United States Patent: 3664020

[US Patent & Trademark Office, Patent Full Text and Image Database]

( 398 of 398 )

United States Patent	3,664,020
Hammond , et al.	May 23, 1972

COMBINATION SPOON AND TOOTHPICK

Abstract

A toothpick and spoon combination includes a handle portion with a separatable toothpick member for use after eating. The combination utilizes support members from which the toothpick may be broken away.

Inventors:	Hammond; Arthur W. (Miamisburg, OH), Miller; Marie E. (Kettering, OH)
Appl. No.:	05/125,568
Filed:	March 18, 1971

Current U.S. Class: 30/142 ; 132/323; D7/644

Current International Class: A47G 21/00 (20060101); A47G 21/02 (20060101); A47G 21/12 (20060101); B25f 001/00 ()

Field of Search: 132/89,90,93 30/1,142,150,324,325,328

References Cited [Referenced By]

U.S. Patent Documents


2477194	July 1949	Millard
2824369	February 1958	Welch
2877547	March 1959	Feaster

Primary Examiner: Condon; Theron E.
Assistant Examiner: Peters; J. C.

Claims

What we claim is:

1. A combination spoon and toothpick, comprising a concave portion for lifting food, a handle portion carried by said concave portion with a toothpick suspended therein, web portions carried by said handle providing rigidity for said device in combination with cross members supporting said toothpick.

2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said handle member of said device is provided with bead means for aiding in the rigidity of said handle and stringer means in combination with said bead members provides handle frame means for carrying said toothpick, said toothpick being suspended within said handle by cross members molded integral with said stringers and said toothpick.

3. The combination according to claim 2, wherein said web portions and said cross membersprovide rigidity for said handle when it is in use for eating purposes and said toothpick is separatable from said handle of said device by pulling upon said toothpick and twisting said cross members so that they separate from said stringer portions and said toothpick in order that said toothpick may be used effectively without it being uncomfortable.

4. The combination according to claim 3, wherein scored areas at said toothpick in the immediate areas of said cross members and scored portions in the immediate area of said stringer portions adjoining said cross members provides an easy means for separating said toothpick from said stringers and said cross members.

Description

This invention relates to spoons, and more particularly to a combination spoon and toothpick.

It is therefore the primary purpose of this invention to provide a combination spoon and toothpick which will afford the user a separatable toothpick which will be readily available for use after eating.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combination spoon and toothpick which will have the toothpick portion molded integral with the handle portion of the spoon, the device also being attractive as well as serving as a dual purpose.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of the type described which will have cross members molded integral of the handle which may be easily separated from the toothpick with a minimum of effort by the user in order to use the toothpick in an unencumbered fashion.

Other objects of this invention are to provide a combination spoon and toothpick which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged top plan view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the toothpick portion shown removed from the handle portion of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 1, but showing a modified form of the invention.

According to this invention, a combination spoon and toothpick 10 is shown to include a concave portion 11 for lifting food. Molded with the concave portion 11 is the handle 12 which is composed of spaced apart stringer portions 13 which extend into beaded portions 14 which edge web portions 15 and 16. The stringer portions 13 of handle 12 define an opening 17 in which is centered and rendered stationary, a toothpick 18 by means of cross members 19 molded integral with handle 12.

In use, device 10 is used in the well known manner for eating purposes, however, afterwards a toothpick 18 may be separated from within opening 17 of handle 12 by lifting upon one end and breaking the cross members 19 away from the stringer portions 13. After toothpick 18 has been released, the cross members 19 may be quickly bent and separated from the toothpick 18 body.

It shall be noted that a slight scoring of the cross members 19 at the stringer portions 13 and the toothpick 18 may be produced in handle 12 during the molding operation, thus allowing the cross members 19 to be easily separated from stringer portions 13 and the toothpick 18.

Looking now at FIG. 3 of the drawing, one will see a modified form of combination spoon and toothpick 20. Device 20 includes a concave portion 21 for lifting food and integral handle 22 having beaded edges 23 which edge the web portions 24, 25 and 26. The toothpick 27 is carried within the recessed side 28 of handle 22 and is supported by a pair of spaced apart cross members 29.

It shall be noted that the arrangement of toothpick 27 is such, that it conforms with the geometric shape of handle 22 and the cross members 29 attached thereto are separated from toothpick 27 by using a twisting motion upon toothpick 27.

* * * * *

Current U.S. Class:	30/142 ; 132/323; D7/644
Current International Class:	A47G 21/00 (20060101); A47G 21/02 (20060101); A47G 21/12 (20060101); B25f 001/00 ()
Field of Search:	132/89,90,93 30/1,142,150,324,325,328