( 12 ) United States Patent
`Miksovsky et al .
`
`US 10,555,629 B2
`( 10 ) Patent No .:
`( 45 ) Date of Patent :
`Feb. 11 , 2020
`
`US010555629B2
`
`( 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 / 213,466
`( 22 ) Filed :
`Dec. 7 , 2018
`( 65 )
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2019/0110620 A1
`Apr. 18 , 2019
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Division of application No. 15 / 268,175 , filed on Sep.
`16 , 2016 , now abandoned , which is a division of
`( Continued )
`
`( * ) Notice :
`
`( 62 )
`
`( 51 ) Int . Cl .
`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 )
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`32,916 A
`33,703 A
`
`7/1861 Richards
`11/1861 Hardie
`( Continued )
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`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 )
`
`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 .
`
`23 Claims , 24 Drawing Sheets
`
`212
`
`Luonnon
`
`Tel .
`
`200
`
`245
`
`24
`
`244 245
`
`ra !
`
`217
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 1
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`US 10,555,629 B2
`Page 2
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`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 .
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`34,069 A
`34,098 A
`34,712 A
`46,832 A
`88,370 A
`RE7,925 E
`RE9,687 E
`398,264 A
`D30,129 S *
`D31,575 S
`671,740 A
`675,475 A
`812,424 A
`849,098 A
`854,745 A
`870,413 A
`972,777 A
`1,053,387 A
`1,229,696 A
`1,271,679 A
`1,277,205 A
`D53,165 S
`1,337,174 A
`1,348,762 A
`1,372,325 A
`D59,869 S *
`D60,369 S
`1,425,750 A
`1,452,337 A
`D63,047 S
`1,699,248 A
`1,868,289 A
`D93,956 S
`1,984,081 A
`2,010,074 A
`2,109,016 A
`2,251,842 A
`2,318,129 A
`D143,431 S
`2,439,882 A
`2,470,492 A
`2,505,122 A
`D149,920 S
`2,542,600 A
`2,610,400 A
`2,752,678 A
`D184,317 S
`3,014,277 A
`3,121,951 A
`3,138,871 A
`D199,630 S
`D209,704 S
`D210,549 S
`3,586,161 A
`3,596,965 A
`3,630,249 A
`3,771,224 A
`3,967,376 A
`D241,302 S
`3,991,466 A
`D249,926 S
`4,317,284 A
`4,377,035 A
`D269,060 S
`4,425,711 A
`4,524,512 A
`
`( 56 )
`
`1/1862 Neill
`1/1862 Hardie et al .
`3/1862 Cables
`3/1865 Thorne
`3/1869 Cox
`10/1877 Ulmer
`5/1881 Cox
`2/1889 Kisner
`2/1899 Whitcomb et al .
`10/1899 Phillips et al .
`4/1901 Wattne
`6/1901 Glover
`2/1906 Hellmuth
`4/1907 Aufrichtig
`5/1907 King
`11/1907 Brown
`10/1910 Richardson
`2/1913 Hawley
`6/1917 Woods
`7/1918 Duckett
`8/1918 Evans
`4/1919 Janosik
`4/1920 Whyte
`8/1920 Suzuki
`3/1921 Willemin
`11/1921 Quandee et al .
`2/1922 Quandee et al .
`8/1922 Crawford
`4/1923 Brecel
`9/1923 Adler
`1/1929 Pasal
`7/1932 Leidel
`11/1934 Wilson
`12/1934 Pisculli
`8/1935 Fuerst
`2/1938 Ringer
`8/1941 Hill
`5/1943 Torode
`1/1946 Lapin
`4/1948 Beddow
`5/1949 Jenkins
`4/1950 Krieger , Jr.
`8/1950 Pavlinetz
`2/1951 Vaccarezza
`9/1952 Wendling
`7/1956 Welch
`1/1959 McArthur
`12/1961 Geckler
`2/1964 Green
`6/1964 Sears
`11/1964 Dedic , Sr.
`12/1967 Siune et al .
`3/1968 O'Brien
`6/1971 Fong et al .
`8/1971 Woofter
`12/1971 Brunwin
`11/1973 Bono , Jr.
`7/1976 Foley
`9/1976 Scigliano
`11/1976 Smith
`10/1978 Wong
`3/1982 Prindle
`3/1983 Dalichow
`5/1983 Creamer
`1/1984 Wood et al .
`6/1985 Formo et al .
`
`D7 / 644
`
`30/150
`
`B25B 13/56
`7/138
`
`D284,442 S
`4,615,120 A
`4,625,404 A
`4,771,541 A
`4,835,864 A
`4,984,367 A
`4,995,154 A
`D318,300 S
`D318,600 S
`D325,855 S
`5,197,623 A
`D342,422 S
`D347,975 S
`5,327,650 A
`D362,160 S
`5,542,181 A
`D376,514 S
`D388,664 S
`D391,123 S
`5,735,050 A
`D396,613 S
`D401,481 S
`5,845,403 A
`5,904,250 A
`D412,813 S
`5,940,974 A
`D414,988 S
`6,145,204 A
`6,151,999 A *
`6,463,662 B1
`6,647,828 B2
`D491,419 S
`D509,708 S
`7,013,568 B2
`D530,985 S
`D530,986 S
`D533,034 S
`D535,857 S
`D536,221 S
`D536,222 S
`D537,302 S
`D554,951 S
`D563,737 S
`D575,593 S
`D587,075 S
`D608,602 S
`D609,060 S
`D612,692 S
`D617,156 S
`D618,070 S
`D625,153 S
`7,816,634 B1
`7,856,722 B2
`D633,344 S
`D637,309 S
`D656,799 S
`8,296,957 B2
`D673,431 S
`D676,286 S
`D686,045 S
`D690,156 S
`8,635,780 B1
`8,689,453 B2
`D705,020 S
`8,726,525 B2
`D706,586 S
`8,839,522 B2
`D718,093 S
`D722,837 S
`D730,049 S
`9,061,429 B2
`D739,685 S
`D740,079 S
`D745,339 S
`D746,644 S
`D747,159 S
`D752,918 S
`D753,447 S
`
`7/1986 Chan
`10/1986 Newman
`12/1986 Valente et al .
`9/1988 Bouchakian
`6/1989 Tang
`1/1991 Albanese
`2/1991 Bamber
`7/1991 Lillelund et al .
`7/1991 Lillelund et al .
`5/1992 Rea , Sr.
`3/1993 Wang
`12/1993 Sanford
`6/1994 Zeller
`6/1994 Rojas
`9/1995 Brabeck et al .
`8/1996 Gaylord
`12/1996 Torkelson
`1/1998 Gagnon et al .
`2/1998 Rey et al .
`4/1998 Hsieh
`8/1998 Cousins
`11/1998 Boilard et al .
`12/1998 Nivin
`5/1999 De Schutter
`8/1999 Roskind et al .
`8/1999 Lee
`10/1999 Santini
`11/2000 Cash
`11/2000 Eklind
`
`10/2002 Coscia et al .
`11/2003 Hakim
`6/2004 White et al .
`9/2005 Schmidt
`3/2006 Schmidt
`10/2006 Evans
`10/2006 Lago - Arenas
`12/2006 Wasserman
`1/2007 Bristow
`2/2007 Kamins
`2/2007 Heiberg et al .
`2/2007 Vrhovski
`11/2007 McGrath
`3/2008 Shane - Schuldt
`8/2008 Svartström
`2/2009 Dibnah et al .
`1/2010 Davies et al .
`2/2010 Pallotto
`3/2010 Menceles
`6/2010 Griffith
`6/2010 Jalet et al .
`10/2010 Gallop et al .
`10/2010 Guide , Jr. et al .
`12/2010 Lago - Arenas
`3/2011 Nordwall
`5/2011 Park
`4/2012 Lebeau
`10/2012 Muehlemann
`1/2013 Glavin et al .
`2/2013 Lion et al .
`7/2013 Stewart et al .
`9/2013 Apple et al .
`1/2014 Abul
`4/2014 Vogan
`5/2014 Fraser et al .
`5/2014 Bagley et al .
`6/2014 Kestenbaum
`9/2014 Walters
`11/2014 Miksovsky et al .
`2/2015 Miksovsky et al .
`5/2015 Miksovsky et al .
`6/2015 Barber
`9/2015 Miksovsky et al .
`10/2015 Miksovsky et al .
`12/2015 Cetti
`1/2016 Cai
`1/2016 Frost
`4/2016 Katopis
`4/2016 Busboom
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 2
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`US 10,555,629 B2
`Page 3
`
`( 56 )
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`D756,171 S
`D756,172 S
`D758,808 S
`9,434,590 B2
`9,468,321 B2
`9,549,626 B2
`D782,254 S
`D794,400 S
`D807,127 S
`D812,994 S
`D812,995 S
`D813,616 S
`D816,432 S
`D825,104 S
`D828,730 S
`D834,887 S
`D842,662 S
`2003/0029044 Al
`2003/0110644 Al
`2005/0066531 A1
`2005/0155229 A1
`2006/0248732 A1
`2007/0084063 Al
`2007/0124943 Al
`2007/0251103 A1
`2008/0000092 Al
`2008/0016698 A1
`2008/0148575 Al
`2008/0256807 A1
`2009/0172949 A1
`2009/0205209 Al
`2009/0293283 A1
`2010/0206885 A1
`2010/0218382 A1
`2011/0091521 A1
`2012/0036724 Al
`2012/0297628 A1
`2013/0152406 A1
`2014/0026425 A1
`2015/0014329 Al
`2015/0257562 Al
`2017/0000276 Al
`
`5/2016 Mou
`5/2016 Mou
`6/2016 Gatewood
`9/2016 Miksovsky et al .
`10/2016 Miksovsky et al .
`1/2017 Truog et al .
`3/2017 Joseph
`8/2017 Young
`1/2018 Levi
`3/2018 Mundhra
`3/2018 Mundhra
`3/2018 Mundhra
`5/2018 Huang
`8/2018 Simard et al .
`9/2018 Gauss et al .
`12/2018 Miksovsky et al .
`3/2019 Bloch et al .
`2/2003 Mattson et al .
`6/2003 Miller
`3/2005 Hougland
`7/2005 Lee
`11/2006 Straube
`4/2007 Hughes
`6/2007 Hougland
`11/2007 Rhodes , III
`1/2008 Vanguard
`1/2008 Simpson
`6/2008 Chan
`10/2008 Kirkup
`7/2009 Watts
`8/2009 Tovar
`12/2009 Hsu
`8/2010 Bowden et al .
`9/2010 Scott
`4/2011 Omelchenko
`2/2012 Walters
`11/2012 Rayko et al .
`6/2013 McFarland
`1/2014 Kim
`1/2015 Konopatsky
`9/2015 Miksovsky et al .
`1/2017 Miksovsky et al .
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`9/2007
`200945058
`1/2011
`201691585
`5/2011
`102068177
`5/2012
`202234496
`4/2013
`202874843
`2/2014
`203424719
`44 17 037
`12/1998
`12/1984
`0 129 495
`
`CN
`CN
`CN
`CN
`CN
`
`DE
`EP
`
`GB
`GB
`WO
`WO
`
`22788
`1337613 A
`WO 2013/095407
`WO 2015/138218
`
`9/1915
`* 11/1973
`6/2013
`9/2015
`
`F16B 7/0446
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Alite , Cloverware Lite , http://shop.alitedesigns.com/cloverware-lite .
`html , downloaded on Mar. 6 , 2014 .
`Alite , Cloverware 2.0 , http://shop.alitedesigns.com/cloverware-538 .
`html , downloaded on Mar. 6 , 2014 .
`Guyot , MicrobitesTM , https://www.guyotdesigns.com/product
`microbites / , downloaded on Mar. 6 , 2014 .
`Guyot , Utensils , https://www.guyotdesigns.com/utensils ) , down
`loaded on Mar. 6 , 2014 .
`International Search Report dated Jul . 8 , 2015 from International
`Application No. PCT / US2015 / 019017 .
`Written Opinion dated Jul . 8 , 2015 from International Application
`No. PCT / US2015 / 019017 .
`Chinese Office Action dated Apr. 27 , 2017 from Chinese Applica
`tion No. 201580022197.1 .
`Chinese Office Action dated Aug. 1 , 2017 from Chinese Application
`No. 201611163525.2 .
`European Search Report dated Jun . 16 , 2017 from European Appli
`cation No. 16202786.3-1653 .
`European Office Action dated Oct. 17 , 2018 from European Patent
`Application No. 16 202 786.6-1011 .
`Light My Fire , Spork original , http://www.lightmyfire.com/products/
`products / spork / spork - original.aspx , downloaded on Mar. 6 , 2014 .
`Primus , Folding Spork , http://store.primuscamping.com/cookware/
`utensils - and - accessories / primus - folding - spork - black / , downloaded
`on Mar. 6 , 2014 .
`DCI , Swivel Spork & Knife Set , http://shop.dcigift.com/p/swivel
`spork - knife - set , downloaded on Mar. 6 , 2014 .
`Miksovsky et al . , U.S. Appl . No. 16 / 213,536 , filed Dec. 7 , 2018 .
`Chinese Office Action dated Aug. 2 , 2019 from Chinese Application
`No. 201810024557.7 .
`U.S. Office Action dated May 7 , 2019 from U.S. Appl . No. 16 / 213,536 .
`MSR Folding Camp Utensils , https://www.msrgear.com/cookware/
`folding - utensils , downloaded on Sep. 20 , 2018 .
`GSI Outdoors , Telescoping Foon , http://www.gsioutdoors.com/
`telescoping - foon.html , downloaded on Sep. 20 , 2018 .
`GSI Outdoors , Pivot Spatula , http://www.gsioutdoors.com/pivot
`spatula.html , downloaded on Sep. 20 , 2018 .
`Miksovsky et al . , U.S. Appl . No. 29 / 653,612 , filed Jun . 16 , 2018 .
`Miksovsky et al . , U.S. Appl . No. 29 / 653,595 , filed Jun . 15 , 2018 .
`Miksovsky et al . , U.S. Appl . No. 16 / 439,425 , filed Jun . 12 , 2019 .
`U.S. Final Office Action dated Sep. 16 , 2019 from U.S. Appl . No.
`16 / 213,536 .
`Extended European Search Report dated Oct. 22 , 2019 from Euro
`pean Application No. 18208165.3-1011 / 3488740 .
`* cited by examiner
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 3
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11. 2020
`
`Sheet 1 of 24
`
`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`100
`
`140
`
`FIG . 1A
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 4
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11 , 2020
`
`Sheet 2 of 24
`
`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`110
`
`100
`
`FIG . 1B
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 5
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11. 2020
`
`Sheet 3 of 24
`
`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`148
`
`148
`
`100
`
`110
`
`140
`
`FIG . 2A
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 6
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11 , 2020
`
`Sheet 4 of 24
`
`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`100
`
`110
`
`148
`
`-148
`
`FIG . 2B
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 7
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11 , 2020
`
`Sheet 5 of 24
`
`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`100
`
`110
`
`FIG . 3
`
`140
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 8
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11 , 2020
`
`Sheet 6 of 24
`
`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`142
`
`144
`
`145
`
`140
`
`145
`
`156
`
`FIG . 4A
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 9
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11. 2020
`
`Sheet 7 of 24
`
`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`142
`
`140
`
`145
`
`144
`
`156
`
`4 "
`
`148
`
`FIG . 4B
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 10
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11. 2020
`
`Sheet 8 of 24
`
`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`140
`
`145
`
`144
`
`142
`
`145
`
`FIG . 4C
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 11
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11 , 2020
`
`Sheet 9 of 24
`
`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`146
`
`156
`
`153
`
`163
`
`148
`
`FIG . 4D
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 12
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11. 2020
`
`Sheet 10 of 24
`
`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`H d
`
`151
`
`1
`
`FIG . 4E
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 13
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11 , 2020
`
`Sheet 11 of 24
`
`MU ??? ??? ????
`
`444
`
`3444445434
`
`157
`
`m
`
`151
`
`FIG . 4F
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 14
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11 , 2020
`
`Sheet 12 of 24
`
`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`151
`
`11111111 # 1118117011111111111111
`
`13315 41
`
`1038711
`
`157
`
`1931
`
`FIG . 4G
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 15
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11 , 2020
`
`Sheet 13 of 24
`
`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`142
`
`144
`
`140
`
`AC
`
`When 148
`
`FIG . 4H
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 16
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11. 2020
`
`Sheet 14 of 24
`
`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`112
`
`WE
`
`FIG . 5A
`
`120
`
`116
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 17
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11 , 2020
`
`Sheet 15 of 24
`
`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`110
`
`112
`
`120
`
`FIG . 5B
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 18
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11 , 2020
`
`Sheet 16 of 24
`
`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`114
`
`122
`
`122
`
`112
`
`TEKS
`
`FIG . 5C
`
`118
`
`118b
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 19
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11 , 2020
`
`Sheet 17 of 24
`
`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`118b
`
`118
`
`112
`
`FIG . 5D
`
`116
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 20
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11 , 2020
`
`Sheet 18 of 24
`
`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`100
`
`www
`
`FIG . 6A
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 21
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11 , 2020
`
`Sheet 19 of 24
`
`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`110
`
`100
`
`148
`
`- 148
`
`140
`
`hun
`
`FIG . 6B
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 22
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11 , 2020
`
`Sheet 20 of 24
`
`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`100
`
`122
`
`148
`
`TELU
`
`148
`
`122
`
`FIG . 6C
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 23
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11 , 2020
`
`Sheet 21 of 24
`
`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`122
`
`-148
`
`116
`
`140
`
`FIG . 6D
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 24
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11. 2020
`
`Sheet 22 of 24
`
`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`- She
`
`2 .
`
`ih *
`
`*************
`
`----
`
`******* 1 inte
`
`1 217
`
`tutti
`
`this
`
`etih
`
`?? ????
`estudio
`
`FIG . 7A
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 25
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11. 2020
`
`Sheet 23 of 24
`
`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`ole
`
`*
`
`*****
`
`115
`
`instiittiliitish
`
`
`
`! 111111111111 $ 111it
`
`
`
`20
`
`thatja
`town HHH !!! 111 : : 21 :
`
`itsselliniitiiniin liittmustrittiliit
`
`1:11
`
`217
`
`FIG . 7B
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 26
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 11 , 2020
`
`Sheet 24 of 24
`
`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`217
`
`210
`
`200
`
`FIG . 70
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 27
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`a
`
`a
`
`5
`
`15
`
`35
`
`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.
`a
`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 Applications 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
`a
`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 mm the 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
`a
`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
`a
`shown in FIGS . 7A and 7B .
`interlocking mechanism . The fork has a handle with a pair
`a
`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
`
`a
`
`a
`
`a
`
`a
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 28
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`2
`
`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 .
`
`a
`
`Ex. 1001, Page 29
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`US 10,555,629 B2
`
`a
`
`a
`
`9
`
`2
`
`15
`
`mm .
`
`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