Article dispensing – Concurrent separation and distortion of flexible article – Deformation by non-coextensive outlet opening
Patent
1997-03-27
1999-05-04
Kramer, Dean
Article dispensing
Concurrent separation and distortion of flexible article
Deformation by non-coextensive outlet opening
221 61, 294 992, B65H 100, A47J 4328
Patent
active
058993568
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to an eating utensil to be used for larger pieces of food, and a combination of a dispenser and the eating utensils held therein.
For the consumption of foods containing or consisting of larger-sized pieces, specifically fast-food dishes such as french fries, small sausages, etc. Eating utensils designed as two-pronged forks are generally provided, with which the food can be picked up and guided to the mouth. The disadvantage of these forks is that the food item can slide off and drop. There is also the risk of clothing and floors getting dirty.
The principal object of the invention is to design an eating utensil of the type described at the beginning, which can be used more securely to pick up larger-sized pieces of food. A further element of the object consists in designing the eating utensil so that it can easily be provided via self-service.
The first part of the object is attained in accordance with the invention in that the eating utensil is designed as a set of tongs having grips that can be pressed together, against a restoring force, from an opened position into a gripped position. Thus, in accordance with the invention, pieces of food are not picked up with a fork but are clamped by the grips. This results in a substantially improved grip on the piece of food by the eating utensil. Thus, it is more difficult to drop the food. Furthermore, the risk of soiling clothing and floors is reduced to a minimum. In addition, the eating utensil specified in the invention is characterized by its simple design, as it is sufficient to connect two gripping arms to one another via one connecting piece. This makes it possible to manufacture the tongs as a disposable product for single use, from inexpensive materials such as plastic. The tongs specified in the invention are particularly suited for use in the fast-food industry.
In the design of the invention, the connecting piece is designed as a bending joint. This expression should be understood to encompass every type of connector that would permit the gripping arms to move together against the pressure of a restoring force. Thus, the connecting piece may be designed, for example, as a simple connecting bow. In addition, or in combination with this, it is possible to form the gripping arms themselves to be flexible.
In a particularly preferred design, the tongs are designed so that a number of them can be stacked one inside the other in an opened position. This makes it advantageous for the tongs to be set open in a V-shape--preferably at an angle of approximately 60.degree.. In addition, the tongs may be formed as a single component, from a single strip that is even in width and thickness.
In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the tongs are preferably equipped on their outer surface with recessed grips that are lined with ridges, via which the gripping arms can be pressed together by the thumb and forefinger. The recessed grips should preferably be positioned halfway down the length of the tongs.
In a further embodiment of the invention, catchments are positioned on the open ends of the tongs on their outer surface. Such catchments are recommended particularly if the tongs are to be stored in dispensers and held there by means of complementary catch devices. This way, on the one hand, the tongs will not fall out of the dispenser, and on the other hand, they can be removed by lightly pressing the gripping arms together. These catch devices may, for example, be designed as grooves.
If the tongs are to be held in a dispenser, it is advantageous for the open ends of the gripping arms to be curved inward.
The second portion of the object is attained, in accordance with the invention, via a combination of a dispenser and the eating utensils stored therein. In accordance with the invention, this is characterized in that the dispenser contains a dispensing shaft that is preferably open toward the underside and is designed to hold a large number of tongs stacked one on top of another. The dispensing shaft and the tongs are
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Berenato, III Joseph W.
Kramer Dean
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