Lid with utensil and handle

• US 5,251,774 A
• Filed: 08/07/1992
• Issued: 10/12/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Willis S. Engle
• Original Assignee: Willis S. Engle
• Inventors: Engle, Willis S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoap, Allan N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): STUCKER, NOVA E
• Application Number:
  US07/926,753
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• Field of Search: 220/212, 220/212.5, 220/757, 220/762, 220/768, 215/100 A, 215/DIG. 5, 215/228, 206/541, 229/1.5 C
• US Class Current: 220/212
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/186 combined with a spreading implement
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/246 provided with eating utensils or spatulas applicator rods or brushes B65D51/32
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 215/05 Spoons

Abstract

A lid for closing the opening of a container, which incorporates a utensil for use in removing, using or consuming the contents of the container, and which further incorporates a handle to facilitate use of the utensil. When not in use the handle components lie flat on the top of the container to allow for stacking of the containers. The handle is formed by rotating the handle halves about a flexible joint and connecting them together such that the handle extends outwardly from the upper surface of the lid.

Claims

1. A lid with utensil and handle for use with a container comprising:

a closure plate dimensioned to close the opening of the container;

a utensil attached to the underside of said closure plate adapted to extend into the container;

handle means attached to the upperside of said closure plate to facilitate use of said utensil, said handle means comprised of a plurality of handle sections flexibly attached to said closure plate in a manner which allows said flexibly attached handle sections to lie flat against said closure plate when not in use, and which further allows said flexibly attached handle sections to be rotated together whereby said flexibly attached handle sections together form said handle means;

securing means to removably secure said closure plate to the container;

said handle sections comprising

connecting means for removably connecting said flexibly attached handle sections to each other when said flexibly attached handle sections are rotated together to form said handle means.

2. The device described in claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises an elongated protrusion on one of said flexibly attached handle sections which removably snaps into a space between two parallel elongated protrusions on another of said flexibly attached handle sections when said flexibly attached handle sections are rotated together to form said handle means.

3. The device described in claim 1 wherein said utensil is a spoon.

4. The device described in claim 1 wherein said utensil is a fork.

5. The device described in claim 1 wherein said utensil is a knife.

6. The device described in claim 1 wherein said utensil is a spear.

7. The device described in claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises a cover dimensioned to slightly overlap said closure plate, said cover having a central opening accommodating said handle means, and said cover having a flat upper surface to facilitate stacking of the containers.