Abstract:
At least one aspect, a disposable stackable plastic fork is provided. The disposable plastic fork, having a top surface and a bottom surface, comprises a handle portion; a plurality of tines, each tine of the plurality of tines having a curved shaped configuration and a longitudinal concave groove extending at least partially along a horizontal length of the each tine; and a transition portion integrally connected between the handle portion and the plurality of tines. The bottom surface of the fork has a curved profile and the top surface has a corresponding curved indentation.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    Various embodiments of the invention pertain to stackable plastic forks. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Plastic forks are widely used around the world for disposable use. Such disposable use include the use outdoors, such as for camping and barbeques, at fast-food restaurants and on airplanes. In addition to the benefits of being disposable, plastic forks may be preferable for use over metal forks or other cutlery for weight and safety reasons. 
         [0003]    However, despite the widespread use of disposable plastic forks, there are many problems inherent with conventional disposable plastic forks. First, conventional disposable plastic forks are not designed to be stacked so when the forks are shipped, they are merely placed randomly in a container without any particular order resulting in wasted space in the container. As a result, additional containers are needed to ship the forks which add to the shipping costs which then in turn are passed on to the consumer resulting in a more expensive fork. 
         [0004]    Second, conventional disposable plastic forks must be strong enough so that the forks, especially the tines of the fork, do not break in the consumer&#39;s mouth or elsewhere harming the consumer. If a tine is accidentally swallowed but a consumer, sever injury may result to internal organs of the user. Conventional disposable plastic forks are made strong by maximizing the thickness of the forks. Maximizing the thickness comes as the detriment of cost as more material is needed making the forks heavier. Additionally, the thicker the forks the less that can be fit into a container. 
         [0005]    What is needed is needed are disposable plastic forks having registerability (i.e. securely stacking on top of each other) so that a first fork may be registered within a second fork allowing for more forks to be placed in a container for shipping maximizing the space inside the shipping container and saving on shipping costs. Furthermore, disposable plastic forks are needed that are thinner so as to minimize material usage yet are strong enough to prevent the forks from easily breaking. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    According to one aspect, a disposable stackable plastic fork is provided. The disposable plastic fork, having a top surface and a bottom surface, comprises a handle portion; a plurality of tines, each tine of the plurality of tines having a curved shaped configuration and a longitudinal concave groove extending at least partially along a horizontal length of the each tine; and a transition portion integrally connected between the handle portion and the plurality of tines. The bottom surface of the fork has a curved profile and the top surface has a corresponding curved indentation. 
         [0007]    The plurality of tines may project outwardly along parallel axes from the transition portion and include a pair of outer tines and a pair of inner tines located between the pair of outer tines. The inner tines may be narrower than of outer tines. Each of the outer tines may have a thinned cutting edge on each upper outer side edge of the each outer tine. 
         [0008]    In one aspect, the pair of outer tines extend further into the transition portion than the pair of inner tines. The pair of outer tines may include outer longitudinal concave grooves and the pair of inner tines has inner longitudinal concave grooves and the outer longitudinal concave grooves may be longer than the inner longitudinal concave grooves. Additionally, the outer longitudinal concave grooves extend further into the transition portion than the inner longitudinal concave grooves. 
         [0009]    In one aspect, each inner tine is separated from the each outer tine by an outer gap and the outer gap may have an outer hemispherically rounded end formed at an outer integration point of the each inner tine, the each outer tine and the transition portion. Additionally, the inner tines are separated from each other by an inner gap, wherein the inner gap has an inner hemispherically rounded end formed at an inner integration point of the pair of inner tines and the transition portion. The outer hemispherically rounded end are located within different horizontal and vertical planes than the inner hemispherically rounded end. 
         [0010]    In one aspect, the plastic fork may be integrally formed from a non-metallic material or any other material known in the art. 
         [0011]    In one aspect, the plurality of tines may have a V-shaped configuration or a U-shaped configuration. 
         [0012]    In one aspect, longitudinal concave groove of each tine in the plurality of tines corresponds to a shape and size of an outer bottom surface of the each of the plurality of tines such that the outer bottom surface of the each tine in the plurality of tines is adapted to fit and be received in a corresponding longitudinal concave groove of an identical fork. 
         [0013]    According to yet another aspect, a stackable plastic fork having a top surface and a bottom surface is provided. The stackable plastic fork comprises a handle portion; a plurality of tines having a curved shaped configuration and a pair of outer tines and at least one inner tine, each outer tine in the pair of outer tines having an outer longitudinal concave groove and the at least one inner tine have an inner longitudinal groove, the outer and inner longitudinal concave grooves extending at least partially along a horizontal length of the plurality of tines; and a transition portion integrally connected between the handle portion and the plurality of tines; and wherein the bottom surface of the fork has a curved profile and the top surface has a corresponding curved indentation; and wherein the outer longitudinal concave grooves in the pair of outer tines plurality of tines correspond to a shape and size of outer bottom surfaces of the pair of outer tines such that the outer bottom surfaces of the pair of outer tines are adapted to fit and be received in corresponding outer longitudinal concave grooves of an identical fork. 
         [0014]    In one aspect, each of the outer tines has thinned cutting edge on each upper outer side edge of the each outer tine. 
         [0015]    In one aspect, the pair of outer tines extend further into the transition portion than the at least one inner tine. 
         [0016]    In one aspect, the at least one tine inner tine is narrower than the each outer tine of the pair of outer tines. 
         [0017]    In one aspect, the inner longitudinal concave grooves in the at least one inner tine corresponds to a shape and size of outer bottom surfaces of the at least one inner tine such that the outer bottom surface of the at least one tine is adapted to fit and be received in a corresponding inner longitudinal concave groove of the identical fork. 
         [0018]    In one aspect, the outer longitudinal concave grooves are longer than the inner longitudinal concave groove. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    The features, nature, and advantages of the present aspects may become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout. 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a stackable fork according to one example. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top plan view of the stackable fork of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  illustrates a bottom plan view of the stackable fork of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side plan view of the stackable fork of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the stackable fork taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  illustrates side plan view of a first fork and a second identical fork being stacked together according to one example. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the stackable forks taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of the first fork and the second identical fork of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the stackable forks taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a fragmentary view of a pair of stackable forks illustrating the shape of the tines near transition portions of the pair of stackable forks according to one example. 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  is a fragmentary view of the pair of stackable forks of  FIG. 10  illustrating the shape of the end portions of the tines. 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  is a fragmentary view of a stackable fork illustrating the shape of the tines near a transition portion of the fork according to one example. 
           [0032]      FIG. 13  is a fragmentary view of the fork of  FIG. 12  illustrating the shape of the end portions of the tines. 
           [0033]      FIG. 14  is a fragmentary view of a stackable fork illustrating of a handle portion according to one example. 
           [0034]      FIG. 15  is a fragmentary view of a pair of stackable forks illustrating the hand portions according to one example. 
           [0035]      FIG. 16  is a fragmentary view of the stackable fork of  FIG. 1  illustrating a thin cutting edge feature. 
           [0036]      FIG. 17  is a fragmentary bottom perspective view of the tines of the fork of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 18  is a fragmentary side perspective view of the tines of the fork of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 19  is a fragmentary top plan view of the tines of the fork of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 20  is a fragmentary bottom plan view of tines of the fork of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 21  is a fragmentary front perspective view of the bottom of the tines of the fork of  FIG. 1  shown in an upside down position. 
           [0041]      FIG. 22  is a front perspective view of the fork of  FIG. 1  shown in an upside down position. 
           [0042]      FIG. 23  is a fragmentary side perspective view of the bottom of the tines of the fork of  FIG. 1  shown in an upside down position. 
           [0043]      FIG. 24  is a back perspective view of the fork of  FIG. 1  shown in an upside down position. 
           [0044]      FIG. 25  is a fragmentary side perspective view of the front of the tines of the fork of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0045]      FIG. 26  is a fragmentary bottom perspective view of the bottom of the tines of the fork of  FIG. 1  shown in an upside down position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0046]    In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, one skilled in the art would recognize that the invention might be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the invention. 
         [0047]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a stackable fork according to one example.  FIG. 2  illustrates a top plan view of the stackable fork of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  illustrates a bottom plan view of the stackable fork of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a side plan view of the stackable fork of  FIG. 1 . The following discussion refers interchangeably to  FIGS. 1-4 . 
         [0048]    The stackable fork  100  may have a top surface  102  and a bottom surface  104 . To facilitate stacking of multiple forks, the bottom surface  104  may have a curved profile and the top surface  102  may have a corresponding curved indentation such that the bottom surface of a first fork may be designed to fit, and be received within a top surface of an identical second fork, as described in further detail below. That is a first fork may be registered within a second fork. The registrability of the forks allows for more forks to be placed in a container for transportation or shipping, as compared to conventional forks, maximizing the space inside the shipping container and saving on shipping costs as a result. 
         [0049]    As shown, the stackable fork  100  may include a handle portion  106 , a plurality of tines  108   a - 108   d  and a transition portion  110  integrally connected between the handle portion  110  and the plurality of tines  108   a - 108   d . The plurality of tines  108   a - 108   d  may include a pair of outer tines  108   a ,  108   d  and a pair of inner tines  108   b ,  108   c . Each of the plurality of tines  108   a - 108   d  may have a curve shaped configuration and project outwardly along parallel axes from the transition portion  110  and be separated by gaps  111  having hemispherically rounded ends  109  formed at the integration point of the plurality of tines  108   a - 108   d  and the transition portion  110 . As shown, a center hemispherically rounded end  109   a  may be located between a pair of outer hemispherically rounded ends  109   b  and the center hemispherically rounded end  109   a  may located within different horizontal and vertical planes than the outer hemispherically rounded ends  109   b  such that the center hemispherically rounded end  109   a  extends into the transition portion  110 . In other words, as shown in  FIG. 3 , each inner tine may be separated from the each outer tine by an outer gap  11   b  and the inner tines may be separated from each other by an inner gap  111   a . As less stress is placed on the inner tines during use, the inner gap  111   a  may have a longer length than the outer gaps  111   a . In one example, the width of the inner  111   a  and outer gaps  111   b  may be the same. 
         [0050]    Alternatively, the center hemispherically rounded end  109   a  and the outer hemispherically rounded ends  109   b  may be located within the same planes. 
         [0051]    Although the stackable fork  100  is shown having two outer tines  108   a ,  108   d  and two inner tines  108   b ,  108   c , this is by way of example only and the stackable fork  100  may have less than two inner tines or more than two inner tines. 
         [0052]    A plurality of longitudinal concave grooves  112   a - 112   d  may be located within the plurality of tines  108   a - 108   d . To facilitate stacking of multiple forks, the plurality of longitudinal concave grooves  112   a - 112   d  may correspond to the shape and size of an outer bottom surface  113  of the plurality of tines  108   a - 108   d  such that the outer bottom surface  113  of each tine may be designed to fit, and be received within a corresponding longitudinal concave groove on an identical second fork. 
         [0053]    The outer tines  108   a ,  108   d  may have longitudinal concave grooves  112   a ,  112   d  extending from a first point  116  on the outer tines  108   a ,  108   d  to a second point  118  located on the transition portion  110 . The inner tines  108   b ,  108   c  may have longitudinal concave grooves  112   b ,  112   c  extending from a third point  120  on the inner tines  108   b ,  108   c  to a fourth point  122  located on the transition portion  110 . In one example, the first point  116  and the third point  118  may be in the same plane and located approximately in the middle of the respective outer tines  108   a ,  108   d.    
         [0054]    In one example, the distance D 1  between the first point  116  and the second point  118  may be greater than the distance D 2  between the third point  120  and the fourth point  122  such that the longitudinal grooves  112   a ,  112   d  in the outer tines  108   a ,  108   d  are longer than the longitudinal grooves  112   b ,  112   c  of the inner tines  108   b ,  108   c . (See  FIG. 19 ) 
         [0055]    In one example, the longitudinal grooves  112   a ,  112   d  in the outer tines  108   a ,  108   d  may extend outwardly from the first point  116  to approximately the outer hemispherically rounded ends  109   b  and then extend along and correspond to the shape of the outer edges  115  of the transition portion  110  of the fork  100  and then converge inwardly to the second point  118 . In other words, the outer edges of the longitudinal grooves  112   a ,  112   d  correspond to the shape of the outer edges  1115  of transition portion  110 . 
         [0056]    In one example, the longitudinal grooves in the inner tines  108   b ,  108   c  may extend outwardly from the third point  120  to the outer hemispherically rounded ends  109   b  and then converge inwardly to the fourth point  122 . 
         [0057]    The placement of the longitudinal concave grooves  112   a - 112   d  within the plurality of tines  108   a - 108   d  allows for the material needed for each fork to be minimized which in turn allows for a reduction in the cost of materials for each fork and as a result increases the profits that can be made on each fork. Additionally, as each fork is made from less material each fork weighs less which decreases the overall weight of the packaging when shipped resulting in a savings on shipping and transportation costs. Also, as the fork is thinner more forks may be stacked within a container. Furthermore, the placement of the longitudinal concave grooves  112   a - 112   d  in the plurality of tines  108   a - 108   d  may increase the strength of the tines preventing the tines from breaking off in the mouth of a user and causing injury to the user. 
         [0058]    In one example, the outer tines  108   a ,  108   d  may include a thinned cutting edge  124  on each upper outer side edge of the outer tines  108   a ,  108   d  enabling a user to cut food with the fork  100 . (See  FIG. 16 ) 
         [0059]    The fork  100  may be made from any plastic or non-metallic material or any other material known in the art. 
       Stacking 
       [0060]    As discussed above, to facilitate stacking of multiple forks, the bottom surface of a first fork may be designed to fit, and be received within a top surface of an identical second fork.  FIG. 6  illustrates a first fork  602  and an identical second fork  604  being stacked together according to an embodiment of the invention and  FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the stacked forks taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 . To facilitate stacking of multiple forks, the bottom surface of each fork may have a curved profile and the top surface of each fork may have a corresponding curved indentation such that the bottom surface of the first fork  602  may be designed to fit, and be received within the top surface of the identical second fork  604 . Furthermore, as discussed above, the plurality of longitudinal concave grooves in the tines may correspond to the shape and size of an outer bottom surface of the tines such that the outer bottom surface of each tine of a first fork may be designed to fit, and be received within a corresponding longitudinal groove on an identical second fork to facilitate stacking of multiple forks. 
         [0061]      FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of the first fork  602  and the second identical fork  604  of  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the stackable forks taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 . 
       Tines 
     First Example 
       [0062]      FIGS. 10-11  are fragmentary views of a pair of stackable forks illustrating the shape of the tines according to one example.  FIG. 10  illustrates the shape of the tines near transition portions of the forks while  FIG. 11  illustrates the shape of the end portions of the tines. The pair of stackable forks may include a first fork  1002  having a bottom surface designed to fit, and be received within a top surface of an identical second fork  1004 . 
         [0063]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , a plurality of stacked tines  1006  extend outwardly from transition portions  1008  of the first and second forks  1002 ,  1004 . Each of the tines may have a generally V-shaped configuration comprising a pair of lower sidewalls  1010   a ,  1010   b  extending outwardly from a lower point  1012  to a pair of lower walls  1014   a ,  1014   b . A pair of end walls  1016   a ,  1016   b  may be integrally connected to and extend perpendicularly upward from the pair of lower walls  1014   a ,  1014   b . A pair of upper walls  1018   a ,  1018   b  may be integrally connected to and extend perpendicularly from the pair of end walls  1016   a ,  1016   b  so that the pair of upper walls  1018   a ,  1018   b  and the pair of lower walls  1014   a ,  1014   b  are parallel. A pair of upper side walls  1020   a ,  1020   b  may be integrally connected to and extend inwardly from the pair of upper walls  1018   a ,  1018   b  to an upper point  1022 . The lower point  1012  and the upper point  1022  may be located within the same vertical plane and the lower point of the first fork  1002  may be received into the upper point of the second fork  1004 . In one example, the lower and upper points  1012 ,  1022  may have a slightly rounded configuration. In one example, the width W 1  of the outer tines may be greater than the width of the inner tines. 
         [0064]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , the farther the tines extend outwardly from the transition portion the slope of the upper side walls  1020   a ,  1020   b  decrease. 
       Tines 
     Second Example 
       [0065]      FIGS. 12-13  are fragmentary views of a stackable fork illustrating the shape of the tines according to one example.  FIG. 12  illustrates the shape of the tines near a transition portion of a fork while  FIG. 11  illustrates the shape of the end portions of the tines. The fork  1200  may include a handle portion  1202 , a plurality of tines  1204  and a transition portion  1206  integrally connected between the handle portion  1202  and the plurality of tines  1204 . 
         [0066]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , the plurality of tines  1204  may extend outwardly from the transition portion  1206  of the stackable fork  1200 . Each of the tines may have a generally U-shaped configuration comprising a bottom wall  1208 , having a generally curved or U-shaped configuration, extending outwardly and integrally connected to a pair of lower walls  1210   a ,  1210   b . A pair of end walls  1212   a ,  1212   b  may be integrally connected to and extend perpendicularly upward from the pair of lower walls  1210   a ,  1210   b . A pair of upper walls  1214   a ,  1214   b  may be integrally connected to and extend perpendicularly from the pair of end walls  1212   a ,  1212   b  so that the pair of upper walls  1214   a ,  1214   b  and the pair of lower walls  1212   a ,  1212   b  are parallel. A top wall  1216  may be integrally connected to the pair of upper walls  1214   a ,  1214   b . The bottom wall  1208  and the curve wall  1216  may be located within the same vertical plane. In one example, the width W 3  of the outer tines may be greater than the width W 4  of the inner tines. The top wall  1216  may have a generally curved or U-shaped configuration near the transition portion  1206  and the farther the tines extend outwardly from the transition portion the more the slope of the top wall  1216  decreases. 
         [0067]      FIG. 14  is a fragmentary view of a stackable fork illustrating of a handle portion according to one example.  FIG. 15  is a fragmentary view of a pair of stackable forks illustrating the hand portions according to one example. As shown in  FIG. 14 , the handle portion  1402  of a fork may have a top surface  1404  and a bottom surface  1406 . To facilitate stacking of multiple forks, the bottom surface  1406  of the handle portion  1402  may have a curved profile and the top surface  1404  may have a corresponding curved indentation such that the bottom surface of a handle portion of a first fork  1402  may be designed to fit, and be received within a top surface of an identical handle portion of a second fork  1408 . (See  FIG. 15 ) 
         [0068]      FIGS. 16-26  illustrate various views of the fork of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 16  is a fragmentary view of the stackable fork of  FIG. 1  illustrating a thin cutting edge feature  124 .  FIG. 17  is a fragmentary bottom perspective view of the tines of the fork of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 18  is a fragmentary side perspective view of the tines of the fork of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 19  is a fragmentary top plan view of the tines of the fork of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 20  is a fragmentary bottom plan view of tines of the fork of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 21  is a fragmentary front perspective view of the bottom of the tines of the fork of  FIG. 1  shown in an upside down position.  FIG. 22  is a front perspective view of the fork of  FIG. 1  shown in an upside down position.  FIG. 23  is a fragmentary side perspective view of the bottom of the tines of the fork of  FIG. 1  shown in an upside down position.  FIG. 24  is a back perspective view of the fork of  FIG. 1  shown in an upside down position.  FIG. 25  is a fragmentary side perspective view of the front of the tines of the fork of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 26  is a fragmentary bottom perspective view. 
         [0069]    One or more of the components and functions illustrated in the previous figures may be rearranged and/or combined into a single component or embodied in several components without departing from the invention. Additional elements or components may also be added without departing from the invention. 
         [0070]    While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications are possible. Those skilled, in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.