Improvements in Table and other Spoons.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 8th July, 1890-Accepted, 30th Aug., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Table and other Spoons.
We, ISAAC NEWTON PLOTTS, Journalist, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and JAMES
ALEXANDER PETRIE, Physician, of Phillipsburg, Warren County, New Jersey, both in
the United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to tea, table, dessert, and other spoons, and consists in
the construction of the same with a handle projecting from the bowl thereof, in
such a manner, that a line drawn from the inner end of the handle across the
bowl, in the direction of the line of the handle, divides the bowl, so that it is
substantially balanced; the line of the length of the bowl being at an angle to
the line of the handle, whereby it is most convenient for use, requiring a less
raising of the elbow, and consequently of the arm, for presenting the point or
smaller portion of the bowl, to the mouth, from which position the bowl is
noiselessly cleared of its contents, without excessive turning of the wrist.
In the drawing :-
A designates a spoon, which may be a tea, table, dessert or other spoon, and
has its handle B extending from the bowl A¹ obliquely and in such manner, that
a line passing across the bowl, from the inner end of the handle and in the same
direction as an inner extension thereof, would divide the bowl, so that portions
thereof, would be on opposite sides of the line thus drawn; by which provision
the bowl is balanced.
By having the line of the handle oblique to the longer axis of the bowl, the
latter may be filled from a plate, cup, etc., and conveyed to the mouth in an
easy manner, as it avoids an excessive raising of the elbow, and unnecessary
bending of the arm or wrist, while it places the smaller end of the bowl in the
most convenient position for reaching the mouth. When the spoon is upturned,
the bowl is cleared in the direction of the longer axis thereof, the clearing being
effected in a most convenient and comparatively noiseless manner, owing to the
smallest portion of the spoon being presented to and entering the mouth.
This invention is equally applicable to what may be fairly termed a spoon fork,
wherein the bowl is forked, and connected with the handle, similar to that of the
spoon proper.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
First. A spoon having a bowl, the longer axis of which is at an angle with
the line of the length of the handle, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
Second. A spoon having a bowl, the longer axis of which is at an angle with
the line of the length of the handle, and the handle so secured to the bowl, that
a line drawn across the bowl, in the direction of the length of the handle, from
the inner end thereof, would so divide the bowl as to balance the same, said parts
being combined, substantially as described.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicants.