发明内容：
[0006]The present disclosure provides a flatware that suspends the serving portion of the flatware away from a table, counter or external surface so that the head portion of the flatware is kept away from unhygienic surfaces while still allowing use of the flatware for its intended function. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a flatware which comprises a head portion, a base, a handle which connects the head portion to the base, and one or more supporting elements which can rest on a table, counter or outside surface. These supporting elements are also supported by the outside surface. The supporting elements connect to the handle of the flatware and/or to the base of the flatware. When the flatware contains food or a fluid, it is said to be in a weighted state. When the flatware is empty and does not contain food or fluids, it is said to be in a relaxed state. In either the relaxed or weighted state, the head portion never comes into contact with an external outside surface such that the head portion which users put in their mouths does not come into contact with unhygienic surfaces. The base and supporting elements of the flatware hold the head portion in balance and equilibrium whether the head portion contains food or not and away from the outside and external surface such as a table, counter or serving surface.
[0007]In one embodiment of the present disclosure, two or more flatware of a relatively similar shape are stackable together, and even when stacked together, the head portion of the flatware does not come into contact with the external surface or outside table or counter.
[0008]Before explaining the various embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0009]As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0010]Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
[0011]For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
[0012]Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present embodiment will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the embodiment, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.
具体实施方式：
[0024]The same elements or parts throughout the figures of the drawings are designated by the same reference characters, while equivalent elements bear a prime designation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025]The embodiment and various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the embodiments, which are presented as illustrated examples of the embodiment defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the embodiment as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodiments described below. Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments.
[0026]Referring now to the drawings and the characters of reference marked thereon, FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a flatware 100 which includes a head portion 110, a base portion 120a and a handle portion 130a. The handle portion 130a connects the head portion 110 to a base portion 120a. In this embodiment, a few supporting elements 140a are resting and supported by a surface 150. While the surface 150 or outside surface 150 is not depicted in this embodiment, the surface 150 may be a table, a counter, a plate, a serving tray as shown in FIG. 5 or any other flat external surface where the flatware can rest.
[0027]In one embodiment, the supporting elements 140a are connected to the handle portion 130a of the flatware and to the base. In other embodiments, the supporting elements 140a are connected to just the handle portion 130a whereas in other embodiments, the supporting elements 140a are connected just to the base.
[0028]In a particular embodiment, when the flatware contains and holds food or fluids, the flatware is said to be in a weighted state 300, whereas when the flatware is empty and does not hold food or fluids, the flatware is said to be in a relaxed state 200. In either state of this particular embodiment, the head portion 110 never comes into contact with an external and outside surface 150. In one embodiment, the head portion 110 never comes into contact with an external and outside surface 150 thanks to the supporting elements 140a and a base portion 120a. These supporting elements 140a and base portion 120a also help maintain the flatware in equilibrium when the flatware either contains food or is empty.
[0029]In one particular embodiment, and as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the entire flatware (or spoons in this particular case) is made of the same material throughout and is flush throughout the flatware. In another embodiment, the head portion 110, the base, the handle portion 130a and the plurality of supporting elements 140a are formed of a same material and is the same part made of the same material and is flush throughout, not connected parts of the same material. In other embodiments, the various elements such as base portion 120a, head portion 110, supporting elements 140a and handle portion 130a are made of the same material and coupled together whereas in other embodiments, the elements are made of different materials but are flush throughout the flatware. In one particular embodiment, the flatware is 3D printed.
[0030]While the figures show the flatware as a spoon, the flatware may be a knife, fork or spork.
[0031]FIGS. 1 and 2 show a flatware where the base portion 120a has an upper surface 121a and a lower surface 122a. In this particular embodiment, the lower surface 122a also includes a protrusion and a tab that are engageable with an outside surface 150 such as a table, serving tray or kitchen counter. In this embodiment, the flatware is a spoon where the head portion 110 forms a bowl 111 and includes a back 112 and an inside 111 opposite that back 112. The back 112 and the inside 111 meet at a defining tip portion 113 of the head. In one embodiment, the handle portion 130a forms a curved member 131a which has a neck 147a and a shoulder 149a which is located on the opposite side of the neck 147a. Here, the neck 147a is attached to the head portion 110 and is spaced apart from the tip portion 113. While in this embodiment, the shoulder 149a is part of the base portion 120a, the shoulder 149a may be located on the handle portion 130a instead or on other parts of the flatware which are not the base portion 120a.
[0032]In one embodiment, the head portion 110 is vertically suspended over the base portion 120a or part of the base portion 120a such that the inside of the bowl 111 opens up upwardly and away from the base portion 120a and the upper portion of the base portion 120a. In other embodiments, the head portion 110 is vertically suspended but not directly over the base portion 120a.
[0033]In one embodiment, the flatware includes a base having an upper surface and a lower surface structurally configured to be engageable with the outside surface 150 of another flatware. In a particular embodiment, the head portion 110 forms a bowl and has a back side 112 and an inside 111 opposite the back side 112 and defining tip portion 113. The handle portion 130a forms a C shaped curved member with a neck end 147a and a shoulder end 149a opposite the neck end 147a. The neck end 147a is attached to the head portion 110 and is spaced apart from the tip portion 113. The shoulder end 149a is attached to the base portion 120a. The head portion 110 and the handle portion 130a are vertically suspended above at least a portion of the upper surface of the base portion 120a, such that the inside 111 of the bowl 111 opens in a direction away from the upper surface of the base portion 120a. The base portion 120a and the bowl 111 are vertically spaced from one another. In other embodiments, the base portion 120a and bowl 111 are both vertically and horizontally spaced from one another.
[0034]In another embodiment, the supporting elements 140a are attached to the lower surface of the base portion 120a and are attached to a shoulder end 149a and to a handle portion 130a. In one particular embodiment, the lower surface of the base portion 120a includes a protrusion 122b which may be a thickened protruding portion and a tip or a tab which terminates in a contact member that rests on an outside surface 150. The shoulder end 149a of the handle portion 130a, 131a and 132a includes a tab 149a which also protrudes outwardly from the shoulder end 149a and the handle portion 130a and is opposite the neck end 147a. Here, the tab 149a helps the flatware remain in equilibrium and comes into contact with an outside surface 150 when the flatware contains food 305 and is in a weighted state 300, but the tab 149a is usually away from the outside surface 150 when the flatware is in a relaxed state 200.
[0035]In one embodiment, the protrusion 122b extending outwardly from the lower surface of the base portion 120a is structurally configured to engage with the outside surface 150 in both the weighted state 300 and the relaxed state 200. The tip terminating in a contact member is structurally configured to engage with the outside surface 150 in the relaxed state 200. The tab protruding outwardly from the shoulder end 149a is structurally configured to engage with the outside surface 150 in the weighted state 300.
[0036]In some embodiments, the supporting elements 140b are the elements that help support the flatware 100 rest on an external and outside surface 150 while staying self-balanced and remaining in equilibrium when there is either food or other material on the flatware in a weighted state 300 and when the flatware is empty and does not contain anything in a relaxed state 200. In some embodiments, the supporting element 140b can be just one supporting element 140b and can be the same as a base portion 120b such that the flatware 100 remain in equilibrium thanks to a combined base portion 120a and supporting element 140b. In other embodiments, the supporting element 140b is a combination of one or more supporting elements 140b such as a leg or multiple legs 141b.
[0037]In one embodiments, the supporting elements 140b and the base portion 120b are the same elements whereas in other embodiments, the supporting elements 140b are elements which are separate from the base portion 120a, in yet another embodiment some supporting elements 140b can be located on a base portion 120a whereas in other embodiments, the supporting elements 140b are locate away from the base portion 120a.
[0038]FIGS. 1 and 2 show one flatware embodiment where the neck end 147a of the handle portion 130a has wings that extend outwardly 148a. These wings can help a user handle the flatware in an ergonomic fashion. The wings can also be used to set the flatware on the edge of an external dish or a resting surface (not depicted here). In this embodiment, and thanks to the wings and flatware configuration, the flatware can rest on a mug, edge of an external dish such as a pan, saucepan or bowl all while remaining in equilibrium in both a relaxed and weighted state.
[0039]In another embodiment, the curved member of the handle 131a is arched or has an arcuate configuration and a stem portion 132a which terminated in opposing outwardly extending wings 148a at the neck end 147a and the shoulder end 149a. In a particular embodiment such as the one depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the stem portion 132a has a central region which is substantially planar, has a planar and flat configuration of substantially uniform thickness. In other embodiments, the stem portion 132a and handle 131a can be linear, polygonal or rectangular and can have varying thickness throughout or have a round and cylindrical shape such as a straw.
[0040]In one embodiment, the base portion 120a of the flatware has an upper portion 121a and a bottom portion 122a and the upper portion 121a has an opening, indentation or cavity which is capable to receiving the complimenting shape of the lower portion 122a of a base portion 120a. These complementary shapes facilitate the stacking of the flatware on top of one another. While FIGS. 1 and 2 show these complimentary shapes as a protrusion and a cavity, FIGS. 3 and 4 show the complementary shapes as the inner and outer portion of legs 141b that the flatware can stand on and stack on top of other flatware. In other embodiments, the complementary shapes can be a peg and a hole, or any other shaped protrusion and cavity, can be v-shaped, circular, linear or of any other polygonal shape.
[0041]In one embodiment, the head portion 110 remains suspended and at a distance from an outer surface 150 when holding a weight equivalent to one tablespoon of water. In other embodiments, the weight can be more or less depending on the shape of the flatware and the material used for making the flatware.
[0042]In some embodiments, the flatware is made of a material that is freezeproof, waterproof, recyclable, heatproof, reusable, flexible, rigid, semi-rigid and/or rustproof. In some embodiments, no matter how hot or cold a food or fluid is, the temperature of the food does not propagate to the handle or other portions of the flatware.
[0043]In all embodiments, the flatware is ergonomically designed to comfortably rest in a user's hand.
[0044]In some embodiments, the flatware has a suspended head portion 110 that never touches the table surface when holding one or more of a fluid or a food and includes a handle portion 130b or shank that connect the head portion 110 of the flatware to the base portion 120a of the flatware. In one embodiment, the support or supporting elements 140b along with a base portion 120a hold the flatware it in equilibrium or in stationary position when the spoon is holding food or fluid and when the spoon is empty. In other embodiments, only the base portion 120a or only the supporting elements 140b help the flatware remain in equilibrium in both a weighted state and in a relaxed state. In some embodiments, the spoon does not flip over and does not tip when holding food and/or fluid regardless of the weight of the fluid.
[0045]Moving now to FIGS. 3 and 4 is one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the flatware has a head portion 110, a base portion 120b, a handle portion 130b connecting the head portion 110 to the base portion 120b, and a plurality of supporting elements 140b supported by an outside surface 150. Here, the supporting elements 140b are attached to the handle portion 130b and the base portion 120b. The weighed state 300 is defined as a state of equilibrium when the flatware and the head portion 110 is holding a food or a fluid. The relaxed state 200 is defined as a state of equilibrium when the head portion 110 is empty. In this embodiment, both the base portion 120b and the supporting elements 140b help the flatware stay in equilibrium and help the head portion 110 remain at a distance and spaced away from an outside surface 150 in both the relaxed state and the weighted state.
[0046]In one embodiment, the base portion 120b of the flatware has a thickened portion 144b of substantially uniform thickness to help the flatware remain in equilibrium in both a weighted and a relaxed state. In another embodiment, the base portion 120b has an upper portion 121b and a lower portion 122b spaced apart by the thickened portion 144b. The lower portion 122b is structurally configured to be engageable with the outside surface 150 and can rest on a table, kitchen counter, serving tray or other outside and external surfaces.
[0047]In one particular embodiment, the supporting elements 140b are two parallel legs 141b connected to the handle portion 130b and the head portion 110 such that when the flatware is in a relaxed state, the base portion 120b and supporting elements 140b are supported by the outside surface 150, and when the flatware is in a weighted state, the base portion 120b and the head portion 110 are spaced from the outside surface 150, and the supporting elements 140b supported by the outside surface 150 in a seesaw-like motion. In other embodiments, the supporting element 140b can be just one leg or three or more legs 141b.
[0048]In another embodiment, the handle portion 130b connects the supporting elements 140b to the base portion 120b and comprises an arcuate configuration spaced from the outside surface 150 in both the weighted state and the relaxed state.
[0049]In one embodiment where part of the supporting elements 140b are legs 141b such as the ones shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the legs 141b are parallel and each leg has an inner potion 211 and an outer portion 210. The inner portions 211 of the parallel legs 141b face each other while the outer portion 210 of the parallel legs 141b face away from one another. The two parallel legs 141b form a cavity 145b such that similar flatware can be stacked 500 on one another as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.
[0050]In another embodiment, the supporting elements 140b also have a top portion and a bottom portion where at least part of the bottom portion of the supporting element 140b is structurally configured to engage with the outside surface 150 and where the top portion of the supporting elements 140b defines a neck 147b connecting the supporting elements 140b to the head portion 110. The neck 147b connecting the supporting elements 140b to the head portion 110 is structurally configured to rest ergonomically on a user's hand, an edge of an external dish, a coffee mug, a pan, and/or a resting surface. In one embodiment, the flatware can rest on the edge of the external dish thanks to the neck 147b and remain in equilibrium while resting on the dish in both a relaxed state and weighted state.
[0051]In one embodiment, the bottom of a flatware complements the shape of an external serving tray such that the flatware can rest or be snapped or coupled to an external serving tray. FIG. 5 shows a particular embodiment of a flatware on a serving tray.
[0052]In one embodiment, a kit 500 of flatware is a kit where two or more identical flatware are stacked on one another. In another embodiment, the kit of flatware is a kit where two or more similar but not identical flatware are stacked on one another. Each flatware of the kit includes a head portion 110, a base 120, a handle 130 connecting the head portion 110 to the base, a plurality of supporting elements 140b supported by an outside surface 150. The plurality of supporting elements 140b are attached to either the handle or the base or both the handle and the base. In one embodiment, the plurality of supporting elements 140b and the base hold the flatware kit in equilibrium in both a relaxed state and a weighted state. In other embodiments, the head portions 110 are spaced from one another and from the outside surface 150 when the flatwares are stacked on one another.
[0053]In an alternative embodiment where a flatware kit includes two or more identical flatware, the base portion 120b further includes an upper portion 121b and a lower portion 122b, the lower portion 122b being structurally configured to be engageable with the outside surface 150 or the upper portion 121b of another identical stacked flatware and the plurality of supporting elements 140b are two parallel legs 141b connected to the handle portion 130b and the head portion 110. In this embodiment, each leg 141b has an inner portion 211 and an outer portion 210 opposite the inner portion 211 of the leg 141b, where the outer portion 210 faces outwardly from the inner portion 211 and where the outer portion 210 of each leg 141b forms a cavity adapted to receive the inner portion 211 of the leg 141b of another identical flatware. Two or more identical flatware are configured to be vertically stacked on one another.
[0054]In yet another embodiment where a flatware kit 500 includes two or more identical flatware, the base portion 120b also includes an upper portion 121a and a lower portion 122a, the upper portion 121a forming a cavity or indentation and the lower portion 122a further including a protrusion structurally configured to be engageable with the cavity of another identical stacked flatware, making them easy to stack and stay on top of one another. In an another embodiment, the flatware kit is made of two or more flatware where the cavity further includes a first v-shaped defining edge and a second v-shaped defining edge structurally spaced and facing away from one another such that the protrusion of another identical flatware to facilitate stacking of another identical flatware at an angle and such that when stacked on one another, the flatware form a semi-circle together, or a portion of a circle or other shape. The flatware can be stacked at angle and horizontally spaced away from one another thereby forming a portion of a circle. In certain embodiments, the stacking of the flatware is done on the base of another flatware and can be stacked on identical flatwares or other flatwares with bases adapted to
[0055]In yet another embodiment, the flatware kit is a kit including two or more flatware stackable on one another where each flatware includes a head portion 110, a base portion 120b, a handle portion 130b connecting the head portion 110 to the base portion 120b, on or more supporting elements 140b supported by an external surface 150, and where the supporting elements 140b are attached to either the handle portion 130b or the base portion 120b or both the handle portion 130b and the base portion 120b. When the top flatware of a flatware kit holds food or fluid or equivalent, the kit is in a weighted state and the head portion 110 is either spaced away from the flatware below it or touches the flatware below it, but in all cases, the head portion 110 of the bottom flatware does not touch an external surface or outside surface 150. Similarly, when the top flatware of a flatware kit is empty, the kit is in a relaxed state and the head portion 110 is either spaced away from the flatware below it or touches the flatware below it, but in all cases, the head portion 110 of the bottom flatware does not touch an external surface or outside surface 150.
[0056]As mentioned above, other embodiments and configurations may be devised without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.
[0057]In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of some of the subject matter described herein may be capable of being distributed as a single flatware or a flatware kit. As mentioned above, other embodiments and configurations may be devised without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.