Eating utensil system

Abstract

A combination spoon and fork system capable of being stored in a nested configuration or used as a combination eating utensil with the spoon and fork connected end to end. An interlocking mechanism can interlock the spoon and fork in either the nested position or in the end to end configuration. The interlocking system allows the handle of the spoon to slide between rails on the handle of the fork and to snap and lock the spoon in place either nested with the fork or end to end with the fork to form an elongated combination eating utensil. The spoon and fork of the system can also be used separately from one another.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An eating utensil, comprising:
 a fork having a handle connected to a head portion including plurality of tines; and   a spoon having a substantially pentagonal bowl portion having substantially flat side and end edges, the spoon having a handle with a proximal end connected to a proximal end of the handle of the fork.   
     
     
         2 . The eating utensil as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the fork and spoon are integrally formed. 
     
     
         3 . The eating utensil as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the chamfered edge tapers to a point where the handle of the fork is connected to the head portion of the fork. 
     
     
         4 . The eating utensil as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the handle of the spoon has a chamfered outer edge. 
     
     
         5 . The eating utensil as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the eating utensil is formed of a glass reinforced thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         6 . The eating utensil as recited in  claim 1 , the head portion of the fork has at least one tine on a curved outer edge. 
     
     
         7 . The eating utensil as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the at least one tine has a chamfered outer edge along substantially its entire length. 
     
     
         8 . An eating utensil, comprising:
 a handle having a first end and a second end;   a first head portion attached to the first end of the handle, wherein the first head portion comprises a plurality of tines, wherein at least one of the plurality of tines has a chamfered curved outer edge along substantially its entire length; and   a second head portion attached to the second end of the handle, wherein the second head portion comprises a bowl of a spoon, the bowl having a substantially pentagonal shape.   
     
     
         9 . The eating utensil as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the handle, the first head portion, and the second head portion are integrally formed. 
     
     
         10 . The eating utensil as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the handle has at least one chamfered side edge. 
     
     
         11 . The eating utensil as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of tines includes at least one central tine that is substantially straight. 
     
     
         12 . The eating utensil as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of tines has a substantially straight inner edge. 
     
     
         13 . The eating utensil as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the eating utensil is formed of a glass reinforced thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         14 . An eating utensil, comprising a fork including:
 a head portion including a plurality of tines, wherein an outer tine has a curved chamfered outer edge, the chamfered outer edge extending along substantially an entire length of the head portion; and   a handle portion connected to the head portion, wherein the chamfered edge tapers to a point where the handle portion meets the head portion.   
     
     
         15 . The eating utensil as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the chamfered edge spans an entire width of the outer tine at a distal tip of the outer tine. 
     
     
         16 . The eating utensil as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the fork has two outer tines, each having a curved chamfered outer edge. 
     
     
         17 . The eating utensil as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the eating utensil further comprises a spoon having a handle integrally formed with the handle portion of the fork. 
     
     
         18 . The eating utensil as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the handle of the spoon has at least one chamfered side edge. 
     
     
         19 . The eating utensil as recited in any of  claim 17 , wherein the spoon has a bowl with a substantially flat side edge. 
     
     
         20 . The eating utensil as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the bowl has substantially pentagonal shape.