US20150157154A1

US20150157154A1 - Eating utensil rest

Info

Publication number: US20150157154A1
Application number: US14/449,967
Authority: US
Inventors: Matthew Rothenberg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-12-06
Filing date: 2014-08-01
Publication date: 2015-06-11

Abstract

An eating utensil rest is provided. The eating utensil rest may include a base. The base has a top end, a bottom end, a first side, and a second side. The bottom end may be flat and may include a gripping material to prevent the present invention from slipping. Protrusions may extend from the top end at the first side and the second side, forming a channel in between. The top end may be substantially flat within the channel. The channel may also include a gripping material, preventing the utensils from slipping.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/912,902, filed Dec. 6, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a utensil rest and, more particularly, to a utensil rest that elevates forks, spoons and knifes off of a table.
Eating utensils may include forks, knives and spoons. Eating utensils are typically used to eat food. Eating utensils are usually placed on a table at home or a restaurant after they have been used. The utensils may pick up germs and make a mess on the table or a napkin.
As can be seen, there is a need for a rest that elevates the fork, spoon, and knife off of the table.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a utensil rest comprises: a base comprising a top, a substantially flat bottom, a first side and a second side; a first protrusion extending from the top on the first side, and a second protrusion extending from the top on the second side, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion form a channel in between, wherein the channel is sized to receive and support at least two eating utensils.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in use;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
The present invention includes a fork, knife and spoon rest for elevating utensils. The utensil rest of the present invention may elevate utensils from touching the table, and thereby may be more hygienic, without leaving a mess on the table. For example, in a restaurant, a user may place their utensils on the utensil rest while a waiter changes the plates. The utensil rest has a wide grip area that holds up to three utensils and keeps them from moving around. The present invention may be made from food safe and dishwasher safe material. The utensil may be properly weighted for stability.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention may include a utensil rest 10, include a base 12. The base 12 includes a top end 16, a bottom end 20, a first side 14, a second side 14, a front side 15 and a rear side 15. The base 12 may be made of a polymer, such as plastic. The bottom end 20 may be flat and may include gripping material 22 to prevent the present invention from slipping. Protrusions may extend from the top end 16 at the first side 14 and the second side 14, forming a channel in between. The top end 16 may be substantially flat within the channel. The channel may also include a gripping material 18, preventing the utensils from slipping.
In certain embodiments, the gripping material 18, 22 may include a polymer strip, such as silicone. The polymer may be dishwasher safe so that the present invention may be easily washed. In certain embodiments, the gripping material 18, 22 may be formed by sandblasting the surfaces of the bottom end 20 and the top end 16 within the channel.
The base 12 of the present invention may include a triangular cross section. The front side 15 and the rear side 15 may taper from the bottom end 20 to the top end 16. The bottom end 20 may be substantially flat and may rest on a table, supporting the base 12 in an upright position.
The channel may be sized to fit all three eating utensils. A restaurant may prepare their eating utensils by resting the neck of the fork, knife, and/or spoon within the channel and thereby elevating the forked end of the fork, the sharp end of the knife and the spoon end of the spoon. Therefore, the utensils are not exposed to germs. Further, when a user is using the fork, spoon, and knife, the user may place the utensils within the channel to rest the utensils down on the table. This will prevent food that is stuck on the utensils from touching the table. The present invention may also be used as a bread crumb catcher if turned on its side.
The utensil rest may be manufactured and produced using thermoplastic polyurethane made from an injection mold that may be heat resistant and dishwasher safe. The present invention may further include raw material of composite metal to provide weight on the inside.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A utensil rest comprising:

a base comprising a top, a substantially flat bottom, a first side and a second side; and

a first protrusion extending from the top on the first side, and a second protrusion extending from the top on the second side, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion form a channel in between, wherein the channel is sized to receive and support at least two eating utensils.

2. The utensil rest of claim 1, wherein the channel comprises a gripping material.

3. The utensil rest of claim 2, wherein the channel is sand blasted.

4. The utensil rest of claim 1, wherein the top is substantially flat within the channel.

5. The utensil rest of claim 1, wherein the substantially flat bottom comprises a gripping material.

6. The utensil rest of claim 4, wherein the substantially flat bottom is sand blasted.

7. The utensil rest of claim 1, wherein the base has a triangular cross section.

8. The utensil rest of claim 1, wherein the base is formed of a polymer and comprises a weighted metal.

9. The utensil rest of claim 1, wherein the channel is sized to receive and support at least three eating utensils.