WO1995010213A1

WO1995010213A1 - Tool for picking up foodstuffs

Info

Publication number: WO1995010213A1
Application number: PCT/DE1994/001204
Authority: WO
Inventors: Manfred Ortwein
Original assignee: Manfred Ortwein
Priority date: 1993-10-15
Filing date: 1994-10-13
Publication date: 1995-04-20
Also published as: DE4335206A1

Abstract

A tool for picking up foodstuffs has two elongated legs (91, 92) interconnected at one end by a spacer (90). Said end has a curvature adapted to the carpus. The spacer (90) may be made in a single piece or in two pieces. When the spacer (90) is designed in two pieces, one of its halves is associated to one leg and the other half to the other leg. Both halves of the spacer are interconnected by a joint.

Description

EATING DEVICE FOR RECORDING FOOD

description

The invention relates to an eating device according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Eating devices and cutlery have been known for a long time. From the silver spoon that was used as early as the 6th to 4th centuries BC BC in Iran, right down to the spoons made from fruit skins and plant fibers from Africa, from the carved spoon made of bones from the 13th to the 14th century to the painted wooden spoon from Indonesia, a wealth of eating utensils are in use been or still in use (Guide Gourmet, Issue 1, 1993, pp. 40 - 41: The Cologne Cutlery Museum, a journey through times and cultures).

In European culture, knives and spoons, and forks in general, have prevailed since the 17th century, while in Asia, chopsticks have been used for eating for centuries.

In addition to the classic eating devices, there were also special eating devices for special ones

Suggested purposes, e.g. Fish knives (DE-C-308 844), prestressed chopsticks (GB-A-2 202 426), sugar tongs (DE-U-7 435 946) or tweezers-like devices (DE-U-8 525 202, DE-U-8 514 316, US-A-4,261,608), e.g. B. can be used to remove fish bones (CH-A-133 750).

Also connecting elements for chopsticks (DE-U-9 114263, DE-U-8 627 891) or devices with two spoon-like buildings that can be moved against each other and are connected at one end (DE-C-682 770, US-A-2 670 234) are already known. A particularly advantageous eating device that can be used in a variety of ways is the so-called Happette® (DE-A-40 21 022; Guide Gourmet, 1993, loc. Cit., P. 44; DE-registered design M 91 07 431, registered design sheet, issue 7 of 10 April 1992, p. 1790). The Happette® differs from other cutlery in that it has a weight that is adapted to the shape of the hand at the end facing away from the food-receiving area. This weight is formed in one piece and represents, as it were, the continuation of the two legs. In one embodiment - based on the known gourmet spoon - a projection is provided on one leg, which has purely decorative functions.

In a further embodiment of the Happette®, a relative displaceability of the two legs relative to one another is indicated without clipping in (DE taste pattern M 91 07 431, example 12.2). However, this displaceability was limited only to Happetten®, the two legs of which merge into one another in the form of a loop, because the torsional capacity of the loop enables the legs or tongues to be displaced transversely very easily and with very little force. With other Happetten®, the legs of which were welded together over a certain length, as with conventional tweezers, no clear displaceability could be determined.

The invention is therefore based on the object of achieving a relative displaceability of the legs even with Happetten® without a loop.

This object is achieved in accordance with the features of patent claim 1.

The advantage achieved with the invention is, in particular, that it is possible to change very quickly from a type of fork function to a type of spoon function or vice versa. This change of function is desirable both for gourmet standing parties and for the care of the disabled. In the care of the disabled, a fork can be dispensed with entirely, which reduces the risk of injury, particularly when feeding patients with uncontrolled movements. The spacer according to the invention also allows a better cleaning ability that complies with legal hygiene regulations. In a special configuration of the spacer, it is also possible to take the two legs of the measuring device according to the invention apart and to reassemble them. Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below. Show it:

Figure 1 is a eating device in a perspective view and with closely adjacent legs.

FIG. 2 shows the eating device according to FIG. 1 with the legs slightly open;

Fig. 3 shows a eating device in a rear view;

Fig. 4 shows a eating device in a front view;

Fig. 5 is a front view of a crossed leg eating device; Fig. 6 is a rear view of the eating device shown in Fig. 5;

7 shows a side view of the eating device according to FIGS. 5 and 6; 8 is an illustration for explaining the torsion; Fig. 9 is an illustration for explaining the relative displacement of two interconnected, parallel and flat legs; 10 shows a further illustration to explain the relative displaceability of two interconnected parallel legs which form an angle of 90 ° from a certain point; 11 shows the principle of the displaceability of the legs of the Happette according to the invention; FIG. 12 is an illustration of the eating device corresponding to FIG. 7, but rotated by 180 degrees and with additional reference numerals; 13 shows a detailed illustration of the measuring device in which a spacer can be seen; FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the end of a eating device according to FIG. 13.

1 shows a perspective view of an eating device 1 which has two flat legs 2, 3 which end on one side in a food-receiving area 4, 5 and on the other side in a counterweight or hanging area 6. Both legs 2, 3 are held together by a ring 7, which is designed as a positive locking and connecting part made of plastic or other material. The legs 2, 3 are curved or arched. A convex, ie outward curvature 8 is provided between the food-receiving area 4, 5 and the position 10. In the area of this curvature 8, the upper leg 3 carries a projection 9 which is important for the invention. A concave or downward curvature 12 adjoins the convex curvature 8 between points 10 and 11.

The ring 7 is arranged approximately at the low point or turning point of the curvature 12. At the end of the concave curvature 12 marked by the point 11 there is another concave curvature 13, which is formed by the hanging area 6. The

Position 14 marks the transition from the two legs 2, 3 to the suspension region 6, which represents a weight. The hook-in area 6 is hooked between the thumb and the rear member of the index finger, as already shown in FIG. 9 of DE-OS 4021 022, so that a more detailed illustration can be dispensed with.

In Fig. 2, the same eating device 1 is shown as in Fig.l, and also in a perspective view. The only differences between the two representations are that in FIG. 2 the ring 7 is removed and the two legs 2, 3 are moved apart due to spring forces. The food-receiving area 4, 5 hereby has a receiving gap 14, into which the food to be picked up goes. It is essential for the eating device 1 that at least one of the two legs 2, 3 is not quite rigid and is connected to the hanging area 6, i. H. that it has a certain transverse bending elasticity. As a result, it can be moved in the direction of arrow 15 relative to the other leg 3, 2. A subsequent shift in the direction of arrow 16, which is perpendicular to arrow 15, must also be possible so that the projection 9 can reach under the leg 4.

3, the back of the eating device 1 is shown. For decoration, three oblique grooves 20, 21, 22 are provided on the leg.

The forces required for the displacement in the direction of arrow 15 are very large in the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 1 and 2, because the area 14 in which the two legs 2, 3 are connected to one another is hardly thicker than the sum the thickness of the two legs, ie a pronounced spacer is missing. As a result, torsion is only possible with great effort. The fact that the legs 2, 3 have the same width almost over their entire length makes it considerably more difficult to move them in the direction of the arrow 15. In particular at point 11, the eating device 1 is too wide for easy displacement. FIG. 4 shows a variant of the eating device according to FIG. 3, the legs of which can be moved more easily relative to one another. In this eating device 25, the legs 26, 27 are wider than in the eating device 1 described above. A denotes a waist, which is located between the hanging part 28 and the legs 26, 27. In this area A, the relative displaceability between the legs 26,

27 allows. The width of the legs at the various points A, B, C preferably applies here

B> C> A

However, it can also be A = C if A <B and at least B> 2A without the displaceability deteriorating. The area A represents a constriction between positions 14 and 11. While the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3 has the projection 9 on the left-hand side as seen from above, B. is suitable for right-handers, the projection in the embodiment of FIG. 4 is arranged on the right-hand side as seen from above, which makes this embodiment more suitable for left-handers. Projections can also be seen on both sides, so that the eating device 1, 25 is suitable for both right-handed and left-handed users.

As can easily be determined by experiment, the two legs of a standard pair of tweezers can only be moved very little parallel to one another. Reaching under one leg by the other leg is practically excluded.

In the case of the eating device according to the invention, however, such a displacement and gripping is easily possible, which is based on the special shape, the intermediate or spacer and the material of the eating device.

5 shows a eating device 30 in a back view. One can again see two legs 31, 32, one leg of which lies below the other leg, in particular in the vicinity of the counterweight 33. In the food receiving area 34, 25, the two legs 31, 32 lie essentially parallel to one another. The projection 36 of the lower leg 32 lies above the upper leg 31. This locking of the two legs 31, 32 is from the receiving areas 34, 35 formed a widened double tongue, which is more suitable as a "double cup" for receiving pasty food.

FIG. 6 shows the same eating device 30 as FIG. 5, but in a view from below. The curvature of the counterweight is directed inward, that is to say convex, while it is concave in FIG. 5. The projection 36 cannot be seen in FIG. 6 because it is covered by the leg 31. 37 denotes the edge of the counterweight, the strength of which in this embodiment corresponds practically to the sum of the strengths of the legs 31, 32 plus the strength of the connection solder used.

FIG. 7 shows the eating device 30 of FIGS. 5 and 6 again in a side view, specifically with reference to FIG. 5. One can clearly see a crossing point between the two legs 31, 32, which is marked by the projection. In addition, the curvature maxima or turning points 13, 11,

12 and 10 can be seen. Instead of a projection, another form of locking or latching of the two legs 31, 32 can also be provided. It is only important that the two legs remain in the crossed position and are not pulled apart due to spring forces.

Some reference lines are shown in FIG. 7 in order to be able to identify the individual areas of the measuring device 30 more clearly. V _j denotes the vertical line that passes through the point where the two legs merge. The vertical V2 indicates the low point of the second curvature with the radius of curvature R2. V3 is the vertical through the high point of the third curvature with the radius of curvature R3, while V4 denotes the vertical through the low point of the fourth curvature with the radius of curvature R. The beginning and end of the eating device 30 are marked by the vertical lines V ^ and V5, respectively.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the horizontal H _j represents the tangent to three lower points of the eating device 30. By contrast, the horizontal H2 denotes the tangent to the high point of the eating device 30. With H3, the tangent to the middle high point is the Pointed 12.

In the second curvature with the radius of curvature R2 there are two tangents the legs T _j and T2 shown, which enclose an angle α.

The distance between the verticals V _j and Vg is with a, the distance between the verticals V2 and V _j is with b, the distance between V3 and V2 is with c, the distance between V4 and V3 is with d and the distance between V5 and V4 is labeled e. In a practical embodiment, z. B. the following values: a = 1.5 cm, b = 2.5 cm, c = 4.5 cm, d = 6 cm, e = 5 cm, R _j = 1.4 cm, R2 = 1, 2 cm, R ₃ = 6 cm, R ₄ = 9 cm, H ₂ - H _χ = 2.7 cm, H3 = 1.2 cm, α = 110 °. H ₂ - H _j is matched according to the statistical central value of the distance between the index finger and the middle finger of adult hands.

The arrows 15, 16 shown in FIG. 2 represent idealized movements. In reality, an exactly horizontal movement according to arrow 15 is not carried out because this is not possible due to the stiffness of the legs 2, 3. With the movement in the direction of arrow 15, a movement in the direction of arrow 16 takes place at the same time, so that a torsional movement results. The torsion or twist, which is a special form of shear, essentially takes place in area A.

As already mentioned above, torsions occur during the relative displacement of the two legs of the measuring device. In order to show the connection with the general torsion or the differences to it, the generally known principle of the torsion is shown in FIG. Here, a rod 51, which is firmly clamped in a stationary plate 50, is rotated with a radius r at its free end. This rotation occurs through the pair of forces F, which acts on the points A and B of a disk 53 connected to the end 52 and having a radius R. This pair of forces, each with opposite signs, creates a torque which twists the rod by an angle α, so that the lower end of the rod is rotated by the angle φ. All other rod cross sections take part in this rotation with an amount which is proportional to the distance of these cross sections from the upper clamped rod end. Each cross-section, viewed in isolation, remains rigid and is only rotated by a small angle against the adjacent cross-sections. As a result, shear stresses occur between the individual cross sections.

The torsions occurring in the eating device according to the invention are, however, none simple rod torsions, but torsions in flat structures. This will be explained below.

9 shows the basic principle of tweezers, in which two legs 55, 56 are welded to one another directly or via a spacer 57. If one tries to spread these two legs 55, 56 apart, as indicated by the force arrows 58, 59, this does not succeed. 8, parallel, equally large and opposing forces act on the open end 60, 61 of the legs 55, 56, but the torsion bar is characterized by the thickness of the spacer 57, which is the case with commercially available

Tweezers do not even exist, are formed, extremely small.

If one imagines the upper leg 55 as firmly clamped, with only the lower leg 56 being moved by the force symbolized by the arrow 58, a torsional moment arises which acts on the spacer 57. Because of its brevity - the height h corresponds to the height H in FIG. 8 - this is twisted only slightly. The forces 58, 59 also act as shear forces on the legs 55, 56, but because of the width of the legs they cause only minimal deflection of the legs 55, 56. Shear moments are completely eliminated in the device according to FIG. 9, because this involves forces would have to act, which are perpendicular to the forces 58, 59.

FIG. 10 shows a device similar to that in FIG. 9, but with a 90 degree angled portion. The legs 55, 56 bent upward are designated 62 and 63 here. If the forces 58, 59 attack again, the short spacer 57 is no longer twisted, but the vertical legs 62, 63 itself. The transition point 62, which corresponds to the clamping point 54 in FIG. 8, now acts as a clamping point. 57, 63 between the vertical legs 62, 63. This clamping point must absorb the pair of forces 58, 59 which is introduced via the point 64, 65 from the horizontal legs 55, 56 into the vertical legs 62, 63 and 62, 63 against each other. The height H 'in FIG. 10 corresponds to the height H in FIG.

8. Since this height H 'is substantially greater than the height h in FIG. 9, the device according to FIG. 10 can be twisted.

10 is the torsion of rectangular cross sections without curvature obstruction. The rectangular cross sections are here by the

Cross sections of the legs 62, 63 formed. Those occurring with such a twist Shear stresses can be determined using the methods of technical mechanics or finite element computer programs (see Istvän Szabό: Higher Technical Mechanics, 2nd reprint of the 5th edition, 1984, pp. 304/305).

Only little changes to the principle according to FIG. 10 if the upward-pointing legs 62, 63 form an angle greater than 90 ° with the horizontal legs 55, 56 and are widened at their ends, as is shown in FIG. 11 shows. This widening merely has the effect that the main torsion is placed in the waist region denoted by b, because there is less twisting at the relatively wide point 70 than at the relatively narrow point 71.

FIG. 12 shows a real Happette®, which corresponds to the Happette® according to FIG. 7, but rotated by 180 degrees in order to enable a better comparison with FIGS. 10 and 11. The length V of the welded part 38 of the Happette® corresponds to the length l in FIGS. 9 and 10. To optimize the

Material fatigue strength, this length t is carried out up to the maximum width B in FIG. 5 of the hand holder. The distance H '"corresponds to the distance H' or H" in FIGS. 10 and 11. The torsion of the leg areas 80, 81 thus takes place in this decisive area H '". The angle is also important for the torsion ability oc between the horizontal H and the tangent T at the leg regions 80, 81 or between a tangent (not shown) to the leg region 31 and the tangent T. This will be discussed in more detail below.

FIG. 13 shows the rear region of a Happette on the hand holder side on an enlarged scale. It can be seen here that from the lowest points 95, 96 of the curvatures of the two legs 91, 92 to the ends 93, 94 of these legs a spacer 90 is provided between the legs 91, 92. In addition, one recognizes that the parts of the legs adjoining the curvatures each have a further curvature, the maxima of which are designated 96, 97 and which enclose an angle α which, according to the invention, is between 90 ° and 120 °.

FIG. 14 shows the end of an eating device according to FIG. 13 again in a perspective view. It can be seen here that the legs 91, 92 have a narrow point n at the apex of the angle α. This constriction makes sense for practical and aesthetic reasons. It acts like a flat piece that introduces the torsional force into the spring parts T _j , T2 of the legs 91, 92 about its rigid axis. As a result, the constriction n experiences the minimum torsional deformation in position, which is intended to increase the fatigue strength. The constriction n then only experiences a minimal bending deformation around the softest bending axis if the legs 91, 92 are moved in the gripping function while maintaining their parallel position.

If the angle α is close to 90 degrees, then when used as intended, the finger recess at 91 is horizontal, thus ergonomically optimal on the middle finger resting there, which makes guiding the cutlery pleasant and aesthetic.

In addition, an angle α is close to 90 and not more than 120 degrees in connection with the semicircular shells of the hand holder (see 93, 95, 97 in FIG. 13) in a special version of the Happette, in which the two legs 91 , 92 are separably joined together, has advantages with regard to the joining processes.

This is the case when a prestressing from the semicircular shape of the hand holder is introduced and supported in joining structures which are formed by the spacer sections each associated with one leg. In other words, the spacer 90 of FIG. 14 is divided horizontally or vertically into two partial spacers, one of which is assigned to the upper or lower leg 96, 97.

Such a version is preferred in elderly care for hygienic reasons, because it is better to comply with the legal hygiene regulations. In such a case, the two legs 91, 92 of the same structure can expediently be connected and detached with the aid of the two-part spacer 90. For machine cleaning, for example with ultrasound, they are taken apart and cleaned as a single leg.

Although the legs of the detachable variant have the same structure, this can

Spacer look different on one leg than on the other leg.

Both spacer parts can be connected to one another in a form-fitting manner horizontally and / or vertically, ie without using screws, but simply by snapping them into place and moving and supporting in a joint connection.

In addition to this locking function, the spacer 90, as already mentioned, also has the function of facilitating twisting when clipping. The clipping force, i. H. in the transverse displacement of the two legs 91, 92 is free

Theoretically, torsion of the trapezoid-like areas T _j , T2 around the axis is a minimum and less than if legs lying directly on top of one another have to be twisted around an outer pivot point. With a two-part spacer, the torsional force can be reduced even further or even practically brought to zero.

The gripping of the food is also better with the spacer 90, because the legs 91, 92 are exposed up to the clamping point T2 in FIG. 14 and can therefore be moved more easily in the gripping function.

The ring 7 shown in Fig. 1 made of plastic has a locking function. In practice, it is preferably designed so that its two circumferential edges are provided with outwardly directed beads. With this ring 7 or "locker" the Happette can be locked not only in the normal state, but also in the clipped state according to FIGS. 5 and 6. In this case the ring is moved into position n

(Fig. 14) brought. It also serves to hold the two parts of the detachable Happette together.

The handling of a Happette in the gripping function as well as in the clipped state in the carrying function is ergonomically and orthopedically optimized if it is both a

Spacer 90 and the angle α = 90-120 °.

Claims

claims

1. Eating device for taking food, with

1.1 two elongated legs (91, 92), 1.1.1 which have essentially the same thickness and

1.1.2 are connected to one another at their first ends (95, 96) via a spacer (90) and are not connected to one another at their second ends (34, 35),

1.1.2.1 wherein the first ends (95, 96) have a first and concave curvature (13) and

1.1.2.2 in direct connection to the first and concave curvature (13) a second and convex curvature (10) is provided, characterized in that

1.2 the spacer (90) is provided at least in a partial area of the first and concave curvature (13) and has a thickness which corresponds at least to the thickness of the legs (91, 92),

1.3 a locking device (36) is provided with which the legs (91, 92) can be locked in the crossed state.

2. Eating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the spacer (38) is an integral part of the ends of the legs.

3. Eating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the spacer (90) is designed as a separate element.

4. Eating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the spacer (90) corresponds approximately to half the curvature (95, 96) of the ends of the legs (91, 92).

5. Eating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the curvature (95, 96) of the ends is followed by a further curvature (97, 98) of the legs (91, 92).

6. Eating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tangents to the inside of the walls forming the curvature include an angle α, which is between 90 and 120 degrees.

7. Eating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the legs (31, 32) lie one above the other and have a total of four curvatures (13, 11, 12, 10).

8. Eating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the curved end (3 ') has at its widest point a width (B) which is greater than the width

(A) the leg (31, 32) at a constriction point in direct connection to the curved end (3).

9. Eating device according to claim 8, characterized in that the legs (31, 32) have a width (C) following the constriction, which is greater than that

Width (A) at this constriction point.

10. Eating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the legs (31, 32) consist of a flexible material, in particular a metal or a metal alloy.

11. Eating device according to claim 7, characterized in that the curvature (14) at the end (38) of the legs has a first radius of curvature (R _j ), that the following curvature (11) has a second radius of curvature (R2) that the the following curvature (12) has a third radius of curvature (R3) and that the adjoining curvature (10) has a fourth radius of curvature (R4).

12. Eating device according to claim 11, characterized in that

applies.

13. Eating device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one leg (z. B. 31) has a projection (36) or a notch with which the other leg (z. B. 32) in is locked in a crossed position.

14. Eating device according to claim 13, characterized in that one of the legs (z. B. 32) has a projection (36) which engages under the other leg (31) in the crossed position.

15. Eating device according to claim 11, characterized in that the curvature (14) at the end (38) is adapted to the curvature of the hand between the index finger and thumb.

16. Eating device according to claim 15, characterized in that the curvature (14) has a semicircular cross section, the two legs (31, 32) colliding approximately in the middle of the semicircle and forming a common end piece, which acts as a counterweight serves for the legs (31, 32).

17. Eating device according to claim 11, characterized in that the first curvature

(13) is concave, the second curve (11) is convex, the third curve (12) is concave and the fourth curve (10) is convex.

18. Eating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the two legs (91, 92) via the spacer (90) are detachably connected together.

19. Eating device according to claim 18, characterized in that the spacer consists of two parts which can be locked together, one part being assigned to one leg (91) and the other part to the other leg (92).

20. Eating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the two legs (91, 92) can be fixed relative to one another by means of a ring (7).

21. Eating device according to claim 20, characterized in that the ring (7) is provided on its edges with outwardly directed beads.

22. Eating device according to claim 20, characterized in that the ring (7) is arranged at a narrow point (97, n) of the legs (91, 92).

23. Eating device according to claim 18, characterized in that the two parts of the

Make a joining connection by moving the spacer horizontally or vertically.

24. Eating device according to claim 23, characterized in that the horizontal displacement takes place either in the x or in the y direction.