US3908887A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Utensil
Assignee: Western Technical Products Co
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Filing: 1973-02-12
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Granted: 1975-09-30
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Expires: 1993-02-12
Abstract
Abstract A utensil formed from a strip of resilient material that is longitudinally rigid when bowed in a lateral axis but which is either longitudinally flexible or springs into a spiral coil when the lateral bow is flattened. To be readily available, the utensil may be affixed to the arcuate surface of a cylindrical container either by its own resilient coiling action, by a removable adhesive, or between the container and the label affixed thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Leto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 05:47
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D77/00; B65D77/22; B65D77/24; B65D77/245
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
The combination comprising a container having an outer surface with an arcuate section and an elongated strip being attached to the container, said strip comprising a flexible resilient material having two stable states each of which conforms the strip to the arcuate section of the outer surface of the containEr, wherein one of said states is characterized in that the strip is resiliently bowed along its lateral axis and rigid along its longitudinal axis, wherein the other of said states is characterized in that the strip is resiliently coiled along its longitudinal axis and rigid along its lateral axis, said strip being capable of retaining said states independently of any external force, and wherein said strip defines a utensil when in said first state with a first longitudinal end of the strip serving as a handle and the second longitudinal end of the strip serving as a working end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
The combination comprising a container having an outer surface with an arcuate section and an elongated strip being attached to the container, said strip comprising a flexible resilient material having two stable states each of which conforms the strip to the arcuate section of the outer surface of the containEr, wherein one of said states is characterized in that the strip is resiliently bowed along its lateral axis and rigid along its longitudinal axis, wherein the other of said states is characterized in that the strip is resiliently coiled along its longitudinal axis and rigid along its lateral axis, said strip being capable of retaining said states independently of any external force, and wherein said strip defines a utensil when in said first state with a first longitudinal end of the strip serving as a handle and the second longitudinal end of the strip serving as a working end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The utensil claimed in claim 1 wherein said utensil attaches to the arcuate section of said container and is affixed thereto by an edible cement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The utensil claimed in claim 1 wherein said utensil is affixed to the arcuate section of said container and is affixed thereto by a label covering said utensil on said container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The utensil claimed in claim 1 wherein said utensil is affixed to the arcuate section of said container and is affixed thereto by a tape covering said utensil on said container.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US835861A
Cited
US2509616A
Cited
US2845194A
Cited
US2939577A
Cited
US3042742A
Cited
US3332567A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |