Abstract
Disclosed herein is an article manipulation apparatus. The apparatus includes a connecting portion and two elongated fingers extending from the connecting portion. Two elongated fingers extend from the connecting portion. Each of the fingers has a holding portion disposed in a first plane. The holding portion is sized and shaped to be located in a user's hand. Each finger also has an intermediate portion that is disposed in a second plane away from the holding portion. Each finger also has an article holding end portion that is disposed in a third plane. The article holding ends have a concave holding sidewall. The connecting portion and the elongate fingers are sufficiently resilient so that an actuating force applied to each of the intermediate portions causes the article holding end portions to move together so that each of the concave holding sidewalls combine to form a spoon-like end portion.
Claims
1. An article manipulation apparatus comprising: a) a connecting portion; b) first and second elongated finger members extending from the connecting portion, each of the finger members having i) a holding portion disposed in a first plane, the holding portion being sized and shaped to be located in a user's hand; ii) an intermediate portion disposed in a second plane away from the holding portion; iii) an article holding end portion disposed in a third plane, the food holding end portions having a concave holding sidewall; the connecting portion and the elongate fingers being sufficiently resilient so that an actuating force applied to each of the intermediate portions causes the article handling portions to move together so that each of the concave holding sidewalls combine to form a spoon-like end portion.
2. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the article holding end portion further includes a serrated inner surface.
3. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the article holding end portion further includes a smooth inner surface.
4. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the article holding end portion include a flat anti-slip lower end portion located away from the finger tip.
5. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the connecting portion is U-shaped.
6. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the connecting portion and the two finger members when viewed from above are V-shaped.
7. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the finger members each have an outer sidewall, the outer sidewall being curved outwardly away from the inner sidewall.
8. The apparatus, according to claim 7, in which at the article holding end portion, the outer sidewall is wider than the outer sidewall of the intermediate portion and the outer sidewall of the holding portion.
9. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which each of the finger members includes a tip, the tip having a flat non-slip surface, the tip being curved away from a flat surface when the apparatus is placed thereupon.
10. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the intermediate portion includes first and second twistable portions.
11. The apparatus, according to claim 10, in which the first twistable portion permits twisting of the finger members downwardly towards a flat surface.
12. The apparatus, according to claim 10, in which the second twistable portion permits twisting of the finger members upwardly away from a flat surface.
13. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the finger members each includes two lower resting areas to permit placement of the apparatus on a flat surface such that the article holding portions are disposed away from the flat surface.
14. The apparatus, according to claim 1, is nestable,
15. The apparatus, according to claim 8, in which the outer sidewall of the intermediate portion has a non-slip surface.
16. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the article is a piece of food.
17. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the concave holding sidewalls combine to form the spoon-like end portion to capture and hold liquid therein.
18. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which each of the finger members has a cross sectional volume which vary along substantially the entire length of each finger member.
19. The apparatus, according to claim 1, in which the article is a piece of food.
20. A food manipulation apparatus comprising: a) a connecting portion; b) first and second elongated finger members extending from the connecting portion, each of the finger members having i) a holding portion disposed in a first plane, the holding portion being sized and shaped to be located in a user's hand; ii) a intermediate portion disposed in a second plane away from the holding portion; iii) a food holding end portion disposed in a third plane, the food holding end portions having a concave food holding sidewall; the connecting portion and the elongate fingers being sufficiently resilient so that an actuating force applied to each of the intermediate portions causes the food handling portions to move together so that each of the concave food holding sidewalls combine to form a spoon-like end portion.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS I
[0041] These and other features of that described herein will become more drawings wherein:
[0042] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a food manipulating apparatus;
[0043] FIG. 2 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0044] FIG. 3 is a side view of a finger member;
[0045] FIG. 4 is longitudinal side cut through view of an alternative finger member showing one half of a serrated portion located near the finger member tip;
[0046] FIG. 5 is longitudinal side cut through view of an alternative finger member showing one half of a serrated located near the finger member tip;
[0047] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a finger member showing the varying cross-sectional profiles taken along the lines shown;
[0048] FIG. 7 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing cross-sectional views taken along lines A-A, B-B, C-C, and D-D;
[0049] FIG. 8 is a side view of the food manipulating apparatus showing the position of a hand in an overhand side grip configuration;
[0050] FIG. 9 is a side view of the food manipulating apparatus showing the position of a hand in a side grip configuration;
[0051] FIG. 10 is a side view of the food manipulating apparatus showing the position of a hand in an open, underhand configuration;
[0052] FIG. 11 is a top view of the food manipulating apparatus showing the position of a hand in an overhand, upfacing open configuration;
[0053] FIG. 12 is a side view of the food manipulating apparatus showing the position of a hand in an underhand, wide open configuration; and
[0054] FIG. 13 is a top view of the food manipulation apparatus showing the position of a hand in a tip press configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Definitions
[0055] Unless otherwise specified, the following definitions apply:
[0056] The singular forms a, an and the include corresponding plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0057] As used herein, the term comprising is intended to mean that the list of elements following the word comprising are required or mandatory but that other elements are optional and may or may not be present.
[0058] As used herein, the term consisting of is intended to mean including and limited to whatever follows the phrase consisting of. Thus, the phrase consisting of indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory and that no other elements may be present.
[0059] Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 3, there is illustrated generally at 10 an article manipulation apparatus. In the examples illustrated, the article manipulation apparatus 10 is a food manipulation apparatus, which is also referred to as a cooking, serving and eating tool. In FIGS. 1 and 2, there is also illustrated the dimensions of the various structural features of the apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 functions like a bird's beak to select, manipulate and gather solid food. It behaves like a pair of chopsticks for picking up solid food and moving it towards and into the mouth. It has a spoon-like function for picking up semi-solid food and sauces. It also functions as a cooking utensil for use with a frying pan, a wok and the like. Turning the apparatus 10 over achieves either of these two functions. The curved shape of the apparatus 10 allows a plurality of them to be nested. This is a desirable feature for both transport and for storage where, for example, storage space is limited.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 1, broadly speaking the apparatus 10 includes a connecting portion 12, and first and second elongate finger members 14, 16. The connecting portion 12 is generally U-shaped. Although the connecting portion 12 is shown as being one-piece, a person skilled in the art will recognize that it can also be a two-piece member connected using a hinge (not shown). If the apparatus uses a hinged connecting portion 12, it can permit improved storage and shipping because the finger members 14, 16 will be arranged in a single elongate manner. Furthermore, an extension or a hood (not shown), may be located at the connecting portion 12. This can be used to enhance the torque and balance the apparatus 10, and depends on the property of the material(s) used in the manufacture of the apparatus 10.
[0061] Still referring to FIG. 1, the first and second elongate finger member 14, 16 are connected to the connecting portion 12 and extend away from it. In the default position, the elongate finger member and the connecting portion assume a V-shaped configuration. It is to be understood that the term connected means that the elongate finger members 14, 16 are in fact extensions of the connecting portion 12 because in the examples shown, the apparatus 10 is a unitary piece. The apparatus 10 is made from a material that is sufficiently resilient so that a user can easily move the finger members 14, 16. If the apparatus 10 is manufactured from a single piece of wood, for example, a suitably dense and stiff hard wood, like maple, an initially rough cut of the apparatus 10 is produced, which is then smoothed down to the desired shaped by sanding. A lengthy procedure in wood that makes it economically unfeasible. The apparatus 10 can also could better be manufactured from polymeric material, either a single polymer or a composite of polymers such as polycarbonate or copolyester. The apparatus 10 can also be manufactured in stainless steel, bone, porcelain, or bio-organic fibres. In one example, to enhance the torquing effect of the two finger members 14, 16, a hard material, such as steel, can be embedded in the two finger members 14, 16.
[0062] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the elongate fingers 14, 16 has a holding portion 18 that is disposed in a first plane 20. The holding portion 18 and the connecting portion 12, because they are located in a proximal position are sized and shaped to be located in the palm of a user's hand or atop the thumb and forefinger. During operation of the apparatus 10, the user typically keeps the holding portion 18 and the connecting portion 12 in the palm of the hand. The first plane 20 is disposed such that the holding portion 18 and the connecting portion 12 are curved to echo the inward curvature of the hand of the user.
[0063] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the elongate finger 14, 16 has an intermediate portion 22 disposed in a second plane 24 and located away from the holding portion 18. The intermediate portion 22 includes a centrally located area 26 which is an actuating area 28 against which the forefinger and the thumb of the user's hand apply an actuating force to cause the elongate fingers 14,16 to move towards each other.
[0064] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, when viewed directly above the intermediate portion 22, the top portion of each elongate finger member 14, 16 includes a first twistable portion 30 and a second twistable portion 32 The first twistable portion 30 permits the finger members 14, 16 to twist upwardly, whereas the second twistable portion 32 permits the finger members 14, 16 to twist downwardly. The twistable nature of the twistable portions 30, 32 is a property of the resilient material used to construct the apparatus 10. Located at a distal end of the finger members 12, 14 is a food holding end portion 34 disposed in a third plane 36. The first twistable portion 30 permits twisting of the finger members 14, 16 downwardly towards a flat surface and the second twistable portion 32 permits twisting of the finger members 14, 16 upwardly away from the flat surface.
[0065] Referring now to FIG. 2, one feature that the inventors have incorporated into their design is that of a concave food holding sidewall 38 located near the tips of the fingers 14, 16. The concave food holding sidewall 38 creates a food bowl portion 40 when the food holding end portions 34 of each finger member 14, 16 are closed together. Therefore, not only does the apparatus 10 provide a food picking up capability, but also allows the user to scoop up sauces and other food liquids using a bowl-like feature. This advantageously improves the dining experience because the apparatus 10 is now able to capture sauces or liquids which because they are difficult to scoop up from a bowl or plate, are now easily accessed. Thus, with a simple inwardly directed actuating force applied against the intermediate portion 22 on either of the finger members 14, 16, the chopstick function of the apparatus 10 is converted into a spoon-like shape.
[0066] Still referring to FIG. 2, the food bowl portion 40 extends from near the distal end of the intermediate portion 22 towards a finger member tip 42. The underside of the food bowl portion 40 includes a flat, anti-slip surface 44. Once loaded with liquid, the food bowl portion 40, provided sufficient force is maintained against the intermediate portions 22, is held therein because the finger bowl portion 40 curves sufficiently upwardly towards the finger member tip 42 in a balanced manner so that the sauce is held in the food bowl portion 40 and does not spill out.
[0067] Still referring to FIG. 2, each of the finger members 12, 14 includes a smooth inner sidewall 46. The smooth inner sidewall 46 of each finger member is wider than the concave food holding sidewall 38 and tapers towards the finger member tips 42. The food holding end portion 34 further includes a serrated inner surface 50 and a smooth inner surface 52 away from the serrated inner surface 50. The food holding end portion 34 also has a flat anti-slip lower end portion 54 located away from the finger member tip 42. The finger tip 42 is curved sufficiently upwards and away from a flat surface when the apparatus 10 is on it.
[0068] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the finger members 14, 16 each has an outer sidewall 56, which curves outwardly away from the inner sidewall 46. Furthermore, based on the similarities we found between our design and that of a number of beak designs found in several species of bird, we designed our finger members 14, 16 to have the outer sidewall near the holding portion 18 that is is wider than the outer sidewall of the intermediate portion 22, which in turn is wider than the outer sidewall of the food holding end portion 34.
[0069] Referring to FIG. 3, the finger members 14, 16 each includes two lower resting areas 56, 58 to permit placement of the apparatus 10 on a flat surface such that the food holding end portions 34 are disposed upwardly away from the flat surface. This allows the apparatus 10 to be placed down on a table when not in use during a meal without contaminating the eating ends of the apparatus 10. This advantageously removes the need for chopstick rests to be used on the table which may be troublesome for some diners who must set down the chopsticks on the rests every time. When the apparatus 10 is placed down in this manner, the upturned free ends of the finger members 14, 16 do not contact the table surface.
[0070] In addition, when the apparatus 10 is located down on the edge of a bowl or plate with the free ends pointing downwardly, the free ends hook over the edge of the bowl or plate preventing the utensils from easily disengaging and falling to the surface of the table. Thus, the apparatus 10 provides a further advantage in assuring the eating ends of the utensil are not inadvertently contaminated during the meal.
[0071] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is illustrated two alternative designs of food manipulation apparatuses 100 and 200. In FIGS. 4 and 5, the food manipulation apparatus 100 is essentially identical to the apparatus 10 except that the food bowl portion is missing and is replaced by only the serrated inner surface 50 and a smooth inner surface 52 away from the finger member tip 42. This alternative design 100 is for picking up and holding solid food only.
[0072] The contoured profile of apparatus finger members 14, 16 permits grasping the apparatuses 10, 100 200 by the user when the user is picking the apparatus off the table surface. Unlike chopsticks which may be difficult to pick up since they lie flat on the table surface, the apparatuses described herein include portions which rise above the table surface, making them easier to pick up. When viewed from the side, as best illustrated in FIG. 3, the contoured profile of the apparatus 10 also provides the user with a significantly better ergonomic response and control when performing a scooping and a picking action through the two sided ergonomic and functional engagement of the finger members 12, 14.
[0073] Referring now to FIG. 6, as one takes cross sectional views along each of the finger members 14, 16, the volume of the cross section changes in relation to the mean cord in order to achieve the desired flexibility of the finger members 14, 16. Specifically, the variation in cross sectional volume along substantially the entire length of the finger members 14, 16 permits the finger members 14, 16 to spring together and to permit torquing towards each of the finger member tips. The example illustrated in FIG. 6 is ergonomically favorable. It should be noted that the apparatus if it is manufactured by pressing out of a sheet metal, only the thickness, the cord, and the mean cord would be used.
[0074] Referring to FIG. 7, various cross sectional views of the two finger members 14, 16 taken from near the two finger tips 42, viewed from arrows D-D, through to arrows A-A near the connecting portion 12, clearly indicate the changes in cross sectional volume
[0075] The apparatus adds an all-round efficiency to eating, allowing the user to more accurately select and manipulate a portion of food, either small or large. The apparatus described herein has a unique curved yet balanced design which is permits its use in different orientations and improves the ergonomic properties. The apparatus can be held in one position so that the food holding ends permit picking up food pieces from the plate, either one piece at a time or a small bundle of food, and moving it to the mouth. By applying inward, actuating forces, the food bowl portion 40 converts the chopstick function into a small spoon-like apparatus capable of ladling up sauce or liquids. Furthermore, if desired, the apparatus 10 can be turned over so as to use the apparatus as a cooking utensil which allows the food pieces to be moved around a wok or frying pan.
[0076] In addition to its use as a food manipulator, the apparatuses 10, 100 and 200 can also be used in other applications. For example, if the apparatus is made from sterilizable materials and with manipulation of the various measurements shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus could be used in surgical or dental applications which require dextrous use of an instrument using one hand. The apparatus can also be used by people lacking dexterity or in rehabilitation or occupational therapy. For example, a person who has had a stroke may use the apparatus either as an eating utensil or as a tool to allow them to pick up small household items.
[0077] In summary, we have solved the problem of how to bring the beak together to close the spoon. This has to happen incrementally from the tip along the bottom, to the back of the spoon shape. To ensure the design is ergonomically favorable, we had to maintain the S-shape. We had to correct the amount of tork at any given point along the digits by tilting the aspect ratios, and correcting for stiffness. Thus we constructed an ergonomic, mechanically-advantaged, interactive, cooking, serving and eating utensil with appropriate gripping action, hand-feel and mouth-feel.
Alternative Uses
[0078] The design of the food manipulation apparatus 10 permits multiple uses such as, for example, in surgical or dental procedures. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the apparatus 10 can be used in certain surgical or dental procedures, such as biopsies, which require remote access to tissue or organs to remove a sample therefrom. In other procedures, the tissue or organ may need to be held or clamped. In another example, the apparatus 10 can be used to remove obstructions of the oesophagus or trachea. Furthermore, a person skilled in the art will also recognize that the apparatus 10 can be used in engineering fields to manipulate or pick up small pieces of machinery, bolts, screws and the like, without the need for direct contact of human fingers.
Grip Configurations
[0079] Referring to FIGS. 8 through 13, the food manipulation apparatus 10 can be used in a variety of different hand grip configurations depending on the intended use. Specifically, FIG. 8 shows the food manipulating apparatus in which the hand is located in an overhand side grip configuration. FIG. 9 shows the apparatus in which the hand is located in a side grip configuration. FIG. 10 shows the apparatus in which the position of a hand is in an open, underhand configuration. FIG. 11 shows the apparatus in which the hand in an overhand, upfacing open configuration. FIG. 12 shows the apparatus in which the position of a hand is in an underhand, wide open configuration. FIG. 13 shows the apparatus in which the position of a hand is in a tip press configuration.
Other Embodiments
[0080] From the foregoing description, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that variations and modifications may be made to the embodiments described herein to adapt it to various usages and conditions.
