Abstract:
A device for lifting up eating utensils from a support with an eating utensil region ( 1 ) wherein an eating utensil holder ( 7.1  to  7.8 ) of the eating utensil region ( 1 ) is capable of being unfolded.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a device for raising eating utensils off a support, having an eating utensil region. 
         [0002]    Devices of this type are already known and usual in many forms and configurations. For example, in DE 91 09 942 U1 a small cutlery bench for the support of preferably used eating or carving cutlery in order to avoid the soiling of tablecloths is described, which represents a prismatic body having at least one area to accept typographical and/or graphic elements. 
         [0003]    However, in this case it is disadvantageous that the small cutlery bench separates the cutlery from the tablecloth yet, in particular, sauces can nevertheless drip onto the tablecloth if these are still present on the respective utensil after the eating operation. If they do not drip directly onto the tablecloth, then they can nevertheless run down and get on to the region of the cutlery which is used by the fingers for guidance. Thus, the user soils his fingers. Alternatively, sauce residues do not run as far as this point but are stopped on the underside of the cutlery by the small cutlery bench and are diverted and in this way likewise reach the tablecloth. In addition, the area described for typographic and/or graphic elements is very small and is not of noticeable use in communicating with the user of the small cutlery bench. The production of the small cutlery bench is very complicated and this can be used only as such. 
         [0004]    Besides this, in DE 88 03 032 U1 a table cutlery support is disclosed which is fabricated from plastic, metal or stiff paperboard and whose unit has promotionally usable areas on the central bar and on the two side disks. 
         [0005]    The disadvantage in this case is, in detail, that the table cutlery support does not keep sauce residues or the like from getting onto the tablecloth from the cutlery. In addition, there is also the disadvantage here that the area provided for communication is very small. The table cutlery support is difficult to store, because of the shape, and can be used only as such. 
         [0006]    It is an object of the invention to indicate a device which can be used flexibly, is easy to produce and easy to store and which effectively stops the cutlery or the eating residues possibly in or on the latter coming into contact with the support. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The achievement of the object leads to an eating utensil holder of the eating utensil region being able to be folded upward. 
         [0008]    The eating utensil holder preferably comprises a single piece. It is preferably composed of a cheap, flexible and lightweight material such as plastic, pulp, board, felt or the like. The flexibility is needed in order that the eating utensil holder can readily be pulled upward at a fold line, for example an impressed fold line. The preferred materials additionally lead to the transport weight of the device being very low. In addition, the flexibility of the materials used is advantageous, since these react less sensitively to possible pressure effects. In addition, in particular pulp, felt or board is particularly well suited to absorb liquids, such as sauce or soup residues. 
         [0009]    The eating utensil holder has cutouts of various depth, length and size. For instance, an elongated narrow cutout is provided to accommodate knife blades, which are inserted into this cutout with the blade downward. As a result, the knife is firstly given a firm lateral hold and secondly, by means of the material, such as pulp or board, the blade is cleaned by wiping along on the aforementioned material as the knife is inserted into the cutout, and is freed of sauce residues potentially present. This thus stops the latter being able to drip down. 
         [0010]    In addition to this cutout, other cutouts for holding other eating utensils are also conceivable, such as short and wide ones, which prevent, for example, spoons, which are stored on the eating utensil holder close behind the front part or the bowl of the spoon, being able to slip off. In addition, liquid residues are intercepted on the edge of the eating utensil holder and absorbed, depending on the material. The same is true of cutouts for forks and the like. 
         [0011]    The idea of the invention also covers the cutouts being configured in the form of known symbols, such as one or more smileys. In addition, in one of the preferred exemplary embodiments, it is shown that the cutouts are shaped in the form of eating utensils. Here, no limits are placed on the possible variations and stylistic freedom. Virtually any conceivable figure or the like can be shaped out of the eating utensil holder into simplified or exact form. 
         [0012]    It is also conceivable that, preferably but not necessarily, circular openings are integrally molded in the eating utensil holder. They are arranged in such a way that, after being folded out, they can be assigned to one another. Then, if chopsticks, as are common in Asiatic cookery, are pushed first through one and then through the other opening, then the user achieves a situation in which the chopsticks firstly do not lie on the table and secondly in which they have a fixed place from which they cannot roll down, as in the case of round chopsticks which occur from time to time. 
         [0013]    An eating utensil holder of this type can be fabricated as an independent product. However, it can also subsequently be joined, for example at one end, to a known beer mat or the like. Particularly preferably, however, it is shaped out of existing coasters, for which independent protection is desired for the blank for this purpose. 
         [0014]    In the latter case, the eating utensil holder, together with the frame surrounding it, forms a base body to which it is connected on one side in an articulated manner via a bend line. Eating utensil holder and frame form the eating utensil region. This frame has openings and latching cutouts, while latching lugs protrude laterally from the eating utensil holder. 
         [0015]    With the frame, various aims are pursued. Firstly, the frame is used to intercept any liquid or solid food residues dripping or falling off the eating utensils and to keep them away from the tablecloth. In addition, it fulfills the task of functioning as a mating fixing element for the eating utensil holder. For this purpose, the latching cutouts are operatively connected to latching lugs belonging to the eating utensil holder. The latching lugs are inserted into the latching cutouts and prevent the folded-out eating utensil holder falling back into the unfolded state. Here, it is important that one side of the eating utensil holder is joined in an articulated manner to the frame, in order that the latter serves as a mating support. The upward folding action is carried out via this joint, formed as a bend line. 
         [0016]    Of course, it is conceivable that the eating utensil holder is placed on a known coaster and joined to it by one side. This eating utensil holder can also be folded upward. It is then operatively connected to latching cutouts in the coaster in the same way via latching lugs. 
         [0017]    If the frame is omitted, then the object of imparting stability to the folding is achieved in another way. To this end, either the eating utensil holder has cutouts on its folded part sides, into which a crossmember is inserted, or the crossmember has cutouts which are introduced into the folded sides of the eating utensil holder which, in turn, then have no cutouts. It is also possible to bring cutouts on the folded sides into operative connection with cutouts in the crossmember. De facto, it is also possible to impart strength to the eating utensil holder without these types of stabilization by material being used which remains in the upwardly folded form. For example, it is entirely conceivable for material which is known from the production of beer mats to be used with the same thickness and strength and for the eating utensil holder to be produced in upwardly folded form. However, this is not preferred. 
         [0018]    In a possible way of implementing an eating utensil holder, thought is given to breaking out a punched part from a rectangle in a frame, then rotating this through 90°, bending it around a fold line and inserting it into the cutout again. 
         [0019]    The eating utensil region can be assigned a drinking utensil region. The two regions are preferably joined to each other via a perforation which, without relatively great effort, permits the separation of the two regions, in order to use each region on its own. Thus, for example, if the user wishes to lay the eating utensils, such as fork, knife or spoon, down on his left hand side, but the drink on the right hand side. 
         [0020]    The drinking utensil region can have various shapes, for example the form of an octagon or of a square beer mat known everywhere. In exactly the same way, however, other shapes, such as the shape of a circle or that of a star, are possible. In this connection, the shape of the drinking utensil region is less important than the aim of raising drinking utensils, such as glasses, cups or beakers, off the tablecloth therewith. 
         [0021]    On account of the upward folding, the eating utensil region is particularly suitable for advertising. In this connection, advertisements which only become comprehensible with the upward folding and possibly trigger an aha effect in the user are conceivable. 
         [0022]    The drinking utensil region is particularly suitable in another way for advertising, since this firstly has a large area and secondly is already able to impart communication through the special shape chosen. For example, the shape of a heart should be mentioned as advertising for florists before Valentine&#39;s Day. On account of the size, since the drinking utensil region certainly has to support at least the bottom of a glass, it is particularly but not exclusively suitable for pictorial advertising. 
         [0023]    In addition, the idea of the invention covers latching bridges of various shapes and sizes being punched into the eating utensil holder. Here, it is conceivable for the latching bridges either still to be joined on one side to the eating utensil holder via a bend line or to be separated out completely. Thus, besides the conical configuration of the latching bridge, virtually any geometric shape is also conceivable. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments and by using the drawing; in the latter: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  shows a plan view of a device according to the invention for raising eating and/or drinking utensils off a support; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  shows a plan view of a blank for a further exemplary embodiment of a device for raising eating utensils in the initial position; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  shows a plan view of the device according to  FIG. 2  in the position of use; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention for raising eating utensils in the position of use; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention for raising eating utensils in the position of use; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  shows a plan view of a further exemplary embodiment of a blank for a device according to the invention for raising eating and/or drinking utensils; 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  shows a plan view of a further exemplary embodiment of a blank for a device according to the invention for raising eating and/or drinking utensils; 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  shows a plan view of a further exemplary embodiment of a blank for a device according to the invention for raising eating and/or drinking utensils; 
           [0033]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show plan views of further exemplary embodiments of blanks for a device according to the invention for raising eating and/or drinking utensils. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    According to  FIG. 1 , a device E for raising eating and/or drinking utensils is shown. The device E has an eating utensil region  1  and a drinking utensil region  2 . 
         [0035]    The drinking utensil region  2  is illustrated as an octagon in  FIG. 1 . This shape is not imperative. For example, an exemplary embodiment in the form of the generally known four-sided beer mat or the like is also possible. The drinking utensil region  2  is joined to the eating utensil region  1  by a detachable perforation  3 . 
         [0036]    The drinking utensil region  2  has a large area  4 , which can be used for the illustration of pictorial and textual symbols. In particular, it is suitable as an advertising area for various types of products. However, this is also true of the other flat regions of the eating utensil region  1 . 
         [0037]    The eating utensil region  1  is illustrated in more detail in  FIGS. 2 to 4  and without the drinking utensil region  2 , since the latter resembles the known beer mat or coaster and therefore does not have to be explained further. 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  shows the eating utensil region  1  as a blank. This is composed of a base body  6 , from which an eating utensil holder  7 . 2  in a frame  14  is shaped. In addition, diverse exemplary embodiments of convex bulges, latching lugs and latching cutouts are illustrated in summary in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0039]    The eating utensil holder  7 . 2  is surrounded by the frame  14 . In this connection, this means that the eating utensil holder  7 . 2  is joined to the frame  14  on one side via a bend line a. Otherwise, the eating utensil holder  7  is separated from the frame  14  by a peripheral punch line b, c and d. This punch line forms various embodiments of latching lugs  17 . 1 ,  17 . 2  in the process. 
         [0040]    The eating utensil holder  7 . 2  has various punched out portions or cutouts  9 ,  10 ,  11 . 1 ,  11 . 2 ,  12 . 1 ,  12 . 2  of various shape. In addition, a fold line  8 , illustrated dashed, can be seen. This fold line  8  runs in an approximately central region of the eating utensil holder  7 . 2 . However, this is only one possibility. The important feature of the fold line  8  is less its course, since the latter is variable, depending on the exemplary embodiment, more the fact that this fold line is used to fold the eating utensil holder  7 . 2  upward better in a specific region predefined by the fold line. 
         [0041]    In addition, the eating utensil holder  7 . 2  has integral moldings  13 . 1 ,  13 . 2 , two different variants of integral moldings being shown in  FIG. 2 . These embodiments, shown here by way of example, are not intended to be a final representation. Instead, it is important to recognize that these integral moldings  13 . 1 ,  13 . 2  protrude bodily from the eating utensil holder  7 . 2  and have a shape which is able to satisfy the function of a barb. 
         [0042]      FIG. 3  shows the eating utensil region in the position of use. This position of use is achieved by the eating utensil holder  7 . 2  being folded upward at the fold line  8 . In the process, the side c of the eating utensil holder  7 . 2  is displaced toward the side a. The latching lugs  17 . 1  and  17 . 2  are then plugged into latching cutouts  16 . 1  and  16 . 2 , in order that the upwardly folded shape achieved remains preserved. The latching lug  17 . 1  is integrally molded in the form of a rectangle and is operatively connected to the correspondingly shaped latching cutout  16 . 1 . The latching lug  17 . 2  is integrally molded in the form of a triangle and is operatively connected to the latching cutout  16 . 2 , likewise integrally molded in the form of a triangle. These various fixing possibilities merely represent examples of how to achieve the aim of fixing the upwardly folded eating utensil holder  7 . 2 . It is also possible for a plurality of latching cutouts to be provided one after another, in order to vary the height to which the eating utensil holder is folded upward. 
         [0043]    The cutouts  9 ,  10 ,  11 . 1 ,  11 . 2 ,  12 . 1 ,  12 . 2  are used to accommodate various eating utensils, such as forks, knives, spoons or chopsticks. These examples given here have no final character and serve merely to explain the cutouts by using these examples. Thus, the cutout  9  is illustrated as narrow and elongated. This is used in particular to accommodate knives of various size and length with the blade downward, similar to the situation in which the knife is placed with the blade downward between two prongs of a fork. The cutout  10  represents another example according to the invention of one possibility of laying down knives or the like. 
