AND METHODS OF USE

BACKGROUND

The present inventive disclosure relates to culinary utensils used to grasp and/or control food items during the preparation or serving of food, whether in the kitchen, outdoor barbeque, or other setting where food is being prepared for consumption or is being offered for serving.

Typically, in culinary venues, there are a variety of culinary utensils used to manipulate food items, including food items being prepared on cooking surfaces such as pans, griddles, and grills. Usually, one or more spatula tools are available and at least one pair of traditional tongs are available. With respect to spatulas, when being used to slide under a food item; e.g., a hamburger patty on a grill; the user must try to slide the spatula under the food member by introducing its longitudinally distal end/edge under the food item and thrust under the food item to hopefully manipulate the food item fully onto and substantially centered on the spatula's upper surface. What instead often happens is that the user often "chases" the target food item around the cooking surface as the spatula edge contacts the proximal end of the target food item, and the "chase" does not end until the side of the pan, grill, etc. is encountered by the food item to for it to stay in place such that the spatula can be successfully slipped underneath. In the case of an outdoor grill, this can result in potentially unwanted grease and/or soot contacting the distal end of the target food item, in addition to being frustrating to the cook. Moreover, a similar result occurs if a user attempts to slidably engage a target food item with the side of a typical spatula tool.

There exists in the art many various spatulas that incorporate some sort of clamping utensil to help secure/grasp food downward onto the upper spatula surface (see, e.g., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0202494 to Di Paolo and U.S. Patent No. D519,332 to Sanchez, among others). However, no culinary utensils known in the art enable a user to easily direct a target food item onto the majority of the upper surface area of a spatula. What is needed is a culinary tool to provide greater control to a user to accomplish this.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present inventive disclosure is generally directed to an improved spatula-tong combination device for use in the culinary arts, wherein the tong member is coupled to the grip shaft of the spatula member in a way such that the tong member is movable to and from one of the sides of the spatula member via a hinge or other pivotable/rotatable coupling, and wherein the hinged/pivotable/rotatable coupling is disposed such that the tong member can bias food on a cooking surface onto the spatula from the side of the spatula. That is, the axis of rotation of the tong member is orthogonal with respect to the planar surface of the spatula. In some variations, the spatula head has beveled edges on the side to help facilitate the sliding of food onto the spatula surface from the side. In other variations, the distal end of the tong member has a lower edge without gaps adapted to slidably interact with a cooking surface to help gather liquids/sauces from a food surface onto the spatula surface. In still more variations, the distal end of the tong member has various edging or "teeth" to help interact with food items. In even more embodiments, the tool-heads at the end of each arm of the improved culinary tool are detachably removable and changeable to other tool members, including the ability to interchange the positions of the spatula tool- head member and the tong tool-head member, in case a user prefers to bias target food items onto the spatula member from one side or another.

The foregoing Brief Summary is intended to merely provide a short, general overview of the inventive disclosure described throughout this document, and therefore, is not intended to limit the scope of the inventive disclosure contained throughout the balance of this document, including the appended claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 depicts one embodiment of a top view of one embodiment of an improved spatula that incorporates a laterally oriented tong member, that when said tong member is moved by a user toward the spatula member, a target food item can be slidably pushed onto the spatula member via one of the side edges of the spatula member.

Figure 2 depicts one embodiment of a left- side view of one embodiment of an improved spatula that incorporates a laterally oriented tong member, as depicted in Figure 1.

Figure 3 depicts one embodiment of a right-side view of one embodiment of an improved spatula that incorporates a laterally oriented tong member, as depicted in Figure 1.

Figure 4 depicts one embodiment of a front view of one embodiment of an improved spatula that incorporates a laterally oriented tong member, as depicted in Figure 1.

Figure 5 depicts one embodiment of a rear view of one embodiment of an improved spatula that incorporates a laterally oriented tong member, as depicted in Figure 1. Figure 6 depicts one embodiment of an isometric view of one embodiment of an improved spatula that incorporates a laterally oriented tong member, as depicted in Figure 1, with the tong member collapsed against the spatula member.

Figure 7 depicts an alternate embodiment of an isometric view of one embodiment of an improved spatula that incorporates a laterally oriented tong member, as depicted in Figure 1, with the tong member collapsed against the spatula member, wherein the tool heads at the end of each arm of the improved spatula have detachably coupled (and changeable) tool heads.

Figure 8 depicts several embodiments of culinary tool heads that can be detachably coupled to the improved culinary tool depicted in Figure 7.

Figure 9 depicts one embodiment of a top view of how an improved spatula that incorporates a laterally oriented tong member can be used to influence a target food item onto the spatula member via one of the side edges of the spatula member.

DESCRIPTION I. Overview

The present inventive disclosure is generally directed to an improved spatula-tong combination device for use in the culinary arts, wherein the tong member is coupled to the grip shaft of the spatula member in a way such that the tong member is movable to and from one of the sides of the spatula member via a hinge or other pivotable/rotatable coupling, and wherein the hinged/pivotable/rotatable coupling is disposed such that the tong member can bias food on a cooking surface onto the spatula from the side of the spatula. That is, the axis of rotation of the tong member is orthogonal with respect to the planar surface of the spatula. In some variations, the spatula head has beveled edges on the side to help facilitate the sliding of food onto the spatula surface from the side. In other variations, the distal end of the tong member has a lower edge without gaps adapted to slidably interact with a cooking surface to help gather liquids/sauces from a food surface onto the spatula surface. In still more variations, the distal end of the tong member has various edging or "teeth" to help interact with food items. In even more embodiments, the tool-heads at the end of each arm of the improved culinary tool are detachably removable and changeable to other tool members, including the ability to interchange the positions of the spatula tool- head member and the tong tool-head member, in case a user prefers to bias target food items onto the spatula member from one side or another. II. Terminology

The terms and phrases as indicated in quotes (" ") in this Section are intended to have the meaning ascribed to them in this Terminology Section applied to them throughout this document, including the claims, unless clearly indicated otherwise in context. Further, as applicable, the stated definitions are to apply, regardless of the word or phrase's case, to the singular and plural variations of the defined word or phrase.

The term "or", as used in this specification and the appended claims, is not meant to be exclusive; rather, the term is inclusive, meaning "either or both".

References in the specification to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "a preferred embodiment", "an alternative embodiment", "a variation", "one variation", and similar phrases mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The

appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" and/or "in one variation" and similar phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all meant to refer to the same embodiment.

The term "couple" or "coupled", as used in this specification and the appended claims, refers to either an indirect or a direct connection between the identified elements, components, or objects. Often the manner of the coupling will be related specifically to the manner in which the two coupled elements interact. The term "removable", "removably coupled", "readily removable", "readily detachable", "detachably coupled", and similar terms, as used in this specification (including the claims and drawings), refer to structures that can be uncoupled from an adjoining structure with relative ease (i.e., non-destructively and without a complicated or time- consuming process) and that can also be readily reattached or coupled to the previously adjoining structure.

Directional and/or relational terms such as, but not limited to, left, right, nadir, apex, top, bottom, vertical, horizontal, back, front, lateral, proximal, and distal are relative to each other, are dependent on the specific orientation of an applicable element or article, are used accordingly to aid in the description of the various embodiments, and are not necessarily intended to be construed as limiting in this specification and the appended claims.

As applicable, the terms "about" or "generally", as used herein unless otherwise indicated, means a margin of +- 20%. Also, as applicable, the term "substantially" as used herein unless otherwise indicated means a margin of +- 10%. It is to be appreciated that not all uses of the above terms are quantifiable such that the referenced ranges can be applied.

III. An Improved Spatula- Tone Combination Culinary Tool

This Section III is generally directed to embodiments of an improved spatula-tong combination device for use in the culinary arts, wherein the tong (/gathering) member is coupled to the grip shaft of the spatula member in a way such that the tong (/gathering) member is movable to and from one of the sides of the spatula member via a hinge or other pivotable/rotatable coupling, and wherein the hinged/pivotable/rotatable coupling is disposed such that the tong (/gathering) member can bias food on a cooking surface onto the spatula from the side of the spatula. That is, the axis of rotation of the tong (/gathering) member is orthogonal with respect to the planar surface of the spatula. In some variations, the spatula head has beveled edges on the side to help facilitate the sliding of food onto the spatula surface from the side. In other variations, the distal end of the tong (/gathering) member has a lower edge without gaps adapted to slidably interact with a cooking surface to help gather liquids/sauces from a food surface onto the spatula surface. In still more variations, the distal end of the tong (/gathering) member has various edging or "teeth" to help interact with food items. In even more embodiments, the tool-heads at the end of each arm of the improved culinary tool are detachably removable and changeable to other tool members, including the ability to interchange the positions of the spatula tool-head member and the tong (/gathering) tool-head member, in case a user prefers to bias target food items onto the spatula member from one side or another.

Refer to Figures 1-9. In an embodiment, the improved combination culinary tool 1 comprises a first elongate member 3A with a first handle member 4A (hereinafter a first elongate handle member 3A/4A) having a first end and a second end, a second elongate member 3B with a second handle member 4B (hereinafter a second elongate handle member 3B/4B) having a first end and a second end. A pivotable/rotatable coupling 5 is disposed between the first end of the first elongate handle member 3A/4A and the first end of the second elongate handle member 3B/4B, wherein the pivotable coupling 5 is mechanically biased to cause the first and second elongate handle members 3A/4A, 3B/4B to be positioned apart at a predetermined "open" angle relative to each other, and the second ends of the first and second elongate handle members 3A/4A, 3B/4B can be pivoted toward each other by user force. The pivotable coupling 5 can be of any of many configurations already well- known in the art that are used for culinary tongs, such as, for example, as single curved-metal member with spring-like characteristics or a spring-hinge. In variations, the mechanically biased predetermined "open" angle between said first and second elongate handle members 3A/4A, 3B/4B when positioned apart is greater-than-or-equal-to 15 degrees and less-than-or- equal-to 45 degrees. Disposed at the end of said first elongate handle member 3A/4A is a spatula member

2 (with or without beveled edges 2A at its exposed peripheral edges, sloping from the top surface plane to the bottom surface plane) that has a generally flat top and bottom planar surface disposed at the second end of the first elongate handle member 3A/4A, wherein relative to the first elongate handle member 3A/4A, the spatula member 2 has a distal edge, a right edge, and a left edge for slidably engaging food. The improved combination culinary tool 1 also includes a gathering member 6 disposed at the second end of the second elongate handle member 3B/4B, wherein the gathering member 6 has a distal end and a proximal end, relative to the second end of the second elongate handle member 3B/4B. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that even though the Figures depict the second elongate handle member 3B/4B as disposed on the right-hand side of the first elongate handle member 3A/4A, in other embodiments, the second elongate handle member 3B/4B can be disposed on the left-hand side of the first elongate handle member 3A/4A, which some users (e.g., left- handed users) might prefer when trying to bias a target food item onto the spatula member 2.

The gathering member 6 has a top edge and a bottom edge, with the bottom edge substantially aligned with at least one of the spatula member's 2 left or right edges when the first and second elongate handle members 3A, 4A; 3B, 4B are pivoted toward each other to be substantially parallel with one another. Finally, in typical variations, most of the surface area of the gathering member 6 is substantially orthogonally oriented relative to the planar surface of the spatula member 2 when drawn together. In variations, the surface area of the gathering member 6 has a lower edge without gaps adapted to slidably interact with a flat cooking surface to help a user gather liquids/sauces from a food surface onto the spatula 2 surface. In still more optional embodiments, the bottom edge of the gathering member 6 is angled toward said closest spatula member 2 edge in order to enhance the ability of the gathering member's 6 bottom edge to scrape and capture liquids and substances and direct them onto the spatula member 2 when the first and second elongated handle members 3A/4A, 3B/4B are manipulated toward each other. In variations, the spatula member 2 is polygonal shaped with an expanding width toward the distal end to form an angle that aids the parallel mating of a side edge of the spatula member 2 with the lower edge of the gathering member 6. The result of this overall basic configuration is that the gathering member 6 can be pivoted by a user toward one of the spatula member's 2 right edge or left edge to efficiently bias target food items onto the spatula member's 2 planar surface.

In many embodiments, the major components of the improved combination culinary tool 1 are substantially comprised of high- temperature-resistant, rigid materials selected from the group comprising stainless steel, carbon composite materials, heat-resistant plastics, wood, and a combination of any of the aforementioned materials. In even more variations, the surface areas of one or more of the tool heads 2, 6 of the improved combination culinary tool 1 are comprised of non-stick material, which can include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

In some embodiments, to aid in the effectiveness of the improved spatula-tong combination device 1, the first and second elongate handle members 3A, 4A; 3B, 4B, when closed together, are each angled upward from said spatula member planar surface at a predetermined angle. In variations, that predetermined upward angle is greater-than-or-equal to 15 degrees and less-than-or-equal-to 45 degrees.

In other variations, the spatula member 2, includes at least one planar edge that is configured with teeth-like structures for tenderizing. In additional embodiments, at least one of the top or bottom edges of the gathering member 6 includes a plurality of gripping protrusions (e.g., "teeth-like" structures, tines, and/or scalloped edges). In still more embodiments, the improved spatula-tong combination device 1 has a means by which a user can detachably couple, remove, and replace the tool-head 2, 6 members. Figures 7-8 depict an exemplary embodiment of this capability by employing a spring-clip coupling assembly 3A-1, 3B-1 to facilitate the detachable coupling, though other means known in the art (e.g., screw-on, interference-fit, etc.) can be used in variations. This capability not only allows a user to turn the improved spatula-tong combination device 1 into a regular pair of culinary tongs with user-selected tong heads, but also allows a user to change an improved spatula-tong combination device 1 featuring the spatula- side-to ng interface from a right-handed configuration to a left-handed configuration. In other variations, the changeable tool heads 2, 6 are selected from the group consisting of spatula member, gathering member, two-pronged meat fork, three-pronged meat fork, pasta fork, and tong, as the user sees fit. In still another variation, a user can install a spatula member 6 on each elongated handle member 3A, 4A; 3B, 4B whereby a target food item 7 can be slidably engaged from each side of the target food member 7 and the two spatula members 6 when brought together effectively act as one wide spatula.

Finally, in some embodiments, the improved spatula-tong combination device 1 also incorporates a position-locking means to hold said first and second elongated handle members 3A/4A, 3B/4B substantially parallel to one another against said mechanical bias to hold said elongate handle members 3A/4A, 3B/4B open. Such position-locking means can be a slidable clamp, or any of a number of well-known devices already used for spring-loaded tongs in the industry.

IV. A Method of Making an Improved Spatula- Tong Combination Culinary Tool

This Section IV is generally directed to embodiments of a method of making an improved spatula-tong combination device for use in the culinary arts, wherein the tong (/gathering) member is coupled to the grip shaft of the spatula member in a way such that the tong (/gathering) member is movable to and from one of the sides of the spatula member via a hinge or other pivotable/rotatable coupling, and wherein the hinged/pivotable/rotatable coupling is disposed such that the tong (/gathering) member can bias food on a cooking surface onto the spatula from the side of the spatula. That is, the axis of rotation of the tong (/gathering) member is orthogonal with respect to the planar surface of the spatula.

Refer to Figures 1-9. In an embodiment, the method comprises the steps of:

• Providing a first elongate member 3A with a first handle member 4A (hereinafter a first elongate handle member 3A/4A) having a first end and a second end;

• Providing a second elongate member 3B with a second handle member 4B

(hereinafter a second elongate handle member 3B/4B) having a first end and a second end;

• Providing a pivotable/rotatable coupling 5 is disposed between the first end of the first elongate handle member 3A/4A and the first end of the second elongate handle member 3B/4B, wherein the pivotable coupling 5 is mechanically biased to cause the first and second elongate handle members 3A/4A, 3B/4B to be positioned apart at a predetermined "open" angle relative to each other, and the second ends of the first and second elongate handle members 3A/4A, 3B/4B can be pivoted toward each other by user force. (The pivotable coupling 5 can be of any of many configurations already well-known in the art that are used for culinary tongs, such as, for example, as single curved-metal member with springlike characteristics or a spring-hinge. In variations, the mechanically biased predetermined "open" angle between said first and second elongate handle members 3A/4A, 3B/4B when positioned apart is greater-than-or-equal-to 15 degrees and less-than-or-equal-to 45 degrees.);

• Providing a spatula member 2 disposed at the end of said first elongate handle member 3A/4A (with or without beveled edges 2A at its exposed peripheral edges, sloping from the top surface plane to the bottom surface plane) that has a generally flat top and bottom planar surface disposed at the second end of the first elongate handle member 3A/4A, wherein relative to the first elongate handle member 3A/4A, the spatula member 2 has a distal edge, a right edge, and a left edge for slidably engaging food; and

• Providing a gathering member 6 disposed at the second end of the second elongate handle member 3B/4B, wherein the gathering member 6 has a distal end and a proximal end, relative to the second end of the second elongate handle member 3B/4B, wherein the gathering member 6 has a top edge and a bottom edge, with the bottom edge substantially aligned with at least one of the spatula member's 2 left or right edges when the first and second elongate handle members 3A, 4A; 3B, 4B are pivoted toward each other to be substantially parallel with one another.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that even though the Figures depict the second elongate handle member 3B/4B as disposed on the right-hand side of the first elongate handle member 3A/4A, in other embodiments, the second elongate handle member 3B/4B can be disposed on the left-hand side of the first elongate handle member 3A/4A, which some users [e.g., left-handed users] might prefer when trying to bias a target food item onto the spatula member 2.

This embodiment can be further extended wherein most of the surface area of the gathering member 6 is substantially orthogonally oriented relative to the planar surface of the spatula member 2 when drawn together. In variations, the surface area of the gathering member 6 has a lower edge without gaps adapted to slidably interact with a flat cooking surface to help a user gather liquids/sauces from a food surface onto the spatula 2 surface. In still more optional embodiments, the bottom edge of the gathering member 6 is angled toward said closest spatula member 2 edge in order to enhance the ability of the gathering member' s 6 bottom edge to scrape and capture liquids and substances and direct them onto the spatula member 2 when the first and second elongated handle members 3A/4A, 3B/4B are manipulated toward each other. This embodiment can be further extended wherein the spatula member 2 is polygonal shaped with an expanding width toward the distal end to form an angle that aids the parallel mating of a side edge of the spatula member 2 with the lower edge of the gathering member 6. This embodiment can be further extended wherein the major components of the improved combination culinary tool 1 are substantially comprised of high- temperature- resistant, rigid materials selected from the group comprising stainless steel, carbon composite materials, heat-resistant plastics, wood, and a combination of any of the aforementioned materials. This embodiment can be further extended wherein the surface areas of one or more of the tool heads 2, 6 of the improved combination culinary tool 1 are comprised of non-stick material, which can include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

This embodiment can be further extended wherein to aid in the effectiveness of the improved spatula-tong combination device 1, the first and second elongate handle members 3A, 4A; 3B, 4B, when closed together, are each angled upward from said spatula member planar surface at a predetermined angle. In variations, that predetermined upward angle is greater-than-or-equal to 15 degrees and less-than-or-equal-to 45 degrees.

This embodiment can be further extended wherein the spatula member 2, includes at least one planar edge that is configured with teeth- like structures for tenderizing. In additional embodiments, at least one of the top or bottom edges of the gathering member 6 includes a plurality of gripping protrusions (e.g., "teeth-like" structures, tines, and/or scalloped edges).

This embodiment can be further extended wherein the method further comprises the step of providing a means by which a user can detachably couple, remove, and replace the tool-head 2, 6 members. (Figures 7-8 depict an exemplary embodiment of this capability by employing a spring-clip coupling assembly 3A-1, 3B-1 to facilitate the detachable coupling, though other means known in the art [e.g., screw-on, interference-fit, etc.] can be used in variations.) This capability not only allows a user to turn the improved spatula-tong combination device 1 into a regular pair of culinary tongs with user-selected tong heads, but also allows a user to change an improved spatula-tong combination device 1 featuring the spatula- side-to ng interface from a right-handed configuration to a left-handed configuration. In other variations, the changeable tool heads 2, 6 are selected from the group consisting of spatula member, gathering member, two-pronged meat fork, three-pronged meat fork, pasta fork, and tong, as the user sees fit. In still another variation, a user can install a spatula member 6 on each elongated handle member 3A, 4A; 3B, 4B whereby a target food item 7 can be slidably engaged from each side of the target food member 7 and the two spatula members 6 when brought together effectively act as one wide spatula.

This embodiment can be further extended wherein the method further comprises the step of providing a position-locking means to hold said first and second elongated handle members 3A/4A, 3B/4B substantially parallel to one another against said mechanical bias to hold said elongate handle members 3A/4A, 3B/4B open. Such position-locking means can be a slidable clamp, or any of a number of well-known devices already used for spring-loaded tongs in the industry.

V. Methods of Using an Improved Spatula Culinary Tool

This Section V is generally directed to a methods-of-use for embodiments of an improved spatula-tong combination device for use in the culinary arts according to Section III, supra.

Refer to Figures 1-9. The method comprises the steps of:

• By a user, obtaining a combination culinary tool 1 according to Section III,

supra;

• By a user, identifying a target food item 7 to remove from a cooking surface;

• By a user, grasping the combination culinary tool 1 by its first and second

elongated handle members 3A/4A, 3B/4B, with the culinary tool in its open position;

• By a user, positioning the target food item 7 between the side edge of the spatula member 2 of the combination culinary tool 1 that is closest to gathering member 6 of the combination culinary tool; and

• By a user, causing the gathering member 6 to contact the target food item 7 and slide the target food item 7 upon the spatula member 2.

This embodiment can be further extended, wherein the gathering member's 6 surface area has a lower edge without gaps adapted to slidably interact with a flat cooking surface to help a user gather liquids/sauces from a food surface onto the spatula 2 surface, and the method further comprises the step of causing the gathering member 6 to push liquid or sauce disposed on the cooking surface to be gathered upon the spatula member 2. This embodiment can be further extended; wherein the combination culinary tool 1 further comprises a means by which a user can detachably couple, remove, and replace the tool-head 2, 6 members (Figures 7-8 depict an exemplary embodiment of this capability by employing a spring-clip coupling assembly 3A-1, 3B-1 to facilitate the detachable coupling, though other means known in the art [e.g., screw-on, interference-fit, etc.] can be used in variations.); and the method further comprises the step of, by a user, selecting a tool head 2, 6 to be detachably coupled to the first elongated handle member 3A/4A and/or the second elongated handle member 3B/4B; and engaging a target food item with the combination culinary tool's 1 coupled tool-head members 2, 6. VI. Alternative Embodiments and Other Variations

The various embodiments and variations thereof described herein, including the appended Claims and/or illustrated in the accompanying Figures are merely exemplary and are not meant to limit the scope of the inventive disclosure. It should be appreciated that numerous variations of the invention have been contemplated as would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure.

Hence, those ordinarily skilled in the art will have no difficulty devising myriad obvious variations and improvements to the invention, all of which are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the Description, Claims, and Figures herein.