Field of the Invention

[1] This invention relates generally to food utensils and more particularly, this invention relates to an integrated lid and utensil device for a wide mouthed jar and a method of utilisation thereof.

Background of the Invention

[2] Various configurations of integrated lid and utensil devices are known.

[3] For example, US 4373640 A ( ESIO) 15 February 1983 [hereinafter referred to as Dl] discloses a top for a medicine bottle having a plastic spoon integrally formed therefrom designed for preventing spread of contagious illness by conveying the medicine to the mouth with the spoon as opposed to from the bottle.

[4] US 4903848 A (CHATTMAN) 27 February 1990 [hereinafter referred to as D2] discloses a toothbrush having a hole formed within an end of the handle which fits between flexible prongs of a bottle lid/cup.

[5] GB 2381785 A (YEW TREE CONSULTANTS LTD.) 14 May 2003 [hereinafter referred to as D3] discloses a disposable plastic lid and pivotally engaged plastic spoon for reaching the bottom of disposable food container.

[6] US 1706815 A (PHILLIPSON) 26 March 1929 [hereinafter referred to as D4] provides a combined spoon and bottle enclosure for a medicine bottle.

[7] GB 2142322 A (DAVID MARK LAPWORTH) 16 January 1985 [hereinafter referred to as D5] discloses a lid for canned foodstuffs such as petfood with a spoon like implement that is wholly retained within the can when sealed but separate from the lid to be used for scooping once opened.

[8] However, the present invention seeks to provide improvements in integrated lid and utensil devices for wide mouth containers such as mason jars.

[9] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Disclosure

[10] There is provided herein an integrated lid and utensil device configured differently to prior art devices, including those outlined above, so as to be especially suited for wide mouthed jars (such as mason jars) for scooping granular or powdered condiment therefrom and the associated ergonomic advantages thereof, such as allowing for convenient one-handed use. [11] The present device comprises a lid having an engagement thereunderneath for engaging a lid or directly to the mouth of the condiment jar in use.

[12] The lid defines an upper surface thereatop and a peripheral edge. The lid has a circular cross- section.

[13] The device further comprises an elongate utensil rigidly coupled perpendicularly from the lid at a radial interface from the peripheral edge of the lid.

[14] The elongate utensil defines a distal end having a scoop and a proximal end.

[15] The elongate utensil defines a midpoint and the interface is located between the midpoint and the proximal end, thereby dividing the elongate utensil into an elongate stem between the interface and a scoop and a relatively shorter handle which extends proud beyond the upper surface of the lid.

[16] Furthermore, the lid may have a diameter substantially greater than a maximum width of the scoop, such as by having a diameter approximately at least twice that of the maximum width of the scoop so as to be suited for these types of wide mouth containers.

[17] The present device is used for conveniently sealing condiment jars and the ergonomic scooping of condiment therefrom having application for public use such as in cafe's or for private purposes at home or in the office. The device may be used for scooping different types of granular or powdered foodstuffs such as sugar, salt, coffee and the like, referred to herein conveniently as condiments but without limitation.

[18] The lid of the device hygienically seals the mouth of the jar. However, in use, the handle extending proud beyond the upper surface of the lid may be easily gripped to apply leverage to remove the lid from the mouth of the jar in the manner substantially illustrated in Figure 3 and 4 herein.

[19] Furthermore, the configuration of the utensil and the lid does not substantially interfere with the fingers or the jar when scooping, thereby allowing the utensil to be used substantially in a spoon like manner much like a conventional teaspoon. Specifically, the lid extends perpendicularly from the utensil in front of the forefingers or between the forefingers, thereby not substantially interfering with the grip on the utensil. Also, the positioning of the lid does not interfere with the jar when scooping condiment therefrom.

[20] This particular configuration allows for a one-handed operation wherein gripping the handle may allow for both the disengagement of the lid from the mouth of the jar and the scooping therefrom. Specifically, the user may grip the handle to apply leverage to the lid to disengage the lid retained by the mouth of the jar and then, using the same grip, insert the scoop at the distal end of the utensil into the condiment so as to obtain a scoop of condiment therefrom. Once the condiment has been deposited, the lid may be replaced again in the same one-handed manner and without readjusting the grip on the utensil.

[21] For example, at a cafe, a user holding a newspaper in one hand may conveniently use the present device to scoop sugar into a cup of coffee with the other.

[22] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed herein.

[23] For example, in accordance with one aspect, the radial interface may hold the utensil parallel the peripheral surface of the jar away from the jar such that, were the scoop dipped in a cup of coffee for stirring, the utensil is poised away from the jar when replaced to allow residual liquid to drip therefrom.

[24] Furthermore, the rim of the mouth of the scoop may have a curvature along and elongate axis of the utensil which conforms to an exterior surface of the jar.

[25] The handle may widen away from the radial interface, may extend outwardly away from the radial interface and/or may comprise an inner surface having a curvature therein to enhance the ergonomic gripping thereof, including between the thumb and the first two forefingers.

[26] In embodiments, the interface may be configured for insertion within the mouth of the jar. In this regard, the interface may comprise a cylindrical insertion portion which wedges in against an interior of the mouth of the jar so as to allow for press fit engagement and ease of disengagement. In embodiments, this insertion portion may comprise a frustoconical periphery which wedges within the mouth, especially where the lid is manufactured from a slightly flexible material such as plastic. In other embodiments, the insertion portion may comprise a rubber or silicon annular gasket which engages against the mouth.

[27] In alternative embodiments, the interface is configured for surrounding the mouth. In one manner, the interface is configured for holding an existing lid of the jar, such as by way of a frictionally engaging inner gasket, thereby allowing for utilisation of existing lids of jars. In alternative embodiments, the interface comprises integrally formed tabs which engage exterior threading of the mouth of the jar, thereby allowing for screw-type engagement.

[28] The device may be sized and shaped according to the particular type of jar for which it is intended. Example, conventional jars may comprise mouth having inner diameters of 60 or 76 mm. In this regard, the insertion portion may be sized accordingly, including comprising a minimum exterior diameter slightly less than that of the respective 60 or 76 mm interior diameter of the mouth.

[29] The length of the stem between the radial interface and the scoop may also be configured such that the bottom edge of the scoop lies at or above the bottom of the jar in vertical elevation.

[30] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. Brief Description of the Drawings

[31] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[32] Figure 1 shows a side elevation view of an integrated lid and utensil device for a wide mouthed jar in accordance with an embodiment;

[33] Figure 2 shows a top perspective view of the device of Figure 1 engaging the jar;

[34] Figures 3 and 4 illustrates the method of utilisation of the device for scooping condiment from the jar;

[35] Figures 5 and 6 show a device having differing dimensions in accordance with a second embodiment so as to be suited for a smaller volume jar;

[36] Figure 7 illustrates an underside view of the device wherein the device is configured for engaging around an exterior of the mouth of the jar in accordance an embodiment;

[37] Figure 8 illustrates a side elevation view of the device of Figure 7 engaging the jar;

[38] Figure 9 shows a top perspective view of a device in accordance with an embodiment;

[39] Figure 10 shows a top perspective view of the device of Figure 9 engaging a jar;

[40] Figure 11 shows an inner elevation view of the device of Figure 9;

[41] Figure 12 shows an outer elevation view of the device of Figure 9;

[42] Figure 13 illustrates a side elevation view of the device of Figure 9;

[43] Figure 14 illustrates a top plan view of the device of Figure 9;

[44] Figure 15 illustrates a bottom plan view of the device of Figure 9;

[45] Figure 16 illustrates an embodiment wherein the device comprises a scoop having a horizontal orthogonal portion configured for engaging an undersurface of the jar in accordance with an embodiment;

[46] Figure 17 illustrates the device of Figure 16 engaged to a jar;

[47] Figure 18 illustrates an embodiment wherein the device has a lead having an engagement configured for insertion within an interior of the mouth of the jar and furthermore comprising a scoop which faces outwardly;

[48] Figure 19 illustrates an embodiment of the device of Figure 18 engaged to a jar; and

[49] Figure 20 illustrates an embodiment wherein the lid comprises a removable disk engageable by a peripheral rim in accordance an embodiment.

Description of Embodiments

[50] Figures 1 and 2 show an integrated lid and utensil device 100 for a wide mouthed jar 101. The jar 101 may be a moulded glass jar having a mouth 102 having screw thread 103 on the outer perimeter thereof to accept a lid, typically of metal. The mouth may have inner diameters of 60 mm or 76 mm in embodiments. The body 104 of the jar 101 may comprise a variety of volumes including cup, pint, quart and half-gallon volumes. In one embodiments, the jar 101 may be a mason jar.

[51] The device 100 comprises a lid 106. The lid 106 comprises an engagement 105 thereunderneath for engaging a lid or the mouth 102 directly of the jar 101 according to differing embodiments. The lid 106 defines an upper surface 107 thereatop and a peripheral edge 108. Figure 2 shows the lid 106 having a circular cross-section.

[52] The device 100 further comprises an elongate utensil 109 rigidly coupled perpendicularly from the lid 106 at a radial interface 110 from the peripheral edge 108. The elongate utensil 109 defines a distal end 111 having a scoop 112 and a proximal end 113.

[53] The elongate utensil 109 defines a midpoint 114 and the radial interface 110 is located between the midpoint 114 and the proximal end 113, thereby dividing the elongate utensil 109 into an elongate stem 115 and a relatively shorter handle 116. As can be seen from Figure 1, the handle 116 extends proud above the upper surface 107 of the lid 106. The stem 115 may be substantially perpendicular the upper surface 107 of the lid 106.

[54] With this particular configuration, the device 100 may be utilised in the manner substantially illustrated in Figure 3 and 4. Figure 3 illustrates the device 100 being held by the handle 116 between the thumb and the opposing two foremost forefingers and being lifted to disengage the engagement 105 from the mouth of the jar 101 comprising condiment 117 therein. As can be appreciated, the engagement 105 may be configured to disengage from the mouth 102 such that the lid 106 can be lifted with one hand.

[55] Figure 4 illustrates the use of the scoop 112 to scoop the condiment 117 from the jar 101 using the same grip. Specifically, the user inserts the scoop 112 and a lower portion of the stem 115 via the mouth 102 of the jar 101 so as to collect a scoop of the condiment 117 within the scoop 112 which may then be lifted from the jar 101 in the conventional manner. As can be appreciated from Figure 4, the lid 106 does not substantially interfere with the grip of the thumb and forefinger or contact the jar 101, thereby allowing the utensil 109 to be used in substantially the same manner as a conventional teaspoon.

[56] Exemplary Figure 5 and Figure 6 illustrates a jar 101 having a smaller volume as compared to that represented in Figures 1 and 2. In accordance with this embodiment, the stem 115 of the utensil 109 is shortened such that the lower edge of the scoop 112 is at or just above the undersurface 118 of the jar 101. In accordance with this embodiment, the dimensions of the handle 116, including the length thereof may be substantially the same as that of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. [57] Figures 9 - 15 show various views of the device 100 in accordance with an embodiment. Figures 9, 11 and 12 illustrate that the handle may widen away from the radial interface 110. An upper edge 120 of the handle 116 may be curved. Furthermore, the inner face 119 of the handle 116 may comprise an ergonomic curvature perpendicular an elongate axis of the utensil 109.

[58] Figure 13 illustrates an outer curvature of the handle 116 away from the radial interface 110.

[59] Figures 11 and 12 illustrate inner and outer respective views of the scoop 112 wherein the scoop 112 has a substantially circular cross-section. However, figures 14 and 15 illustrate the rim 121 of the scoop 112 shaped to have a radial curvature perpendicular a perpendicular central axis 122 of the lid 106. In the embodiment wherein the jar 101 is cylindrical as is illustrated in Figure 10, such curvature of the rim 121 allows the rim 121 to conform with an exterior surface of the cylindrical jar 101 and be substantially uniformly equidistantly spaced therefrom in embodiments. With reference to figure 15 the lid 106 may have a radius r from a central perpendicular axis 122 thereof to the peripheral edge whereas is perpendicular curvature of the rim 121 may have a radius r' between the central perpendicular axis 122 and the rim 121 and wherein the radius r' is greater than the radius r.

[60] Furthermore, with reference to Figure 14, there is shown the scoop 112 comprising a maximum width w perpendicular the elongate axis of the utensil 109 and the lid 106 comprising a diameter d and wherein the diameter d is at least approximately twice that of the width w in embodiments.

[61] Figure 19 illustrates an embodiment wherein the interface 105 is configured for insertion within an interior of the mouth 102 of the jar 101. In this regard, the interface 105 may comprise a substantially cylindrical insertion portion 123 having an outer diameter configured in accordance with the inner diameter of the mouth 102 so as to be able to fit therein.

[62] In embodiments, the insertion portion 123 may be configured for press fit frictional engagement within the mouth 113, so as to be releasably retained therein.

[63] In the embodiment shown in figure 18, the substantially cylindrical insertion portion 123 comprises a slightly frustoconical edge which wedges in against the interior of the mouth 102 of the jar 101. In embodiments, the device 100 may be made of a slightly flexible material such as plastic which deforms slightly when wedged into the mouth 102 of the jar 101 thereby providing a frictional fit engagement. In embodiments, the insertion portion may comprise a rubber or silicon annular seal (not shown) which frictionally engages against an interior of the mouth 102.

[64] Figure 19 illustrates the lid 106 engaged within the mouth 102 of the jar 101 in this way. Ideally, the insertion portion 123 is configured such that the user is able to lift the lid 106 from the jar 101 with the one-handed operation as a substantially shown in figure 3. In embodiments, the user may wiggle the handle 116 or apply leverage thereto to disconnect the insertion portion 123 from the interior of the mouth 102.

[65] For conventionally sized jars 101 having a mouth 102 having an inner diameter of 60 mm, the insertion portion 123 may have a diameter of slightly less than 60 mm so as to be able to frictionally engage therein. In the embodiment wherein the insertion portion 123 comprises the frustoconical exterior edge, the edge may define a maximum diameter and a minimum diameter and wherein the maximum diameter as greater than the interior diameter of the mouth and a minimum diameter less than that of the mouth. For example, for the 60 mm interior diameter mouth 102, the maximum diameter may be 60.5 mm and the minimum diameter may be 59.5 mm.

[66] In alternative embodiments wherein the jar 101 has a mouth 102 having an inner diameter of 76 mm, the insertion portion 123 may be sized accordingly so as to comprise a minimum diameter of slightly less than 70 mm.

[67] Figure 7 and 8 illustrate an embodiment wherein the engagement 105 is configured for surrounding the exterior of the mouth 102 of the jar 101. As alluded to above, in embodiments the engagement 105 may be configured for engaging a lid (not shown) for the jar 101, such as a metal lid thereof. In alternative embodiments, the engagement 105 engages the mouth 102 of the jar 101 directly.

[68] Specifically, in accordance with a first embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, the peripheral edge 108 of the lid 106 may support an inner annular rubber gasket 124 therein. The gasket 124 is configured for frictionally engaging the periphery of the existing lid for the jar 101, the existing jar lid comprising tabs 125 for engaging the threading 103 on the peripheral surface of the mouth 102. As such, in accordance with this embodiment, the device 100 may be coupled to existing jar lids 101. In embodiments, the diameter of the peripheral edge 108 may be adjusted such as by way of a threaded cable and ratchet mechanism (not shown) not dissimilar to that used on conventional cable ties.

[69] In accordance with a second embodiment, the peripheral edge 108 defines the inner facing thread engaging tabs 125 therein such that the peripheral edge 108 of the lid 106 is able to engage the threading 103 directly.

[70] In accordance with this embodiment, engagement and disengagement of the lid 106 to and from the mouth 102 of the jar 101 comprises rotating the lid 106 in the conventional manner to engage or disengage the tabs 125 from the threading 103 of the mouth 102. Such may comprise holding the jar 101 steady with one hand and rotating the lid 106 or applying tangential force to the handle 106 to rotate the lid 106 with respect to the mouth with the other hand. However, once unscrewed, the user may yet scoop the condiment from the jar 101 with the one-handed action is illustrated in Figure 3 and 4 above. [71] Figure 16 and 17 illustrate an embodiment wherein the scoop 112 defines a distal horizontal edge 126 which engages underneath the jar 101 as a substantially illustrated in Figure 17. The scoop 112 may comprise a vertical portion 127 substantially in alignment with an elongate axis of the utensil 109 and the horizontal edge 126 extending orthogonally therefrom. The vertical portion 127 may define an inner face 128 having a radius of curvature greater than that of an exterior surface of the jar 101. Furthermore, the horizontal edge 126 may define a facing edge 129 having a radius of curvature less than that of the exterior surface of the jar 101 so as to locate the horizontal edge 126 under the jar 101 as is illustrated in Figure 17. The engagement of the horizontal edge 126 underneath the jar 101 in the manner shown in Figure 17 may allow the engagement of the device both at the lid and the horizontal edge thereby securely holding the device 100 to the jar 101. Furthermore, the scoop 112 lies snug and flush against the jar 101 in this embodiment, thereby occupying less space as compared to other embodiments provided herein.

[72] Whereas embodiments provided herein illustrate the mouth of the scoop 112 facing inwardly, in an embodiment as is illustrated in Figure 18 and 19, the mouth of the scoop 112 may face outwardly. This configuration allows for a differing grip as is illustrated in Figure 4 wherein the lid 106 extends beneath the utensil 109, potentially between or in front of the first two forefingers of the hand. However, this configuration yet allows for the one-handed skipping of condiment.

[73] Figure 20 illustrates an embodiment wherein a circular overlay 130 is retained atop the upper surface 107 of the lid 106 and which may be retained at a peripheral edge thereof by an inner facing peripheral rim 131 of the lid 106. The replaceable overlay 130 may allow for customising of the appearance or the information displayed thereon of the device 100.

[74] In exemplary embodiment, and with reference to Figure 1, the lid 106 may comprise a diameter of 68 mm. Furthermore, the handle 116 may comprise a length of approximately 25 mm from the radial interface 110 to the upper edge thereof. Furthermore, the stem 115 and the scoop 111 may comprise a length of 120 mm from the radial interface 110 to a lower edge of the scoop 111. Furthermore, the radial interface 110 may have a length from the interface 105 such that when engaged within the jar 101, the inner surface of the stem 115 is spaced away from the surface of the jar 101 by approximately 3 mm.

[75] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed; obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, they thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.