Tined Spoon

Description

FIELD

The invention concerns a handheld eating utensil having both spoon structure and fork structure and some structure forming both fork and spoon structure. The handheld eating utensil can be table wear.

BACKGROUND

US publication US2024/0016322 A1, 2 024-01-18, FAMILY HOSPITALITY LLC, for a multipurpose utensil, concerns a multi-purpose utensil comprising a first utensil member and a second utensil member. Each of the first utensil member and the second utensil member may comprise an at least partially bowl-shaped member, at least one tine extending from a first end of the at least partially bowl-shaped member, and a chopstick member extending from a second end of the at least partially bowl-shaped member, the second end being opposite the first end. The first utensil member and the second utensil member may be connected via an attachment channel positioned between a first partially bowl-shaped member of the first utensil member and a second partially bowl-shaped member of the second utensil member. When the first utensil member and the second utensil member are joined, the multi-purpose utensil may comprise a spoon section, a fork section, and an assisted pair of chopsticks.

Chinese publication CN219645478U, 2023-09-08, GOODBABY GROUP CORP, FOR multifunctional tableware, discloses first tableware and second tableware. The first tableware is a fork or a spoon; the second tableware is a fork or a spoon. The first tableware includes a first tableware head located at the front end and a first tableware handle located at the rear end. The second tableware includes a second tableware head located at the front end and a second tableware handle located at the rear end. The first tableware further comprises an edge folding part formed by bending the first tableware handle, and an inserting groove is formed between the edge folding part and the first tableware handle. The multifunctional tableware has a clamp state, and when the multifunctional tableware is in the clamp state, the second tableware handle is detachably inserted into the inserting groove so that the first tableware and the second tableware can form a clamp.

Chinese Publication CN220089164U, 2023-11-28, FOSHAN NAIBA TECH CO LTDA for a combined spoon and fork concerns tableware which comprises a fork and a spoon, and a containing groove formed in the back face of the spoon. When the spoon is used, the fork is placed in the containing groove in the back face of the spoon, the fork and the spoon are combined into a whole, carrying is convenient; and when the spoon is used, only the fork needs to be taken out of the containing groove.

United Kingdom Publication, GB190224840A, 1903-01-15, SYMONDS POWELL BIDDULPHT for a combination spoon and fork includes a spoon bowl provided with a suitable handle and a series of prongs formed at the end of the bowl.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the invention a handheld eating utensil includes a handle, a bowl and a plurality of projections (tines). The bowl connects to the handle. The bowl has a concave surface, a convex surface, a longitudinal axis, a first transverse axis, and a second transverse. The plurality of projections are connected to the handle. Each projection has an elongate surface, a respective base end, and a respective free end. Each projection has a respective longitudinal and a respective first transverse axis and a respective second transverse axis. Each projection extends in the direction of its respective longitudinal and respective first transverse axis, along a respective pathway for a respective total length measured from the respective base end of the respective projection to the respective free end of the respective projection. At least a portion of each projection's elongate surface overlaps and resides over the convex surface of said bowl. A portion of each projection can reside wholly within an innermost perimeter circumscribing the entire concave surface of the bowl. Furthermore, at least a portion of each projection nests within the innermost perimeter circumscribing the entire concave surface of the bowl.

Naturally, further objects of the invention are disclosed throughout other areas of the specification, drawings, photographs, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an upper right and front sided isometric view of an eating utensil having a bowl and projections (tines) at least partially within the bowl; the bowl carrying noodles and broth.

FIG. 2 is an upper left and front sided isometric view of the eating utensil of FIG. 1; the bowl carrying noodles and broth.

FIG. 3 is an upper right and front sided isometric view of an eating utensil having a bowl and projections (tines) at least partially within the bowl; the tines towards their free end have increased curvature compared to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is. is an upper left and front sided isometric view of the eating utensil of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an upper front sided isometric view of the eating utensil of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an upper left sided isometric view of the eating utensil of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a close up isometric view of one of the projections (tines), exclusive of the bowl, neck and handle of the eating utensil of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a close up isometric view of the bowl, exclusive, of the neck, handle and projections (tines) of the eating utensil of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a close up isometric view of the handle exclusive of the bowl, portion of the neck, and projections (tines) of the eating utensil of FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a top down isometric view of the eating utensil of FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the eating utensil of FIG. 10 taken along view lines 11-11.

FIG. 12 is a right sided view of the eating utensil of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a top right and front sided isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the eating utensil embodying features of the invention; the projections (tines) are adjustable relative to the bowl by way of a lever.

FIG. 14 is a close up isometric view of the projections(tines), and lever shown in FIG. 13 exclusive of the bowl and handle.

FIG. 15 is a close up isometric view of the bowl shown in FIG. 13 exclusive of the projections (tines), lever and handle.

FIG. 16 is a top down view of the alternative embodiment of the eating utensil shown in FIG. 13 except the ends of the projections tines are more sharply angled compared to the tines shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the eating utensil of FIG. 16 taken along view lines 17-17; the projections (tines) in a first position relative to the bowl.

FIG. 18 is a right sided view of the alternative embodiment of the eating utensil shown in FIG. 13 with the projections (tines) in the first position.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the eating utensil of FIG. 16 taken along view lines 17-17; the projections (tines) in a second position relative to the bowl.

FIG. 20 is a right sided view of the alternative embodiment of the eating utensil shown in FIG. 13 with the projections (tines) in the second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Generally, referring to FIGS. 1 through 10, in one embodiment the handheld eating utensil (1) includes a handle (2), connected to a neck (3) and the neck (3) connected to a bowl (5). The bowl has a concave surface (5a) and an oppositely facing convex surface (5b). The utensil also includes a plurality of projections (7). The projections can be tines or teeth with or without a sharp end point. The term “tines” or “teeth” can be used interchangeably and include structure with or without sharp end points. The projections (7) are connected to the handle (2). The utensil can be a monobloc construction made with a mold or a 3D printer. The projections, bowl, and handle each have a longitudinal axis, a first transverse axis and a second transverse axis. The bowl's first (11) and second (12) transverse axis being transverse and perpendicular to its longitudinal axis (10) and to each other. The handles first (8a) and second (8b) transverse axis being transverse and perpendicular to its longitudinal axis (8) and to each other. Each projection's first (14) and second (15) transverse axis being transverse and perpendicular to its longitudinal axis (13) and to each other. The first transverse axis (8a), (11), (14) in each case can be perpendicular to the horizon. The second transverse axis (8b), (12), (15), in each case can be parallel to the horizon

Each projection extends in the direction of its longitudinal axis and its first transverse axis along a first respective pathway in a first respective direction (16) for a first respective total length. The total length, first pathway, and first direction extend from a base end (7a) of each respective projection to a free end (7b) of each respective projection. The base end of each projection can extend from a bowl concave surface (5a). The projections (7) and bowl (5) can be a single monobloc construction. Each projection is spaced from each adjacent projection a distance measured in the direction of each projection's second transverse axis.

A blunt, and non-pointed surface (7b′) can form the free end of each projection. The end (7b) can have an overhang (7b″). A knurl (7b″) can form the overhang. The knurl and the overhang (7b″) can be rounded to reduce its sharpness. Of course some of the projections can, at their free end (7b), comprise a point.

The base end (7a) of each projection (7) can include a portion of the projection that first extends away from the bowl concave surface in the direction of each projections first transverse axis (14).

Each of the plurality of projections (7) have an elongate surface (7c). Each elongate surface (7c) of each projection extends in the direction of each projections longitudinal and first transverse axis (14), and along the projection's respective pathway for a respective length from the base end (7a) of the respective projection to the free end (7b) in the first direction (16). The length of each elongate surface being measured along and at the surface (7c).

The elongate surface (7c) can be smooth, ridge free, detent free, bump free and protrusion free from the projection's base (7a) to the projection's overhang and knurl (7b″). It may be smooth, ridge free, detent free, bump free and protrusion free for 6% to 100% of the total length of the elongate surface (7c) measured in the direction of the projection's longitudinal and first transverse axis from the projection's base end (7a) to the projection's free end (7b). More particularly it may be ridge free, detent free, bump free and protrusion free for 1/16, 2/16, 3/16, 4/16, 5/16, 6/16, 7/16, 8/16, 9/16, 10/16, 11/16, 12/16, 13/16, 14/16, 15/16, and 16/16, and anywhere in between, of the elongate surface's length as measured from the projection's base end (7a) to the projection's free end (7b).

