Eating Utensil

• US 20080022534A1
• Filed: 07/27/2007
• Published: 01/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fresh Express Incorporated (Chiquita Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Fresh Express Incorporated (Chiquita Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kim, Bosung
• Application Number:
  US11/829,736
• Publication Number:
  US 20080022534A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 30/142
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 21/02 Forks; Forks with ejectors; Combined forks and spoons; Salad servers
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 21/10 Sugar tongs; Asparagus tongs; Other food tongs

Abstract

An eating utensil, having a first portion having a first proximal end and a first distal end, the first distal end having more than one prong, and the first proximal end having a first engagement portion; and a second portion having a second proximal end and a second distal end, the second distal end having more than one prong, and the second proximal end having a second engagement portion, the first and the second engagement portions being complementarily shaped to releasably receive and engage one another. The inventive eating utensil can be operable in three different operational modes. In a first operational mode, each of the first portion and the second portion is operable as a fork-like utensil. In a second operational mode, the first portion and the second portion together are operable as a server-like utensil. In a third operation mode, when the first and the second engagement portions are engaged, the eating utensil is operable as a tong-like utensil.

Claims

1. An eating utensil, comprising:

a first portion having a first proximal end and a first distal end, said first distal end having more than one prong, and said first proximal end having a first engagement portion; and

a second portion having a second proximal end and a second distal end, said second distal end having more than one prong, and said second proximal end having a second engagement portion,

said first and said second engagement portions being complementarily shaped to releasably receive and engage one another.

2. The eating utensil of claim 1 wherein when said first and said second engagement portions are engaged, said eating utensil is configured as a spring-biased tong.

3. The eating utensil of claim 1 wherein one of said first and said second engagement portions is tongue-shaped and the other of said first and said second engagement portions is a U-shaped slot.

4. The eating utensil of claim 1 wherein one of said first and said second engagement portions includes a narrowed portion and the other of said first and said second engagement portions includes a slot extending inward from the proximal end.

5. The eating utensil of claim 4 wherein said slot includes an enlarged portion dimensioned to be larger and to receive said narrowed portion.

6. The eating utensil of claim 1 wherein said first portion and said second portion are parts of a unitary body.

7. The eating utensil of claim 6 wherein said first portion and said second portion are irreversibly separable from said unitary body.

8. The eating utensil of claim 1 wherein said first portion and said second portion are made of a material selected from the group consisting of wood, plastic and metal.

9. The eating utensil of claim 1 being operable in three different operational modes,

wherein in a first operational mode, each of said first portion and said second portion is operable as a fork-like utensil,

wherein in a second operational mode, said first portion and said second portion together are operable as a server-like utensil, and

wherein in a third operation mode, when said first and said second engagement portions are engaged said eating utensil is operable as a tong-like utensil.