MULTI-FUNCTIONAL EATING UTENSIL FOR CANS AND A CAN COMPRISING SAID EATING UTENSIL

Abstract

An opener used to open the cans is shaped as an eating utensil, and may be used to open the can or to remove the cover of the can, as well as for consumption or use of the contents of the can. The eating utensil has a handle and a head shaped as a knife, spoon, fork or a combination of a spoon and a fork. The utensil may be manufactured separately from the can and the cover and is thus a pre-fabricated element for attachment to the can cover, such as in the same or similar manner as existing openers, e.g. on the external surface of the can cover using a rivet or welding.

Claims

1. A multi-functional eating utensil for cans, said utensil comprising a handle and a head, wherein the head is shaped as a spoon a fork or a combination of a spoon and a fork, and the handle is arranged for attachment on an upper or an outer surface of a can cover or on a can opener using a rivet or welding, wherein the handle is arranged to open the can once the utensil is attached thereon.

2. A multi-functional eating utensil for cans, said utensil comprising a handle and a head wherein the head is shaped as a knife, and the handle is arranged for attachment on an upper or an outer surface of a can cover or on a can opener using a rivet or welding, and wherein the handle is arranged to open the can once the utensil is attached thereon.

3. The multi-functional eating utensil according to claim 1, wherein the handle is full or has at least one opening for a better grip.

4. The multi-functional eating utensil according to claim 1, wherein the utensil is provided with a weakening near an end part of the handle, which allows removal of the utensil from the end part of the handle.

5. The multi-functional eating utensil according to claim 4, wherein the weakening is achieved as a narrowing on both sides of the handle

6. The multi-functional eating utensil according to claim 1, wherein the utensil is made from an iron or aluminium sheet material with protective coatings.

7. The multi-functional eating utensil according to claim 1, wherein the utensil is made with a process selected in the group consisting of punching, cutting, and bending.

8. The multi-functional eating utensil according to claim 1, further in combination with the can.

9. The multi-functional eating utensil and can according to claim 8, wherein the can comprises a container and a cover arranged to cover the container, and the cover is provided with weakening lines on the cover, while the utensil is attached near the weakening lines of the cover.

10. The can according to claim 8, wherein the eating utensil is attached with a rivet or welding.

11. The can according to claim 9, wherein the eating utensil is attached directly to the cover.

12. The can according to claim 8, wherein the eating utensil is attached to an opener of the can.

13. The can according to claim 8, wherein the eating utensil is attached opposite from an opener of the can.

14. The can according to claim 8, wherein the length of the eating utensil does not exceed the dimensions of the can.

15. The multi-functional eating utensil according to claim 2, wherein the handle is full or has at least one opening for a better grip.

16. The multi-functional eating utensil according to claim 15, wherein the utensil is provided with a weakening near an end part of the handle, which allows removal of the utensil from the end part of the handle.

17. The multi-functional eating utensil according to claim 16, wherein the weakening is achieved as a narrowing on both sides of the handle.

18. The multi-functional eating utensil according to claim 2, wherein the utensil is provided with a weakening near an end part of the handle, which allows removal of the utensil from the end part of the handle.

19. The multi-functional eating utensil according to claim 2, further in combination with the can.

20. The multi-functional eating utensil and can according to claim 19, wherein the can comprises a container and a cover arranged to cover the container, and the cover is provided with weakening lines on the cover, while the utensil is attached near the weakening lines of the cover.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Embodiments of the present concept will now be described in further detail based on exemplary embodiments and figures, which show:

[0022] FIG. 1 A can with the attached eating utensil shaped as a spoon;

[0023] FIG. 2 A can with the attached eating utensil shaped as a spoon and fork;

[0024] FIG. 3 A can with the attached eating utensil with a weakening for removal without opening of the cover;

[0025] FIG. 4 A can with the attached eating utensil mounted on an existing opening tab;

[0026] FIG. 5 A can with the attached eating utensil mounted on the opposite side from the existing opening tab; and

[0027] FIG. 6 A can with the attached eating utensil shaped as a knife.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a possible embodiment of the utensil, which is shaped as a spoon and is installed on a can or the upper surface of the can cover, respectively. The eating utensil 1 has a handle 2 and a head 3, wherein the head 3 is shaped as a spoon 3a. The length of the eating utensil is shorter than the length of the can. The maximal length of the eating utensil is thus limited with the can dimensions.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a possible embodiment of the utensil 1a, wherein the head 2a is shaped as a combination of a spoon and a fork, wherein the rounded part of the spoon 3a is provided with protrusions 3b characteristic for forks.

[0030] The handle is provided with openings 2a, 2b, which enable a better grip. To the can 10 or its cover 11 the utensil 1 is attached with the rivet 4, namely, on the upper surface of the cover near the weakening line 12 on the cover 11. Upon lifting the head 3 and the handle 2 of the utensil 1, the attached part of the utensil 1 is moved downwards and the end of the handle 2 is pushed on the weakening lines 12 on the cover 11 of the can 10, which consequently leads to breaking and removing of the cover from the can. This movement and the manner of opening is the same as for the existing openers. When the cover is separated from the can, the user holds the cover with one hand, while the other hand is used to grip the eating utensil, which is removed from the cover by moving it forwards and backwards.

[0031] For easier separation of the utensil from the cover, the handle is provided with a weakening 5 near the attachment site on the can cover, wherein the weakening 5 is enables removal of the utensil without removal of the cover. The weakening 5 is made as a narrowing on both sides of the handle as shown in FIG. 3.

[0032] FIG. 4 shows an alternative mounting of the utensil 1 onto an existing opener 13 on the can 10 using a rivet 14. The utensil 1 is removed from the opener 13 with weakening the contact around the rivet 14, for example by moving the utensil 1 upwards and downwards, while the can is then opened with the opener 13 as currently known.

[0033] FIG. 5 shows an arrangement of the utensil, which is provided on the side opposite the existing opening tab 13 of the can 10.

[0034] FIG. 6 shows a utensil 100 in an alternative embodiment comprising a handle 102 and a head 13, wherein the head 103 is shaped as a knife, and the utensil is attached with a rivet 104 to the can 110 or the upper surface of the can cover 11. The length of the eating utensil is shorter than the length of the can.

[0035] Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the principles of the present invention which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.