At least a portion of the of each projection (7) and each projection's elongate surface (7c) extending in the direction of the projection's longitudinal and first traverse axis overlaps and resides over surface of said bowl. The surface can be the convex surface (5b) of the bowl (5) or, as shown, also the concave surface (5a) of the bowl (5). The portion of the projection and its elongate surface overlapping may be from 6% to 100% of each of the elongate surface's (7c) and projection's total length measured from the projection's base end (7a) to the projection's free end (7b). More particularly the portion of the elongate surface (7c) or projection (7) overlapping may be 1/16, 2/16, 3/16, 4/16, 5/16, 6/16, 7/16, 8/16, 9/16, 10/16, 11/16, 12/16, 13/16, 14/16, 15/16, and 16/16, and any here in between, of each elongate surface's and respective projection's total length measured from the projection's base end (7a) to and including the projection's free end (7b).

Furthermore at least a portion of the surface of the bowl extending in the direction of the bowl's longitudinal axis (10) and first transverse axis (11) along a length underlaps and resides under each projection and its respective elongated surface. The portions of the bowl surfaces (5a, 5b) that underlap and reside under each projection and its respective elongated surface may be from 6% to 100% of the total longest length of the bowl surface (5a; 5b) measured at the rearward most end (5c) of the bowl (5) to the forward most end (5d) of the bowl in the direction of the longitudinal axis (10) and first transverse axis (11). More particularly it may be 1/16, 2/16, 3/16, 4/16, 5/16, 6/16, 7/16, 8/16, 9/16, 10/16, 11/16, 12/16, 13/16, 14/16, 15/16, and 16/16, and anywhere in between, of the total length of the bowl surface (5a, 5b). The surface that underlaps and resides under the elongate surface and its respective projection can be the bowl's convex surface (5b). The bowl surface that underlaps and resides under the elongate surface and its respective projection that resides under and underlaps the elongate surface and its respective projection can include the bowl's concave surface (5a).

At least a portion of the length of each of the elongate surface (7c) and its respective projection (7) that extends from the base end (7a) of the respective projection to the free end (7b) of the respective projection in the direction of the projection's longitudinal (13) and first transverse (14) axis resides wholly within the innermost perimeter (5d) circumscribing the entire concave surface of the bowl. The entire circumscribing surface at the perimeter being curvilinear and arcuate. At least a portion of each projection (7) nests within the innermost perimeter (5d) circumscribing the entire concave surface of the bowl. The portion of each projection (7) and its elongate surface (7c) within innermost perimeter (5d) and nesting within the innermost perimeter (5d) may be from 6% to 100% of each of the elongate surface's and its respective projection's total length measured in the direction of the projections longitudinal and first transverse axis. More particularly it may be 1/16, 2/16, 3/16, 4/16, 5/16, 6/16, 7/16, 8/16, 9/16, 10/16, 11/16, 12/16, 13/16, 14/16, 15/16, and 16/16, and anywhere in between, of the elongate surfaces'and projections'total lengths measured in the direction of the projection's longitudinal and first transverse axis from the base end (7a) of the respective projection to the free end (7b) of the respective projection. Further at least a portion of the concave surface (5a) of said bowl extends on both sides of each elongate surface (7c) and each surface's respective projection (7). The portion of the bowl concave surface (5a) on each side of each elongate surface (7c) and each surface's respective projection (7) may be from 6% to 100% of the concave surface's total length measured in the direction of the longitudinal and first transverse axis of the concave bowl surface and along the concave bowl surface. The total length of the bowl surface (5a) measured from the rearward most end (5c) of the bowl (5) to the forward most end (5d) of the bowl along the longitudinal axis (8). More particularly it may be 1/16, 2/16, 3/16, 4/16, 5/16, 6/16, 7/16, 8/16, 9/16, 10/16, 11/16, 12/16, 13/16, 14/16, 15/16, and 16/16, and anywhere in between, of the concave surfaces'total length measured in the direction of the longitudinal and first transverse axis of the concave bowl surface.

A portion of at least each projection (7) and its elongate surface (7c), in one embedment, connects to the concave bowl within the innermost perimeter (5d) circumscribing the entire concave surface of the bowl. The portion of the elongate surface (7c) and its projection (7) that connects to the bowl within the innermost perimeter (5d) may be from 6% to 100% of the elongate surface's and its respective projections total length measured in the direction of the longitudinal (13) and first transverse (14) axis of the projection and its elongate surface from the base end (7a) to the free end (7b). More particularly it may be 1/16, 2/16, 3/16, 4/16, 5/16, 6/16, 7/16, 8/16, 9/16, 10/16, 11/16, 12/16, 13/16, 14/16, 15/16, and 16/16, and anywhere in between, of the projection and its elongate surface total length. In the alternative embodiment, no portion of each projection or its elongate surface connects to the concave bowl within the innermost perimeter (5d) circumscribing the entire concave surface of the bowl.

Each projection (7) and its elongate surface (7c) is angular. The projections'and their elongate surfaces'angularity extends in the directions of each projections longitudinal (13) and first transverse (14) axis between the base end (7a) and free end (7b) of the respective projection (7). The angularity sharpens considerably as the surface forming the elongate surface approaches the free end (7b) of the projection (7). The maximum sharpness of the angularity of the projection (7) and its elongate surface (7c) within the forward portion (7d) of the projection exceeds the maximum sharpness of angularity taken along a line along the bowl's concave surface (5a) in the direction of the bowl's longitudinal (13) and first transverse (14) axis drawn from the bowl's rearward most portion (5c) to the forward most portion of the bowl. The forward portion (7d) of the projection starts at 5/16 of the projections length measured from the projections base end (7a) to its free end (7b). The forward portion extends to the free end (7b) of the projection (7) from the 5/16 mark. The portion of the elongate surface (7c) forming the maximum sharpness of angularity falls within the forward portion (7d) of the projection (7). The angle can be as tight as 90 degrees or even 70 degrees. It can range from as loose as 170 degrees or 100 degrees. The sharpness of angularity can be such that a portion of the elongate surface (7c) most proximate the knurl (7b″) at the free end (7b) overhangs a portion of the elongate surface downstream of the surface most proximate. The downstream direction going from the free end (7b) to the base end (7a). The upstream direction going from the base end portion (7a) to the free end (7b).

In the present embodiment each elongate surface (7c) and its projection (7b) is concave along at least a portion of its length in the direction of its longitudinal (13) and first traverse axis (14). The curve of the concave elongate surface sharpens considerably as the concave surface forming the elongate surface and projection approaches the forward portion (7d) of the projection (7). The maximum degree of curvature along a curve of the concave elongate surface (7c) within the forward portion (7d) of the projection exceeds the maximum degree of curvature taken on a line along the bowl's concave surface extending in the direction of the bowl's longitudinal (10) and first transverse (11) axis. The line extending along the bowl surface (5a) measured from the rearward most end (5c) of the bowl (5) to the forward most end (5e) of the bowl along the longitudinal axis (10). The forward portion of the projection (7d) starts at the point measured in the direction of the longitudinal (13) and first transverse (14) axis at 5/16 of the projections length measured from the projections base end (7a) to the free end (7b). The forward portion extends to the free end (7b) of the projection from the 5/16 mark. The arc length of the portion of the elongate surface (7c) forming the maximum degree of curvature falls within the forward portion (7d) of the projection. The arc angle of the arc length can exceed 70, 90, and even 100 degrees. The degree of curvature along the arc length in the forward portion (7d) can be so great in magnitude that a portion of the elongate surface most proximate the knurl (7b′) at the free end (7b) overhangs a portion of the elongate surface downstream of the surface most proximate. The knurl (7b″) itself can overhang a portion of the elongate surface downstream of the knurl.

Each projection includes a first (18a) and a second (18b) side surface extending from said elongate surface (7c) in the in a direction of first transverse axis (14) of its respective projection and toward said concave bowl surface (5a). A portion of the first (18a) and second (18b) side surfaces reside at the concave surface (5a) of the bowl along a portion of their respective projections'length measured in the direction of the respective projections longitudinal (13) and first transverse (14) axis from the base end (7a) to the free end (7b). The portion of each first (18a) and second (18b) side surfaces at the concave bowl surface (5a) may be from 6% to 100% of the side surface's total length measured in the direction of the projections'longitudinal (13) and first transverse (14) axis. The portion of each first side surface (18a) at the concave bowl surface (5a) connects the concave bowl surface (5a) to that side surface's respective projection (7). The portion of each second side surface (18b) at the concave bowl surface (5a) connects the concave bowl surface (5a) to that side surface's respective projection (7). The side surfaces (18a, 18b) face away from each other.

