Patent Publication Number: US-11641962-B1

Title: Eating utensil having a holder

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to an eating utensil for persons having a physical disability and more specifically to concepts related to a device configured to assist a person having diminished physical dexterity in the wrists or hands with the use of an eating utensil by securing the eating utensil to the person&#39;s hand while limiting stress on joints and nerves of the person&#39;s wrists and/or hands. 
     Physically disabling conditions, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome and other conditions that affect the body&#39;s nervous system, can cause difficulty in performing everyday tasks as the appendages and joints of the body are susceptible to numbness, weakness, and/or pain as a result of simple movements. Further, as most everyday tasks involve use of the arms, such as writing, typing, or even eating, diminished physical dexterity in the wrists or hands can be particularly detrimental to a person&#39;s wellbeing and independence, as the person&#39;s ability to effectively grip a writing instrument, or even a conventional eating utensil, between the fingers may have declined significantly and/or can result in unbearable discomfort after short periods of time. 
     Conventional solutions to assist a user having a physically disabling condition to effectively use an eating utensil have numerous shortcomings that may be undesirable for various reasons. For example, many conventional assisted eating utensils are relatively large or bulky, such that use of these devices may be readily noticeable by bystanders while the device is used in public places, which may cause a social uncomfortableness in the user. Further, some conventional assisted eating utensils are arranged such that the user must rotate their shoulder and/or wrist in order to align the utensil with their mouth while eating, which can cause more discomfort to the user during use. 
     Therefore, an eating utensil in which most of the eating utensil conspicuously fits within a palm of the user&#39;s hand, while, at the same time, provides adequate support to the user&#39;s hand in a more ergonomic manner may be desired. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To this end, in at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, an eating utensil is provided that can be used to assist persons having diminished dexterity in the hands. The eating utensil can include a holder, a shaft, and a utensil head connected to the shaft. The holder can include an elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the proximal and the distal ends, and a flange extending from the proximal end of the body. The shaft can have a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end of the shaft can be fixedly attached to the distal end of the body and the second end of the shaft can extend from the distal end of the body such that at least a proximal portion of the shaft including the first end extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. The utensil head can be connected to the second end of the shaft. The holder can be configured to be received within a user&#39;s hand such that a bottom surface of the flange contacts at least a portion of a dorsal surface located between an index finger and a thumb of the user&#39;s hand while the proximal end of the body is adjacent a palm of the user&#39;s hand. 
     In some embodiments, the holder can further include a phalange receiver arranged along the body. The phalange receiver can be configured to receive and constrain at least one phalange of the user&#39;s hand to at least one side of the body. In some embodiments, the phalange receiver includes at least a first phalange receiver and a second phalange receiver. The first phalange receiver can be arranged along the body of the holder at a first distance from the proximal end of the body, and the second phalange receiver can be arranged along the body of the holder at a second distance from the proximal end of the body, the second distance being greater than the first distance. The first phalange receiver can include a first strap and a first strap retainer, and the second phalange receiver can include a second strap and a second strap retainer. A first end of the first strap can be arranged along a first side of the body at the first distance from the proximal end of the body, and the first strap retainer can be arranged along a second side of the body at the first distance from the proximal end of the body. A first end of the second strap can be arranged along the first side of the body at the second distance from the proximal end of the body, and the second strap retainer can be arranged along the second side of the body at the second distance from the proximal end of the body. The first strap retainer can be configured to removably retain the second end of the first strap as the first strap extends along a third side of the body, the third side of the body being adjacent to both the first and the second sides of the body, and the second strap retainer can be configured to removably retain the second end of the second strap as the second strap extends along a fourth side of the body opposite the third side. In some embodiments, the first ends of the first and the second straps can be fixedly attached to the first side of the body. 
     In other embodiments, the first phalange receiver can be arranged on a first side of the body, and the second phalange receiver can be arranged on a second side of the body opposite the first side. The first and the second phalange receivers can be configured to be moveably fixable along the first and second sides of the body, respectively, at a plurality of distances from the proximal end of the body. The first and the second phalange receivers can further include at least one aperture extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. In some embodiments, the apertures of the first and second phalange receivers can be expandable between a first diameter and a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. Further, at least a portion of the first and second phalange receivers can be formed of an elastic material, and the first and second phalange receivers can be configured to be elastically deformable such that the apertures are expandable from the first diameter to at least the second diameter when at least one phalange of the user&#39;s hand is received within the apertures. 
