U.S. patent application number 11/524636 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-27 for cutlery tray.
This patent application is currently assigned to Helen of Troy Limited. Invention is credited to Inbal Paulina Austern, Anthony J. Baxter, Juan C. Escobar, Amy B. Goldsmith, Mark E. Milman, Mark C. Naden, Alice von Stockhausen.
Application Number | 20080073241 11/524636 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39201796 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080073241 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Naden; Mark C. ; et
al. |
March 27, 2008 |
Cutlery tray
Abstract
A cutlery tray having a peripheral wall adjoined to a bottom
surface, fixed compartments defined by at least a portion of the
peripheral wall, an additional wall section and the bottom surface,
divider position slots within the fixed compartment, and a
removable divider configured to engage and be retained within the
fixed compartment at a divider position slot, is disclosed. The
removable divider separates utensils within the fixed compartment.
A series of divider position slots within at the fixed compartment
allow the removable divider to be retained at a plurality of
positions. Further, an expandable compartment defined by a second
peripheral wall and a second bottom surface which extends from
beneath the first peripheral wall and first bottom surface may also
be provided. The expandable compartment may include a permanent
knife block and, optionally, a removable knife block which attaches
to the permanent knife block.
Inventors: |
Naden; Mark C.; (New York,
NY) ; Goldsmith; Amy B.; (New York, NY) ;
Baxter; Anthony J.; (Hoboken, NJ) ; Escobar; Juan
C.; (New York, NY) ; Milman; Mark E.;
(Keyport, NJ) ; von Stockhausen; Alice; (Meschede,
DE) ; Austern; Inbal Paulina; (Jerusalem,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SEYFARTH SHAW LLP
131 S. DEARBORN ST., SUITE 2400
CHICAGO
IL
60603-5803
US
|
Assignee: |
Helen of Troy Limited
|
Family ID: |
39201796 |
Appl. No.: |
11/524636 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/553 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 25/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/553 |
International
Class: |
B65D 1/34 20060101
B65D001/34 |
Claims
1. A cutlery tray comprising: a. a first peripheral wall adjoined
to a bottom surface; b. at least one fixed compartment defined by
at least a portion of the first peripheral wall, an additional wall
section and the bottom surface; c. at least one divider position
slot within at least one fixed compartment; and d. a removable
divider configured to engage and be retained within a fixed
compartment at a divider position slot, wherein the removable
divider separates utensils within the fixed compartment.
2. The cutlery tray of claim 1, further comprising a series of
divider position slots within at least one fixed compartment to
allow the removable divider to be retained at a plurality of
positions.
3. The cutlery tray of claim 1, wherein the removable divider
comprises two ends at least one of which includes a tab for
releasably locking the divider within at least one of the divider
position slots.
4. The cutlery tray of claim 3, wherein the removable divider
further comprises at least one sectioning wall between the two
ends.
5. The cutlery tray of claim 3, wherein the removable divider
comprises two sectioning walls.
6. The cutlery tray of claim 3, wherein the removable divider
comprises at least two sectioning walls.
7. The cutlery tray of claim 2, wherein each fixed compartment
comprises six paired divider position slots.
8. The cutlery tray of claim 7, wherein three of the paired divider
position slots are arranged sequentially and located proximate a
first end of the fixed compartment and the remaining three paired
divider position slots are arranged sequentially and located
proximate a second end of the fixed compartment opposite the first
end.
9. The cutlery tray of claim 8, further comprising a removable
divider engaged and retained within one of the three paired divider
position slots at the first end and a removable divider engaged and
retained within one of the three paired divider position slots at
the second end.
10. The cutlery tray of claim 4, wherein the sectioning wall is
off-set from center between the two ends to create unequal
sub-sections within the fixed compartment.
11. The cutlery tray of claim 1, further comprising an expandable
compartment defined by a second peripheral wall and a second bottom
surface which extend from beneath the first peripheral wall and
first bottom surface, respectively.
12. The cutlery tray of claim 11, wherein the expandable
compartment comprises a permanent knife block.
13. The cutlery tray of claim 12, wherein the permanent knife block
extends across less than the full width of the expandable
compartment.
14. The cutlery tray of claim 12, further comprising a fixed
compartment having an additional wall section parallel to the
direction in which the expandable compartment extends, wherein the
permanent knife block is aligned with the parallel additional wall
section and is capable of being received into and extended from the
parallel additional wall section in conjunction with movement of
the expandable compartment.
15. The cutlery tray of claim 12, further comprising a removable
knife block which attaches to the permanent knife block.
16. The cutlery tray of claim 15, wherein the removable knife block
further attaches to the second peripheral wall.
17. The cutlery tray of claim 1, wherein there are at least two
fixed compartments.
18. The cutlery tray of claim 17, wherein there are four fixed
compartments.
19. The cutlery tray of claim 3, wherein the divider forms first
and second utensil sections with the peripheral walls.
20. The cutlery tray of claim 19, wherein one utensil section is
larger than the other utensil section.
21. A cutlery tray comprising: a. a first peripheral wall adjoined
to a bottom surface; b. at least one fixed compartment defined by
at least a portion of the first peripheral wall, an additional wall
section and the bottom surface; and c. a removable divider
configured to adjustably engage and be retained within a fixed
compartment wherein the divider is capable of separating at least
two utensils within the fixed compartment.
22. The cutlery tray of claim 21, wherein the divider is capable of
separating at least two utensils arranged in opposing
directions.
23. The cutlery tray of claim 21, further comprising a plurality of
paired divider position slots within at least one fixed
compartment.
24. The cutlery tray of claim 21, wherein the removable divider
comprises two ends at least one of which includes a tab for
releasably locking the divider within a fixed compartment.
25. The cutlery tray of claim 24, wherein the removable divider
further comprises at least one sectioning wall between the two
ends.
26. The cutlery tray of claim 21, further comprising divider
position slots for securing the dividers within the fixed
compartments.
27. The cutlery tray of claim 21, further comprising three pairs of
divider position slots arranged sequentially and located proximate
a first end of the fixed compartment and three pairs of divider
position slots arranged sequentially and located proximate a second
end of the fixed compartment opposite the first end.
28. The cutlery tray of claim 21, further comprising an expandable
compartment defined by a second peripheral wall and a second bottom
surface which extend from beneath the first peripheral wall and
first bottom surface, wherein the expandable compartment comprises
a permanent knife block.
29. The cutlery tray of claim 28, wherein the permanent knife block
extends across less than the full width of the expandable
compartment.
30. The cutlery tray of claim 28, further comprising a fixed
compartment having an additional wall section parallel to the
direction in which the expandable compartment extends, wherein the
permanent knife block is aligned with the parallel additional wall
section and is capable of being received into and extended from the
parallel additional wall section in conjunction with movement of
the expandable compartment.
31. The cutlery tray of claim 28, further comprising a removable
knife block which attaches to the permanent knife block.
32. The cutlery tray of claim 21, wherein the divider forms first
and second utensil sections with the peripheral walls.
33. A cutlery tray comprising: a. a first peripheral wall adjoined
to a bottom surface; b. at least one fixed compartment defined by
at least a portion of the first peripheral wall, an additional wall
section and the bottom surface; and c. at least one divider
positioned within a fixed compartment, wherein the divider
separates utensils within the fixed compartment.
34. The cutlery tray of claim 33, wherein the divider is transverse
relative to the fixed compartment and comprises at least one
sectioning wall to separate utensils within the compartment.
35. The cutlery tray of claim 34, wherein the divider comprises two
sectioning walls.
36. The cutlery tray of claim 34, wherein the divider comprises at
least two sectioning walls.
37. The cutlery tray of claim 34, wherein each fixed compartment
comprises two dividers.
38. The cutlery tray of claim 37, wherein one of each of the
dividers is positioned proximate a first end of the fixed
compartment and proximate a second end of the fixed compartment
opposite the first end.
39. The cutlery tray of claim 38, wherein the sectioning wall of
each divider is off-set from a center of the fixed compartment to
create unequal sub-sections within the fixed compartment.
40. The cutlery tray of claim 38, wherein the dividers are
configured to permit utensils to be arranged in two opposite
directions within the fixed compartment.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present device relates to cutlery trays for storing
kitchen utensils, such as, e.g., flatware. Particularly, the
present device relates to a cutlery tray which maximizes space
utilization for storing multiple kitchen utensils.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The standard kitchen cutlery typically consists of a variety
of different sized and shaped eating and cooking utensils. A
cutlery tray comprised of several individual compartments, some
fixed and some expandable, is often used to give some semblance of
order to the array of flatware, often stored in stacks. However,
over time the need or desire to occasionally change flatware styles
may arise without any thought to also changing the cutlery tray.
Utensils of the same type, for example, spoons, can vary widely as
to size and style between different manufacturers, which can create
storage issues for even the most organized homeowner. It may not be
until one begins to store new flatware that the once ideal cutlery
tray is found to be too short, too shallow, too narrow, or
otherwise inadequate.
[0003] In fact, it may not be a complete change of flatware that
uncovers this inadequacy. It may be the result of a cutlery
expansion to include more pieces. Where a set of four settings was
once sufficient, six or eight settings may be required at some
point. Additionally, the current set may require expansion to
include flatware settings beyond the standard knife, spoon and
fork. For example, a set of forks may include salad forks and
dinner forks, while the spoon collection might include soup spoons,
teaspoons, ice-tea spoons, dessert spoons, tablespoons, and the
like. Even knives can be arranged into an assortment of butter
knives, steak knives, paring knives, etc.
[0004] Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention solve the
problems of prior art devices by providing a cutlery tray which
maximizes space utilization, permits adjustment of flatware
compartments to accommodate different sizes and styles, expands for
additional storage, and accommodates other kitchen utensils, when
necessary.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] There is disclosed herein an improved cutlery tray which
avoids the disadvantages of prior devices while affording
additional structural and operating advantages.
[0006] In one embodiment of the invention, a cutlery tray comprises
a first peripheral wall adjoined to a bottom surface, at least one
fixed compartment defined by at least a portion of the first
peripheral wall, an additional wall section and the bottom surface,
at least one divider position slot within at least one fixed
compartment, and a removable divider configured to engage and be
retained within a fixed compartment at a divider position slot,
wherein the removable divider separates utensils within the fixed
compartment.
[0007] In an embodiment of the invention it is an aspect to provide
a series of divider position slots within at least one fixed
compartment to allow the removable divider to be retained at a
plurality of positions.
[0008] It is a further aspect of an embodiment to provide an
expandable compartment defined by a second peripheral wall and a
second bottom surface which extend from beneath the first
peripheral wall and first bottom surface, respectively. The
expandable compartment preferably comprises a permanent knife block
and, optionally, a removable knife block which attaches to the
permanent knife block.
[0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, a cutlery
tray comprises a first peripheral wall adjoined to a bottom
surface, at least one fixed compartment defined by at least a
portion of the first peripheral wall, an additional wall section
and the bottom surface, and a removable divider configured to
adjustably engage and be retained within a fixed compartment
wherein the divider is capable of separating at least two utensils
within the fixed compartment.
[0010] In still another embodiment, a cutlery tray comprises a
first peripheral wall adjoined to a bottom surface, at least one
fixed compartment defined by at least a portion of the first
peripheral wall, an additional wall section and the bottom surface,
and at least one divider positioned within a fixed compartment,
wherein the divider separates utensils within the fixed
compartment.
[0011] These and other aspects of the invention may be understood
more readily from the following description and the appended
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the
subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of
which, when considered in connection with the following
description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its
construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be
readily understood and appreciated.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present cutlery tray with four fixed compartments and one
expandable compartment in an open position;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment similar to FIG. 1
showing six dividers positioned within three of the fixed
compartments;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
1;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with
the expandable compartment in a closed position;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
4;
[0018] FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of two different
embodiments of a removable flatware divider for use with
embodiments of the present cutlery tray;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a
removable knife divider for use with an embodiment of the present
cutlery tray;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the current
cutlery tray showing four fixed compartments, three having dividers
and double stacks of flatware, and one expandable compartment in an
open position with a fixed and removable knife block;
[0021] FIG. 9 is identical to the drawing of FIG. 8 without either
the stored flatware in the fixed compartments and the knife blocks
in the expandable compartment; and
[0022] FIG. 10 is identical to the drawing of FIG. 9 showing a
fixed knife block in the expandable compartment and the placement
of a removable knife block.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many
different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be
described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention with
the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered
as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to embodiments
illustrated.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1-10, there is illustrated a cutlery
tray, generally designated by the numeral 10. The cutlery tray 10
has a plurality of fixed compartments 12, and may include an
expandable compartment 14 which is attached to and expands from the
underside of the fixed compartments 12, as illustrated in FIGS.
1-3.
[0025] The fixed compartments 12, of which there are four (4)
shown, can be of any desired dimension, shape and size to
accommodate flatware. It is particular to the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1 that the compartments 12 be of sufficient length and width
to accommodate two stacks of flatware stored side-by-side in
opposing directions. Further, while shown as three parallel fixed
compartments 12 a-c and one perpendicular fixed compartment 12d in
FIGS. 1 and 2, alternate arrangements are certainly possible and
should be considered to fall within the scope of the present
invention.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, each of the fixed compartments 12
preferably includes two divider areas 20. The divider areas 20 each
have three pair of divider position slots 22 which allow attachment
of a divider 16 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B). By attaching a divider 16 at
one of the three divider position slots 22 for each of the two
divider areas 20, each of the fixed compartments 12 can be
customized to accommodate specific flatware. For example, in one
fixed compartment 12a a divider 16 may be attached at the two
innermost divider position slots 22 to accommodate short flatware
(e.g., teaspoons), while in another fixed compartment 12b a divider
16 may be attached at the two outermost divider position slots 22
to accommodate long flatware (e.g., ice-tea spoons). If desired,
any additional fixed compartments 12 can be likewise customized for
short, medium, or long flatware. Further, as flatware size is not
the only consideration for customizing the fixed compartments 12,
additional dividers 16 (i.e., three or more total dividers 16 for
each compartment 12) may be used to accommodate relatively
irregular flatware (e.g., short soup spoons with large heads).
[0027] The expandable compartment 14 is preferably slidably
attached to the underside of the tray including the fixed
compartments 16. This slidable attachment can be achieved in any of
the ways known to those skilled in the art. The expandable
compartment 14 may be extended to any point within the range of
from completely open, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, to completely
closed, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0028] As previously stated, the divider areas 20 are preferably
comprised of three pair of divider position slots 22. That is, each
divider 16 is retained at two attachment points, with one on each
of the two opposing inside surface walls of the fixed compartment.
The two opposing divider position slots 22 (i.e., attachment
points) are aligned to allow transverse placement of a divider 16
within each fixed compartment 12. In the present embodiment, the
divider position slots 22 are comprised of vertical slots 24
extending from the bottom wall of the compartment to the upper edge
of the inside surface wall. The upper edge of the wall also
features a first finger notch 25, the purpose of which is explained
in more detail below.
[0029] The embodiment of FIG. 1 is shown to have four fixed
compartments 12, only three of the fixed compartments 12a-c having
divider areas 20. The fourth fixed compartment 12d might typically
be used for storing miscellaneous kitchen items, such as can and
bottle openers, stirring spoons, spatulas, and the like. However,
any and all fixed compartments 12 may be made with divider areas
20. Further, as the dividers 16 of this embodiment are removable,
any one of the three compartments 12a-c which include divider areas
20 may be used without dividers 16, if desired.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 6A, one particular embodiment of the
divider 16 can be more readily understood. The divider 16 is
comprised of a base 30 and three upright portions 32a-c. The outer
upright portions 32a, b are designed to flex inward slightly and
include a locking rib 34 along a centerline of the outer surface
35. The locking rib 34 corresponds--in a male/female connection
manner--to the vertical slot 26 of the divider position slots 22 in
the divider areas 20. The interaction of the locking rib 34 with
the vertical slot 26 locks the divider 16 into the divider position
slot 22. The inner upright portion 32c operates as a sectioning
wall to separate, for example, two stacks of flatware. This
sectioning wall 32c may be centered to provide sub-compartments of
equal width or off-center to accommodate, for example, stacks
stored in opposite directions, as shown in FIG. 8.
[0031] At the upper end of each outer upright portions 32a and b is
positioned a second finger notch 37. This second finger notch 37
aligns with the first finger notch 25 of the compartment wall to
form a significant opening 40, the purpose of which is described in
more detail below.
[0032] As a divider 16 is inserted into a divider position slot 22,
the locking rib 34 of each outer upright portion 32a, b engages the
vertical slot 26. The upright portions 32a and b flex inward until
each "clicks" into locked position. To remove the divider 16, the
opening 40 formed on each side of the divider 16 allows a user to
insert a finger and flex the upright portion 32a, b inward to
thereby unlatch the locking rib 34 from the vertical slot 26 and
lift the divider 16 from the compartment.
[0033] FIG. 6B illustrates an alternate embodiment of the divider
116. In this embodiment there are only two upright portions 132a
and b extending from the base 130. The two upright portions 132a
and b cause a small gap and large gap in the fixed compartment 12
when used. The small gap and large gap are useful to accommodate
flatware, such as forks and spoons, where the head is significantly
wider than the handle or the neck is significantly narrower than
the handle. By alternately reversing the orientation of the divider
116 in the divider positions slots 22 of each fixed compartment 12,
better use of the space may be made to alternately orient the
stored flatware. A tab 134 is shown on the open end of the base 130
for locking the divider 116 into a divider area 20. This particular
tab 134 is designed to frictionally fit within divider position
slots 22 as shown in FIG. 9. While only the open end of the base
130 is shown to have a tab 134, both ends could be provided with
this locking feature to better secure divider 116.
[0034] In use, as shown in FIG. 9, divider 116 creates unequal
sub-compartments within the fixed compartments 12. By flipping the
two dividers 116 relative to one another at each of the divider
area 20 allows flatware having a wide end and narrow end (e.g.,
spoons and forks) to be oriented in double stacks in opposite
directions (see, e.g., FIG. 8).
[0035] As a further modification (not shown) to the current
embodiments, it is possible that the various dividers can be
permanently affixed within one or more of the fixed compartments
12. This can be achieved by molding the tray with integral dividers
(not shown) or providing means, such as screws, glue,
non-releasable tabs, or the like, to secure the dividers at one of
the divider positioning slots 22. This latter method allows the
consumer to still customize the cutlery tray for a given flatware
size and design. Those skilled in the art would understand how to
achieve such modifications based solely on the disclosure of this
application.
[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 10, a second embodiment of a
cutlery tray 110 is shown. Except as discussed below, the cutlery
tray 110 is substantially identical in form and function to the
cutlery tray 10 described above.
[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the expandable compartment 14 may
include a removable knife block 50. One embodiment of a removable
knife block 50 is shown in FIG. 7. The knife block 50 is comprised
of a plurality of upright portions 232 separated by a space. The
number of knives which may be held by the knife block is dictated
by the number of spaces. A long tapered tab or protuberance 234 is
shown on an end of the knife block 50 for locking the component
into the extendable compartment 14. This particular tab 238 is
designed to frictionally fit within a corresponding slot (not
shown) in one of either a compartment wall or a permanent or fixed
knife block 60 to provide a knife block which extends the width of
the expanded compartment, as shown in FIG. 8. While only one end of
the knife block 50 is shown to have a tab 234, both ends could be
provided with this locking feature (i.e., either the male or female
component) to better secure the component. Possible modifications
to the removable knife block 50, such as, for example, changes in
length, height, upright portion design, tab/attachment design and
the like, are numerous and considered to fall within the general
scope of the claims directed to a removable flatware divider. When
not being used, the open space created by the absence of the
removable knife block 50 may be utilized for storage of other
kitchen utensils.
[0038] In this embodiment, an expandable compartment 14 includes
both a fixed knife block 60 and a removable knife block 50. In this
manner, the large expanded compartment 14 is suitable for holding
larger cutting knives. The fixed knife block 60 may be permanently
attached within the expandable compartment 14 by any known means,
including epoxy, glue, molded connectors, metal fasteners, or the
like. The removable knife block 50 may be attached in much the same
manner as a divider 16 is attached with the fixed compartments 12
as discussed above. The removable knife block 50 may be removed for
some uses, as shown in FIG. 10 leaving an open space for storage of
general utensils.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 8, the fixed knife block 60 and removable
knife block 50 (when attached) are positioned to align with the
transverse wall 55 of the fixed compartments 12. As the cutlery
tray 110 is preferably made by any of a number of suitable molding
processes, the underside of the fixed compartments 12 can be made
to allow for storage of the knife block 60 (without knives, of
course). The storage is accomplished by merely moving the
expandable compartment 14 toward a closed position (see FIG.
4).
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 7, one embodiment of the fixed and
removable knife blocks 60 and 50, respectively, can be more readily
understood. Essentially, with the exception of the specific
features noted below, the two blocks are substantially similar in
design, though one may be made longer than the other, if desired.
The removable block 50 is preferably made of a sufficiently rigid
material to maintain its form over an extended period of use. It
should also be sufficiently pliable to allow for removable
attachment and prevent damaging any stored utensils. Block 60 may
be similarly constructed. The blocks 50, 60 consists of a series of
fingerlike members 54 separated by slots 56, each of a sufficient
width to accommodate a knife blade. On an outer surface of the
outermost member 54a on each end of the block 50, 60 a tapered
protuberance 234 is integrally positioned. The protuberance 234
corresponds to a similarly shaped indentation (not shown) on an
interior surface of any compartment wall. The two elements fit
together to hold the removable block 50 in place. In order to
accommodate the removable knife block 50, the outer surface (not
shown) of the adjoining end of the fixed knife block 60 would also
necessarily include an indention.
[0041] The matter set forth in the foregoing description and
accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and
not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown
and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
changes and modifications may be made without departing from the
broader aspects of applicants' contribution. The actual scope of
the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following
claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior
art.
* * * * *