BACKGROUND

[0001] The time that children transition to a diet of solid foods, from breast or bottle-feeding, which typically occurs between 9 and 12 months of age, is an extremely important time in a child's development because it has the potential to set them on a course for a life of healthy habits. But when young children are first learning to eat solid foods they have not yet developed the gross or fine motor skills necessary to use adult-sized or shaped utensils. Yet even with toddler-sized utensils, there are disconnects between how children hold (and use) their utensils and how those utensils are designed. As a result, children are often frustrated using them and will tend to reject the utensil in favor of their hands. Furthermore, trying to use a poorly designed utensil often leads to significant mealtime mess that frustrates parents or caregivers (heretofore caregivers). In an effort to reduce the frustration and mess, caregivers often take over at mealtime: feeding their children instead of allowing them to remain in control of that process.

[0002] Over the last 10-15 years, however, a growing body of research on child health and nutrition has revealed the importance of letting children feed themselves: when they remain in control and experience the success of self-feeding they are more willing to try new foods, express less "picky eating" behavior, and retain their innate ability to listen to internal signals of hunger and fullness. These outcomes have long-term implications for a child's health and well-being. Specifically, it has been shown that children who retain their ability to listen to their own internal hunger cues have fewer issues with overeating or eating in the absence of hunger - which can lead to overweight, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes in children as young as 5 years old. Similarly, children who are willing to taste new foods have less food neophobia, more varied diets, and are more likely to meet the United States Department of Agriculture recommendations for a healthy diet all of which are positively associated with health.

[0003] Other products have made slight adjustments to the shape or functioning of toddler- sized utensils in an effort to get more food into children, but few of these adaptations have been made for the purpose of supporting self-feeding to promote long-term health and food habits, and, to our knowledge, none have tackled both the size and shape of the handle AND the location (curve) of the spoon/fork head. As a result, previous modifications -even to appropriately sized utensils - do not sufficiently accommodate a child's developing grip, do not support their fine motor development, or have been designed to distract children while eating, which ultimately does not promote healthy habits.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an improved set of child utensils specifically designed to work with the way children hold utensils, making self- feeding easier.

[0005] It is also the object of the present invention to provide an improved set of child utensils that are designed to promote self-feeding by being specially curved to support children's fine and gross motor development during self-feeding.

[0006] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved set of child utensils mat are designed to support life-long healthy eating habits and long-term health.

[0007] A set of utensils, according to this invention, provides a handle that is wider at the base and which narrows through the neck toward the bowl of the spoon and fork. The utensils are also designed such that the base sits flush on the table resulting in a neck and bowl that are properly positioned for appropriate use; for appropriate grip and use. Furthermore, the set of utensils according to this invention have a neck that dips off of a linear plane, resulting in a bowl (of the spoon and fork) that is situated on a plane that is lower than the handle and thus positioned around the child's thumb. In addition, the bowl of the spoon/fork are further turned at an angle off of the 180° plane of the handle, resulting in a bowl that is facing the user when being held. A set of utensils according to this invention is made of the highest- grade FDA-approved non-toxic and child-safe materials.

[0008] For a more complete understanding of the present invention reference is made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG 1. is a top perspective embodiment of the curved utensil of the present invention.

[00010] FIG 2. presents a top front view of the bowl and transition of the utensil of the present invention.

[00011] FIG 3. is the same top plain view perspective as FIG 1 , with specific reference to the angles, widths, and lengths of the spoon in the present invention.

[00012] FIG 4. is a front perspective view of the utensil bowl and transition. [00013] FIG 5. is a side perspective view describing the shape and size of the bowl, transition, and handle.

[00014] FIG 6. is the same front perspective view of the utensil bowl and transition describing the plane of the transition from bowl to handle.

[00015] FIG 7. is the back perspective view of the handle and top view of the transition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF IMPLEMENTATION

[00016] The present invention provides a set of utensils specifically designed to promote self-feeding comprised of a handle, curved neck transition from handle to bowl, and a bowl of a spoon and fork.

[00017] As noted above, the goal of the present invention is to promote and encourage self-feeding through design that works with a child's grip and developing fine and gross motor skills such that self-feeding is made easier.

[00018] With reference to the drawings, and in particular FIG. 1, one embodiment of the utensil is generally indicated at 22 and comprises a handle 23 and a bowl 25 of the spoon and fork, heretofore bowl, which is connected to the handle by the transition, generally indicated at 24, and having a concavity 27 formed herein suitable to holding food during use.

[00019] As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the bowl 25 suitably comprises transversely spaced, longitudinally extending from the side edges 31 and 32, a front edge 33 extending transversely between the side edges at a front end 35 of the spoon, and a back edge 36 (indicated by the dashed line 36 in FIG. 2) extending transversely between the side edges in longitudinally spaced relationship with the front edge 33 of the spoon 22. As used herein, the "back edge" of the bowl 25 refers to an actual or imaginary (as illustrated) line extending from one side edge to the other at the rearward most extent of the concavity 27. That is, if the spoon 22 were filled with liquid to full capacity of the bowl 25, the back edge 36 of the bowl would extend transversely between the side edges 31 of the bowl at the rearward most extent of the liquid in the bowl. Thus, given that the handle 23 and the bowl 25 are designed to have a smooth transition into one another, from the handle to the bowl, as illustrated in the embodiment in FIG 2, the bowl still has what is referred to herein as a back edge 36.

[00020] However it is understood that the handle need not be connected to the back edge of the bowl, nor must extend from the bowl 25 to remain within the scope of this invention. [00021] In one particularly suitable embodiment, the bowl 25 of the utensil extending from the back edge 36 to the front 33 edge of the bowl and laterally from the side edges 31 to 32, as illustrated in FIG 3 is curved away from the 180 degree plane (indicated by the dashed line 26) of the utensil neck, or transition 24 (heretofore transition) and utensil handle 23. One suitable embodiment has the bowl 25 of the utensil turned at an angle that is not less than 20 degrees (as suggested by the dashed line 28 in FIG 3) from the plane of the neck transition 24 beginning at the back edge of the bowl 36. More suitably, the angle of offset of the bowl 25 from the transition point 24 of the handle 23 is approximately 25 degrees or even 30 or 40 or 45 degrees. Even more suitably it is offset at an angle of 50, 55, or 60 degrees, and even more suitably at an angle of 65, 70, or 75 degrees. In still other embodiments the angle of offset if the bowl 25 from the handle 23 at the point of transition 24 shall not be more than 90 degrees (as suggested by the dashed line 29 in FIG 3) but could be 80 or 85 degrees and remain within the scope of this invention.

[00022] The effect of this turn of the bowl 25 off the plane of the handle 23 can perhaps best be seen when viewed from the front as in FIG 4 where the front edge 33 of the bowl 25 is oriented (in this particular embodiment of the right-handed spoon) on a different plane (as suggested by the dotted line 20) and extends beyond the back left edge of the handle 23 as indicated by 42.

[00023] The sides 31 and 32 of the bowl 25 thus define the width of the bowl 25 along its length from the back edge 36 to the front edge 33 of the bowl 25. With particular reference to FIG 3, the bowl 25 has a maximum width of Wl measured intermediate the back 36 and front 33 edge of the utensil bowl. In one suitable embodiment, the width of the bowl 25 tapers inward or otherwise decreases as the side edges 31 and 32 extend forward from the maximum width Wl of the bowl to the front edge 33 to and tapers inward or otherwise decreases along the sides 31 and 32 from the maximum width Wl to the back edge 36 of the bowl. In one suitable embodiment the bowl 25 is configured so that the maximum width Wl of the bowl is spaced longitudinally from a forward most extent 49 of the bowl a distance Dl (FIG 3) of 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 inches. As used herein the "forward most extent of the bowl" 49 refers to the apex of the front 33 of the bowl 25 where the front edge could either be straight or curved slightly inward or curved slightly outward. It is understood that each of these configurations would remain within the scope of this invention.

[00024] In another suitable embodiment, the bowl 25 of the utensils is uniform in width extending from the back edge 36 to the front edge 33 of the bowl equally along the sides 31 and 32 having little or no curvature or inflection points. In this particular embodiment, the maximum width of the bowl 25 would be at a distance of a maximum of Wl and at a minimum of W2. Wl and W2 shall measure no less than 0.75 inches but could also be 0.80, 0.85. ^' 0.90, 1.00, 1.25, 1.5, or 1.75 inches and remain within the scope of mis invention. This range is width is necessary to ensure proper configuration and design for the intended audience.

[00025] For reference, the length LI (shown in FIG 3) of the bowl 25 (from the back edge 36 to the forward most extent 49 of the bowl along the front edge 33 thereof) is suitably not more than 2.5 inches, even more suitably not more than 2.00 inches and still more suitably not more than 1.75 inches. In another embodiment, the length LI of the bowl 25 is not more than 1.5 inches, more suitably not more man 1.25 inches, and still more suitably not more than 1.00 inches.

[00026] In one embodiment the utensil is molded from a food-safe thermoplastic polymer or coated with an elastomeric coating. A utensil molded from thermoplastic polymers may provide more strength and rigidity, making it easier to scoop foods that are not pureed and thus facilitating child self-feeding. An elastomeric coating, however, particularly of the bowl 25, may resiliently yield to a surface, making it easier to scrape soft or pureed foods from a hard (i.e. a plate) or soft (i.e. a child's face) surface. Some types of coatings may also provide more comfort in the handle 23 when held by a child. Suitable thermoplastic polymers include, but are not limited to, polypropylene, polycarbonate, or other copolymers. Suitable elastomeric coatings include thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and silicone, among others. It is understood that molds using other thermoplastic polymers or elastomers are also within the scope of this invention. Other embodiments of the utensils are also possible, besides molding. Stamping (from metal) and milling (from wood) are also possible production methods (materials) for the utensils and it is understood that such methods and utensils resulting from this production are also within the scope of this invention.

[00027] As seen in FIG 5 the concavity 27 of the bowl 25 extends from generally the back edge 36 of the bowl 25 to generally adjacent the front edge 33 of the bowl 25. In one suitable embodiment, the concavity 27 of the bowl 25 is arcuate continuously along the entire length of concavity extending from the back edge 36 to the front edge 33 of the bowl and transversely from generally one edge 31 of the bowl to the opposite side of the bowl 32. In one suitable embodiment, the transverse section of the bowl is also arcuate extending the full distance from one side 31 of the bowl to the other running along the full width Wl of the spoon. Used herein, the "cancavity" 27 of the bowl 25 refers to the concave portion of the upper or inner surface of the bowl of the utensil (spoon and fork). It is understood that the convex outer surface, or lower portion 52, of the bowl 25 may be differently shaped from the upper or inner surface of the concave portion of the bowl. It is also understood that the curvature of the concave portion of the upper or inner surface of the bowl 25 may be differently concave along its length and width without departing from the scope of this invention.

[00028] The neck, or transition 24 and handle 23 of the illustrated embodiment is curved in two dimensions (as best shown in FIG 5) so that at least a portion of the transition and handle are offset from a plane 53 that includes the bottom lower portion 52 of the bowl 25. This curve begins at the base of the transition 24, which is adjacent to the back edge 36 of the bowl 25. The transition extends from the two side edges 31 and 32 of the bowl and continues along to the point of maximal inflection, which can be seen at both the top 53 and bottom 54 edge of the transition 24.

[00029] The top plane, or surface PI (as best seen in FIG 6), of the transition begins where it is adjacent to the back edge 36 of the bowl 25 at which point has a roughly width Wl from side 64 to side 65 to the back edge. Moving up the transition 24 to the point of maximal inflection 53, however, the distance Wl of the transition decreases slightly and then increases again until it reaches the point of maximal inflection 53 at which point the width of the plane is at its largest width W2. This width W2 shall be no more than the width of the back edge 36 of the bowl and no less than half of that width and remain within the scope of this invention. As best viewed in FIG 5, the point of maximum inflection is suitably spaced longitudinally from the outer most edge of the bowl 31 at a distance HI of 2 to 3 inches and more suitably a distance of 1 to 2 inches. But this distance could be no less than 0.5 inches and no more than 3.5 inches without departing from the scope of this invention. It is understood that measurements of 0.75, 1.5, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, and 3.0 are also covered under the scope of this invention.

[00030] In this suitable embodiment, the width W2 of the transition 24, best viewed in FIG 6, is approximately equally thick from the imaginary lines 64 and 65 adjacent to the back edge 36 of the bowl to the point of maximal inflection 53. At the point of maximal inflection 53 the width W3 of the handle 23 begins to increase to its maximum width W4 as measured between the two points 72 and 71 at the bottom of the handle 23 as best viewed in FIG 7. This width is suitably in the range of 0.25 to 1.50 inches and more suitably in the range of 0.5, 0.75, or 1.00 inches. It is understood that a final width of the transition 24, (FIG 4, 5, and 6) that falls within the full range of heretofore outlined suitable widths (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, and 1.25 inches) remains within the scope of this invention. [00031] In one particular suitable embodiment the side planes of the surface of both the transition 24 and handle 23 (as best seen in FIG 5), are differently curved, with a radius of curvature, as indicated by the point of maximum inflection 54 of the bottom portion of the transition 24 and handle 23. This differential curve of the two side planes results in a handle that appears slightly tipped toward one side plane 73 (FIG 7). In this particular embodiment, the result of these differential radii of curvature also results in a greater amount of the handle present on the right 75 compared to left (73) side of the handle (as viewed in FIG 7). Drawing an imaginary line 74 through the center of the maximum inflection point 53, it is clear that the distance D75 is greater than the distance D73. As used herein, the radius of curvature for the transition and handle refers to the arch that is created with an imaginary line 53 is drawn along the plane that connects the bowl 25 at its far most back edge 36 to the farthest back points 71 and 72 of the handle 23 as indicated in FIG 5. In another suitable embodiment, the ratio of the radii of curvature is smaller or larger than the illustrated embodiment and it is understood that these changes fall within the scope of this invention.

[00032] As shown in FIG 7 the handle 23 generally refers to the section of the utensil that extends from the maximum inflection point 53 of the transition 24 (FIG 6) to the back edge of the handle 42 which is defined by point of contact with a solid surface (i.e. table). In one particularly suitable embodiment this point of contact is defined by two singular points 71 and 72 (as seen in FIG 7) that are connected laterally by an arched line 42 having the smallest radius of curvature of not less than 0.25 inches but not more than 3.00 inches such as to approach an infinite radius of curvature, or a straight line, without departing from the scope of this invention. Similarly, the distance between the two distal most edges 71 and 72 of the handle 23 that sit on a surface is, in one particular embodiment, suitably within the range of 0.75 inches to 3.0 inches and even more suitably within the range of 1.0 inches and 2.0 inches without departing from the scope of this invention. In one particular suitable embodiment, the underside of the handle 23 is concave such that the fingers of the user can be culled underneath to assist with grip and hold of the utensil.

[00033] It is understood that in one suitable embodiment outlined in this invention and as described in [00013] through [00030] result in a right-handed spoon. IN another suitable embodiment of this invention, each of the specifics outlined above in [00013] through

[00030] can also be made in mirror images such as to result in a left-handed version of the invention. It is understood that both the right- and left-handed versions are fall within the scope of this invention.