Abstract:
A utensil cover is provided and includes a cover body, wherein the cover body includes a cover top having a cover top width and a cover top length, a cover front having a cover front length and a cover front height, a cover rear having a cover rear length and a cover rear height, and a plurality of cover sides, each of the plurality of cover sides includes a cover side length and a cover side height, wherein the cover front, cover rear and plurality of cover sides extend downward from the cover top to form a cover cavity and wherein the cover front height is larger than the cover rear height such that the cover top slopes downward from the cover front to the cover rear

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/764,947 filed Feb. 14, 2013, the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to an article for protecting utensils and more particularly to an article for protecting utensils, where the article may be configured to encourage interaction between customers and targeted media. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In order to protect the public by keeping the hygiene of a public food service setting at a certain acceptable standard, commercial restaurants and taverns are required to satisfy local health department regulations. These regulations typically require the restaurant or tavern to protect or isolate eating utensils from the outside environment to help prevent germs and other dirt from landing and settling on the utensils. Although some restaurants choose to delay setting out silverware until a customer is seated, the majority of establishments choose to wrap or ‘roll’ the utensils in a cloth or paper napkin to cover and protect the utensils. 
         [0004]    Unfortunately however, it typically takes the restaurant employees several hours of the day to ‘roll’ enough utensil sets to last through an entire day of business. This is undesirable because it prevents or delays the employees from performing other necessary tasks and because the employees are typically paid hourly, it increases the cost to the restaurant owner. Furthermore, if business volume is under estimated and additional utensil sets are needed, then the employees must either ‘roll’ additional utensil sets on the fly or they must delay other tasks to ‘roll’ additional utensil sets. Thus, ‘rolling’ the utensils amounts to thousands of dollars in wasted time and added business costs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A utensil cover is provided and includes a cover body, wherein the cover body includes a cover top having a cover top width and a cover top length, a cover front having a cover front length and a cover front height, a cover rear having a cover rear length and a cover rear height, and a plurality of cover sides, each of the plurality of cover sides includes a cover side length and a cover side height, wherein the cover front, cover rear and plurality of cover sides extend downward from the cover top to form a cover cavity and wherein the cover front height is larger than the cover rear height such that the cover top slopes downward from the cover front to the cover rear. 
         [0006]    A utensil cover is provided and includes a cover body, wherein the cover body includes a cover top, a cover front, a cover rear and a plurality of cover sides, wherein the cover front, cover rear and plurality of cover sides extend downward from the cover top to form a cover cavity. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are numbered alike: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a utensil cover, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a top down view of the utensil cover of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the utensil cover of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a bottom up view of the utensil cover of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of the utensil cover of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a front view of the utensil cover of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a top down view of a utensil cover associated with utensils (shown in phantom). 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a sectional side view the utensil cover of  FIG. 7  associated with utensils. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a top down view of the utensil cover of  FIG. 1 , illustrating placement of an advertisement image and an action code, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a bottom up view of the utensil cover of  FIG. 1 , illustrating placement of an advertisement image and an action code, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a top down view of a utensil cover, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a sectional front view of the utensil cover of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 13A  is a sectional front view of the utensil cover of  FIG. 11 , associated with a napkin and utensils. 
           [0021]      FIG. 13B  is a sectional front view of the utensil cover of  FIG. 11 , associated with a napkin and utensils. 
           [0022]      FIG. 13C  is a sectional front view of the utensil cover of  FIG. 11 , associated with a napkin and utensils. 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is an operational block diagram illustrating a method for implementing a utensil cover, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  is an operational block diagram illustrating a method for implementing a utensil cover, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 16  is an operational block diagram illustrating a method for promoting a service/product/brand using a utensil cover, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-8 , a utensil cover  100  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is provided and shown, where the utensil cover  100  includes a cover top  102 , a plurality of cover sides  104 , a cover front  106  and a cover rear  108 , where the cover top  102 , cover sides  104 , cover front  106  and cover rear  108  define a cover cavity  110 . It should be appreciated that the cover cavity  110  includes a cavity width W, a cavity height H (which may be variable from side to side or front to back) and a cavity length L, where as shown, W, H and L are sized such that when the utensil cover  100  is placed over one or more eating utensils (i.e. such as a knife, a fork, a spoon, etc. . . . ) laid out on a surface, the eating utensils are contained within the cover cavity  110  to be covered by the utensil cover  100 . It should be appreciated that the utensil cover  100  may be used to cover utensils and/or utensil/napkin combination (it is contemplated that the cover may be used with or without a napkin). 
         [0027]    Additionally, the cover top  102  includes a cover top internal surface  112 , the cover sides  104  include a cover side internal surface  114 , the cover front  106  includes a cover front internal surface  116  and the cover rear  108  includes a cover rear internal surface  118  all of which are located within and define the cover cavity  110 . It should be appreciated that the utensil cover  100  may also configured to include a pen holder, a credit card holder, a menu holder and/or a receipt holder. In one embodiment, the pen holder, a credit card holder, a menu holder and/or a receipt holder may be located proximate the outer surface of at least one of the cover top  102 , cover sides  104 , cover front  106  and/or the cover rear  108 . In another embodiment, the pen holder, credit card holder, menu holder and/or receipt holder may be located proximate cover top internal surface  112 , the cover side internal surface  114 , the cover front internal surface  116  and/or the cover rear internal surface  118 . It is also contemplated that the pen holder, credit card holder, menu holder and/or receipt holder may also be mixed between the internal surfaces and the external surfaces of the utensil cover  100 . 
         [0028]    Additionally, referring to  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 , it is contemplated that one or more surfaces of the utensil cover  100  (for example, the top surface and/or bottom surface of the cover top) may be used for advertising and may include an action code, such as a 2-Dimensional Bar code, a QR Code, an Augmented Reality (AR) code and/or any other type of code and/or hyperlink image which may direct a customer&#39;s Smart phone or other type of personal device to a website or which may cause the customer&#39;s Smart phone or other type of personal device to initiate interaction with an application located on the customer&#39;s Smart phone or other type of personal device or on a local or remote website. For example, in one embodiment of the invention the utensil cover  100  may include a link by which a customer can access the menu. This link would direct the customer to a website where they can review the menu at their leisure instead of having to wait for the server to bring the menu. In additional embodiments, the website may allow the customer to connect a credit card to their party (i.e. set up a tab) and/or place an order via their personal device. 
         [0029]    Moreover, as one or more surfaces of the utensil cover  100  is capable of having images and text, it is contemplated that the utensil cover  100  may be used for advertising/promotional purposes. In one embodiment, the utensil cover  100  may include an advertisement and a scannable code/image (bar code, QR code, VSR, AR code) on the cover top  102 . A consumer can view the advertisement and use their personal device to scan the scannable code/image which may bring up a display which can be used to entertain the consumer and/or promote the advertisers brand and the restaurant. For example, in one embodiment a consumer could scan the scannable code/image using their personal device. The device could then be directed to access a website that allows the consumer to do a number of things, such as watch a video about an advertiser, watch a video about local history, listen to music, play a game, shop online in the local store, etc. . . . . 
         [0030]    Referring again to  FIG. 4 , it should be appreciated that utensil cover  100  also may include finger grips  200  to easily grip the utensil cover  100  to allow for easy pick up and removal. Moreover, although the utensil cover  100  is shown as being rectangular in shape, the utensil cover  100  may be any shape suitable to the desired end purpose, such as triangular, square, etc. It should be further appreciated that, if desired, the utensil cover  100  may include one or more weighted elements that help to anchor the utensil cover  100  when located in outdoor eating areas. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 , an additional embodiment of a utensil cover  300  is provided where the utensil cover  300  is configured to coveringly support the utensil set prior to use. As shown, the utensil cover  300  includes a cover top  302 , a plurality of cover sides  304 , a cover front  306  and a cover rear  308 , where the cover top  302 , cover sides  304 , cover front  306  and cover rear  308  define a cover cavity  310 . It should be appreciated that the cover cavity  310  includes a cavity width W, a cavity height H (which may be variable from side to side or front to back) and a cavity length L, where as shown, W, H and L are sized such that the eating utensils fit within the cover cavity  310 . The utensil cover  300  may include finger grips  312 , an actuator device  314  and a support apparatus  316 , wherein the support apparatus  316  is configurable between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. It should be appreciated that the finger grips  312  are configured to allow a person to grip opposing sides of the utensil cover  300  to pick them up. The actuator device  314  is associated with the support apparatus  316  and is configured to cause the support apparatus  316  to be configurable between the engaged configuration and the disengaged configuration. In one embodiment, when in the engaged configuration a part of the support apparatus  316  extends into the cover cavity  310  such that when utensils and a napkin are located therein, the support apparatus  316  provides support and helps contain them within the cover cavity  310 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 13A ,  FIG. 13B  and  FIG. 13C , when a napkin  320  and utensils  322  are located within the cover cavity  310 , the support apparatus  316  extends into the cover cavity  310  to support the napkin  320  and utensils  322  (See  FIG. 13A ). When the actuator devices  314  are compressed, the support articles  316  are caused to move away from the napkin  320  and utensil  322  combination such that the napkin  320  and utensil  322  combination are no longer supported (See  FIG. 13B ). The napkin  320  and utensil  322  combination can then be removed from the cover cavity  310 . 
         [0033]    It should be further appreciated that although the utensil cover  100 ,  300  is shown as having a utensil cover top  102 ,  302  that is sloped downward from cover front  106 ,  306  to cover rear  108 ,  308 , it is contemplated that in other embodiments, the utensil cover top  102 ,  302  may be include various shapes/designs as desired and/or oriented in any fashion as desired, such as horizontal, sloped from one side to another, sloped downward from cover rear  108 ,  308  to cover front  106 ,  306 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , an operational block diagram illustrating a method  500  for implementing a utensil cover  100 ,  300 , in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown and includes obtaining utensils and/or a napkin for use by consumers, as shown in operational block  502 . The utensils are located and arranged on a stable surface, such as a counter or table, as shown in operational block  504 , and the utensil cover  100 ,  300  is placed over the utensils that are arranged stable surface to cover the utensils, as shown in operational block  506 . It should be appreciated that if a napkin is used, the utensils/napkin combination may be arranged on the stable surface and the utensil cover  100 ,  300  may cover the utensil and/or utensil/napkin combination. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 15 , an operational block diagram illustrating a method  600  for implementing a utensil cover  100 ,  300 , in accordance with another embodiment of the invention is shown and includes obtaining utensils and a napkin for use by consumers, as shown in operational block  602 . The utensils are arranged on the napkin, as shown in operational block  604 , and the actuator device  314  is configured to be in the disengaged configuration, as shown in operational block  606 . The utensil cover  100 ,  300  is placed over the utensils that are arranged on the napkin to cover the utensils and napkin, as shown in operational block  608 . At this point the actuator device  314  is configured to be in the engaged configuration, as shown in operational block  610 , such that a portion of the actuator device  314  is located under the napkin to support napkin/utensil combination. This advantageously allows the utensil cover  100 ,  300  to function as a utensil/napkin holder such that the utensil cover  100 ,  300  can be stored and/or moved easily. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 16 , an operational block diagram illustrating a method  700  for promoting a service/product/brand using a utensil cover  100 ,  300  in accordance with still yet another embodiment of the invention is shown and includes associating utensils and a napkin for use by consumers with a utensil cover  100 ,  300  having an advertisement and/or scannable code, as shown in operational block  702 , where the advertisement may promote a certain product/service or a brand of products/services. When a consumer scans the scannable code with their personal device, their personal device is configured to display an image (such as a movie, a game and/or a website), as shown in operational block  704 . This may be accomplished by directing the personal device to a website and/or by initiating an application that is resident (at least in part) on (and/or causing an application to be installed onto) the personal device. As such, this image may be used to entertain the consumer, instruct the consumer on various facts, allow the consumer to order items/pay tab and other various actions. 
         [0037]    Additionally, a host website may be created to allow the action codes to be custom programmed for each client, as desired. For example, the actions code can be programmed to display a restaurant&#39;s specials menu, a mini-game for a chance to win a random prize, local happenings, a client news letter, etc. Moreover, it is contemplated that in other embodiments, a restaurant customer may be able to place food and/or drink orders via their personal device when used with the utensil cover. In such a case, a customer may scan an action code with their personal device and that action code may direct the personal device to a website where the customer can enter in and/or confirm orders. This method may also be used to let a customer pay their bill via their personal device. 
         [0038]    While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions and/or additions may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, unless specifically stated any use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.