U.S. patent application number 13/733063 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-27 for easy use utensil.
The applicant listed for this patent is Michael Roberts. Invention is credited to Michael Roberts.
Application Number | 20130160298 13/733063 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48653174 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130160298 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Roberts; Michael |
June 27, 2013 |
Easy Use Utensil
Abstract
A utensil in the form of a spoon having a spill resistant bowl.
The bowl may have an angled tip at the front portion of the bowl or
a secondary reservoir at or near the rear portion of the bowl. In
some embodiments, portions of the inner surface of the bowl may be
textured near the perimeter edge along the sides of the bowl. The
utensil may also have an ergonomic handle having a depression on
the top and concavity on the bottom with a flattened portion at the
rear end. The flattened portion allows the utensil to stand
upright.
Inventors: |
Roberts; Michael; (Laguna
Beach, CA) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Roberts; Michael |
Laguna Beach |
CA |
US |
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|
Family ID: |
48653174 |
Appl. No.: |
13/733063 |
Filed: |
January 2, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13412456 |
Mar 5, 2012 |
8387263 |
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13733063 |
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29410228 |
Jan 5, 2012 |
D658017 |
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13412456 |
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29409657 |
Dec 27, 2011 |
D655138 |
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29410228 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
30/125 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 21/04 20130101;
A47J 43/281 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
30/125 |
International
Class: |
A47G 21/04 20060101
A47G021/04 |
Claims
1. A spill-resistant spoon, comprising: a. a handle; b. an arm
having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a
midpoint in between the first and second ends, wherein the handle
is attached to the arm at the first end; c. a bowl attached to the
arm at the second end, wherein the bowl comprises a body having an
inner surface and an outer surface terminating along a perimeter
edge, thereby defining a first reservoir having a front portion, a
rear portion opposite the front portion and attached to the arm,
and two opposite side portions adjacent to the front and rear
portions, and wherein the inner surface of the body is concave and
the outer surface of the body is convex; and d. a secondary
reservoir having an open face positioned at a junction where the
arm meets the bowl, wherein the secondary reservoir is entirely on
one side of the midpoint, wherein the secondary reservoir is in
open fluid communication with the bowl to allow a liquid to flow
freely between the secondary reservoir and the bowl when the bowl
is tilted up and down from a neutral position, and wherein a
portion of the secondary reservoir is above the perimeter edge of
the bowl when held in the neutral position.
2. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the perimeter edge along the
front portion is angled slightly downwardly relative to the
perimeter edge along the two side portions.
3. The utensil of claim 2, wherein the handle is generally bulbous
in shape having a top area, a bottom area opposite the top area, a
front area adjacent to the arm, and a back area opposite the front
area, wherein the handle further comprises a flattened portion on
the back area.
4. The utensil of claim 3, wherein the flattened portion defines a
center and a plane, wherein the spoon is configured such that an
axis substantially perpendicular to the plane through the center of
the flattened portion intersects a tip of the bowl, the tip being a
point on the bowl farthest from the center of the flattened
portion.
5. The utensil of claim 4, wherein the flattened portion has a
first depression in the center thereof.
6. The utensil of claim 5, wherein the handle further comprises: a.
a second depression along the top area towards the front area; and
b. a concavity along the bottom area towards the front area.
7. The utensil of claim 6, wherein inner surface portions adjacent
to the perimeter edge along the two side portions comprise a
textured surface.
8. A spill-resistant spoon, comprising: a. a handle; b. an arm
having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a
midpoint in between the first and second ends, wherein the handle
is rigidly connected to the arm at the first end; c. a bowl
attached to the arm at the second end, wherein the bowl comprises a
body having an inner surface and an outer surface terminating along
a perimeter edge, thereby defining a first reservoir having a front
portion, a rear portion opposite the front portion and attached to
the arm, and two opposite side portions adjacent to the front and
rear portions, and wherein the inner surface of the body is concave
and the outer surface of the body is convex; and d. a secondary
reservoir having an open face positioned at a junction where the
arm meets the bowl, wherein the secondary reservoir is in open
fluid communication with the bowl to allow a liquid to flow freely
between the secondary reservoir and the bowl when the bowl is
tilted up and down from a neutral position, and wherein a portion
of the secondary reservoir is above the perimeter edge of the bowl
when held in the neutral position.
9. The utensil of claim 8, wherein the perimeter edge along the
front portion is angled slightly downwardly relative to the
perimeter edge along the two side portions.
10. The utensil of claim 9, wherein the handle is generally bulbous
in shape having a top area, a bottom area opposite the top area, a
front area adjacent to the arm, and a back area opposite the front
area, wherein the handle further comprises a flattened portion on
the back area.
11. The utensil of claim 10, wherein the flattened portion defines
a center and a plane, wherein the spoon is configured such that an
axis substantially perpendicular to the plane through the center of
the flattened portion intersects a tip of the bowl, the tip being a
point on the bowl farthest from the center of the flattened
portion.
12. The utensil of claim 11, wherein the flattened portion has a
first depression in the center thereof.
13. The utensil of claim 12, wherein the handle further comprises:
a. a second depression along the top area towards the front area;
and b. a concavity along the bottom area towards the front
area.
14. The utensil of claim 13, wherein inner surface portions
adjacent to the perimeter edge along the two side portions comprise
a textured surface.
15. A spill-resistant spoon, comprising: a. an arm having a first
end, a second end opposite the first end, and a midpoint in between
the first and second ends; b. a bowl attached to the arm at the
second end, wherein the bowl comprises a body having an inner
surface and an outer surface terminating along a perimeter edge,
thereby defining a first reservoir having a front portion, a rear
portion opposite the front portion and attached to the arm, and two
opposite side portions adjacent to the front and rear portions, and
wherein the inner surface of the body is concave and the outer
surface of the body is convex; and c. a secondary reservoir having
an open face defined by a secondary perimeter edge positioned at a
junction where the arm meets the bowl, wherein the secondary
reservoir is entirely on one side of the midpoint and adjacent to
the bowl, wherein the secondary reservoir is in open fluid
communication with the bowl to allow a liquid to flow freely
between the secondary reservoir and the bowl when the bowl is
tilted up and down from a neutral position, and wherein a portion
of the secondary reservoir is above the perimeter edge of the bowl
when held in the neutral position.
16. The utensil of claim 15, wherein the secondary perimeter edge
is smaller than the perimeter edge of the bowl.
17. The utensil of claim 16, wherein the perimeter edge along the
front portion is angled slightly downwardly relative to the
perimeter edge along the two side portions.
18. The utensil of claim 17, wherein inner surface portions
adjacent to the perimeter edge along the two side portions comprise
a textured surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/412,456 filed Mar. 5, 2012, which is
a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 29/410,228 (now U.S. Pat. No. D658,017), filed Jan. 5, 2012,
entitled "Easy Grip Handle," which is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 29/409,657 (now U.S. Pat. No. D655,138)
entitled "Spill Resistant Spoon," filed Dec. 27, 2011, which
applications are incorporated in their entirety here by this
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to utensils that are easy to control
and use, and particularly, to a spoon that is easy to control and
minimizes spillage of liquid in the spoon.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The elderly and the young share a common problem in that
members of each group have difficulty with fine motor skills. For
the young, an underdeveloped nervous system and muscular system
create challenges in fine motor movement. For the elderly, a
deteriorating nervous system and muscular system create challenges
in fine motor movement. These challenges to fine motor movement
caused problems in everyday activity, including eating.
[0004] Holding a spoon steady is difficult when fine motor movement
is challenged. This causes the user to spill food all over the
table. This is particularly challenging when the food is in liquid
form, such as soups.
[0005] Utensils have been designed to address this problem. For
example, some spoons utilize walls and covers protruding from the
perimeter edge of the bowl the spoon. These walls, although
presumably effective in preventing spillage, are a hindrance to the
eating experience, either because the spoon no longer fits in the
mouth comfortably or because it is difficult to scoop up the
food.
[0006] Utensil handles can also be a challenge to those having
difficulty with their fine motor skills. In particular, utensil
handles tend to be an elongated stems. This may make it difficult
for a user to hold and balance the utensil. In addition, since the
handles tend to be elongated stems, utensils simply rest flat on a
tabletop with portions of the utensil that enter the mouth being
exposed to whatever germs the utensil picks up from the
tabletop.
[0007] For the foregoing reasons there is a need for a utensil that
is easy to control, use, and manage.
SUMMARY
[0008] In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a spoon
that reduces the potential for spilling foodstuff, in particular,
liquids. The spoon comprises a bowl that may have an angled
tip.
[0009] In another aspect of the invention, the inner surface of the
bowl may have texturing.
[0010] In another aspect of the invention, the spoon may have a
secondary reservoir into which fluid can freely flow from the bowl
to the secondary reservoir and back again depending on how the user
holds the spoon.
[0011] In another aspect of the invention, the handle of the spoon
may be bulbous in shape for easy grasping, balancing, and use. In
some embodiments, the bulbous handle may further comprise contours
for an ergonomic grip. In some embodiments, the handle may further
comprise a flattened portion configured to allow the spoon to stand
up right on the handle to prevent the bowl from touching the
tabletop.
[0012] In another aspect of the invention, the spoon may utilize
any combination of an angled tip, a textured surface, a secondary
reservoir, and an ergonomic handle.
[0013] In another aspect of the invention, the handle may be
applied to other utensils such as forks, knives, ladles, spatulas,
and the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 shows a front view thereof;
[0016] FIG. 3 shows a rear view thereof;
[0017] FIG. 4 shows a side view thereof;
[0018] FIG. 5 shows another side view thereof;
[0019] FIG. 6 shows a top view thereof; and
[0020] FIG. 7 shows a bottom view thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The detailed description set forth below in connection with
the appended drawings is intended as a description of
presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not
intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention
may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the
functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating
the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is
to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions
and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are
also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the
invention.
[0022] With reference to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the easy use
utensil is a spoon 100 comprising a bowl 102, an arm 104 attached
to the bowl 102, and a handle 106 attached to the arm 104. For the
sake of clarity and ease of description, without being limiting,
the spoon 100 is described with the understanding that the views
shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are considered to be a neutral position. In
other words, the neutral position is the position that the spoon
100 is held in after scooping foodstuff or liquid into the bowl 102
with the intention of keeping the foodstuff or liquid in the bowl
102. Thus, in general in the neutral position the perimeter edge
110 of the bowl 102 at the sides 116, 118 is generally parallel to
the ground or table. In addition, for the sake of clarity and ease
of description, without being limiting, the handle 106 will be
considered the back or rear end and the bowl 102 will be considered
the front or forward end. The top will be considered the portion of
the bowl where the food is placed and the bottom will be the
opposite side. The upright position will be considered the position
of the spoon (or utensil) when the active portion of the utensil
(bowl of a spoon, prongs of a fork, cutting portion of a knife,
etc.) is held substantially directly above the handle.
[0023] With reference to the Figures, the bowl 102 of the spoon 100
comprises a concave inner surface 120 and a convex outer surface
122, the inner surface 120 and the outer surface 122 terminating
along a perimeter edge 110. The bowl 102 comprises a body 108
having a front portion or area 112, a rear portion or area 114
opposite the front portion 112 and attached to the arm 104, and two
side portions or areas 116, 118 opposite each other and adjacent to
the front and rear portions 112, 114.
[0024] The perimeter edge 110 along the two side portions 116, 118
may be generally flat or level. However, the perimeter edge 110
along the front portion 112 angles slightly downward relative to
the perimeter edge 110 along the two side portions 116, 118. The
angle B of downward deflection (as seen in FIG. 5) relative to the
perimeter edge 110 along the two side portions 116, 118 may range
from approximately 1 degrees to approximately 45 degrees.
