Abstract:
A disposable, single-use utensil type is provided for use by children and child caregivers while traveling or otherwise away from home, wherein a spoon, knife, and fork are disclosed having features suitable for use by young children and a construction that is disposable after one use. The utensils include rounded edges and wide handles suitable for use by children, while the structure of the utensils is one that is disposable or recyclable after use. The utensils are packaged in sets and distributed as packs of disposable travel utensils, where further a travel pack is provided for storing a plurality of utensils during an outing and thereafter disposing of the utensils once in contact with food items and a child&#39;s mouth. The goal is to eliminate the need for parents to travel with permanent utensils, which become messy and are not easily stored after use.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/614,303 filed on Mar. 22, 2012, entitled “Disposable-Recyclable Infant and Toddler Cutlery.” The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to utensils for use by children and their caregivers. More specifically, the present invention pertains to an infant and young child utensil set that is deployed in a travelable package and manufactured to be disposable after single-use, whereby a child can be fed while on the go and the caregiver can thereafter dispose of the utensil in favor of a replacement. The design of the utensils is one that is favorable for use with young children, where sharp edges are avoided and the hand grips are enlarged for either child or caregiver use. 
         [0004]    Feeding a young child can be a difficult and time consuming task. If the child is still an infant but eating solid food, the child can be spoon-fed each serving using a utensil to scoop and transfer the food. If the child is older, the child generally has the dexterity to handle utensils and cutlery items without assistance, using child safety utensils having rounded features to scoop or skewer food during a meal. This feeding process is well known to parents and is an everyday activity. However, the feeding routine can become disrupted and made much more difficult if the family is on the road or otherwise away from the home, such as while on a day trip or during vacation activities. 
         [0005]    When away from home, parents are required to bring food and associated utensils to feed their young children. If the family brings no child-safe utensils, the child may be forced to use adult utensils and cutlery items, including as larger and sharper silverware and disposable counterparts thereof. These adult utensils are generally too large to be appropriate for use with younger children. They also tend to have sharper edges or pointed features that assist an adult with skewering food, but when used by a toddler or young child can pose a stabbing or poking risk. 
         [0006]    Toddlers and infants therefore require specially designed utensils that avoid these sharp features, replacing them with rounded for tines, smooth edges, and duller knifes for safer use. Particularly young children may not possess the dexterity to hold such adult utensils, however, which can further exacerbate the issue. The larger utensils can lead to gum injuries, problems fitting food into the child&#39;s mount, or a risk of utensil contact with the child&#39;s face while eating. Utensils and cutlery currently on the market for infants and toddlers are generally too expensive for single use and disposal, which is preferred method of deploying utensils when traveling outside the home and eating on the go. Disposing of otherwise pricey child utensils is therefore not attractive for the consumer and parent. 
         [0007]    The alternative is packaging permanent child utensils and cutlery items in travel bags and retaining the items after their use. This is also not an attractive alternative, as it can be inconvenient to continuously transport dirty eating utensils used by children, as the used utensils can develop bacteria thereon and introduce food mess within their container. Most parents would prefer to dispose of the items after their use; however with no viable option thus far existing for child utensils, this presents a problem for parents. Ideally parents on the go with children would prefer a safely-deployed utensil that they can use to feed the child or let the child use on his or her own, whereafter the child-safe utensil is disposed of and readily replaced with an inexpensive and disposable/recyclable replacement. This saves money and reduces regret about wasted material when disposing of child utensils while on the go. 
         [0008]    The present invention provides a new and novel utensil type that is particularly suited for this problem in the art. Specifically, a set of disposable, child-safe and child-designed utensil items is disclosed, whereby the times are provided in sets that can be individually deployed and disposed of after single-use. The utensils themselves are specific for infant and toddler use, devoid of any sharp edges or interfaces that would pose a poking risk to the child. The utensils are thickened for improved handling by a child, while the material is disposable and child-safe. 
         [0009]    This disposable and recyclable design makes it the perfect option for families on the go, as well as a marketable product for venues such as day cares, hospitals, restaurants, theme parks or other locations. The utensils can be packaged in travel packs of single-piece or multiple-piece units, and can be disposed of and recycled after use so families do not have to transport dirty silverware home for cleaning. 
         [0010]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0011]    Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to utensil designs and utensil types. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications, and generally relate to child safe utensils or disposable utensils suitable for adult use. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art. 
         [0012]    Examples of prior art devices include U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0251103 to Rhodes, III, U.S. Pat. No. 2,751,683 to Johns, U.S. Design Patents D615,367 and D615,368 to Sierra, D617,154 to Gartz, and D446,087 to Riemer. These devices and designs describe various child safe cutlery and utensil devices currently in the art. However, these devices fail to disclose a readily disposable and single-use utensil for a child that is well suited for deployment while traveling and packaged into readily-transported and deployed travel pouches. 
         [0013]    The present invention provides a new travel utensil article that is specifically suited for young children and infants, deployed within a travel pouch or dispensed from a larger assortment of utensils, and designed for single-use purposes and subsequent disposal thereafter. The utensil articles are aimed at parents on the go, traveling and vacationing families, and other individuals caring for young children outside of the home. It is submitted that the present invention is substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing travel utensil articles for children. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of infant and young child utensils now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new type of utensil that can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when feeding a child using age-appropriate utensils that can be readily disposed of after a single use while on the go or while traveling away from the home. 
         [0015]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide new and improved, single-use child utensils that have all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
         [0016]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a single-use child utensil item having a disposable structure and features suitable for use by a young child or by a parent feeding a young child. 
         [0017]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a single-use child utensil item having rounded features to prevent poking risks and widened grip areas for improved purchase for young children, wherein the structure is manufactured using a child-safe and recyclable or disposable material. 
         [0018]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a single-use child utensil that is useful for domestic use (e.g. traveling families, etc.) or for commercial use (e.g. restaurants and eateries), whereby families can deploy the utensils and dispose of them thereafter and commercial establishments can provide individual-wrapped items for similar use and disposal. 
         [0019]    A final object of the present invention is to provide a single-use child utensil that is inexpensive to manufacture and sell to families and commercial establishments, while further providing a recyclable utensil item that does not adversely impact the environment. 
         [0020]    Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  shows a view of the present invention in its packaging, wherein the utensils are distributed from a larger assortment thereof, within travel packs, or as individual utensils, depending on the situation and the environment in which the utensils are needed. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  shows a view of the different embodiments of the child-safe, disposable utensil items, including a fork, spoon, knife, and soup spoon. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  shows a view of the utensil items in use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the single-use, disposable child utensil item. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for feeding children using utensils that are child safe and disposable after one-time use with minimal expense or environmental hazard. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a view of the child utensil items of the present invention in various containers and holders for distribution and later deployment by a parent. The present invention provides a child-safe set of utensils, that while being particularly suited for a young child who is eating solid food or capable of feeding himself or herself, comprises a structure that is helpful to her child&#39;s parents when the family is traveling or otherwise away from home. The utensils themselves comprise commonly known structures in the art of utensils and in child utensils; however it is desired to disclose an embodiment of child-safe utensils deployed in a single-use form that once used for feeding, the utensils can be readily recycled or disposed of without significant cost to the parent or a hardship on the environment. 
         [0027]    It can be difficult for a parent to travel with permanent utensil items for a child, as the child will use the utensil item once and thereafter the utensil item must be cleaned before stored again or stored without being cleaned. In the first instance, finding an appropriate or convenient location to clean the utensils can be difficult while away from home. In the second instance, the used utensil can be wrapped and stored immediately after use without cleaning; however this option leaves the utensil dirty and has the potential to spread food parties into the carrying case or larger bag containing the dirty utensil. Furthermore, the utensil cannot be reused without being cleaned again, as the food parties remain and pose a risk of exposure to food germs and food spoilage to the child using the dirty utensil items at a later time. 
         [0028]    As contemplated, the present invention is deployed in a manufactured form that allows to ready disposal after one use and distribution in several different formats, including a variety pack  40  having a plurality of disposable utensil items  41  therein, individualized distribution  62  wherein each utensils is individually wrapped, or distributed as a set of utensils  60  in a larger wrapping. 
         [0029]    In the first embodiment, an assortment of utensil items  41  is provided in a larger container  40 . This assortment includes a plurality of forks  22 , spoons  21 , and knives  23  that can be withdrawn and used as necessary by a family while having replacements readily in reserves. This option is helpful for children&#39;s parties where many children may be present, for families with multiple children, and for those families that regularly take trips away from home and require disposable yet child-safe utensils while on the go. The packaging of several disposable replacement utensils is similar to those bulk packages of disposable utensil items suitable for adult use; however the present invention contemplates utensils that are child-safe, child-appropriate, and disposable after one-time use. 
         [0030]    In the second embodiment, a single utensil item is provided in an individually wrapped packaging  62 . This deployment of the child-safe utensil item is useful in common areas or in restaurants, where utensil items are displayed for the public to take from and use when feed. In these areas, it is important to individually wrap each utensil item for sanitary reasons, as many individuals will come to retrieve utensil items and direct contact with adjacent utensil items must be avoided. Such is the case at fast food areas and other restaurants. Individual packaging  62  retains the sanitary nature of the particular utensil item  24  amongst a larger assortment thereof, while allowing the individual to choose a single required utensil by itself and without retrieving any more utensils than absolutely required. It is contemplated that a shrink wrap packaging or similar individualized packaging may deployed. 
         [0031]    The last form of distribution includes a larger packaging  60  and an included assortment of utensil items  21 ,  22 ,  23  therein. This packaging includes all utensils required for a meal, wherein the packaging  60  can be opened at the beginning of the meal to allow the child to use all required utensil items. This embodiment is similar to the individualized wrapping embodiment, but offers an assortment of utensil items therein. 
         [0032]    In an embodiment the individualized packaging of the utensil items, the packaging may be provided in the form of a travel pouch that comprises a sealable and re-sealable opening  61 . In this embodiment, parents would gather necessary utensil items and place them into the pouches  60  from the larger assortment packaging  40  for use as required while traveling. This embodiment contemplates a pouch that is retained rather than a shrink wrapped utensil item for retrieval by the general public. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there are shown the embodiments of the child-safe, disposable utensil items of the present invention. The embodiments include a child spoon  21 , a child fork  22 , a child knife  23 , and finally a child soup spoon  24 . Each embodiment comprises the same construction, material, and child safety features that make their use appropriate for infants and toddlers. 
         [0034]    Specifically, the utensil items deviate from standard disposable utensil items by not having any sharp points or edges that can pose a poking or cutting risk to the child, particularly as children have poor motor function and particularly soft or exposed gums. For example, the fork embodiment  22  comprises a fork head having a plurality of fork times  35  that terminate at a rounded edge. The structure of the tines is such that the tines  35  readily deform under load, whereby if the child inadvertently pokes itself, the fork tines  35  would deform rather than remaining rigid, which would cause harm to the child&#39;s skin or gums. The tines are comprised of a low stiffness material that accomplishes this goal. 
         [0035]    Similarly, the leading edge of the spoons  34  and the tip  34  of the knife blade  36  readily deform upon contact with the child to prevent poking or excessive pressure on the child&#39;s gums or face. Further, each of the utensil items comprise handles  31  that are ergonomically suited for children, wherein the handles  31  are thicker than those found in the art of disposable utensil items. This promotes improved purchase of the handle  31  for a child&#39;s small hands and non-dexterous fingers. The utensils are therefore designed for use by a user with small hands. The utensils include rounded, smooth edge features so as not to cut the mouths or gums of infants and toddlers while in use. Together, these elements provide similar functions as presently available child utensil items; however the present invention contemplates manufacturing these features into a disposable embodiment that is suited for use on the go families. 
         [0036]    The material of the disposable utensil items preferably comprises a plastic material having a sufficiently rigid handle region and a low stiffness serving head to prevent injury while in use. The plastic material is preferably a Bisphenol-A (BPA) free material, which is a colorless solid used to make polycarbonate polymers and epoxy resins and other materials. BPA has been show to exhibit hormone-like properties that can be hazardous to young children who are still rapidly developing. The structural features protect the child from harming himself, while the material utilized in the utensil construction is similarly a non-toxic substance to prevent harm to the child. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a pictorial representation of the present invention in use by a child  101 . In use, a child or toddler utilizes the knife  36 , fork  22 , and spoon  24  for consuming food  70 , or alternatively a parent uses the utensil items to feed an infant child who is eating solid food. The utensils are deployed from individually wrapped packaging or from an assorted container thereof, wherein the utensil items are utilized once and then disposed of after use. For families on the go, the ability to rapidly deploy utensil items for a hungry child and thereafter dispose of the items provides a welcome relief over existing methods. The parent does not have to worry if the child will harm himself by using sharp or pointed disposable utensils, and further does not have to repackage and store expensive child utensils that have been once used. 
         [0038]    Overall, the present invention describes a set of disposable eating utensils for an infant or toddler. The utensil items include a fork, knife, spoon, and soup spoon that are designed for use by a user with small hands and with limited dexterity. The utensil items are safer than currently available disposable utensil items, and more manageable than carrying permanent child utensil items while traveling. The utensil items&#39; disposable and recyclable structure makes it the perfect option for families on the go, as well as a marketable product for venues such as day cares, hospitals, restaurants, theme parks or other locations. The utensils can be packaged in travel packs of single-piece or three-piece units, and can be disposed of and recycled after use so families do not have to transport dirty silverware home for cleaning. Families with small children would benefit from disposable and recyclable utensils specially designed for toddlers and infants. 
         [0039]    Contemplated materials include plastics commonly utilized in the manufacture of standard disposable utensil items. These plastics are generally not readily recyclable, and include a Plastic Identification Code (PIC) of “7”—or “other”. This designation is for polycarbonate and ABS plastics that are not readily recyclable into other plastic products. The present invention may be comprised of this type of plastic; however it is preferable that the plastic be comprised of material having properties that allow for recyclability, including those having a PIC number below “7”. It is not desired to limit the present invention to a specific material type and method of manufacturing, but rather to disclose a disposable or recyclable, single-use, and child-appropriate utensil that is suited for travel use by families. 
         [0040]    It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0041]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.