Cutlery with tenon and slotted joints

Abstract

A set of cutlery with a tenon and mortise construction, consisting of: a handle element that the user can grasp with their fingers, the handle element having at one end a first tenon unit comprising a first dovetail tenon, a first dovetail tenon receptacle, and a first tenon-tenon receptacle section between the first dovetail tenon and the first dovetail tenon receptacle; and a working element, one end of which is provided with a second tenon unit and the other end of which is provided with a working section; the second tenon unit comprising a second dovetail tenon, a second dovetail tenon receptacle, and a second tenon-tenon receptacle section located between the second dovetail tenon and the second dovetail tenon receptacle;The second dovetail tenon of the second tenon unit engages in the first dovetail groove of the first tenon unit, and the second dovetail groove of the second tenon unit engages in the first dovetail tenon of the first tenon unit; the second tenon-and-mortise section of the second tenon unit is fitted into the first tenon-and-mortise section of the first tenon unit, thereby securely joining the gripping component and the working component into a single unit.

Description

Technical area

[0001] This utility model relates to a type of cutlery, in particular eating cutlery with a tenon and mortise construction. Technology in the background

[0002] In today's world, environmental awareness has gradually increased, and carrying personal eco-friendly cutlery has become a popular trend. This reflects not only concern for the environment but also a focus on personal health. However, traditional cutlery designs are often manufactured as one-piece molded pieces, which has the disadvantage of being excessively long, taking up space and compromising storage and portability. Shortening the length, however, would lead to inconveniences in use.

[0003] Therefore, industry experts have developed modular cutlery systems, such as Taiwanese patent no. M365697 entitled "Modular Environmentally Friendly Cutlery." This system comprises: at least one handle component for finger gripping, which has a threaded hole at one end for locking; and one or more cutlery components, each with a locking bolt at one end. This locking bolt engages in the threaded hole at one end of the handle component, thus connecting the handle component and the cutlery component into a single unit. The other end of the cutlery component forms a functional cutlery section shaped like the respective cutlery piece. The handle component and the cutlery component can be disassembled by means of a screw locking mechanism, thereby reducing the length and space required for transport. This facilitates the transport and use of multiple cutlery pieces.

[0004] However, in the aforementioned modular tableware, the handle and utensil components use a screw connection. Consequently, the time required for assembly and disassembly is relatively long, which is very impractical for tableware that needs to be frequently reassembled. Furthermore, the screw connection tends to accumulate dirt and contaminants, making cleaning difficult and compromising hygiene. It also results in high manufacturing and processing costs and cannot be used in commercially available ready meals in tray form (such as instant noodles or rice). Such modular plastic tableware tends to cause contamination. Content of the utility model

[0005] The utility model recognized the shortcomings of conventional modular cutlery and carried out extensive research, sample tests and several refinements to develop this utility model.

[0006] This utility model relates to a set of eating utensils with a tenon and mortise construction. The utensils comprise: a gripping component designed to be grasped by the user's fingers, one end of which includes a first tenon unit. The first tenon and mortise unit comprises a first dovetail tenon, a first dovetail mortise, and a first tenon and mortise section positioned between the first dovetail tenon and the first dovetail mortise; and a working part, one end of which is provided with a second tenon unit and the other end with a working section. The second tenon unit is provided with a second dovetail tenon, a second dovetail tenon receptacle, and a second tenon-tenon receptacle section positioned between the second dovetail tenon and the second dovetail tenon receptacle.The second dovetail tenon of the second tenon unit engages in the first dovetail groove of the first tenon unit, and the second dovetail groove of the second tenon unit engages in the first dovetail tenon of the first tenon unit. The second tenon-and-mortise section of the second tenon unit engages in the first tenon-and-mortise section of the first tenon unit, securely connecting the gripping component and the working component into a single unit.

[0007] The main purpose of this utility model, which concerns cutlery with mortise and tenon joints, is that the handle and functional components are connected via mortise and tenon joints. This not only ensures excellent strength and stability but also allows for quick assembly and disassembly, thus saving time and effort. It therefore fulfills consumers' desire for a high-quality lifestyle.

[0008] Another objective of this utility model, which features a tenon joint in cutlery, is that the handle and functional components are manufactured from agricultural by-products of cereals (rice ears). These can be incorporated into commercially available ready-made meals in tray packaging (such as instant noodles or instant rice), thereby effectively maintaining food hygiene in these tray-packaged ready meals. Description of the attached drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of the present utility model. Fig. Figure 2 is an exploded view of the present utility model. Fig. Figure 3 is another exploded view of the present utility model. Fig. Figure 4 is a top view of the present utility model. Fig. Figure 5 is a sectional view along line AA in Fig. 4. Fig. Figure 6 is a sectional view along line BB in Fig. 4. Fig. Figure 7 is a three-dimensional view of another embodiment of the present utility model. Fig. Figure 8 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the present utility model. Fig. Figure 9 is another exploded view of a further embodiment of the present utility model. Fig. Figure 10 is a top view of another embodiment of the present utility model. Fig. 11 is a section view along line CC in Fig. 10. Fig. Figure 12 is a section view along line DD in Fig. 10.

[0009] In the figures: 1 Cutlery; 10 Handle component; 11 First tenon assembly; 111 First dovetail tenon; 112 First dovetail tenon receptacle; 113 First tenon-and-tenon receptacle section; 1131 First base tenon; 1132 First base receptacle; 12 First indicator; 20 Working component; 21 Second tenon assembly; 211 Second dovetail tenon; 212 Second dovetail tenon receptacle; 213 Second tenon-and-tenon receptacle section; 2131 Second base tenon; 2132 Second base-and-tenon receptacle; 22 Working section; 23 Second indicator Detailed description

[0010] The following further explanation is given in conjunction with the schematic representations of the preferred embodiments of the present utility model so that those skilled in the art can implement the utility model on the basis of the description contained herein.

[0011] First, with reference to the Fig. Figures 1 to 6 explain that the utensil of the present utility model, with a tenon and groove structure, is made from a grain-based agricultural by-product (rice ears). The utensil 1 comprises: a gripping component 10 and a working component 20. In this embodiment, the utensil 1 is a chopstick.

[0012] The gripping component 10 is designed to be gripped by the user's images. One end of the gripping component 10 has a first tenon unit 11 comprising a first dovetail tenon 111, a first dovetail tenon 112, a first dovetail groove 112, and a first tenon-groove section 113 located between the first dovetail tenon 111 and the first dovetail groove 112. The first dovetail tenon 111 and the first dovetail groove 112 are trapezoidal, while the first tenon-groove section 113 is L-shaped and comprises two first base tenons 1131 and a first base groove 1132. The first tenon unit 11 is provided on both sides with a first indicator 12 to indicate the installation direction. In this embodiment, the cross-section of the first tenon unit 11 is a rounded quadrilateral.

[0013] The working element 20 comprises a second tenon unit 21 at one end and a working section 22 at the other end. The second tenon unit 21 comprises a second dovetail tenon 211, a second dovetail tenon receptacle 212, and a second tenon-tenon receptacle section 213, which is positioned between the second dovetail tenon 211 and the second dovetail tenon receptacle 212. The second dovetail tenon 211 and the second dovetail groove 212 are also trapezoidal. The second tenon-groove section 213 is mountain-shaped and comprises a second base tenon 2131 and two second base grooves 2132. The second tenon connection unit 21 has second indicators 23 on both sides to indicate the installation direction.The second dovetail tenon 211 of the second tenon unit 21 engages in the first dovetail groove 112 of the first tenon unit 11, while the second dovetail groove 212 of the second tenon unit 21 engages in the first dovetail tenon 111 of the first tenon unit 11. The second tenon section 213 of the second tenon unit 21 engages in the first tenon section 113 of the first tenon unit 11, with the second base tenon 2131 of the second tenon section 213 engaging in the first base connection 1132 of the first tenon section 113. The two first base pins 1131 of the first pin and tenon section 113 engage in the two second base pin holes 2132 of the second pin and tenon section 213, thereby securely connecting the gripping component 10 and the working component 20 to form a unit.In this embodiment, the cross-section of the second pin unit 21 is a rounded quadrilateral, and the working section 22 functions as a gripping section.

[0014] During use, the user's fingers grasp the holding component 10, while the working section 22 of the working component 20 serves to grasp food and transport it to the mouth.

[0015] Furthermore, another embodiment of the present utility model, as shown in the Fig.Figures 7 to 12 show a utensil with a tenon-and-groove structure. This alternative embodiment differs from the aforementioned embodiment in that the utensil 1 is a fork made from a grain-based agricultural by-product (rice ears). The cross-section of the first tenon unit 11 of the holding component 10 is circular, while the cross-section of the second tenon unit 21 of the working component 20 is a rounded quadrilateral. The working section 22 of the working component 20 comprises fork tines.

[0016] During use, the user grasps the holding component 10 with their fingers, while the working section 22 of the working component 20 is used to spear food for consumption.

[0017] In addition to the chopsticks and fork mentioned above, cutlery assembly 1 can also include a spoon. The working section 22 of the working element 20 is designed as a spoon head for scooping soup or liquid foods into the mouth.

[0018] The structure of the specific embodiments described above offers the following advantages: 1. This utility model covers cutlery with a mortise and tenon joint structure, in which the handle component 10 and the working component 20 are connected to each other via tenon joints. This not only increases the overall strength and stability, but also allows for quick assembly and disassembly, thus achieving time and labor savings that meet consumers' desire for a high-quality lifestyle. 2. The present utility model, consisting of cutlery with a tenon joint, in which the handle component 10 and the working component 20 are made from agricultural by-products of cereals (rice ears), can be placed in standard tray-shaped instant food containers (e.g., instant noodles, instant rice, etc.). This arrangement ensures effective maintenance of food hygiene in the tray-shaped instant food containers. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] TW 365697

[0003]

Claims

[1] A set of cutlery with a tenon and mortise construction, consisting of: a handle element that the user can grasp with their fingers, the handle element having at one end a first tenon unit comprising a first dovetail tenon, a first dovetail tenon receptacle, and a first tenon-tenon receptacle section between the first dovetail tenon and the first dovetail tenon receptacle; and a working element, one end of which is provided with a second tenon unit and the other end of which is provided with a working section; the second tenon unit comprising a second dovetail tenon, a second dovetail tenon receptacle, and a second tenon-tenon receptacle section located between the second dovetail tenon and the second dovetail tenon receptacle;The second dovetail tenon of the second tenon unit engages in the first dovetail groove of the first tenon unit, and the second dovetail groove of the second tenon unit engages in the first dovetail tenon of the first tenon unit; the second tenon-and-mortise section of the second tenon unit is fitted into the first tenon-and-mortise section of the first tenon unit, thereby securely joining the gripping component and the working component into a single unit. [2] The eating utensil with a peg and tenon construction according to claim 1, wherein the utensil is chopsticks and the working area is the handle area. [3] The eating utensil with a peg and tenon construction according to claim 1, wherein the utensil is a fork and the working area is the fork tines. [4] The eating utensil with a peg and tenon construction according to claim 1, wherein the utensil is a spoon and the working part is the spoon head. [5] The eating utensil with a tenon and tenon hole construction according to claim 1, wherein the first dovetail tenon, the first dovetail tenon hole, the second dovetail tenon and the second dovetail tenon hole are trapezoidal. [6] The eating utensil with a tenon and mortise construction according to claim 1, wherein the first tenon and mortise section is Y-shaped and comprises two first base tenons and a first base mortise, and the second tenon and mortise section is mountain-shaped and comprises a second base tenon and two second base mortise holes; the second base tenon of the second tenon and mortise section engages in the first base mortise hole of the first tenon and mortise section, and the two first base tenons of the first tenon and mortise section engage in the two second base mortise holes of the second tenon and mortise section. [7] The eating utensil with a peg and tang construction according to claim 1, wherein the first peg unit is provided on both sides with a first marking to indicate the installation direction. [8] The eating utensil with a peg and tang construction according to claim 1, wherein the second peg unit is provided on both sides with a second marking to indicate the installation direction. [9] The eating utensil with a peg and tang construction according to claim 1, wherein the cross-section of both the first peg unit and the second peg unit is a rounded quadrilateral. [10] The eating utensil with a peg and tang construction according to claim 1, wherein the cross-section of both the first peg unit and the second peg unit is circular.