Early childhood eating utensils

Abstract

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to eating utensils, such as eating utensils for use by infants, toddlers, and others in early childhood development. In one embodiment, an eating utensil is provided. The eating utensil can include a handle; a utensil head comprising a top side, a bottom side, and a plurality of apertures extending through the utensil head from the top side to the bottom side; and a choke guard disposed between the handle and the utensil head. In another embodiment, an eating utensil can include a handle; a utensil head comprising: a top side comprising a first set of fork tines; and a bottom side comprising a second set of fork tines.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An eating utensil comprising:
 a handle;   a utensil head comprising a top side, a bottom side, and a plurality of apertures extending through the utensil head from the top side to the bottom side; and   a choke guard disposed between the handle and the utensil head.   
     
     
         2 . The eating utensil of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apertures comprises:
 a forward set of apertures; and   a rear set of apertures, wherein the rear set of apertures are disposed closer to the choke guard than the forward set of apertures.   
     
     
         3 . The eating utensil of  claim 2 , wherein the forward set of apertures comprises a first elongated aperture having a first longitudinal axis,
 wherein the rear set of apertures comprises a second elongated aperture having a second longitudinal axis,   wherein the first longitudinal axis is axially aligned with the second longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         4 . The eating utensil of  claim 3 , wherein the handle has a third longitudinal axis and wherein the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are parallel to the third longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         5 . The eating utensil of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apertures comprises:
 a large aperture; and   a plurality of small apertures,   wherein the volume of the large aperture is greater than the volume of each of the small apertures.   
     
     
         6 . The eating utensil of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of small apertures are disposed about the large aperture. 
     
     
         7 . The eating utensil of  claim 5 , wherein the large aperture has a substantially oval shape. 
     
     
         8 . The eating utensil of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apertures comprises:
 a first aperture;   a second aperture; and   a third aperture.   
     
     
         9 . The eating utensil of  claim 8 , wherein the first aperture, the second aperture, and the third aperture are aligned along a longitudinal axis of the handle. 
     
     
         10 . An eating utensil comprising:
 a handle;   a utensil head comprising:
 a top side comprising
 a first set of fork tines; and 
 a bottom side comprising a second set of fork tines. 
 
   
     
     
         11 . The eating utensil of  claim 10 , wherein the utensil head further comprises a cavity disposed between the top side and the bottom side. 
     
     
         12 . The eating utensil of  claim 10 , wherein the utensil head further comprises a cavity floor, wherein a third set of fork tines extends from the cavity floor. 
     
     
         13 . The eating utensil of  claim 10 , wherein the first set of fork tines and the second set of fork tines are flexible and wherein the third set of fork tines are rigid. 
     
     
         14 . The eating utensil of  claim 10 , wherein the first set of fork tines and the second set of fork tines are more flexible than the third set of fork tines. 
     
     
         15 . The eating utensil of  claim 10 , wherein the first set of fork tines and the second set of fork tines extend a first length, wherein the third set of fork tines extend a second length, and wherein the first length is greater than the second length. 
     
     
         16 . The eating utensil of  claim 10 , wherein the first set of fork tines has a first number of fork tines, wherein the second set of fork tines has a second number of fork tines, wherein the third set of fork tines has a third number of fork tines, and wherein the third number is less than the first number and the second number. 
     
     
         17 . The eating utensil of  claim 16 , wherein the first number and the second number are equal. 
     
     
         18 . The eating utensil of  claim 16 , wherein the first number and the second number are four and wherein the third number is three. 
     
     
         19 . The eating utensil of  claim 16 , wherein the first number and the second number are three and wherein the third number is two. 
     
     
         20 . An eating utensil comprising:
 a handle;   a utensil head comprising a top side, a bottom side, and a plurality of apertures extending through the utensil head from the top side to the bottom side, the plurality of apertures comprising
 a forward set of apertures; and 
 a rear set of apertures, wherein the rear set of apertures are disposed closer to the choke guard than the forward set of apertures; and 
   a choke guard disposed between the handle and the utensil head.