`Miksovsky et al .
`
`US 11,540,654 B2
`( 10 ) Patent No .:
`Jan. 3 , 2023
`( 45 ) Date of Patent :
`
`US011540654B2
`
`( 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 , Belmont , 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 / 725,397
`( 22 ) Filed :
`Dec. 23 , 2019
`( 65 )
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2020/0128984 A1
`Apr. 30 , 2020
`Related U.S. Application Data
`( 62 ) Division of application No. 16 / 213,466 , filed on Dec.
`7 , 2018 , now Pat . No. 10,555,629 , which is a division
`( Continued )
`
`( * ) Notice :
`
`( 51 ) Int . Ci .
`A47G 21/06
`A476 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 21/02 ; A47G 21/023 ; A47G 21/04 ;
`A476 21/06 ; A476 21/08 ; A47J
`43 / 28-282
`
`( Continued )
`
`( 56 )
`
`CN
`CN
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`32,916 A
`33,703 A
`
`7/1861 Richards
`11/1861 Hardie
`( Continued )
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`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/
`B00B5A2YX0 / ref = sr_1_2_sspa ? ie = UTF8 & qid = 1544804816 & sr =
`8-2 - spons & keywords = light + my + fire + spork & psc = 1 ( Year : 2009 ) . *
`( Continued )
`
`Primary Examiner — Jason Daniel Prone
`( 74 ) Attorney , Agent , or Firm — Beyer Law Group LLP
`
`( 57 )
`ABSTRACT
`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 .
`
`27 Claims , 24 Drawing Sheets
`
`ASAW
`
`CA
`
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`
`w
`
`SI :
`
`din
`
`THAT
`Hombre Laura
`MINDS
`
`SHARE Seilar
`
`
`
`?? 115
`
`18
`
`220
`
`112
`TOR
`
`246 244
`
`ve
`.
`
`94-4 - Horar
`wwmy
`wwww ar
`va
`
`???? ??? ???
`
`217
`
`243
`
`246
`
`Want
`
`*** , keit , 4 : | ? Fi1 . ? u ?? ?? ?? ???? ????? ? ??? iple : I ???
`
`217
`
`YARDIM
`
`Ex. 2008, Page 1
`Patent Owner Humangear, Inc.
`Industrial Revolution, Inc. v. Humangear, Inc.: IPR2023-01174
`
`
`
`US 11,540,654 B2
`Page 2
`
`( 56 )
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`of application No. 15 / 268,175 , filed on Sep. 16 , 2016 ,
`now abandoned , which is a division of application
`No. 14 / 204,497 , filed on Mar. 11 , 2014 , now Pat . No.
`9,468,321 .
`( 58 ) 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. 2008, Page 3
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 3. 2023
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`Sheet 1 of 24
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`US 11,540,654 B2
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`100
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`140
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`.
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`4
`
`FIG . 1A
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2008, Page 4
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 3 , 2023
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`US 11,540,654 B2
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`110
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`100
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`FIG . 1B
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2008, Page 5
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 3. 2023
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`Sheet 3 of 24
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`US 11,540,654 B2
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`148
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`148
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`100
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`110
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`140
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`FIG . 2A
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2008, Page 6
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 3. 2023
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`Sheet 4 of 24
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`US 11,540,654 B2
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`100
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`110
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`148
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`-148
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`FIG . 2B
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2008, Page 7
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 3 , 2023
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`Sheet 5 of 24
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`US 11,540,654 B2
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`110
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`FIG . 3
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`140
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2008, Page 8
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 3 , 2023
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`Sheet 6 of 24
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`US 11,540,654 B2
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`142
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`ANA
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`140
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`145
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`144
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`145
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`156
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`FIG . 4A
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2008, Page 9
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 3. 2023
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`Sheet 7 of 24
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`US 11,540,654 B2
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`142
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`140
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`145
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`144
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`156
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`4 "
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`148
`
`FIG . 4B
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2008, Page 10
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 3. 2023
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`Sheet 8 of 24
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`US 11,540,654 B2
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`140
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`145
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`144
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`142
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`145
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`FIG . 4C
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2008, Page 11
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 3. 2023
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`Sheet 9 of 24
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`US 11,540,654 B2
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`156
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`153
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`163
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`148
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`FIG . 4D
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2008, Page 12
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 3 , 2023
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`Sheet 10 of 24
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`US 11,540,654 B2
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`??
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`/
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`151
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`FIG . 4E
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2008, Page 13
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 3 , 2023
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`Sheet 11 of 24
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`US 11,540,654 B2
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`ANA ' ' ** '
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`' **************
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`5
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`157
`
`Karina
`
`S
`
`151
`
`FIG . 4F
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`Humangear, Inc. Ex. 2008, Page 14
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 3 , 2023
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`Sheet 12 of 24
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`US 11,540,654 B2
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`142
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`110
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`112
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`120
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`FIG . 5B
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`114
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`122
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`122
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`118
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`118b
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`118
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`112
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`116
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`100
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`FIG . 6A
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`110
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`122
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`-148
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`116
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`140
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`FIG . 6D
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`FIG . 7C
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`1
`EATING UTENSIL SYSTEM
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`CROSS - REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`This application is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser .
`No. 16 / 213,466 ( now U.S. Pat . No. 10,555,629 ) , filed on
`Dec. 7 , 2018 , which is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser .
`No. 15 / 268,175 , filed on Sep. 16 , 2016. U.S. application Ser .
`No. 15 / 268,175 is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser . No.
`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.
`29 / 484,447 , filed on Mar. 10 , 2014 , all of which are incor-
`porated herein by reference in their entirety .
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`According to yet another embodiment , a fork is provided .
`The fork includes a head portion connected to a handle
`portion . The head portion includes a plurality of tines . An
`outer tine has a curved chamfered outer edge that extends
`5 along substantially an entire length of the head portion . The
`chamfered edge tapers to a point where the handle portion
`meets the head portion .
`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
`15 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 .
`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- 20 shown in FIG . 1 in its nested position .
`ing utensils that may be suitable for transport .
`FIG . 2B is a bottom plan view of the embodiment shown
`Eating utensils are used by people all over the world to
`in FIG . 1 in its nested position .
`FIG . 3 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIGS .
`bring food to their mouths . Sometimes , eating utensils , such
`as knives , are used to cut food to a size and shape suitable
`1 and 2 .
`for placing in a person's mouth . In some Asian countries , 25
`FIG . 4A is a top plan view of the fork separated from the
`chopsticks are typically the only eating utensils used
`spoon of the embodiment shown in FIGS . 1-3 .
`although spoons are also used for soups in Asia . In Western
`FIG . 4B is a top perspective view of the fork separated
`countries , forks , knives , and spoons are typically used as
`from the spoon of the embodiment shown in FIGS . 1-3 .
`eating utensils . In still other countries , such as India and
`FIG . 4C is a cross - sectional perspective view of the fork
`Ethiopia , hands are often used in place of utensils .
`30 shown in FIGS . 4A and 4B .
`Although these existing utensils work quite well , there are
`FIG . 4D is a cross - sectional end view of the handle
`continuing efforts to develop new hybrid combinations of
`portion of the fork shown in FIGS . 4A - 4C .
`utensils that provide not only improved function and con-
`FIG . 4E is a detailed cut - away view of the handle portion
`venience but can also reduce the need for separate utensils .
`of the fork shown in FIGS . 4A - 4D .
`Such combination utensils are also more easily transported , 35
`FIG . 4F is a bottom plan view of the fork shown in FIGS .
`as they take up less space .
`4A - 4E
`FIG . 4G is a bottom perspective view of the fork shown
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`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
`In accordance with an embodiment , a combination fork 40
`and spoon system is provided . The combination fork and
`from the fork of the embodiment shown in FIGS . 1-3 .
`spoon system includes a fork and a spoon . The fork includes
`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
`FIG . 5C is a bottom perspective view of the spoon shown
`a
`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 45
`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
`5A - 5C .
`configuration to form a mmthe rails .
`FIG . 6A is a perspective view of the combination spoon
`In accordance with another embodiment , a combination
`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 50
`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 .
`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 55 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
`nation utensil in accordance with an embodiment .
`proximal ends .
`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 60
`FIG . 7C is a side view of the integral combination utensil
`a
`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
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`handle slidable along the handle of the fork and the handle
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`of the spoon is slidable between the rails of the fork . The 65
`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 .
`eating utensils .
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`connected to or meeting the handle 146 , it will be under
`Referring to FIGS . 1-6 , a combination spoon and fork
`stood that the fork is formed as an integral piece in this
`system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention
`embodiment .
`will be described . In the illustrated embodiment , the com-
`In a particular embodiment , the outer edges 145 are
`bination spoon and fork system 100 includes a spoon 110
`and a fork 140 that can nest together for storage and 5 chamfered at an angle of about 20-25 degrees , and prefer
`transport . To form a single , longer combination utensil with
`ably at an angle of about 23 degrees . The outer edges 145
`a spoon on one end and a fork on the other end , the proximal
`have an edge width of about 1 mm at its widest point . In the
`ends of the spoon 110 and fork 140 can slide together and
`illustrated embodiment , the outer edges 145 of both outer
`lock in place . A low profile interlocking mechanism is used
`tines 144 are chamfered so that both outer edges 145 can
`to interlock the spoon 110 and the fork 140 in both the nested 10 easily be used to cut or separate food regardless of whether
`position and in the combination utensil mode . The spoon 110
`the user is right - handed or left - handed .
`and fork 140 can also be separated completely and used
`In the illustrated embodiment , as shown in FIGS . 1A and
`separately .
`1B , a safety feature is that when the spoon 110 and fork 140
`FIGS . 1A and 1B are top perspective and top plan views ,
`are nested , the tines 142 , 144 of the fork 140 do not extend
`respectively , of the combination spoon and fork system 100 15 as far as the end of the spoon 110 such that the tips of the
`in its nested position , in accordance with an embodiment .
`tines 142 , 144 cannot poke or stab someone or something
`FIGS . 2A and 2B are bottom perspective and bottom plan
`when the fork 140 and spoon 110 are in the nested position .
`views , respectively , of the spoon and fork system 100 in its
`As shown in FIGS . 1A and 4A , the center tines 142 have
`nested position .
`a longer length than the outer tines 144 and therefore extend
`As shown in FIGS . 1-3 , the spoon 110 and fork 140 can 20 farther distally than the outer tines 144 , thereby forming a
`be nested together in a low profile manner for convenient
`curve at the distal end of the fork 140. The curvature of the
`storage and transport . FIG . 3 is a side view of the combi-
`distal end of the fork 140 can match the curvature of the
`nation spoon and fork system 100 , which illustrates the low
`distal end of the spoon 110 , but as noted above , the tips of
`profile nature of the spoon and fork system 100 nested
`the tines 142 , 144 do not extend beyond the end edge of the
`position . In the illustrated embodiment , the fork 140 is 25 spoon 110 when nested . As shown in FIG . 1A , the bowl
`portion of the spoon 110 is slightly wider and longer than the
`nested over the spoon 110 .
`As discussed above , the spoon 110 and the fork 140 can
`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- 30 reference to FIGS . 4D - 4H . The handle 146 has a pair of rails
`spective views , respectively , of the fork 140 separated from
`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 tha
`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
`over end to form an elongated combination eating utensil , as
`that is connected to a handle 146 .
`Each tine 142 , 144 has a sharp crest , which aids in
`will be described in more detail below . The rails 148 also
`secure the spoon handle 114 to the handle 146 of the fork
`spearing or piercing pieces of food so that the food can be
`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
`a
`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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`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