Composite tableware and method of manufacturing the same

Description

Background of the Invention

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention is related to composite tableware like table spoons, forks, knives and bottle cap openers etc.

2. Description of the Prior Art

[0002] Tableware is a daily necessity for modem people; it not only acts as basic tools for use in daily meals, but also gives good appearances to increase the mood in having meals. Sweet family gathering for dinners, successful commercial fellowship parties or joyful parties of friends often are endued with much attractiveness by using tableware of outstanding design. On the contrary, tableware from bad design or bad manufacturing may render displeasing in having meals, for example, it may have the result such as of dirt that is hard to clean or of breakage of forks being due to insufficient strength.

[0003] In order to manufacture a piece of beautiful and outstanding tableware, manufacturing smiths have paid efforts in hard study, some increase the functions of the tableware with special structures, some make outstanding appearances as their features, and some even emphasize colors and materials, however summarily, manufacturing of conventional tableware basically is divided into two kind of measures:

[0004] The first one uses only one kind of material of metal to integrally shape by founding and forging to make the main bodies of tableware, such as is shown in Fig. 4. Using only one kind of material renders the articles to have less variation. Because the virtue that metallic material has larger density, the article made thereof is heavier, and thereby this often renders a user more cumbersome and inconvenient in use. And more, by the feature of the metallic material, in manufacturing, it should be processed by a specific way, normally it is manufactured by founding and forging; the cost for the entire process and equipment for manufacturing is extremely high, thereby the price of the product made of metallic material is overly high and is hard to be accepted by consumers.

[0005] The second one uses different kinds of materials to make the main bodies of tableware. Generally, for the convenience of cutting and taking foods in meal times, the parts of spoons and the forked parts of forks, are all made of metal. In order to render tableware more abundant in variation, the handle parts of the tableware are mostly made of other materials such as wood, plastic or acryl.

[0006] The connecting structure and mode of a kind of conventional tableware is shown in Fig. 5, the connecting portion of the part used of the tableware is provided with a prolonged member A having a protrusion A1 and a recess 2, the connecting portion of a handle B of the tableware is provided with a hollow chamber B1 for insertion of the prolonged member A. When in connecting, the hollow chamber B1 is injected therein with adhesive or is heated to get tight closed, and then a force is exerted to forcedly insert the prolonged member A into the hollow chamber B1; the protrusion A1 of the prolonged member A then engages with the hollow chamber B1, while the adhesive in the recess A2 increases the connecting strength.

[0007] The connecting structure and mode of another kind of conventional tableware is shown in Fig. 6, the connecting portion of the part being used of the tableware is provided with a prolonged member C, the connecting portion of a handle E of the tableware is provided with a hollow chamber E1 adapted for heating insertion of the prolonged member C into the hollow chamber E1; the hollow chamber E1 is injected therein with adhesive and is coupled with a surrounding frame D, and then a force is exerted to forcedly insert the prolonged member C into the hollow chamber E1, the prolonged member C presses the adhesive in the hollow chamber E1 to fully fill the latter with the adhesive to tightly connect with the prolonged member C, to thereby increase the connecting strength of the tableware.

[0008] The connecting modes of parts of the both two kinds of tableware each have a utility portion with a prolonged member extending therefrom, a force is exerted to forcedly insert the prolonged member into the hollow chamber and a handle, and with adhesive filed in the hollow chamber of the prolonged member to get an object of tight connecting. However, this mode of connecting forcedly connects the two parts with an external force, and renders the connecting area of the two parts to be subjected to breaking by concentrated stress at this area, after using for a period of time, the utility portion and the handle are subjected to loosening; on the other hand, this connecting area is subjected to have dirt accumulated here, and it is hard to maintain neatness and beauty as well as sanitation in use.

[0009] From JP-A-01086908 or FR-A-2057106 a method for production a handle of a kitchen utensil is known wherein a handle body with various through-holes are placed in a metal mold whereafter a synthetic resin material is injected into the mold space by which the handle body is integrally molded with the synthetic resin to from a handle of the kitchen utensil.

[0010] TW-Y569738 resp. US-B-6607225 shows a structure of a stainless composite chopstick defining a stainless steel metallic sleeve portion combined with a handle body by injection molding.

[0011] The handle-connecting portion has the form of a hollow barrel designed as a truncated cone of which an end near the main part of the utensil has a smaller area, while the other end extending outwardly has a larger area.

[0012] However, that known structure is not designed for tableware like knifes, forks or spoons which have to withstand severe side forces.

[0013] In view of the above defects to be solved for providing a novel piece of composite tableware the inventor provides the present invention based on his professional experience of years in repeated experiments and improvement.

Summary of the invention

[0014] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a piece of a composite tableware, consisting of different materials, having good appearance, durability and good connecting strength and which can be produced with reasonable cost of production.

[0015] The components of the present invention include a main part of a utensil and a handle; said main part of said utensil is integrally shaped and is made of metal and is formed by punch pressing. One end thereof has a utility portion, designed as a spoon, a fork or a bottle cap opener. A handle-connecting portion extends to a direction away from said utility portion, said handle-connecting portion being in the form of a hollow barrel and at least having a fixing hole. An opening being provided on an outer end of said handle-connection portion. Said handle is formed by injection shaping, extruding as well as melting, and is tightly connected to the interior of said handle-connecting portion through said opening and extending outwardly to complete said handle for holding by a hand and integrally connecting with said main part of said utensil.

[0016] The present invention will be apparent after reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof in reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] 

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the utensil of the present invention;

Fig. 1A is a side view showing an opening end of the handle-connecting portion of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective schematic view of the embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a process chart showing the steps of manufacturing the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a piece of conventional tableware.

Fig. 5 is a perspective schematic view showing combination of another piece of conventional tableware;

Fig. 6 is a perspective schematic view showing combination of a further piece of conventional tableware.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] Referring firstly to Figs. 1 and 1A depicting a perspective view of an embodiment of a main part of a utensil of the present invention, the main part 10 of the utensil is made by forging and integrally shaping into a metal piece, one end of the main part 10 has a utility portion 11, a handle-connecting portion 12 is extended to a direction away from the utility portion 11, an opening 121 is provided on an outer end of the handle-connecting portion 12, and a fixing hole 122 is provided near the opening 121; thus a handle 20 is formed by injection shaping, extruding or melting. In this embodiment, the handle-connecting portion 12 is in the form of a hollow barrel of the shape of a truncated cone of which an end with a larger area has the opening 121.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 2, after punch pressing the main part 10, the handle-connecting portion 12 is simultaneously shaped. Fig 2 is a perspective view after assembling of the composite tableware of the present invention; wherein the opening 121 on the handle-connecting portion 12 of the main part 10 of the utensil accommodates a handle 20 integrally shaped and extending upwardly in the same extending direction as that of the handle-connecting portion 12. The handle 20 is made of plastic, acryl, ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), glass or ceramic, and is formed and connected in the interior of the handle-connecting portion 12; the end being injected of the handle 20 is extended into the handle-connecting portion 12 to increase the connecting strength of the main part 10 with the handle 20.

[0020] Fig. 3 is a process chart showing the steps of manufacturing the present invention, there are two steps: step 1 makes the main part 10 of the utensil by integrally shaping to render one end of the main part 10 to have the utility portion 11, to render the handle-connecting portion 12 to be formed and extended to a direction away from the utility portion 11, and to render the opening 121 to be provided on an outer end of the handle-connecting portion 12; and step 2 forms the handle 20 by injection shaping, extruding as well as melting to have the handle tightly connected to the interior of the handle-connecting portion 12 through the opening 121 as well as extended outwardly to complete the handle 20 for holding by a hand and integrally connected with the main part 10 of the utensil.

[0021] When in use, the main part 10 of utensil can be manufactured according to the purpose actually required, for example: the tong of a spoon, the shank with a blade of a knife, the fork portion of a fork, and the opening portion of a bottle cap opener. Not only such a main part 10 of the utensil integrally shaped has a good appearance, but also by integral connecting of the handle-connecting portion 12 with the handle 20, the dirt that is hard to clean at the connecting area of conventional tableware can be easily removed. Further, because the handle 20 is integrally connected in the handle-connecting portion 12, the connecting area is uneasy to be loosened. In addition, made of the main part 10 hollow metallic structure as well as the handle 20 manufactured of a different kind of material make the cost of production of the tableware of the present invention lower and further has higher acceptability in the market.

[0022] Therefore, the present invention has the following advantages:

1. The main part of the utensil of the present invention is a hollow metallic structure, which makes the cost of production lower for more reasonable price of the product, so the product can have higher acceptability in the market.

2. A part of the main part of the utensil of the present invention is a hollow metallic structure, which reduces the weight of the tableware to provide better convenience in use for children, elder, or any one who has difficulty in action.

3. The handle of the present invention is made of plastic, acryl, ABS, glass or ceramic, so the tableware can have various appearances, and by integral shaping of the main part, the entire appearance of the composite tableware is further more elegant and beautiful to increase the feeling of pleasure and comfort in using, and to increase the good feeling of having a meal for users.

4. The handle of the present invention is made to be connected in the handle-connecting portion, so that the handle is extended into the handle-connecting portion to be fixed by means of the fixing hole, and hence the strength of the connecting area of the main part with the handle can be increased, and the strength of the entire tableware is good and quite durable.

5. The handle of the present invention is made to be connected in the handle-connecting portion, so that the handle is extended into the handle-connecting portion to be fixed by means of the fixing hole, and hence the surface of the connecting area of the main part with the handle can be a smooth one, it is easy for cleansing, maintaining neatness, and can meet the requirement of sanitation.

[0023] In conclusion, according to the description disclosed above, the present invention surely can get the expected object thereof to provide a piece of improved composite tableware.

Claims

1. A piece of composite tableware comprising a main part (10) of a utensil and a handle (20), wherein:

said main part (10) of said utensil is integrally shaped, and is made of metal and is formed by punch pressing, one end thereof having a utility portion (11), designed as a spoon, a fork or a bottle cap opener, a handle-connecting portion (12) extending to a direction away from said utility portion, said handle-connecting portion (12) being in the form of a hollow barrel and at least having a fixing hole (122), an opening (121) being provided on an outer end of said handle-connection portion (12);

said handle (20) being formed by injection shaping, extruding as well as melting, and being tightly connected to the interior of said handle-connecting portion (12) through said opening (121) and extending outwardly to complete said handle for holding by a hand and integrally connecting with said main part of said utensil.

2. The composite tableware as in claim 1, wherein said hollow barrel is a truncated cone of which an end near to said main part of said utensil has a smaller area, while the other end extending outwardly has a larger area.

3. The composite tableware as in claim 1, wherein said handle (20) is made of plastic, acryl, glass, ceramic or ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer).

Ansprüche

1. Zusammengesetztes Besteckelement, bestehend aus einem Hauptteil (10) eines Geräts und einem Griff (20), wobei:

der Hauptteil (10) des Geräts einstückig und aus Metall ausgebildet ist und durch Stanzpressung hergestellt ist, wobei sein eines Ende ein Besteckelement (11) aufweist, das als Löffel, Gabel oder Flaschenöffner ausgebildet ist, sowie ein Griff-Verbindungsteil (12) sich in Richtung weg von dem Besteckelement erstreckt, wobei der Griff-Verbindungsteil (12) als Hohlzylinder ausgebildet ist und wenigstens ein Befestigungsloch (122) aufweist und an einem äußeren Ende des Griff-Verbindungsteils (12) eine Öffnung (121) angeordnet ist;

wobei der Griff (20) durch Spritzguss, Strangpressen sowie Schmelzen geformt ist und fest mit dem Inneren des Griff-Verbindungsteils (12) durch die genannte Öffnung (121) verbunden wird und sich nach außen erstreckt, um den Griff zum Halten mit der Hand zu vervollständigen und integral mit dem Hauptteil des Geräts zu verbinden.

2. Zusammengesetztes Besteckelement gemäß Anspruch 1, bei dem der Hohlzylinder ein stumpfförmiger Konus ist, dessen eines Ende nahe dem Hauptteil des Geräts eine kleinere Fläche aufweist, während das andere sich nach außen erstreckende Ende eine größere Fläche aufweist.

3. Zusammengesetztes Besteckelement gemäß Anspruch 1, bei dem der Griff (20) aus Kunststoff, Acryl, Glass, Keramik oder ABS (Acrylnitril-Butadien-Styren-Copolymer) hergestellt ist.

Revendications

1. Ustensile de table composite comprenant un élément principal d'ustensile (10) et un manche (20), dans lequel:

ledit élément principal (10) dudit ustensile est réalisé d'une seule pièce en métal par découpage à la presse, l'une de ses extrémités comportant une partie utilitaire (11) conçue sous la forme d'une cuillère, d'une fourchette ou d'un décapsuleur, une portion de raccordement de manche (12) s'étendant dans une direction opposée à ladite partie utilitaire, portion de raccordement de manche (12) qui se présente sous la forme d'un cylindre creux et qui comporte au moins un trou de fixation (122), une ouverture (121) étant prévue sur une extrémité extérieure de ladite portion de raccordement de manche (12);

ledit manche (20) étant réalisé par injection, extrusion et fusion et étant relié solidement à la partie intérieure de ladite portion de raccordement de manche (12) par l'intermédiaire de ladite ouverture (121) et s'étendant à l'extérieur pour former ledit manche destiné à être tenu à la main et à être relié de manière solidaire audit élément principal dudit ustensile.

2. Ustensile de table composite selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit cylindre creux est un cône tronqué dont une extrémité proche dudit élément principal dudit ustensile a une surface plus petite, tandis que l'autre extrémité qui s'étend à l'extérieur à une surface plus grande.

3. Ustensile de table composite selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit manche (20) est formé de matière plastique, de matière acrylique, de verre, de céramique ou d'ABS (compolymère d'acrylonitrile-butadiène-styrène).

Drawing