     In some embodiments, a distal portion of the shaft can include the second end of the shaft, and the distal portion of the shaft can be arranged at an angle relative to the proximal portion of the shaft. A first angle can be in a range of about 90 degrees to about 170 degrees measured in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis between the first side of the body and a second side of the body opposite the first side. In some embodiments, the distal portion of the shaft can be further arranged at a second angle relative to the proximal portion of shaft, the second angle being measured in a second plane that is perpendicular to the first plane. 
     In other aspects the present disclosure provides an eating utensil to assist persons having diminished dexterity in the hands. The eating utensil can include a holder and a utensil. The holder can include an elongated body, an opening defined on a distal end of the body, a flange extending from a proximal end of the body, and a first phalange receiver and a second phalange receiver arranged on one or more sides of the body. The utensil can include a shaft and a head, the shaft having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The head of the utensil can be connected to the second end of the shaft. The opening of the holder can be configured to receive the second end of the shaft of the utensil such that the utensil is removably attachable to the holder. The holder can be configured to be received within the user&#39;s hand such that at least a first phalange of the user&#39;s hand is received and constrained to a first side of the body by the first phalange receiver, at least a second phalange of the user&#39;s hand is received and constrained to a second side of the body opposite the first side by the second phalange receiver, and the flange contacts a portion of the user&#39;s hand between the first and the second phalanges. 
     In some embodiments, the first phalange receiver can include at least one strap and at least one strap retainer. In other embodiments, the first phalange receiver can include a first strap and a first strap retainer, and the second phalange receiver can include a second strap and a second strap retainer. 
     In further aspects, the present disclosure provides a holder for an eating utensil that is configured to assist persons having diminished dexterity in the hands, the eating utensil including the holder and a utensil. The holder can include an elongated body, an opening defined on a distal end of the body, a flange extending from a proximal end of the body, and at least two phalange receivers arranged on the body between the proximal and the distal ends. The opening of the body can be configured to receive a shaft of the utensil such that the utensil is removably attachable to the holder. The holder can be configured to be received within the user&#39;s hand such that at least a first phalange of the user&#39;s hand is received and constrained to a first side of the body by at least a first phalange receiver, at least a second phalange of the user&#39;s hand is received and constrained to a second side of the body opposite the first side by at least a second phalange receiver, and the flange contacts a portion of the user&#39;s hand between the first and the second phalanges. In some embodiments, the first phalange receiver can include a strap and a strap retainer. 
     To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the disclosure, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative aspects of the disclosure. However, these aspects are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the disclosure can be employed. Other aspects, advantages and novel features of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of the disclosure when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a top plan view of an exemplary eating utensil secured within a user&#39;s hand that is consistent with at least some aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a right side view of the eating utensil secured within the user&#39;s hand shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a right side exploded view of the eating utensil shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a front or distal end plan view of a holder of the eating utensil shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a front or distal end, top, and right side perspective view of another exemplary holder of the eating utensil shown in  FIG.  1   ; and 
         FIG.  6    is a front or distal end plan view of the holder shown in  FIG.  5   . 
     
    
    
     While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The various aspects of the subject disclosure are now described with reference to the annexed drawings, wherein like reference numerals correspond to similar elements throughout the several views. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description hereafter relating thereto are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter to the particular form disclosed. Rather, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     The term “conventional eating utensils,” as used herein, refers to forks, knives, and spoons, or a combination thereof, known in the art that generally include a utensil head disposed along a shaft, which may have a handle to be grasped by a user&#39;s hand. 
     The term “about,” as used herein, refers to variation in the numerical quantity that may occur, for example, through typical measuring and manufacturing procedures used for eating utensils or other articles of manufacture that may include embodiments of the disclosure herein; through inadvertent error in these procedures; through differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of the ingredients used to make the compositions or mixtures or carry out the methods; and the like. Throughout the disclosure, the terms “about” and “approximately” refer to a range of values ±5% of the numeric value that the term precedes. 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals correspond to similar elements throughout the several views and, more specifically, referring to  FIGS.  1 - 4   , the present disclosure will be described in the context of an exemplary eating utensil  10  including, among other components, a holder  12  and a utensil  14 . Referring specifically to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the holder  12  of the eating utensil  10  is configured to be received within a hand  16  of a user. For ease of disclosure, the eating utensil  10  being configured for attachment to a right hand  16  of a user will be referenced to describe aspects of the disclosure. The disclosure below with reference to the eating utensil  10  is applicable also to an exemplary eating utensil  10  configured for attachment to a left hand (not shown) of a user. In such embodiments, the eating utensil  10 , including some components, as described with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 4    can be mirrored about a longitudinal axis of the eating utensil to accommodate the left hand of the user. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the eating utensil  10  can be configured to accommodate both a right hand  16  and a left hand of a user. 
     The holder  12  includes an elongate body  20 , a first or medial phalange retainer  22 , and a second or lateral phalange retainer  24 . The elongate body  20  of the holder  12  has a first or proximal end  26  and a second or distal end  28  that together define a first or medial side  32 , a second or lateral side  34  opposite the medial side  32 , a third or top side  36 , and a fourth or bottom side  38  of the body  20 . A longitudinal axis  40  (see  FIG.  3   ) of the body  20  extends through the proximal and the distal ends  26 ,  28 , and the body  20  is generally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis  40 . The body  20  has a width W 1  measured from the medial side  32  to the proximal side  34 , e.g., proximate the distal end  28 . The width W 1  of the body  20  corresponds to a width capable of comfortably spanning the distance between two or more phalanges of a user&#39;s hand, and thus, should be an adequate width to provide support between them. In some embodiments, the body  20  has a width W 1  in a range of about 10 mm to about 80 mm, in a range of about 20 mm to about 60 mm, or in a range of about 25 mm to about 45 mm. 
     A flange  44  extends from the proximal end  26  adjacent to the top side  36  of the body  20  such that, in the illustrated embodiment, the flange  44  forms a continuous surface with the top side  36  of the body  20 . As best seen in  FIG.  3   , a proximal end  46  of the flange  44  extends from the proximal end  26  of the body  20  parallel to the longitudinal axis  40  to a first length L 1  from the proximal end  26 . In the illustrated embodiment, the flange  44  has a width W 2  measured from a medial side to a lateral side of the flange  44  (i.e., in this embodiment, the medial side  32  and the lateral side  34  of the body  20 ) that is the same as the width W 1  of the body  20 . In some embodiments, the flange  44  has a width W 2  that is less than or greater than a width W 1  of the body  20 . In particular, and as discussed in greater detail below, in some embodiments, a flange having a larger width than the body of the holder may provide additional support in along the user&#39;s hand. In some embodiments, a ratio between a width W 1  of the body  20  and a width W 2  of the flange is about 10:11, is about 2:3, or is about 1:2. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the medial phalange retainer  22  includes a medial strap  50  extending from the bottom side  38  of the body  20  and a medial strap retainer  52  disposed on the top side  36  of the body  20 . A first end  54  of the medial strap  50  is disposed along the bottom side  38  adjacent to the medial side  32  of the body  20  at a second length L 2  from the proximal end  26  of the body  20  measured parallel to the longitudinal axis  40 . The medial strap  50  is configured to extend from the bottom side  38  to the top side  36  along the medial side  32  of the body  20  such that a second end  56  of the medial strap  50  can contact the medial strap retainer  52  disposed on the top side  36 . As such, the medial strap retainer  52  is arranged along the top side  36  of the body  20  at the same length, the second length L 2 , from the proximal end  26  of the body  20  as the medial strap  50 . As discussed in greater detail below, the second length L 2  can correspond to the amount of lateral support provided by the holder. Thus, in some embodiments, the medial strap retainer  52  is arranged at the second length L 2  from the proximal end  26  of the body in a range of about 10 mm to about 100 mm, in a range of about 20 mm to about 85 mm, or in a range of about 30 mm to about 60 mm. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the medial strap retainer  52  is configured to receive and secure portions of the second end  56  of the medial strap  50  such that the medial strap  50  forms a medial opening or aperture  58  of the medial phalange retainer  22  when the second end  56  of the medial strap  50  is secured to the medial strap retainer  52 . In the illustrated embodiment, the medial strap  50  is securable to the medial strap retainer  52  via a plurality of loops  60  disposed on an inner side of the medial strap  50  that are configured to mate with a plurality of hooks  62  included on the medial strap retainer  52  (i.e., a Velcro-type fastening assembly). In other embodiments, and as discussed in greater detail below, other various fastening means may be implemented to secure the second end  56  of the medial strap  50  to the medial strap retainer  52 . 
     Referring still to  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the lateral phalange retainer  24  is similar to the medial phalange retainer  22  but positioned at a third length L 3  from the proximal end  26  of the body  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the third length L 3  is greater than the second length L 2  such that the lateral phalange retainer  24  is disposed closer to the distal end  28  of the body  20  than the medial phalange retainer  22 . In some embodiments, the lateral phalange retainer  24  is disposed closer to the distal end  28  of the body  20  than the medial phalange retainer  22 . In some embodiments, the medial and lateral phalange retainers  22 ,  24  are disposed at the same length from the proximal end  26  of the body  20 . 
     Similar to the medial phalange retainer  22 , the lateral phalange retainer  24  includes a lateral strap  66  extending from the bottom side  38  of the body  20  and a lateral strap retainer  68  disposed on the top side  36  of the body  20 . A first end  70  of the lateral strap  66  is disposed along the bottom side  38  adjacent to the lateral side  34  of the body  20  at the third length L 3  from the proximal end  26  of the body  20 . The lateral strap  66  is configured to extend from the bottom side  38  to the top side  36  along the lateral side  34  of the body  20  such that a second end  72  of the lateral strap  66  can contact the lateral strap retainer  68  disposed on the top side  36 . As such, the lateral strap retainer  68  is arranged along the top side  36  of the body  20  at the same length, the third length L 3 , from the proximal end  26  of the body  20  as the lateral strap  66 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the lateral strap retainer  68  is configured to receive and secure portions of the second end  72  of the lateral strap  66  such that the lateral strap  66  forms a lateral opening or aperture  74  of the lateral phalange retainer  24  when the second end  72  of the lateral strap  66  is secured to the lateral strap retainer  68 . In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral strap  66  is securable to the lateral strap retainer  68  via the plurality of loops  60  disposed on an inner side of the lateral strap  66  that are configured to mate with the plurality of hooks  62  included on the lateral strap retainer  68 , similar to the medial phalange retainer  22 . Although the loops  60  are only shown in the  FIG.  3    with respect to the medial strap  50 , it will be appreciated that similar loops can be applied to the lateral strap  66 . Additionally, although the loop elements have been described herein as being components of the straps and hook elements have been described as being components of the retainers, it will be appreciated that one or both of the straps can have hook elements applied thereto, with loop elements applied to the corresponding retainer(s). 
     In some embodiments, other fastening or retaining means known in the art may be utilized in the straps  50 ,  66  and the strap retainers  52 ,  68  to secure the medial and the lateral straps  50 ,  66  to the medial and lateral strap retainers  52 ,  68 . For example, in some embodiments, the medial and the lateral strap retainers  52 ,  68  may include a single hook or post and the medial and the lateral straps  50 ,  66  may include a plurality of openings disposed at various lengths from the second ends  56 ,  72  that are configured to receive the hook or post of the medial and the lateral strap retainers  52 ,  68 . In some embodiments, the lateral strap  66  and the lateral strap retainer  68  may include fastening means that are different than fastening means included on the medial strap  50  and the medial strap retainer  52 . In some embodiments, the medial and the lateral strap retainers  52 ,  68  may be disposed on the bottom side  38  of the body  20 , and the first ends  54 ,  70  of the medial and the lateral straps  50 ,  66  may be disposed on the top side  36  of the body  20 . In some embodiments, the first end  70  of the lateral strap  66  and the medial strap retainer  52  may both be disposed on the top side  36  of the body  20 , and the first end  54  of the medial strap  50  and the lateral strap retainer  68  may be disposed on the bottom side  38  of the body  20 , or vice versa. 
     Further, in some embodiments, one or both of the medial and the lateral phalange retainers  22 ,  24  may not include the medial and lateral strap retainers  52 ,  68  that corresponds to the medial and the lateral strap  50 ,  66 . For example, in some embodiments, the lateral phalange retainer  24  may include only the lateral strap  66  while the medial phalange retainer  22  may include both the medial strap  50  and the medial strap retainer  52 , or vice versa. In such embodiments, for example, both the first and the second ends  70 ,  72  of the lateral strap  66  may be connected to the top and bottom sides  36 ,  38  of the body  20 . 
     Referring specifically to  FIG.  4   , and as discussed above, the medial and the lateral phalange receivers  22 ,  24  form or define the medial and the lateral apertures  58 ,  74  when the medial and lateral straps  50 ,  66  are secured to the medial and lateral strap retainers  52 ,  68 , respectively. As such, the medial and the lateral phalange receivers  22 ,  24  are configured such that the medial and the lateral apertures  58 ,  74  are adjustable to accommodate varying sizes of hands  12  of various users of the eating utensil  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the size of the medial aperture  58 , i.e., the length of the medial strap  50  that extends from the first end  54  to the portion of the second end  56  secured to the medial strap retainer  52 , may be reduced by securing a different portion of the medial strap  50  that is closer to the first end  54  to the medial strap retainer  52 . The medial and lateral straps  50 ,  66  may be comprised of a non-elastic material that is configured to provide increased support to the user&#39;s hand. In other embodiments, the medial and lateral straps  50 ,  66  may be comprised of a material having at least partial elastic properties, such as rubber or neoprene. In other embodiments, the medial and lateral straps  50 ,  66  may be comprise of an elastic material such that the medial and lateral straps  50 ,  66  provide additional fine-tuning adjustability in addition to the lengths of the straps  50 ,  66 . 
     In some embodiments, the medial and the lateral straps  50 ,  66  may be configured such that they can extend along both the medial and lateral sides  32 ,  34  of the body  20 . For example, in some embodiments, the first ends  54 ,  70  of the medial and the lateral straps  50 ,  66  may be aligned along the longitudinal axis  40  of the body  20  such that, for example, the lateral strap  66  can extend from the bottom side  38  to the top side  36  along either the lateral side  34  or the medial side  32  of the body  20 . In such embodiments, the corresponding medial or lateral aperture  58 ,  74  formed by the lateral strap  66  can be the same size regardless of whether the lateral strap  66  extends along the medial side  32  or the lateral side  34 . Further, in such embodiments, both the inner and outer surfaces of at least the lateral strap  66  can include the loops  60 . 
     Similarly, in some embodiments, the medial and/or the lateral straps  50 ,  66  may be configured to form a plurality of lateral or medial apertures  58 ,  74 . For example, in such embodiments the medial and lateral straps  50 ,  66  may be configured to extend around both the medial and lateral sides  32 ,  34  of the body  20  before the second ends  56 ,  72  of the straps  50 ,  66  are attached to the strap retainers  52 ,  68 . Thus, in such embodiments, each of the medial and the lateral straps  50 ,  66  may form both a lateral aperture  74  and a medial aperture  58 . Similarly, in some embodiments, one or more of the phalange retainers  22 ,  24  may further include a strap receiver (not shown) arranged along the medial and lateral sides  32 ,  34  of the body, which can be configured to receive the first ends  54 ,  70  of the straps  50 ,  66  such that a middle portion of the straps  50 ,  66  are retained within the strap receivers. In such embodiments, each of the straps  50 ,  66  can form a lower aperture and an upper aperture of each of the medial and the lateral apertures  58 ,  74  on the medial and lateral sides  32 ,  34  of the body  20 . In other embodiments, the medial and the lateral phalange receivers  22 ,  24 , may be configured to form three or more adjustable apertures  58 ,  74  on the medial and/or the lateral sides  32 ,  34  of the body  20 . 
     Further, in some embodiments, the medial and the lateral phalange receivers  22 ,  24  can each include a plurality of straps that are configured to be secured to a single strap retainer. In other embodiments, the medial and the lateral phalange receivers  22 ,  24  can each include a plurality of straps and a plurality of strap retainers disposed at various lengths from the proximal end  26  of the body  20 . In some embodiments, the medial and lateral straps  50 ,  66  may be configured to be secured to the medial and the lateral strap retainers  52 ,  68 , respectively, such that straps  50 ,  66  extend at one or more angles relative to the longitudinal axis  40  along the medial and lateral sides  32 ,  34  of the body  20 . 
     Still further, in some embodiments, the medial and the lateral straps  50 ,  66  may be disposed at distances from the proximal end  26  of the body  20  that differ from distances corresponding to the medial and lateral strap retainers  52 ,  68 . For example, in such embodiments, the lateral strap  66  can be disposed along the body  20  at the second distance L 2  from the proximal end  26  while the lateral strap retainer  68  can be disposed along the body  20  at the third distance L 3  such that the lateral strap  66  extends at an angle along the lateral side  34  of the body  20 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , and as discussed above, the holder  12  is configured to be secured within a user&#39;s hand  16  having an inner surface or palm  78  and an outer surface or dorsal side  80  opposite the palm  78 . More specifically, the holder  12  is configured to be held within the hand  12  such that one or more phalanges  82  of the user&#39;s hand  16  contacts the first side  32  and the second side  34  of the body  20  of the holder  12  while the proximal end  26  contacts or is adjacent to the palm  78 . Further, the flange  44  of the body  20  of the holder  12  is configured to contact, or rest on, at least a portion of the dorsal side  80  of the user&#39;s hand  16 . The holder  12  having this particular configuration provides lateral support to the holder  12 , via the phalanges  82  in contact with the first and second sides  32 ,  34  of the body  20 , as well as vertical support to the holder  12 , via the flange  44  in contact with the dorsal side  80  of the user&#39;s hand  16 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS.  1  and  2   , a first digit or thumb  82   a  of the user&#39;s hand  16  is adjacent to, or contacts, the first side  32  of the body  20  while a second digit or index finger  82   b , a third digit or middle finger  82   c , a fourth digit or ring finger (not shown), and a fifth digit or little finger  82   d  of the user&#39;s hand  16  are adjacent to, or contact, the second side  34  of the body  20 . Further, a bottom side  84  of the flange  44  contacts, or rests on, a portion of the dorsal side  80  of the user&#39;s hand  16  located between the thumb  82   a  and the index finger  82   b.    
     Referring specifically to  FIG.  3   , the body  20  has a height H extending from the top side  36  to the bottom side  38  of the body  20 . The height H of the body  20  is a variable, among others, that corresponds to a surface area of the proximate end  26 , the medial side  32 , and the lateral side  34  of the body  20  that may contact the hand  16 , including the number of phalanges  82  on at least one side of the body  20 . In some embodiments, the body  20  has a height H configured such that each of the index finger  82   b , the middle  82   c , the ring finger (not shown), and the little finger  82   d  of the hand  16  of the user contacts the lateral side  34  of the body  20 . In some embodiments, the body  20  has a height H configured such that at least the index finger  82   b  of the user&#39;s hand  16  contacts the lateral side  34  of the body  20 . In some embodiments, the body  20  has a height H in a range of about 22 mm to about 122 mm, in a range of about 42 mm to about 102 mm, in a range of about 62 mm to about 82 mm, or in a range of about 57 mm to about 77 mm. 
     Correspondingly, the flange  44  having the first length L 1  extending from the proximal side  26  of the body  20  also has a depth d (see  FIG.  3   ) measured from the bottom side  84  of the flange  44  to the bottom side  38  of the body  20 . The first length L 1  of the flange  44  is a variable, among others, that corresponds to a surface area of the bottom side  84  of the flange  44  that may contact the dorsal side  80  of the user&#39;s hand  16  between the thumb  82   a  and the index finger  82   b . In some embodiments, the first length L 1  of the flange  44  is in a range of about 5 mm to about 60 mm, in a range of about 15 mm to about 50 mm, in a range of about 25 mm to about 40 mm, or in a range of about 20 mm to about 30 mm. Similarly, the depth d of the flange  44  corresponds to an amount of surface area of the body  20  that may contact the palm  78  of the user&#39;s hand  16 . In some embodiments, the depth d of the flange  44  is in a range of about 20 mm to about 120 mm, in a range of about 40 mm to about 100 mm, in a range of about 60 mm to about 80 mm, or in a range of about 55 mm to about 75 mm. 
     With continued reference to  FIG.  3   , a fourth distance L 4  from the lateral phalange retainer  24  to the distal end  28  of the body  20  of the holder  12  is measured parallel to the longitudinal axis  40 . As such, the fourth distance L 4  and the third distance L 3  together define an overall length of the of the body  20 . A particular benefit of the present holder  12  is the conspicuousness of the eating utensil  10  when held within the user&#39;s hand  16 , while at the same time providing adequate support to the user&#39;s hand and phalanges. Further, the use of the eating utensil  10  can be bothersome if the ends of the user&#39;s phalanges  82  extend past the distal end  28  of the body and interfere with the user&#39;s eating motion. Therefore, in some embodiments, the body  20  has a fourth distance L 4  that is configured such that the distal end  28  of the body  20  extends past the each of the phalanges  82  of the user&#39;s hand  16  adjacent to the body  20 . 
     Referring yet again to  FIG.  4   , the body  20  of the holder  12  further includes an opening  86  defined on the distal side  28  of the body  20 . The opening  86  is configured to receive the utensil  14  of the eating utensil  10 , which includes a shaft  88  and a head  90 . The shaft  88  of the utensil  14  has a first or proximal end  88   a  and a second or distal end  88   b , and the head  90  is attached to the distal end  88   b  of the shaft  88 . The head  90  can take the form of any conventional eating utensils known in the art, such as, for example, a spoon or a “spork”. In the illustrated embodiment, the head  90  of the utensil  14  is in the form of a fork having a plurality of prongs  92 . The utensil  14  may be comprised of a variety of materials, including metals, metallic alloys, plastics or rubbers. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the utensil  14  is comprised of a material having properties that at least a portion of the utensil  14  is bendable yet ridged enough to withstand forces exerted on the bendable portion during use of the eating utensil  10 . In some embodiments, the utensil  14  may be coated with a coating having anti-bacterial properties. 
     Still referring to  FIG.  4   , the eating utensil  10  is configured to permit a user to more easily align the head  90  of the utensil  14  with their mouth by, for example, arranging the head  90  of the utensil  14  facing toward the first or medial side  32  of the body  20  of the holder  12 . This configuration minimizes rotation of the shoulder and/or wrist of the user that may be required to align the head  90  of the utensil  14  with a mouth of the user, particularly in comparison to a utensil  14  having a head  90  that is aligned with the longitudinal axis  40 . As such, the shaft  88  of the utensil  14  has a first or proximal portion  88   c  that includes the proximal end  88   a  of the shaft  88  and a second or distal portion  88   d  that includes the distal end  88   b  and is adjacent the proximal portion  88   a  of the shaft  88 . In the illustrated embodiment, the shaft  88  is curved such that the head  90  connected to the distal portion  88   d  of the shaft  88  of the utensil  14  is oriented, or extends, toward the medial side  32  of the holder  12 . 
     As best shown in  FIG.  1   , the proximal portion  88   c  of the shaft  88  is generally uniform and aligned with the longitudinal axis  40  of the body  20  while the distal portion  88   d  of the shaft  88  is disposed at a first angle θ 1  relative to the proximal portion  88   c  in a first plane (not shown) extending along the longitudinal axis  40  between the top and bottom sides  36 ,  38  of the body  20 . In some embodiments, the distal portion  88   d  of the shaft  88  is disposed at the first angle θ 1  relative to the proximal portion  88   c  in a range of about 70 degrees to about 175 degrees, in a range of about 80 degrees to about 160 degrees, in a range of about 90 degrees to about 155 degrees, or in a range of about 90 degrees to about 120 degrees. 
     Similarly, the utensil  14  can be further configured to be curved upward or downward relative to the top side  36  of the holder  12 , such as, for example, for ease of orienting the head  90  of the utensil  14  to pick up various types of foods in front of the user or to prevent food from falling from the head  90  of the utensil  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, and as best shown in  FIG.  2   , the distal portion  88   d  of the shaft  88  is also disposed at a second angle θ 2  relative to the proximal portion  88   c  in a second plane extending (not shown) along the longitudinal axis  40  between the first and second sides  32 ,  34  of the body  20 , i.e., a plane that is perpendicular to the first plane discussed above or that is normal to a face of the distal end  28  of the body  20 . In some embodiments, the distal portion  88   d  of the shaft  88  is disposed at the second angle θ 2  relative to the proximal portion  88   c  in a range of about 60 degrees to about 120 degrees, in a range of about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees, in a range of about 75 degrees to about 105 degrees, or in a range of about 80 degrees to about 100 degrees. 
     In some embodiments, the holder  12  is configured such that the proximal portion  88   c  of the shaft  88  of the utensil  14  is fixedly received within the opening  86 . In such embodiments, the holder  12  can be further configured such the proximal portion  88   c  of the shaft  88  of the utensil  14  is slidably moveable within the opening  86  such that the head  90  of the utensil can be adjusted to a plurality of distances from the distal end  28  of the body  20 . 
     However, in some applications, a removably attachable utensil  14  may be particularly beneficial to a user, such as, for example, to clean the utensil  14  after use and/or to switch between utensils  14  having different types of heads  90  during use. As such, in other embodiments, the holder  12  is configured such that the utensil  14  is removably received within the opening  86  such that a user can replace the utensil  14  with another utensil having a similar proximal portion  88   c  (that can be received within the opening  86 ) but having a distal portion or head with one or more different characteristics to the distal portion  88   d  or head  90  described above. In such embodiments, the holder  12  can further include a lock (not shown) that is configured to removably fix the proximal portion  88   c  of the shaft  88  of the utensil  14  within the opening  86  and may include a button or other user activated means to unlock or remove the utensil  14  from the opening  86 . In some embodiments, the proximal portion  88   c  can include a plurality of locking receivers that are configured to be received by the locking means such that the utensil  14  can be removably locked within the opening  86  at various distances from the distal end  28  of the body  20 . 
