Stacking kitchen tool

Abstract

To provide a stacking kitchen tool by which a plurality of types of kitchen tools can be stacked and horizontally placed and by which functional parts can be suspended from a flat surface when the kitchen tool is horizontally placed on the flat surface.SOLUTION: Functional parts 22-52 and handle parts 21-51 are made to be connected in leg parts 23-53 which are structured by having inclined parts 25-55. As to the inclined parts 25-55, there are provided first inclined surfaces 25a-55a that are made line symmetrical across center lines C2-C5 and second inclined surfaces 25b-55b and, by making a flat surface as a cross section with the center lines C2-C5 made a normal direction, a cross-sectional shape where the first inclined surfaces 25a-55a and the second inclined surfaces 25b-55b are cut off is defined as U-shaped. Then, by superimposing the inclined parts 25-55 themselves and the handle parts 21-51 themselves, a plurality of downward kitchen tools 20-50 are superimposed, with the shape in which the leg parts 23-53 are cut off by the cross section designed to be a shape where the U-shapes are superimposed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a stacking kitchen tool that stores multiple types of kitchen tools in a stacked manner. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a stacking kitchen tool that allows multiple types of kitchen tools to be stored in a stacked manner. In this stacking kitchen tool, multiple kitchen tools are composed of a functional part that touches ingredients and a handle part, and the external shape of each kitchen tool, including the functional part, is made to be roughly the same shape, making it possible to stack multiple kitchen tools. A stand having a part shaped to match the handle part of each kitchen tool is provided, and each kitchen tool is leaned against the stand and supported by the stand based on the attractive force of a magnet provided in the handle part.

[0003] Non-Patent Document 2 discloses a kitchen tool that prevents a functional part from touching a flat surface such as a kitchen worktop when placed horizontally on the surface. This kitchen tool has a protrusion on the back side of the handle, located closer to the functional part, so that when placed horizontally, the protrusion, not the functional part, comes into contact with the flat surface, causing the functional part to float above the flat surface. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] Joseph Joseph, Nest Utensils Plus, Multicolor Kitchen Utensils 5-Piece Set, Internet<https: / / item.rakuten.co.jp / livingut / 5028420101249 / > [Non-Patent Document 2] Limple Life Lab., Silicone Ladle Tower, Internet <https: / / lab.yamajitsu.co.jp / item / %e3%82%b7%e3%83%aa%e3%82%b3%e3%83%bc%e3%83%b3%e3%81%8a%e7%8e%89-%e3%82%bf%e3%83%af%e3%83%bc.html> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the conventional stacking kitchen tool of Non-Patent Document 1 allows multiple types of kitchen tools to be stacked, but they cannot be laid horizontally on a flat surface when stacked, and the functional parts cannot be raised above the flat surface when each kitchen tool is laid horizontally on the flat surface. In addition, the kitchen tool of Non-Patent Document 2 allows the functional parts to be raised above the flat surface when the kitchen tool is laid horizontally on a flat surface, but the protrusions on the back of the handles get in the way and multiple types of kitchen tools cannot be stacked.

[0006] In addition, kitchen tools are generally not stored vertically on a kitchen worktop, but horizontally in a kitchen drawer. In the limited space of a drawer, storing multiple types of kitchen tools randomly is undesirable because it takes up too much storage space. However, with the stacking kitchen tool of Non-Patent Document 1, multiple types of kitchen tools cannot be stored horizontally in a stacked state, so the kitchen tools become disorganized and the drawer cannot be organized.

[0007] To provide a stacking kitchen tool that allows multiple types of kitchen tools to be stacked and placed horizontally, and allows functional parts of kitchen tools included in the multiple types of kitchen tools to float above the flat surface when placed horizontally on a flat surface. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In the stacking kitchen tool in the first aspect of the present disclosure, the multiple types of kitchen tools (10-50) include tongs (10) and two or more lower kitchen tools (20-50) arranged below the tongs, with the lower kitchen tools stacked in order with their back sides facing downward and their front sides facing upward, and the tongs stacked on top of the stacked lower kitchen tools. The lower kitchen tool is configured with a functional part (22-52) that comes into contact with the ingredients to be cooked, a handle part (21-51) that is held by the user and has a center line (C2-C5) extending in one direction, and a leg part (23-53) that is arranged between the functional part and the handle part, connects the functional part to the handle part, and has an inclined part (25-55) that inclines downward from the handle part toward the functional part, and the inclined part has a first inclined surface (25a-55a) and a second inclined surface (25b-55b) that are line-symmetrical about the center line, and the cross-sectional shape of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface cut along a plane normal to the center line is U-shaped. Furthermore, by overlapping the inclined portions and the handle portions, multiple lower kitchen tools can be stacked on top of each other, and when the legs of multiple overlapping lower kitchen tools are cut at a cutting surface, they form a U-shape overlapping each other.When the lower kitchen tools are placed on a flat surface (100) with their back sides facing downward, the first and second inclined surfaces of the legs and the rear end side of the handle portion opposite the functional portion come into contact with the flat surface, and the functional portion is raised above the flat surface.

[0009] In this way, the lower kitchen tool is structured such that the functional part and the handle part are connected by a leg part having an inclined part. Also, the inclined part has a shape having a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface and has a U-shaped cross section, and the lower kitchen tools are stacked so that the U-shaped cross sections of each lower kitchen tool overlap. By making the cross section of the inclined part U-shaped, the lower kitchen tools can be stacked even if the functional parts have different shapes. And, the inclined part is structured such that it inclines downward from the handle part toward the functional part, and the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface protrude downward from each functional part, and when the lower kitchen tool is placed horizontally, the tip of this part contacts a flat surface. Therefore, when the lower kitchen tool is placed on a flat surface, the functional part can be made to float above the flat surface. Therefore, a plurality of types of lower kitchen tools can be stacked and placed horizontally, and when placed horizontally on a flat surface, the functional part can be made to float above the flat surface. Furthermore, since the lower kitchen tools are configured to be stacked together, kitchen tools having a handle portion separated into a first handle portion and a second handle portion, like tongs, can also be stacked on top of them.

[0010] Therefore, a plurality of types of kitchen tools can be stacked, and when a kitchen tool included in the plurality of types of kitchen tools is placed horizontally on a flat surface, the functional parts can be made to float above the flat surface.

[0011] In the stacking kitchen tool in the second aspect of the present disclosure, the area between the handle portion and the legs is a continuous curved surface, and the area between the legs and the functional portion is also a continuous curved surface, so that the areas where the handle portion is connected to the legs and the functional portion are seamless.

[0012] In this manner, when the structure is such that the handle portion and the functional portion are connected via the legs, the portions where the handle portion, the legs, and the functional portion are connected are made seamless, which makes it difficult for dirt to accumulate and makes it easy to remove dirt when cleaning.

[0013] In a stacking kitchen tool according to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a plurality of kitchen tools including tongs are provided with magnets (14-54) in their handles, and the handles of adjacent kitchen tools in the vertical direction are magnetically attracted to each other by the magnets.

[0014] By providing a magnet inside the handle, when multiple kitchen tools are stacked, the handles are magnetically attracted to each other by the magnet, which increases the adhesion between the kitchen tools. This prevents the stacked kitchen tools from accidentally separating.

[0015] In the stacking kitchen tools according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, even when any of the lower kitchen tools is removed, the multiple kitchen tools can be stacked only with the remaining kitchen tools.

[0016] In this way, even if any of the lower kitchen tools are removed, only the remaining kitchen tools can be stacked, thereby ensuring the storage capacity of the remaining kitchen tools.

[0017] In the stacking kitchen tool in the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the multiple kitchen tools include at least two of a ladle (20), a spoon (30), a spatula (40), and a turner (50), and are stacked from the bottom up in the order of turner, spatula, spoon, and ladle. Even if any of the turner, spatula, spoon, and ladle is removed, the remaining kitchen tools can still be stacked.

[0018] In this way, even if any of the lower kitchen tools is removed, the remaining kitchen tools can be stacked, ensuring the storage of the remaining kitchen tools. Also, by arranging kitchen tools with relatively flat functional parts such as turners and spatulas lower and kitchen tools with deep functional parts for scooping ingredients such as spoons and ladles on the upper side, the inclination angle of the upper end surface of the functional part relative to the handle part can be set to an appropriate angle according to the function of the functional part.

[0019] In the stacking kitchen tool in the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the multiple kitchen tools have four lower kitchen tools, namely a ladle (20), spoon (30), spatula (40), and turner (50), and the turner, spatula, spoon, and ladle are stacked from the bottom up in that order, with the tongs stacked on top. When the multiple kitchen tools are stacked on a flat surface, the width dimension (La) parallel to the flat surface is within 80 mm, the height dimension (Lb) normal to the flat surface is within 80 mm, and the length dimension (Lc) perpendicular to the width and height directions is within 320 mm.

[0020] In this way, when multiple kitchen tools are stacked, the width is within 80 mm, the height is within 80 mm, and the length is within 320 mm. This compact size allows them to be stored in the drawers of a typical Japanese system kitchen, saving space and allowing for neat storage.

[0021] The reference symbols in parentheses attached to each component, etc., indicate an example of the correspondence between the component, etc. and the specific components, etc. described in the embodiment described later. In addition, when expressing a number of symbols that have the same first digit and the second and subsequent digits of the numbers that increase by one each, they are collectively expressed using "~". For example, the symbols "10, 20, 30, 40, 50" are expressed as "10-50", and the symbols "25a, 35a, 45a, 55a" are expressed as "25a-55a". [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stacking kitchen tool according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of a stacking kitchen tool placed on a flat surface. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a top view of stacking kitchen tools. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of a ladle, a spoon, a spatula and a turner stacked together and cut at the connecting portion. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tongs in a stored state. [Figure 6A] FIG. [Figure 6B] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a side view of the tongs in use placed on a flat surface. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a side view of a ladle placed on a flat surface. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, including other embodiments described below, the same reference numerals will be used to denote the same or equivalent parts in each embodiment.

[0024] (First embodiment) A stacking kitchen tool 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 12. The drawings attached to this specification show an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis. The longitudinal direction of the stacking kitchen tool 1 is called the X-axis, the width direction of the stacking kitchen tool 1 perpendicular to the X-axis is called the Y-axis, and the thickness direction of the stacking kitchen tool 1 perpendicular to the X-axis and the Y-axis is called the Z-axis.

[0025] [Stacking Kitchen Tool 1 Configuration] The stacking kitchen tool 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is composed of multiple types of kitchen tools 10 to 50 stacked horizontally, and can be stored in a stacked state from which the individual kitchen tools 10 to 50 can be removed and used.

[0026] The multiple types of kitchen tools 10-50 include tongs 10, a ladle 20, a spoon 30, a spatula 40, and a turner 50. From the bottom in FIG. 1, the turner 50, the spatula 40, the spoon 30, the ladle 20, and the tongs 10 are stacked together to form a single unit. The tongs 10 have a structure in which a handle portion 11 held by a user and a functional portion 12 that touches ingredients to be cooked are continuously connected. Among the multiple types of kitchen tools 10-50, the ones arranged below the tongs 10 are lower kitchen tools 20-50, each of which has a structure in which legs 23-53 are provided between handle portions 21-51 and functional portions 22-52.

[0027] The longitudinal direction of the handle parts 11-51 of each of the kitchen tools 10-50 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the stacking kitchen tool 1, and these longitudinal directions are along the X-axis. As shown in Fig. 2, when the stacking kitchen tool 1 is placed on a flat surface 100 such as a kitchen worktop, the longitudinal directions of the handle parts 11-51 are inclined with respect to the flat surface 100, so that the X-axis is an axis inclined with respect to the flat surface 100.

[0028] The multiple types of kitchen tools 10-50 are stacked in order with their back sides facing downward and their front sides facing upward. Specifically, the multiple types of kitchen tools 10-50 are stacked with their handles 11-51 overlapping each other. In addition, the lower kitchen tools 20-50 are stacked with their legs 23-53 overlapping each other. For this reason, the handles 11-51 and legs 23-53 are configured with a common shape so that they can be stacked. First, the common configuration will be described.

[0029] As shown in Figures 5, 8, and 10 to 12, the handle portions 11 to 51 are long plates having center lines C1 to C5 extending in one direction, and as shown in Figure 3, they have approximately the same shape when viewed from above. As will be described later, the tongs 10 are divided into two parts, and the handle portion 11 is also composed of a first handle portion 111 and a second handle portion 112, but the first handle portion 111 and the second handle portion 112 also have the same configuration as the other handle portions 21 to 51. The first handle portion 111, the second handle portion 112, and the handle portions 21 to 51 are all the same thickness, creating a sense of unity.

[0030] When multiple kitchen tools 10-50 are stacked as shown in Figure 1, the handle portions 11-51 are stacked such that adjacent ones are in contact with each other vertically, and such that the top surface of the one placed below is in contact with the bottom surface of the one placed above. Each handle portion 11-51 has a curved shape with the center side in the Y-axis direction concave downward more than both ends, resulting in a shape that allows for greater adhesion when stacked.

[0031] Furthermore, each of the kitchen tools 10-50 is made of, for example, resin, and as shown by the dashed lines in Fig. 2, each of the handles 11-51 has a built-in magnet 14-54. When multiple kitchen tools 10-50 are stacked on top of each other, adjacent ones on the top and bottom are magnetically attracted to each other by the magnets 14-54, so that the kitchen tools can be more closely attached to each other.

[0032] As shown in Figures 5, 8, and 10 to 12, the handle portions 11 to 51 are provided with through holes 17 to 57 at their rear ends opposite the functional portions 12 to 52. This makes it possible to separate the various types of kitchen tools 10 to 50 and store them by hanging them on hooks provided on a wall (not shown).

[0033] Meanwhile, the legs 23-53 are disposed between the handles 21-51 and the functional parts 22-52 of the lower kitchen tools 20-50, and connect them. The legs 23-53 are designed to enable stacking of the lower kitchen tools 20-50, while allowing the functional parts 22-52 to float above the flat surface when the lower kitchen tools 20-50 are separated and placed on a flat surface. This allows the lower kitchen tools 20-50 to be temporarily placed easily and hygienically without the need for a plate or the like.

[0034] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the leg portions 23-53 have inclined portions 25-55 that incline downward from the handle portions 21-51 toward the functional portions 22-52. As shown in Figs. 8, 10-12, the inclined portions 25-55 have first inclined surfaces 25a-55a and second inclined surfaces 25b-55b, respectively, and these first inclined surfaces 25a-55a and second inclined surfaces 25b-55b protrude downward beyond the respective functional portions 22-52, and the tips of these portions form bottom portions 26-56 that contact a flat surface.

[0035] The first inclined surfaces 25a-55a and the second inclined surfaces 25b-55b are symmetrical with respect to the center lines C2-C5. More specifically, the first inclined surfaces 25a-55a and the second inclined surfaces 25b-55b are symmetrical with respect to the XZ plane passing through the center lines C2-C5, and the first inclined surfaces 25a-55a and the second inclined surfaces 25b-55b intersect at the center lines C2-C5. As shown in FIG. 4, the cross-section of the first inclined surfaces 25a-55a and the second inclined surfaces 25b-55b cut along a plane normal to the X-axis has a U-shape.

[0036] The first inclined surfaces 25a-55a and the second inclined surfaces 25b-55b may be flat surfaces, but are curved surfaces here. The shapes of the first inclined surfaces 25a-55a and the second inclined surfaces 25b-55b are designed so that the portions connecting the handle portions 21-51 to the legs 23-53 and the functional portions 22-52 are seamless, with the legs 23-53 and the functional portions 22-52 also being curved continuously.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4, the cross-sectional shape of the legs 23-53 of the stacked lower kitchen tools 20-50 is a U-shape. Therefore, the legs 23-53 of the stacked lower kitchen tools 20-50 mesh with each other to prevent the lower kitchen tools 20-50 from moving laterally, and the stacked state is maintained. Furthermore, the U-shaped cross-sectional shape makes it possible to increase the rigidity of the legs 23-53. Therefore, even if the user grips the handle parts 21-51 and performs an action that applies a load to the functional parts 22-52 during use, deformation of the legs 23-53 is suppressed, and the kitchen tools can be used more satisfactorily.

[0038] The above is a common configuration among the kitchen tools 10 to 50. Next, each of the kitchen tools 10 to 50 will be described.

[0039] [Configuration of tongs 10] The tongs 10 is composed of two parts, and has a first handle portion 111 and a second handle portion 112 provided as the handle portion 11, and a first functional portion 121 and a second functional portion 122 provided as the functional portion 12. The first functional portion 121 is connected to the tip of the first handle portion 111 and constitutes one half of the tongs 10, and the second functional portion 122 is also connected to the tip of the second handle portion 112 and constitutes the other half of the tongs 10. The first functional portion 121 and the second functional portion 122 are symmetrically shaped into a substantially semi-ellipsoid, and the inner wall surfaces 121a, 122a of each are concave surfaces, and the outer wall surfaces 121b, 122b are convex curved surfaces.

[0040] The first handle portion 111 and the second handle portion 112 have a structure common to the above-described handle portions 21 to 51, but in addition thereto, a coupling mechanism is provided that connects the first handle portion 111 and the second handle portion 112. The coupling mechanism is structured to couple the first handle portion 111 and the second handle portion 112 in different forms when the tongs 10 are in use and when they are stored.

[0041] In the stored state shown in Figure 5, the underside of the first handle portion 111 is the first surface 111a, the upper surface side is the second surface 111b, the underside of the second handle portion 112 is the third surface 112a, and the upper surface side is the fourth surface 112b, and the first handle portion 111 and the second handle portion 112 are stacked so that the second surface 111b and the third surface 112a are in contact.

[0042] The rear end of the first handle portion 111 is provided with an inclined portion 111e having a fifth surface 111c connected to the first surface 111a and a sixth surface 111d connected to the second surface 111b. The inclined portion 111e is inclined such that the fifth surface 111c and the sixth surface 111d are directed upward from below with respect to the first surface 111a and the second surface 111b toward the rear end of the first handle portion 111. As shown in FIG. 6A, the inclined portion 111e is formed with a notch 111f extending from the rear end of the first handle portion 111 along the X-axis direction.

[0043] On the other hand, the rear end of the second handle portion 112 is provided with a seventh surface 112c that is connected to the third surface 112a and inclined in a direction from the third surface 112a side to the fourth surface 112b side toward the rear end of the second handle portion 112. In addition, a support portion 112e having an eighth surface 112d facing the seventh surface 112c is provided at a position equivalent to the thickness of the inclined portion 111e from the seventh surface 112c, and as shown in FIG. 2, the seventh surface 112c and the eighth surface 112d are connected by a connecting portion 112f. Although not shown in the figure, the connecting portion 112f has a shape corresponding to the notch 111f, and can be fitted into and removed from the notch 111f. In addition, the inclination angle of the gap between the seventh surface 112c and the eighth surface 112d with respect to the X-axis is made to coincide with the inclination angle of the inclined portion 111e with respect to the X-axis.

[0044] Furthermore, when the tongs 10 are in the stored state, one side of the first handle portion 111 relative to the center line C1 is provided with a leg portion 111g protruding from a side surface of the first handle portion 111 to one side in the Y-axis direction. Also, the other side of the second handle portion 112 relative to the center line C1 is provided with a leg portion 112g protruding from a side surface of the second handle portion 112 to the other side in the Y-axis direction. The leg portions 111g, 112g have a seamless shape that smoothly connects to the first handle portion 111 and the second handle portion 112, and are shaped in such a way that dirt does not easily accumulate and dirt can be easily removed during cleaning.

[0045] With this configuration, when the tongs 10 are stacked on the lower kitchen tools 20 to 50, they are arranged so that the outer wall surface 121b of the first functional part 121 faces the inner wall surface 122a of the second functional part 122 as shown in Fig. 5. Also, the connecting part 112f is fitted into the notch 111f, the sixth surface 111d and the seventh surface 112c abut, the fifth surface 111c and the eighth surface 112d abut, and further the second surface 111b and the third surface 112a abut, so that the first handle part 111 and the second handle part 112 are integrated into a long plate-like storage state.

[0046] When the tongs 10 are used, they are removed from the lower kitchen tools 20-50, and the first and second functional parts 121 and 122 are arranged with their inner wall surfaces 121a and 122a facing each other as shown in Fig. 6A. Then, the connecting part 112f is fitted into the notch 111f, so that the fifth surface 111c and the seventh surface 112c come into contact with each other, and the sixth surface 111d and the eighth surface 112d come into contact with each other, as shown in Fig. 6B. Furthermore, the first surface 111a and the third surface 112a are separated from each other, so that the first handle part 111 and the second handle part 112 are V-shaped, and the first functional part 121 and the second functional part 122 can be opened and closed by the elastic deformation of the inclined part 111e.

[0047] During use, the legs 111g of the first handle portion 111 and the legs 112g of the second handle portion 112 protrude in the same direction. Therefore, when the tongs 10 are placed on a flat surface 100 as shown in Fig. 7, the tongs 10 are supported by the legs 112g on the near side of the page and the legs 111g on the far side of the page and the rear end of the handle portion 11, and the functional portion 12 can be lifted. This makes it possible to temporarily place the tongs 10 easily and hygienically without the need for a plate or the like.

[0048] [Configuration of ladle 20] As shown in FIG. 8, the ladle 20 has a functional part 22 formed of a deep container-like member, with an upper end surface 22a side as an opening, and serves to scoop ingredients and pour liquids into other containers such as pots and dishes. The inner wall surface of the functional part 22, including the bottom, is rounded into a spherical shape, making it easy to put ingredients in and pour liquids into. The upper surface shape of the functional part 22 may be any shape, such as a circle or a polygonal shape with rounded corners, but here it is made approximately rectangular with rounded corners, and corners 22c are provided on the tip 22b side to make it easier to pour liquid. The base side of the functional part 22 connected to the leg 23 has a reduced dimension in the Y-axis direction at the part connected to the leg 23, and is aligned with the width of the leg 23 in the same direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper end surface 22a of the functional portion 22 is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the handle portion 21, and an extension line L1 of the upper end surface 22a is inclined at an angle θ1 with respect to an imaginary line Lx along the X-axis.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 8, the bottom surface of the functional part 22 is provided with a circular scale line 22d, and by pouring liquid along the scale line 22d, it is possible to measure liquid in amounts equivalent to a teaspoon and a tablespoon, for example, 5 ml and 15 ml.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 9, the height relationship between the lower surface of the functional part 22 and the leg part 23 is set so that the leg part 23 protrudes downward from the functional part 22 when the ladle 20 is placed on the flat surface 100, and this part and the rear end of the handle part 21 opposite to the functional part 22 contact the flat surface 100. Therefore, even when the ladle 20 is placed on the flat surface 100, the functional part 22 floats above the flat surface 100. The leg part 23 is in a state where two points, the first inclined surface 25a shown in FIG. 9 and the second inclined surface 25b located on the far side of the paper surface of FIG. 9, contact the flat surface 100. Therefore, the ladle 20 can be stably placed on the flat surface 100 by three points including the two points of the leg part 23 and the rear end of the handle part 21.

[0051] [Composition of Spoon 30] As shown in FIG. 10, the spoon 30 also has a functional part 32 formed of a deep container-like member, with an opening on the upper end surface 32a side, which plays a role in mixing, scooping, serving, scraping, and pouring liquids into other containers. The inner wall surface of the functional part 32, including the bottom, is rounded into a semi-ellipsoid shape, and the upper surface shape is elliptical, making it easy to put in ingredients and to pour liquids from the protruding tip 32b. The base side of the functional part 32 connected to the leg 33 has a reduced dimension in the Y-axis direction at the part connected to the leg 33, and is aligned with the width of the leg 33 in the same direction. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the functional part 32 has an upper end surface 32a inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the handle part 51, and an extension line L2 of the upper end surface 32a is inclined at an angle θ2 with respect to a virtual line Lx along the X-axis.

[0052] In addition, the bottom surface of the functional part 32 is provided with an annular scale line 32c, and by pouring liquid according to the scale line 32c, it is possible to measure liquid in amounts equivalent to a teaspoon and a tablespoon, for example 5 ml and 15 ml.

[0053] The spoon 30 is also omitted from the illustration because the height relationship between the leg 33 and the functional part 32 and the shape of the leg 33 are the same as those of the ladle 20, but like the ladle 20, when placed on the flat surface 100, the functional part 32 floats above the flat surface 100, and the spoon can be stably placed on the flat surface 100. The spatula 40 and turner 50, which will be described later, are also omitted from the illustration because the functional parts 42, 52 float above the flat surface 100 when placed on the flat surface 100, and the spoon can be stably placed on the flat surface 100.

[0054] [Configuration of Hera 40] As shown in FIG. 11, the spatula 40 has a functional part 42 made of a flat, thin plate-like member, and plays a role in mixing, scraping, and crushing ingredients along a frying pan or bowl. The thin plate-like member constituting the functional part 42 has a substantially rectangular shape with its tip inclined with respect to the X-axis and Y-axis, and each corner is rounded to make it easy to fit the inner wall surface of a frying pan or bowl. The dimension of the functional part 42 in the Y-axis direction is reduced from the tip side toward the base side connected to the leg part 43, and is aligned with the width of the leg part 43 in the same direction. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the functional part 52 is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the handle part 51, and the extension line L3 of the upper end surface 42a is inclined at an angle θ3 with respect to a virtual line Lx along the X-axis.

[0055] [Configuration of Turner 50] As shown in FIG. 12, the turner 50 also has a functional part 52 made of a flat thin plate member, which is inserted under the food to turn over or place the food, and cuts the food at its tip. The thin plate member constituting the functional part 42 has a substantially rectangular shape with its tip along the Y axis, and each corner is rounded, making it flexible and easy to insert under the food, while having a thickness that provides the strength to cut the food. The base side of the functional part 42 has a reduced Y-axis dimension at the part connected to the leg part 43, and is aligned with the width of the leg part 43 in the Y-axis direction. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the functional part 52 is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the handle part 51, and an extension line L4 of the upper end surface 52a is inclined at an angle θ4 with respect to a virtual line Lx along the X axis.

[0056] Although the kitchen tools 10-50 are made of resin except for the magnets 14-54, they may be made of one type of material or a plurality of types of materials. For example, the outer edge of the functional part 22 of the ladle 20 may be made of a soft resin such as silicone to make it easier to scrape ingredients without scratching the inner wall of a frying pan or pot. In addition, the inclined part 111e of the tongs 10 may be made of a more durable elastically deformable material because a load is locally applied to it. Of course, the kitchen tools 10-50 may be made of a material other than resin, such as metal.

[0057] [Effects of stacking kitchen tools 1] Next, the effects of the stacking kitchen tool 1 configured as above will be described.

[0058] (1) The lower kitchen tools 20-50 are structured such that the functional parts 22-52 and the handle parts 21-51 are connected by the legs 23-53 having the inclined parts 25-55. Therefore, the legs 23-53 can have two functions: a function of stacking a plurality of lower kitchen tools 20-50 by stacking the inclined parts 25-55 on each other, and a function of allowing the functional parts 22-52 to float above the flat surface 100 when the lower kitchen tools 20-50 are placed on the flat surface 100.

[0059] Specifically, the inclined portions 25-55 have a first inclined surface 25a-55a and a second inclined surface 25b-55b and have a U-shaped cross section, and the lower kitchen tools 20-50 are stacked together so that the U-shaped cross sections of the lower kitchen tools 20-50 overlap. By making the cross section of the inclined portions 25-55 U-shaped in this way, the lower kitchen tools 20-50 can be stacked together even if the functional parts 22-52 have different shapes. The inclined portions 25-55 are structured to be inclined downward from the handle parts 21-51 toward the functional parts 22-52, and the first inclined surfaces 25a-55a and the second inclined surfaces 25b-55b protrude downward beyond the functional parts 22-52, and the tips of these parts are in contact with the flat surface 100. Therefore, when the lower kitchen tools 20-50 are placed on the flat surface 100, the functional parts 22-52 can be made to float above the flat surface 100. As a result, a plurality of types of lower kitchen tools 20-50 can be stacked, and when the lower kitchen tools 20-50 are placed horizontally on the flat surface 100, the functional parts 22-52 can be made to float above the flat surface 100.

[0060] Furthermore, by making the cross-sectional shape of the inclined portions 25-55 U-shaped and arranging the U-shaped cross sections of each lower kitchen tool 20-50 so that they overlap, the lateral movement of the overlapping lower kitchen tools 20-50 can be restricted.

[0061] Furthermore, since the lower kitchen tools 20-50 are configured to be stacked together, they can also be stacked on top of each other with a handle portion 11 separated into two parts, a first handle portion 111 and a second handle portion 112, like the tongs 10. This allows the lower kitchen tools 20-50 to be stacked in order with their back sides facing downward and their front sides facing upward, and the tongs 10 to be stacked on top of the stacked lower kitchen tools 20-50 to realize a stacking kitchen tool 1.

[0062] (2) Since the multiple types of kitchen tools 10 to 50 can be stacked horizontally, the multiple types of kitchen tools 10 to 50 can be stored in a kitchen drawer in this state. Therefore, the multiple types of kitchen tools 10 to 50 can be prevented from taking up too much space, and the reduction in storage space can be suppressed. In addition, since the multiple types of kitchen tools 10 to 50 can be stored together, the inside of the drawer can be neatly organized. In particular, in a Japanese system kitchen, it is necessary to store various items in the limited space in the drawer. In a typical Japanese system kitchen, the drawer has a depth of about 400 to 450 mm and a height of about 100 to 150 mm. In contrast, when five kitchen tools 10 to 50 are stored horizontally as in this embodiment, the width dimension La in the Y-axis direction parallel to the flat surface 100 shown in FIG. 2 or 3 is within 80 mm, the height dimension Lb in the normal direction to the flat surface 100 is within 80 mm, and the length dimension Lc perpendicular to the width and height directions is within 320 mm. Such a compact size means that it can be stored in the drawers of a typical Japanese system kitchen, allowing for space-saving and neat storage.

[0063] (3) The inclined portions 25-55 have a U-shaped cross section, which increases the rigidity of the inclined portions 25-55. Therefore, even if the user grips the handle portions 21-51 and applies a load to the functional portions 22-52 during use, deformation of the inclined portions 25-55 is suppressed, and the lower kitchen tools 20-50 can be used more satisfactorily.

[0064] (4) The portions between the handle portions 21-51 and the legs 23-53 are formed as a continuous curved surface, and the portions between the legs 23-53 and the functional portions 22-52 are also formed as a continuous curved surface, so that the portions connecting the handle portions 21-51 and the legs 23-53 and the functional portions 22-52 are seamless. By making the portions connecting the handle portions 21-51 and the legs 23-53 and the functional portions 22-52 seamless in this manner, dirt is less likely to accumulate and dirt can be easily removed during cleaning.

[0065] (5) Magnets 14-54 are provided in the handles 11-51 of the multiple types of kitchen tools 10-50 including the tongs 10. The handles 11-51 of the multiple types of kitchen tools 10-50 that are adjacent to each other vertically are magnetically attracted to each other by the magnets 14-54. This makes it possible to increase the adhesion between the kitchen tools 10-50. This makes it possible to prevent the multiple types of kitchen tools 10-50 from being unintentionally separated when stacked together.

[0066] (6) Even if one or more of the stacked lower kitchen tools 20 to 50 are removed, the remaining kitchen tools can be stacked together even after the removed kitchen tools are removed. This allows the remaining kitchen tools to be stacked together, ensuring storage capacity. In addition, even if a user owns only one of the kitchen tools 10 to 50, storage capacity is not compromised, so there is an advantage that it is not necessary for the user to collect all of the kitchen tools 10 to 50.

[0067] Specifically, in this embodiment, the turner 50, spatula 40, spoon 30, and ladle 20 are stacked in this order from the bottom up, and even if any one or more of these are removed, the remaining kitchen tools can be stacked. Note that, although an example is given here in which the four types of lower kitchen tools 20-50, the turner 50, spatula 40, spoon 30, and ladle 20, are stacked and the tongs 10 is stacked on top of them, a configuration in which at least two types of the turner 50, spatula 40, spoon 30, and ladle 20 are stacked and the tongs 10 is stacked on top of them may also be used.

[0068] In addition, kitchen tools having relatively flat functional parts 42, 52 such as the spatula 40 and turner 50 are placed further down, while kitchen tools having functional parts 22, 32 with depth for scooping ingredients such as the ladle 20 and spoon 30 are placed on top. This allows the inclination angles θ1-θ4 of the upper end faces 22a-52a of the functional parts 22-52 relative to the handle parts 21-51 to be set to appropriate angles according to the functions of the functional parts 22-52.

[0069] For example, consider a case where the ladle 20 and the spoon 30 are placed below the spatula 40 and the turner 50. In this case, the inclination angles θ1 and θ2 of the ladle 20 and the spoon 30 are adjusted so that the ladle 20 and the spoon 30 do not come into contact with the flat surface 100 when each of the lower kitchen tools 20 to 50 is placed on the flat surface 100 while taking into consideration the depth of the ladle 20 and the spoon 30. The inclination angles θ3 and θ4 of the spatula 40 and the turner 50 placed thereon depend on the inclination angles θ1 and θ2 of the ladle 20 and the spoon 30. For this reason, the inclination angles θ3 and θ4 may become steeper than necessary, and it may become impossible to appropriately adjust the inclination angles θ3 and θ4 for the required functions. For this reason, by stacking the kitchen tools 20 to 40 in the above order, the inclination angles θ1 to θ4 can be set to appropriate angles according to the functions of the functional parts 22 to 52.

[0070] (7) The tongs 10 are composed of two parts: the first handle portion 111 and the first functional portion 121, and the second handle portion 112 and the second functional portion 122. The tongs 10 can be stacked on the lower kitchen tools 20 to 50 by separating and stacking the first handle portion 111 and the second handle portion 112.

[0071] Furthermore, by forming the functional portion 12 of the tongs 10 in a semi-ellipsoid shape, the tongs 10 can be made to have a simple structure, which can prevent dirt from adhering to the tongs 10 and makes it easier to remove dirt during cleaning. The first handle portion 111 and the second handle portion 112 are connected by fitting the connecting portion 112f formed on the second handle portion 112 into the notch 111f formed in the inclined portion 111e of the first handle portion 111, and the tongs 10 can be opened and closed based on the elastic deformation of the inclined portion 111e.

[0072] With this configuration, it is not necessary to provide a separate spring between the first and second handle portions as in the conventional method to enable opening and closing operations, or to provide parts necessary for closing the handle portion in a structure in which the handle portion is constructed as a single U-shaped part and the opening and closing operations are performed based on elastic deformation of the U-shaped bent portion, thereby allowing the tongs 10 to have a simple configuration.

[0073] (Other embodiments) The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified within the scope of the claims. In addition, in the above-described embodiment, it goes without saying that the elements constituting the embodiment are not necessarily essential, except when they are specifically stated as essential or when they are clearly considered essential in principle. In addition, in the above-described embodiment, when the numbers, values, amounts, ranges, etc. of the components of the embodiment are mentioned, they are not limited to the specific numbers, except when they are specifically stated as essential or when they are clearly limited to a specific number in principle. In addition, in the above-described embodiment, when the shapes, positional relationships, etc. of the components are mentioned, they are not limited to the shapes, positional relationships, etc., except when they are specifically stated or when they are limited to a specific shape, positional relationship, etc. in principle.

[0074] For example, the shape of the functional parts 12-52 of each kitchen tool 10-50 may be any shape, and may be different from that of the above embodiment. The stacking order of the lower kitchen tools 20-50 is preferably the same as that of the above embodiment, but may be different. The number of lower kitchen tools 20-50 is also any number, and the present disclosure can be applied when at least two or more are stacked, and the multiple types of kitchen tools 20-50 may include the same type.

[0075] In the above embodiment, each of the handle portions 11 to 51 is formed in a long plate shape with the center side in the Y-axis direction recessed downward more than both ends, but this is merely one example of the shape of the handle portions 11 to 51. For example, the handle portions 11 to 51 may be formed in a long plate shape with flat front and back surfaces, or may be formed in a long plate shape with the center side in the Y-axis direction protruding downward more than both ends.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the stacking kitchen tools 1 is described in which the tongs 10 are further stacked on top of the stacked lower kitchen tools 20-50. However, a structure in which the kitchen tools are stacked horizontally and the functional parts 22-52 are raised above the flat surface 100 can be realized with only the lower kitchen tools 20-50 excluding the tongs 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1... stacking kitchen tool, 10... tongs, 20... ladle, 30... spoon, 40... spatula, 50... turner, 11-51... handle portion, 12-52... functional portion, 22a-52a... upper end surface, 23-53... legs, 14-54... magnet, 25-55... inclined portion, 25a-55a... first inclined surface, 25b-55b... second inclined surface, 26-56... bottom portion, 17-57... through hole

Claims

1. A stacking kitchen tool for stacking multiple types of kitchen tools (10 to 50), The multiple types of kitchen tools include tongs (10) and two or more lower kitchen tools (20-50) arranged below the tongs, the lower kitchen tools being arranged in a stacked order with their back sides facing downward and their front sides facing upward, and the tongs being arranged on top of the stacked lower kitchen tools; The lower kitchen tool is A functional part (22 to 52) that comes into contact with ingredients to be cooked; A handle portion (21-51) that is in the shape of a long plate having a center line (C2-C5) extending in one direction and is gripped by a user; and a leg portion (23-53) arranged between the functional portion and the handle portion, connecting the functional portion and the handle portion, and having an inclined portion (25-55) inclined downward from the handle portion toward the functional portion, the inclined portion has a first inclined surface (25a to 55a) and a second inclined surface (25b to 55b) which are line-symmetrical with respect to the center line, and a cross-sectional shape obtained by cutting the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface with a plane having the center line as a normal direction as a cutting surface is U-shaped; The inclined portions and the handle portions are overlapped with each other to stack a plurality of the lower kitchen tools, and the shape of the leg portions of the stacked lower kitchen tools cut with the cutting surface becomes a shape of overlapping U-shapes, This stacking kitchen tool is such that, when the lower kitchen tool is placed on a flat surface (100) with the back side facing downward, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface of the leg and the rear end side of the handle portion opposite the functional part contact the flat surface, and the functional part is floating above the flat surface.

2. 2. The stacking kitchen tool of claim 1, wherein the portion between the handle portion and the leg portion is a continuous curved surface, and the portion between the leg portion and the functional portion is also a continuous curved surface, so that the portions connecting the handle portion to the leg portion and the functional portion are seamless.

3. 2. The stacking kitchen tool according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of kitchen tools including the tongs are provided with magnets (14-54) in the handle portions, and the handle portions of adjacent ones of the plurality of kitchen tools in the vertical direction are magnetically attracted to each other by the magnets.

4. 4. The stacking kitchen tool according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of kitchen tools are stacked with only the unremoved kitchen tools even when any of the lower kitchen tools is removed.

5. The stacking kitchen tool according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of kitchen tools include at least two of a ladle (20), a spoon (30), a spatula (40) and a turner (50) as the lower kitchen tools, and the turner, the spatula, the spoon and the ladle are stacked from the bottom in this order, and even if any of the turner, the spatula, the spoon and the ladle is removed, the remaining kitchen tools can be stacked.

6. The plurality of kitchen tools include four lower kitchen tools, namely, a ladle (20), a spoon (30), a spatula (40), and a turner (50), and the turner, the spatula, the spoon, and the ladle are stacked in this order from below, and the tongs are stacked on top of them; 2. The stacking kitchen tool according to claim 1, wherein, when the plurality of kitchen tools are stacked on the flat surface, the width dimension (La) parallel to the flat surface is within 80 mm, the height dimension (Lb) normal to the flat surface is within 80 mm, and the length dimension (Lc) perpendicular to the width and height directions is within 320 mm.

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