US4589204A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Eating utensil
Assignee: Courtesy Corp
•
Filing: 1984-11-21
•
Granted: 1986-05-20
•
Expires: 2004-11-21
Abstract
Abstract A collapsible eating utensil having food engaging means and integrally formed handle means. The food engaging means may be a knife, fork, or spoon. The handle means includes a rigid stem and segments adapted to be moved from folded position adjacent the stem to extended position in substantially longitudinal alignment with said stem. Locking means in the form of interengaging male and female members are provided on the segments to retain them in extended position.
Inventors
- 👤 Allen J. Vogel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 09:39
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47G; A47G21/00; A47G21/02; A47G2021/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A collapsible eating utensil comprising food engaging means and integrally formed handle means joined with said food engaging means, said handle means comprising a stem secured to said food engaging means, means adapted to be moved from folded position adjacent said stem to extended position in substantially longitudinal alignment with said stem, and locking means for retaining the handle means in extended position, said extension means comprising spaced apart segments adapted to be folded upon one another adjacent the stem, said locking means comprising complementary interengaging means on the segments, said interengaging means comprising a male member on one segment adapted to engage within a female member on the other segment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A collapsible eating utensil comprising food engaging means and integrally formed handle means joined with said food engaging means, said handle means comprising a stem secured to said food engaging means, means adapted to be moved from folded position adjacent said stem to extended position in substantially longitudinal alignment with said stem, and locking means for retaining the handle means in extended position, said extension means comprising spaced apart segments adapted to be folded upon one another adjacent the stem, said locking means comprising complementary interengaging means on the segments, said interengaging means comprising a male member on one segment adapted to engage within a female member on the other segment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A collapsible eating utensil as in claim 1, wherein the food engaging means comprises a spoon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A collapsible eating utensil as in claim 1, wherein the food engaging means comprises a knife.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A collapsible eating utensil as in claim 1, wherein the food engaging means comprises a fork.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A collapsible eating utensil as in claim 1 wherein the handle means are substantially planar in folded position to facilitate stacking of a number of said utensils.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A collapsible eating utensil as in claim 5 wherein there is a recess in the projection spaced from the face end thereof, and said indentations engage in said recess in the projection.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A collapsible eating utensil as in claim 1 wherein indentations are formed at the entrance to the female member to engage with the male member to help lock the male member and the female member together.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A collapsible eating utensil as in claim 1, which is formed in one piece.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A collapsible eating utensil as in claim 1 which is made from plastic formed in one piece.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-05-19 | 1989-11-18 | 1990-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-05-19 | 1993-11-18 | 1994-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-05-19 | 1997-11-18 | 1998-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |