Abstract:
A weighing serving implement is disclosed. The weighing serving implement has a head to serve food and is mounted to a mount at a pivot point. The pivot point provides a mechanical balance and facilities a rugged and washable design.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to serving implements. More specifically, the invention relates to spoons, forks and the like which weigh material to be served. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In the fast food industry, it may desired to prepare sandwiches with a given amount sandwich filling. Typical serving implements, such as a spoon or scoop, address this need by dispensing a given volume of food. For example, a typical serving implement such as a spoon or scoop may include a head that holds 15 mL. Therefore, if a user fills the entire volume of a spoon head or scoop to the top, 15 mL of material will be served. The material to be served may be a liquid or a solid, such as tuna salad or cheese. Such materials may not fill the entire volume of the head, and may mound over the top of the head. These implements provide a quick means of approximating the amount of material that is provided per serving. 
   Another approach is disclosed in United States Patent Application Publication 2007/0034421 to Ho et al., which describes a weighing spoon. The spoon comprises a head for holding the material to be served, and a stem extending from the head. The stem includes a battery powered electronic weighing sensor, and an LCD display on the top of the stem for displaying the weight. In order to use the spoon, the user places the material in the bowl, holds the stem in a horizontal position, and reads the weight from the LCD display. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,576,521 to Dubach discloses another weighing implement. The implement is a ladle with a scoop, and as such, when material is held in the bowl, the stem of the ladle extends vertically. The stem includes a spring scale, which displays the weight of the material in the bowl when the stem is held or hung from the end distal to the bowl. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with this invention, there is provided an implement, which may be a spoon, fork, spork or the like, which is configured to permit a user to withdraw food from a container and to deliver the food to a point of use, such as a slice of bread that is used to make a sandwich. The implement incorporates a pivot point so as to function as a mechanical balance to determine the weight of food placed in the head of the serving implement. Accordingly, if the implement is a spoon, a user may use a handle to manipulate the spoon to withdraw food from a container and, while still holding the spoon and orienting the spoon generally horizontally, determine if the amount of food withdrawn is the desired amount by watching, e.g., the resting position of the head. 
   In one broad aspect, a weighing serving implement is provided. The weighing serving implement comprises a mount, and a serving implement. The serving implement comprises a head, and a stem extending from the head. The stem is pivotally mounted to the mount about a pivot point. A counterweight is associated with the stem. 
   Serving implements in accordance with this broad aspect may be advantageous because they may be resistant to heat and water, and therefore may be dishwasher safe. Further, serving implements in accordance with this broad aspect may be sterilizable. 
   Additionally, serving implements in accordance with this broad aspect may be advantageous because they may allow a user to dispense a given amount of food, without requiring that the user remember or even know the amount of food to be dispensed. That is, some embodiments of the serving implement may have a fixed counterweight. A user need only select the correct serving implement and ensure that the serving implement has pivoted to a given position, for example to the horizontal, to know that the correct amount of food is in the head of the serving implement. This may be particularly advantageous in situations wherein the user is required to dispense a variety of different materials at a variety of different weights. In such situations, the user may have a plurality of serving implements, each having a different counterweight, and use one serving implement for each different material. Therefore, the user needs only to remember to use a given serving implement for a given material, without remembering the amount of each material to be served. For example, a set of serving implements having different preset counterweights may be provided and marked with the preset counterweights, e.g., 50 g, 100 g, 250 g, etc. Each member of the set may have a different colour (e.g., yellow for 50 g, blue for 100 g, etc.) They may also be coded for different types of food, or different size servings, e.g., colour coded or labeled with food type or serving size. Therefore, a user need only pick up the correct implement, place food on the implement and determine if the food is correctly counterbalanced prior to using the food contained by the implement. 
   In some embodiments, the mount comprises a longitudinally extending housing. Such embodiments may be advantageous because the mount may provide a comfortable handle for the serving implement. 
   In some embodiments, the mount has a front end, a rear end, and first and second longitudinally extending opposed sides, and the head is provided at the front end. 
   In some embodiments, the mount has first and second longitudinally extending opposed sides, and the stem is pivotally mounted to the first and second longitudinally extending opposed sides. 
   In some embodiments, the mount has a front end and a rear end, the head is provided proximate the front end, the stem comprises first and second portions on opposed sides of the pivot point, the first portion is positioned between the head and the pivot point and the counterweight is provided on the second portion. 
   In some embodiments, the mount comprises a lower surface configured to provide a stable platform when the weighing serving implement is positioned on a flat surface. Such embodiments may be advantageous in situations wherein a user desires a particular amount of accuracy in determining the weight of material in the head. In such situations, the user may place the lower surface on a flat surface, such as a countertop, to ensure that the mount is horizontal when the weight is determined. 
   In some embodiments, the mount is configured for manipulating the head. 
   In some embodiments, the stem comprises first and second portions on opposed sides of the pivot point, and the counterweight is associated with the second portion. 
   In some further embodiments, the second portion is the counterweight. 
   In other further embodiments, a part of the second portion extends beyond the mount and the counterweight is provided on the part of the second portion that extends beyond the mount. In yet a further embodiment, the counterweight is provided on a lower surface of the part of the second portion that extends beyond the mount. 
   In some further embodiments, the mount has first and second longitudinally extending opposed sides defining a cavity therebetween and the counterweight is provided on a part of the second portion that extends adjacent the opposed sides. In yet a further embodiment, the counterweight is provided on a lower surface of the part and is positioned to be received in the cavity. 
   In some further embodiments the counterweight is movable along the second portion. In yet a further embodiment, the second portion comprises a scale. Such embodiments may be advantageous because they may allow a user to accurately measure the weight of a material or to set the desired weight. Of food to be served. 
   In some embodiments, the weighing serving implement further comprises a level. Such embodiments may be advantageous because the level may aid the user in determining, e.g., if the stem and/or the mount of the serving implement is level when the weight is determined. 
   In some embodiments, the mount comprises a housing surrounding at least a portion of the stem, the head is provided at a front end of the housing and the front end of the housing has an opening through which the stem extends. 
   In some embodiments, the counterweight is removably positioned on the stem. Accordingly, in such embodiments, at least two counterweights having different weights that are removably mounted on the stem may be provided. 
   In some embodiments, the mount comprises an upper surface, and the stem comprises first and second portions on opposed sides of the pivot point, and the serving implement is configured such that when the serving implement is balanced about the pivot point, the second portion is aligned with the upper surface when the upper surface is disposed horizontally. 
   In some embodiments, the weighing serving implement is a spoon, and the head comprises a bowl. 
   In accordance with another broad aspect, a weighing serving implement is provided. The weighing serving implement comprises a serving implement comprising a head and a stem extending from the head. The stem is pivotally mounted to a handle about a pivot point. The weighing serving implement further comprises a mechanical counter force providing member configured to provide an opposing force to a downward force provided by contents supported by the head. 
   In some embodiments, the handle comprises first and second longitudinally extending sides and at least a portion of the stem extends between the opposed sides. In further embodiments, the handle comprises a lower flat surface. In further embodiments, the second portion is receivable between the opposed sides. 
   In some embodiments, the stem comprises first and second portions on opposed sides of the pivot point. 
   In some embodiments, the counter force-providing member comprises a biasing member. 
   In some embodiments, the weighing serving implement comprises a weighing spoon, and the head comprises a bowl. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other advantages of the present invention will be more fully and particularly understood in connection with the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a weighing serving implement of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the weighing serving implement of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3A  is a top view of a second embodiment of a weighing serving implement of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3B  is a side view of the weighing serving implement of  FIG. 3A ; 
       FIG. 3C  is a longitudinal cross section taken through line C-C in  FIG. 3B ; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a third embodiment of a weighing serving implement of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a weighing serving implement of the present invention; and, 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the weighing serving implement of  FIG. 5 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a weighing serving implement  10  of the present invention is shown. Weighing serving implement  10  comprises a mount  12 , and a serving implement  14  pivotally mounted to mount  12 . In the embodiments shown, serving implement  14  is a spoon. In other embodiments, serving implement  14  may be another implement, for example a fork, a slotted spoon, a spoon without holes, a spork, a spoodle, or a spatula. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , serving implement  14  comprises a head  16 , and a stem  18 . In embodiments wherein serving implement  14  is a spoon, head  16  may comprise a bowl  20 , with or without holes. In other embodiments, head  16  may comprise tines of a fork or the like. Head  16  is the part of the implement that holds the food while it is weighed. An advantage of this invention is that the same implement that serves the food also functions to weight the food. Also, given that the device is mechanical, it may be immersed in water and/or heated. 
   If head  16  is a bowl, then bowl  20  is configured for holding or containing food or other material and may comprises an upper opening  22 , which may define a plane. In the embodiment shown, bowl  20  is rounded, and upper opening  22  is ovoid. In other embodiments, bowl  20  and upper opening  22  may be another shape. For example, bowl  20  may be cylindrical, having a tubular outer wall and a circular base, and upper opening  22  may be circular. Bowl  20  may be of any desired volume. For example, in some embodiments, bowl  20  may have volume of from 15 ml to 100 ml. In one particular embodiment, bowl  20  has a volume of about 30 ml. The volume may be selected based on the weight of food to be held in bowl  16 . For example, the volume may be selected to hold 3-5 oz of meat. Further, if the bowl is to withdraw solid food from a liquid (e.g., pickles from pickling juice), then bowl  16  may have one or more holes and may incorporate a strainer or be a slotted spoon. 
   Stem  18  extends from head  16 . Stem  18  may be any member extending from head  16 . In the embodiment shown, stem  18  is substantially rectangular, having first and second sides  24   a,    24   b,  and front  26   a  and rear  26   b  ends. Stem  18  may be of any desired length. For example, in some embodiments, stem  18  may be between 5 inches and 15 inches in length. In one particular embodiment, stem  18  is 13 inches in length. Stem  18  extends along axis  25 , which may be parallel to the plane defined by upper opening  22 . In other embodiments, axis  25  may be at an angle with respect to the plane defined by upper opening  22 . Furthermore, in some embodiments, stem  18  may be bent or curved, and therefore may not extend along a straight axis. In the preferred embodiment, stem  18  extends integrally from head  16 . In alternate embodiments, stem  18  may be affixed to bowl  20 , for example by screws. It will be appreciated that stem  18  need not be secured to the upper part of head  16  but to any portion thereof. 
   Serving implement  14  is pivotally mounted to mount  12  at a pivot point  40 . In the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-4 , pivot point  40  is located on stem  18  at a point between ends  26   a  and  26   b.  In such embodiments, stem  18  is divided into two portions by pivot point  40 : a first portion  42  extends between front end  26   a  and pivot point  40 , and a second portion  44  extends between pivot point  40  and rear end  26   b.  In an alternate embodiment, as will be described further hereinbelow and as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , pivot point  40  is located adjacent rear end  26   b  of stem  18 . In a further alternate embodiment (not shown) pivot point may be at the junction of head  16  and stem  18 . 
   Weighing serving implement  10  is configured such that in use, head  16  is loaded with a material, for example by scooping an amount of food, and then mount  12  is held or positioned such that serving implement  14  is allowed to pivot about pivot point  40  and come to rest. Accordingly, mount  12  may be any structure, which allows serving implement  14  to pivot about pivot point  40 . 
   In the preferred embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , mount  12  is a housing, through which a portion of stem  18  extends, and provides a handle for manipulating weighing serving implement  10 . In the embodiment shown, mount  12  is longitudinally extending, having first  30   a  and second  30   b  longitudinally extending sidewalls, a front end  32 , and a rear end  34 . Stem  18  is positioned in a cavity  35  defined between sidewalls  30   a  and  30   b.  Front end  32  has an opening  36 , through which stem  18  extends, such that head  16  is preferably proximate front end  32 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , rear end  26   b  of stem  18  is received within cavity  35  of mount  12 . In an alternate embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C , rear end  34  of mount  12  may further comprise an opening  43  through which stem  18  extends, such that a portion  45  of stem  18  extends rearwardly beyond mount  12 . 
   Mount  12  further comprises an upper end  37  and lower end  38 . In the embodiment shown, upper end  37  defines an opening  39 , which allows a user to view a portion stem  18 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , lower end  38  of mount  12  may be substantially open. Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  5  and  6 , lower end  38  may comprise a lower surface  41 . Opening  36  may be sized to allow stem  18  to move between upper end  37  and lower end  38  of mount  12  when stem  18  pivots 
   In some embodiments, upper end  37  further comprises pivot stop  41 , for preventing serving implement  14  from pivoting excessively. For example, if a relatively large weight of material is placed in bowl  14 , serving implement  14  will tend to pivot such that bowl  14  moves downwardly and opening  22  faces downwardly. This may result in material spilling from bowl  20 . Accordingly, pivot stop  41  serves to contact stem  18 , and prevent serving implement  14  from rotating to a point where material will spill from bowl  20 . 
   In the embodiments shown, stem  18  is mounted to a fulcrum or pivot axle  46 , which extends between longitudinally extending sidewalls  30   a  and  30   b.  Stem  18  may be mounted to fulcrum  46  by any means known in the art. In one particular embodiment, stem  18  and fulcrum  46  may be integrally formed. Sidewalls  30   a  and  30   b  each comprise an opening  47   a,    47   b,  through which first  50   a  and second  50   b  ends of fulcrum  42  extend. In other embodiments, fulcrum  46  may be pivotally mounted to sidewalls  30   a  and  30   b  by other means. For example, first  50   a  and second  50   b  ends of fulcrum  46  may comprise screw-threads (not shown), and first and second bolts (not shown) may be secured to the end regions. Alternately, pivot axles may extend inwardly from sidewalls  30   a,    30   b  and be pivotally received in mating openings provided in serving implement  14 . 
   Weighing serving implement  10  further comprises a mechanical counterforce-providing member  52 . Mechanical counterforce-providing member  52  serves to provide an opposing force to a downward force provided by contents (food) supported by head  16 . That is, e.g., when material is placed in bowl  20 , serving implement  14  will rotate about pivot point  40  such that bowl  20  moves downwardly. Mechanical counterforce-providing member  52  serves to oppose this motion. 
   In the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-4 , mechanical counterforce-providing member  52  is a counterweight  54 , which is associated with the second portion  44  of stem  18 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , counterweight  54  is provided adjacent rear end  26   b  of second portion  44 , on an underside of stem  18 . In alternate embodiments counterweight may be positioned elsewhere one second portion  44 , for example on an upper surface of stem  18 . Counterweight  54  may be affixed to stem  18  by any means known in the art. In one particular embodiment, stem  18  and counter weight  54  are integrally formed. Alternately, it may be secured thereto by welding, mechanical fixation means (e.g., screws) an adhesive. 
   In an alternate embodiment, second portion  44  itself may be the counterweight. That is, the weight of second portion  44  may provide the opposing force to a downward force provided by contents in supported in the head. 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , counterweight  54  is received within mount  12 . In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3 , a portion of counterweight  54  may be positioned on the portion  45  of stem  18  that extends rearwardly beyond mount  12 . 
   In the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-3 , counterweight  54  is fixed in position relative to pivot point  40 , and has a weight and is positioned such that when a given weight of material is placed in bowl  20 , and mount  12  is positioned such that serving implement  14  is allowed to pivot, serving implement  14  will rotate about pivot point  40  until stem  18  moves to a present balance position, e.g. stem  18  becomes horizontal. In other words, weighing serving implement  10  is configured to weigh a pre-set amount of material. For example, in one particular embodiment, counterweight  54  may have a weight and be positioned to exactly counter downward forces applied when 25 g of material is placed in bowl  20 . In such an embodiment, a user may place material into bowl  20 , and if stem  18  moves to a horizontal rest position, this indicates to the user that 25 g of material is in bowl  20 . 
   In some embodiments, counterweight may be removable from stem  18 . For example, weighing serving implement  10  may be provided with a plurality of counterweights, which may be attached to and removed from stem  18 . Each counterweight may be associated with a given preset weight. For example, weighing serving implement  10  may be provided with two counterweights. One of the counterweights may be sized to exactly counter downward forces applied when, e.g., 50 g of material is placed in bowl  20 . The other of the counterweights may be sized to exactly counter downward forces applied when, e.g., 100 g of material is placed in bowl  16 . In such embodiments, counterweights  54  may be removably attachable to stem  18  by any means known in the art. For example, counterweights  54  may be magnetically affixable to stem  18  or secured there to by a set screw. 
   In some embodiments, counterweight  54  may be movable with respect to pivot point  40 . For example, referring to  FIG. 4 , counterweight  54  comprises a slot  56  through which stem  18  is inserted. Stem  18  further comprises markings  58 , which provide a weight scale. When material is placed in bowl  20 , and mount  12  is held such that serving implement  14  is allowed to pivot, counterweight  54  may be slid along stem  18 , until stem  18  is horizontal. When stem  18  is horizontal, a user may read markings  58 , to determine the weight of the material in bowl  20 . Alternately, a set screw may be provided such that a preset weight may be selected. 
   As previously mentioned, when using the weighing serving implement  10  of  FIGS. 1-4 , a user may be required to determine whether stem  18  is horizontal. That is, in use, mount  12  is held in an essentially fixed position, and serving implement is allowed to pivot about pivot point  40 . If stem  18  pivots to an essentially horizontal position, this indicates that a given weight is supported by head  16 . In some embodiments, weighing serving implement  10  may be provided with means for aiding a user in determining when stem  18  is horizontal. For example, in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 , upper end  37  of mount  12  is substantially flat. Thus, if a user holds mount  12  in an essentially horizontal position, such that sides  30   a  and  30   b  are horizontally extending, the user may determine if stem  18  is horizontal by determining if stem  18  is aligned with upper end  37 . Alternatively, or in addition, mount  12  may be provided with markings, such as a line on the inside of a sidewalls  30   a,    30   b,  or other members with which stem  18  may align when stem  18  and mount  12  are horizontal. In any such embodiments, mount  12  may be provided with means for determining if mount  12  is horizontal. For example, a liquid level, (not shown), may be affixed to mount  12  for aiding a user in holding mount  12  in an essentially horizontal position. 
   In further embodiments, lower end  38  of mount  12  may provide a stable platform when weighing implement is positioned on a flat surface. For example, lower end  38  may comprise an essentially flat surface or a plurality of legs of equal length, such that when serving implement  10  is placed on a horizontal surface such as a countertop, mount  12  extends essentially horizontally. Thus, upper end  37  may extend essentially horizontally, and the user may determine if stem  18  is aligned with upper end  37 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5-6 , an alternate embodiment of weighing serving implement is shown. As previously mentioned, in this embodiment, pivot point  40  is located adjacent rear end  26 b of stem  18 . Mechanical counterforce-providing member  48  is a biasing member  60 , which, in the embodiments shown, is a spring. Spring  60  is positioned between lower surface  41  of mount  12 , and stem  18 , and exerts an upward force on stem  18 . In the embodiment shown, spring  60  is positioned proximate front end  32  of mount  12 . In other embodiments, spring  60  may be positioned elsewhere along the length of mount  12 . Alternately, spring  60  may be a compression spring provided on one or both of the pivot axles  46 . 
   In the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , mount  12  may comprise a marking  62 , which is associated with a given pre-set weight. In use, when material is placed in bowl  20 , and mount  12  is held such that mount  12  extends horizontally, serving implement  14  will rotate about pivot point  40  until the upward force exerted by spring  60  equals the downward force exerted by the material in bowl  20 . If the material is of the pre-set weight, stem  18  will align with marking  62 . In an alternate embodiment, rather than comprising a marking indicative of a pre-set weight, mount  12  may comprise a plurality of markings, which define a scale, e.g., of weights. 
   In all of the above described embodiments, weighing serving implement  10  may be fabricated from a variety of materials. In a preferred embodiment, serving implement  14  is fabricated from stainless steel, and mount  12  is fabricated from a molded plastic. In an alternate embodiment, both of serving implement  14  and mount  14  are fabricated from stainless steel. 
   Although the described embodiments have been discussed with referenced use in the food service industry, it is contemplated that embodiments of the present invention may be used in other situations. Such uses may include, but are not limited to, household use, industrial use, or pharmaceutical use. 
   Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide a weighing serving implement that that allows a user to weigh material that is to be dispensed or served. Embodiments of the present invention may be advantageous because the weighing serving implement may be dishwasher safe, and may allow a user to preset the weighing serving implement to a desired weight. 
   It will be appreciated that mount  12  is shaped to be received in the hand of a user and accordingly may be shaped to function as a handle. Therefore, a user may manipulate head  16  as if they were holding stem  18 . 
   It will be appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments or separate aspects, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment or aspect, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. 
   Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, if is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the pivot point may be provided on head  16 . Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.