Abstract:
A self-leveling measuring device is provided. The self-leveling measuring device includes at least two measuring devices each having a measuring cup. The two measuring devices are hinged together at one end so they swivel with respect to each other and are positioned such that the measuring cup of a first device is positioned opposite the measuring device of a second device when the two are positioned over each other. The upper measuring device acts as a leveler for ingredients contained in the lower measuring device by swiveling the upper device over the ingredient filled lower device measuring cup, and can also act as a cover for the ingredient filled lower measuring cup when positioned over the same.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present principles relate to measuring devices. More particularly, it relates measuring devices for food preparation. 
     2. Related Art 
     Measuring devices or spoons are commonly used when baking or preparing other food that requires ingredients to be measured. These measuring spoons often come in different sizes and require the user to manually level the ingredient once contained within the desired measuring spoon.  FIGS. 1A and 1B  show an example of a measuring spoon  1  having a measured ingredient cup  3  of a predetermined size (e.g., 1 teaspoon). In order to obtain an accurate ingredient measurement, the user fills the cup  3  with the ingredient  7 , and uses a straight edge (e.g., knife  5 ) or their finger to level the top of the ingredients flush with the top of the cup  3 . 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an implementation, the self-leveling measuring device includes a first measuring device having a first end and a measuring cup of a first predetermined size at a second opposing end thereof, and a second measuring device having a first end and a measuring cup of second predetermined size at a second opposing end thereof. The first ends if the first and second measuring devices are connected by an hinge point so that they two devices can be swiveled with respect to each other. 
     The measuring cups of the first and second measuring devices have measuring cup openings that are opposite each other such that when the first or second measuring devices are swiveled and positioned over the second or first measuring device, respectively, in a stacked configuration, each measuring device covers the opposing measuring cup opening. 
     These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present principles will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present principles may be better understood in accordance with the following exemplary figures, in which: 
         FIGS. 1A-1B  are representations of the prior art measuring spoons and the use of the same; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the self-leveling measuring device fanned out according to an implementation of the present principles; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the self-leveling measuring device in a closed position, according to an implementation of the present principles; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the self-leveling measuring device in a closed position, according to an implementation of the present principles; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the self-measuring device according to an implementation of the present principles; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the self-leveling measuring device in a closed position according to yet another implementation of the present principles. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present principles are directed to self-leveling measuring devices for ingredients used in food preparation. 
     The present description illustrates the present principles. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the present principles and are included within its spirit and scope. 
     All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the present principles and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. 
     Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present principles, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure. 
     Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present principles, as well as other variations thereof, means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, and so forth described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present principles. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment”, as well any other variations, appearing in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
     In accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2-5 , the self-leveling measuring device  10  comes in a set of two or more. Each measurement device acts as a measurement vessel. As will be explained in further detail below, the two oppositely mounted measuring devices act as leveling devices for the measuring devices positioned above and below them, respectively. The hinge or connection point of the measuring devices allows them remain together as a unit, as well as to allow the them to swivel freely from one another in order to perform the leveling and covering functions of the same. 
     In accordance with a preferred implementation of the present principles, only two measurement devices are necessary to achieve the intended functions of the same, however, those of skill in the art will appreciate that four measurement devices reflect a typical set of measurement spoons. As such the following is described in the context of four measuring devices. However, those of skill in the art will appreciate that more than four measuring devices can be implemented with the present principles. 
     In the example shown there are four measuring devices, two center devices  12 A and  22 A, and two outer devices  12 B and  22 B. The measuring devices include corresponding measuring cups or vessels  14 A,  14 B,  24 A and  24 B for receiving to be measured ingredients. The measuring devices  12 A,  12 B,  22 A and  22 B are attached at a hinge point  30 , and are configured such that the two center devices  12 A and  22 A are the same overall length L c  with different size measuring cups  14 A and  24 A that have their corresponding openings  16 A and  26 A opposite each other (See  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). The outer measuring devices  12 B and  22 B are configured to swivel adjacent their corresponding center device  12 A and  22 A, respectively. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the outer measuring devices have a length L o  such that the measuring cups/vessels  14 B and  24 B of the same are offset from the center device measuring cups/vessels  14 A and  24 A by a small distance D. In order to provide the self-leveling and cover functions of the present principles, the two center measuring devices  12 A and  22 A preferably have the same overall length L c  from the connection or hinge point  30 , such that they can cover each other and be used to level the ingredients in the opposing measuring cup/vessel  14 A and  24 A when swiveled over each other. 
     In the present example shown in  FIG. 4 , the outer measuring devices  12 B and  22 B are shown having the same overall length L o  which is desired for aesthetic reasons of the product, but is not necessarily required for providing the self-leveling and cover functions of the same.  FIGS. 3 and 4  show an example of the self-leveling device  10  in its completely nested or closed positions. 
     To use the measuring device  10  of the present principles, one selects the size of the measuring device they want to use and scoops a food item for measurement. As will be described, the two center devices  12 A and  22 A enable the self-leveling functions of the device. 
     For example, if a center device (i.e.,  12 A or  22 A) is filled with an ingredient, the center device which mirrors it (i.e.,  22 A or  12 A, respectively) is swiveled over the ingredient filled device to level the ingredients contained in the measuring cup/vessel ( 14 A or  24 A) of the same. 
     If an outer measuring device (i.e.,  12 B or  22 B) is filled with an ingredient, the arm of the closest center measuring device above it (i.e.,  12 A or  22 A, respectively) is swiveled over the outer device&#39;s measuring cup ( 14 B or  24 B) to level the ingredients contained in the same. 
     In accordance with one preferred implementation of the present principles, once the ingredients are leveled, the measuring device which has acted as a leveler can also now act as a cover for the filled measuring portion below it to avoid spills. By way of example, when measuring cup/vessel  14 A is filled, the measuring device  22 A and corresponding measuring cup/vessel  24 A acts as a cover for the same. Correspondingly, if measuring cup/vessel  14 B is filled, the arm of the measuring device  12 A acts as the cover for the same. As is evident, when the device is turned over, the other measuring devices  22 A and  22 B can be used just as their counterparts  12 A and  12 B.  FIG. 4  shows that the measuring cups  14 A,  14 B,  24 A and  24 B are all different sizes. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that these sizes can be varied according to the intended uses or applications without departing from the spirit of the present principles. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , in one implementation, the hinge  30  is a two piece pin  31  running through the ends of the spoons (See  FIG. 5 ). Pin  31  keeps the measuring devices attached and gives them the ability to swivel freely from one another. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the hinge point  30  can be achieved in a multitude of ways without departing from the intended scope of the present principles. In another implementation, the hinge pin  31  could be molded into one of the measuring devices so as to eliminate the need for a separate pin fastener. In addition, the pin  31  could have a hole there through to facilitate hanging of the self-leveling measuring device  10  when not in use. In any configuration, it is preferred to be able to separate the measuring devices from the hinge to assist in cleaning the devices when the user is finished with the same. 
       FIG. 6  shows yet another implementation of the measuring device  60  according to the present principles. In this example, there are six (6) measuring devices ( 62 ,  72 ) with six (6) different sized measuring cups ( 64 ,  74 ). As will be evident, from this implementation, only the two opposing measuring devices  62 A and  72 A are of the same length L from the hinge or connection point  30 . All other measuring devices  62 B,  72 B,  72 C and  72 D can be different lengths with respect to each other and/or the hinge/connection point  30 . 
     When one is finished using the measuring devices, they can be scrubbed in soap and rinsed in water or run through the dishwasher. For storage, the measuring cups are oriented with one cup on top of the other so that the large cups are covering one another&#39;s chambers and the smaller cups are covered by the handle of the larger spoons (See  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). 
     In accordance with alternative implementations, the measuring devices  12  and  22  do not have to be straight and could be curved or have some other desirable shape. In addition, the measuring cups/vessels  14  and  24  do not have to be rectangular, and can also take other shapes as desired. 
     Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the measuring device  10  and the parts thereof can be fabricated using one or more of many different materials. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, plastic, metal, wood, ceramic or any other structurally sound food safe material. 
     Although described in the context of food preparation, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the self-leveling measuring devices of the present principles can be used for other applications as well. For example, for scientific purposes to measure certain dry substances used in a scientific experiment. Another application could be in manufacturing for the measurement of raw materials to build or make something. Also the may be used for Chemical or pharmaceutical manufacturing. 
     These and other features and advantages of the present principles may be readily ascertained by one of ordinary skill in the pertinent art based on the teachings herein. It is to be understood that the teachings of the present principles may be implemented in various forms of hardware, software, firmware, special purpose processors, or combinations thereof. 
     Although the illustrative embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present principles is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one of ordinary skill in the pertinent art without departing from the scope or spirit of the present principles. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present principles as set forth in the appended claims.