Stacking kitchen tool

Abstract

In this stacking kitchen tool, functional portions (22 to 52) and handle portions (21 to 51) are connected by leg portions (23 to 53) configured to have inclined portions (25 to 55). The inclined portions (25 to 55) have first inclined surfaces (25a to 55a) and second inclined surfaces (25b to 55b) that are line-symmetric with respect to center lines (C2 to C5), and have a U-shaped cross-sectional shape obtained by cutting the first inclined surfaces (25a to 55a) and the second inclined surfaces (25b to 55b) along a cutting plane, which is a plane having the center lines (C2 to C5) as the normal direction. A plurality of lower kitchen tools (20 to 50) are stacked by overlapping the inclined portions (25 to 55) and the handle portions (21 to 51) with each other, wherein a shape obtained by cutting the leg portions (23 to 53) along the cutting plane is in a shape in which the U-shapes are overlapped.

Description

Stacking Kitchen Tools CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-187148, filed on October 31, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a stacking kitchen tool that stores multiple types of kitchen tools in a stacked manner.

[0003] Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a stacking kitchen tool that allows multiple types of kitchen tools to be stacked and stored. In this stacking kitchen tool, multiple kitchen tools are configured with a functional part that comes into contact with ingredients and a handle part, and the external shapes of each kitchen tool, including the functional part, are generally the same, allowing multiple kitchen tools to be stacked. Each kitchen tool is provided with a stand with a part shaped to match the handle part of the kitchen tool, and each kitchen tool is placed against the stand and supported by the attractive force of a magnet provided in the handle part.

[0004] Furthermore, 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.

[0005] Joseph Joseph, Nest Utensils Plus, Multicolor 5-Piece Kitchen Utensil Set, Available Online<https: / / item.rakuten.co.jp / livingut / 5028420101249 / > 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>

[0006] However, while the conventional stacking kitchen tool of Non-Patent Document 1 allows multiple types of kitchen tools to be stacked, it is not possible to place the stacked kitchen tools horizontally on a flat surface, nor is it possible to raise the functional parts above the flat surface when individual kitchen tools are placed horizontally on the flat surface. Furthermore, with the kitchen tool of Non-Patent Document 2, although the functional parts can be raised above the flat surface when the kitchen tools are placed horizontally on a flat surface, the protrusions on the underside of the handles get in the way, making it impossible to stack multiple types of kitchen tools.

[0007] In addition, kitchen tools are generally not stored vertically on a kitchen work surface, but horizontally in a kitchen drawer. In the limited space of a drawer, storing multiple types of kitchen tools randomly is undesirable because it becomes bulky and takes up storage space. However, the stacking kitchen tool of Non-Patent Document 1 does not allow multiple types of kitchen tools to be stacked horizontally, which causes the kitchen tools to become disorganized and makes it difficult to organize the drawer. The present disclosure aims to provide a stacking kitchen tool that allows multiple types of kitchen tools to be stacked horizontally and that 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.

[0008] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, the stacking kitchen tools include tongs and two or more lower kitchen tools arranged below the tongs, the lower kitchen tools being stacked in order with their backsides facing downward and their front sides facing upward, and the tongs being stacked on top of the stacked lower kitchen tools. The lower kitchen tools each have a functional section that comes into contact with ingredients to be cooked, a long, plate-shaped handle with a center line extending in one direction and to be gripped by a user, and a leg section that is arranged between the functional section and the handle and connects the functional section to the handle, the leg having an inclined section that slopes downward from the handle toward the functional section, the inclined section having a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface that are line-symmetrical with respect to the center line, and a cross section of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface cut along a plane normal to the center line that is U-shaped. By overlapping the inclined portions and the handle portions, multiple lower kitchen tools can be stacked on top of each other, and the shape of the legs of multiple stacked lower kitchen tools cut at the cutting surface becomes a U-shape overlapping each other.When the lower kitchen tools are placed on a flat surface with their back sides facing downwards, 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 floating above the flat surface.

[0009] In this manner, the lower kitchen tools are structured such that the functional portion and the handle portion are connected by legs having an inclined portion. The inclined portion has a U-shaped cross section with a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface, and the U-shaped cross sections of each lower kitchen tool overlap, allowing the lower kitchen tools to be stacked. By making the inclined portion U-shaped, the lower kitchen tools can be stacked even if the functional portions have different shapes. The inclined portion is structured such that it slopes downward from the handle portion toward the functional portion, and the first and second inclined surfaces protrude downward beyond the functional portions, so that when the lower kitchen tools are placed horizontally, the tips of these portions contact a flat surface. Therefore, when the lower kitchen tools are placed horizontally on a flat surface, the functional portions can be raised above the flat surface. This allows multiple types of lower kitchen tools to be stacked horizontally, and the functional portions can be raised above the flat surface when placed horizontally on a flat surface. Furthermore, since the lower kitchen tools are stacked together, they can also be stacked on top of each other with a handle that is divided into two parts, a first handle part and a second handle part, like tongs.

[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 part can be made to float above the flat surface.

[0011] In the stacking kitchen tool in the second aspect of the present disclosure, 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 portion where the handle portion is connected to the leg portion and the functional portion is seamless.

[0012] In this way, when the handle part and the functional part are connected via the leg part, the part where the handle part, the leg part, and the functional part are connected is made seamless, which makes it difficult for dirt to accumulate and makes it easy to remove dirt when cleaning.

[0013] In the stacking kitchen tool according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, a plurality of kitchen tools including tongs are provided with magnets 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 together, the handles are magnetically attracted to each other by the magnet, which increases the adhesion between the kitchen tools and 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 stacking kitchen tools can be stacked only with the remaining kitchen tools.

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

[0017] In the stacking kitchen tools in the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the multiple kitchen tools include at least two of a ladle, a spoon, a spatula, and a turner, and are stacked from the bottom up in the order of turner, spatula, spoon, and ladle, and 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 one of the lower kitchen tools is removed, the remaining kitchen tools can be stacked, ensuring the storage capacity of the remaining kitchen tools. Also, by placing kitchen tools with relatively flat functional parts such as turners and spatulas at the bottom and kitchen tools with deep functional parts for scooping ingredients such as spoons and ladles at the top, the inclination angle of the upper end surface of the functional part relative to the handle can be set to an appropriate angle depending on the function of the functional part.

[0019] In the stacking kitchen tool of the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the plurality of kitchen tools have four lower kitchen tools: a ladle, a spoon, a spatula, and a turner, with the turner, spatula, spoon, and ladle stacked from the bottom up, and the tongs stacked on top of them; when the plurality of kitchen tools are stacked on a flat surface, the width dimension parallel to the flat surface is within 80 mm, the height dimension normal to the flat surface is within 80 mm, and the length dimension perpendicular to the width and height directions is within 320 mm.

[0020] In this way, when multiple kitchen tools are stacked, the width, height, and length dimensions are within 80 mm, 80 mm, and 320 mm, respectively. This compact size allows them to be stored in the drawers of a typical Japanese system kitchen, saving space and allowing for neat and tidy 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 embodiments described later. Furthermore, when representing multiple symbols that share the same first digit and whose second and subsequent digits increase by one, they are collectively represented using "~". For example, the symbols "10, 20, 30, 40, 50" are represented as "10 to 50", and the symbols "25a, 35a, 45a, 55a" are represented as "25a to 55a".

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stacking kitchen tool according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a side view of the stacking kitchen tool placed on a flat surface; FIG. 3 is a top view of the stacking kitchen tool; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a ladle, a spoon, a spatula, and a turner stacked together and cut at a connecting portion; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the tongs in a stored state; FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the tongs; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the tongs after assembly; FIG. 8 is a side view of the tongs in a use state placed on a flat surface; FIG. 9 is a side view of the ladle placed on a flat surface; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the spoon; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the spatula; FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the turner.

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following, including other embodiments described below, identical or equivalent parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0024] 1 to 12, a stacking kitchen tool 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The drawings accompanying this specification indicate an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis. The longitudinal direction of the stacking kitchen tool 1 is referred to as the X-axis, the width direction of the stacking kitchen tool 1 perpendicular to the X-axis is referred to as the Y-axis, and the thickness direction of the stacking kitchen tool 1 perpendicular to the X-axis and Y-axis is referred to as the Z-axis.

[0025] [Configuration of stacking kitchen tool 1] The stacking kitchen tool 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is a stack of multiple types of kitchen tools 10 to 50 placed horizontally, and can be stored in a stacked state from which 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. Starting 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. The tongs 10 have a structure in which a handle portion 11 that is held by the user and a functional portion 12 that comes into contact with the ingredients to be cooked are continuously connected. Of the multiple types of kitchen tools 10-50, the lower kitchen tools 20-50 are positioned below the tongs 10, and each of them 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 portions 11 to 51 of each of the kitchen tools 10 to 50 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the stacking kitchen tool 1, and these longitudinal directions are along the X-axis. As shown in Figure 2, when the stacking kitchen tool 1 is placed on a flat surface 100 such as a kitchen work table, the longitudinal direction of each of the handle portions 11 to 51 is inclined with respect to the flat surface 100, and therefore 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 downwards and their front sides facing upwards. Specifically, the multiple types of kitchen tools 10-50 are stacked so that their handles 11-51 overlap each other. In addition, the lower kitchen tools 20-50 are stacked so that their legs 23-53 overlap each other. For this reason, the handles 11-51 and legs 23-53 have a common shape to enable stacking. First, we will explain this common configuration.

[0029] As shown in Figures 5, 8, and 10 to 12, the handle portions 11 to 51 are each shaped like a long plate 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, which 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 to 50 are stacked as shown in Figure 1, the handle portions 11 to 51 are stacked so that adjacent ones are in contact with each other, and so 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 to 51 has a curved shape with the center side in the Y-axis direction recessed 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 Figure 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 top of each other are magnetically attracted to each other by the magnets 14-54, thereby further increasing the adhesion between the kitchen tools.

[0032] 5, 8, and 10 to 12, the handle portions 11 to 51 are provided with through holes 17 to 57 at the rear end thereof opposite the functional portions 12 to 52. This allows the various types of kitchen tools 10 to 50 to be separated and stored by hanging them on hooks provided on a wall (not shown).

[0033] Meanwhile, the legs 23-53 are arranged between and connect the handles 21-51 and the functional parts 22-52 of each of the lower kitchen tools 20-50. The legs 23-53 are designed to allow multiple lower kitchen tools 20-50 to be stacked, 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 tray or the like.

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

[0035] The first inclined surfaces 25a to 55a and the second inclined surfaces 25b to 55b are symmetrical with respect to the center lines C2 to C5. More specifically, the first inclined surfaces 25a to 55a and the second inclined surfaces 25b to 55b are symmetrical with respect to the XZ plane passing through the center lines C2 to C5, and the first inclined surfaces 25a to 55a and the second inclined surfaces 25b to 55b intersect at the center lines C2 to C5. As shown in FIG. 4 , the cross section of the first inclined surfaces 25a to 55a and the second inclined surfaces 25b to 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 configured as 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 continuous curved surfaces between the legs 23-53 and the functional portions 22-52.

[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 interlock with each other, preventing the lower kitchen tools 20-50 from moving laterally and maintaining the stacked state. Furthermore, the U-shaped cross-section increases the rigidity of the legs 23-53. Therefore, even when a user grips the handles 21-51 and applies load to the functional parts 22-52 during use, deformation of the legs 23-53 is suppressed, allowing for better use of the kitchen tools.

[0038] The above is the common configuration of each of 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 are composed of two parts, and have a first handle portion 111 and a second handle portion 112 provided as the handle section 11, and a first functional portion 121 and a second functional portion 122 provided as the functional section 12. The first functional portion 121 is connected to the tip of the first handle portion 111 and forms one half of the tongs 10, and the second functional portion 122 is connected to the tip of the second handle portion 112 and forms the other half of the tongs 10. The first functional portion 121 and the second functional portion 122 are symmetrically shaped into a roughly semi-ellipsoid, with inner wall surfaces 121a, 122a being concave and outer wall surfaces 121b, 122b being convex.

[0040] The first handle portion 111 and the second handle portion 112 have a configuration common to the handle portions 21 to 51 described above, but in addition, 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 and the upper surface is the second surface 111b, the underside of the second handle portion 112 is the third surface 112a and the upper surface 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 relative to the first surface 111a and the second surface 111b as it approaches 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] Meanwhile, the rear end of the second handle portion 112 is provided with a seventh surface 112c connected to the third surface 112a and inclined in a direction from the third surface 112a toward the fourth surface 112b toward the rear end of the second handle portion 112. A support portion 112e having an eighth surface 112d facing the seventh surface 112c is provided at a position spaced from the seventh surface 112c by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the inclined portion 111e. 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, allowing the seventh surface 112c to be inserted into and removed from the notch 111f. The inclination angle of the gap between the seventh surface 112c and the eighth surface 112d relative to the X-axis is the same as the inclination angle of the inclined portion 111e relative to the X-axis.

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

[0045] With this configuration, when the tongs 10 are stacked on top of the lower kitchen tools 20 to 50, the outer wall surface 121b of the first functional portion 121 faces the inner wall surface 122a of the second functional portion 122, as shown in Fig. 5. Furthermore, the connecting portion 112f is fitted into the notch 111f, the sixth surface 111d and the seventh surface 112c abut against each other, the fifth surface 111c and the eighth surface 112d abut against each other, and further the second surface 111b and the third surface 112a abut against each other, so that the first handle portion 111 and the second handle portion 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 inner wall surfaces 121a, 122a of the first and second functional parts 121, 122 are arranged facing each other, as shown in FIG. 6A. Then, when the connecting part 112f is fitted into the notch 111f, the fifth surface 111c and the seventh surface 112c come into contact, and the sixth surface 111d and the eighth surface 112d come into contact, as shown in FIG. 6B. Furthermore, the first surface 111a and the third surface 112a are separated, forming a V-shape for the first handle part 111 and the second handle part 112. Elastic deformation of the inclined part 111e allows the first functional part 121 and the second functional part 122 to be opened and closed.

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

[0048] [Configuration of the Ladle 20] As shown in Figure 8, the ladle 20 has a functional portion 22 formed as a deep, container-like member, with an opening on the upper end surface 22a, which serves to scoop ingredients and pour liquids into other containers such as pots or dishes. The functional portion 22 has a spherically rounded inner wall, including the bottom, making it easy to pour ingredients and liquids. The top surface of the functional portion 22 may be any shape, such as a circle or a polygonal shape with rounded corners. Here, the functional portion 22 is approximately rectangular with rounded corners, and corners 22c are provided on the tip 22b side to make it easier to pour liquids. The base side of the functional portion 22 connected to the leg 23 has a reduced dimension in the Y-axis direction at the part connected to the leg 23, so that it is aligned with the width of the leg 23 in the Y-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper end surface 22a of the functional portion 22 is inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the handle portion 21, and the extension line L1 of the upper end surface 22a is inclined at an angle θ1 relative to the 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 equivalent to teaspoons and tablespoons, for example, 5 ml and 15 ml.

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

[0051] [Configuration of Spoon 30] As shown in FIG. 10 , the spoon 30 also has a functional portion 32 formed of a deep, container-like member, with an opening on the top surface 32a, which serves to mix, scoop, serve, scrape, and pour liquids into other containers. The functional portion 32 has a semi-ellipsoidal inner wall, including the bottom, and an elliptical top surface, making it easy to add ingredients and pour liquids from the protruding tip 32b. The base side of the functional portion 32, which connects to the legs 33, has a reduced dimension in the Y-axis direction at the point where it connects to the legs 33, so that it matches the width of the legs 33 in the Y-axis direction. Also, as shown in FIG. 2 , the functional portion 32 has an upper end surface 32a that is inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the handle portion 51, and an extension line L2 of the upper end surface 32a is inclined at an angle θ2 relative to an imaginary line Lx along the X-axis.

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

[0053] The spoon 30 is also similar to the ladle 20 in terms of the height relationship between the leg 33 and the functional part 32 and the shape of the leg 33, and is therefore not shown in the drawings, but like the ladle 20, when placed on the flat surface 100, the functional part 32 floats above the flat surface 100, allowing it to be stably placed on the flat surface 100. The same is true for the spatula 40 and turner 50, which will be described later, and are therefore not shown in the drawings, but when placed on the flat surface 100, the functional parts 42, 52 float above the flat surface 100, allowing it to be stably placed on the flat surface 100.

[0054] [Configuration of Spatula 40] As shown in FIG. 11 , the spatula 40 has a functional portion 42 made of a flat, thin plate-like member, which acts to mix, scrape, and crush ingredients along the surface of a frying pan or bowl. The thin plate-like member that makes up the functional portion 42 has a generally rectangular shape with its tip tilted relative to the X-axis and Y-axis, and its corners are rounded to easily fit the inner wall surface of a frying pan or bowl. The dimension of the functional portion 42 in the Y-axis direction decreases from the tip toward the base where the legs 43 connect, and is aligned with the width of the legs 43 in the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2 , the functional portion 52 is tilted relative to the longitudinal direction of the handle portion 51, with an extension line L3 of the upper end surface 42a tilted at an angle θ3 with respect to an imaginary line Lx along the X-axis.

[0055] [Configuration of Turner 50] As shown in Figure 12, the turner 50 also has a functional portion 52 made of a flat, thin plate-like member that fits under food to flip it over, place it on top, and cut it using its tip. The thin plate-like member that makes up the functional portion 42 has a generally rectangular shape with its tip aligned with the Y-axis, with rounded corners, making it flexible and easy to fit under food while still being thick enough to provide the strength necessary to cut it. The base side of the functional portion 42 is reduced in the Y-axis direction at the point where it connects to the leg portion 43, so that its width matches the width of the leg portion 43 in the Y-axis direction. Also, as shown in Figure 2, the functional portion 52 is inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the handle portion 51, with an extension line L4 of the upper end surface 52a inclined at an angle θ4 with respect to an imaginary line Lx along the X-axis.

[0056] Although the kitchen tools 10-50 are constructed of resin except for the magnets 14-54, they may be constructed of a single material or multiple materials. For example, the outer edge of the functional portion 22 of the ladle 20 may be constructed of a soft resin such as silicone to facilitate scraping of ingredients without scratching the inner wall of a frying pan or pot. Also, because the inclined portion 111e of the tongs 10 receives a localized load, it may be constructed of a more durable, elastically deformable material. Of course, the kitchen tools 10-50 could also be constructed of a material other than resin, such as metal.

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

[0058] (1) The lower kitchen tools 20 to 50 are configured such that the functional parts 22 to 52 and the handle parts 21 to 51 are connected by the legs 23 to 53 having the inclined parts 25 to 55. Therefore, the legs 23 to 53 can have two functions: one is to stack multiple lower kitchen tools 20 to 50 by overlapping the inclined parts 25 to 55 with each other, and the other is to allow the functional parts 22 to 52 to float above the flat surface 100 when the lower kitchen tools 20 to 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 are U-shaped in cross section. The U-shaped cross sections of the lower kitchen tools 20-50 overlap, allowing the lower kitchen tools 20-50 to be stacked. By making the inclined portions 25-55 U-shaped in cross section, the lower kitchen tools 20-50 can be stacked even if the functional parts 22-52 have different shapes. The inclined portions 25-55 are structured to slope downward from the handle portions 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, with the tips of these portions contacting the flat surface 100. Therefore, when the lower kitchen tools 20 to 50 are placed on the flat surface 100, the functional parts 22 to 52 can be made to float above the flat surface 100. As a result, a plurality of types of lower kitchen tools 20 to 50 can be placed one on top of the other, and when the lower kitchen tools 20 to 50 are placed horizontally on the flat surface 100, the functional parts 22 to 52 can be made to float above the flat surface 100.

[0060] Furthermore, by making the cross-sectional shape of the inclined portions 25 to 55 U-shaped and arranging the U-shaped cross sections of each lower kitchen tool 20 to 50 so that they overlap, it is possible to prevent the overlapping lower kitchen tools 20 to 50 from moving laterally.

[0061] Furthermore, because 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 a first handle portion 111 and a second handle portion 112, as in the case of the tongs 10. This allows the lower kitchen tools 20-50 to be stacked in order with their backs facing downward and their fronts facing upward, and the tongs 10 can be further stacked on top of the stacked lower kitchen tools 20-50 to create a stacking kitchen tool 1.

[0062] (2) Because multiple types of kitchen tools 10-50 can be stacked horizontally, they can be stored in a kitchen drawer in this state. This prevents multiple types of kitchen tools 10-50 from taking up too much space, minimizing the need for storage space. Furthermore, because multiple types of kitchen tools 10-50 can be stored together, the drawer can be neatly organized. In particular, in Japanese system kitchens, various items must be stored within the limited space within a drawer. In a typical Japanese system kitchen, the drawer has a depth of approximately 400-450 mm and a height of approximately 100-150 mm. In contrast, when five kitchen tools 10-50 are stacked horizontally as in this embodiment, the width dimension La, which is the Y-axis direction parallel to the flat surface 100 shown in FIG. 2 or 3, is within 80 mm, the height dimension Lb, which is normal to the flat surface 100, is within 80 mm, and the length dimension Lc, which is perpendicular to the width and height directions, is within 320 mm. Because it is so compact, it can be stored in the drawers of a typical Japanese system kitchen, allowing for space-saving and neat storage inside the drawer.

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

[0064] (4) The handle portions 21 to 51 and the leg portions 23 to 53 are connected to each other through a continuous curved surface, and the leg portions 23 to 53 and the functional portions 22 to 52 are also connected to each other through a continuous curved surface, thereby providing a seamless shape at the portions connecting the handle portions 21 to 51 and the leg portions 23 to 53 and the functional portions 22 to 52. By providing a seamless shape at the portions connecting the handle portions 21 to 51 and the leg portions 23 to 53 and the functional portions 22 to 52 in this way, dirt is less likely to accumulate and can be easily removed during cleaning.

[0065] (5) Magnets 14-54 are provided in the handles 11-51 of the kitchen tools 10-50, including the tongs 10. The handles 11-51 of adjacent kitchen tools 10-50 are magnetically attracted to each other by the magnets 14-54. This increases the adhesion between the kitchen tools 10-50. This prevents the stacked kitchen tools 10-50 from unintentionally separating.

[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. Furthermore, even if a user owns only certain kitchen tools 10 to 50, storage capacity is not compromised, which has the advantage that it is not necessary 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 bottom to top, and even if one or more of these are removed, the remaining kitchen tools can still be stacked. Note that, although an example is given here in which the four lower kitchen tools 20-50, namely, 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 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 with relatively flat functional parts 42, 52, such as the spatula 40 and turner 50, are placed lower, while kitchen tools with deep functional parts 22, 32 for scooping ingredients, such as the ladle 20 and spoon 30, are placed higher. This allows the inclination angles θ1 to θ4 of the upper end surfaces 22a to 52a of the functional parts 22 to 52 relative to the handle parts 21 to 51 to be set to appropriate angles according to the functions of the functional parts 22 to 52.

[0069] For example, consider a case where the ladle 20 and spoon 30 are placed below the spatula 40 and turner 50. In this case, taking into account the depth of the ladle 20 and spoon 30, the inclination angles θ1 and θ2 of the ladle 20 and spoon 30 are adjusted so that the ladle 20 and spoon 30 do not contact the flat surface 100 when the lower kitchen tools 20-50 are placed on the flat surface 100. The inclination angles θ3 and θ4 of the spatula 40 and turner 50 placed above them depend on the inclination angles θ1 and θ2 of the ladle 20 and spoon 30. This may result in the inclination angles θ3 and θ4 becoming unnecessarily steep, making it impossible to appropriately adjust the inclination angles θ3 and θ4 for the required functions. Therefore, by stacking the kitchen tools 20-40 in the above order, the inclination angles θ1 to θ4 can be set to appropriate angles according to the functions of the functional parts 22-52.

[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 simplified in structure, which prevents dirt from adhering to the tongs 10 and makes it easier to remove dirt when 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, the tongs 10 can be simply configured, since it is not necessary to provide a separate spring between the first and second handle portions to enable opening and closing operations, as in the conventional case, or to provide parts necessary to close the handle portion in a closed state in cases where the handle portion is made up of a single U-shaped part and the opening and closing operations are performed based on elastic deformation of the U-shaped bend portion.

[0073] (Other Embodiments) The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, it goes without saying that the elements constituting the embodiments are not necessarily essential unless specifically stated as essential or clearly considered essential in principle. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, when numerical values ​​such as the number, numerical value, amount, and range of components of the embodiments are mentioned, they are not limited to the specific number unless specifically stated as essential or clearly limited to a specific number in principle. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, when the shape, positional relationship, etc. of components, etc. are mentioned, they are not limited to the shape, positional relationship, etc., unless specifically stated or clearly 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 is arbitrary and may be different from that of the above embodiment. Furthermore, the stacking order of the lower kitchen tools 20-50 is preferably the same as that of the above embodiment, but may be different. Furthermore, the number of lower kitchen tools 20-50 is arbitrary, and the present disclosure can be applied when at least two or more kitchen tools are stacked, and the same type may be included among the multiple types of kitchen tools 20-50.

[0075] In addition, 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 end sides, 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 more downward than both end sides.

[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 to 50. However, it is possible to realize a structure in which the kitchen tools are stacked horizontally while the functional parts 22 to 52 are raised above the flat surface 100 using only the lower kitchen tools 20 to 50, excluding the tongs 10.

Claims

1. A stacking kitchen tool for stacking multiple types of kitchen tools (10-50), the multiple types of kitchen tools including 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 tools being configured to have: a functional part (22-52) that comes into contact with ingredients to be cooked; a handle part (21-51) that is in the shape of a long plate having a center line (C2-C5) extending in one direction and is held by a user; and legs (23-53) that are arranged between the functional part and the handle part, connect the functional part and the handle part, and have an inclined part (25-55) that inclines downward from the handle part toward the functional part, The inclined portions have a first inclined surface (25a to 55a) and a second inclined surface (25b to 55b) that are linearly 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 normal to the center line as a cutting surface is U-shaped; by stacking the inclined portions and the handle portions on top of each other, multiple lower kitchen tools can be stacked, and a shape obtained by cutting the legs of the multiple stacked lower kitchen tools with the cutting surface becomes a shape of overlapping U-shapes; and when the lower kitchen tools are placed on a flat surface (100) with the back side facing downward, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface of the legs and the rear end side of the handle portion opposite the functional portion contact the flat surface, and the functional portion is floating above the flat surface.

2. A stacking kitchen tool as described in claim 1, wherein the area between the handle portion and the leg portion is a continuous curved surface, and the area between the leg portion and the functional portion is also a continuous curved surface, so that the areas where the handle portion is connected to the leg portion and the functional portion are seamless.

3. 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. The stacking kitchen tool according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of kitchen tools can be stacked with only the untouched 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 kitchen tools are stacked from the bottom in the order of the turner, the spatula, the spoon and the ladle, and even if any of the turner, the spatula, the spoon and the ladle is removed, the stacking is possible only with the kitchen tools that have not been removed.

6. The stacking kitchen tool according to claim 1, wherein 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 tongs are stacked on top of the turner, spatula, spoon, and ladle in that order from below, and 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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