# US 2014/0190021 A1 · Toddler natural grip flatware

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- Number: US 2014/0190021 A1
- Document ID: US20140190021A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/736,205
- Filed: 2013-01-08
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-08
- Assignees: Inicia IP Holdings, LLC.
- Inventors: Roberto Gutierrez
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190021A1

## CPC

- A47G 21/04: Spoons; Pastry servers
- A47G 21/02: Forks; Forks with ejectors; Combined forks and spoons; Salad servers
- A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B)

## Abstract

A toddler flatware using the natural finger grip for consuming food is disclosed. The flatware has an eating utensil, such as a spoon bowl, fork, or knife and a handle attached perpendicular to the eating utensil. The handle is flat with rounded edges and corners for a comfortable grip. The handle is secured between the thumb and the tips of the fingers, mimicking the natural act of eating with one's hands. The natural motion afforded by the flatware design facilitates the act of self-feeding, either by toddlers or by adults with impaired motor-function. It also facilitates the transition to traditional adult flatware.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A flatware apparatus, comprising
a utensil for maintaining a food to be consumed; and
a handle attached perpendicular to said utensils for picking up said food with and putting said food into a mouth of a user using a natural finger grip, said handle secured between a thumb and tips of fingers of said user.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said utensil comprises a spoon bowl.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said utensil comprises a fork.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said handle comprises a flat handle with rounded edges and corners.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said handle comprises a back edge that is large enough so that said back edge rests against a crease of a palm of a folded hand for a secure grip thereof.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said handle comprises a flat handle with rounded edges and corner and wherein said handle comprises a back edge that is large enough so that said back edge rests against a crease of a palm of a folded hand for a secure grip thereof.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said handle comprises a flat handle with rounded edges and corners.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said handle comprises a back edge that is large enough so that said back edge rests against a crease of a palm of a folded hand for a secure grip thereof.

### Claim 9 (depends on 3)

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said handle comprises a flat handle with rounded edges and corners.

### Claim 10 (depends on 3)

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said handle comprises a back edge that is large enough so that said back edge rests against a crease of a palm of a folded hand for a secure grip thereof.