Tongs

Abstract

We provide versatile tongs that can cut food while preventing it from slipping or getting crushed. [Solution] The device comprises a first handle portion 2 with a blade portion 21 on one end of the first direction D1, and a second handle portion 3 with a spoon portion 31 on one end of the second direction D2, with the second direction D2 being the longitudinal direction. The length direction of the blade portion 21 is aligned with the first direction D1. A linear slit 31e corresponding to the blade portion 21 is formed in the bowl portion 31a of the spoon portion 31. Then, by applying force in a direction that closes the space between the first handle portion 2 and the second handle portion 3, food placed on the bowl portion 31a is cut.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present disclosure relates to tongs that can be used for cutting food ingredients.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as in Non-Patent Document 1, a mini tomato cutter is provided with a mini tomato storage part at the tip of one handle part and a mini tomato pressing part at the tip of the other handle part. By pressing the mini tomato with the pressing part, the mini tomato is cut by a cross-shaped cutting part provided at the bottom of the storage part.

[0003] Also, as in Non-Patent Document 2, there is a smart cutter in which a kitchen knife and a cutting board are integrated, and when the handle part is grasped, the knife rotates toward the cutting board side to cut the food ingredients placed on the cutting board.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0004]

Non-Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the mini tomato cutter of Non-Patent Document 1 is dedicated to mini tomatoes and lacks versatility. The smart cutter of Non-Patent Document 2 sandwiches food ingredients with a kitchen knife and a cutting board, so the food ingredients are likely to escape from the installation location and may be crushed. This disclosure aims to provide tongs that are highly versatile and capable of cutting food while preventing the food from slipping or being crushed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one aspect of this disclosure, the tongs are: The first handle portion (2) has a blade portion (21) on one end of the first direction (D1) and the longitudinal direction, The second direction (D2) is the longitudinal direction, and the second handle portion (3) is provided with a spoon (31) on one end in the second direction, The other end of the first handle portion in the first direction and the other end of the second handle portion in the second direction are connected at the connecting ends (22, 32). The blade portion is positioned such that its longitudinal direction aligns with the first direction. The spoon has a blade portion and a corresponding linear slit (31e), and the first handle portion is open, providing a plate portion (31a) on which food is placed.

[0007] With tongs constructed in this way, food can be placed on the spoon to prevent it from slipping, while the blades can cut the food. Therefore, food can be cut without using a knife or cutting board, and it offers high versatility to handle various types of food. In addition, compared to using a knife and cutting board or scissors, food can be cut without being crushed. Thus, it is possible to provide tongs that are highly versatile and can cut food while preventing it from slipping or being crushed.

[0008] The reference numerals in parentheses attached to each component indicate an example of the correspondence between that component and the specific components described in the embodiments described later. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the open tongs according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the tongs in the closed position. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a side view of the tongs in the open position. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is a side view of the tongs in the closed state. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a top view of the tongs in the closed state. [Figure 6] Figure 2 is a magnified view of the tip of the tongs. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view along the line VII-VII in Figure 4. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, including the other embodiments described below, parts that are the same or equivalent to each other will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0011] (First Embodiment) The tongs 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the tongs 1 have a first handle portion 2 and a second handle portion 3, which are connected to each other. The first handle portion 2 is made of a member whose longitudinal direction is in the first direction D1, and the second handle portion 3 is made of a member whose longitudinal direction is in the second direction D2. The tongs 1 are opened and closed by gripping them with the hand. Before gripping, the tongs are in an open state with the gap between the first handle portion 2 and the second handle portion 3 open, and when gripped, the gap between the first handle portion 2 and the second handle portion 3 closes, resulting in a closed state. Therefore, the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are different directions in the open state, and are approximately the same direction in the closed state.

[0012] In the following description, a direction that is equiangular with respect to both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 is referred to as the longitudinal direction D3 of the tong 1. Further, the direction in which the tong 1 opens and closes is referred to as the opening / closing direction D4 of the tong 1, and a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction D3 and the opening / closing direction D4 is referred to as the width direction D5 of the tong 1. The width direction D5 of the tong 1 is also the width direction of the first handle portion 2 and the second handle portion 3. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, a direction perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the width direction D5 in the first handle portion 2 is the first thickness direction D6, which is the thickness direction of the first handle portion 2, and a direction perpendicular to the second direction D2 and the width direction D5 in the second handle portion 3 is the second thickness direction D7, which is the thickness direction of the second handle portion 3.

[0013] The first handle portion 2 includes a blade portion 21 on one end side in the first direction D1, and the other end side is a connection end 22 connected to the second handle portion 3. Further, a portion from the blade portion 21 to the connection end 22 in the first handle portion 2 constitutes a handle portion 23.

[0014] The blade portion 21 is arranged such that its length direction is along the first direction D1, and the blade tip 21a is directed toward the spoon 31 side of the second handle portion 3, which will be described later. The shape of the blade tip 21a is arbitrary, but here it is shaped to correspond to the shape of the dish portion 31a of the spoon 31 and is a warped shape.

[0015] The connection end 22 is an end portion connected to the connection end 32 of the second handle portion 3, which will be described later. The connection form between the connection end 22 and the connection end 32 is arbitrary, but here the first handle portion 2 and the second handle portion 3 are formed as a single part, and a bent portion between the first handle portion 2 and the second handle portion 3 is used as a connecting portion 4 to connect the two.

[0016] The handle portion 23 is rod-shaped along the first direction D1, and as shown in FIG. 7, the cross-sectional shape with the first direction D1 as the normal direction is L-shaped. Specifically, the outer surface side that is touched by the hand in the handle portion 23 has a first surface 23a and a second surface 23b that intersect each other, and the L-shape is formed by the first surface 23a and the second surface 23b.

[0017] The first surface 23a is a surface along the width direction D5, and corresponds to the third surface 33a among the third surface 33a and the fourth surface 33b that constitute the handle portion 33 of the second handle portion 3 described later. The second surface 23b is a surface along the first thickness direction D6, corresponds to the fourth surface 33b, and is located on one side of the width direction D5 on the first surface 23a. Specifically, when the tongs 1 are in the closed state, the second surface 23b is located on the side opposite to the side where the fourth surface 33b is located in the width direction D5 on the first surface 23a. For this reason, when the tongs 1 are in the closed state, the second surface 23b and the fourth surface 33b do not interfere, and the first handle portion 2 and the second handle portion 3 can be moved to a position where the first surface 23a and the third surface 33a are closer.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 5, the dimension of the first surface 23a in the width direction D5 becomes smaller as it approaches the blade portion 21 and larger as it approaches the connection end 22 side. Also, although it is hidden in FIG. 3, the second surface 23b located on the other side of the paper surface of FIG. 3 has a dimension in the first thickness direction D6 that becomes smaller as it approaches the blade portion 21, becomes the largest near the central position of the handle portion 23, and then becomes smaller as it approaches the connection end 32 side. And as shown in FIG. 7, the handle portion 23 has a shape with a rounded boundary between the first surface 23a and the second surface 23b, so that it has a good feel.

[0019] The second handle portion 3 includes a spoon 31 on one end side in the second direction D2, and the other end side is a connection end 32 connected to the first handle portion 2. Also, the portion from the spoon 31 to the connection end 32 in the second handle portion 3 constitutes the handle portion 33.

[0020] The spoon 31 has a bowl portion 31a and a neck portion 31b. The bowl portion 31a is the part where food is placed, with the first handle portion 2 side being open, and is connected to the handle portion 33 via the neck portion 31b. The bowl portion 31a has a roughly elliptical shape on its upper surface, as shown in Figure 5, for example. The bowl portion 31a has a tip 31c on the side opposite the neck portion 31b, and the length direction is defined as the direction connecting the tip 31c and the neck portion 31b, that is, the major axis of the roughly elliptical shape, so that the length direction is aligned with the second direction D2. The shape of the bowl portion 31a can be any shape as long as it has a recess, and various shapes can be adopted, such as the entire surface being curved, having partially flat parts, or being composed of multiple flat surfaces. Also, the bowl portion 31a may be flat instead of recessed. Here, the entire structure is composed of curved surfaces, with the deepest part, the bottom 31d, positioned in the center of the dish portion 31a or closer to the neck portion 31b. The curved surface of the dish portion 31a has a roughly semi-elliptical cross-section, and from the opening of the dish portion 31a to the bottom 31d, it has a rounded shape that is convex on the side opposite to the blade portion 21.

[0021] Furthermore, a linear slit 31e is formed in the dish portion 31a along the second direction D2 corresponding to the blade portion 21. Here, the slit 31e is a straight line of roughly constant width, but any elongated shape is acceptable, and a shape with a changing width, such as an elongated ellipse, may be used to form the linear slit 31e. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the slit 31e is formed in a position where the blade portion 21 enters when the tongs 1 are closed and the blade portion 21 approaches the spoon 31. Specifically, the slit 31e is formed along the major axis of the approximately elliptical shape formed by the dish portion 31a, from the tip 31c to the bottom 31d, and is symmetrical with respect to the major axis as the center line. Here, the slit 31e extends from the tip 31c to the bottom 31d, and further beyond the bottom 31d towards the neck portion 31b.

[0022] Furthermore, a through-hole 31f is formed in the bottom 31d of the plate portion 31a, which is larger than the width of the slit 31e and connected to the slit 31e. The formation of the through-hole 31f is optional, but providing it makes it possible to place food more stably. The shape of the through-hole 31f is also optional, but it is symmetrical with respect to the slit 31e as the center line, and as shown in Figure 5, the top surface shape is approximately circular.

[0023] The connecting end 32 is the end that connects to the connecting end 22 of the first handle portion 2. As described above, the connection configuration between the connecting end 32 and the connecting end 22 is arbitrary, but they are connected at the connecting portion 4.

[0024] The handle portion 33 is rod-shaped along the second direction D2, and the cross-sectional shape with respect to the second direction D2 as the normal direction, as shown in Figure 7, is L-shaped. Specifically, the outer surface of the handle portion 33 that is touched by the hand has a third surface 33a and a fourth surface 33b that intersect with each other, and the third surface 33a and the fourth surface 33b form the L-shape.

[0025] The third surface 33a is a surface that aligns with the width direction D5 and corresponds to the first surface 23a. The fourth surface 33b is a surface that aligns with the second thickness direction D7 and corresponds to the second surface 23b, and is located on one side of the width direction D5 on the third surface 33a. Specifically, when the tongs 1 are in the closed position, the fourth surface 33b is located on the side of the width direction D5 on the third surface 33a that is opposite to the side where the second surface 23b is located. Therefore, as described above, when the tongs 1 are in the closed position, the second surface 23b and the fourth surface 33b do not interfere with each other.

[0026] In Figure 5, the third surface 33a is hidden, but the top shape of the third surface 33a is the same as that of the first surface 23a, and the dimension in the width direction D5 decreases as it approaches the spoon 31 and increases as it approaches the connecting end 32. Also, as shown in Figure 3, the dimension in the second thickness direction D7 of the fourth surface 33b decreases as it approaches the spoon 31, becomes largest near the center of the handle portion 33, and then decreases as it approaches the connecting end 32. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the boundary between the third surface 33a and the fourth surface 33b of the handle portion 33 is rounded, resulting in a comfortable shape to hold.

[0027] The tongs 1 of this embodiment are constructed as described above. When force is applied to the tongs 1 in the direction of closing from the open state, that is, in the direction of closing the gap between the first handle portion 2 and the second handle portion 3, the connecting ends 22 and 32 of the first handle portion 2 and the second handle portion 3 undergo elastic deformation, bringing the blade portion 21 closer to the spoon 31. Specifically, the connecting portion 4 located on the connecting ends 22 and 32 of the first handle portion 2 and the second handle portion 3 undergoes elastic deformation, so that in the open state, the blade portion 21 and the spoon 31 are separated, and in the closed state, the blade portion 21 enters the slit 31e. For this reason, for example, after opening the tongs 1 and scooping up food placed on a plate with the spoon 31 and placing the food in the plate portion 31a, closing the tongs allows the food to be gripped between the blade portion 21 and the spoon 31, and further moving the blade portion 21 to a position where it enters the slit 31e makes it possible to cut the food.

[0028] <Effect of Tongs 1> (1) According to the tongs 1 of this embodiment, food can be placed on the spoon 31 to prevent it from slipping away, while the food can be cut with the blade 21. Therefore, food can be cut without using a knife or cutting board, and it can be highly versatile to handle various types of food. In addition, food can be cut without crushing it compared to using a knife and cutting board or scissors. Thus, a tongs 1 can be provided that is highly versatile and can prevent food from slipping away or being crushed. Note that even if the plate portion 31a has a flat shape, the presence of slits 31e or through holes 31f can prevent food from slipping away or being crushed, so the same effect can be obtained.

[0029] (2) In addition, a through hole 31f is provided that is wider than the slit 31e. As a result, the food is held in the through hole 31f, making it less likely for spherical or slippery food to escape, and allowing for easy and stress-free cutting of food. In particular, if the through hole 31f is a round hole with a circular top surface shape, it becomes possible to make it even less likely for spherical food such as cherry tomatoes to escape.

[0030] (3) The tip 21a of the blade portion 21 is curved to correspond to the shape of the bowl portion 31a of the spoon 31. As a result, as shown in Figure 6, even if the blade portion 21 enters the slit 31e, the amount of protrusion of the blade portion 21 from the bowl portion 31a can be suppressed, and localized protrusion can be prevented. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the tongs 1 may be used in a manner in which food placed on a plate is scooped with the spoon 31 while the tip 31c of the spoon 31 remains in contact with the plate, etc., and the food is cut. However, if the tip 21a of the blade portion 21 is straight, there is a risk that the blade portion 21 will protrude from the bowl portion 31a and damage the plate, etc. However, in this embodiment, since the tip 21a is curved to correspond to the shape of the bowl portion 31a, the amount of protrusion of the blade portion 21 is suppressed, making it less likely to damage the plate, etc. Furthermore, since the slit 31e penetrates the plate portion 31a, it avoids the blade portion 21 coming into contact with it and reducing its sharpness, as would happen if it were a groove that did not penetrate. Also, compared to a groove, dirt is less likely to accumulate, making it easier to keep clean.

[0031] (4) The handle portion 23 of the first handle portion 2 and the handle portion 33 of the second handle portion 3 have a wide L-shaped cross-section with a cubic curve. As a result, when gripped until the first handle portion 2 and the second handle portion 3 overlap, the first handle portion 2 and the second handle portion 3 form a rectangular cross-section as shown in Figure 7, improving the feel in the hand and making it easier to apply force. In addition, the end of the wall constituting the fourth surface 33b of the second handle portion 3 contacts the wall constituting the first surface 23a of the first handle portion 2, and the end of the wall constituting the second surface 23b of the first handle portion 2 contacts the wall constituting the third surface 33a of the second handle portion 3, functioning as a stopper. As a result, the blade portion 21 is prevented from protruding excessively beyond the slit 31e to the underside of the spoon 31, thereby increasing safety.

[0032] (5) It is possible to achieve a shape that is easy to use, such as scooping and cutting food, while also maintaining the proportions of cutlery.

[0033] (6) The tongs 1 of this embodiment can also be used with one hand to cut food. Therefore, even people with hand disabilities can easily use the tongs 1, and can contribute to SDG Goal 10, "Reduce inequalities within and among countries."

[0034] (Other embodiments) This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the elements constituting the embodiments are not necessarily essential unless explicitly stated to be particularly essential or considered to be fundamentally essential. Furthermore, when numerical values ​​such as the number, numerical values, quantities, or ranges of the components of the embodiments are mentioned in the embodiments, they are not limited to those specific numbers unless explicitly stated to be particularly essential or considered to be fundamentally limited to a specific number. Furthermore, when the shapes, positional relationships, etc., of the components are mentioned in the embodiments, they are not limited to those shapes, positional relationships, etc., unless explicitly stated or considered to be fundamentally limited to specific shapes, positional relationships, etc.

[0035] (1) For example, in the above embodiment, the first handle portion 2 and the second handle portion 3 are made up of one part connected by a connecting portion 4, but they may also be made up of two parts. For example, the connecting end 22 and the connecting end 32 may be overlapped and spot welded or joined with an adhesive, or the connecting end 22 and the connecting end 32 may be provided with engaging parts such as engaging protrusions or engaging holes, and these may be engaged. In this case, the parts of the connecting ends 22 and 32 of the first handle portion 2 and the second handle portion 3 that are in contact with each other for connection become the connecting portion 4.

[0036] Note that connection ends 22 and 32 refer to the ends of the first handle portion 2 and the second handle portion 3 that are connected to each other. The connecting portion 4 refers to the part that connects the first handle portion 2 and the second handle portion 3, and may be a separate part from the first handle portion 2 and the second handle portion 3, or it may be connected to them without a clear boundary. In the first embodiment described above, the connection ends 22 and 32 of the first handle portion 2 and the second handle portion 3 are connected, and for convenience, this part is defined as the connecting portion 4, but in this case, the connecting portion 4 is a part that does not have a clear boundary with the first handle portion 2 and the second handle portion 3. Regardless of the connection configuration, the tongs 1 can be opened and closed by elastic deformation of the connection ends 22 and 32 side of the first handle portion 2 and the second handle portion 3, for example, the connecting portion 4, or by elastic deformation of the part of the connection ends 22 and 32 on the connecting portion 4 side.

[0037] (2) Furthermore, the shape of the through-hole 31f does not have to be circular; it may be a square, hexagonal, star-shaped, or other shape that is easy for food to fit into.

[0038] (3) The method of using the tongs 1 is also optional. Food placed on a table, such as on a plate, can be scooped up with the spoon 31 and placed on the plate portion 31a, or the food can be held in the hand and placed on the plate portion 31a. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1...Tongs, 2...First handle section, 3...Second handle section, 4...Connecting section, 21...Blade section, 21a...Blade tip, 22...Connecting end, 23...Handle section, 23a...First surface, 23b...Second surface, 31...Spoon, 31a...Bowl section, 31b...Neck section, 31c...Tip, 31d...Bottom, 31e...Slit, 31f...Through hole, 32...Connecting end, 33...Handle section, 33a...Third surface, 33b...Fourth surface, D1...First direction, D2...Second direction, D3...Longitudinal direction, D4...Opening / closing direction, D5...Width direction, D6...First thickness direction, D7...Second thickness direction

Claims

1. The first handle portion (2) has a blade portion (21) provided on one end in the first direction (D1), with the first direction being the longitudinal direction. The second direction (D2) is the longitudinal direction, and the second handle portion (3) is provided with a spoon (31) on one end in the second direction, The other end of the first handle portion in the first direction and the other end of the second handle portion in the second direction are connected at a connecting end (22, 32). The blade portion is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is aligned with the first direction. The spoon has a linear slit (31e) corresponding to the blade portion and is equipped with a plate portion (31a) on which food is placed.

2. A through hole (31f) is formed at the bottom of the dish portion, which is larger than the width of the slit and connected to the slit. The tongs according to claim 1, wherein the space between the first handle portion and the second handle portion opens and closes, and when the space between the first handle portion and the second handle portion is open, the blade portion and the spoon are separated, and when the space is closed, the blade portion enters the slit.

3. The tongs according to claim 2, wherein the through hole is a circular hole.

4. The aforementioned plate portion has a shape in which the first handle portion side has an open recess. The tongs according to claim 1, wherein the slit extends from the tip (31c) of the spoon to the bottom (31d) of the plate portion.

5. The tongs according to claim 4, wherein the cutting edge (21a) of the blade portion is curved in accordance with the shape of the plate portion.

6. The handle portion (23) of the first handle portion, between the blade portion and the connecting end, has a first surface (23a) and a second surface (23b) intersecting the first surface, and the cross section normalized to the first direction is L-shaped, formed by the first surface and the second surface. The handle portion (33) of the second handle portion between the spoon and the connecting end has a third surface (33a) corresponding to the first surface and a fourth surface (33b) intersecting the third surface and corresponding to the second surface, and the cross section normalized to the second direction is L-shaped, formed by the third surface and the fourth surface. The tongs according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when the blade and the spoon are brought close together, the first and second surfaces of the first handle and the third and fourth surfaces of the second handle form a rectangular cross-section.

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