Constructible utensils with locking tab
AssigneeEcoTensil Inc.
InventorPeggy V. K. Cross
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Utensil elements and methods for their fabrication. In one embodiment, a planar utensil element is fabricated of a foldable material, and has a length greater than a width. The planar utensil element comprises first and second scores, said scores being generally symmetrical about a midline running along the length of the planar utensil element, and indicative of where the planar element is to be folded in order to become a usable utensil. Folding the planar utensil element about the first and second scores produces a handle and a bowl. The handle is formed by two generally symmetrical halves joined together by interconnecting tabs in a “tab-lock” arrangement.
Claims6
A utensil element lying in a starting plane and fabricated of a foldable material, having a length greater than a width, and comprising:
- first and second curved scores, said scores being generally symmetrical about a longitudinal midline running along the length of the utensil element, said scores curving outwardly away from the longitudinal midline in a concave manner with respect to the longitudinal midline, then inwardly towards the longitudinal midline in a convex manner with respect to the longitudinal midline as the utensil element is traversed from a handle end to a bowl end wherein the first and second curved scores are spaced apart from each other at the bowl end;
- and
- a third linear score positioned along the longitudinal midline and roughly connecting an end of each of the first and second scores to the handle end;
- wherein:
- folding the utensil element about the first, second, and third scores produces a three dimensional utensil comprising a flat handle and a bowl, said handle aligned along the longitudinal midline and positioned generally perpendicular to the starting plane of the utensil element;
- and
- the handle comprises first and second generally symmetrical halves held together by interconnecting elements comprising a tab element formed on the first symmetrical half configured to fit into a receiving slit on the second symmetrical half, said tab element lying flat against the plane of the handle subsequent to the folding.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.