork 140 in the illustrated
`be separated from one another and used separately . The
`embodiment .
`geometries of the fork 140 and the spoon 110 will be
`The handle 146 of the fork 140 will be described with
`described below . FIGS . 4A and 4B are top plan and per
`spective views , respectively , of the fork 140 separated from 30 reference to FIGS . 4D - 4H . The handle 146 has a pair of rails
`148 that extend downward from the bottom side of its two
`the spoon 110. In the illustrated embodiment , the fork 140
`outer edges . The rails 148 aid in guiding the handle 146 of
`has four tines 142 , 144. It will be understood that , in other
`the fork 150 over the handle 114 of the spoon 110 when the
`embodiments , the fork can have more or fewer tines . The
`spoon handle 114 is slid between the rails 148 to either place
`fork 140 has a head portion 141 , which includes the tines , 35 the spoon 110 and fork 140 in the nested position or slid end
`that is connected to a handle 146 .
`over end to form an elongated combination eating utensil , as
`Each tine 142 , 144 has a sharp crest , which aids in
`will be described in more detail below . The rails 148 also
`spearing or piercing pieces of food so that the food can be
`secure the spoon handle 114 to the handle 146 of the fork
`picked up by the fork 140. In the illustrated embodiment , the
`140 , as will be explained in more detail below . As shown in
`two center tines 142 are straight and the two outer tines 144 40 the side view of FIGS . 3 and 6D , the rails 148 are very low
`each have a straight inner edge and a curved outer edge 145 .
`profile , as they do not extend below the lowest bottom
`The curved outer edges 145 of the outer tines 144 and the
`surface of the spoon handle 114 when the fork 140 and
`ends of the tines 142 , 144 do not extend beyond the outer
`spoon 110 are either nested together or slid end over end to
`edges of the bowl portion of the spoon 110 , as shown in
`form the elongated combination eating utensil . FIGS . 2A ,
`FIGS . 1A and 1B . The curvature of the outer edges 145 can 45 2B , 6B and 6C show that , in the illustrated embodiment , the
`also be used for scraping food , as the curved edges 145
`rails 148 extend only to about halfway across the width of
`follow the curvature of a curved container , such as a bowl ,
`the chamfered edge 122 of the spoon 110. The low profile
`better than the straight tines of many conventional forks .
`nature of the rails 148 allow more efficient stacking of the
`In addition to being curved , the outer edges 145 of the
`fork and spoon systems 100 .
`outer tines 144 are also tapered or chamfered such that the 50
`The outer edge of each rails 148 is aligned and continuous
`fork 140 can be used to cut through or separate foods that do
`with the outer edge of the rest of the fork handle 146 .
`not require a knife . The tapered or chamfered outer edges
`Further , the rails 148 taper inward so that the portion of the
`145 are shown in the cross - sectional perspective view of
`handle 146 with the rails 148 does not feel different from the
`FIG . 4C . As illustrated in FIG . 4C , the top surface of each
`rest of handle 146 when the fork 140 is held in a user's hand .
`of the outer edges 145 is tapered or chamfered . As illus- 55 The inward tapering as well as the low profile nature of the
`trated , each chamfered edge 145 has one end at the tip of the
`rails 148 reduce the tactile impact they have on a user's hand
`outer tine 144 and extends along the outer curved edge of the
`holding the fork . That is , the handle with low profile rails
`outer tine 144 to the position where the fork head 141 meets
`148 feels better to hold than a handle having big protuber
`the handle 146. As shown in FIGS . 4A - 4C , the chamfered
`ances , edges , etc.
`edge 145 spans the entire width of the outer tine 144 at the 60
`As shown in FIG . 4D , the handle portion 146 of the fork
`tip . As the chamfered edge 145 extends down along the
`140 has a slight upside down V - shape with a ridge 156 in the
`curved outer edge of the outer tine 144 , the width of the
`center when viewed from an end . The center ridge 156 is the
`chamfered edge 145 remains substantially the same until it
`highest point of the handle 146 and runs down the center
`begins to taper toward the end of the fork head 141. In the
`along substantially the entire length of the handle 146. Each
`illustrated embodiment , the chamfered edge 145 tapers and 65 side of the handle 146 angles downward from the center line
`ends in a point where the fork head 141 meets the handle
`to the edge at an angle of about 75-80 degrees , and prefer
`146. Although the fork head 141 is described above as being
`ably about 79 degrees .
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2006, Page 29
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`US 10,568,447 B2
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`15
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`mm .
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`5
`6
`122 are chamfered so that both edges 122 can easily be used
`The bottom of the fork handle 146 also includes a recess
`to cut or separate food regardless of whether the user is
`150 that accommodates the contour of the top surface of the
`right - handed or left - handed .
`handle 114 of the spoon 110 as well as a crescent - shaped
`The taper of the bottom surface edges 122 of the spoon
`raised edge 116 on the proximal end of the spoon 110. As
`shown in FIGS . 4F and 4G , the recess 150 has two straight 5 handle 114 also allows for low profile rails 148 on the fork
`end walls 162 , 163 , each acting as a hard stop when the
`140 , as the edges 122 of the spoon 140 are configured to
`raised edge 116 of the spoon 110 abuts the end wall .
`slide under and between the rails 148 of the fork 140 to
`The recess 150 also includes two detents 152 , 153 , one
`either nest the spoon 110 and fork 140 together or to form
`near each end of the recess 150. As will be explained in more
`a longer combination eating utensil . That is , the bottom
`detail below , the detents 152 , 153 serve to snap and lock the 10 edges 122 are chamfered at an angle that corresponds to the
`spoon handle 114 in place relative to the handle 146 of the
`angle of the bottom surface of the rails 148 on the fork 140 .
`fork when the spoon 110 and fork 140 are in the nested
`According to an embodiment , the height of the rails is about
`position as well as when the spoon 110 and fork 140 are
`1.5-3 mm and the height of the edges 122 is about 0.5-1.75
`attached end to end to form an elongated eating utensil , as
`The rails 148 are so low profile that when the spoon 110
`shown in FIGS . 6A - 6D .
`The spoon 110 will be described below with reference to
`and fork 140 are interlocked ( whether in the nested position
`or connected in the elongated combination utensil position ) ,
`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
`the bottom of the spoon bowl 112 actually extends below the
`a handle 114. The proximal end of the spoon handle 114
`bottom of the rails 148 , as shown in the side view of FIGS .
`includes a crescent - shaped raised edge 116. As shown in the 20 3 and 6D .
`side view of FIG . 5D , the raised edge 116 protrudes above
`The spoon 110 and fork 140 are formed of a plastic
`material , such as a glass reinforced thermoplastic , that is
`t