Abstract:
An eating utensil design for providing comfortable control of certain food. A user of the utensil can grasp the utensil which has at least three digit elements for grasping food. An example of the three digit elements are in the form of three channeled compartments for receiving a person&#39;s fingers or digits. Any three fingers or digits can be used such as the thumb or the four other fingers. The most common implementation includes using the thumb in one channel, and the index finger and the middle finger in two opposing channels. Thus an eating utensil is provided that allows comfortable and efficient manipulation of food while shielding the fingers from sauces and that can be quickly and single-handedly grasped for use and released.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of PCT/US2008/72711 filed on Aug. 8, 2008, and hereby claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 120 of international application PCT/US2008/72711 filed on Aug. 8, 2008, and titled “Food Handling Device” wherein that application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/935,393 filed on Aug. 10, 2007 wherein the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates to a new type of eating utensil that enables users to comfortably manipulate food without the user&#39;s fingers coming into direct contact with the food. People often decide against eating foods such as chicken wings and barbequed pork ribs in order to avoid getting sauce on their hands and potentially their clothing. Even when conditions are acceptable for eating messy foods, people tend to avoid touching anything while their hands have sauce on them thereby precluding them from consuming beverages until they have finished eating the entire serving and have cleaned their hands. An additional benefit afforded by this device is the reduced likelihood of spreading disease causing viruses and bacteria. Thus, with this type of device there are also sanitation concerns that are addressed because now the user does not have direct contact with the food being handled except for directly eating the food instead of touching the food. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,423 to Romero discloses a food gripper utensil. This food gripper utensil does not contain more than two limbs. Other patents that may generally relate include U.S. Pat. No. 7,165,270 to DeYoung et al; U.S. Pat. No. 3,501,191 to L. Darr; U.S. Pat. No. 7,287,791 to Carolina; U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,130 to Oretti; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,734 to Krieger. U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,928 to Wong, U.S. Pat. No. 1,156,459 to Brown, U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,488 to Ordonez, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,728 to Warthen. 
     It is believed that the above art does not disclose a food handling device having at least three limbs and that is gripped along the center-line of the limbs of the utensil and is held by compression of the user&#39;s fingers against the limbs of the utensil which tend to flex into the open position. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment of the invention relates to a food handing device comprising at least three limbs. The limbs comprise a first limb for receiving a first finger; a second limb for receiving a second finger; and a third limb for receiving a third finger. In this case while the term finger is used any type of digit such as a finger or a thumb can be used. In addition, there is at least one body section coupled to each of said first limb, said second limb, and said third limb said at least one body section forming at least one hinge for allowing at least one of said first limb, said second limb and said third limb to be movable about an axis formed on said body section. In this case, an optional but not required feature is that each limb can have at least one tooth. 
     Some of the benefits of this type device is that with three limbs, it offers greater stability for a user when that user is eating food. In addition, because there are three limbs, that user can then stand the device on its end such that the distal ends of the limbs opposite the body are used to support the device in an upstanding manner such as in the form of a tri-pod. This allows a user to easily insert his or her fingers into the open end of the device to grasp the gripping device and then pick it up. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
       In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective right-side view of a three-limbed version of the utensil constructed in accordance with the invention: 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective rear view of the utensil of  FIG. 1  in the fully open position: 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective front right-side view of the utensil of  FIGS. 1 and 2  compressed to grasp a chicken leg: 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective right side view of the utensil of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3  in hand and slightly compressed: 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a four-limbed version of the utensil constructed in accordance with the invention in a slightly uncompressed position: 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of a two-limbed version of the utensil constructed in accordance with the invention in a slightly open position: 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a two-limbed version of the utensil in a slightly open position; and 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a view showing the axes of rotation and longitudinal axes of the limbs; 
         FIG. 10  is a view of the device shown in  FIG. 1  in a closed position; and 
         FIG. 11  is a modified view of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective right-side top view of a three-limbed version of the device  1 . The device includes a body section  10  which is coupled to first limb  11  in an integral manner. In addition, second limb  12  is coupled to body section via hinge  52 , while third limb  13  is coupled to body section  10  via hinge  53 . Hinges  52  and  53  can be in the form of any known hinge but in this example show living hinges. Living hinges are hinges that are formed from material that is usually integral with the two components that are hinged. In this case, these hinges  52  and  53  can also have a natural spring incorporated therein based upon the material properties of the living hinge. Therefore, when a user is not pressing down in limbs  11 ,  12  and  13 , limbs  12  and  13  would naturally spring away from limb  11 . First limb  11  has tooth  31  at its tip. Second limb  12  has tooth  32  formed at its tip. Third limb  13  has tooth  33  formed at its tip. These teeth can be in any shape but in this case, these teeth are shown ramp shaped. Alternatively, these teeth can be formed as concave having two prongs sticking out from each side. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , tooth  31  has tooth points or tips  31 . 1  and  31 . 3  and recess point  31 . 2 . Teeth  32  and  33  can be ramp shaped but also be formed as concave shaped teeth shown by the dashed lines. With this design, tooth  32  is formed in a concave manner or in a recessed “V” shape having tooth point  32 . 1  a recess point  32 . 2 , and another tooth point  32 . 3 . Tooth  33  can also optionally be formed with a tooth point  33 . 1  a recess point  32 . 2  and another tooth point  33 . 3 . In addition, in this view, there are a plurality of reinforcing ribs  98  and  99  which essentially criss-cross each other and provide reinforcing support for the body section  10 . In addition, as shown in this view, second limb  12  has a longitudinal axis  104  and a rotational axis  110  while third limb  113  has a longitudinal axis  102  and a rotational axis  108 . Rotational axis  110  is transverse to longitudinal axis  104 , while rotational axis  102  is transverse or normal to rotational axis  108 . (See also  FIGS. 9 and 10 ) In addition, while this embodiment shows a device having teeth, teeth in this case are optional and are not required for operation. Therefore, it is clear that this device and therefore the invention can also be implemented without the use of teeth (see dashed lines in  FIG. 4  indicating an example of an embodiment with no teeth). 
     While the device can be made from various materials, the most feasible embodiment of the utensil can be made of plastic or other moldable material which is safe for contact with food as a limited use-product via conventional injection molding processes. However, other types of materials can be used such as cornstarch, cardboard, paper, wherein these materials can constitute a more environmentally friendly version. Other alternative materials such as rubber or other types of materials can be used such as a composite material or metal as well. Thus, while the device may be made inexpensively so that it is disposeable, a non-disposable version may be stamped, folded or otherwise forged of metal. 
     An edible version of this product can be made of food matter such as that derived from fibrous vegetables and molded in accordance with this invention and solidified with syrup or other coating such as that derived from oats or honey. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective, rear view of the utensil of  FIG. 1  in the fully open position. This view shows channels which are designed to receive a user&#39;s digits Each of these limbs form backside channels allowing a user to insert his or her fingers or digits into these channels to control the manipulation of these limbs  11 ,  12  and  13 . This perspective is oriented in such a way so as to be grasped by the viewer with his or her right hand such that the thumb would rest in first finger channel  21  on first limb  11 , the index finger would rest in second finger channel  22  on second limb  12 , and the middle finger of the right hand would rest in third finger channel  23  on third limb  13 . Second limb  12  meets the body of first limb  11  at second limb hinge  52 . Third limb  13  meets the body of first limb  11  at third limb hinge  53 . Channels  21 ,  22  and  23  each have two sides and a closed end at the end of the limb opposite the body section  10 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective front right-side view of the utensil of  FIGS. 1 and 2  compressed to grasp food  2 . The user&#39;s hand is implied by the compression on the utensil but is not shown in this figure so as not to obscure the view of the utensil. The food item in this drawing is a chicken leg. This view shows the utensil in such a way that the user has grasped the chicken leg such that the limb teeth  31 ,  32 , and  33  are behind the condile or end of the bone at the point of smallest bone diameter so as to minimize the potential for slippage. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective right side view of the utensil of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3  with the user&#39;s right hand shown and slightly compressed. Utensil  1  is held by hand  3  such that thumb  41  is in finger channel  21 , second finger  42  is in finger channel  22  of utensil limb  12 , and third finger  43  is in finger channel  23  of utensil limb  13 . This view also shows additional hinges  120  and  130  which are used to create additional bend points in limbs  12  and  13  respectively. 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of a four-limbed version of the utensil constructed in accordance with the invention in a slightly uncompressed position. This version of the utensil has all the elements of the three-limbed version of figures one through four but includes finger channel  24  of fourth-limb  14  with tooth  34  at it&#39;s tip. 
       FIG. 6  is a front view of a two-limbed version of the utensil constructed in accordance with the invention in a slightly open position. This version only has first-limb  11  and second-limb  12  with the aforementioned associated teeth and finger channels. Second-limb  12  can be widened to accommodate more than one finger. 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of a two-limbed version of the utensil of  FIG. 6  in a slightly open position. This view affords perspective of second-limb hinge  52  which would be the only hinge of this embodiment. Although the first limb is shown with a bend for ergonomics and comfort, any limb can be either straight or curved. 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of a three limbed embodiment which has coil springs which are used as hinges. For example, there are two coil springs  72  and  73  wherein the first coil spring  72  is for second limb  12  and the second coil spring is for third limb  13 . Each of these coil springs is fixed to their respective limbs via retainer pins. For example, spring  72  is secured at one end via second limb channel spring retainer pin  82 . 1 , and at the opposite end via second limb body spring retainer pin  82 . 2 . Spring  73  is secured at one end via third limb channel spring retainer pin  83 . 1  and at the opposite end via third limb body spring retainer pin  83 . 2 . With this embodiment, limb  12  is coupled to body section  10  via a rotational hinge  62  while limb  13  is coupled to body section  10  via rotational hinge  63 . With this design, with the benefit of coil springs, the device can have a snap back action which may be livelier than a living hinge of the other embodiments. In this case the snap back action allows the user to have a different level of feeling and control than with the device shown in  FIG. 1  which has living hinges. 
       FIG. 9  is a view of the respective axes of the device wherein there is axis  100  which is the longitudinal axis of first finger  11 . Second finger  12  has a longitudinal axis  104  while third finger has a longitudinal axis  102 . Second finger  12  has a rotational axis  110  while third finger has a rotational axis  108 . As discussed above, rotational axis  110  is transverse or perpendicular to longitudinal axis  104 , while rotational axis  108  is transverse or perpendicular to longitudinal axis  102 . There is also a transverse axis  106  which is transverse to longitudinal axis  100 , this transverse axis  106  shows that axis of rotation  110  and axis of rotation  108  are offset from 90 degrees from longitudinal axis  100 . This offset forms an offset angle  112  between rotational axis  108  and transverse axis  106  and an offset angle  114  between rotational axis  110  and transverse axis  106 . These offset angles are complementary to acute angles  113  and  115  for respective rotational angles  108  and  110 . The offset angles  112  and  114  are set so that second and third limbs  12  and  13  which are latitudinally offset from each other along transverse axis  106  rotate down so that their distal ends, or ends opposite their connection to body  10 , are pressed in contact with each other or adjacent to each other when the device is closed or clamped down thereby creating pressure on a food item in at least a direction shown by arrows  120  and  121  to thereby stabilize the food item against movement via these forces. The food item is also clamped between the limbs via the clamping forces of first limb  11  and second and third limbs  112  and  113  respectively, clamping together as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a clamped position of the device shown in  FIG. 1 . In this case, there is shown second limb  12  and third limb  13  clamped down towards first limb  11  respective channels  22  and  23  for limbs  12  and  13  are also shown. In addition respective teeth  31 ,  32  and  33  are also shown for respective limbs  11 ,  12 , and  13 . Thus, when a user clamps down on second limb  12  and third limb  13  to draw second limb  12  and third limb  13  towards first limb  11 , second limb  12  and third limb  13  move towards first limb  11  in a first dimension formed for example by arrows  122 ,  123 ,  124 , and during this movement, second limb  12  and third limb  13  move towards each other as well in a second dimension shown by arrows  120  and  121 . 
     In this view arrows  120  and  121  show the direction of lateral pressure that is applied when the limbs are clamped down. In addition arrows  122  and  123  show the direction of clamping pressure applied when the device is clamped down by a user&#39;s fingers. These arrows of pressure represent the helpful pressure that is applied when a user clamps down on the device. Because there are at least three fingers, this type of lateral pressure in the form of arrows  120  and  121  can be applied due to the offset angled settings of rotational axes  108  and  110 . For example arrows  120  and  121  are shown extending substantially perpendicular to arrows  122  and  123  which show the different pressures applied to support food in a usable manner. If pressure was only applied along a single plane or dimension such as in the direction of arrows  122 ,  123  and  124 , then this would result in a clumsy handling of food and an unenjoyable experience for the user. In the case of food such as wings, the wings might become unbalanced and slip out of the grip of the user. Thus with the lateral forces applied, the wings or other types of food such as ribs, steak, corn, chicken fingers, shrimp, etc, can be stabilized in a usable manner. 
     Essentially in at least one embodiment there is a food handing device comprising 
     at least three limbs including a first limb  11  for receiving a first finger such as a thumb, a second limb  12  for receiving a second finger such as an index finger, and a third limb  13  for receiving a third finger. There is also at least one body section  10  coupled to each of the first limb  11 , the second limb  12 , and the third limb  13 . Coupled to the body section are at least two hinges  52  and  53  for coupling the second limb  12  and the third limb  13  to body section  10 , wherein these limbs  12  and  13  are independent of each other. These hinges  52  and  53  can be any type of hinges but comprise a first hinge in the form of a living hinge for allowing second limb  12  to be movable about a first rotational axis  110 . There is also a second hinge  53  in the form of a living hinge allowing third limb  13  to be movable about a second rotational axis  108  which extends at a different angle relative to first rotational axis  110 . In this case living hinges are hinges that allow bendable movement of two elements formed essentially integral with each other. 
     In one embodiment second limb  12  has a first end coupled to body section  10  and a second opposite or distal end. Second limb  12  has at least one additional hinge  120  disposed between the first end and the second opposite end, to create an articulating second limb as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     The third limb  13  has a first end coupled to body section  10  and a second opposite end, wherein the third limb  13  has at least one additional hinge  130  disposed between the first end and the second or distal end, to create an articulating third limb  13 . Due to the channels formed in these teeth such as channels  21 ,  22  and  23 , these limbs are easily controllable by a user&#39;s fingers. 
       FIG. 11  is a modified view of  FIG. 4  which discloses the angles of extension of teeth  31 ,  32 , and  33  relative to their respective limbs. For example, there is shown longitudinal axis  104  of second limb  12  wherein finger  42  which can be in the form of an index finger extends along this longitudinal axis in the channel for these teeth. Tooth  32  extends out from limb  12  along axis  134  which is offset from axis  135  via offset angle  136 . Axis  135  is transverse or perpendicular to longitudinal axis  104 . Similarly tooth  31  extends out from limb  11  along axis  109  which is offset from axis  107  via offset angle  111 . Axis  107  is perpendicular to longitudinal axis  100  which is the longitudinal axis of limb  11 . In addition, tooth  33  extends out from limb  13  along axis  131  which is offset from axis  132  via offset angle  133 . These offset angles  111 ,  133  and  135  are such that it allows the extension of these teeth  31 ,  32 , and  33  to extend out away from their respective limbs to allow a clamped down piece of food to be spaced away from a body or limb section of this device. Thus, because of offset angles  111 ,  133 , and  136 , the extension axis such as axes  109 ,  131  and  134  for each respective tooth  31 ,  32 , and  33  intersects a respective longitudinal axis  100 ,  104 , and  102  for a respective limb  11 ,  12 , and  13  at an acute angle such that each tooth  31 ,  32 , and  33  extends out away from each limb  11 , 12 , and  13  to allow a user to grip food in a position away from each limb. Thus, one benefit of these offset extending teeth is that once the piece of food is clamped down upon, the food is spaced away from the body of the device so that a user can easily eat the food. 
     Accordingly, while only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST 
     
         
           1  utensil/device 
           2  food 
           3  hand 
           5  vertical support member 
           6  horizontal support member 
           10  body section 
           11  first limb 
           12  second limb 
           13  third limb 
           14  fourth limb 
           21  first finger channel 
           22  second finger channel 
           23  third finger channel 
           24  fourth finger channel 
           31  first tooth 
           31 . 1  first tooth point 
           31 . 2  first tooth recess 
           31 . 3  first tooth second point 
           32  second tooth 
           32 . 1  point 
           32 . 2  recess point 
           32 . 3  point 
           33  third tooth 
           33 . 1  point 
           33 . 2  recess point 
           33 . 3  point 
           34  fourth tooth 
           34 . 1  point 
           34 . 2  recess point 
           34 . 3  point 
           41  first finger 
           42  second finger 
           43  third finger 
           44  fourth finger 
           52  second-limb hinge 
           53  third-limb hinge 
           62  second limb rotational coupling 
           63  third limb rotational coupling 
           72  second limb coil spring 
           73  third limb coil spring 
           82 . 1  second limb channel spring retainer pin 
           82 . 2  second limb body spring retainer pin 
           83 . 1  third limb channel spring retainer pin 
           83 . 2  third limb body spring retainer pin 
           98  optional reinforcing rib 
           99  optional reinforcing rib 
           100  longitudinal axis of first limb 
           102  longitudinal axis of third limb 
           104  longitudinal axis of second limb 
           106  axis transverse to longitudinal axis of first limb 
           107  axis of extension perpendicular to 
           108  axis of rotation of third limb 
           109  axis of extension of first tooth  31   
           110  axis of rotation of second limb 
           111  offset angle formed between axis  109  and axis  107   
           112  offset angle for third limb 
           114  offset angle for second limb 
           120  additional hinge for second finger 
           130  additional hinge for third finger 
           131  axis of extension of tooth  33   
           132  axis of extension perpendicular to longitudinal axis 
           133  offset angle formed between axis  131  and  132   
           134  axis of extension of tooth 
           135  axis perpendicular to longitudinal axis  104   
           136  offset angle formed between axis  134  and axis  135