Patent Publication Number: US-2003234188-A1

Title: Multi-tool kitchen utensil kit and container

Description:
[0001] This invention relates to kitchen utensils, kitchen utensil kits and containers and manufacturing methods. This patent application is a continuation-in-part of 10/177,699 filed Jun. 20, 2002. 
    
    
     
       [0002] The crowding and jumble of kitchen utensils in the usual kitchen drawer is a hindrance of long standing. The jumble makes it difficult to find individual implements, and often extends the time and exasperation in obtaining a utensil from the drawer due to the fact that the drawer cannot be closed until the utensils in the drawer are rearranged.  
       [0003] One of the causes of the foregoing problems is the amount of space occupied by each implement.  
       [0004] Proposals have been made in the past to provide a partial solution to this problem by supplying a single handle with a plurality of attachments to be attached to the handle, each being an implement for a different purpose.  
       [0005] Such prior proposals have been considerably less than fully satisfactory. Although, in theory, those proposals result in a reduction of the volume occupied by the kitchen utensils, they are believed to do little to lessen the jumble and difficulty of finding and retrieving specific implements.  
       [0006] Furthermore, the means used to attach the individual accessories to the handle are relatively difficult to use and/or less than fully satisfactory in other ways.  
       [0007] Another problem with some kitchen implements, especially those whose handles are visible when the implements are stored, such as kitchen knives, the handles are not dishwasher-safe; that is, the handles, usually made of wood or heat-sensitive plastics, will fade, crack or otherwise deteriorate if they are washed frequently in the dishwasher.  
       [0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a kitchen utensil device which alleviates or resolves the above problems.  
       [0009] In particular, it is an object to provide a utensil system in which the components are ordered and housed so as to minimize tangling and disorder of the components, and to minimize the use of kitchen drawer and other storage space.  
       [0010] It is another object of the invention to provide a multi-tool kitchen implement device with a handle and a plurality of attachments easily and securely attachable to and detachable from the handle.  
       [0011] It is a further object of the invention to provide such a multi-tool device which is relatively strong, durable, simple in construction and easy to use and store.  
       [0012] Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which is ergonomically shaped so as to make it easy to grasp and comfortable to use.  
       [0013] It is a further object of the invention to provide a method of manufacturing the multi-tool device of the invention and the kit with economy, speed and quality.  
       [0014] In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing objectives are satisfied by the provision of a multi-tool kitchen utensil kit with a container to hold and organize a plurality of components of a multi-tool device in the container.  
       [0015] An additional object is to provide a multi-tool kitchen device and kit in which the tools are both attractive in appearance and yet are made dishwasher-safe at a moderate to low cost.  
       [0016] Preferably, the container has a plurality of recesses, each shaped to hold a component of the multi-tool device. Each kit is adapted to be secured together with other containers containing different components of the multi-tool device to form a organization system to keep the tool components in an orderly fashion in a kitchen drawer or on a shelf, or in another available space.  
       [0017] In one embodiment, each recess is shaped to receive a specific component, and means are provided for attaching various containers together to form a unitary support structure for holding and organizing the multi-tool components neatly in a kitchen drawer. Thus, space is saved and the usual jumble of kitchen implements in the drawer is avoided.  
       [0018] Alternatively, the kit includes a container for storage on a counter-top or similar surface.  
       [0019] The implements can be stored with one end up in a relatively deep container, or flat in a relatively shallow container for use in shallow drawers.  
       [0020] The single handle needed for use with a variety of tools, and the tools themselves, can be made both dishwasher-safe and attractive in appearance at a modest cost.  
       [0021] In one embodiment of the kit, the handle and a plurality of accessories are stored in units suitable for display on a kitchen counter-top, shelf or other such surface. The kit also is useful for display of the product in stores, on television and in other advertising.  
       [0022] In another embodiment of the kit, the handle and a plurality of accessories are stored in stackable trays. The trays preferably have upstanding posts which are used to support and accurately align one tray on top of the other. Preferably, the trays have side walls which are substantially shorter in height than the attachments which fit into the trays, thus saving material for the trays and making the attachments easier to grasp and remove. The stackable trays occupy a smaller footprint than the other trays designed for use inside drawers, thus allowing for more flexibility in the use of the drawer space.  
       [0023] The multi-tool device includes a handle with attachment means mating with similar attachment means on each of a plurality of accessories so that each accessory can simply be inserted and snapped into place and held tightly in the handle. This holds the accessory onto the handle very securely. The accessory then can be detached by the simple act of pushing a button or lever with one finger or separated from the handle by simply tipping the handle to allow gravity to do the work.  
       [0024] The handle advantageously is ergonomically shaped, and is manufactured by co-molding a flexible elastomeric cover over a molded plastic handle to provide a handle which can be firmly, easily and comfortably gripped while wielding the kitchen implement attached to it.  
       [0025] The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will be described in or apparent from the following description of the drawings. 
