DE102021002175B4 - spatula - Google Patents

Abstract

Two-part spatula (10), comprising:
a lower pan lifter (20) with a rectangular-like lower turner plate (22) and an elongated lower turner handle (25),
wherein in the area of a first end of the lower turner handle (25) an elastic tongue (26) is arranged, which is designed as a one-piece part of the lower turner handle (25), and
an upper pan lifter (30) with a rectangular-like upper turner plate (32) and an elongated upper turner handle (35),
wherein a region of a first end of the upper turner handle (35) has at least one elevation (38) which is designed to engage in an opening formed by the elastic tongue (26) of the lower turner handle (25),
so that the upper turning handle (35) is detachably connected to the lower turning handle (25).

Description

Field of invention

The invention relates to a kitchen appliance, in particular a spatula, a manufacturing method and a use.

background

Spatulas can be used, for example in the kitchen, for turning food in a pan, a pot, on a grill rack or similar.

The publication DE 11 16 359 A concerns a double turner with a detachable joint connection.
The DE 200 05 898 U1 relates to a cooking tool, in particular a spatula.
The DE 84 33 056 U1 concerns a wooden spoon with a handle.
The publication JP 2018-204 960 A relates to a two-part spoon, the parts of which are connected via a joint, one of the parts having an elastic tongue.

Summary

It is the object of the invention to provide a spatula. This task is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Further developments of the invention result from the subclaims and the following description.

One aspect relates to a two-part spatula having a lower spatula and an upper spatula. The lower pan lifter has a rectangular-like lower turner plate and an elongated lower turner handle, with an elastic tongue being arranged in the area of a first end of the lower turner handle, which is designed as a one-piece part of the lower turner handle. The upper pan lifter has a rectangular-like upper turner plate and an elongated upper turner handle, wherein a region of a first end of the upper turner handle has at least one elevation which is designed to engage in an opening formed by the elastic tongue of the lower turner handle, so that thereby the upper turner handle is detachably connected to the lower turner handle.

The terminology “lower” or “upper” spatula serves only to distinguish between the two sections (pan spatula) of the spatula. The "rectangle-like" shape of the top and/or bottom turner plates may mean a rectangle, square, trapezoid, bulbous rectangle, or similar shape suitable for holding a food item. The turning plates can have, for example, grids, diagonal grids, slots and/or, for example, rounded corners, rounded edges. The turner handle can be connected to the turner plate, for example by means of positive or cohesive connections - for example by means of rivets, welding, etc. - or can be made in one piece. The turning plates may, in at least some embodiments, have a straight front edge to minimize scratching of the pan or pot. The corners can be rounded, for example. Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the turning plates can be coated, for example with a plastic that is resistant to the typical temperatures during cooking and is suitable for further minimizing scratching of the pan or pot.

The elastic tongue is designed as a one-piece part of the lower turner handle. This can be achieved, for example, by punching out an outline of the tongue. The material of the turner handle, e.g. stainless steel or a plastic, essentially contributes to the elasticity of the tongue. Furthermore, the tongue can be thinner at its end - i.e. become thinner in a “conical” manner - in order to further improve the elasticity of the tongue. The outline of the tongue forms, so to speak, an opening which makes it possible - when the upper turner handle engages - to press the tongue downwards by means of the first end of the upper turner handle, so that the first end can engage in the opening thus formed. So that the upper turner handle does not slip out of this opening and thus remains releasably connected to the lower turner handle, a region of a first end of the upper turner handle has at least one elevation or thickening. The elevation can be located on one of the sides of the top turner handle or on both sides.

Due to the design described, the spatula can also be used separately, i.e. as (two) spatulas. The one-piece design can simplify production. Due to the choice of materials - e.g. stainless steel and/or temperature-resistant plastic - the spatula can be particularly suitable for cleaning in a dishwasher.

In one embodiment, the elevation is arranged on an underside of the upper turner handle. In one embodiment, the elevation is arranged on a top side of the upper turner handle. The elevation can be located on just one side or on both the bottom and top of the upper turner handle.

In one embodiment, the rectangular-like upper and/or lower turning plate is designed as a square, as a longitudinal rectangle, as a transverse rectangle, or as a trapezoid, optionally with bulbous sides leads. “Bulky sides” refers to a shape whose sides are wider in the middle than at the ends. The bulbous shape can make it easier to grab food from the side.

In some embodiments, the rectangular-like upper and/or lower insert plates have longitudinal slots, transverse slots, diagonal slots, grid-shaped slots, and/or round or elliptical holes. The grid-shaped slots can be designed diagonally. Advantages of at least some embodiments can be that less liquid is absorbed through the grid-shaped slots, that the turning plates can be less susceptible to bending and/or can have a lower weight than, for example, a solid shape.

In one embodiment, the surface of the rectangular-like upper and/or lower turning plate is curved - i.e. curved convexly or concavely, corresponding to a segment of a cylinder or a sphere. This makes round, elliptical or similarly shaped foods easier to grasp.

In some embodiments, the lower pan lifter and/or the upper pan lifter has and/or consists of at least one of the materials stainless steel and/or temperature-resistant plastic. “Temperature-resistant” can mean resistance to the heat and/or cold that is common when cooking. The temperature-resistant plastic can, alternatively or additionally, be designed as a coating. These materials can be particularly suitable for cleaning in a dishwasher. Furthermore, these materials can be elastic, so that the tongue can be particularly resistant to breakage.

