Eating utensil
First Claim
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1. An eating utensil operable with one hand and capable of scooping under food from opposing directions, the eating utensil comprising:
- a lower elongated member having a lower tine end;
an upper elongated member comprising a stationary portion, a movable portion with an upper tine end, and a hinge between the stationary portion and the movable portion; and
a cross member connecting the lower elongated member to the stationary portion of the upper elongated member,wherein the hinge has a spring force configured to maintain the eating utensil in a closed position with the upper tine end of the movable portion of the upper elongated member in contact with the lower tine end of the lower elongated member to form a fork end when the eating utensil is in the closed position, andwherein the movable portion of the upper elongated member is movable relative to the lower elongated member by actuation of the hinge, thereby allowing the eating utensil to transition between an open position and the closed position and thereby grasp food between the upper and lower tine ends and scoop under food from opposing directions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Eating utensils disclosed herein provide desirable aspects of a fork and chopsticks and also provide improved dexterity that enables functionality not possible with either a fork or chopsticks. The eating utensils allow a user to grasp, shovel, and pierce food as well as scoop under food from one side or both sides and to cut food with a side edge, all with a single utensil operated with one hand. Because of the unique way the eating utensil is held and operated, it feels natural to both traditional fork users and chopsticks users.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An eating utensil operable with one hand and capable of scooping under food from opposing directions, the eating utensil comprising:
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a lower elongated member having a lower tine end; an upper elongated member comprising a stationary portion, a movable portion with an upper tine end, and a hinge between the stationary portion and the movable portion; and a cross member connecting the lower elongated member to the stationary portion of the upper elongated member, wherein the hinge has a spring force configured to maintain the eating utensil in a closed position with the upper tine end of the movable portion of the upper elongated member in contact with the lower tine end of the lower elongated member to form a fork end when the eating utensil is in the closed position, and wherein the movable portion of the upper elongated member is movable relative to the lower elongated member by actuation of the hinge, thereby allowing the eating utensil to transition between an open position and the closed position and thereby grasp food between the upper and lower tine ends and scoop under food from opposing directions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An eating utensil, comprising:
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a lower elongated member configured to be held in a trough between a thumb and index finger and extend beyond and be supported by a ring finger; and an upper elongated member comprising a stationary portion, a movable portion, and a hinge between the stationary and movable portions, wherein the movable portion is configured to be held between a thumb, index finger, and middle finger, and wherein the stationary portion of the upper elongated member is connected to the lower elongated member, wherein a spring force of the hinge is configured to maintain the eating utensil in a closed position with an upper tine end of the movable portion of the upper elongated member in contact with a lower tine end of the lower elongated member to form a fork end, and wherein the movable portion of the upper elongated member is movable relative to the stationary portion of the upper elongated member by actuation of the hinge to transition the eating utensil to an open position where the upper tine end is spaced apart from the lower tine end to allow grasping food between the upper and lower tine ends. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An eating utensil, comprising:
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a first elongated member comprising a first tine end and one or more tines extending from the first tine end; a second elongated member comprising a stationary portion, a movable portion with a second tine end, and a hinge connecting the stationary portion to the movable portion, the hinge having a spring force; and a cross member connecting the first elongated member to the second elongated member; wherein the spring force of the hinge is configured to maintain the eating utensil in a normally closed position forming a fork end, thereby allowing the eating utensil to function as a fork when in the closed position, and wherein applying a force opposing the spring force to the second elongated member transitions the eating utensil to an open position where the second tine end is spaced apart from the first tine end, thereby allowing the eating utensil to function as chopsticks.
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Specification