     
    
    
     IN THE DRAWINGS  
     [0026]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-tool kitchen utensil kit of the present invention;  
     [0027]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional, broken away view illustrating the attachment of the two kit modules of FIG. 1 together;  
     [0028]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a kitchen drawer with various kit modules located in the drawer to organize and arrange the components of a multi-tool kitchen utensil or implement system;  
     [0029]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the handle of the multi-tool device of the present invention;  
     [0030]FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the handle shown in FIG. 4;  
     [0031]FIG. 6 is a phantom side elevation view of the handle shown in FIG. 4;  
     [0032]FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along lines  7 - 7  of FIG. 4;  
     [0033]FIGS. 8 and 9 are front elevation views showing the handle of FIG. 4 in two different operative configurations;  
     [0034]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a component of the handle shown in FIG. 4;  
     [0035]FIG. 11 is a broken-away perspective view of another component of the handle of FIG. 4;  
     [0036]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a pizza cutter accessory for the handle down in FIG. 3;  
     [0037]FIGS. 13 and 14 are perspective views showing the process of attachment of the pizza cutter of FIG. 12 to the handle of FIG. 4;  
     [0038]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a cheese slicer accessory;  
     [0039]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a citrus peel scraper or “zester” accessory;  
     [0040]FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the device shown in FIG. 16;  
     [0041]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a citrus fruit reamer accessory;  
     [0042]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an ice cream scoop accessory;  
     [0043]FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a “horizontal: accessory” peeler accessory;  
     [0044]FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a melon bailer accessory;  
     [0045]FIG. 22 is an exploded view of a “straight” peeler accessory;  
     [0046]FIG. 23 is a perspective assembly view of the device shown in FIG. 22;  
     [0047]FIG. 24 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention;  
     [0048]FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 24;  
     [0049]FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional, partially schematic broken-away view taken along line  26 - 26  of FIG. 24;  
     [0050]FIG. 27 is a top plan view, partially cross-sectional and partially schematic, of the device shown in FIGS. 24 through 26;  
     [0051]FIG. 28 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention with a zester accessory;  
     [0052]FIG. 29 is an exploded view of the device shown in FIG. 28, with a straight peeler accessory;  
     [0053]FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view of the device of FIG. 28 with an ice cream scoop accessory;  
     [0054]FIGS. 31 and 32 are top plan views, partially schematic, and partially cross-sectional, of two additional embodiments of the invention;  
     [0055] Each of FIGS. 33 through 39 is a top plan view of a different accessory for use with the handle of the invention;  
     [0056]FIG. 40 is a side elevation view of a component holder and kit provided in accordance with the present invention;  
     [0057]FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view of another comment holder and kit provided in accordance with the invention;  
     [0058]FIG. 42 is a perspective, partially exploded view of another component holder and kit provided in accordance with the present invention;  
     [0059]FIG. 43 is a rear elevation view of each of the modules shown in FIG. 42;  
     [0060]FIG. 44 is a perspective view of another accessory provided in accordance with the present invention;  
     [0061]FIG. 45 is a perspective view of another kit including stacked individual kits or trays;  
     [0062]FIGS. 46 and 47 are front elevation views of the separate trays of FIGS. 45; and  
     [0063]FIGS. 48 and 49 are perspective views of the trays of FIGS. 46 and 47, without implements in them.  
     [0064] Multi-Tool Kitchen Utensil Kit 
    
    
     [0065] FIGS.  1 - 3  illustrate one embodiment of the multi-tool kitchen utensil or implement kit  50  constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
     [0066] The kit  50  includes at least one container  52  containing a plurality of components for interconnection to one another to form various kitchen tools. Two such containers  52  and  54  are shown in FIG. 1 to illustrate the different forms that the containers and their contents can take.  
     [0067] The container  52  is generally rectangular in shape, and has four vertical side walls  56  and a top wall  55 . The top wall  55  has a plurality of depressions  62 ,  64 ,  66  and  68 , each of which is shaped to receive a specific component of a multi-tool device.  
     [0068] The components to be used in a particular grouping can be varied as desired. However, the grouping shown in container  52  includes a handle  88 , an ice cream scoop  82 , a pizza-cutting wheel  84  and a peeler  86 .  
     [0069] Container  54  also has four vertical side walls  60  and an upper wall  58 . It is smaller in size than the container  52 , and contains different components of the multi-tool system. The upper wall  58  has recesses  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  in which are located, respectively, a handle  88 , a melon baller  90 , a citrus fruit skin scraper or “zester”  92 , and a citrus reamer or juicer  94 .  
     [0070] A cover  59  is shown for the container  54 , which would cover the container when sold in stores. A similar cover normally will be provided for the container  52 .  
     [0071] Each of the containers  52  and  54  is preferably molded of a thermoplastic resin such as ABS. Its walls are thick and sturdy enough to serve not only as packaging in which the product is shipped and sold, but durable storage and organizing means for the multi-tool components in the kitchen.  
     [0072] To this end, the container  52  is provided with an elongated upstanding tab  80  on the lower edge of at least one side wall.  
     [0073]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the attachment of the two containers  52  and  54  together by use of the tab  80 . The lower edge of the rear side-wall  60  of container  54  (not visible in FIG. 1) has a shallow notch, slightly longer than the tab  80 . The front wall of the unit  54  is inserted into the clip formed by tab  80 , so as to secure the containers together to form an enlarged container and organizer structure.  
     [0074] The container  54  has two separate tabs  81  which can be used to join the units  52  and  54  side-by-side, with the tabs  81  fitting into notches  83  in the side walls of the unit  52 .  
     [0075] The notches in the lower edges of the rear and side walls are provided in order to accommodate the material of the tabs  80 ,  81  to ensure the bottom and top edges of the containers are aligned with one another.  
     [0076]FIG. 3 is a schematic top plan view of a kitchen drawer  96  containing several containers  98 ,  100  and  102  fastened together by clips formed by taps  80  or  81  to occupy a portion of the drawer and provide organization and storage for a variety of components of the multi-tool system.  
     [0077] As an example, the container  98  is larger than the containers  100  and  102 . It contains accessories for the multi-tool system, but no handles. Instead, it includes an ice cream scoop  82 , a cheese slicer  104 , a pizza-cutting wheel  84  and a grater  106 .  
     [0078] Each of the containers  100  and  102  contains a handle  88  together with other accessories to be attached to the handles.  
     [0079] These containers and their arrangement in the kitchen drawer  96  are strictly by way of example to show just some of the combinations that can be used advantageously to store and organize the components of the multi-tool system neatly and compactly. Other kits constructed in accordance with the present invention are shown in other figured of the drawings and are described below.  
     [0080] Handle  
     [0081]FIGS. 4 through 11 illustrate the preferred handle  88  of the multi-tool system.  
     [0082] The handle  88  has a hand grip portion  108  with a tapered shape and a pointed end  140 . At the opposite end there is a rotatable locking ring  110  and a receptacle  112  for receiving a mounting projection on an accessory. The locking ring  110  operates in a snap-acting manner to lock an accessory in place and attach it to the handle by the simple step of inserting a projection into the receptacle  112 . The attaching structure also allows the accessory to be detached easily, with one finger, merely by turning the locking ring  110  through a relatively small angle to free the accessory and allow it to fall out of the receptacle under the force of gravity, with the use of only one hand.  
     [0083] Referring now to FIG. 5, which is an exploded view of the handle  88 , the handle has a hard molded plastic base  114 . In one embodiment, the base  114  has a plurality of circumferential ribs  116  and longitudinal ribs  118 . Preferably, the ribs  116  and  118  are of approximately the same thickness. The ribbed construction reduces the use of material and increases the molding speed with which the handles can be manufactured.  
     [0084] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the handle also includes an elastomeric cover  130  which is co-molded in place over the base  114  during manufacturing.  
     [0085] The material of which the base  114  is made preferably is a very strong thermoplastic resin such as a polycarbonate material, and the cover  130  is made of an elastomeric material such as Sanoprene.  
     [0086] Although the ribbed construction for the base  114  saves polycarbonate material and some molding time, the spaces between ribs are filled with elastomeric material during co-molding of the cover  130 . Because the elastomeric material can be considerably more costly than polycarbonate material, it is preferred to make the base member solid with a rough surface to which the elastomeric material adheres.  
     [0087] Surrounding the receptacle  112  is a circumferential groove  128  in which the latching ring  110  is seated for rotation.  
     [0088] The latching ring  110  preferably includes two halves  120  and  122 , which are assembled and sonically welded together while an inner ring  154  is seated in the groove  128  and after a coil spring  126  has been inserted into the group. The leading edges  132  and  134  of the two halves of the locking ring are flared so as to give a rounded outside edge to help guide projections into the square opening formed by joining the ring halves  102  and  122 . The inside edge of the ring around the central opening is flat. A protrusion  124  extends outwardly from the upper ring half  120  for use in rotating the ring  110 .  
     [0089] As it is shown in FIG. 6, in which the base  114  is shown in dashed outline, the elastomeric cover  130  is of varying thickness along the length of the handle. It is relatively thin in a necked-down region  136  and is thicker towards the larger trailing end of the handle, thus providing extra softness in the areas to be gripped with the most pressure by the hand. This extra cushioning makes the handle easier and more comfortable to use.  
     [0090] The handle also is given a wasp-like cross-sectional shape, as also is apparent in FIG. 6, and is curved downwardly, also so as to conform to the shape of the hand holding the handle. However, this shape also is provided for decorative effect, and gives the handle a sleek, streamlined and attractive look.  
     [0091]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional schematic view showing the locking ring  110 , the spring  126  which is used in the operation of the locking ring, and the inner construction of the attachment mechanism.  
     [0092] The handle has a body end portion  144  in which the rectangular-shaped recess  112  is formed. A first stop member  142  is attached to the body  144  member, and a second stop member  146  is attached to the internal surface of the ring  110 .  
     [0093] A second stop member  148  extends from the body  144 , and another stop  150  member extends from the inner surface of the ring  110 . With the components in the rest position shown in FIG. 7, the stop members  148  and  150  are separated by an angle A of approximately 21°.  
     [0094] The operation of the locking ring will be explained below after the following description of the locking structure on the accessories.  
     [0095] Accessory Locking Structure  
     [0096]FIGS. 12 through 14 show the pizza-cutting wheel accessory  84  which is one of a number of accessories which can be attached to the handle  88 .  
     [0097]FIG. 13 is an exploded view showing the insertion of the pizza wheel locking structure into the handle  88  in the direction indicated by arrow  80 . FIG. 14 shows the pizza wheel and the handle assembled together and ready for use.  
     [0098] Referring particularly to FIG. 12, at one end of the pizza wheel  84  is a projection  166  with a square cross-section matching that of the receptacle  112  in the handle but with slightly smaller dimensions so that it fits into the receptacle  112  easily. The projection  166  has a rounded front end  168  for use as a camming surface.  
     [0099] A circumferential groove  170  extends around the projection  166  at its base. A flange  172  which is flared or rounded on its left surface and is of approximately the same outer diameter as the ring  110 , is provided and forms one wall of the groove  170 .  
     [0100] A molded plastic curved arm  174  extends from the flange  172  and a stainless steel cutting blade  176  is rotatably mounted on the end of the arm  174  by means of a fastener  178 . Preferably, the arm  174  and the fastener  178  are molded plastic, as is the projection  166  and the other components of the pizza wheel, except for the cutting blade  176 .  
     [0101] It should be understood that each of the accessories to be attached to the handle has a projection  166  and groove  170  and is attached to and detached from the handle in the same way as the pizza wheel. The pizza wheel is being used as a vehicle for explanation of the attachment function.  
     [0102] Operation  
     [0103] Referring again to FIGS. 7 through 11, as well as FIGS. 12 through 14, the attachment of an accessory to the handle  88  will be described.  
     [0104]FIG. 8 shows the locking ring  110  in its relaxed or stable condition as shown in FIG. 7, in which the coil spring  126  holds the ring in the position shown in FIG. 7. In this position, the square opening in the ring  110  is rotated clockwise by approximately 21° with respect to the square receptacle  112  so that the four straight sides of the opening in the ring extend over the four corners of the opening  112 , as shown at  156 ,  158 ,  160  and  164  in FIG. 8. With the ring  110  in this position, and the projection  166  inserted into the receptacle  112 , the projection  166  and the accessory are locked in position due to the fact that the edges  156 ,  158 ,  160  and  164  of the ring  110  extend into the groove  170  and prevent the accessory from coming free from the handle. The inner edge of the ring around the central hole is flat, as is the outermost wall of the groove  170  (FIG. 12) so that the arrangement of the two flat surfaces, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the projection holds the components together.  
     [0105] In addition, the square shape of the projection  166  and the corresponding square shape of the receptacle  112  prevent the accessory from rotating relative to the handle.  
     [0106] It is highly advantageous that the locking of the accessory in place is performed very simply. As it is illustrated in FIG. 13, one merely inserts the projection  166  into the receptacle  112 . The rounded front surface  168  FIG. 12) of the projection bears against the edge portions of the hole in the center of the ring  110  so as to compress the spring  126  and rotate the ring  110  counterclockwise to the position shown in FIG. 9 in which the square hole in the ring  110  is aligned with the receptacle  112  to permit the projection to be inserted into the receptacle. The resilience of the spring  126  causes the edges of the hole in the ring  110  to snap into the groove  170 .  
     [0107] The release of an accessory from the handle is also is relatively easy. All that need be done is to press on the upstanding projection  124  on the ring  110  in the direction of arrow  162  (FIG. 7) to compress the spring  126  and rotate the ring  110  to the position shown in FIG. 9, thus releasing the accessory. As a result, with the simple one finger motion, the user may release the accessory and it will drop away from the handle if the handle is turned slightly upwardly to take advantage of the force of gravity. The release thus can be accomplished with one hand.  
     [0108] Cheese Slicer  
     [0109]FIG. 15 shows the cheese slicer  104  which also is shown in FIG. 1. The cheese slicer has a die-cast zinc body. The projection  166  and the flange  172  are die cast with the body. The body has a pair of support arms  182  and  184  and mounting supports  186  and  188 . A stainless steel cutting wire  192  is secured to the supports  186  and  188  by stainless steel pins  193 . The wire extends over the front edges of the supports and is stretched taut to form a stable cutting element. A plastic roller  190  is rotatably mounted in the supports  186  and  188  at a pre-determined distance from the wire. The combination of the cutting wire  192  and the roller  190  are used in a known manner to cut cheese slices of a relatively constant desirable thickness. The attachment structure has the strength and durability to stand up to the sometimes heavy pressure extended on the slicer during use.  
     [0110] In a lower cost version, the body can be molded polycarbonate instead of die-cast zinc.  
     [0111] Zester  
     [0112] The zester  92  includes a mounting projection  166  and flange  177  with a pair of arms  194  and end supports  196 . A stainless steel scraper element pivotably mounted on the supports  196 . Preferably, the body, including the projection  166 , is molded of polycarbonate material.  
     [0113] Although a single molding step is preferred, the projection or “insert”  166  also can be made separately and attached as shown in FIG. 17, to a square post  210  which is provided at one end of the accessory. The post is force-fitted into a square hole  112  in the insert  166  to secure it to the body of the accessory. This method can be used advantageously when the insert  166  and the body are made of different materials.  
     [0114] Citrus Reamer  
     [0115]FIG. 18 shows the citrus reamer  94 . It has a die-cast zinc body with polycarbonate insert  166 . The reamer has a rounded body with ridges  202 ,  204  and  206 , and a pointed end  200 .  
     [0116] Preferably, the reamer is formed with a longitudinally-extending axial hole, and the insert is co-mold to fill the hole to form a solid connection of the insert to the body.  
     [0117] The reamer is used to extract juice from lemons, limes, oranges and other such fruit.  
     [0118] Ice Cream Scoop  
     [0119]FIG. 19 shows the ice cream scoop  82 . It is die-cast zinc and consists of the projection  166 , flange  172 , a support arm  208 , and a bowl shaped scoop portion  209 .  
     [0120] Horizontal Peeler  
     [0121]FIG. 20 shows what is called a “horizontal” peeler It is given this name in order to distinguish it from the so-called “straight” peeler shown in FIGS. 22 and 23  
     [0122] The peeler  214  includes a projection  166  and flange  172  forming part of a die-cast zinc body which has arms  216  and mounting supports  218  for rotatably supporting a blade mounting structure  220  with a cutting blade  222 . The blade  222  is used in a known manner to peel vegetables, etc.  
     [0123] Alternatively, a lower cost version is made of molded polycarbonate.  
     [0124] Melon Baller  
     [0125]FIG. 21 shows the melon baller  90 , which has a molded polycarbonate projection  166  and flange  172 , joined with a stainless steel stem  226  and cutting bowl  228  which is used to cut a melon ball in a known manner.  
     [0126] The enlarged section  224  is a joint which is formed to join the stainless steel elements to the plastic elements. The end of each segment is enlarged to increase the surface area of contact between the parts, projects are provided from the metal surface, and the plastic is molded to the metal.  
     [0127] Straight Peeler  
     [0128]FIGS. 22 and 23 show the straight peeler  86 . It consists of a metal or polycarbonate body including the flange  172  and the projection  166 , and a body with spaced-apart support arms  232  with a support member  234  secured to the outer ends of the arms  230  and  232 . A stainless steel cutting blade  236  with an incuse pair of cutting edges  238  is rotatably mounted in the flange  172  and the support  234 .  
     [0129] The assembled peeler shown in FIG. 23 is used in a known manner to peel vegetables, etc.  
     [0130] Although a single molding or casting is preferred, the insert  166  can be secured by the post  210  in the hole  212 , as shown in FIG. 22.  
     [0131] Grater  
     [0132]FIG. 44 is a perspective view of the grater  106 . The grater  106  includes a stainless steel grater blade  378  with grater teeth  380 , and a molded polycarbonate frame  374 , projection  166  and flange  172 . The frame is solidly secured to the edges of the blade  368  by forming the edges of the blade into bent tabs and co-molding the polycarbonate material over the edges.  
     [0133] The flange  172  and projection  166  form a substantial angle to the blade  378 . The angle is provided in order to allow the grater to be held easily at the most desirable angle for most grating jobs, when the unit  106  is attached to the handle  88 .  
     [0134] The rear surface of the border at the lower or outer end  379  of the grater is given a co-molded coating (not shown) of elastomeric material to inhibit the grater from slipping when its rear lower edge is resting on a countertop, cutting board or other such support surface.  
     [0135]FIG. 45 is a perspective view of a stackable tray kit embodiment of the invention; FIGS. 46 and 47 are, respectively, front elevation views of the upper and lower components of the kit shown in FIG. 45.  
     [0136]FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the upper component of the kit of FIG. 45 without implements; and FIG. 49 is a perspective view of the lower component of the kit of FIG. 45, without the implements.  
     [0137] Further Accessories  
     [0138]FIGS. 33 through 39 show some of the many additional accessories which can be used with the handle  88 , or, with suitable modifications with any of the other handle and attachment structures shown.  
     [0139]FIG. 33 shows a fork  320 ; FIG. 34 shows a medium-sized carving knife  322 ; FIG. 35 shows a bread knife  324 ; FIG. 36 shows a spoon  326 ; FIG. 37 shows a turner  328  such as a pancake turner; FIG. 38 shows a paring knife  330 ; and FIG. 39 shows an apple corer  332 .  
     [0140] Preferably, the utensils are made of stainless steel and the flange  172  and projection  166  are made of polycarbonate co-molded over one end of the shaft of the utensil, such as the end  321  of the fork  320  shown in FIG. 33. Holes  323  in the end of the shaft are penetrated and filled with plastic during molding so as to solidly secure the plastic parts to the metal parts.  
     [0141] Each of these additional accessories has the square projection  166  with the groove  170  and the flange  172  so that they can be fastened to and used with the handle  88  shown above.  
     [0142]FIG. 40 shows a butcher block type of support  334  with a sloping face  336  and slots or holes cut into the face  336  to receive various different sizes of knives  324  and  330 . This also comprises another version of the kit of the present invention. Advantageously, the projections  166  extend outwardly from the surface  336  so that a handle easily can be pushed downwardly on one of the projections  166  to secure the handle and the accessory together.  
     [0143] The mounting  334  can be made of wood, or transparent plastic to allow the utensils to be seen, and can have different shaped holes to receive other accessories so that they can be stored outside of the drawers in the kitchen.  
     [0144]FIG. 41 is shows another kit, similar to the one shown in FIG. 40. A block of wood  338  has circular holes, such as holes  344  and  342 , of a depth greater than the combined length of the flange  172  and the projection  166  of each accessory, and slots or other shaped receptacles to receive kitchen utensils such as the paring knife  330  and a butter knife  346 . A further wooden block  339  supports the block  338  which leans at an angle so as to present the upper surface  340  of the block at an angle.  
     [0145] The openings  342  and  344  preferably are made considerably larger in diameter than the diameter of the flange  172 , in order to easily receive the attachment end of one of the handles  88  so that the handle can be inserted into the cavity to attach to each of the tools stored in the block  338 .  
     [0146] By this means, the attachment ends of the knives  330  and  346  are recessed out of view.  
     [0147] If desired, the block  338  in FIG. 40 can be made transparent, or windows can be provided to allow the utensils within to be seen. Alternatively, or in addition, a marking next to each opening can be provided to identify its contents.  
     [0148] The variety of utensils which can be used to advantage in the multi-tool system is extensive. In addition to those shown, such utensils include can openers, jar openers, bottle/can openers, garlic presses, whisks, ladles, turning fork for spaghetti, strainer spoons and ladles, pie servers, spatulas, potato mashers, meat tenderizers, strainers, pots and pans, or any other utensils which have handles.  
     [0149] Each of the multi-tool system components is made dishwasher-safe; that is, the component can be washed regularly in a dishwasher without significant deterioration. The cracking and deterioration of wooden and some prior plastic handles has been avoided, at a cost that is considerably reduced because there are many more accessories than handles.  
     [0150] Alternative Attachment Structure  
     [0151]FIGS. 24 through 27 illustrate an alternative attachment structure for attaching accessories to the handle in the multi-tool system. The assembled device shown in FIG. 24 includes a handle  238  with an attached horizontal peeler  242 , whose construction is substantially the same as the horizontal peeler  214  shown in FIG. 20, except for the means used for attaching it to the handle.  
     [0152] Referring now to FIG. 26, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line  26 - 26  of FIG. 24, the attachment means includes a rounded flange  244  to which a projection structure is attached and extends to the left as shown in FIG. 26. The projection structure includes side walls  246  and a pair of opposed projections  248  forming catch receivers.  
     [0153] A pair of release push-buttons  240  is mounted on opposite sides of the handle (see FIGS. 24 and 25). Each of the push buttons actually is the end of a molded lever mechanism which has a pivot point  52  and catch arms  256 .  
     [0154] When the projection of the accessory is pushed into the receptacle shown in FIG. 25, the forward edges of the projections  248  push the flexible plastic catch arms  250  aside, and those arms snap back into the notches or receivers formed by the projections  248 , thus providing a snap-action catch which locks the accessory to the handle.  
     [0155] In order to release the accessory from the handle, the buttons  240  are pushed with the fingers. This rocks each of the arms  250  around the pivot points  252  and pulls them away from engagement with the projections  248 , thus releasing the accessory from the handle.  
     [0156] As it is shown in FIG. 25, a further projection  254  shaped to mate with a receiving hole  256  in the handle is provided on the accessory in order to further guide the accessory accurately into the handle cavity.  
     [0157] Second Alternative Attachment Structure  
     [0158]FIGS. 28 through 30 show a second alternative attachment structure.  
     [0159] The structure shown in FIGS. 28 through 30 includes a handle  258  and three different accessories  260 ,  277  and  280  for attachment to the handle. The accessory  260  is a zester, the accessory  276  is a straight peeler with a blade  278 , and the accessory  280  is an ice cream scoop.  
     [0160] The attachment structure includes a pair of inclined latch members  264  and  270  with catch surfaces  266  and  271  respectively. Both elements  264  and  270  are pivotably mounted on pins  268  attached to a mounting member  272  which is secured within the housing  259  of the handle  258 .  
     [0161] A spring  274  also is mounted to rotate on the pin  268 , and serves to thrust the two members  264  and  270  apart.  
     [0162] Two release buttons  262  are mounted in holes  265  in the housing of the handle and holes  263  in the members  264  and  270 . By depression of the release buttons  262 , the elements  264  and  270  are pivoted inwardly towards the center of the handle to withdraw each of the catch edges  266  and  271  from a corresponding receiver in the accessory.  
     [0163] Referring to FIG. 30, one such receiver edge is shown at  286 . Another (not shown) is located at the upper part of the opening in the accessory  280 . The accessory  280  includes a support arm  282  and an ice cream scoop bowl  284 .  
     [0164] The body of the accessory has a tapered inlet opening  281  which receives the tapered projection formed by the elements  264 ,  270  and  272 , and the straight sides of the elements  264  and  270  mating with the straight sides of the opening  28  keep the accessory from rotating on the handle.  
     [0165] Third Alternative Attachment Structure  
     [0166]FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram of another attachment device of the invention. The structure shown in FIG. 31 includes a handle  288  having a housing  312  with a longitudinal shaft  296 , and a coil spring  30  surrounding the shaft  296  and bearing against a bulkhead  302  through which the shaft  296  passes.  
     [0167] The shaft  296  has a rack structure  298  at its left end which mates with gear teeth  294  on mounted catch members  292  rotatably mounted in the housing  312 . It should be understood that the rack is not shown engaged with the gear teeth, for the sake of clarity in the drawings. However, it should be understood that they are so engaged.  
     [0168] The accessory  290  has a tapered cavity  308  with opposed receivers  310  for the catch members  292 . The forward end of the handle is tapered as shown at  306 .  
     [0169] In operation, the spring  3 —tends to hold the projections  292  in their fully extended position, as shown in FIG. 31, so as to keep the members  292  engaged in the receivers  310  to hold the accessory onto the handle.  
     [0170] When it is desired to release the accessory from the handle, an externally-extending end attachment  304  to the shaft  296  is pushed inwardly in the direction indicated by arrow  305 . This rotates the members  292  about their pivots and withdraws them from the receiving notches  310  so as to release the accessory from the handle.  
     [0171] When the tapered end  306  of the handle is inserted into the tapered cavity  308  in order to attach the accessory to the handle, the sloping side walls of the cavity  308  rotate the elements  292  backwardly until they move far enough to snap into the receiving notches  310 .  
     [0172] Fourth Alternative Attachment Structure  
     [0173]FIG. 32 shows a fourth alternative attachment structure, which is the same as that shown in FIG. 31 except that the coil spring  300  bears against the bulkhead  309 , and the pivotably mounted catch members  316  are rotated by means of a linkage instead of a rack and pinion arrangement such as that shown in FIG. 31.  
     [0174] The linkage includes a first link  314  pivotably attached at one end to the shaft  296 , and pivotably connected at its other end to one end of the lever arm forming part of the catch member  316 .  
     [0175] When it is desired to release the accessory from the handle, the end extension  318  of shaft  296  is pulled in the direction indicated by arrow  307  to compress the spring  300  and withdraw the catch elements  316  from the receiving grooves  310  in the accessory  290 .  
     [0176] When the tapered forward end  306  of the handle is inserted into the tapered cavity  308  of the accessory  290 , the side walls of the cavity cam the catch members  316  in the direction shown by the arrows and then, when they reach the receiving cavities  310 , they snap into place under the urging of the spring  300 .  
     [0177] It can be seen from the foregoing that in all of the attachment embodiments, it is possible to engage an accessory with the handle simply by pushing the two together. The accessory snaps into place without requirement of the operation of a lever or the like.  
     [0178] Also, releasing the accessory from the handle involves no more than button pushing, and can be done with one hand while allowing gravity to remove the accessory from the handle.  
     [0179] Counter-Top Display Kit  
     [0180]FIG. 42 is a perspective view of another kit constructed in accordance with the invention. The kit allows the storage, organization and display of the handle  88  and accessories on a cupboard shelf or counter-top, or a counter-top or shelf in a store selling the product, etc..  
     [0181] The kit  348  includes a handle mounting and storage unit  350  with a curved and sloping top wall  351  and a recess  358  shaped to receive and hold the handle  88  where it can be easily seen, grasped and replaced.  
     [0182] Also included are modular storage and display units  352 ,  354 ,  356 , etc., for holding and displaying accessories for use with the handle  88 .  
     [0183] Each of the units  352 ,  354  and  356  is identical to the other. Each has four upstanding projections or bosses  360  each of which has a flat, horizontal upper surface with a central square hole  361  slightly larger than the projections  166  on the attachments so that the attachments can be stored upright with the attachment projections  166  extending into the holes  361 .  
     [0184] One such attachment, a straight peeler  86 , is shown mounted in one of the holes in the unit  352 . As it can be seen, the flange portion  172  of the peeler rests on the upper surface of the boss  360  and the working portion of the peeler  86  extends upwardly where it can be seen, grasped and replaced easily.  
     [0185] Each of the three units  352  and  354  has an upper arcuate surface  362  from which the bosses  360  extend. Each unit also has a front side wall  364  and a rear side wall  368  shown in FIG. 43.  
     [0186] Each front side wall  364  has a pair of vertical notches or gaps  366 , and the rear wall  368  has a pair of upstanding tabs  370  spaced apart by the same distance as the notches or gaps  366 . The width of each of the tabs  370  is greater than the width of each of the gaps  366 . The tabs  370  are molded with a vertical member  372  attaching it to the rear wall  368 .  
     [0187] The tabs  370  can be fitted into the gaps  366  to tightly secure each of the units  352 ,  354  and  356  together.  
     [0188] The handle storage and display unit  350  also has a rear structure such as that shown in FIG. 43 whereby one of the units  352 ,  354  and  356  can be attached to the rear of the unit  350 .  
     [0189] Thus, for a person wishing to start with only a few accessories, he or she can buy a kit including, for example, only the units  350  and  352  which provides a handle and four accessories.  
     [0190] Later, if the person decides he or she wants to add to the original multi-tool system, one or more additional units  354  or  356  can be purchased with one to four additional accessories and attached to the other units to form a readily expandable multi-tool system.  