One aspect relates to a method for producing a spatula as described above and/or below by means of punching. Punching may involve pressing, for example, part of the tongue to achieve its “conical” shape.

One aspect relates to a method for producing a spatula as described above and/or below by means of injection molding. This can provide degrees of freedom in order to achieve a particularly ergonomic design of the spatula.

One aspect relates to a use of a spatula as described above and/or below for moving, in particular for turning, food in a pan, a pot and/or a grill.

Short description of the characters

• 1 schematisch ein Beispiel eines unteren Pfannenhebers gemäß einer Ausführungsform;
• 2 schematisch ein Beispiel eines oberen Pfannenhebers gemäß einer Ausführungsform;
• 3a und 3b schematisch ein Beispiel einer Zunge gemäß einer Ausführungsform in einer Draufsicht bzw. im Schnitt;
• 4a und 4b schematisch ein Beispiel einer Zunge gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform in einer Draufsicht bzw. im Schnitt;

This shows:

• 1 schematically an example of a lower pan lifter according to one embodiment;
• 2 schematically an example of an upper pan lifter according to one embodiment;
• 3a and 3b schematically an example of a tongue according to an embodiment in a top view or in section;
• 4a and 4b schematically an example of a tongue according to a further embodiment in a top view or in section;

Detailed description of embodiments

The two-part spatula includes a lower spatula lifter (see 1 ) and an upper pan lifter (see 2 ).

1 schematically shows an example of a lower pan lifter 20 according to one embodiment. The lower pan lifter 20 has a rectangular-like lower turner plate 22 and an elongated lower turner handle 25, with an elastic tongue 26 being arranged in the area of a first end of the lower turner handle 25, which is designed as a one-piece part of the lower turner handle 25. Details of embodiments of the elastic tongue 26 are in 3a until 4b shown. The lower pan lifter 20 can optionally have an opening 21 to implement a suspension. 2 schematically shows an example of an upper pan lifter 30 according to one embodiment. The upper pan lifter 30 has a rectangular-like upper turner plate 32 and an elongated upper turner handle 35, with a region of a first end of the upper turner handle 35 having at least one elevation or thickening 38 which is designed to be inserted into one through the elastic tongue 26 of the lower one Turning handle 25 to intervene in the opening formed. By engaging, the upper turner handle 35 can “snap” into, for example, an edge of the lower turner handle 25 and can thereby be releasably connected to the lower turner handle 25.

3a shows schematically an example of a tongue 26 according to an embodiment in a top view. It is clear that the tongue 26 is made in one piece, ie is connected at its lower end to a body of the lower turning handle 25. At the sides and at the other end the tongue 26 is surrounded with an opening or a slot.

The top part of the slot can be wider than the side parts of the slot so that the upper turner handle 35 can engage well. 3b shows schematically the tongue 26 in section. It is clearly visible that the tongue is narrower at one end; This taper is not shown to scale for better clarity. The lower turning handle 25 engages in the opening formed by the tongue. The tongue can be pressed down (not shown). The elevation 38 prevents the lower turning handle 25 from sliding out.

4a and 4b show schematically an example of a tongue 26 according to a further embodiment in a top view or in section. The same reference symbols as in 3a or. 3b same or similar elements. A difference to 3a or. 3b is that this embodiment has an additional tongue 27, which can be elastic. Furthermore, a recess 28 is shown, into which the elevation 38 can engage. The additional tongue 27 and the recess 28 can be parts of the same embodiment, but also of different embodiments.

List of reference symbols

10

two-piece spatula

20

lower pan lifter

21

opening

22

lower turning plate

25

lower turning handle

26

elastic tongue

27

additional tongue

28

deepening

30

upper pan lifter

32

upper turning plate

35

top turner handle

38

Elevation, thickening

Claims (10)

Two-part spatula (10), comprising: a lower pan lifter (20) with a rectangular-like lower turner plate (22) and an elongated lower turner handle (25), wherein in the area of a first end of the lower turner handle (25) an elastic tongue (26) is arranged, which is designed as a one-piece part of the lower turner handle (25), and an upper pan lifter (30) with a rectangular-like upper turner plate (32) and an elongated upper turner handle (35), wherein a region of a first end of the upper turner handle (35) has at least one elevation (38) which is designed to engage in an opening formed by the elastic tongue (26) of the lower turner handle (25), so that the upper turning handle (35) is detachably connected to the lower turning handle (25). spatula (10). Claim 1 , wherein the elevation (38) is arranged on an underside of the upper turner handle (35). spatula (10). Claim 1 , wherein the elevation (38) is arranged on an upper side of the upper turner handle (35). Spatula (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rectangular-like upper and / or lower turning plate (22, 32) is designed as a square, as a longitudinal rectangle, as a transverse rectangle, or as a trapezoid, optionally with bulbous sides. Spatula (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rectangular-like upper and / or lower turning plate (22, 32) has longitudinal slots, transverse slots, diagonal slots, grid-shaped slots and / or round or elliptical holes. Spatula (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface of the rectangular-like upper and/or lower spatula plate (22, 32) is curved. Spatula (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower pan lifter (20) and/or the upper pan lifter (30) has and/or consists of at least one of the materials stainless steel and/or temperature-resistant plastic. Method for producing a spatula (10) according to one of the preceding claims exclusively by means of punching and, optionally additionally, by means of pressing. Method for producing a spatula (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 7 using injection molding. Using a spatula (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 for moving, especially turning, food in a pan, a pot and/or a grill.

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