Preferably, the angle of downward deflection B is approximately 5
degrees to approximately 30 degrees. More preferably, the angle
downward deflection B is approximately 10 degrees to approximately
20 degrees.
[0025] In some embodiments, portions of the inner surface 120
adjacent to the perimeter edge 110 along the two side portions 116,
118 may have a textured surface 124. The textured surface 124
refers to a non-smooth surface that is distinguishable from the
normally smooth surface of typical spoons that would allow food
items to slide off easily. Due to the surface tension of liquids,
the textured surface 124 reduces the ability of the liquid inside
the bowl 102 to spill out over the perimeter edge 110 when the
spoon 100 is tilted towards one of its sides 116, 118. The surface
tension of the liquid allows the liquid to cling on to the textured
surface 124.
[0026] The textured surface 124 can be created by adding small
protrusions on the inner surface 120 of the spoon 100. For example,
small, raised bumps or dome shaped bumps may be created on the
inner surface 120 of the spoon 100. These bumps may themselves be
smooth; however, when numerous bumps are arranged proximal to each
other, they create a textured surface on the spoon 100. Due to the
smoothness of these bumps on the micro level, the texturing will
not cause irritation to the lips should the lips make contact with
these bumps during use.
[0027] In some embodiments, the texturing may be created by rough
protrusions, thus, the texturing may be akin to sandpaper. In some
embodiments, rather than protrusions, small cavities or dimples can
be created into the inner surface 120 of the bowl 102 to create the
textured surface. In some embodiments, the combination of
protrusions and cavities may be utilized.
[0028] The extent of any texturing may be limited to the sides 116,
118 of the bowl 102. For example, the texturing may terminate
before the angled front portion 112. This creates a path of least
resistance at the front portion 112 or the rear portion 114 of the
bowl 102. Therefore, liquid in the bowl 102 would most likely flow
out the front portion 112 and into a user's mouth, or the rear
portion 114 into a secondary reservoir 130.
[0029] The secondary reservoir 130 may be on or near the rear
portion 114 of the bowl 102. For example, the secondary reservoir
130 may be on the arm 104, in between the arm 104 and the back
portion 114 of the bowl 102, on the rear portion 114 of the bowl
102, or some combination thereof. Collectively, these positions
will be referred to as a junction where the arm 104 meets the bowl
102.
[0030] Like the bowl 102, which defines a primary reservoir, the
secondary reservoir 130 comprises a second concave inner surface
202 terminating at a second perimeter edge 200 on the top surface
of the spoon 100. Since the entire second inner surface 202 is
below the second perimeter edge 200, the secondary reservoir 130
can also contain liquids when the handle 106 is tilted slightly
downward from the neutral position. In some embodiments, portions
of the second inner surface 202 near the second perimeter edge 200
may also be textured similar to the bowl 102. Preferably, the
secondary reservoir 130 is smaller than the bowl 102. In other
words, the perimeter of the secondary reservoir 130 defined by the
second perimeter edge 200 is smaller than the perimeter of the bowl
102 defined by the perimeter edge 110. Similarly, the volume or
capacity of the secondary reservoir 130 may be smaller than the
volume or capacity of the bowl 102.
[0031] Since the spoon 100 may be designed to pass liquid from the
bowl 102 to the secondary reservoir 130 and back again, the bowl
102 and secondary reservoir 130 are in open communication with each
other, meaning there is minimal obstruction to hinder or interfere
with the flow of a liquid from the bowl 102 to the secondary
reservoir 130 when the bowl 102 and handle 106 are tilted up and
down from the neutral position. Similarly, in the preferred
embodiment, there would be no texturing in the secondary reservoir
130 at the front perimeter edge 204 directly adjacent to the bowl
102.
[0032] Although a small tunnel can be created to connect the inner
surface 120 of the bowl 102 to the second inner surface 202 of the
secondary reservoir 130 for fluid transmission between the two
reservoirs, such an embodiment has a disadvantage in that the
tunnel can be difficult to clean. Improper cleaning can lead to
bacteria and mold growth. In addition, if food particles get stuck
in the tunnel, it will hinder the function of the spoon 100.
[0033] Nonetheless, the tunnel could have the advantage of reducing
any spillage of liquids over the sides 116, 118 when the spoon 100
is tilted away from its neutral position. Such advantage can also
be realized by creating a smooth transition from the bowl 102 to
the reservoir 130. In some embodiments, to reduce the possibility
of spillage over the sides 116, 118 a front perimeter edge 204 of
the secondary reservoir 130 can be positioned below the perimeter
edge 110 of the bowl 102 at the sides 116, 118. In other words, the
front perimeter edge 204 of the secondary reservoir 130 would be
below a plane defined by the perimeter edge 110 of the bowl 102 at
the sides 116, 118. In addition, to maximize the volume the
secondary reservoir 130 can hold, portions of the second perimeter
edge 200, such as the portions along the side perimeter edges 206,
208 and/or the rear perimeter edge 210 of the secondary reservoir
130, may be positioned above the perimeter edge 110 of the bowl 102
when the spoon 100 is held in the neutral position.
[0034] The perimeter edge 200 of the secondary reservoir 130 can
take on any shape, such as circular, oval, triangular, square,
rectangular, hexagonal, and the like. Preferably, the front
perimeter edge 204 is wider than the rear perimeter edge 210.
Therefore, in the preferred embodiment, the shape of the secondary
reservoir 130 is generally triangular or teardrop shape. This
allows better control of transitioning the fluid in the bowl 102 to
the secondary reservoir 130 and back again.
[0035] Except for the possibility of having a secondary reservoir
130, the arm 104 is typical of most spoons, the arm extending from
the bowl 102 to the handle 106 with the arm having a center 105. In
general, the arm 104 arches upwardly, thereby having a convex top
surface 132 and the concave bottom surface 134. The arm 104 also
differs from other spoons and utensils in that the degree of the
arch will be dependent of the remainder of the spoon configuration
so as to balance properly as described further below.
[0036] The arm 104 terminates at the handle 106. In the preferred
embodiment, the arm 104 is rigidly connected to the handle, meaning
that the connection between the arm 104 and the handle 106 is
sufficiently rigid so as to prevent the handle 106 from being bent
more than a few degrees relative to the arm 104 without destroying
the intended purpose of the connection between the arm 104 and the
handle 106, which is to provide a stable grip. In other words, the
rigid connection between the arm 104 and the handle 106 is
sufficiently stiff to allow the user suspend the spoon in its
neutral position by gripping the handle 106 only without the arm
bending relative to the handle 106.
[0037] In the preferred embodiment, the handle 106 is bulbous in
shape. In other words, the handle 106 is generally spherical with a
few minor modifications. The handle 106 may be described as having
a top portion or area 160, a bottom portion or area 162 opposite
the top area 160, a front portion or area 164 adjacent to the arm
104, and a back portion or area 166 opposite the front area
164.
[0038] The handle 106 further comprises strategically located
contours for an ergonomic grip. Due to the bulbous nature of the
handle 106, these contours are located on the outer surface of the
handle 106. For example, along the top area 160 towards the front
area 164, the handle 106 may have a depression 168. Along the
bottom area 162 towards the front area 164, the handle 106 may have
a concavity 170. The depression 168 and concavity 170 together
facilitate holding of the handle 106. When properly held with an
overhand grip, the thumb may be positioned on the depression 168
and either the index finger or middle finger can be positioned on
the concavity 170. This provides for a more secure and steady grip
of the handle. Additional contours may be added in the appropriate
position to accommodate any other finger.
[0039] The back area 166 of the handle 106 may have a flattened
portion 172. The flattened portion 172 may be a flat surface or may
be created by a depression 174. The angle and the arrangement of
the flattened portion 172 relative to the rest of the spoon 100 is
such that when the spoon 100 is positioned on the flattened portion
172, the spoon 100 can stand upright unassisted. In other words,
based on the configuration of the arch in the arm 104 and the
positioning of the bowl 102 relative to the arm 104 and the handle
106, the spoon 100 can balance when placed on the flattened portion
172. Allowing the spoon 100 to balance in an upright configuration
makes it easier to grab the spoon 100. In addition, the flattened
portion 172 allows the bowl 102 of the spoon 100 to stay off of a
tabletop surface and reduce contamination with germs from the
tabletop surface.
[0040] To facilitate this balance, the spoon 100 has a specific
configuration. In the preferred embodiment, the flattened portion
172 is circular and defines a center C and a plane P. Any other
geometric shape may work. As shown in FIG. 4, in the preferred
embodiment, the spoon 100 is configured such that an axis A
substantially perpendicular to the plane P and running through the
center C of the flattened portion 172 intersects a tip 190 of the
bowl 102 of the spoon 100, the tip 190 being a point on the bowl
102 farthest from the center C of the flattened portion 172. The
axis A need not be exactly perpendicular to the plane P, so long as
the spoon 100 can still balance on the flattened portion 172. The
ability of the spoon 100 to balance on the flattened portion 172
depends on the size of the flattened portion relative to the weight
of the spoon 100 and the distribution of that weight about the axis
A. The axis A may substantially pass through the center of gravity
of the spoon.
[0041] Nonetheless, the larger the flattened portion 172, the less
the weight distribution becomes a factor. The smaller the flattened
portion, the more important the weight distribution becomes.
Therefore, whether the axis passes through the center of gravity or
simply passes near the center of gravity depends on the size of the
flattened portion 172 and the weight distribution of the spoon
100.
[0042] To reduce the possibility of the spoon 100 from falling over
when placed on its flattened portion 172, flattened portion 172 may
be created by a depression 174. In the preferred embodiment, the
depression creates cylindrical wall 176. A tabletop or tray may
have a reciprocal peg or protrusion that tightly fits into the
depression 174 via a resistance fit. In some embodiments, the
cylindrical wall 176 of the depression 174 and the reciprocal peg
may have threading so as to screw onto each other for a more secure
fit. Other types of quick fastening mechanisms can also be used
such as magnets, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, and the like. In
such embodiments, the precise balancing configuration of the spoon
100 is less important.
[0043] In some embodiments, the handle 106 may be a two-piece
spherical unit. The first piece 180 may be integrally formed with
the arm 104 or detachably connected to the arm 104. The second
piece 182 may be detachably connected to the first piece 180. For
example, the second piece 182 may either screw on or snap on to the
first piece 180. The interior of the handle 106 may be hollow. This
allows other items to be placed inside the handle 106. For example,
small beads, pebbles, and the like may be placed inside the handle
106 so as to create a rattle for infants or toddlers, or medicine
and pills may be placed inside for adults. If such an embodiment is
desired, the handle 106 may also have a locking mechanism so as to
reduce the possibility that the infant or toddler can open the
handle 106 causing the small beads or medicine to fall out, which
would result in a choking hazard.
[0044] In some embodiments, the two pieces 180, 182 may be
substantially equal in size, thereby forming two semi-spherical
halves. In some embodiments, the first piece 180 may make up a
substantial portion of the spherical handle 106. The second piece
182 may simply be a cap or a lid, or vice versa. For example, as
shown in FIG. 3, the depression 174 may be a screw cap lid for a
resistance fits top to close the hole defined by the flattened
portion 172.
[0045] Although the figures only depict a spoon, the handle 106
configuration can be applied to any utensil besides a spoon, such
as a fork, knife, ladle, spatula, and the like. In such
embodiments, the action portion of the utensil (i.e. the bowl 102
for the spoon 100) would contain the appropriate tool for the
specific utensil (i.e. the prongs for a fork or the blade for a
knife). The arch of the arm 104 and the weight distribution may be
modified accordingly to provide the proper balance to allow the
utensil to balance on the flattened portion 172.
[0046] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the
invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and
variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is
intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by this
detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the
claims appended hereto.
* * * * *