SPECIAL FORK FOR SPAGHETTI AND SIMILAR NOODLES

DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a fork that differs from the common forks in some features that make it easier to pick up and eat spaghetti or similar noodle elements such as linguine, vermicelli, bucatini and the like, and that improve safety of use with respect to prior art forks.

Background of the invention and technical problems

[0002] The problems many people have to face when twisting noodle elements such as spaghetti among the prongs of a common fork are well known, more in detail, people who are not used to systematically eat this kind of food are not skilled enough to firmly retain spaghetti and the like on the fork, therefore the noodles, which are an intrinsically loose matter, often slide towards the handle, or fall in the opposite direction, before the user can bring the end of the fork to his/her own mouth.

[0003] This is the cause of serious discomfort and even of embarrassment to an inexperienced table companion in a more or less formal dinner, especially if table companions are present who, instead, are well accustomed to such hand movement, as it is usual in most Mediterranean countries, and who knows very well how to twist the noodles around a common fork since their childhood.

[0004] A similar problem arises for handicapped people who have lost this skill due to some brain injury or to some injury involving their upper arms.

[0005] A fork is known, under the name of "Calamete fork", which is specifically conceived for picking up and eating spaghetti, comprising a handle and a row of conventional prongs, a side hook-shaped wing that has a tip end portion oriented in the same way as the prongs, and a plurality of projections that extends opposite to the side wing with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fork. The asymmetrical shape of this fork is the cause of some drawbacks. The user, when approaching and then removing the fork with respect to his/her own mouth, during which the fork cannot be seen, must remember the position of the wing, so as to use it correctly and to prevent the tip of the wing to improperly come into contact with his/her face. Moreover, the fork has a bend that defines the enlarged end portion of the handle, which can excessively retain a food amount, in particular noodles, and which is difficult and even dangerous when cleaning the fork by hand.

[0006] In the light of these problems, new improving features have been conceived for conventional forks, aiming at solving the above mentioned problems, while taking into account a safe use and an agreeable look of the tool.

Summary of the invention

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fork by which spaghetti and similar noodles can be firmly picked up.

[0008] It is a particular object of the invention to provide a fork that prevents the noodle elements to slide towards the handle of the fork before a subject can bring the fork to his/her mouth.

[0009] It is another particular object of the invention to provide a fork that prevents the noodle elements to fall away from the prongs of the fork before a subject can bring the fork to his/her mouth, but without hindering the user from remove the food amount.

[0010] It is also an object of the invention to provide a fork that makes it easier to pick up and twist the noodle elements around the prongs.

[0011] These and other objects are achieved by a fork for noodles like spaghetti, comprising:

a grip member, i.e. an elongated handle extending along a longitudinal axis of the fork and that has a first handle end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first handle end portion;

- a row of adjacent prongs comprising two opposite outer prongs, the adjacent prongs separated from each other by respective noodle retaining channels, each prong having a fastening portion integral to the second end portion of the handle, and a free tip portion opposite to the fastening portion.

[0012] In particular, the fork comprises four prongs, as normally occurs in common dinner forks.

[0013] In a first aspect of the invention, the fork also comprises a couple of wings that laterally extend from the second end portion of the handle at opposite sides with respect to the row of prongs, wherein the wings have a forward hook shape, i.e. the wings have a tip portion oriented in a same way as the tip portions. This way, even if the fork is arranged with its handle inclined downwards, the sliding of noodle elements that are not perfectly retained around the prongs of the fork is hindered by the wings, so as to prevent the noodles from reaching the fork handle.

[0014] In a second aspect of the invention, the elongated handle has at least one lateral longitudinal furrow or groove. This improves the grip between the user's fingers and the handle, which assists the action of the fingers and makes it easier to rotate the fork. In other words, with respect to a smooth lateral surface, the lateral longitudinal groove(s) or the furrow(s) causes the friction forces to increase, which have a direction substantially tangential to the cross section of the handle, when a user rotates the fork about its own longitudinal axis for twisting spaghetti and similar noodles around the prongs, which makes it easier to pick up the food amount.

[0015] The handle, in particular its handle portion, preferably has a rectangular cross section, or a cross section obtained from a rectangle and missing of some portions at its shorter sides, in particular the missing portions are adjacent to the corner portions, for instance, at the lateral longitudinal groove(s).

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, said wings extend from the fastening portion adjacent to a respective prong. This provides a simple construction of the fork, in which the wings can be made by the same manufacture process as the prongs.

[0017] Advantageously, the handle comprises a narrower intermediate portion, i.e. an isthmus, between the first handle end portion and the second end portion, the narrower intermediate portion having a width smaller than a width of the first handle end portion, wherein the second end portion has rounded connecting portions with the wings at the isthmus. Such easier the embodiment of the moulds for construction of the fork by means of process for moulding. Preferably, the narrower intermediate portion has a length within one half of the length of the handle.

[0018] Advantageously, each of the wings and the fastening portion of an adjacent outer prong form a bend having a concave portion oriented towards the free tip portion of the adjacent outer prong. Such increases the capacity to the fork to stop the sliding movement of the noodles towards the handle of the fork. Preferably the bend is curvilinear, and the edge form a concave portion oriented towards the free tip portion. Preferably, the bend protrudes externally from the row of prongs, which makes it easier to clean the fork.

[0019] Preferably, the wings have a beveled end. This way, even if the mouth or the hands comes into contact with the wings, a contact occurs with a beveled surface, therefore the user is not wounded by the wings.

[0020] In an advantageous and easy to manufacture exemplary embodiment, the handle has a polygonal cross section comprising two longer sides substantially parallel to each other, and a plurality of shorter sides that form respective angles with the direction of the longer sides, wherein the cross section comprises at least two of the shorter sides at said or each groove. For example, the polygonal cross section is octagonal. This shape makes it easier to firmly position the three fingers by which the fork is usually caused to rotate, i.e. the thumb, the index finger and the middle finger. This feature simplifies the use of the fork also to handicapped people whose hand movement are difficult due to some disease and/or injury.

[0021] Preferably, the handle has a cross section contained in a rectangle with two longer length sides and two shorter length sides, wherein the ratio between the longer length and the shorter length is set between 3 and 10, in particular between 4 and 7. Preferably, the handle has a thickness set between 1 ,5 and 3 mm. Preferably, the handle has a width set between 10 and 5 mm.

[0022] In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the free tip portion has at least one lateral projection, such that a narrow portion of one of the noodle retaining channels is formed at the free tip portion. This way, when the fork is arranged with its prongs inclined downwards, the noodle elements twisted among the fork prongs is hindered by these projections, therefore the noodles are prevented form falling away from the fork, while the user can anyway remove the amount of food by his/her lips. In particular, the lateral projection is made in the form of a button, i.e. it consists of a flat end zone of the free tip portion of each prong.

[0023] In particular, the lateral projection has a curved profile. For instance, the lateral projection comprises a portion that has a substantially half-ovoid or ovoid shape. As an alternative, the lateral projection comprises a substantially semielliptical or elliptical portion comprising at least two or three vertices of an ellipse, respectively. [0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the free tip portion of at least one outer prong of the two outer prongs has a lateral projection that extends from one side only of the outer prongs towards the longitudinal axis of the fork. This way, the user's mouth does not come into contact with the projections of the prongs, therefore he/she cannot feel the difference with respect to a common fork, in particular when the fork is moved away from the mouth. This makes the fork according to the invention more acceptable by the user. In an exemplary embodiment, the fork comprises at least one inner prong located between the two outer prongs, as it normally occurs in the fork that are used for eating noodles, and the free tip portion of the inner prong or prongs has/have lateral projections that extend at respective opposite sides of the prong. This makes the fork more capable to prevent the fall of the noodles away from the plurality of fork prongs, when the latter are inclined downwards.

[0025] Therefore, in an exemplary embodiment, the lateral projection is made in the form of a button, i.e. it consists of a flat end zone that has, for example, an ovoid or drop-like shape, in the case of the at least one inner prong, or a half-ovoid shape, half drop shape in the case of the outer prongs.

[0026] Advantageously, the projections of the tip portion of the outer or inner prongs, are the result of an ideal addiction of material to a standard profile of a prong, whose sides are substantially linear.

[0027] Preferably, the free tip portions of the prongs have a beveled tip. This way, the contact between the user and the prongs occurs at a beveled surface thereof, so as to prevent the user from being injured by the prongs.

[0028] The overall dimensions can be adjusted responsive to the user's hand size, and therefore it can be made in different sizes.

Brief description of the drawings

[0029] The invention will be now shown with the following description of its exemplary embodiments, exemplifying but not limitative, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

- Fig. 1 is an elevation front view of a fork according to a first aspect of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevation side view of the fork of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is an elevation front view enlarged of a detail of the fork of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 is a perspective cross sectional view of the handle portion of a handle of the fork, in a second aspect of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a perspective cross sectional view of the handle portion of a handle of the fork, in an alternative exemplary embodiment of the second aspect of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatical enlarged cross sectional view of the handle portion of a handle of the fork, in an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatical enlarged cross sectional view of the handle portion of a handle of the fork, in an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8 is an elevation front view of a fork according to a second aspect of the invention;

Fig. 9 is an elevation side view of the fork of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged elevation front partial view of the fork of Fig. 8;

Figs. 1 1 and 12 are enlarged views of a detail of the free tip portion of an outer prong and of a inner prong, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of the fork of Figs. 8-9, in which the respective projections comprise portions that have a substantially ovoid shape;

Figs. 13 and 14 are enlarged views of a detail of the free tip portion of an outer prong and of a inner prong, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of the fork of Figs. 8-9, in which the respective projections comprise portions that have a substantially elliptical shape.

Description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention

[0030] With reference to Figs. 1-3, a fork 10 is described according to an exemplary embodiment in a first aspect of the invention. Fork 10 comprises a grip member, i.e. a handle 1 that has an elongated shape along an axis 14 of fork 10, a row 7 of adjacent prongs 7', 7" that extend from an end portion 13 of handle 1 by an own fastening portion 71. Each two prongs 7', 7" define noodle retaining channels 79. In an exemplary embodiment, as depicted, four prongs are provided, including two outer prongs T and two inner prongs 7" that are located between two outer prongs 7', as normally happens in the common dinner forks for eating noodles. Anyway, the number of the prongs can whatever is desired.

[0031] As usual in the forks, handle 1 comprises a narrower intermediate portion or isthmus 12 between end portion 13 and an opposite handle end portion 1 1 . Narrower intermediate portion 12 has normally, but not exclusively, a width smaller than the width of handle end portion 1 1. Moreover, narrower intermediate portion 2 is normally, but not exclusively, not longer than one half of handle 1 .

[0032] In a first aspect of the invention, fork 10 comprises two wings 2 that extend laterally from second end portion 13, i.e. second end portion, of handle 1 , at opposite sides with respect to row 7 of prongs, and that have a forward hook shape, i.e. they are oriented the same way as prongs 7', 7" of row 7. Two wings 2 comprise therefore, a stop edge 6' that prevents the noodle elements from sliding towards the handle of the fork (Fig. 3).

[0033] Wings 2 can extend from a position in any case at normally enlarged end portion 13 of handle 1 . It is however preferred, as in the depicted exemplary embodiment, that two wings 2 extend from a position at fastening portion 71 of respective adjacent outer prong 7'.

[0034] In the exemplary embodiment of Figs. 1 -3, second end portion 3 is connected with wings 2 by rounded connecting portions 19. More in detail, end portion 13 becomes larger starting from its own rear part, i.e. from its part that is oriented towards handle end portion 1 1 , forming the outer profile of two side wings 2 smoothly from isthmus 12 of handle 1 .

[0035] In the exemplary embodiment of Figs. 1-3, each wings 2 and fastening portion 71 of an adjacent outer prong T form a bend 6 that has an edge 6' oriented towards a tip portion 73 of the prongs. This bend 6 is preferably curvilinear, as shown in the pictures, and edge 6' that forms a concave portion oriented towards tip portion 73 of the prongs. For a better stop action of wings 2 against the sliding of the noodles along the handle, it is preferred, as shown in the pictures, that bend 6 is arranged of an extension of the profile of the row 7 of prongs.

[0036] In the exemplary embodiment of Figs. 1 -3, wings 2 have beveled tip end portions. [0037] In a side view, fork 10, i.e. handle 1 and row 7 of prongs, extends along a well known surface, ideally generated by parallel lines that are orthogonal to axis 14. even if corresponding exemplary embodiments are not shown in the figures, forks that completely extend along a plane are included in the scope of the invention, as well as forks that have a curvature with respect to the direction orthogonal to axis 14, at row of prongs 7 and/or at handle 1 .

[0038] With reference to Figs. 4 and 5, a handle portion 1 1 of a handle 1 of a fork 20 is described, according to a second aspect of the invention. Handle end portion 1 1 comprises at least one lateral longitudinal groove 15', 15", preferably a plurality of lateral longitudinal grooves or furrows 15', 15" that are configured to increase a friction force that is substantially tangential to the cross section of handle end portion 1 1 , when a user rotates fork 20 in order to pick up spaghetti or other kind of noodles. In other words, with respect to a smooth lateral surface, grooves or furrows 15', 15" increase the friction forces, which have a direction substantially tangential to the cross section of the handle, when a user rotates the fork about an own longitudinal axis for twisting noodle elements around the row of prongs 7. Therefore, grooves or furrows 15', 15" makes it easier to twist the noodle elements that form an amount of food.

[0039] Figures 4 and 5, as well as Figs. 6 and 7, also relate to exemplary embodiments of the invention in which handle end portion 1 1 has a flat cross section, contained within a rectangle 50 whose couples of parallel sides have, a longer length Li and a shorter length l_2.

[0040] In particular, Fig. 6 relates to an exemplary embodiment similar to fork 10, as previously described, and equipped with forward hook-shaped wings 2, in the first aspect of the invention, i.e. regardless of whether furrows or grooves are present, and shows in particular a full rectangular cross section. Fig. 7, instead, as an alternative to Fig. 6, relates to a fork 10', according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, equipped with both forward hook-shaped wings 2 of the first aspect of the invention, and longitudinal grooves 15.

[0041] Preferably, the ratio L1/L2 between length Li of the longer side of rectangle 50, corresponding to the width of handle end portion 1 1 , and length L2 of the shorter side, corresponding to the thickness of handle end portion 1 1 , is set between 3 and 10, more in particular, ratio L1/L2 is set between 4 and 7. [0042] In particular, the width of the handle, i.e. length Li of the longer side of rectangle 50, is set between 10 and 15 mm regardless of the width of handle end portion 1 1 , whereas the thickness of handle end portion 1 1 , i.e. length l_2 of the longer side of rectangle 50, is set between 1 ,5 and 3 mm.

[0043] Even if Figs. 4-7 refer to a section 5 contained in a rectangle 50, in particular to a section having portions of sides 51 ,52 along this rectangle 50, with grooves or furrows 15 at all the corner portions thereof, some unshown embodiments are included in the scope of the invention, in which the cross section is at least in part curvilinear, and/or in which the cross section is differently polygonal, and/or in which grooves or furrows 15 are arranged otherwise, for example along the central portion of a lower edge 52 (Figs. 4 and 5).

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, not shown, the grooves can form a lateral knurled surface of handle end portion 1 1 of handle 1 .

[0045] Sill with reference to Figs. 4 and 5, cross section 5 can be a cross section that has two longer sides 51 substantially parallel to each other and a plurality of shorter sides 52 that form respective angles with the direction of longer sides 51 , in this not limiting example they form a right angle.

[0046] In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 4, the cross section is polygonal, for example, as shown, it has the shape of an irregular octagon, and comprises at least two of said shorter sides 52 at said or at each groove 15', each two of which forming a corner portion 53, for example at a right angle, as shown.

[0047] The handle portion according to the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 5 differs from the one of Fig. 4 in that shorter sides 52 are smoothly connected to each other, i.e. rounded surfaces are provided along/instead of corner portions 53.

[0048] With reference to Figs. 8-10, a fork 30 is described according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention. Fork 30 differs from fork 10 of Figs. 1 -3 since each prong 7', 7" has a projection 75,76 at an own free end or tip end portion 73,74 (Fig. 9). Projection 75,76 can be made, for instance, in an expanded shape or in a flat, i.e. a button-like portion. This projection has advantageously, a curvilinear shape. In particular, it has a beveled tip. In particular, the projection has an ovoid or drop-like shape 76, which is preferable for inner prongs 7", or it may have a half-ovoid or a half drop shape 75, which is preferable for outer prongs 7'. As an alternative, the projection has an elliptical shape 76, which is preferable for inner prongs 7", or it may have a semielliptical shape 75, which is preferable for outer prongs 7'.

[0049] Due to projections 75 and/or 76, noodle retaining channels 79 have a narrow portion which can stop the free fall of the noodle elements that have been picked up put and twisted between prongs 7', 7".

[0050] Figs. 11 and 12 refer to a particular construction of tip projections 75,76 of prongs 7',7", comprising a portion a portion that has a substantially half-ovoid or ovoid shape.

[0051] Figs. 13 and 14 refer to a particular construction of tip projections 75,76 of prongs 7', 7", which have a portion of profile substantially semielliptical or elliptical, comprising a substantially semielliptical or elliptical portion that includes at least two or three vertices 78 of an ellipse, respectively.

[0052] The fork according to the invention can be manufactured in different sizes, whose dimensions adjusted responsive to the user's hand size. Moreover, it can be made in material that are normally used for manufacturing conventional reusable or disposable forks, such as stainless steel, as well as different plastic material including Nylon.

[0053] The foregoing description exemplary specific embodiments will so fully reveal the invention according to the conceptual point of view, so that others, by applying current knowledge, will be able to modify and/or adapt for various applications these embodiments without further research and without parting from the invention, and, accordingly, it is therefore to be understood that such adaptations and modifications will have to be considered as equivalent to the specific embodiments. The means and the materials to realize the different functions described herein could have a different nature without, for this reason, departing from the field of the invention, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology that is employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.