The first (18a) and second (18b) side surfaces connect to the bowl concave surface (5a) within the innermost perimeter (5d) circumscribing the entire concave surface of the bowl (5a). The portion of each bowl concave surface extending along and at the side surfaces may be from 6% to 100% of each bowl's concave surface's total length taken on a line along the bowl's concave surface extending in the direction of the bowl's longitudinal (10) and first transverse (11) axis. The line extending along the bowl surface (5a) measured from the rearward most end (5c) of the bowl (5) to the forward most end (5e) of the bowl along the longitudinal axis (10). In the alternative embodiment, FIG. 17, at least one projection and preferably at least a plurality and more preferably all projections connect to the bowl at points only away from the bowl concave surface and outside the innermost perimeter (5d) circumscribing the entire concave bowl surface.

Void space (20) envelopes at least a portion of each projection for 360 degrees in a direction of the first (14) and second (15) transverse axis of the enveloped projection, and the void space extends along at least a portion of the length of each projection in a direction of the longitudinal axis (13). The portion of each projection surrounded 360 degrees includes an underside surface (7e) of the projection, at least a portion of which is convex, and faces the bowl concave surface (5a). At the places where no void space envelopes the projection 360 degrees, the unenveloped portion connects to the bowl within the concave bowl circumscribed by the innermost perimeter (5d) circumscribing the entire concave surface of the bowl. More particularly no void space envelopes the projection where the first (18a) or second (18b) side surfaces connect to the bowl at the concave surface (5a).

In the alternative embodiment void space (20) envelopes for 360 degrees each projection along its entire length from the base end (7a) to the free end (7b). The void space continues unbroken from the base end (7a) and further envelopes for 360 degrees the back (17) from which al1 the projections (7) extend; the void space further continues unbroken and envelopes for 360 degrees at least part of a length of an actuator (23) from which the base extends. The actuator (23), back (17), and projections (7) are movable, by the hand of a user, from a first position (see FIG. 17) to a second position (see FIG. 19) and moveable from the second position to the first position. In the projection first position there is a first distance (25) between at least a portion the underside (7e) of each projection and the concave bowl surface (5a) overlapped by the portion of the projection's underside. A portion of the void space (20) fills the first distance. In the second position there is a second distance between the underside (7e) of each projection (7) and the concave bowl surface (5a) overlapped by the projection portions'undersides (7e). The second distance is less than the first distance and can be zero. The distance measured in the direction of the bowl's first transverse axis (11). To move the projections from the first position to the second position, a user pushes by hand the actuator (23) to move the actuator from its first position to its second position by pushing the actuator in a first direction which is in the direction of the first transverse axis (8a) of the handle (2) towards the handle (2). The movement of the actuator (23) in the first direction moves the back (17) in the direction of the first transverse axis (8a) towards the bowl concave surface (5a) from the first position to the second position. The back (17) moves the projections 7 in the direction of the first transverse axis (14) from the first to the second position. In the second position at least a portion of the projection (7) nests within the innermost perimeter (5d) circumscribing the entire concave surface of the bowl. Releasing the hand from the actuator (23) to apply no user pressure to the actuator (23) allows each of the actuator (23), back (17) base, and projections (7), to move from the second position to the first position. The ability to positionally adjust the projections (7) relative to the concave bowl surface (5a) allows a user to clamp food such as Raman noodles. The actuator (23) in the present case is flexible and resilient. It is a lever. The lever (23) includes a raised surface (24) to locate a user's thumb.

The utensil includes a channel (26) which opens towards the front (5e) of the bowl and away from the back (2a) of the handle. The channel (26) at a forward portion (2b) of the handle is formed with the handle (2), and is proximate a reward portion (5c) of the bowl, and rearward of the neck (3). In an alternative embodiment, the channel can be formed with the lever. The channel (26) has a base (26a) that includes surface facing towards the front of the bowl (5e). The channel has a length that extends in a direction along the handles second transverse axis (8b). The channel forms a back splash (26) to prevent liquid such as the liquid served with Raman noodles from running out or the bowl (5) along the handle (2) into a user's hand.

The above described embodiments show the handheld eating utensil (1) (spoon fork) in a ready to eat configuration. Providing the spoon fork (1) in a ready to eat configuration means a user can, without any assembly or disassembly, employ the spoon fork to retain broth and noodles without any assembly or disassembly effort. See for example FIG. 1.

As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts of the present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. The invention involves varied embodiments of a handheld eating utensil and methods for making and using such form the handheld eating utensil.

As such, the particular embodiments or elements of the invention disclosed by the description or shown in the figures accompanying this application are not intended to be limiting, but rather exemplary of the numerous and varied embodiments generically encompassed by the invention or equivalents encompassed with respect to any particular element thereof. In addition, the specific description of a single embodiment or element of the invention may not explicitly describe all embodiments or elements possible; many alternatives are implicitly disclosed by the description and figures.

It should be understood that each element of an apparatus or each step of a method may be described by an apparatus term or method term. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that all steps of a method may be disclosed as an action, a means for taking that action, or as an element which causes that action. Similarly, each element of an apparatus may be disclosed as the physical element or the action which that physical element facilitates. As but one example, the disclosure of a “projections” should be understood to encompass disclosure of the disclosure of the act of “forming projection”—whether explicitly discussed or not—and, conversely, were there is effectively the disclosure of clamping, such a disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of a “clamp” and even a “means for clamping”. Such alternative terms for each element or step are to be understood to be explicitly included in the description.

In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent with such interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood to be included in the description for each term as contained in the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition, each definition hereby incorporated by reference.

All numeric values herein are assumed to be modified by the term “about”, whether or not explicitly indicated. For the purposes of the present invention, ranges may be expressed as from “about” one particular value to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value to the other particular value. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all the numeric values subsumed within that range. A numerical range of one to five includes for example the numeric values 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, and so forth. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. When a value is expressed as an approximation by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numeric values that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited numeric value or having the same function or result. Similarly, the antecedent “substantially” means largely, but not wholly, the same form, manner or degree and the particular element will have a range of configurations as a person of ordinary skill in the art would consider as having the same function or result. When a particular element is expressed as an approximation by use of the antecedent “substantially,”it will be understood that the particular element forms another embodiment.

Moreover, for the purposes of the present invention, the term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity unless otherwise limited. As such, the terms “a” or “an”, “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein.

Further, for the purposes of the present invention, the term “coupled” or derivatives thereof can mean indirectly coupled, coupled, directly coupled, connected, directly connected, or integrated with, depending upon the embodiment. Also the term overlaps includes directly and indirectly overlaps. For example the application recites that the elongated surface (7c) overlaps the convex surface 5b. The utensil includes bowl and projection structure between these surfaces (7c) and (5b).

Additionally, for the purposes of the present invention, the term “integrated” when referring to two or more components means that the components (i) can be united to provide a one-piece construct, a monolithic construct, or a unified whole, or (ii) can be formed as a one-piece construct, a monolithic construct, or a unified whole. Said another way, the components can be integrally formed, meaning connected together so as to make up a single complete piece or unit, or so as to work together as a single complete piece or unit, and so as to be incapable of being easily dismantled without destroying the integrity of the piece or unit.

Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to claim at least: i) each of the eating utensils herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative embodiments which accomplish each of the functions shown, disclosed, or described, v) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such systems or components, ix) methods and apparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying examples, x) the various combinations and permutations of each of the previous elements disclosed.

The background section of this patent application incorporates or contains paraphrasing of certain United States patents, patent applications, publications, or subject matter It is not intended that any United States patent, patent application, publication, statement or other information cited or incorporated herein be interpreted, construed or deemed to be admitted as prior art with respect to the invention.

The claims set forth in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference as part of this description of the invention, and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as additional description to support any of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of such claims or any element or component thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for which protection is sought by this application or by any subsequent application or continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shall survive during the entire pendency of this application including any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof or any reissue or extension thereon. The elements following an open transitional phrase such as “comprising” may in the alternative be claimed with a closed transitional phrase such as “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” whether or not explicitly indicated the description portion of the specification.

Additionally, the claims set forth in this specification are further intended to describe the metes and bounds of a limited number of the preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as the broadest embodiment of the invention or a complete listing of embodiments of the invention that may be claimed. The applicant does not waive any right to develop further claims based upon the description set forth above as a part of any continuation, division, or continuation-in-part, or similar application.