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Disposable, Single-Use Utensils for Children

a single-use, disposable technology, applied in the field of children's utensils, can solve the problems of failure to disclose a readily disposable and single-use utensil for a child, and achieve the effect of convenient disposal

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-09-26
DIETZ JENNIFER
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a child utensil that is safe to use, recyclable or disposable, and inexpensive to manufacture and sell. It has rounded features to prevent poking risks and widened grip areas for young children. Overall, it provides a good purchase for young children while being environmentally friendly.

Problems solved by technology

However, these devices fail to disclose a readily disposable and single-use utensil for a child that is well suited for deployment while traveling and packaged into readily-transported and deployed travel pouches.

Method used

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  • Disposable, Single-Use Utensils for Children
  • Disposable, Single-Use Utensils for Children
  • Disposable, Single-Use Utensils for Children

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

first embodiment

[0029]In the first embodiment, an assortment of utensil items 41 is provided in a larger container 40. This assortment includes a plurality of forks 22, spoons 21, and knives 23 that can be withdrawn and used as necessary by a family while having replacements readily in reserves. This option is helpful for children's parties where many children may be present, for families with multiple children, and for those families that regularly take trips away from home and require disposable yet child-safe utensils while on the go. The packaging of several disposable replacement utensils is similar to those bulk packages of disposable utensil items suitable for adult use; however the present invention contemplates utensils that are child-safe, child-appropriate, and disposable after one-time use.

second embodiment

[0030]In the second embodiment, a single utensil item is provided in an individually wrapped packaging 62. This deployment of the child-safe utensil item is useful in common areas or in restaurants, where utensil items are displayed for the public to take from and use when feed. In these areas, it is important to individually wrap each utensil item for sanitary reasons, as many individuals will come to retrieve utensil items and direct contact with adjacent utensil items must be avoided. Such is the case at fast food areas and other restaurants. Individual packaging 62 retains the sanitary nature of the particular utensil item 24 amongst a larger assortment thereof, while allowing the individual to choose a single required utensil by itself and without retrieving any more utensils than absolutely required. It is contemplated that a shrink wrap packaging or similar individualized packaging may deployed.

[0031]The last form of distribution includes a larger packaging 60 and an included...

embodiment 22

[0034]Specifically, the utensil items deviate from standard disposable utensil items by not having any sharp points or edges that can pose a poking or cutting risk to the child, particularly as children have poor motor function and particularly soft or exposed gums. For example, the fork embodiment 22 comprises a fork head having a plurality of fork times 35 that terminate at a rounded edge. The structure of the tines is such that the tines 35 readily deform under load, whereby if the child inadvertently pokes itself, the fork tines 35 would deform rather than remaining rigid, which would cause harm to the child's skin or gums. The tines are comprised of a low stiffness material that accomplishes this goal.

[0035]Similarly, the leading edge of the spoons 34 and the tip 34 of the knife blade 36 readily deform upon contact with the child to prevent poking or excessive pressure on the child's gums or face. Further, each of the utensil items comprise handles 31 that are ergonomically sui...

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Abstract

A disposable, single-use utensil type is provided for use by children and child caregivers while traveling or otherwise away from home, wherein a spoon, knife, and fork are disclosed having features suitable for use by young children and a construction that is disposable after one use. The utensils include rounded edges and wide handles suitable for use by children, while the structure of the utensils is one that is disposable or recyclable after use. The utensils are packaged in sets and distributed as packs of disposable travel utensils, where further a travel pack is provided for storing a plurality of utensils during an outing and thereafter disposing of the utensils once in contact with food items and a child's mouth. The goal is to eliminate the need for parents to travel with permanent utensils, which become messy and are not easily stored after use.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 614,303 filed on Mar. 22, 2012, entitled “Disposable-Recyclable Infant and Toddler Cutlery.” The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to utensils for use by children and their caregivers. More specifically, the present invention pertains to an infant and young child utensil set that is deployed in a travelable package and manufactured to be disposable after single-use, whereby a child can be fed while on the go and the caregiver can thereafter dispose of the utensil in favor of a replacement. The design of the utensils is one that is favorable for use with young children, where sharp edges are avoided and the hand grips are enlarged for either child or caregiver use.[0004]Feeding a young ...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A47G21/00
CPCA47G21/02A47G21/00
Inventor DIETZ, JENNIFER
Owner DIETZ JENNIFER
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