Hollow Handle Flatware and Method of Making a Hollow Handle Flatware

Abstract

A hollow handle flatware includes a main body extending between a service end and a handle end. The main body includes a service portion at the service end and a handle portion at the handle end. The hollow handle flatware also includes a handle part, which is formed separately from the main body and permanently fixed to the handle portion of the main body to form a hollow handle. The handle part and the handle portion of the main body enclose a hollow chamber. Also disclosed is a method of making a hollow handle flatware by separately forming a main body and a handle part and joining the main body and the handle part as a unitary hollow handle flatware.

1 . A hollow handle flatware comprising:
 a main body having a service portion and a handle portion which are integrally formed with each other, the main body having a length substantially defining a length of the hollow handle flatware, the handle portion having an upper surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface configured for positioning on a table top; and   a handle part formed separately from the main body and permanently fixed to the upper surface of the handle portion of the main body to form a hollow handle;   wherein the handle part and the handle portion of the main body enclose a hollow chamber therebetween.   
     
     
         2 . The hollow handle flatware of  claim 1 , wherein the handle part is permanently fixed to the handle portion by welding. 
     
     
         3 . The hollow handle flatware of  claim 1 , wherein the main body comprises a step formed on the upper surface of the main body between the service portion and the handle portion for receiving a front edge of the handle part. 
     
     
         4 . The hollow handle flatware of  claim 3 , wherein the step extends across a transverse direction of the hollow handle flatware. 
     
     
         5 . The hollow handle flatware of  claim 1 , wherein the service portion of the main body smoothly transits into the bottom surface of the hollow handle flatware. 
     
     
         6 . The hollow handle flatware of  claim 1 , wherein the handle portion of the main body forms at least part of a bottom surface of the hollow handle flatware. 
     
     
         7 . The hollow handle flatware of  claim 1 , wherein the handle portion of the main body comprises a substantially flat contact portion for contacting a tabletop surface when the hollow handle flatware is set on the tabletop surface, and wherein the contact portion on the handle portion of the main body extends across a width of the handle portion of the main body. 
     
     
         8 . The hollow handle flatware of  claim 1 , wherein the main body and the handle part are each formed of a sheet material. 
     
     
         9 . The hollow handle flatware of  claim 1 , wherein the main body and the handle part are formed of a same material. 
     
     
         10 . A method of making a hollow handle flatware, the method comprising:
 providing a main body having a service portion and a handle portion which are integrally formed with each other, the main body having a length substantially defining a length of the hollow handle flatware, the handle portion having an upper surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface configured for positioning on a table top;   providing a handle part separately from the main body; and   permanently fixing the handle part to the upper surfaced of the handle portion of the main body;   wherein the handle part and the handle portion of the main body enclose a hollow chamber therebetween.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of providing a main body comprises stamping a sheet material to form the main body. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of providing a main body comprises forming a contact portion on a bottom surface of the main body, the contact portion extending across a width of the main body. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of providing a main body comprises forming a step on the top surface of the main body and between the service portion and the handle portion for receiving a front edge of the handle part. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of providing a handle part comprises forming a front end of the handle part to conform with the step. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of providing a handle part comprises forming a predetermined pattern on the handle part by at least one of stamping, forging, swaging, and molding. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of fixing comprises welding. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the main body and the handle part are formed of a same material. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising plating both the main body and the handle part to provide a finished surface for the hollow handle flatware.