CN101212920B - Chopstick holder - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an elastic connector (2) for connecting a pair of chopsticks (3) together. The elastic connector (2) includes an elastic flexible plate (2) and two pairs of penetration parts (4, 6; 5, 7), wherein each pair of penetration parts includes a first and a second penetration part. Each second penetration (6, 7) is positioned perpendicularly and unidirectionally spaced from an imaginary line extending between each first penetration (4, 5). The distance (a) between the second penetration parts (6, 7) is equal to or smaller than the distance (b) between the first penetration parts (4, 5). The invention also relates to a chopstick device (1) including an elastic member (2) and a pair of chopsticks (3), and the use of the elastic connecting member (2) and the chopsticks (3) in combination for dining.

Description

chopsticks holder

technical field

The invention relates to an elastic connecting piece for connecting a pair of chopsticks together. The present invention also relates to a chopstick device, which comprises an elastic member and a pair of chopsticks elastically connected together by the elastic member. the

Background technique

Thousands of servings of Chinese food, sushi and other oriental foods are served in restaurants and takeaways around the world every day. This type of food is often served with and eaten with chopsticks, which is common today even in Western countries. But not everyone can handle or use chopsticks, especially if they are not used to them. People in western countries have always learned to eat with a knife and fork instead of chopsticks. Handling the knife and fork uses both hands, so dexterity is not required. When using chopsticks, both chopsticks are in the same hand, so manipulating the chopsticks requires great dexterity. Accordingly, it is sometimes desirable to have some means of facilitating or providing the possibility of using chopsticks, at least as a learning tool. In addition, in Asian countries where chopsticks are used for eating every day, teenagers and children are also beginners and must learn to operate chopsticks. Therefore, in these cases, it is also desirable to have some means of facilitating or providing the possibility of using chopsticks. the

Chopstick holders are previously known. These chopstick rests are often very large devices, and some chopstick rests do not provide the chopsticks with the required stability. In addition, the known chopstick holders are often regarded as aids for disabled persons and thus also as devices with negative effects. In addition, some users feel that the chopstick holder is too complicated to assemble with the chopsticks, and even needs to be carefully instructed to the user. In addition, it is not always easy for the user to hold the chopstick holder. However, it should be noted that it is important for the user not to lose face, especially when the user is sitting between strangers, for example in a restaurant. Therefore, it is desirable to have a chopstick holder that is easy to assemble and easy to use. so hope The chopstick holder can be found when needed and it is hoped that the chopstick holder will not be seen as a negative device, for example only for use by disabled people. the

Contents of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved elastic connector. The resilient connection at least partially eliminates at least some of the above-mentioned problems. the

According to one aspect of the present invention, this and other objects are achieved by an elastic connecting member for connecting a pair of chopsticks together, wherein: said elastic connecting member comprises an elastic flexible plate and two pairs of penetrating portions, each The pair of penetrations includes first and second penetrations, each of the second penetrations is positioned perpendicularly to an imaginary line extending between each of the first penetrations, wherein the first penetration The distance between the two penetrating parts is equal to or smaller than the distance between the first penetrating parts. When the distance between the second penetrating parts is equal to the distance between the first penetrating parts, when the elastic connecting member is assembled with the chopsticks, the chopsticks are parallel to each other. When the distance between the second penetrating parts is smaller than the distance between the first penetrating parts, when the elastic connecting member is assembled with the chopsticks and the assembly is used, a desired angle is formed between the chopsticks. The combination of the elastic flexible plate and the positioning of the two pairs of penetrating parts through which the chopsticks pass through during use on the elastic flexible plate will make the user's action of holding the chopsticks more stable, and at the same time make the elastic connecting piece easy to assemble with the chopsticks. The combination of the resilient flexible plate and the positioning of the two pairs of penetrations also provides the required stiffness between the chopsticks in use. This firmness helps the user keep the chopsticks in place while eating, and the chopsticks re-separate after releasing the gripped food. Thereby realizing the proper route of the food-clamping part of the chopsticks between the initial position and the food-clamping position. Therefore, this will help the user to pick up food and keep it between the chopsticks without much dexterity. the

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the distance between the second penetration portions is smaller than the distance between the first penetration portions. the

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second penetration portions of each pair of penetration portions are at equal distances from the imaginary line. the

In addition, the two pairs of penetrating parts are through holes. the

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second penetration portions of each pair of penetration portions are connected to each other to form a continuous penetration portion. By arranging the continuous penetration in this way, the user can more easily Easily assemble the chopsticks with the elastic connector, especially when the chopsticks are tapered. By connecting the two penetrations to each other in this way, it is also possible to give the elastic connecting element a smiley profile, for example, in order to reduce the empirical knowledge of using assistive devices for disabled people. the

Preferably, the elastic connecting member is made of elastic plastic material. By using the elastic plastic material, the elastic connecting piece can have a strong rebound effect. In this way, when the elastic link is assembled with the chopsticks and the assembly is used, the elastic link will try to reach its initial position. Furthermore, by using elastic plastic materials, the invention can be produced at very low cost, for example by stamping. the

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the elastic connecting member is detachably connected to the food package. By providing the elastic connector on the food package in this way, the user can easily obtain the elastic connector. Thus, all users who receive the chopsticks in the food package also receive the elastic connector at the same time. In this way, the user who needs the elastic connecting piece can get the elastic connecting piece at hand. Therefore, there is no embarrassment because the user does not need to ask for the elastic connecting piece separately. In addition, an easy and inexpensive distribution of connectors to, for example, takeaway restaurants and users can be achieved. Easy-to-use instructions can also be printed on the packaging so that no additional or separate instructions are required. the

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the elastic connecting member is integrated with the package suitable for food. By providing the food packaging with an elastic connection in this way, the elastic connection is formed by the food packaging. the

According to an embodiment of the invention, said elastic connector is contoured by a tear indicator in said food suitable package, so that the connector can be torn off from said package. By providing the elastic connection to the food package in this way, it is easy and natural to provide the elastic connection to the user. Therefore, the user can easily press the elastic connecting member out of the package without additional tools. the

According to another aspect of the present invention, the chopstick device includes an elastic member and a pair of chopsticks elastically connected together by the elastic member, wherein the elastic member includes a flexible material plate, and the plate includes two pairs of penetrating part, each pair of penetrating parts is passed by one of the chopsticks, wherein the elastic member is bent into a substantially U-shaped shape, wherein one of the penetrating parts of each pair of penetrating parts is arranged to be positioned at one of the bent parts The other penetration of each pair of penetrations is positioned on the opposite side of the bend. By arranging the chopstick device in this way, a desired angle is formed between the chopsticks. This creates the desired firmness between the chopsticks. This firmness helps the user keep the chopsticks in place while eating, and the chopsticks re-separate after releasing the gripped food. Thereby realizing the proper route of the food-clamping part of the chopsticks between the initial position and the food-clamping position. Therefore, this will help the user to pick up food and keep it between the chopsticks without much dexterity.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the elastic member overcomes the elasticity of its material and bends into the substantially U-shaped shape. The spring action in the elastic member holds the chopsticks in the desired position when the elastic member flexes against the elasticity of its material. Therefore, the chopsticks are stably connected with the elastic member, and the chopstick device will be more stable for the user. the

According to an embodiment of the invention, the penetrations of each pair of penetrations located closest to the food-holding end of said chopsticks have a greater distance with respect to each other than the distance between the other penetrations of each pair of penetrations. distance, wherein, the chopsticks diverge toward the food-holding end. By arranging the chopstick device in this way, a suitable and stable chopstick holding position for gripping a piece of food can be obtained. the

Another aspect of the present invention is the use of elastic connectors in combination with chopsticks for dining. the

Description of drawings

The present invention will be described in more detail through an embodiment below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the attached picture:

Fig. 1a is a front view of the chopstick device according to the present invention when the chopsticks are in an initial position. the

Fig. 1b is a side view of the chopstick device according to the present invention when the chopsticks are in an initial position. the

Fig. 2a is a front view of the chopstick device according to the present invention when the chopsticks are in the food-holding position. the

Fig. 2b is a side view of the chopstick device according to the present invention when the chopsticks are in the food-holding position. the

Fig. 3 is a top view of the elastic connector according to the present invention. the

Detailed ways

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below. This example should only be considered as illustrative and not as restrictive. the

Figures 1a and 1b show the chopsticks device 1 according to the invention when the chopsticks 3 are in an initial position. The chopstick device 1 includes a chopstick holder 2 and a pair of chopsticks 3 . According to the present invention, the chopstick support 2 is exemplified as an elastic link for connecting a pair of chopsticks 3 together. The chopstick holder includes two pairs of holes: a first pair of holes 4 and 8 and a second pair of holes 5 and 8 . Each pair of holes includes the first holes 4 and 5 and Second hole 8. According to this embodiment, the second holes 8 of each pair of holes are connected to each other to form one continuous hole 8 . Refer to Figure 3 for further illustration of these holes. The chopsticks 3 include two ends, the first end is an end for holding food, and the second end is the opposite end of the end holding food. Insert the food-holding end of a chopstick 3 and first pass the inlet hole 8, then pass the outlet hole 5, then insert the food-holding end of the other chopsticks 3 and first pass the inlet hole 8, and then pass the outlet hole 4, so that the chopsticks The support 2 is assembled with the chopsticks 3 . Chopsticks are often formed into a tapered shape. By providing the chopstick holder 2 according to this embodiment, since the hole 8 is larger than the cross section of the chopsticks 3, the user will be able to easily assemble the chopstick holder 2 and the chopsticks 3 . In this preferred embodiment, the diameter of the exit holes 4, 5 is larger than the smallest diameter of the chopstick 3 but smaller than the largest diameter of the chopstick 3. In this way, a natural "stop" is formed to help the user find the correct position of the chopsticks 3 relative to the support 2 during the assembly process. By selecting the proper length of the food-clamping end of the chopsticks 3 inserted into the chopstick holder 2, the user can adjust the distance between the food-clamping ends of the chopsticks 3, and thus also adjust the resistance generated when operating the chopsticks 3 from the initial position to the food-clamping position . Therefore, the user can easily adjust the chopstick device 1 and thus the distance between the food-holding ends of the chopsticks 3 according to the type and size of the food used. the

Figures 2a and 2b show the chopsticks device 1 according to the invention when the chopsticks 3 are in the food gripping position. When the user holds the chopsticks 3 in the hand 9 and pushes them towards each other from the initial position, the chopsticks 3 come into the food gripping position. Therefore, the distance between the food-holding ends of the chopsticks 3 is smaller than that at the initial position, so that it can be adjusted to hold food. During operation, the chopstick holder 2 bends between the holes 5 and 4 and causes the material to bulge and deform. In this way, the inner parts of the outlet holes 4, 5, ie the parts of the holes 4, 5 located towards each other, are compressed. In addition, during operation, the outer parts of the holes 8, ie the parts that are remote from each other, expand. In this way, the movement of the chopsticks is stabilized as desired due to the deformation of the material, ie the spring-back effect of the support 2 always acts to return the support 2 and thus the chopsticks 3 to the initial position. Therefore, when the user stops pushing the chopsticks 3 together, the distance between the food-holding ends of the chopsticks 3 becomes larger again due to the rebound effect of the chopstick holder 2 . During operation, the chopsticks 3 move along the desired path while remaining stable in the user's hand 9 . the

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a chopstick holder 2 with two pairs of holes 4 and 6 , 5 and 7 . According to this embodiment, the second hole of each pair comprises two separate holes 6 and 7 instead of the single hole 8 according to the first embodiment. When the food-clamping end of the chopsticks 3 is inserted and passed through the chopstick support 2, Each second hole 6, 7 is an access hole. The first pair of holes 4 and 6 includes a first hole 4 and a second hole 6 . The second pair of holes 5 , 7 comprises a first hole 5 and a second hole 7 . When the food-holding end of the chopsticks 3 is inserted into and passes through the chopstick holder 2, each first hole 4, 5 is an outlet hole. An imaginary (ie invisible) connecting line of length b extends between the centers of the first holes 4 and 5 of each pair of holes. The second hole 6 is located at a distance c' from the imaginary connecting line. The second hole 7 is positioned at a distance c" from an imaginary line. Each second hole 6, 7 is positioned perpendicularly and unidirectionally from an imaginary line extending between each first hole 4, 5. According to the invention, One-way at a distance means that each second hole 6,7,8 is located on the same side of the above-mentioned imaginary line.The distance between the centers of holes 6 and 7 is distance a.According to this embodiment, the second holes 6 and 8 of every pair of holes The distance a between the holes 4 and 5 is smaller than the distance b between the holes 4 and 5. Therefore, when the chopstick holder 2 is assembled with the chopsticks 3, a desired angle is formed between the chopsticks 3. Like this, the chopsticks 3 diverge towards the food-holding end The chopsticks 3 generally have a length of 15-25 cm, and are preferably inserted into the chopstick holder 2 when assembled with the chopstick holder 2 so that there is an angle of 15°-25° between the chopsticks 3. It may be considered that the chopstick holder is used That is, discarded items, i.e. disposable items that can be produced at low cost. In view of this, and in order to make the support 2 an environmentally friendly product while having the above-mentioned characteristics, plastic materials are used by injection molding and by punching out contours from large sheets. It is advantageous to make the support 2. The thin plate is preferably about 0.5-2 mm thick, and the diameter of the circular support 2 is preferably 35-50 mm, and in a preferred embodiment, a suitable diameter is 40 mm. However, the size of the support 2 depends on The length of the chopsticks 3 and the material used for the support 2. Any other outer contour than circular can also be used to produce specific effects or functions, for example, it is heart-shaped, and it can also be painted red for use on Valentine's Day. 

It should be understood that the preferred embodiments described above are exemplary only, and that the scope of protection of the claims is not limited to the described aspects. There are many other embodiments within the claimed scope. For example, the distances c' and c" can be unequal in length. In addition, the distances a and b can be equal so that the chopsticks 3 are positioned parallel to each other. In addition, the chopstick holder 2 can be decorated in various ways. For example, holes 8 It can be formed as a smiling mouth, and the holes 4, 5 can represent the eyes in a smiling face. Therefore, the present invention hopes not to be regarded as an auxiliary tool for helping the disabled, but a very interesting chopstick holder, which can be used Or it will not be very embarrassing when used. In addition, the elastic connector can be attached to the food packaging with glue or tape. In addition, the penetration part can have a cross-sectional shape such as a triangle or a polygon. 

Claims (9)

1. be used for the Flexible Connector (2) that links together a pair of chopsticks (3), it is characterized in that said Flexible Connector (2) comprises a resilient flexible plate and two pairs of breakthrough portions (4,6; 5,7); Wherein, Every pair of breakthrough portion comprises first and second breakthrough portions; The imaginary that each second breakthrough portion (6,7) is positioned to and extends between each first breakthrough portion (4,5) is vertically apart unidirectional, and the distance (a) between said second breakthrough portion (6,7) is equal to or less than the distance (b) between said first breakthrough portion (4,5), and said second breakthrough portion (6,7) are connected with each other to form a continuous breakthrough portion (8).

2. the Flexible Connector (2) that links together a pair of chopsticks (3) of being used for according to claim 1 is characterized in that said second breakthrough portion (6,7) form the end of said continuous breakthrough portions (8).

3. the Flexible Connector (2) that links together a pair of chopsticks (3) of being used for according to claim 1 is characterized in that every pair of breakthrough portion (4,6; 5, the distance that said imaginary is left in said second breakthrough portion (6,7) 7) is identical.

4. the Flexible Connector (2) that links together a pair of chopsticks (3) of being used for according to claim 1 is characterized in that said two pairs of breakthrough portions (4,6; 5,7) be through hole.

5. the Flexible Connector (2) that links together a pair of chopsticks (3) of being used for according to claim 1 is characterized in that said Flexible Connector (2) is processed by elastic plastic material.

6. food Package that removably is connected with the Flexible Connector (2) that is used for linking together a pair of chopsticks (3) according to claim 1.

7. food Package according to claim 6 is characterized in that, said Flexible Connector (2) is an one with the packing of said suitable food.

8. according to claim 6 or 7 described food Packages, it is characterized in that the profile of said Flexible Connector (2) is formed by the sign of tearing in the packing of said suitable food, thereby said connector can be torn from said packing.

9. chopstick arrangement (1) comprises an elastic component (2) and a pair of chopsticks (3) that link together through said elastic component (2) elasticity, it is characterized in that said elastic component (2) comprises a flexible material board, and this plate comprises two pairs of breakthrough portions (4,6; 5,7), every pair of breakthrough portion is passed through by one of said chopsticks (3), and wherein, said elastic component (2) bends to roughly U-shaped shape, every pair of breakthrough portion (4,6; 5, a side of bend is arranged to be positioned in one of breakthrough portion 7), and every pair of breakthrough portion (4,6; 5, another breakthrough portion 7) is positioned at the opposite side of said bend, a pair of breakthrough portion (4,6; 5, another of one of breakthrough portion 7) and the homonymy that is positioned at said bend is connected with each other to form a continuous breakthrough portion (8) to one of breakthrough portion of breakthrough portion; Be positioned in every pair of breakthrough portion (4,6) and (5,7) relative to each other to have than every pair of breakthrough portion (4,6 near the breakthrough portion (4,5) of an end that is used to press from both sides food of said chopsticks (3); 5, the distance (b) that the distance (a) between another breakthrough portion 7) (6,7) is bigger, wherein, said chopsticks (3) are towards said folder ends for food fork.

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