Training chopsticks

Chopsticks are provided including a first chopstick and a second chopstick which have been modified to be readily coupled together. Bores are formed in each of the chopsticks. A pin is supplied which passes through each of the bores. The pin has a friction fit within the bores such that the chopsticks are held together. The pin resiliently flexes when distal ends of the chopsticks are brought together, so that the pin provides a return force to the chopsticks. The bores and pin preferably have a non-circular cross-section so that the chopsticks are held within a common plane. The pin can have at least one tip that is pointed so that the pin can double as a toothpick.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The following invention relates to chopsticks for use as utensils in eating food, and for gripping and lifting other small items. More particularly, this invention relates to chopsticks which have been fashioned to hold the chopsticks together and make the chopsticks easier to use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Chopsticks are known eating utensils which are generally elongate rigid structures typically approximately ten inches long and about ¼ inch wide. Typically, one end of the chopsticks will taper to a smaller form, such as ⅛ inch, at distal tips thereof. Chopsticks can be generally round in cross-section, but often have a somewhat distinct from perfectly round contour or even a square or rectangular contour, such that the chopsticks do not tend to roll too easily when held in the hand of a user or placed on a sloping surface.

Once mastered, chopsticks can be effectively used as eating utensils by being held in a single hand of a user between a thumb and fingers thereof. However, when one is using chopsticks for the first time, the process of learning to use the chopsticks can be rather difficult. Due to this difficulty, chopsticks are not as widely used as they otherwise would be.

Chopsticks have many advantages over other eating utensils. They are exceptionally simple and thus have a low cost to manufacture. They can work very effectively when made out of renewable and/or biodegradable materials, such as wood. Thus, the opportunity is presented to utilize disposable eating utensils with almost no effect on the environment, and save the effort and environmental impacts associated with washing reusable utensils. Furthermore, chopsticks usage can be an enjoyable practice and can enhance the eating experience, especially when enjoying Asian cuisine.

Numerous attempts have been made to modify chopsticks or add structures which hold the two chopsticks together to function as a training tool to assist those with little experience in using chopsticks in the proper utilization of chopsticks. These various devices have various degrees of complexity and various degrees of usefulness. What appears to be lacking in this study of prior art chopsticks training devices is to capture both exceptionally low cost while maintaining a high level of desired function. Rather, prior art devices generally involve a trade off between cost/complexity and effectiveness. When disposable chopsticks are being used, especially, the cost of training chopsticks benefits from being exceptionally low so that no financial burden is provided on those who choose to utilize the training chopsticks. Also, it is desirable for a single chopstick package to be utilizable either in a training mode or by experienced users without complicating the usage process for the experienced user and while providing a simple and effective assembly for those who desire to utilize the chopsticks in a training mode.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With this invention chopsticks are provided which have been slightly modified to be usable in a training configuration. In particular, the two chopsticks are preferably substantially identical and elongate in form similar to prior art chopsticks. One distinction is that a small bore is formed within each of the chopsticks. This bore has a diameter of approximately half of a thickness of the chopsticks and extends perpendicular to a long axis of the chopsticks. If the chopsticks have a cross-section which is wider than it is tall, this bore would pass along the wider dimension of the cross-section of the chopsticks in a most preferred embodiment. The bores are preferably formed approximately sixty percent of the distance away from the more pointed distal ends of the chopsticks which are configured for grasping food, as shown in the included figures.

An elongate pin is provided which is sized to fit through each of the bores in the chopsticks. This pin preferably has slightly tapered ends to facilitate alignment with the bores in the chopsticks. A diameter of the pin is such that it has a friction fit within the bores in the chopsticks. This pin has a cross-section shaped to match the shape of the bores passing through the chopsticks.

The pin is passed through each of the bores in the chopsticks. A spacing of the chopsticks can vary based on the desires of the user, but would typically involve a spacing which is slightly more than half of an overall length of the pin. The pin is preferably made of wood, but could be made of other materials. Importantly, the pin is formed of a material which can bend slightly but which resists such bending somewhat. Hence, the pin tends to keep the two chopsticks parallel when at rest. However, when forces are applied tending to cause distal ends of the chopsticks to be brought together, the pin is bent slightly. The pin then exerts a return force on the chopsticks tending to return the chopsticks to their spaced configuration when this closing force is released.

One material which has been shown to be effective for forming the pin is bamboo wood. Other woods and other materials having suitable strength and elasticity characteristics could similarly be utilized.

In a preferred form, this invention is originally provided in a simple package where the two chopsticks are initially not yet totally separated from each other. Rather, they have been machined to be largely separated and with a score line running in an elongate direction between the two chopsticks. The user breaks the two chopsticks apart before use along this score line. In such a package, the pin can be set within this score line groove. A small amount of food grade adhesive, such as a cornstarch based adhesive can be utilized to temporarily bond the pin to the chopsticks. They can then fit together within a paper sleeve as is commonly provided for disposable chopsticks storage. Note that if the chopsticks have a cross-section that is wider than it is tall, the bores are aligned so that a single bore forming step can form the bores in each chopstick. As an alternative, two separate holes can be made for each chopstick.

When a user wishes to utilize the chopsticks, they are first broken apart. Next, the pin is removed from whichever chopstick the pin may have remained attached to. Finally, the pin is routed through the bores until a desired spacing for the chopsticks is achieved. The training chopsticks are then ready for use. If the user does not need the training aspect of the chopsticks, the pin is merely discarded. By initially forming the chopsticks together, one benefit is that the holes passing through the chopsticks can repeatedly be consistently formed at precisely the same location on each chopstick. In particular, a common drilling tool would drill both bores simultaneously when the two chopsticks are still held together within a single original piece of wood.

In a further alternative of the invention, the pin can be more pointed at one end or both ends and double as a toothpick. In such an embodiment the benefit of both training chopsticks and a toothpick are all provided together in a single exceptionally simple disposable package and biodegradable.

As another alternative, rather than gluing the dowel to the chopsticks, the pin could be floating freely within the same package, or could be formed along with the chopsticks but not entirely separated from the chopsticks so that the pin needs to be broken off from the chopsticks before being utilized. In such an embodiment the pin would be formed of a common piece of wood as the chopsticks. While this could be the case, most typically the disposable chopsticks themselves are formed of a different wood than that of the pin so that the least expensive wood can be used for the chopsticks and a wood having optimal performance characteristics is supplied for the pin.

By making both the chopsticks and the pin all of wood, the entire assembly is both recyclable and biodegradable. In particular, the entire assembly could be recycled such as by incineration or allowing natural decomposition within a landfill. Biodegradability could occur within a landfill with nothing about the training chopsticks product deviating from typical compostability criteria and other biodegradability standards. To optimize such a recyclable and biodegradable configuration for the invention, the chopsticks themselves would be provided free of any unnatural finishes and any adhesive utilized to temporarily bond the pin to the chopsticks before use would be either a food grade adhesive or at a minimum some adhesive which exhibits biodegradability and recyclability.

Any inks provided on the chopsticks as well as packaging for the chopsticks would also benefit from meeting biodegradability and compostability standards, such as by utilizing recyclable paper for the packaging and biodegradable inks thereon. This packaging can additionally include a series of illustrations which show the steps in assembling the training chopsticks so that those unfamiliar with the product can readily discern how to assemble the training chopsticks from their initial stored mode to their final mode ready for use.

In another embodiment, the pin can be formed non-circular, such as with an oval or elliptical cross-section. The bores passing through the chopsticks can be formed with a similar oval form, such as by having a drill bit first pass through the chopsticks and then having the chopsticks moved laterally slightly to make the hole oblong in each chopstick. A drill bit can be particularly utilized which is capable of such a milling procedure somewhat to facilitate the making of such an oblong or elliptical bore. In such a configuration, the pin would have a cross-section matching (or at least complementary with) the cross-section of the bore, but the bore would be non-circular. Such an arrangement would restrain the chopsticks from pivoting about a long axis of the pin and further enhance the effectiveness of the training chopsticks in that the distal ends of the chopsticks would tend to remain within a common plane for consistent repeatable motion touching each other when acted upon by the user.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide chopsticks which are easier to use, for training purposes or merely to simplify the chopsticks use experience.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pair of chopsticks which are configured to keep the chopsticks within a common plane and avoid becoming skewed relative to each other.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a chopsticks assembly in which two chopsticks are held together, flex relative to each other and still are formed entirely from biodegradable materials.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pair of chopsticks which are held together and which are exceedingly simple to manufacture in a reliable and low-cost fashion.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for forming and packaging chopsticks so that they can be configured to be held together when in use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a chopsticks assembly which both holds the pair of chopsticks together and also provides a toothpick as part of the overall assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral10is directed to a chopsticks assembly (FIG. 1) which allows a pair of chopsticks20,30to be held together, maintained within a common plane without skewing relative to each other, and biasing the chopsticks toward an open orientation, to simplify use of the chopsticks assembly10. The chopsticks assembly10exhibits an exceptionally simple design to minimize complexity of manufacture and cost of materials, and while maintaining biodegradability of materials forming the chopsticks assembly10. The chopsticks assembly10maintains typical handling characteristics to facilitate training in the use of chopsticks (FIGS. 4 and 5).

In essence, and with particular reference toFIGS. 1-3, basic details of the chopsticks assembly10are described, according to an exemplary embodiment depicted in the figures herein. The assembly10includes a first stick20and a second stick30which are preferably substantially identical to each other. These sticks20,30thus have an elongate form extending between proximal ends22,32and distal ends24,34. Bores26,36extend transversally through each of the sticks20,30.

A pin40is provided which is sized to fit into each of the bores26,36in each of the sticks20,30. The pin40both joins the sticks20,30together and is also capable of flexing somewhat so that the distal end24,34of the sticks20,30can be brought together for use of the chopsticks assembly10, while tending to provide a return force to return the chopsticks assembly10to an original position after the distal ends24,34have been brought together. By forming the bores26,36and the pin40having a non-circular cross-section, a resistance to skewing of the sticks20,30relative to each other is provided, so that they remain within substantially common plane and the distal ends24,34reliably come together (rather than missing each other) when forces are applied (along arrow B ofFIGS. 4 and 5) to bring the distal ends24,34together.

More specifically, and with continuing reference toFIGS. 1-3, specific details of the sticks20,30within the chopsticks assembly20are described, according to this exemplary embodiment. Initially, the chopsticks assembly10is preferably a unitary assembly where the sticks20,30can initially be formed together and interconnected at an interface12(FIG. 3). This interface12is preferably frangible, such as providing a grain of the wood from which the sticks20,30are formed, oriented parallel with this interface12. A user can thus apply a force separating the sticks20,30from each other and cause the sticks20,30to separate at this interface12. Alternatively, an adhesive, such as a starch based biodegradable adhesive can be provided between the proximal ends22,32of the sticks20,30to join them at the interface12.

A slot14exists between the two sticks20,30when in this original position (FIG. 3). This slot14provides a convenient location for initial positioning of the pin40. While the pin40could also be formed along with the sticks20,30from a single piece of wood, the pin40is preferably a separate structure which is preferably attached within this slot14with a light strength adhesive, such as a starch adhesive, merely to hold the pin40in position until it is desired to snap the pin40off of the sticks20,30for use of the pin40.

Each stick20,30is preferably of similar form. This form is elongate with a longer longitudinal axis than a width between an inner side21and an outer side23and a height extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a pin axis D passing through each of the sticks20,30. Typically, the sticks20,30have a similar height and width, and typically have a square or circular cross-sectional form. The sticks20,30are known in the prior art to have a variety of different cross-sectional forms, lengths, materials from which they are formed, and other distinctive details. These known prior art chopsticks details can be incorporated into the configuration of the sticks20,30of this invention in various different embodiments which are considered to be within the scope of this invention.

Most preferably, the sticks20,30are formed of natural wood, or cellulosic material, such as wood fibers which have been formed to exhibit the shape and size desired, such as depicted inFIGS. 1-3. Typically, the grain of the wood runs substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sticks20,30such that the sticks20,30resist breakage. The second stick30has a shape similar to the first stick20, with the second stick30featuring an inner side31opposite an outer side33and a proximal end32opposite a distal end34. The distal ends24,34typically taper at least slightly. The proximal ends22,32typically are slightly larger than other portions of the sticks20,30. An elongate central shaft of each stick20,30is preferably of substantially constant cross-sectional form and typically an elongate cylindrical form. As an alternative, these sticks20,30can very gradually taper from the proximal end22to the distal end24.

Uniquely, each of the sticks20,30includes a bore26,36passing therethrough. These bores26,36are oriented along a line transverse to the longitudinal axis of the sticks20,30. This transverse axis is preferably perpendicular to a centerline C between the two sticks20,30and also perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of each stick20,30. These bores26,36preferably extend entirely through each of the sticks20,30, but could conceivably only extend into the inner sides21,31in the form of blind bores. The bores26,36preferably are sized and shaped so that a pin40can pass into the bores26,36and exhibit a friction fit within the bores26,36. In this way, such a pin40joins the two sticks20,30together.

With continuing reference toFIGS. 1-3and6, particular details of the pin40for joining the sticks20,30together are described, according to this exemplary embodiment. The pin40is preferably an elongate rigid structure, preferably formed of a cellulosic material, and most preferably from natural wood. The pin40preferably has a substantially constant cross-sectional form between a first tip42and a second tip44. These tips42,44can be slightly tapered to facilitate their insertion into the bores26,36and the sticks20,30. The pin40is preferably entirely straight. In an alternative embodiment, it is conceivable that the pin40could have some degree of curvature formed therein. The pin40extends along a pin axis D aligned with the bores26,36and preferably generally perpendicular to a centerline C of the chopsticks assembly10. Insertion of the pin40, along arrow A ofFIGS. 2 and 6, positions the pin40passing through each of the bores26,36and joining the sticks20,30together.

Most preferably, the pin40has a non-circular cross-section. Furthermore, the bores26,36preferably also have a non-circular cross-section which most preferably has a contour matching the cross-section of the pin40. In this exemplary embodiment, the cross-section of the pin40is provided as an ellipse or other generally oval shape (FIG. 7). The bores26,36preferably have a matching elliptical or oval contour.

With such a contour, the cross-section of the pin40exhibits a major diameter along a major axis E which is greater than a minor diameter along a first minor axis I and a second minor axis J. The cross-section of the pin40exhibits a pair of foci including a first focus F and a second focus G associated with the elliptical form of the pin40in this exemplary embodiment.

Preferably, the major diameter is only greater than the minor diameter by an amount sufficient to resist rotation of the pin40and the chopsticks20,30relative to each other. Such a rotation resistant characteristic keeps the two sticks20,30within a common plane including the centerline C and the pin axis D. Otherwise, the sticks20,30can have a tendency to rotate about the pin40and become skewed relative to each other. As can be understood, with such rotation, the sticks20,30are no longer within a common plane. When the distal ends24,34of the sticks20,30are then brought together, the potential exists for these ends24,34to not come together, but rather to miss each other. With the non-circular form of the pin40and the bores26,36, such skewed misalignment is resisted. The pin40is shown with its major diameter extending along the major axis E and with the major axis E within the plane including the centerline C and the pin axis D. Such an orientation allows for the bores26,36to be formed in the sticks20,30while leaving significant portions of the sticks20,30remaining to provide strength to the sticks20,30. As an alternative, the major axis E could be oriented out of this plane including the centerline C and the pin axis D, and potentially even perpendicular to this plane including the centerline C and the pin axis D.

While the bores26,36preferably have a contour matching that of the cross-section of the pin40, as an alternative, the bores26,36could merely have a complemental form but not an identical form. For instance, the pin40could have a rectangular cross-section while the bores26,36have an oval cross-section with dimensions which accommodate a rectangular pin40passing therethrough. Also, due to a relative softness of the materials forming the sticks20,30and the pin40, it is conceivable that the contours would not entirely match, but that surfaces of the pin40and/or the bores26,36would be deformed during the process of inserting the pin40into the sticks20,30(along arrow A ofFIGS. 2 and 6) so that secure coupling of the pin40and sticks20,30would be achieved. Through experimentation, tolerances can be selected, along with wood hardnesses or other material hardnesses to achieve desired performance where the pin40can be relatively easily placed within the bores26,36in a relatively consistent and reliable fashion and provide the performance characteristics desired.

In use and operation, after the pin40has been passed through the bores26,36of the sticks20,30, the chopsticks assembly10is ready for use (FIGS. 4 and 5). A user then uses the assembly10in a manner similar to regular chopsticks which have not been joined together. The existence of the pin40joining the sticks20,30together uniquely keeps the chopsticks20,30within a common plane. Also, the pin40bends slightly during the process of bringing the sticks20,30together (along arrow B ofFIGS. 4 and 5). The pin40bends elastically so that the greater bending existing on the pin40the greater a return force is exerted on the sticks20,30tending to return the sticks20,30to their original position. A user thus merely need apply a force tending to bring the distal ends24,34of the sticks20,30toward each other, without requiring the fine motor skills required to keep the sticks20,30within a common plane, and without requiring the exceptional dexterity necessary to control position of the sticks20,30moving towards each other and then back away from each other after use.

Once a user has mastered the use of the sticks20,30with the pin40included therewith, and has become comfortable with many of the other aspects of utilizing chopsticks20,30, a user can experiment by removing the pin40and continuing to use the sticks20,30as standard chopsticks unattached to each other. If the user needs additional training, the pin can be reinserted into the bores26,36.

While the exemplary embodiment has been described above with reference toFIGS. 1-7, a variety of modifications can be made to this exemplary embodiment within the scope of this invention. A first alternative chopsticks assembly110provides such an alternative embodiment and is depicted inFIGS. 8 and 9. In this embodiment, the chopsticks assembly110is formed of a first stick120and a second stick130which are similar to the sticks20,30of the chopsticks assembly10described above (FIGS. 1-7) except that round bores126,136are formed in the sticks120,130. Furthermore, a round pin140is provided for fitting within the round bores126,136. Such a round pin140can be desirable in certain instances, such as where it is desirable that a user gain the skill of keeping the sticks20,30within a common plane without assistance.

Conceivably, the chopsticks assembly10could be provided with both a round pin140and a pin40having non-circular cross-section. If the pin is provided of a wood or other material of sufficient hardness that is greater than a material forming the sticks, conceivably the bores can be “tapped” by the pin itself so that bores of a single contour can accommodate pins of different cross-sections. For instance, if the bores have a circular cross-section and two pins are provided, one with a square cross-section and one with a round cross-section, the round cross-section pin can be selected for an intermediate skill user and the square cross-section pin can be utilized for a novice. The square cross-section pin formed of a harder material than that forming the sticks could be pressed into bores having a circular cross-section with corners of the square cross-section pin digging into walls of the bore sufficiently to keep the sticks from rotating relative to each other and remaining within a common plane.

In this first alternative chopsticks assembly110, the round pin140is depicted with a pointed first tip142and a pointed second tip144. Thus, the round pin140is generally in the form of a standard toothpick. The pointed tip can have a greater or lesser degree of sharpness as is known in the toothpick arts. Also, conceivably only a single one of the two tips142,144could be provided with this sharpened tip. As another alternative, the two tips142,144could exhibit differing degrees of pointedness to fit within different size gaps between teeth. In this embodiment, when a meal has been enjoyed and a user desires to utilize the toothpick, the pin140is removed from the sticks120,130and then utilized as a toothpick.

A second alternative chopsticks assembly210is illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 11. In this second alternative chopsticks assembly210, a first stick220and second stick230are provided which each exhibit a square bore226,236. A square pin240is provided with a square cross-section (FIG. 11). In this embodiment, the square pin240is illustrated with a pointed tip242and a non-pointed tip244to illustrate how the pin240can have a variety of different pointed or non-pointed tip configurations. The pointed tip242also facilitates easier passage of the pin240through the bores226,236.

While the bores226,236and the square pin240are shown with sharp corners, it is conceivable that these corners would be somewhat rounded, not only to facilitate the forming process, but also to avoid any splintering tendency. While the square pin240illustrates one form of faceted pin contour, other faceted pin contours could also be utilized, such as a triangular cross-section, a pentagonal cross-section, a hexagonal cross-section, or other polygonal cross-sections which are either regular in form or irregular in form. Also, interior and exterior angles can be combined together, such as with a star contour of multiple different points. The bores226,236can be provided with a matching contour or merely a complemental contour so that the pin can fit within the bores and relative rotation therebetween is resisted.

This disclosure is provided to reveal a preferred embodiment of the invention and a best mode for practicing the invention. Having thus described the invention in this way, it should be apparent that various different modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention disclosure. When structures are identified as a means to perform a function, the identification is intended to include all structures which can perform the function specified. When structures of this invention are identified as being coupled together, such language should be interpreted broadly to include the structures being coupled directly together or coupled together through intervening structures. Such coupling could be permanent or temporary and either in a rigid fashion or in a fashion which allows pivoting, sliding or other relative motion while still providing some form of attachment, unless specifically restricted.