Patent Publication Number: US-2022218156-A1

Title: Articulating food utensil

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/205,790 filed on Jan. 8, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Certain food utensils, such as food turners and spatulas, are long handled utensils that aid in the cooking process by allowing the user to apply a safer method of turning or flipping a food item without suffering bodily injury, such as burns, to fingers and hands. Conventional food turners are typically made of thin sheet metal, such as stainless steel, which provides the requisite stiffness while being sufficiently thin enough to be inserted between a cooking surface and the food item being cooked thereon. Basic food turners have two components: a handle and a blade. The blade is usually flat with a square or rectangular shape. Some food turners include a shaft interconnecting the blade and the handle. The shaft may be flat or round. The blade is fixed to the handle and/or the shaft in a generally aligned position. 
     Because of their fixed in-line design, conventional food turners can only be inserted between the food item and the cooking surface at limited angles, thereby requiring a greater range of motion with the user&#39;s hands and wrists to accomplish the flipping and/or turning process. The repetitive nature of the food flipping and turning process, particularly in commercial or industrial food preparation settings, can place users at a greater risk of developing joint ailments or injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome. 
     There is a need for an ergonomic food utensil that reduces the risk of injury and allows for more effective turning and flipping of food items during the cooking process. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, an articulating food utensil includes a handle, an articulating blade attached to a distal end of the handle at a pivot axle, and a lock assembly configured to selectively retain the articulating blade in a desired rotational position relative to the handle. The articulating blade is configured to selectively twist, swivel, rotate, or oscillate from right to left relative to the handle for dexterity purposes of the user. The pivot axle may be formed of a pivot receptacle in a proximal portion of the articulating blade and a pivot pin engaging the handle and the pivot receptacle of the articulating blade. The lock assembly includes a lock protuberance configured to engage one of multiple lock receptacles in the proximal portion of the articulating blade. The lock protuberance extends from the distal end of the handle. The lock receptacles may be formed of holes extending through the articulating blade. Alternatively, the lock receptacles may be formed of concavities in a lower surface of the articulating blade. 
     Because of its ergonomic and adjustable design, the articulating food utensil is more effective in the food turning process and minimizes the risk of injury to the user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING VIEWS 
       Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following detailed description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The detailed description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding summary of the invention in any way. The detailed description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an articulating food utensil. 
         FIG. 2  is a partial exploded view of the articulating food utensil. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the articulating food utensil. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the articulating food utensil taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the articulating food utensil with an articulating blade in a first position. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the articulating food utensil with the articulating blade in a second position. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the articulating food utensil with the articulating blade in a third position. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the articulating food utensil. 
         FIG. 9  is a partial exploded view of the articulating food utensil shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the articulating food utensil shown in  FIG. 8 , taken along line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of the articulating food utensil shown in  FIG. 8  with the articulating blade in a first position. 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of the articulating food utensil shown in  FIG. 8  with the articulating blade in a second position. 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of the articulating food utensil shown in  FIG. 8  with the articulating blade in a third position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate an embodiment of an articulating food utensil. The illustrated embodiments are illustrative only. Articulating food utensil  10  includes an articulating blade  30  connected to a handle  12  at pivot axle  40 . Handle  12  may define a utensil axis. Proximal portion  14  of handle  12  includes a holding portion  18  and distal portion  16  of handle  12  includes a shaft  20 . Holding portion  18  and shaft  20  may each be formed of wood, plastic, rubber, nylon, metal, or any other synthetic or natural material. In one embodiment, holding portion  18  and shaft  20  are separately formed and attached to one another. For example, holding portion  18  may be formed of wood, and shaft  20  may be formed of plastic. In an alternate embodiment, holding portion  18  and shaft  20  are integrally formed of the same material, such as wood, plastic, rubber, nylon, or metal. 
     Articulating blade  30  is configured to engage food items, such as those exposed to heated surfaces for cooking. Articulating blade  30  includes proximal portion  32  and distal portion  34 . Distal portion  34  may have any shape, such as a generally rectangular shape or generally square shape. In some embodiments, distal portion  34  is flat with chamfered edges  36 . Articulating blade  30  may be formed of metal, nylon, wood, plastic, or rubber. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , distal portion  34  of articulating blade  30  may extend from proximal portion  32  at angle A. Angle A may be between 0 degrees and 90 degrees. Alternately, distal portion  34  may extend from proximal portion  32  in the same plane; i.e., angle A may be 0 degrees. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , proximal portion  32  of articulating blade  30  includes pivot receptacle  44  and lock receptacles  56 ,  57 , and  58 . Pivot receptacle  44  may be positioned in a central area of proximal portion  32  of articulating blade  30 . Lock receptacles  56 - 58  may be arranged in a range of positions that are equidistance from pivot receptacle  44 . In one embodiment, lock receptacles  56 - 58  are positioned in a fan-shaped pattern around pivot receptacle  44 . Proximal portion  32  may include between 2 and 20 lock receptacles, or any subrange therein. In the illustrated embodiment, proximal portion  32  includes  3  lock receptacles  56 ,  57 , and  58 . 
     Pivot axle  40  may pivotally secure articulating blade  30  to distal portion  16  of handle  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, pivot axle  40  is defined by pivot pin  42  and pivot receptacle  44 . Pivot pin  42  may be secured to distal portion  16  of handle  12 . Pivot pin  42  may be formed of a pin, post, rivet, screw, bolt, or any other device configured to allow rotation of the adjacent components. Pivot pin  42  may be disposed through and engage pivot receptacle  44  to secure articulating blade  30  to distal portion  16  of handle  12  in a configuration that facilitates the rotation or pivoting of articulating blade  30  relative to handle  12 . In one embodiment, articulating blade  30  is configured to rotate up to 360 degrees about pivot axle  40  relative to handle  12 . Preferably, articulating blade  30  is configured to rotate between 1 degree and 180 degrees, or any subrange therein, in both directions from an axis formed by handle  12 . More preferably, the angle of rotation of articulating blade  30  is between 1 degree and 135 degrees, or any subrange therein, in both directions from the axis formed by handle  12 . Still more preferably, the angle of rotation of articulating blade  30  is between 1 degree and 90 degrees, or any subrange therein, in both directions from the axis formed by handle  12 . 
     The rotational position of articulating blade  30  relative to handle  12  is selectively set by a lock assembly. The lock assembly includes lock receptacles  56 - 58  in articulating blade  30  and a lock protuberance  52  secured to distal portion  16  of handle  12 . Lock protuberance  52  engages one of the lock receptacles  56 - 58  to selectively lock the rotational position of articulating blade  30  relative to handle  12 . In one embodiment, lock protuberance  52  is integrally formed with distal portion  16  of handle  12 . In some embodiments, lock protuberance  52  may be positioned beyond pivot pin  42  on distal portion  16  of handle  12 . 
     In one embodiment, each lock receptacle  56 ,  57 , and  58  may be defined by a hole through proximal portion  32  of articulating blade  30  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 . In this embodiment, lock protuberance  52  engages one of the lock receptacles  56 - 58  to lock articulating blade  30  in a rotational position relative to handle  12 . Lock protuberance  52  may engage a side wall of one of the lock receptacles  56 - 58  or the top  53  of lock protuberance  52  may extend beyond top surface  37  of articulating blade  30 . In one embodiment, lock protuberance  52  may have a flared profile  54  for further engaging lock receptacles  56 - 58 . 
       FIGS. 5-7  illustrate the selective adjustment of the rotational position of articulating blade  30 . The process of adjusting the position of articulating blade  30  may include disengaging lock protuberance  52  from a first lock receptacle  56 - 58 , rotating articulating blade  30  relative to handle  12  about pivot axle  40 , and engaging a second lock receptacle  56 - 58  with lock protuberance  52  to secure articulating blade  30  in the new position. 
     To adjust articulating blade  30  from a first position shown in  FIG. 5  to a second position shown in  FIG. 6 , lock protuberance  52  may be disengaged from the first lock receptacle  57  by applying an upward force on distal portion  34  or proximal portion  32  of articulating blade  30  to further separate articulating blade  30  from shaft  20 . Specifically, proximal portion  32  of articulating blade  30  may be lifted to place lower surface  38  of articulating blade  30  (shown in  FIGS. 3-4 ) above top  53  of lock protuberance  52 , thereby allowing articulating blade  30  to rotate about pivot axle  40 . Articulating blade  30  may then be rotated into the second position shown in  FIG. 6  in which lock protuberance  52  is aligned with lock receptacle  56 . The upward force may then be removed from articulating blade  30  in order to engage lock receptacle  56  with lock protuberance  52  by positioning lower surface  38  of articulating blade  30  below top  53  of lock protuberance  52 . In this way, the lock assembly may selectively secure articulating blade  30  in the second position shown in  FIG. 6 , in which articulating blade  30  is rotated by angle B to the right of the axis formed by handle  12 . 
     Similarly, articulating blade  30  may be placed into the third position shown in  FIG. 7  by applying an upward force on articulating blade  30  to lift lower surface  38  of articulating blade  30  above top  53  of lock protuberance  52 , thereby disengaging lock protuberance  52  from lock receptacle  56 . Articulating blade  30  may then be rotated into the third position shown in  FIG. 7  in which lock protuberance  52  is aligned with lock receptacle  58 . The upward force may then be removed from articulating blade  30  in order to engage lock receptacle  58  with lock protuberance  52  by positioning lower surface  38  of articulating blade  30  below top  53  of lock protuberance  52 . In this way, the lock assembly may selectively secure articulating blade  30  in the third position shown in  FIG. 7 , in which articulating blade  30  is rotated by angle C to the left of the axis formed by handle  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8-10 , articulating food utensil  60  includes an alternate lock assembly. The lock assembly of articulating food utensil  60  may include lock receptacles  62 ,  63 , and  64  that are formed by concavities (e.g., bubbles, dimples, or recesses) in lower surface  38  of articulating blade  30 . The concavities are configured to engage top  53  of lock protuberance  52  to secure the rotational position of articulating blade  30 . In this embodiment, top  53  of lock protuberance  52  remains behind lower surface  38  of articulating blade  30  in all rotational positions. The top surface  37  of articulating blade  30  above lock receptacles  62 - 64  may be curved or flat. Lock receptacles  62 - 64  may be arranged in a range of positions that are equidistance from pivot receptacle  44  on proximal portion  32  of articulating blade  30 . For example, lock receptacles  62 - 64  may be positioned in a fan-shaped pattern around pivot axle  40 . Proximal portion  32  may include between 2 and 20 lock receptacles, or any subrange therein. In the illustrated embodiment, proximal portion  32  includes 3 lock receptacles  62 ,  63 , and  64 . Except as otherwise described, articulating food utensil  60  includes the same features and characteristics shown and described in connection with articulating food utensil  10 . 
       FIGS. 11-13  illustrate the selective adjustment of the rotational position of articulating blade  30  of articulating food utensil  60  relative to handle  12 . This adjustment process may include disengaging lock protuberance  52  from a first lock receptacle  62 - 64 , rotating articulating blade  30  relative to handle  12  about pivot axle  40 , and engaging a second lock receptacle  62 - 64  with lock protuberance  52  to secure articulating blade  30  in the new position. 
     To adjust articulating blade  30  from the first position shown in  FIG. 11  to the second position shown in  FIG. 12 , lock protuberance  52  may be disengaged from the first lock receptacle  63  by applying an upward force on distal portion  34  or proximal portion  32  of articulating blade  30  to further separate articulating blade  30  from shaft  20 . Specifically, proximal portion  32  of articulating blade  30  may be lifted to discontinue contact between top  53  of lock protuberance  52  and lock receptacle  63 . In some embodiments, this step may include proximal portion  32  to separate top  53  of lock protuberance  52  from lower surface  38  of articulating blade  30 . In this way, articulating blade  30  is allowed to rotate about pivot axle  40  into the second position shown in  FIG. 12  in which lock protuberance  52  is aligned with lock receptacle  62 . The upward force may then be removed from articulating blade  30  in order to engage lock receptacle  62  with top  53  of lock protuberance  52 . In this way, the lock assembly of articulating food utensil  60  may selectively secure articulating blade  30  in the second position shown in  FIG. 12 , in which articulating blade  30  is rotated by angle D to the right of the axis formed by handle  12 . 
     Similarly, articulating blade  30  of articulating food utensil  60  may be placed into the third position shown in  FIG. 13  by applying an upward force on articulating blade  30  to disengage top  53  of lock protuberance  52  from lock receptacle  62 . Articulating blade  30  may then be rotated into the third position shown in  FIG. 13  in which lock protuberance  52  is aligned with lock receptacle  64 . The upward force may then be removed from articulating blade  30  in order to engage lock receptacle  64  with top  53  of lock protuberance  52 . In this way, the lock assembly of articulating food utensil  60  may selectively secure articulating blade  30  in the third position shown in  FIG. 13 , in which articulating blade  30  is rotated by angle E to the left of the axis formed by handle  12 . 
     Articulating food utensils  10  and  60  may be used to lift or flip food items that are positioned on a flat or generally flat surface. Articulating blade  30  may be configured such that the weight of food items on distal portion  34  does not disengage the lock assembly. Additionally, articulating blade  30  may be configured such that the standard or typical force applied to distal portion  34  of articulating blade  30  in the lifting or flipping process does not disengage the lock assembly. In other words, the upward force required to lift articulating blade  30  above top  53  of lock protuberance  52  is greater than the typical force applied to distal portion  34  in the cooking process. In this way, the use of articulating food utensils  10  and  60  does not disengage the lock assembly in each utensil, thereby ensuring that the rotational position of articulating blade  30  relative to handle  12  is maintained during use. 
     In one embodiment, articulating blade  30  is biased toward the distal end of the handle  12  to maintain the rotational position of articulating blade  30  relative to handle  12  and/or to maintain the engagement of lock protuberance  52  with the lock receptacles during use of the articulating food utensil. In this embodiment, the bias may be created by a spring, such as a metallic spring secured to handle  12  with a fastener. 
     The various rotational positions of articulating blade  30  creates angles ranging from 0 to 360 degrees (or 0 to 180 degrees in two directions) for ease of use in turning food, such as in the cooking process involving a skillet, griddle, grill, or any other heated flat surface. Traditional food turners are fixed with the blade in-line with the handle, which requires the user to make more physical body adjustments in the flipping or turning process. The articulating food utensil disclosed herein provides for a more ergonomically correct use in the repetitive food turning or flipping process as compared to traditional food turners. 
     Except as otherwise described or illustrated, each of the components in this device may be formed of aluminum, steel, another metal, plastic, or any other durable, natural or synthetic material. Each device described in this disclosure may include any combination of the described components, features, and/or functions of each of the individual device embodiments. Each method described in this disclosure may include any combination of the described steps in any order, including the absence of certain described steps and combinations of steps used in separate embodiments. Any range of numeric values disclosed herein includes any subrange therein. Plurality means two or more. 
     While preferred embodiments have been described, it is to be understood that the embodiments are illustrative only and that the scope of the invention is to be defined solely by the appended claims when accorded a full range of equivalents, many variations and modifications naturally occurring to those skilled in the art from a review hereof.