     [0191] The units  350 ,  352 ,  354  and  356  preferably are molded of thermoplastic material such as ABS.  
     [0192] The counter-top units shown in FIGS. 42 and 43 also serve well to display the multi-tool system on store counters and shelves, and in television and other advertising. Thus, the units serve double-duty; saving space and adding convenience in the kitchen, while serving to show the product in a good light.  
     [0193] Stackable Tray Kit  
     [0194]FIGS. 45 through 49 show further embodiments of the kit of the present invention.  
     [0195]FIG. 45 shows a kit  390  consisting of a stack of individual storage trays  392  and  394 , each of which itself comprises a separate multi-tool implement kit. The trays  392  and  394  are identical to one another, except for the types of implements they are designed to hold.  
     [0196] The trays shown in FIGS. 45 through 49 differ from the trays shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 primarily in that the trays  392  and  394  are made to be easily stackable on top of one another.  
     [0197] Now referring to FIGS. 45, 48 and  49 , each of the trays  392  and  394  has a flat upper wall  396  and vertical side walls  398  and  400  which support the upper wall  396  above a flat surface on which the tray rests, such as the bottom of a drawer. Rear side walls are indicated at  402  and  404 , but are not visible in the drawings.  
     [0198] At each of the four corners of the tray is a vertical post  406  which has an upper end  408  with a curved approximately semi-circular flange  410  extending around the innermost half of the post and extending slightly above the surface of the upper end  408 .  
     [0199] Thus, the flange  408  forms semi-circular receptacles at the tops of the posts  406 .  
     [0200] Extending from the bottom of the tray directly below each of the posts  406  is a rubber foot pad  412  which is attached by adhesive to a flange extending underneath the tray at each corner. This pad serves two purposes; first, it minimizes slipping of the tray on a flat surface upon which it is resting, and it also serves as an alignment device fitting into the receptacle formed at the top of each post. This holds the upper tray in place relative to the lower tray so that the trays will not slip out of alignment with one another after they have been stacked. By making the projections  410  only semi-cylindrical instead of cylindrical, it is easier to insert the feet  412  into the receptacles, without detracting from the function of holding the stacked trays together.  
     [0201] As with the trays shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, each of the kitchen implements is stored in its own individual recess shaped specifically to hold that implement. The implements shown in FIGS. 45 through 49 are given the same reference numerals that they have been given above in this patent application.  
     [0202] As with the trays shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, the implements extend out from the upper surface  396  by a substantial distance. As it can be seen in FIGS. 46 and 47, each of the implements extends outwardly by at least 50% of its height. This makes the implements easier to grasp when removing them from the tray.  
     [0203] As it is shown in FIG. 47, larger implements such as the citrus juicer  94 , the receptacle  76  is made deeper so that the upper surface of the juicer does not extend above the plane  411  of the tops of the posts. Thus, there will be no interference between the implements in the lower tray with the upper tray when the trays are stacked.  
     [0204] It is preferable that approximately 40% to 60% or more of the height of each implement extend upwardly out of the upper surface of the tray to ensure ease of removal and replacement of the implements in the tray.  
     [0205]FIGS. 48 and 49 show the two trays  392  and  394  without implements. The implement recesses are given the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 through 3, with the exception of recesses  414  and  416  in FIG. 49 which are, respectively, for the cheese slicer  104  (FIG. 15) and the horizontal parer  214  (FIG. 20), which are not shown in FIGS. 1 through 3.  
     [0206] It should be understood, of course, that the stackable trays also can be used on a countertop, in which case they will store the implements compactly and with the use of a minimum footprint on the countertop.  
     [0207] Although two trays are shown stacked atop one another, it should be understood that three or more trays can be stacked atop one another, if desired.  
     [0208] The trays  392  and  394  desirably are molded of a thermoplastic resin such as ABS.  
     [0209] It also should be understood that the structures used for holding the implements in the trays shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 and  45  through  49  can take a variety of different forms. For example, instead of using recesses in an upper wall, under some circumstances it may be advantageous to have a lower bottom wall with projections or bumps extending upwardly in the appropriate locations to form a support for the implements.  
     [0210] The kit and tray structures shown in FIGS. 45 through 49 have several significant advantages.  
     [0211] First, like the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 3, by keeping the implement-receiving recesses shallow enough to insure that the implements extend outwardly by a substantial amount, a substantial savings of plastic material is realized, while making certain that the implements are relatively easy to grasp to remove from the trays.  
     [0212] By the use of posts to make the trays stackable, the increase in material needed is kept to a minimum.  
     [0213] By providing trays which can be stacked atop one another, the footprint taken up by a set of different trays is minimized. This can lead to the advantageous preservation of deep drawer space which may be necessary for other items.  
     [0214] Another advantage is that, by providing the posts for use in stacking the trays atop one another, a relatively large gap is provided between the trays into which the user can see to determine what implements are in the lower tray or trays.  
     [0215] A further advantage is that the trays are standardized as to size and external shape so as to enable better utilization of container space and economies of scale in manufacturing.  
     [0216] The above description of the invention is intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes or modifications in the embodiments described may occur to those skilled in the art. These can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.