     In some implementations of the present disclosure, it may be beneficial to reduce or eliminate components of the holder of the eating utensil, for example, for ease of maintenance and/or increased durability of the eating utensil. Referring now to  FIGS.  5  and  6   , another exemplary embodiment of an eating utensil  100  is depicted, which includes a holder  112 . The eating utensil is similar to previous embodiments discussed with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 4   , with like elements being indicated by similar reference numerals under the “1xx” series of reference numerals. While the eating utensil  100  is similar to previous embodiments in many aspects, there are some aspects that differ. In particular, the holder  112  of the eating utensil  100  includes a first or medial phalange receiver  122  and a second or lateral phalange receiver  124 , which are integrally formed with a body  120  of the holder  112 . 
     Referring specifically to  FIG.  6   , the medial phalange receiver  122  includes a receiver body  150  formed on the medial side  132  of the body  120 . The receiver body  150  extends from a first or lower end  154  disposed proximate to the bottom side  138  of the body  120  to a second or upper end  156  disposed proximate to the upper side  136  of the body  120 . A first or medial aperture  158  is defined by the receiver body  150  such that, in the illustrated embodiment, the medial aperture  158  has a semi-circular shape with a partial diameter that is adjacent to the medial side  132  of the body  120 . 
     Likewise, the lateral phalange receiver  124  includes a receiver body  166  formed on the lateral side  134  of the body  120 . The receiver body  150  extends from a first or lower end  170  disposed proximate to the bottom side  138  of the body  120  to a second or upper end  172  disposed proximate to the upper side  136  of the body  120 . A second or lateral aperture  174  is defined by the receiver body  166  such that, in the illustrated embodiment, the lateral aperture  174  has a semi-circular shape that is adjacent to the lateral side  134  of the body  120 , similar to the medial aperture  158  of the medial phalange receiver  122 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS.  5  and  6   , the medial and the lateral phalange receivers  122 ,  124  are disposed about the body  120  at the same distance from the proximal end  126  of the body  120 . Thus, the holder  112  is configured to accommodate both a right hand and a left hand of a user. This configuration is particularly advantageous if a user desires to use two eating utensil devices  100  with one on each hand, or if a holder  112  of the eating utensil  100  is shared between two or more users having differing dominant hands. In other embodiments, the medial phalange receiver  122  may be disposed about the body  120  at a distance that is less than a distance of the lateral phalange receiver  124 . In some embodiments, the medial phalange receiver  122  may include the receiver body  150  that defines the medial aperture  158  and the lateral phalange receiver  134  may include a lateral strap and a lateral strap receiver, for example, similar to the lateral strap  66  and the lateral strap retainer  68  as described with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 4   . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS.  5  and  6   , in some embodiments, at least a portion of at least one of the medial and the lateral phalange retainers  122 ,  124  may be comprised of an elastic material, such as, for example, rubber or neoprene. In such embodiments, at least one of the medial and the lateral apertures  158 ,  174  are configured to elastically deform such that the apertures  158 ,  174  are expandable from a first diameter D 1  to a second diameter (not shown) that is greater than the first diameter D 1  when at least one phalange  82  of the user is received within the phalange retainers  122 ,  124 . Once the at least one phalange  82  of the user is removed from the hole, the at least one of the phalange retainers are configured to retract back to the first diameter D 1 . 
     In some embodiments, the first and second ends  154 ,  156 ,  170 ,  172  of the phalange retainers  122 ,  124  can extend from the top side  136  and/or the bottom side  138  of the body  120  of the holder  12 . In some embodiments, at least one of the medial or lateral phalange retainers  122 ,  124  may define two or more medial or lateral apertures that are each configured to receive at least phalange  82  of the hand  16  of the user. 
     Referring still to  FIGS.  5  and  6   , in some embodiments, the holder  112 , including the phalange retainers  122 ,  124 , may be comprised of a single material. In some embodiments, at least one of the phalange retainers  122 ,  124  may be comprised of a first material and the rest of the holder  112  can be comprised of a second material that has different properties than the first material. In some embodiments, the holder  112  can be formed of a first material having a first hardness and a protective coating can be applied over the surfaces of the holder  112  that has a second hardness that is less than the first hardness. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 6   , the eating utensil, including the holder and/or the utensil may be formed through additive manufacturing techniques, such as by 3D printing. To that end, a number of 3D printed techniques may be implemented to form the eating utensil, such as vat photopolymerization, material jetting, binder jetting, powder bed fusion, material extrusion, directed energy deposition, and/or sheet lamination. For example, with reference to  FIGS.  5  and  6   , in some embodiments, the holder  112 , including the phalange retainers  122 ,  124 , can be 3D printed as a single piece, unitary body. 
     The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the disclosure may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. 
     Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claims below. 
     Thus, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following appended claims. 
     To apprise the public of the scope of this disclosure, the following claims are made: