DE29701534U1 - Device for holding two pieces of cutlery in tongs - Google Patents

Description

Sven Voit, Luhdorfer Str. 29, 21423 Winsen/Luhe

Device for holding two pieces of cutlery in a pliers-like manner

The invention relates to a device for holding two pieces of cutlery in a tong-like manner with two adjacent holding bases for holding a respective handle-side end section of a piece of cutlery, the holding bases being connected to one another by a spring-elastic, hinge-like connecting section which allows a pivoting movement about a first axis running essentially perpendicular to a plane containing the longitudinal axes of the pieces of cutlery. The invention further relates to a tong-like eating cutlery with two pieces of cutlery which are held together by such a device.

Devices of this type have long been known in a wide variety of embodiments, for example from FR-907206, FR-677653, FR-592724, FR-811925,

2527

Bremen:

Hollerallcc 32. D-28209 Bremen
POB. IO 71 27. D-28071 Bremen

Telephone (04 21) 3 40 90
Fax (04 21)3 49 17 68
Telex 244 958 biipal d

Munich:

Franz-Joseph-Straße 38 D-SOiiOL Munich

Telephone 10 89) 34 70 SO Fax (0 89)34 70 10 Telex 524 282 forbo d

Berlin-Brandenburg:

Helene-Lange-Strasse D-*.4469 Potsdam

Telephone (03 31) 27 54 Teiräx (03 31)2 75 43

Dusseldorf:

Neßlerstrasse 5
D-40593 Dusseldorf

Telephone (02 Hi 71 89 83
Fax (02 11)7 18 27 50

Leipzig:

Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse 21 D-04I03 Leipzig

Telephone (03 41) 9 60 29 77 Fax (03 41)3103 25

Kiel:

Niemannsweg D-24105 Kiel

Telephone (04 51) 8 40 Fax (04 31)8 40

Alicante:

Plaza CalvoSotelo 1-2 ES-03001 Alicante (Spain)

Telephone +34-6-598 0038 Fax +34-6-598 0182

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US-5054835, US-2455623 or US-4223936. However, the overall, relatively extensive state of the art has the disadvantage that the respective cutlery combination is only suitable for presenting or serving food with one hand.

In recent times, however, there has been an increasing need to have a cutlery combination (for example, consisting of a fork and spoon) that is not only suitable for one-handed serving, but especially for one-handed consumption of food. Such cutlery combinations could be used wherever food is offered that is eaten "in passing" or while standing, as is increasingly the case, for example, at public events, at markets, in urban pedestrian zones and on other occasions. The well-known cutlery combinations or tong-like cutlery holders are not suitable for this, as the individual cutlery pieces cannot be used in their actual function (spoon, fork, etc.) due to the limited ability to open them, but only as a tong-like gripping device.

The object of the invention is therefore to further develop the known, generic devices for the tong-like holding of two pieces of cutlery so that they are also and in particular suitable for one-handed consumption of food.

This task is solved by a device for holding two pieces of cutlery in a tong-like manner, with two adjacent

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bearded holding bases for holding a handle-side end section of a cutlery item, the holding bases being connected to one another by a spring-elastic, hinge-like connecting section which allows a pivoting movement about a first axis running essentially perpendicular to a plane containing the longitudinal axes of the cutlery items, the device being characterized in that the connecting section allows a pivoting movement of the holding bases about a second axis which runs perpendicular to the first axis and essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the cutlery items when they are lying next to one another. The increased deformability of the connecting section connecting the holding bases required for this is achieved by appropriate material selection and shaping. Numerous different designs are possible here, which the expert selects depending on the area of application - either for disposable cutlery for one-time use or for household use for frequent use.

The holding bases can be pivoted against each other by at least 30°, preferably 45°, in relation to the second axis. This allows the user to move the cutlery items held by the device far enough apart that he can eat from one of the items - e.g. spoon or fork - without being hindered by the other item of cutlery.

The holding bases are expediently designed to grip the handle-side end sections of the cutlery parts in a form-fitting manner. Furthermore, it can be provided that the holding bases grip the handle-side

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side end sections of the cutlery parts (also) grip them force-fittingly, i.e. hold the end sections of the cutlery parts firmly with an elastic and/or friction-exerting element.

Preferably, the holding bases are open at an angle of approximately 30 to 45° with respect to the first axis when not under load. This makes handling easier when picking up food.

Preferably, the connecting section is designed like a torsion spring. This can be achieved, for example, by a constricted and/or twisted design of the connection. On the other hand, the connecting section could consist of a highly elastic material that ensures the required deformability without the risk of breakage.

Insofar as the invention relates to a tong-like cutlery using the holding device according to the invention, it can be provided that the two cutlery parts and the holding device are formed as one piece. The cutlery can be made, for example, as an injection-molded part made of plastic.

In a preferred embodiment of the tong-like cutlery according to the invention, a spoon and a fork are provided. The fork preferably has two laterally projecting edges that interact with the edge of the spoon like a cutting edge. This makes it possible, for example, to cut pasta or other items that protrude over the spoon onto the

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cut off the spoon to make it easier to eat.

The invention is explained in more detail below using an embodiment with reference to a drawing, wherein

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention for holding two pieces of cutlery in a tong-like manner,

Fig. 2 shows a tong-like cutlery with a holding device according to the invention, and

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment in which the holding device is formed as one piece with the cutlery parts or merges into them.

First, reference is made to Fig. 1, which shows a device for holding two pieces of cutlery in a tong-like manner. The holding device, which is made of metal, plastic or another suitable material, has an upper holding base 1 and a lower holding base 2, which, with their lateral, profiled edges, are suitable for more or less positively holding the handle-side end sections of cutlery pieces. The two holding bases are connected to one another or held together by a spring-elastic, hinge-like connecting section 3, which, due to its flexibility, enables the two holding bases to move relative to one another, on the one hand in a known manner in the direction of arrow 4 and, furthermore, in accordance with the invention.

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way in the direction of arrow 5. The connecting section 3 can be made of any suitable material and can be formed as one piece with the parts 1, 2.

The connecting section 3 is designed as a flat strip of material in the illustration according to Fig. 1, which has a constriction in its middle area. The connecting section could alternatively be curved or wound in a helical manner in order to ensure elasticity in the direction of arrow 5 in particular.

Fig. 2 shows a pair of tongs-like cutlery that is formed by inserting a spoon 6 and a fork 7 into a holding device according to the invention. In accordance with the invention, the fork and spoon can be opened or closed relative to one another in the direction of arrow 4 and can also be pivoted relative to one another in the direction of arrow 5 in order to be able to eat a meal that was initially picked up with the cutlery combination in a relatively "normal" manner with the spoon 6.

To simplify the handling of the device, it can be expedient if the elastic connecting section 3 is pre-tensioned or designed in such a way that the holding bases 1, 2 have an opening angle in the direction of arrow 4 of approximately 45° in the unloaded state, so that the cutlery according to Fig. 2 can be brought into the position shown by pressing the two parts together and opens automatically when the load is released.

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An embodiment of the invention, which is particularly suitable for plastic cutlery and disposable cutlery for single use, is shown in Fig. 3. The holding bases 1, 2 and the spring-elastic connecting section 3 are integrated into the handle-side end sections of the cutlery parts 6, 7 or merge seamlessly into them, so that a particularly production-friendly shape is obtained.

In a further embodiment of the invention, in a "spoon tongs" according to Fig. 3, consisting of a spoon 6 and a fork 7, the fork attached above the spoon can be provided with laterally protruding edges (not shown) that interact with the edge of the spoon like a cutting blade, whereby, for example, pasta or the like that protrudes over the edge of the spoon can be cut off.

The features of the invention disclosed in the preceding description, in the drawings and in the claims can be essential both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments.

Claims (12)

Sven Voit, Luhdorfer Str. 29, 21423 Winsen/Luhe Device for the tong-like holding of two pieces of cutlery Claims 1. Device for holding two pieces of cutlery in a pliers-like manner with two adjacent holding bases for holding one end section of a piece of cutlery on the handle side, the holding bases being connected to one another by a spring-elastic, hinge-like connecting section which allows a pivoting movement of the holding bases about a first axis running essentially perpendicular to a plane containing the longitudinal axes of the cutlery pieces, characterized in that the connecting section (3) allows a pivoting movement of the holding bases (1, 2) about a second axis which runs perpendicular to the first axis and essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the cutlery pieces (6, 7) when they are in contact with one another. 2527 Bremen: HoUerallM 32. D-28209 Bremen
PO8. 10 71 27, D-28071 Bremen Telephone (04 21) 3 40 90
Fax (04 21)3 49 17 68
Telex 244 95S bopal d Munich: Franz-loseph-Straßc 38 D-80801 Munich Telephone (0 89) 34 70 80 Fax 10 89)34 70 10 Telex 324 282 ferbo i Berlin-Brandenburg: Helene-Unge-Straße D-14469 Potsdam Telephone (03 311 27 54 Fax (03 31)2 75 43 Düsseldorf: Ncglerstrasse 5
D-40S93 Dusseldorf
Telephone (02 11) 71 89 83
Fax (02 11)7 18 27 50 Leipzig: Philipp-Rosenlhal-Straße 21 D-04103 Leipzig
Telephone (03 41) 9 60 29 77 Fax (03 41)3103 25 Kiel: Nicmannsweg D-24105 Kiel Telephone (04 31) 8 40 Fax (04 31)8 40 Alicante: Plaza Calvo Solelo 1-2 ES-03001 Alicante (Spain) Telephone +34-6-598 0033 Fax +34-6-598 0182 &Bgr;&Ogr;&Egr;&EEgr;&Mgr;&Egr;&Kgr;&Ggr; & BOEHMERT .". ·· 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding bases (1, 2) can be pivoted relative to one another in a spring-elastic manner by at least 30° about the second axis. 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding bases (1, 2) can be pivoted relative to one another in a spring-elastic manner by at least 45° about the second axis. 4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding bases positively engage the handle-side end sections of the cutlery parts. 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding bases grip the handle-side end sections of the cutlery parts in a force-fitting manner. 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding bases are open in the unloaded state at an angle of 30 to 45° with respect to the first axis. 7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting section is designed like a torsion spring. 8. Tong-like cutlery with two cutlery parts which are held together by a connecting section according to one of the preceding claims. BOEHMEKT & BOEHMEKT ."; « :'V! 9. Cutlery according to claim 8, characterized in that the two cutlery parts and the holding device are formed in one piece. 10. Cutlery according to claim 9, characterized in that the cutlery is molded from plastic. 11. Eating cutlery according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized by a spoon and a fork. 12. Cutlery according to claim 11, characterized in that the fork has two laterally projecting edges, which interact with the edge of the spoon like a cutting edge.