Ladle

Abstract

To provide a ladle that is useful and convenient for users.SOLUTION: A ladle is provided with a bowl-shaped scooping part at an end of a handle part, where a position of the deepest part of the scooping part is on a side of the handle part, the scooping part has a substantially triangular shape in plan view, or the handle part has a shape curved on the outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a ladle.

Background Art

[0002] As one of cooking utensils, a ladle is known. A ladle is a cooking utensil that can transfer food or the like from a pot to another container by scooping food such as soup with the scooping part at the tip (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Documents

[0004]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the conventional ladle has focused on ensuring the scooping function, and the ease of pouring and the burden on the user have not been considered. In particular, when scooping food with a ladle, the weight of the food also adds up, which has often been a burden on the user.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a ladle that is easy to use and highly convenient for the user, for example.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The ladle of the present disclosure is a ladle provided with a bowl-shaped scooping part at the end of the handle part, and the position of the deepest part of the scooping part is on the handle part side.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, for example, it is possible to provide coins that are user-friendly and convenient for the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments shown below are one of the embodiments for providing the present disclosure, and the content of the present disclosure is not limitedly interpreted based on the following description.

[0011] [1. Overall Shape] The coin 1, which is a cooking utensil of the present disclosure, will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the coin 1, and FIG. 2(a) is a front view of the coin 1 as viewed from the front. FIG. 2(b) is a side view of the coin 1 as viewed from the side (right side). The coin 1 is configured to have a handle part 3 and a scooping part 5 below the handle part 3.

[0012] In the following description, the horizontal direction in the front view of the ball 1 is referred to as the left - right direction. In Fig. 2(a), L is the left side and R is the right side. Also, the horizontal direction in the right - side view of the ball 1 is referred to as the front - back direction. In Fig. 2(b), F is the front side and B is the back side. Also, although the direction of the ball 1 changes depending on how the user holds it, generally when referring to the "handle side" or "user side", it means the B side in Fig. 2(b).

[0013] [2. Scooping part] [2.1 Shape in plan view] The scooping part 5 has a bowl - like shape and, when viewed in plan, is triangular with the handle part 3 side as the apex. For example, Fig. 3 is a view taken centering on the scooping part 5 of the ball 1. The left side of Fig. 3 shows the scooping part 5 of the ball 1 of the present disclosure, and the right side of Fig. 3 shows the scooping part 95 of the conventional ball 90.

[0014] The tip side of the scooping part 5 of the ball 1 of the present disclosure has a straight shape. Here, the straight shape at the tip means a shape that is substantially linear, but it may be gently curved. By having the tip side of the scooping part 5 be substantially straight, for example, it is easy to bring the tip of the scooping part 5 into close contact with the inner surface of a pot such as the bottom or side of a pot, and it is possible to scrape up food thoroughly.

[0015] Also, both sides of the tip side of the scooping part 5 have gentle corners. It is configured in an R - shape from the corners to the handle side, and the scooping part 5 is triangular (substantially triangular such as an equilateral triangle or an isosceles triangle) in plan view. The conventional scooping part 95 had a shape close to an ellipse, but the scooping part 5 of the ball 1 of the present disclosure is made triangular as a shape inscribed in a circle in plan view in order to make it easy to pour even into small - sized tableware with a circular rim such as a bowl. As a result, the scooping part 5 can efficiently enter into the tableware. Thereby, the user can transfer the scooped food to a bowl or the like without spilling it by using the ball 1 of the present disclosure.

[0016] In addition, a member serving as a buffer material may be provided at the peripheral edge of the scooping portion 5. For example, the tip member 7 may be provided around the tip side of the scooping portion 5. At this time, the entire ball 1 is composed of a member having hardness. Thus, the ball 1 of the present disclosure is formed of a first member (a hard member) in its overall shape (for example, the scooping portion 5 other than the tip member 7, the handle portion 3), and the tip member 7 is formed of a second member (a member softer than the first member). Further, the entire ball 1 may be formed of a synthetic resin as the first member. At this time, the second member of the tip member 7 may be formed of silicone rubber or the like.

[0017] [2.2 Shape in side view] When the scooping portion 5 of the ball 1 of the present disclosure is viewed from the side, the deepest position (the position of the deepest part) in the scooping portion 5 is on the rear side (the handle portion 3 side) of the center of the scooping portion 5. FIG. 4 shows an example of a cross-sectional view seen from the right side of the ball 1. FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 2(a). For example, when considering the distance between the front side (side F in FIG. 4) of the ball 1 and the rear side (side B in FIG. 4) of the ball 1, the position of the deepest part P1 is located on the rear side of the center of the scooping portion 5. Here, the scooping portion 5 has a curved shape (bowl shape) in side view. Among the scooping portions 5, the position of the scooping portion 5 where the depth R3 is the longest (the deepest place) is defined as the deepest part P1. Also, the upper edge portion of the scooping portion 5 is defined as the scooping portion edge h1. The scooping portion edge h1 constitutes, for example, a virtual horizontal line in FIG. 4.

[0018] Then, as shown in FIG. 4, when the distance between the rear side (side B, the front side on the user side when using the ball 1) of the scooping portion 5 and the deepest part P1 is R1, and the distance between the front side (side F, the side opposite to the user side when using the ball 1) of the scooping portion 5 and the deepest part P1 is R2, R1 < R2 will satisfy the relationship. At this time, R2 is preferably included between approximately 1.2 times and 2.0 times of R1. More preferably, R2 is about 1.3 times to 1.5 times of R1.

[0019] For example, the following sizes can be considered as the shape of the ball 1. When R3 is 26.5 mm, R1 is 27.5 mm and R2 is 38 mm. In this case, the scooping part 5 can scoop approximately 50 milliliters of liquid. (2) When R3 is 30.4 mm, R1 is 34 mm and R2 is 45 mm In this case, the scooping part 5 can scoop approximately 80 milliliters of liquid.

[0020] In this way, the position of the deepest part of the scooping part 5 is on the side of the handle part 3 from the center in the depth direction (BF direction) of the scooping part 5. Therefore, the center of gravity of the entire ball 1 is closer to the handle part 3. In particular, when the user scoops food with the ball 1, even if the weight of the food is added to the ball 1, since the center of gravity is on the side of the handle part 3, the user can easily perform the scooping operation.

[0021] When the ball scoops food, the weight of the scooped part is also added. Also, when the ball 1 is tilted when pouring food, a large burden is applied to the user's hand and fingers each time. In the ball 1 of the present embodiment, since the center of gravity of the ball 1 is on the side of the handle part 3, the center of gravity approaches the user's hand, and even if the ball 1 is scooped up fully, the user can easily perform operations using the ball 1.

[0022] [3. Handle part] Next, the shape of the handle part 3 will be described. In the ball 1 of the present embodiment, the inclination angle of the handle part 3 is more upright compared to conventional balls. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the shape of the handle part 3.

[0023] Due to the structure of the ball 1, the scooping part 5 for scooping food is on the tip side of the ball 1, and the handle part 3 is located on the side opposite to the scooping part 5. Therefore, if the distance between the scooping part 5 and the handle part 3 is large in the front - rear direction, when the user scoops food with the ball 1, it will feel heavier than the actual weight of the scooped food. Conversely, the shorter the distance between this handle part 3 and the scooping part 5, the lighter it becomes, and the load on the hand of the user holding the handle part 3 is reduced.

[0024] As a method for reducing the load on the user's hand in this way, a shape in which the inclination angle of the handle part 3 is closer to the vertical is preferable. It is considered that the effective inclination angle of the handle part 3 in this shape is preferably about 20 degrees to 30 degrees. If the inclination angle of the handle part 3 exceeds 30 degrees, the distance between the scooping part 5 and the handle part 3 may be separated equivalently to that of a conventional ball.

[0025] As a method of using the ball 1, there are cases where the tip of the scooping part 5 is brought into close contact with the bottom of the pan, such as scooping from the bottom of the pan or the like. At that time, the user needs to lay down the handle part 3, but a part of the handle part 3 hits the edge of the pan. Therefore, due to the limitation of the inclination angle of the handle part 3, the operation range for laying down the handle part 3 is limited for the user.

[0026] For example, when the inclination angle of the handle part 3 is configured to be perpendicular (0 degrees) to about 20 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane, as described in the above paragraph, the range that the user can operate is narrow and the operability is very lacking. Therefore, the angle of the handle part 3 should not be a vertical or nearly vertical angle, and an appropriate inclination angle needs to be provided.

[0027] Even if the inclination angle of the handle part 3 is 20 degrees to 30 degrees, compared with the handle part 3 having an inclination angle of 30 degrees or more, as described in the above paragraph, the range that the user can operate may be narrow and the operability may be inferior. Therefore, it is more preferable that the inclination angle of the handle part 3 is composed of a plurality of inclination angles.

[0028] The shape of the handle part 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. A horizontal line in the front-rear direction when the edge of the scooping part 5 is horizontal is defined as h1, and the position on the h1 line where the handle part 3 is located (the position of the lower end of the handle part 3) is defined as point P2. In a right side view (the state of viewing the ball from the right side), a first inclination angle θ1 passing through point P2 is prepared. The first inclination angle θ1 refers to the inclination angle formed by the vertical virtual line at point P2 and the lower end side of the handle part 3, and is defined as the first inclination angle θ1. Here, the first inclination angle θ1 is preferably about 5 degrees to 10 degrees. In FIG. 5, the first inclination angle θ1 is set to 5 degrees as a preferred example.

[0029] Next, a point P3 where a vertical virtual line passing through a point P1, which is the deepest position (the deepest part) of the bottom surface of the scooping part 5, intersects with the line h1 is defined, and a second inclination angle θ2 in a side view is prepared. The second inclination angle θ2 refers to the inclination angle formed between the vertical virtual line at the point P3 and the upper end side of the handle part 3, and is denoted as the second inclination angle θ2. Here, the second inclination angle θ2 is preferably about 20 degrees to 30 degrees. In FIG. 5, it is set as 20 degrees as a preferable example of the second inclination angle θ2.

[0030] The basic structure of the handle part 3 is such that the inclination of the first inclination angle θ1 on the lower end side of the handle part 3 and the second inclination angle θ2 on the upper end side of the handle part 3 are continuously inclined and curved outward (the B side in FIG. 5, the user side using the ball 1).

[0031] As such, as shown in FIG. 5, the ball 1 may be configured such that the shape of the handle part 3 is formed so that the inclination continuously changes in an arc shape from the lower end to the upper end of the handle part 3. At this time, it is preferable that the first inclination angle θ1 < the second inclination angle θ2.

[0032] Further, the handle part 3 may be formed in a shape that bends at one or a plurality of bending points. For example, when there is one bending point, it may be a bent shape with the inclination below the bending point being the first inclination angle θ1 and the inclination above the bending point being the second inclination angle θ2. In this case, the inclination of the handle part 3 may change discontinuously. Also, the handle part 3 may have a curved shape near the bending point.

[0033] Also, the inclination angles shown in FIG. 5 are examples, and the first inclination angle θ1 and the second inclination angle θ2 may be different inclination angles. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining different variations regarding the first inclination angle θ1 and the second inclination angle θ2. For example, FIGS. 6(a) to (c) are variations where the first inclination angle θ1 is 5 degrees. At this time, FIG. 6(a) shows that the second inclination angle θ2 is 20 degrees, FIG. 6(b) shows that the second inclination angle θ2 is 25 degrees, and FIG. 6(c) shows that the second inclination angle θ2 is 30 degrees.

[0034] In addition, FIGS. 6(d) to 6(f) show variations where the first inclination angle θ1 is 10 degrees. At this time, FIG. 6(d) shows that the second inclination angle θ2 is 20 degrees, FIG. 6(e) shows that the second inclination angle θ2 is 25 degrees, and FIG. 6(f) shows that the second inclination angle θ2 is 30 degrees.

[0035] In this way, it is preferable that the holding part 3 has a curved shape that forms an arc in a side view, with the inclination angle on the lower end side being the first inclination angle θ1 and the inclination angle on the upper end side being the second inclination angle θ2.

[0036] In the above description, the inclination angle of the holding part 3 is described in two stages, the lower side and the upper side, but it may be configured with more inclination angles. For example, the holding part 3 may have a shape with three inclination angles such as 5 degrees, 10 degrees, and 20 degrees from the lower side.

[0037] The angle etc. of the holding part 3 of the ball 1 will be described. Generally, the closer the angle of the holding part 3 of the ball 1 is to vertical (inclination angle 0 degrees), the lighter the user feels the weight when holding it.

[0038] For example, FIG. 7(a) is a diagram schematically showing a ball 1a with an inclination angle of 25 degrees and a ball 1b with an inclination angle of 0 degrees (perpendicular to the horizontal plane). The scooping part 5 is common to the ball 1a and the ball 1b, and the ball 1a has a holding part 3a and the ball 1b has a holding part 3b. FIG. 7(a) shows the ball 1a and the ball 1b superimposed.

[0039] The angle formed by the upper edge H1 of the scooping part 5 and the holding part 3b is 90 degrees (right angle). Also, the holding part 3a is shaped such that it is inclined 25 degrees to the B side (rear side) from the holding part 1b. For example, if the user holds the holding part 3a of the ball 1a at position S1, then the corresponding position on the holding part 3b of the ball 1b is position S2. Position S1 moves a distance E01 to the B side (rear side) of the ball 1 as the horizontal distance from position S2. This distance E01 is the difference in the weight of each ball when the user holds the ball 1a and the ball 1b.

[0040] Here, the closer the inclination angle of the handle part 3 of the ball 1 is to 0 degrees, the lighter the weight felt by the user when holding the ball 1. However, when the user brings the tip of the scooping part 5 of the ball 1 into close contact and scrapes the food at the bottom of the pot, the handle part 3 may hit the edge of the pot. It is necessary to consider the relationship between this edge of the pot and the handle part 3 when determining the inclination angle of the handle part 3.

[0041] The relationship between the pot and the ball 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 7(b) is a diagram schematically showing the relationship between the pot 20 and the ball 1a. Fig. 7(b) schematically shows a state where, for example, the tip of the scooping part 5 is in close contact with the bottom of the pot 20 and food is being scraped. Here, the tip of the scooping part 5 of the ball 1a corresponds to the position of H2 at the bottom of the pot 20. Also, at this time, the handle part 3a is at a position where it hits the upper edge of the pot 20. The angle E02, which is the angle formed between the edge part H1 and the bottom of the pot 20 at this time, is an angle close to vertical (about 90 degrees).

[0042] Fig. 7(c) is a schematic diagram showing the state where the ball 1b is stacked on the ball 1a. The position of the ball 1a shown in Fig. 7(b) is indicated by a dashed line, and the position of the ball 1b is shown superimposed with a solid line. Here, Fig. 7(c) shows a state where the tip of the scooping part 5 of the ball 1b is aligned with the position of H2 at the bottom of the pot 20. At this time, the angle E03, which is the angle formed between the edge part H1 and the bottom of the pot 20, is larger than the angle E02. That is, compared with the ball 1a, for the ball 1b, the angle E03 is a larger angle compared to the angle E02 and is an angle greater than 90 degrees. In such a case, since the outer surface of the scooping part 5 may hit the bottom of the pot and the tip of the scooping part 5 may be less likely to hit the bottom of the pot, it becomes difficult for the user to scrape the food.

[0043] Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining the ball 1 in the present embodiment. Fig. 8(a) is a schematic diagram showing the ball 1a described in Fig. 7 and the ball 1 of the present embodiment superimposed. Compared with the ball 1a, the ball 1 is configured such that the position of the handle part 3 is on the F side (front) compared to the position of the handle part 3a.

[0044] The handle part 3 of the ball 1 in this embodiment is composed of a first inclination angle and a second inclination angle, similar to the ball described in [3. Handle part]. Similar to Fig. 6(b), it is a handle having a first inclination angle of 5 degrees and a second inclination angle of 25 degrees.

[0045] When comparing the handle part 3 of the ball 1 in this embodiment with the handle part 3a of the ball 1a, the upper end side of the handle part 3 is located on the F side (front side) of the ball 1. For example, if the user holds the handle part 3a of the ball 1a at position S3, the corresponding position in the handle part 3 of the ball 1 is position S4. Position S4 moves to the front side of the ball 1 by a distance E04 as the horizontal distance from position S3. Therefore, the position S4 where the user holds the ball 1 is closer to the scooping part 5 in the horizontal direction compared to the position S3 of the ball 3a. Thus, when the user holds the ball 1, they can feel it is lighter compared to the ball 1a.

[0046] Fig. 8(b) is a diagram schematically showing the relationship between the pot 20 and the ball 1. Fig. 8(b) schematically shows a state where, for example, the tip of the scooping part 5 of the ball 1 in this embodiment is in close contact with the bottom of the pot 20 and food is being scraped. At this time, the angle formed by the edge H1 of the scooping part 5 and the bottom of the pot 20 of the pot 20 is angle E05.

[0047] Fig. 8(c) shows a state where the ball 1 in this embodiment is shown by a dashed line, the ball 1a is shown by a solid line, and they are overlapped, and the tips of their respective scooping parts 5 are aligned with the position H2 of the bottom of the pot 20 of the pot 20. As explained in Fig. 7(b) etc., the angle formed by the edge H1 of the scooping part 5 and the bottom of the pot 20 of the pot 20 is angle E06. At this time, since angle E06 is an angle close to vertical (about 90 degrees), compared to angle E05, it is easier for the user to scrape food. However, since angle E05 in Fig. 8(b) is smaller than angle E03 shown in Fig. 7(c), not much difference occurs, and it is possible to minimize the influence on the user's usability.

[0048] Thus, according to the ball 1 having two inclination angles, it is possible to ensure good usability when scraping food on the bottom of the pot 20 while making the user feel a light weight when holding the ball 1.

[0049] [5. Modification Example] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately changed within the scope not departing from the gist of the present disclosure are also included in the technical scope.

[0050] Note that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations explicitly described in the specification, and the combination of the technologies disclosed in the present specification is also included in the scope. Among the present disclosure, the configuration for which a patent is sought is described in the appended claims, but it is not intended to exclude it from the technical scope on the grounds that it is not described in the claims.

[0051] In the above-described embodiment, the shape of the scooping portion 5 is preferably a shape close to a triangle, but other shapes may also be used. For example, the shape of the scooping portion 5 may be a shape close to a square or a trapezoid (for example, in the case of a trapezoid, the long side is on the front side and the short side of the trapezoid is on the rear side, etc.).

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0052] 1 Ball 3 Holding Portion 5 Scooping Portion 7 Tip Member

Claims

Claim 1 A ball having a bowl-shaped scooping portion provided at the end of the handle portion, wherein the position of the deepest part of the scooping portion is on the handle portion side from the center of the scooping portion. Claim 2 The ball according to claim 1, wherein the length from the position of the deepest part of the scooping portion to the tip of the scooping portion is 1.2 to 2.0 times the length from the position of the handle side of the scooping portion to the position of the deepest part. Claim 3 The ball according to claim 1, wherein the scooping portion is substantially triangular in plan view. Claim 4 The ball according to claim 1, wherein the handle portion has a shape curved outward. Claim 5 The ball according to claim 4, wherein the handle portion is formed in a curved shape so as to have a first inclination angle on the lower end side and a second inclination angle on the upper end side. Claim 6 The ball according to claim 5, wherein the first inclination angle is 5 to 10 degrees and the second inclination angle is 20 to 30 degrees.

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