U.S. patent application number 10/442953 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-25 for spatula with multiple-flap scraping edge.
Invention is credited to Burnett, David Linn, Krent, Adam, Lazaroff, William J., Lincoln, Alison Waite, Siegel, Jeff.
Application Number | 20040231087 10/442953 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33450323 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040231087 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Siegel, Jeff ; et
al. |
November 25, 2004 |
Spatula with multiple-flap scraping edge
Abstract
A spatula includes a handle generally defining a spatula axis.
The spatula has one end extending from the handle along the axis
while a generally flat spatula blade is connected to the other hand
of the shank. The spatula blade has two opposing edges at least one
of which is a scrapping edge is substantially parallel to the
spatula axis. The spatula blade defines a plane of substantial
symmetry co-extensive with the spatula axis and extends through the
two opposing edges. At least one of the scrapping edges includes a
plurality of flexible longitudinal scrapping flaps displaces from
each other relative to the plane of symmetry.
Inventors: |
Siegel, Jeff; (Kings Point,
NY) ; Krent, Adam; (Brooklyn, NY) ; Burnett,
David Linn; (New York, NY) ; Lazaroff, William
J.; (Floral Park, NY) ; Lincoln, Alison Waite;
(Brooklyn, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GOODMAN & TEITELBAUM
SUITE 1400
26 COURT STREET
BROOKLYN
NY
11242
US
|
Family ID: |
33450323 |
Appl. No.: |
10/442953 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/236.09 ;
15/236.05; 15/236.06 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/236.09 ;
015/236.05; 015/236.06 |
International
Class: |
A47L 013/02 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. Spatula comprising a handle generally defining a spatula axis; a
shank having one end extending from said handle along said spatula
axis; a generally flat spatula blade connected to the other end of
said shank and having two opposing edges at least one of which is a
scraping edge substantially parallel to said spatula axis, said
spatula blade defining a plane of substantial symmetry coextensive
with said spatula axis and extending through said two opposing
edges, said at least one scraping edge including a plurality of
flexible longitudinal scraping flaps displaced from each other
relative to said plane of symmetry.
2. Spatula comprising a handle according to claim 1, wherein said
flaps are angularly displaced from each other.
3. Spatula comprising a handle according to claim 1, wherein three
flaps are provided.
4. Spatula comprising a handle according to claim 1, wherein one
flap is coextensive with said plane of symmetry, and another flap
is angularly displaced from said plane of symmetry.
5. Spatula comprising a handle according to claim 4, wherein the
depth of said coextensive flap, in a plane normal to said spatula
axis and said plane of symmetry, is greater than the width of said
angularly displaced flap.
6. Spatula comprising a handle according to claim 1, wherein said
spatula blade is formed of a resilient, heat resistance
material.
7. Spatula comprising a handle according to claim 6, wherein said
material is silicone.
8. Spatula comprising a handle according to claim 1, wherein the
spatula is intended to be used to scrape two surfaces having
different heights, one of said opposing edges generally
corresponding to one of the heights and the other of said edges
generally corresponding to the other of said heights.
9. Spatula comprising a handle according to claim 1, wherein the
other of said edges is provided with a rounded edge.
10. Spatula comprising a handle according to claim 1, wherein the
depth of said flaps, in a place normal to said spatula axis and
said plane of symmetry, vary along said scraping edge.
11. Spatula comprising a handle according to claim 10, wherein said
widths of said flaps decreases in the region of said handle.
12. Spatula comprising a handle according to claim 1, furthering
comprising means for facilitating displacement of said flaps in
relation to said plane of symmetry during scraping actions of said
scraping edge on a surface to be cleaned.
13. Spatula comprising a handle according to claim 12, wherein said
means comprises a longitudinal constricted region generally
parallel to said spatula axis and proximity to said at least one
scraping edge.
14. Spatula comprising a handle according to claim 13, wherein said
means comprises a longitudinal indentation on at least one surface
of said spatula.
15. Spatula comprising a handle according to claim 14, wherein two
longitudinal indentations are provided one in each side of said
spatula.
16. Spatula comprising a handle according to claim 15, wherein said
two indentations are on opposite sides of said plane of symmetry
and arranged on a plane normal to said plane of symmetry.
17. Spatula comprising a handle according to claim 15, wherein said
indentations are spared from each other a distance on the order of
magnitude as spacing between adjacent flaps.
18. Spatula comprising a handle according to claim 17, wherein said
distances are substantially equal.
19. Spatula comprising a handle according to claim 5, wherein said
coextensive flap is at least twice the width of said displaced
flaps.
20. Spatula comprising a handle according to claim 5, wherein said
coextensive flap is at least three times the width of said
displaced flaps.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention generally relates to cooking implements and,
more specifically, to a spatula with a multiple-flap scraping
edge.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Spatulas having generally flat blades provided with
variously shaped scraping edges have been well known. Typically,
known spatulas have been designed with flexible rubber heads,
although the market is switching to silicone for its
heat-resistance and rigidity. Because spatulas are intended to
scrape food products from surfaces of variously configured
containers or cooking devices, spatulas have been provided in
various configurations in order to conform to surfaces of common
cooking containers or devices. Also, such spatulas have sometimes
been provided with edges that are somewhat flexible, to better
conform or adapt to the specific configurations of the surfaces to
be scraped. However, clearly, the more flexible the edge of the
spatula is, the less effective it will be as a scraping edge, and
it will thus leave films or traces of food products on the surface
to be cleaned.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a
spatula that does not have the disadvantages inherent in known
spatulas.
[0006] It is another object of the invention to provide a spatula
that is simple in construction and economical to manufacture.
[0007] It is a still another object of the invention to provide a
spatula that can efficiently scrape food, liquid and condiments
from the surface of any cooking or food-preparation device.
[0008] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a
spatula as in the previous object that is heat-resistant.
[0009] It is a further object of the invention to provide a heat
spatula as in the previously objects that has good strength and
great flexibility.
[0010] It is still a further object of the invention to provide a
spatula of the type under discussion that can be used with most
brands of food processors and various cylindrical storage
containers.
[0011] It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a
spatula that can readily conform to a surface to be scraped while
being sufficiently rigid to efficiently remove food products from
that surface.
[0012] It is an additional object of the invention to provide a
spatula that continues to have at least flap to be in scraping
contact with a surface to be scraped even when the edge of the
spatula is urged against the surface and becomes deformed.
[0013] In order to achieve the above objects, as well as others
that will become apparent hereinafter, a spatula in accordance with
the present invention is provided with a multiple-flap scraping
edge in which the multiple flaps extend along the scraping edge and
are spaced or offset from each other along a direction generally
corresponding to the direction of movement of the spatula during a
cleaning or a scraping operation.
[0014] More specifically, a spatula in accordance with the present
invention preferably comprises a handle generally defining a
spatula-axis. A shank is provided, having one end extending from
said handle along said spatula axis. A generally flat spatula blade
is connected to the other end of said shank and has two opposing
edges, at least one of which is a scraping edge substantially
parallel to said spatula axis. Such spatula blade defines a plane
of substantial symmetry coextensive with said spatula axis and
extends through said two opposing edges. Said at least one scraping
edge includes a plurality of flexible longitudinal scraping flaps
displaced from each other relative to said plane of symmetry.
[0015] In a presently preferred embodiment, three flaps are
provided, a center one of which projects from said scraping edge
along said plane of symmetry while the two remaining flaps are each
angularly offset relative to said center flap to each side of said
plane of symmetry. Advantageously, a longitudinal groove generally
parallel to said spatula axis is provided on said spatula blade
proximate to said flaps to facilitate the flaps to bend at an angle
when swept along a surface of a kitchen device, to allow two of
said flaps to have complete contact with the surface of the kitchen
device regardless of the sweeping or scraping direction. In
accordance with a presently preferred embodiment, the center flap,
on the plane of symmetry, is made slightly longer in order to catch
any substance missed by the other, outer flaps.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The above and other objects of the invention may be more
readily seen when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a spatula with
multiple-flap scraping edge in accordance with the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the spatula shown in
FIG. 1, partially broken away to illustrate the end of the shank
embedded within the blade of the spatula;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the spatula shown in
FIG. 1, taken along line 3-3;
[0020] FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail of region A in FIG. 3;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the spatula shown in
FIG. 1, taken along line 5-5;
[0022] FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail of region B in FIG. 5;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the spatula shown in
FIG. 1, taken along line 7-7;
[0024] FIG. 8 is an enlarged detail of region C in FIG. 7;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the spatula shown in
FIG. 1, taken along line 9-9;
[0026] FIG. 10 is an enlarged detail of region D in FIG. 9;
[0027] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the spatula shown in
FIG. 1, taken along line 11-11;
[0028] FIG. 12 is an enlarged detail of region E in FIG. 11;
[0029] FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the spatula shown in
FIG. 1, taken along line 13-13;
[0030] FIG. 14 is an enlarged detail of region F in FIG. 13;
[0031] FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of the spatula shown in
FIG. 1, taken along line 15-15;
[0032] FIG. 16 is an enlarged detail of detail G in FIG. 15;
and
[0033] FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the spatula shown in
FIG. 1, shown within a cut-away section of a typical food processor
bowl.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0034] Referring now specifically to the figures, in which similar
or identical parts will be identified by the same reference
numerals throughout, and first referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the
spatula in accordance with the present invention is generally
designated by the reference numeral 10.
[0035] The spatula 10 includes a handle 12 generally defining a
spatula axis X. A shank 14 has one end 14a extending from the
handle and one end 14b remote from the handle 12 along the spatula
axis. The generally flat spatula blade 16 is connected to the other
end 14b of the shank 14 and has two opposing edges 16a, 16b, at
least one of which is a scrapping edge substantially parallel to
the spatula axis X. The spatula blade 16 defines a plane of
substantial symmetry P (FIG. 2), the plane of substantial symmetry
being co-extensive with the spatula axis X and extending through
the two opposing edges 16a, 16b.
[0036] An important feature of the invention is that at least one
scrapping edge 16a, in the depicted embodiment 10, includes a
plurality of flexible longitudinal scrapping flaps 18, 20, 22
(e.g., FIGS. 5 and 6) that are displaced from each other relative
to the plane of symmetry P. In the presently preferred and depicted
embodiment three such flaps 18, 20, 22 are provided although it
should be evident that any plurality of flaps may be used, with
different degrees of advantage.
[0037] Referring, for example, to FIG. 6, one flap 18 is generally
co-extensive with the plane of substantial symmetry P, while the
other flaps are angularly displaced from the plane of symmetry.
Also, in the depicted embodiment, and accordance with presently
preferred mode, the depth or length of co-extensive or central flap
18, in a plane normal to the spatula axis X and plane of
substantial symmetry P is greater than the width or length of the
angularly displaced flaps 20, 22.
[0038] The shank 14 includes a shank extension 14b' (FIG. 2) that
projects deeply into and is embedded within the spatula blade 16 in
order to reinforced and stiffen the blade to make it more effective
for scrapping purposes. This is desirable particularly when the
spatula blade 16 is made of the presently preferred material,
namely silicon. The silicon tends to be substantially flexible and
the shank extension 14b' reinforces and prevents the blade from
excessively flexing along the axis X.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 3-16 it will be evident that the depth or
length of the flaps, in the plane normal to the spatula axis X in
the plane of symmetry vary along the scrapping edge 16a. Thus, with
sections take along line 3-3 showing region A, line 5-5 showing
region B, line 7-7 showing region C, line 9-9 showing region D,
line 11-11 showing region E, line 13-13 showing region F and line
15-15 showing region G, it will be noted that the lateral or
displaced flaps are non-existent at cutting plane 3-3, although the
depths of the co-extensive or essential flap 18 has started to
project outwardly along the plane P. The other aforementioned
cutting planes the central or co-extensive flap increases in length
or depth and the lateral or angularly displaced flaps 20, 22
project outwardly and remain extended in relation to the central or
co-extensive flap 18, with these flaps substantially retaining
their dimension relative to each other along the entire height of
the scrapping edge 16a, particularly starting with the cutting
plane 7-7 and down. Thus, it will be evident that the flaps in the
region of the shank are not as essential as the vertically disposed
portions of the scrapping edge 16a which is actually used to scrap
against the surface. The flaps, being made of silicon, and being
relatively short can deflect or pivot relative to a hypothetical
pivot point generally aligned with indentations 24, 26 which are
provided to facilitate such movements or pivoting actions. The
pivoting action allows the flaps to better conform to the specific
shape or configuration of the surface being scrapped. The
indentations 24, 26 form longitudinal constricted regions or groves
generally parallel to the spatula axis X and are in proximity to at
least one of the scrapping edges. It will be evident that the
longitudinal indentations or groves may be provided on at least one
of the surfaces of the spatula although two such longitudinal
indentations are use in the preferred embodiment. Preferably, the
indentations are spaced from each other at a distance in the order
of magnitude as the spacing between adjacent flaps, so that the
indentations are in generally close proximity to the flaps. Such
distances can be substantially equal.
[0040] The co-extensive essential flap 18 is shown to be longer or
wider than the displaced or lateral flaps 20, 22. The specific
relative sizes are not critical, although, in the presently
preferred embodiment, the essential flap is at least twice the
width or length of the angularly displaced or lateral flaps. Along
certain cutting planes, the central or co-extensive flap 18 may
also attain as much as three times the width or length of the
displaced or lateral flaps. See, for example, FIGS. 8 and 10.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 3, for example, it will be noted that the
shank extension 14b' of the shank 14 generally has a rectangular
cross-section although this is not critical for the invention. It
is a useful cross-section in the context of a generally flat
spatula blade in order to maximize the strength or rigidity of the
blade while safely imbedding the shank extension therein.
[0042] In FIG. 17, the spatula 10 is shown having the spatula blade
received within a food processor bowl 24. The processor bowl
includes a lateral cylindrical wall 24a and a central cylindrical
projection 26 defining a cylindrical tube 26a and an opening 26b.
In order to scrape a food processor bowl having such
configurations, the scrapping edge 16a is placed on the interior
surface of the outside wall 24a while the shorter scrapping surface
16b is conveniently arranged against the external surface of the
cylindrical tube 26a. It will be clear that movement of the spatula
within the bowl 24 as suggested will simultaneously scrape the
internal surface of the wall 24a as well as the external surface of
the tube 26a.
[0043] It should be clear from the above description and the
figures that the triple-edge spatula is unique and efficient in its
ability to scrape food, liquid and condiments from the surface of
many cooking or food preparation device.
[0044] This is made possible by its combination of rigidity and
flexibility of its scrapping edges. The three flexible flaps act to
remove substances from smooth surfaces in one clean sweep. The edge
16a containing the three flaps 18, 20, 22 as a group between itself
and the body of the spatula, as noted, which helps the flaps to
bend and angle when swept along the surface of the kitchen device.
This allows either of two outer flaps to have complete contact with
the surface of the kitchen device whether sweeping in a forward or
backward motion. In addition to the shorter outer flaps the middle
flap is slightly longer in order to catch any substance missed by
the outer flaps. This improves the efficiency of the spatula by
allowing a minimum of two flaps to scrape the surfaces of the
kitchen vessel when swept in either direction. This creates the
equivalent of at least two scrapes for the manual work of one. No
other spatula has been made with multiple edges. The silicon allows
the three flaps to flex more than other materials would and,
therefore, enhancing its functionality. It also makes it easy to
clean because one can flex the spatula to clean between the flaps
and groves. The other benefit of the triple edge spatula is that it
has been designed to function in the most popular brand of the food
processors. There are other existing food processors' spatula, but
this one has been designed with a profile that is specifically
matched to certain vessel interiors, while also working well in
other food processor's bowls and other various cylindrical storage
containers.
[0045] While this invention has been described in detail with
particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be
understood that variations and modifications will be effected
within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein
and as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *