Abstract:
The present invention relates to a disposable kitchen utensil for the collection and transfer of prepared food items located atop a kitchen chop board or countertop surface to a cooking, serving, refuse or other kitchen receptacle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a disposable kitchen utensil for the collection and transfer of prepared food items located atop a kitchen chop board or countertop surface to a cooking, serving, refuse or other kitchen receptacle.  
         [0002]     Food items such as meats and vegetables for example are commonly prepared by cutting, chopping or mincing them into smaller pieces atop a kitchen chop board or countertop surface. Once the food items have been reduced to smaller pieces the prepared food items are then collected and transferred from the chop board or countertop surface to a cooking, serving, refuse or other kitchen receptacle by several common inefficient, unsanitary and wasteful methods.  
         [0003]     One current method involves the lifting and carrying of a chop board, typically having no lifting handle provisions, with prepared food items atop in order to transfer the prepared food items to a kitchen cooking or serving receptacle or the like. The prepared food items are transferred to the receptacle by tilting the chop board and scraping or raking the prepared food items into the receptacle.  
         [0004]     This first method is inefficient and undesirable as the chop board with the prepared food items, is bulky, heavy, and cumbersome to lift and balance, thus resulting in awkward tilting and scraping or raking of the prepared food items into the receptacle. This awkward balancing, tilting and scraping or raking causes a random plurality of the prepared food items to unsuccessfully enter the receptacle and undesirably fall onto other surfaces resulting in a messy and wasteful transfer of the prepared food items as well as lost food preparation time.  
         [0005]     Also, as a result of the lifting, the awkward balancing and tilting, and the scraping or raking, food items that are rollably-shaped may roll or slide off the chop board.  
         [0006]     In addition the first method is also dangerous if the cooking receptacle contains hot oil or grease. The awkward tilting and raking can cause the prepared food items to enter the receptacle haphazardly and harmfully splash hot oil or grease upon cooking personnel, as well as allowing the potential for a fire hazard.  
         [0007]     Also in addition, the first method is obviously extremely difficult, undesirable, sometimes impossible and far more dangerous for disabled, arthritis-stricken and similarly handicapped users, as well as for young children.  
         [0008]     A second current method involves the use of a typical circular eating plate as a collection and transfer device for prepared food items atop a chop board by randomly placing a distal top surface portion of the eating plate directly beneath the bottom of the chop board, and then collecting the prepared food items by scraping or raking the prepared food items onto and received by the remaining exposed proximal top surface portion of the eating plate. After the prepared food items are collected, the eating plate is then removed from beneath the chop board, and then used to transfer the prepared food items to a kitchen cooking or serving receptacle or the like by several means including scraping or raking the prepared food items, shaking the eating plate, tilting the eating plate, or a combination thereof, thus allowing the prepared food items to enter the receptacle. Using this second method, initially the chop board must be undesirably lifted as the distal top surface portion of the eating plate is positioned beneath the chop board. After the prepared food items are collected the chop board must be lifted a second additional time in order to remove the distal top surface portion of the eating plate so that the transfer process can begin.  
         [0009]     As a result of the chop board lifting and plate positioning, and the chop board lifting and plate removal, the prepared food items may undesirably slide or roll off the chop board.  
         [0010]     In addition this second method is also inefficient, wasteful and unsanitary as only a limited first random plurality of the raked prepared food items are received and collected upon the proximal top surface portion, while a second random plurality of the raked prepared food items are undesirably received and collected onto other surfaces. The limited first random plurality collected on the proximal top surface portion, and the second random plurality undesirably collected elsewhere, is due to the eating plate being circular in shape, and the distal top surface portion of the eating plate randomly placed beneath the chop board without the benefit of a predetermined means and method for efficiently placing the distal top surface portion beneath the chop board, in order for the remaining exposed proximal top surface portion to receive and collect the maximum plurality of the raked prepared food items. This random placement beneath the chop board without a predetermined means and method offers reduced surface collection area for the eating plate.  
         [0011]     In addition if the eating plate is non-disposable, the plate must be washed, rinsed and dried creating additional water usage and electrical energy costs.  
         [0012]     A third current method involves the use of a typical circular eating plate as a collection and transfer device for prepared food items atop a chop board or countertop by positioning a distal outer arc edge portion of the eating plate against a chop board or countertop raking edge end portion, thus allowing for the scraping or raking of the prepared food items onto the eating plate.  
         [0013]     After the prepared food items are collected the eating plate is then used to transfer the prepared food items to a kitchen cooking or serving receptacle or the like by several means including scraping or raking the prepared food items, shaking the eating plate, tilting the eating plate, or a combination thereof, thus allowing the prepared food items to enter the receptacle.  
         [0014]     This third method is also inefficient, wasteful and unsanitary as only a limited first random plurality of the raked prepared food items are received and collected upon the eating plate, while a second random plurality of the raked prepared food items are undesirably received and collected onto other surfaces. The first random plurality collected on the eating plate, and the second random plurality undesirably collected elsewhere, is due to the eating plate being circular in shape, and the distal outer arc edge portion of the eating plate being butted against the chop board or countertop raking edge end portion consequentially limiting the available surface collection area of the distal top surface portion.  
         [0015]     In addition if the eating plate is non-disposable, the plate must be washed, rinsed and dried creating additional water usage and electrical energy costs.  
         [0016]     A need therefore obviously exists for an improved, simple, economic, more efficient, water saving, electrical energy cost saving, sanitary and disposable kitchen utensil that provides a predetermined means and method for receiving and collecting a maximum plurality of prepared food items from atop a chop board or countertop surface, and for subsequently transferring the maximum plurality of the prepared food items to a cooking, serving, refuse or other kitchen receptacle while minimizing or completely avoiding the receipt and collection of the prepared food items undesirably elsewhere.  
         [0017]     Also a need exists for the same kitchen utensil which is safer and easier to use by disabled, arthritis-stricken and similarly handicapped users, and by young children.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved, simple, economic, more efficient, water saving, electrical energy cost saving, sanitary and disposable kitchen utensil that provides a predetermined means and method for receiving and collecting a maximum plurality of prepared food items from atop a chop board or countertop surface, and for subsequently transferring the maximum plurality of the raked prepared food items to a cooking, serving, refuse or other kitchen receptacle while minimizing or completely avoiding the receipt and collection of the prepared food items undesirably elsewhere. In addition it is an object of the present invention to provide a kitchen utensil which is safer and easier to use by disabled, arthritis-stricken and similarly handicapped users, and by young children.  
         [0019]     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a kitchen utensil that provides a predetermined means and method for receiving and collecting a maximum plurality of food scraps, food crumbs, food waste or general non-food debris located atop a kitchen chop board, kitchen countertop, kitchen appliance, microwave heating surface, kitchen eating table, dining room table, portable eating tray, other eating or food preparing surfaces, a general household furniture table top surface, picnic table surface, restaurant table, eating table chair seating surface, or other similar surfaces, to a kitchen refuse receptacle, or the like, or other destination while minimizing or completely avoiding the receipt and collection of waste food items undesirably elsewhere.  
         [0020]     The present invention may be constructed as a semi-circle shape such as the resulting shape that would be obtained by cutting an existing common circular paper, plastic, foam or metallic foil plate or the like equally in half, which in this example creates two units of the present invention. The present invention may also be constructed using other similar shapes such as, but not limited to, semi-elliptical shapes.  
         [0021]     During use the straight edge portion of the semi-circle shape will be butted against the raking edge end portion of a chop board, countertop, dining table or other similar horizontal planar surface with prepared food items or waste material atop. This abutting flush communication uniquely provides a predetermined means and method for efficient placement of the present invention consequently providing a maximum available surface collection area for raked prepared food items or waste material and simultaneously minimizing or completely avoiding the receipt and collection of food items or waste material upon a floor or other undesirable surface.  
         [0022]     The present invention may be constructed of paper, plastic, foam or metallic foil or other material that would be considered economically disposable.  
         [0023]     The present invention may also be provided as a non-disposable kitchen utensil collection and transfer device fabricated from suitable material.  
         [0024]     The present invention may be fabricated from rigid material or from flexible material that allows bending as to help channel and discharge said food items directly into a receptacle, including plastic food storage bags and the like.  
         [0025]     This kitchen utensil invention may be manufactured completely from raw materials, or from existing manufactured shapes such as common paper, plastic, foam and metallic foil plates, or from other similarly existing manufactured shapes.  
         [0026]     Previously manufactured whole or partial paper, plastic, foam or metallic foil plates, or similarly shaped products that have been damaged or rejected, can be salvaged and easily converted into semi-circle or semi-elliptical shapes, or other similar shapes, offering manufacturers economic and production savings and benefits, as well as new product lines.  
         [0027]     The present novel kitchen utensil may be manufactured in different shapes, with different thicknesses, with different radii, with different flared rim designs, with flared rim edge extension handle designs, with different coatings, with decorations, with printing, and stacked, packaged and dispensed using the same methods employed for existing disposable plates and the like.  
         [0028]     The present novel kitchen utensil may also be manufactured as a non-disposable kitchen utensil fabricated from a variety of suitable raw materials, existing similar manufactured shapes, or previously manufactured damaged or rejected similarly shaped products.  
         [0029]     Clearly the present invention is novel and a significant improvement over the prior art and standard methods and practices that are currently employed. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0030]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the prior art depicting a typical kitchen chop board as a collection and transfer device.  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the prior art depicting a typical circular eating plate as a collection and transfer device.  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the prior art depicting a typical circular eating plate used as a collection and transfer device by being positioned beneath a typical kitchen chop board.  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the prior art depicting a typical circular eating plate used as a collection and transfer device by being butted against a typical kitchen chop board.  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the prior art depicting a typical circular eating plate used as a collection and transfer device by being butted against a typical kitchen countertop.  
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the novel present invention.  
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the novel present invention.  
         [0037]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view depicting the present invention as a collection and transfer device by being butted against a typical kitchen chop board.  
         [0038]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view depicting the present invention as a collection and transfer device by being butted against a typical kitchen countertop.  
         [0039]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view depicting the present invention as an optional collection and transfer device by being placed against the top surface of a typical kitchen chop board. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0040]      FIG. 1  shows a food item  55  that has been cut and chopped into a plurality of prepared food items  50  and collected atop a chop board top surface  20  of a typical kitchen chop board  15 .  FIG. 1  depicts prior art chop board  15 , after being manually lifted, balanced and carried, and then awkwardly tilted toward and held above a receptacle  110 . Said prepared food items are then transferred to said receptacle by awkwardly raking, using a raking means such as a typical kitchen knife  45 , toward and over a chop board raking edge end portion  25  allowing a first random plurality  86  of said prepared food items to enter said receptacle by gravity. Said awkward tilting and raking also causes a second random plurality  51  of said prepared food items to unsuccessfully enter said receptacle but rather undesirably onto an adjacent surrounding surface  105 . In addition said awkward tilting and raking also causes food item  55  to undesirably roll off said chop board surface. This inefficient prior art is unsanitary, messy and wasteful for the transfer of prepared food items from atop a typical chop board to a kitchen receptacle.  
         [0041]      FIG. 2  shows the primary components of a typical circular eating plate that are involved in the prior art relevant to the present invention. It is not the intention of  FIG. 2  to limit said prior art to that of only a circular flared outer rim design which is depicted, as those skilled in the art are aware that eating plates made in elliptical and other shaped designs, and with different rim designs and configurations, are also commonly used as well.  
         [0042]      FIG. 2  depicts a typical prior art circular eating plate  65  comprised of a distal top surface portion  85 , a proximal top surface portion  70 , a flared wall portion  66 , a distal outer arc edge portion  90  and a flared outer circular rim portion  75 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 3  depicts a prior art method of use for circular eating plate  65 , wherein distal top surface portion  85  and distal outer arc edge portion  90 , which are not visible in this figure, are randomly positioned beneath a bottom surface portion  21  of chop board  15  without a predetermined means or method for efficient placement. Said prepared food items  50  are then raked toward and over a chop board raking edge end portion  26  allowing a first random plurality  86  of said raked food items to be received and collected upon proximal top surface portion  70 , and also allowing a second random plurality  80  of said raked food items to be undesirably collected upon an adjacent surface  115 . In addition, said chop board with said food items atop, must be lifted and tilted in order to accommodate said placement. Said chop board must be lifted again in order to remove said eating plate so that first random plurality  86  can then be transferred to a kitchen receptacle. Said lifting, tilting and removal can cause food items  50  or food item  55  to undesirably slide or roll off chop board surface  20 . This inefficient prior art is unsanitary, messy and wasteful for the collection and transfer of prepared food items from atop a chop board to a kitchen receptacle or the like.  
         [0044]      FIG. 4  depicts a prior art method of use for circular eating plate  65 , wherein a distal outer arc edge portion  90  is positioned against raking edge end portion  26 , allowing a first random plurality  86  to be received and collected upon distal top surface portion  85 , and also allowing a second random plurality  80  to be undesirably collected upon an adjacent surface  115 . Said first random plurality received and collected upon said distal top surface portion, and said second random plurality undesirably collected upon said adjacent surface, is due to said eating plate being circular in shape, and said distal outer arc edge portion being butted against chop board raking edge end portion  26 , consequentially limiting the available surface collection area of said distal top surface portion.  
         [0045]     The most efficient placement of circular eating plate  65  for the collection of raked food items as shown in  FIG. 4  occurs when a centerline of circular eating plate  65  is in flush communication with and parallel to raking edge end portion  26  of said chop board.  
         [0046]     The inefficient prior art shown in  FIG. 4  is unsanitary, messy and wasteful for the collection and transfer of prepared food items from atop a chop board to a kitchen receptacle.  
         [0047]      FIG. 5  depicts a prior art method of use quite similar to that as shown in  FIG. 4  wherein distal outer arc edge portion  90  of eating plate  65  is positioned against countertop raking edge end portion  40  of a typical kitchen countertop  30  allowing a first random plurality  86  of prepared food items  50  atop a countertop surface  35  to be received and collected upon distal top surface portion  85 , and also allowing a second random plurality  80  to be undesirably received and collected upon a kitchen floor surface  100 . Said first random plurality received and collected upon said distal top surface portion, and said second random plurality undesirably received and collected upon said kitchen floor surface, is due to said eating plate being circular in shape, and said distal outer arc edge portion being butted against said countertop raking edge end portion consequentially limiting the available surface collection area of said distal top surface portion.  
         [0048]     The most efficient placement of circular eating plate  65  for the collection of raked prepared food items as shown in  FIG. 5  occurs when a centerline of circular eating plate  65  is in flush communication with and parallel to raking edge end portion  40  of said countertop.  
         [0049]     The inefficient prior art shown in  FIG. 5  is unsanitary, messy and wasteful for the collection and transfer of prepared food items from atop a countertop to a kitchen receptacle.  
         [0050]      FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  show the novel present invention kitchen utensil  5  constructed as a shallow dished semi-circle shaped receptacle, such as the resulting shape that would be obtained by cutting a common circular paper, plastic, foam or metallic foil plate or the like equally in half, which in this example would create two separate units of the present invention. Said kitchen utensil is comprised of a 180 degree arc outer rim and handle portion  1 , a 180 degree arc inner flared wall portion  2 , a collection and transfer surface portion  3 , and a straight edge portion  10 .  
         [0051]     In  FIG. 8 , by holding rim and handle portion  1 , straight edge portion  10  of kitchen utensil  5  is butted against a raking edge end portion  25  of a typical kitchen chop board  15  with food item  55  and prepared food items  50  located atop a chop board top surface  20 . With straight edge portion  10  and raking edge end portion  25  in flush parallel communication, a plurality of prepared food items  50  are raked from atop chop board surface  20  toward and over raking edge end portion  25 . Collected food items  87  are then received onto surface portion  3 . Said raking means may be performed by using several methods including a typical kitchen knife  45  or a second kitchen utensil  5 .  
         [0052]     Kitchen utensil  5  receives and collects more raked food items over the prior art because straight edge portion  10  provides by default a novel predetermined means and method for communicating with raking edge end portion  25  thus creating more available surface collection area at said communication contact juncture between said kitchen utensil and said raking edge end portion. Said improved communication also easily avoids raked food items from undesirably collecting on adjacent surface  115 . By holding rim and handle portion  1  with collected food items  87  located atop surface portion  3 , prepared food items can now be efficiently transferred to a kitchen receptacle.  
         [0053]     In  FIG. 9 , by holding rim and handle portion  1 , straight edge portion  10  of kitchen utensil  5  is butted against a raking edge end portion  40  of a typical kitchen countertop  30  with food item  55  and prepared food items  50  located atop a countertop surface  35 . With straight edge portion  10  and raking edge end portion  40  in flush parallel communication, a plurality of prepared food items  50  are raked from atop countertop surface  35  toward and over raking edge end portion  40 . Collected food items  87  are then received onto surface portion  3 . Said raking means may be performed by using several methods including a typical kitchen knife  45  or a second kitchen utensil  5 .  
         [0054]     Kitchen utensil  5  receives and collects more raked food items over the prior art because straight edge portion  10  provides by default a novel predetermined means and method for communicating with raking edge end portion  40  thus creating more available surface collection area at said communication contact juncture between said kitchen utensil and said raking edge end portion. Said improved communication also easily avoids raked food items from undesirably collecting onto a kitchen floor surface  100 . By holding rim and handle portion  1  with collected food items  87  located atop surface portion  3 , prepared food items can now be efficiently transferred to a kitchen receptacle.  
         [0055]      FIG. 10  depicts the versatility of the present invention. By holding rim and handle portion  1 , straight edge portion  10  of kitchen utensil  5  is placed in flush communication with a chop board surface  20  of a kitchen chop board  15  with food item  55  and prepared food items  50  located atop surface  20 . With straight edge portion  10  and chop board surface  20  in flush communication, a plurality of prepared food items  50  are raked across chop board surface  20  toward and onto and received by surface portion  3 . Said raking means may be performed by using several methods including a typical kitchen knife  45  or a second kitchen utensil  5 . Said flush communication also easily avoids raked food items from undesirably collecting onto adjacent surface  115 . By holding rim and handle portion  1  with collected food items  87  located atop surface portion  3 , prepared food items can now be efficiently transferred to a kitchen receptacle.  
         [0056]     Referring to  FIG. 10 , it is obvious that the present invention can be adapted for use with surfaces other than chop board or countertop surfaces, such as but not limited to, those previously identified surfaces mentioned under the heading Brief Summary of the Invention. In addition it is also obvious that the present invention can be adapted for use with kitchen floors and the like for the collection and transfer of general debris.  
         [0057]     Alternatively, said prepared food items  50  may be food leftovers, food scraps, food waste, food crumbs, non-food items or general debris.