(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0269825A1 Lee (43) Pub

Home , Chopsticks

US 2005O269825A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0269825A1 Lee (43) Pub. Date: Dec. 8, 2005

(54) CHOPSTICKS WITH EMBEDDED Publication Classification TOOTHPICKS (51) Int. Cl...... A47G 21/10 (76) Inventor: Kyu Nam Lee, Rancho Palos Verdes, (52) U.S. Cl...... 294/1.1 CA (US) Correspondence Address: (57) ABSTRACT KYU NAM LEE APT # 207 5727 RAVENSPUR DR Wooden disposable chopsticks are used in many household RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA 90275 (US) families and in many eastern Oriental restaurants. After eating a hearty meal, chopstick users look out for toothpickS (21) Appl. No.: 11/138,709 to clean any excessive food particles that may have gotten stuck between their teeth. The invention is ideal for users (22) Filed: May 27, 2005 because it eliminates the users from Seeking out a Separate Related U.S. Application Data toothpick and from the merchant from buying extra packs of toothpicks. It is also cost effective and reduces the unwanted (60) Provisional application No. 60/576,459, filed on Jun. Space for the toothpick packs that the merchant would have 3, 2004. placed.

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CHOPSTICKS WITH EMBEDDED TOOTHPICKS his manipulator, it can be said that the invention can be used 0001. This non-provisional application is being claimed for tongs and Salad Spoons as well. the benefits of an earner provisional application; application 0008 Nakatsu, Lee, Hiroshi and Arima's invention are all No. 60/576,459 filed Jun. 3, 2004. Similar to one another. Their inventions help non chopstickS users in overcoming their disabilities and knowledge of BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION chopstick usage. However, they all fail the idea of having toothpickS embedded into the disposable wooden chop 0002) 1. Field of Invention Sticks. They all fail to answer the question of incorporating 0003. The present invention relates to chopsticks. More two Separate, but equally important kitchenware utensils Specifically, the invention relates to a wooden disposable into one combined eating utensil. A problem that this inven chopstick with embedded dual toothpickS. The shape and tion foresees. form of the toothpicks are carved out, but remains intacted with the disposable chopsticks. The overall form and struc DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED ture of the chopStickS is maintained herein. EMBODIMENT 0004 2. Description of the Prior Art 0009. In reference to FIG. 2, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is that of a wooden disposable 0005 Current industries have been trying to find a solu chopstick with toothpicks embedded into each individual tion for the perfect chopstickS. Throughout the years, Vari Wooden chopstick. The chopstick consists of a left toothpick ous different types of chopsticks have been known in the 200 and a right toothpick 400 of equal lengths which have prior art. Although chopSticks are primarily used in the Far been carved out with the overall form and structure of the East as a kitchen utensil for grasping food, chopsticks today chopsticks being maintained. FIG. 3 shows the right tooth is commonly used in the West due to an increase in restau pick 400 retracted out from the chopsticks for use. FIG. 4 rants offering eastern delicates. One of the greatest chal shows the retracted right toothpick 400 ready for use. lenges for foreigners who have never picked up a pair of chopstickS is learning and mastering on how to hold the pairs SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION of wooden StickS. In order for individuals to learn properly on the mechanics of holding a pair of chopsticks, Several 0010. The invention relates to wooden disposable chop StickS. More specifically, the invention relates to a pair of inventions have been invented to oversee this problem. Wooden disposable chopsticks with embedded toothpicks. 0006 U.S. Pat. No. 3,414,310 by Hiroshi suggest a The overall shape and structure of the toothpicks are carved chopstick holder for a pair of chopSticks to guide the out from the two pair of chopsticks, with the general form chopsticks in a plane providing accurate closing of the tips of the wooden chopSticks being maintained herein. using a pair pivoted by guide members with a Spring member biasing the guide members to the open position. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The Said guide member has a channel to frictionally retain a chopstick therein and one or more inwardly extending 0011 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art for a guide flanges interleaved together and joined by a pivot pin. regular pair of chopSticks, Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 2,997.328 by Lee also suggests a 0012 FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention in similar invention for that of Hiroshi. The principle object of question. Two Separate, but equal length toothpicks are Lee's invention is to provide a unique chopstick combina carved out, with the overall form and structure of the tion in which a Spring is mounted at the fulcrum, and a chopsticks being maintained; Spring biasing mechanism to bias the rear end of the StickS together and the front end of the Sticks apart. In Lee's 0013 FIG.3 is that of FIG. 2, with one of the toothpicks chopstick device, the user merely needs to grasp the StickS retracted out from the chopsticks, in his hand at a point below the Springs in Such a manner as 0014 FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the retracted to force the operative end of the Sticks together. The Spring toothpick. thus functions to return the operative ends of the Stick to their spread position when the hand tensioning is released. What is claimed in the invention: 0007 Nakatsu's apparatus for assisting in the use of 1. A pair of chopStickS comprising: chopsticks (U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,334) takes Hiroshi's and Lee's invention a step forward and elaborates further in a main body consisting of two identical Sticks of equal Solving the age old problem of mastering the use of chop length wherein at least one of the chopsticks body has Sticks. In Nakatsu's invention, the device for assisting the a single toothpick embedded into the chopStickS. chopstickS is characterized by a band Spring of Single-piece, 2. A pair of chopSticks as claimed in claim 1, wherein a molded or formed construction, free of Separate and joined Single or more toothpick is embedded into the chopstickS. members that connects a pair of chopsticks at an adjustable 3. A pair of chopSticks as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2, distance from each other and enables their manipulation in wherein the overall Structure of the toothpicks are carved a manner Substantially identical and faithful to the proper Out. holding and wielding of a pair of individual and unjoined 4. A pair of chopSticks as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 and chopstickS. A different, but similar invention can bee Seen in claim 3, wherein a sizeable toothpick is carved out on the top Arima's invention (U.S. Pat. No. 3,323,825). In his inven surface of the body of the chopsticks for insertion. tion; not only is his invention used for manipulating chop 5. A pair of chopSticks as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2, Sticks, but can be used to manipulate other eating utensils. wherein the overall structure of the toothpicks are hollowed Although his invention Specifically mentions chopsticks for Out. US 2005/0269825 A1 Dec. 8, 2005 2

6. A pair of chopSticks as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 and 8. A pair of chopSticks as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2, claim 5, wherein a sizeable toothpick is hollowed out on the wherein the toothpicks are placed with an adhesive com top center Surface of the body of the chopsticks for insertion. pound within the Space to where the toothpicks have been 7. A pair of chopSticks as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2, formed. wherein the toothpicks are fixed within the Space to where the toothpicks have been formed. k . . . .