         [0044]    The cutouts  11 . 1 ,  11 . 2  in turn represent further exemplary embodiments according to the invention of a possible support for forks, spoons or the like. The cutouts  12 . 1  or  12 . 2  are preferably but not necessarily circular. These are used, for example, to accommodate chopsticks, such as are common in Asiatic cookery. To this end, the length of the chopsticks is firstly pushed through one cutout, for example  12 . 2 , and then through the other cutout, for example  12 . 1 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the eating utensil holder  7 . 1  in the working position. This means, as described above, that the eating utensil holder  7  has been folded upward at the fold line  8 . The special feature of this exemplary embodiment resides in the fact that the fold is fixed here by a crossmember  18 . The crossmember  18  has two cutouts  19 . 1 ,  19 . 2  for this purpose. These cutouts  19 . 1 ,  19 . 2  are operatively connected to the part sides b. 1 , b. 2  of the eating utensil holder  7 . 1  produced by the upward folding. This prevents the upward folding of the eating utensil holder  7 . 1  being cancelled again by utensils when supporting their weight. 
         [0046]    Incidentally, the crossmember  18  originates from a punched out portion  22  in  FIG. 1  which, following the upward folding of the eating utensil holder  7 . 1  and the breaking out of the crossmember  18 , is then used to hold an eating utensil. 
         [0047]      FIG. 5  shows a further exemplary embodiment of the fixing of an eating utensil holder  7 . 3  in the upwardly folded position of use, on its own without a frame. Here, the part sides d. 1 , d. 2  have cutouts  20 . 1 ,  20 . 2 . These are used either to accommodate the crossmember  18  having cutouts  19 . 1 ,  19 . 2  or a crossmember  21  without cutouts. To this end, the crossmember  18  or  21  is pressed into the cutouts  20 . 1 ,  20 . 2 . The aim is once more to impart strength to the eating utensil holder  7 . 3 , in order that the latter does not slip back into the non-folded, flat initial position when the weight of the eating utensils loads it. 
         [0048]    In the exemplary embodiments according to  FIG. 4  or  5 , the eating utensil holder  7 . 3  also manages without a frame  14  and could stand on its own. 
         [0049]    All these forms of fixing or exemplary embodiments for imparting stability to the eating utensil holder  7  can be used on their own or combined with one another. Combinations, such as with the crossmembers  18  or  21 , with or without cutouts  20 . 1 ,  20 . 2  in the sides b. 1 , b. 2  or d. 1 , d. 2  of the eating utensil holder  7  can also at any time be combined with one another without limit with the frame  14  and its various latching cutouts  16 . 1 ,  16 . 2  and the latching lugs  17 . 1 ,  17 . 2  operatively connected thereto. In consequence of the latter, it is also entirely possible to use all of these possibilities indicated once and thus to achieve a very good result in terms of stability, but this is not imperative. 
         [0050]    The integral moldings  13 . 1  and  13 . 2  can in turn be inserted into undercuts  15 . 1  and  15 . 2 , respectively, and thus incidentally also have the object of joining the eating utensil holder  7 . 1 ,  7 . 2  or  7 . 3  to the frame  14  again after use or for transport and of keeping it flat. 
         [0051]    According to  FIG. 6 , an eating utensil holder  7 . 4  is bounded in the frame  14  by punch lines e, f, g, h. The eating utensil holder  7 . 4  can thus be removed completely from the frame. In this case, the opposite punch lines e, g have a greater length than the opposite punch lines f, h. 
         [0052]    The eating utensil holder  7 . 4  is brought from the initial position into the position of use by firstly being broken completely out of the frame. It is then rotated through 90° and, folded upward at the fold line  8 , is inserted into the frame  14  again. The upward folding is the consequence of the fact that the longer punch lines e, g are brought into the cutout in the frame  14 , reduced in size to the length of the shorter punch lines f and h. 
         [0053]      FIG. 7  shows a further exemplary embodiment of a blank for a device according to the invention for raising eating and/or drinking utensils. To be seen first there is an eating utensil holder  7 . 5  in which a cutout  23  has been punched. In this cutout  23  there is a latching bridge  24 . The latter is joined to the eating utensil holder  7 . 5  at the bend line i; the remaining edges have teeth  36 . 
         [0054]    Beside the cutout  23  there is a further cutout  25 . Differing from the cutout  23 , this has no teeth on its edges. The teeth which are located on the inner edges of the cutouts  23  and/or on the outer edges of the latching bridge  24  are used to impart strength to the then upwardly folded utensil holder  7 . 5  in the following operations. For this purpose, firstly the eating utensil holder  7 . 5  is folded upward at a fold line  26 . After that, the latching bridge is separated out on all sides apart from the bend line i. The latching bridge  24  is then pressed into the cutout  23 , narrowed by the folding upward and the conical shape. This prevents the fold releasing and the blank sliding back into the flat initial position. 
         [0055]    A further possibility also consists in the latching bridge  24  being separated completely from the cutout  23  and inserted into the cutout  25 . Likewise, the idea of the invention covers the latching bridge  24  being inserted into the other cutout  23  again as a web after it has been separated completely out of the cutout  23 . 
         [0056]    In exactly the same way, a bend line is intended to be found on the other side of the bend line i described. In this case, the other three sides are formed as punch lines. The conical shape of the latching bridge then comes into effect. In this case, this conical shape then leads to the latching bridge developing a blocking action when the eating utensil holder is folded upward, precisely because of the conical shape, when it is re-inserted into a cutout which is then formed and is likewise conical. 
         [0057]      FIG. 8  shows a further exemplary embodiment of a blank for a device according to the invention for raising eating and/or drinking utensils. There, an eating utensil holder  7 . 6  can again be seen. This eating utensil holder  7 . 6  once more has a fold line  27 . This is illustrated dashed in  FIG. 8 . In addition, three latching bridges  28 ,  29 ,  30  can be seen on the eating utensil holder  7 . 6 . In this case, the latching bridge  28  has the shape of a fork. By contrast, the latching bridge  29  has the shape of a knife, and the latching bridge  30  has the shape of a spoon. 
         [0058]    The latching bridges  28 ,  29 ,  30  are separated completely from the eating utensil holder  7 . 6  or remain still connected to the blank via a bend line k, l, m. They are then pressed once more into the cutouts, not specifically described, which have arisen as a result of the separation of the latching bridges  28 ,  29 ,  30 . After the eating utensil holder  7 . 6  has been folded upward at the fold line  27  and the latching bridges have then been pressed into the cutouts, they impart the necessary strength to the construction in order that the latter does not slip back from the upwardly folded position into the flat position. In addition, on account of the shape, they indicate to the user the area of the eating utensil region in which he can best lay down his fork, his knife or his spoon. By means of the shapes which latching bridges  28 ,  29 ,  30  have, they also impart still more protection against food and/or sauce residues getting from the eating utensil onto the tablecloth. 
         [0059]      FIG. 9  shows a further exemplary embodiment of a blank for a device according to the invention for raising eating and/or drinking utensils. There, two latching bridges  31 ,  32  of different size can be seen on an eating utensil holder  7 . 7 . In addition, the eating utensil holder  7 . 7  has a fold line  33 . This is illustrated dashed in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0060]    The latching bridge  32  has at least two retaining webs  34 ,  35  formed in one piece with the latching bridge  32 . These project beyond the width of the latching bridge  32 . In this case, the retaining web  34  is designed to be shorter than the retaining web  35 . At the other end of the latching bridge  32  there is a bend line j. 
         [0061]    The latching bridge  32  is firstly separated from the eating utensil holder  7 . 7  on all sides, apart from the side of the bend line j. The eating utensil holder  7 . 7  is then folded upward at the fold line  33 . After that, the retaining web  35  is plugged into the cutout formed by breaking out the bar  34 . This stops the eating utensil holder  7 . 7  slipping back into the flat initial position. The same procedure also applies to the smaller latching bridge  31 . 
         [0062]    A further exemplary embodiment is given in  FIG. 10 . Shown there in an eating utensil holder  7 . 8  is a latching bridge  37 , similar to that in  FIG. 9 , a retaining web  39  oriented in the form of an arrow toward a fold line  38 , illustrated dashed, and a bar  40 . In addition, the latching bridge  37  is joined to the eating utensil holder  7 . 8  via a bend line n. The latching bridge  37  is firstly separated from the eating utensil holder  7 . 8  on all sides, apart from the side of the bend line n. The eating utensil holder  7 . 8  is then folded upward at the fold line  38 . After that, the retaining web  39  is plugged into the cutout produced by the bar  40 .