WO2013181822A1

WO2013181822A1 - Chopsticks

Info

Publication number: WO2013181822A1
Application number: PCT/CN2012/076584
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chat Ming Woo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-06-07
Filing date: 2012-06-07
Publication date: 2013-12-12
Anticipated expiration: 2014-12-07
Also published as: CN204410421U

Description

Cho sticks

Technical Field

The invention relates to chopsticks, in particular to chopsticks with means for better holding.

Background

For a history of three thousand years, Chinese people have been using chopsticks for eating. Figs. 1 and 2 show a kind of conventional chopsticks, consisting of a rod-shaped upper chopstick member 10 and a rod-shaped lower chopstick member 20. The head 18 of the upper chopstick member and the head 28 of the lower chopstick member are used for gripping food. The surfaces of the upper chopstick member and the lower chopstick member which touch the thumb are called the front surfaces 11, 21 (see Fig.l); the surfaces on the top are called the top surfaces 12, 22; the surfaces opposite to the front surfaces are called the back surfaces 13, 23 (see Fig. 2); and the surfaces on the bottom (not shown) are called the bottom surfaces. The side of the thumb near to the direction of the radius bone of the forearm is called the radial side 33 of the thumb, and the side of the thumb near to the direction of the ulna bone of the forearm is called the ulnar side 34 of the thumb. For the chopsticks having cross-sections other than square or rectangle, it is readily understood that the chopsticks can be similarly deemed as having the above-mentioned surfaces.

The correct holding gesture of chopsticks is shown in Fig. 1. When the chopsticks are correctly held, the first section 61 of the ring finger supports the back of the lower chopstick member, the base 48 (and the location therebelow) of the third section of the index finger touches the back surface of the lower chopstick member, and the second section 32 of the thumb presses the front surface of the lower chopstick member. Thus the lower chopstick member 20 is firmly gripped through the three regions, so that it cannot be movable relative to the hand. In contrast, the upper chopstick member 10 is movable. The first section 41 of the index finger together with the first section 51 of the middle finger grips the upper chopstick member, allowing an up-and-down motion, such that the upper chopstick member 10 can open and close towards the lower chopstick member 20, achieving the function of food gripping. The third section 43 of the index finger touches the back of the upper chopstick member. The first section 31 of the thumb presses the front surface of the upper chopstick member. The two sections 31, 32 of the thumb should not move relative to the lower chopstick member.

The two sections of the thumb are the only parts of the hand which can press the front surfaces of the chopstick members. Therefore, it is very important to maintain the correct position and direction of the thumb. Currently, some training chopsticks having thumb ergonomic devices, for example, a groove or a thumb insertion ring, have been proposed in order to possibly guide the thumb of user's hand to a suitable position, and enable both of the two sections of the thumb being non-movable with respect to the lower chopstick member. With these thumb ergonomic devices, the chopsticks can be held more stably to some extent. Examples of such thumb ergonomic devices can be found e.g. in US 5277464, WO2003/015589 etc.

However, the current thumb ergonomic devices still fail to guide the user's thumb in a correct angular orientation. In this case, user's hand would be easily deviated from the correct holding status. For example, if the first section 31 of the thumb is positioned too far away from the first section 51 of the middle finger or too close to the third section 43 of index finger (see Fig. 17), the chopsticks would be wrongly held, resulting in a distorted state as shown in Fig. 3. Summary of the Invention

The invention aims to provide chopsticks with a thumb ergonomic device, which can guide the thumb of user in a correct angular orientation in chopstick holding status. According to the present invention, there are provided with chopsticks comprising a lower chopstick member, an upper chopstick member and a thumb ergonomic device. The angle formed between the thumb ergonomic device and the normal line of the lower chopstick member is in a range from 38 degrees to 60 degrees, and directs towards the head of the lower chopstick member, so that at the chopsticks holding status the thumb ergonomic device touches the ulnar side and/or the radial side of the thumb at such angle.

In a preferable example, said angle is in a range from 42 degrees to 60 degrees, preferably in a range from 46 degrees to 60 degrees. In an example, said angle is equal to or less than 55 degrees. In a most preferable example, said angle is 48 degrees.

In another preferable example, the thumb ergonomic device is arranged on the lower chopstick member.

In a further example, at the chopsticks holding status, the thumb ergonomic device touches the first section and/or the second section of the radial side and/or ulnar side of the thumb. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ergonomic device is structured as a first plate arranged on the front of the lower chopstick member for touching the ulnar side of the thumb at chopstick holding status, and/or a second plate arranged on the front of the lower chopstick member for touching the radial side of the thumb at chopstick holding status. In one example, the first plate and/or the second plate can be arranged on the front surface of the lower chopstick member, or arranged at the upside of the front surface of the lower chopstick member.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the ergonomic device is arranged on the lower chopstick member and structured as one of the following: a half-tube member, a tube member, a half -ring member, or a ring member. In this case, said angle is that formed between the corresponding longitudinal axis of the above half-tube member, tube member, half-ring member or ring member and the normal line of the lower chopstick member. According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the ergonomic device consists of a group of protrusions, comprising a first protrusion on the upper chopstick member and a third protrusion on the lower chopstick member for touching the ulnar side of the thumb at chopstick holding status, and/or a second protrusion on the upper chopstick member and a fourth protrusion on the lower chopstick member for touching the radial side of the thumb at chopstick holding status. In this case, said angle is that formed between the imaginary plane formed by the first and third protrusions or by the second and fourth protrusions and the normal line of the lower chopstick member. According to another further embodiment of the present invention, said ergonomic device is arranged on a connector connecting the upper chopstick member and the lower chopstick member.

According to another further embodiment of the present invention, the chopsticks further comprise a known adapter, on which said ergonomic device is arranged.

It can be readily understood that said ergonomic device can have any one of the above mentioned structures, such as plate(s), half-tube member, tube member, half-ring member, ring member or protrusions.

According to the present invention, in the chopsticks holding status: the first section of the ring finger supports the back of the lower chopstick member, the base and the location therebelow of the third section of the index finger touches the back surface of the lower chopstick member, the second section of the thumb presses the front surface of the lower chopstick member, the third section of the index finger touches the back surface of the upper chopstick member, the first section of the index finger together with the first section of the middle finger grips the upper chopstick member, and the first section of the thumb presses the front surface of the upper chopstick member.

In one example, at the chopsticks holding status, the thumb ergonomic device guides the first section of the thumb to touch the first section of the index finger. Tests show when the angle formed between the thumb ergonomic device and the normal line of the lower chopstick member is selected in a range from 38 degrees to 60 degrees, preferably in a range from 42 degrees to 60 degrees, more preferably in a range from 46 degrees to 60 degrees and most preferably 48 degrees, the thumb ergonomic device can correctly guide the thumb so that a stable chopstick holding status can be obtained. Moreover, user will feel comfortable with thumb in this angular orientation, thus avoiding the tendency of moving the thumb from the orientation.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the present invention can be better understood with reference to the attached Figures. It is understood that these Figures are only provided for illustrating the present invention in a convenient manner, and the present invention is not limited to the specific structures and arrangements as shown in the Figures.

Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show the front side view and the back side view of the correct chopsticks holding gesture respectively;

Fig. 3 shows a distorted chopsticks holding gesture;

Fig. 4 is the front view of a thumb ergonomic device according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is arranged on the front surface of the lower chopstick member and in a form of plate;

Fig. 5 is the perspective view of the thumb ergonomic device of Fig. 4;

Figs. 6 to 11 show several further embodiments of the thumb ergonomic device according to the present invention respectively;

Figs. 12 and 13 show the thumb ergonomic device in form of four protrusions;

Figs. 14 and 15 show a further embodiment of the thumb ergonomic device, which is arranged on a connector connecting the upper and low chopstick members;

Fig. 16 shows a further embodiment of the thumb ergonomic device, which is arranged on a known adapter; Figs. 17 and 18 respectively show states when the angle between the thumb and the normal line of the lower chopstick member is too small or too large.

Detailed Description of Embodiments In the followings the present invention will be described in details with reference to the Figures.

Fig. 4 shows the front view of a thumb ergonomic device according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the thumb ergonomic device is in a form of plate 301 arranged on the front of the lower chopstick member 20. Specifically, the plate 301 is located on the front surface of the lower chopstick member 20. The plate 301 inclines to the head 28 of the lower chopstick member 20, forming an angle 401 with the normal line 901 of the lower chopstick member 20. In this way, as shown in Fig. 5, when the chopsticks are held, the side surface of the plate 301 facing the head 28 of the lower chopstick member will contact the ulnar side 34 of the thumb of user, keeping the thumb in a correctly inclining orientation.

The inventor of the present invention finds, after intensive studies, the angle formed between the thumb ergonomic device and the normal line of the lower chopstick member is very important for maintaining the correct holding status. According to the present invention, the angle 401 formed between the plate 301 and the normal line 901 of the lower chopstick member 20 is selected from a range of 38 to 60 degrees, preferably 42 to 60 degrees, and more preferably 46 to 60 degrees. In some embodiments, said angle is a range of 38 to 55 degrees, preferably 42 to 55 degrees, and more preferably 46 to 55 degrees. The angle is most preferably 48 degrees. In this way, the first section 31 of the thumb would be neither too far away from the first section 51 of the middle finger nor too close to the third section 43 of the index finger, thus avoiding the distorted state shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 17 shows the state when said angle is smaller than the above-mentioned value. As shown, the thumb is too far away from the first section 51 of the middle finger, so that it is difficult for the thumb to balance the force exerted from the back surface of the upper chopstick element by the first section 51 of the middle finger, which would readily lead to the distorted chopstick holding status as shown in FIG 3. In addition, in this case, the thumb is too close to the third section 43 of the index finger, also increasing the chance of such distortion. Also, the first section 31 of the thumb is guided to touch the second section 42 of the index finger, generating an uncomfortable feeling for holding the upper chopstick member.

Fig. 18 shows the state when said angle is larger than the above-mentioned value. As shown, the upper chopstick member 10 is too close to the lower chopstick member 20, so that it would be difficult to open the upper chopstick member 10 for gripping food. Also, such a state would cause an uncomfortable feeling.

However, when said angle formed is within the above-mentioned range, the thumb is close enough to the first section 51 of the middle finger (see Fig. 1). Therefore, it is easy for the thumb to balance the force exerted from the back surface of the upper chopstick member by the first section 51 of the middle finger, thus reducing the possibility of distortion as shown in FIG 3. Also, the thumb is at a correct distance from the third section of index finger, thus further reducing the possibility of said distortion. Moreover, the first section of the thumb is guided to touch the first section of the index finger. This is a comfortable position for holding the upper chopstick member, and enables the upper chopstick member can be held similarly as a pen. As a result, beginners having no experience in holding chopsticks can easily become familiar with this gesture for holding the upper chopstick member firmly, with their similar experience for holding a pen.

Fig. 6 shows an improvement with respect to the structure of Fig. 4. In this embodiment, in addition to the thumb ergonomic device (i.e. the plate 301), a further plate 302 is provided on the lower chopstick member 20. The plate 302 is designed to guide the radial side 33 of the thumb, and also inclined to the head 28 of the lower chopstick member 20. In the example as shown, the plate 302 is parallel to the plate 301. The angle 402 between the plate 302 and the normal line 902 of the lower chopstick member 20 is equal to the angle 401. In this way, both sides of the thumb can be guided in between the plate 301 and the plate 302, providing a stable and effective manner for holding chopsticks.

Optionally, in an embodiment not shown, only the plate 302 is provided; in other words, the plate 301 is omitted.

Fig. 7A shows the front view of another embodiment, wherein two plates 331 and 332 are arranged on the front of the lower chopstick member 20 through two connecting elements 531 and 532 respectively. The two connecting elements 531 and 532 shown here are in the form of rod, but they may also be in other forms. The angle 431 and 432 formed, respectively, between the plates 331 and 332 and the normal line 931 and 932 of the lower chopstick member 20 should be selected the same way as angle 401. The two plates 331 and 332 functions as the above mentioned plates 301 and 302 respectively. Fig. 7B is a perspective view of Fig. 7A, showing that the two plates 331 and 332 are located at the upside 492 of the front surface 491 of the lower chopstick member. In other words, with respect to the front surface of the lower chopstick member 20, the plates 331 and 332 are located at the upside thereof.

Optionally, in an embodiment not shown, only one of the plates 331 or 332 is provided.

Fig. 8 shows a variant of the double-plate structure of that in Fig. 6. In this embodiment, the thumb ergonomic device is in a form of a half-tube member 303 arranged on the lower chopstick member 20. The two side ends of the half-tube member 303 can function as the plates 301 and 302, for contacting the ulnar side and radial side of the thumb respectively. According to the present invention, the angles 403 formed between the thumb ergonomic device (which in this example should be understood as the central axis 803 of the half-tube member 303) and the normal line 903 of the lower chopstick member should be selected the same as the angle 401. In this embodiment, not only the ulnar side and radial side of the thumb, but also the finger pad of the thumb can be guided, so that the contact surface between the thumb and the thumb ergonomic device can be increased, thus improving the stability of chopsticks holding.

Figs. 9 to 11 show some variants of Fig. 8 respectively. In Fig. 9, the half-tube member 303 is replaced with a tube member 305. In Fig. 10, the half-tube member 303 is replaced with a half-ring member 307. In Fig. 11, the half-ring member 307 is replaced with a ring member 308. In these variants, according to the present invention, the angles 405, 407 and 408 formed between the central axis 805, 807 and 808 of the tube member 305, the half-ring member 307 and the ring member 308 respectively and the normal line 905, 907 and 908 of the lower chopstick member 20 should be selected in the same way as the angle 401.

Fig. 12 shows another embodiment of the thumb ergonomic device according to the present invention. The thumb ergonomic device of this embodiment consists of four protrusions, two of them being arranged on the front surface of the upper chopstick member 10 and the other two on the front surface of the lower chopstick member 20. As shown, the first protrusion 201 and the second protrusion 202 are installed on the front surface of the upper chopstick member 10, and the third protrusion 203 and the fourth protrusion 204 are installed on the front surface of the lower chopstick 20. The first protrusion 201 and the third protrusion 203 are used for touching the ulnar side of the thumb, and the second protrusion 202 and the fourth protrusion 204 are used for touching the radial side of the thumb.

In the status of chopsticks being held, the heads 18, 28 of the upper and lower chopstick members are closed, forming an angle 499 between the two chopstick members, which is generally within the range of 3 to 15 degrees. In this case, the inner side, i.e. the side facing the head 18 of the upper chopstick member 10, of the first protrusion 201 and the inner side, i.e. the side facing the head 28 of the lower chopstick member 20, of the third protrusion 203 constitutes an imaginary plane 809, forming an angle 409 with the normal line 909 of the lower chopstick member. Likewise, the inner side, i.e. the side facing the tail 19 of the upper chopstick member 10, of the second protrusion 202 and the inner side, i.e. the side facing the tail 29 of the lower chopstick member 20, of the fourth protrusion 204 constitutes an imaginary plane 810, forming an angle 410 with the normal line 910 of the lower chopstick member. According to the present invention, the angles 409 and 410 should be selected as the same way of angle 401.

Optionally, in an embodiment not shown, only one of the group consisting of the first protrusion 201 and the third protrusion 203 and the group consisting of the second protrusion 202 and the fourth protrusion 204 is arranged on the chopsticks.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 13, plates 343, 344 are arranged on the lower chopstick member 20 instead of the third protrusion 203 and the fourth protrusion 204 respectively. The plate 343 and 344 may be deemed as the third protrusion and fourth protrusion respectively. However, the plates 343, 344 can increase the contacting area of the thumb, thus improving the stability of chopsticks holding.

Fig. 14 shows the perspective view of a further embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the chopsticks include, in addition to the upper chopstick member 10 and the lower chopstick member 20, a connector 312 for connecting the upper chopstick member 10 and the lower chopstick member 20. This connector may be made of elastic material, examples of which can be found in US 6749239 B2 or JP 2000-47571 A. The thumb ergonomic device is in a form of plate 311, which can function as the plate 301 or 302, except that the plate 311 is arranged on the connector 312 instead of directly on the lower chopstick member 20. Fig. 15 shows the front view of the chopsticks of Fig. 14. According to the present invention, the angle 411 formed between the plate 311 and the normal line 911 of the lower chopstick member 20 should be selected as the same way of the angle 401. The ergonomic device is installed on this connector using conventional method, such as using glue or formed as one body with the connector using injection molding.

Obviously, the plate 311 as shown in Fig. 14 can be replaced with any other above-mentioned structures, such as the half-tube member 303, the tube member 305, the half-ring member 307, the ring member 308 or the protrusions 201-204. Of course, the angle formed between the above mentioned members and the normal line of the lower chopstick member should be selected as the same way of the angle 401.

Fig. 16 shows another embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the chopsticks include an adaptor 320 for connecting the two chopstick members. The adaptor 320 is already known in the field, including two slots 328 and 329, through which the upper and lower chopstick members can pass respectively. An example of such adaptor can be found in e.g. JP2005-177183 and US 3,323,825. According to the present invention, two plates 321 and 322 are arranged on the adaptor 320 for guiding the thumb, just like the plates 301 and 302 as mentioned above. Obviously, the plates 321 and 322 can be replaced with any other above-mentioned structures, such as the half-tube member 303, the tube member 305, the half-ring member 307, the ring member 308 or the protrusions 201-204. Of course, the angle formed between the above mentioned members and the normal line of the lower chopstick member should be selected as the same way of the angle 401.

Examples

Eight tests are conducted for chopsticks with the structure as shown in Fig. 4. In these tests, the angle formed between the thumb ergonomic device and the normal line of the lower chopstick member are selected as 30°, 38°, 42°, 46°, 48°, 55°, 60° and 68° respectively.

Ten beginners are selected to use the tested chopsticks, and then evaluate the following four aspects: whether a distortion in holding chopsticks will easily occur, whether the chopsticks can be opened and closed smoothly, whether the chopsticks holding status is correct, and whether it is comfortable in holding the chopsticks.

The results are shown in Table 1, in which "A" represents the number of persons who will easily suffer a distortion in holding chopsticks, "B" represents the number of persons who cannot open and close the chopsticks smoothly, "X" represents the number of persons who can hold chopsticks correctly, and "Y" represents the number of persons who feel comfortable when holding the chopsticks.

Table 1

From Table 1 it can be seen that, when the angle formed between the thumb ergonomic device and the normal line of the lower chopstick member is in the range of 38-60 degrees, the chopsticks can be held in a correct status and can be opened and closed smoothly, the possibility of distortion is low, and a comfortable feeling can be obtained. In particular, when the angle formed between the thumb ergonomic device and the normal line of the lower chopstick member is 48 degrees, an optimal effect can be obtained.

Moreover, it can be seen that when the angle is in the range of 38-48 degrees, a relatively small angle variation will lead to substantial changes in the above four aspects, whereas when the angle is in the range of 48-55 degrees, only a relatively large angle variation can lead to corresponding substantial changes. Although the accompany drawings show the chopsticks for right hand, the present invention can be also applied for chopsticks for left hand. In the foregoing some preferred examples of the present invention is explained in details. It can be understood that the present invention is not limited to the said examples mentioned above. Instead, those skilled in the art can, after reading the present invention, make modifications, changes or omissions, which certainly fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. Chopsticks, comprising a lower chopstick member, an upper chopstick member and a thumb ergonomic device, wherein the angle formed between the thumb ergonomic device and the normal line of the lower chopstick member is in a range from 38 degrees to 60 degrees, and directs towards the head of the lower chopstick member, so that at the chopsticks holding status the thumb ergonomic device touches the ulnar side and/or the radial side of the thumb at such angle.

2. The chopsticks according to claim 1, wherein said angle is in a range from 42 degrees to 60 degrees.

3. The chopsticks according to claim 2, wherein said angle is in a range from 46 degrees to 60 degrees, and more preferably 48 degrees.

4. The chopsticks according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the thumb ergonomic device is arranged on the lower chopstick member.

5. The chopsticks according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at the chopsticks holding status, the thumb ergonomic device touches the first section and/or the second section of the radial side and/or ulnar side of the thumb.

6. The chopsticks according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said ergonomic device is structured as a first plate arranged on the front of the lower chopstick member for touching the ulnar side of the thumb at chopstick holding status, and/or a second plate arranged on the front of the lower chopstick member for touching the radial side of the thumb at the chopstick holding status.

7. The chopsticks according to claim 6, wherein the first plate and/or the second plate is arranged on the front surface of the lower chopstick member.

8. The chopsticks according to claim 6, wherein the first plate and/or the second plate is arranged at the upside of the front surface of the lower chopstick member.

9. The chopsticks according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said ergonomic device is arranged on the lower chopstick member and structured as one of the following: a half-tube member, a tube member, a half -ring member and a ring member, and wherein said angle is that formed between the longitudinal axis of said ergonomic device and the normal line of the lower chopstick member.

10. The chopsticks according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said ergonomic device consists of a group of protrusions, comprising a first protrusion on the upper chopstick member and a third protrusion on the lower chopstick member for touching the ulnar side of the thumb at chopstick holding status, and/or a second protrusion on the upper chopstick member and a fourth protrusion on the lower chopstick member for touching the radial side of the thumb at chopstick holding status, and wherein said angle is that formed between the imaginary plane formed by the first and third protrusions or by the second and fourth protrusions and the normal line of the lower chopstick member.

11. The chopsticks according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said ergonomic device is arranged on a connector connecting the upper chopstick member and the lower chopstick member.

12. The chopsticks according to claim 11, wherein said ergonomic device is a first plate for touching the ulnar side of the thumb at chopstick holding status, and/or a second plate for touching the radial side of the thumb at the chopstick holding status.

13. The chopsticks according to claim 11, wherein said ergonomic device is one of the following: a half-tube member, a tube member, a half -ring member and a ring member, and wherein said angle is that formed between the longitudinal axis of said ergonomic device and the normal line of the lower chopstick member.

14. The chopsticks according to claim 11, wherein said ergonomic device consists of a group of protrusions, comprising a first protrusion and a third protrusion for touching the ulnar side of the thumb at chopstick holding status, and/or a second protrusion and a fourth protrusion for touching the radial side of the thumb at chopstick holding status, and wherein said angle is that formed between the imaginary plane formed by the first and third protrusions or by the second and fourth protrusions and the normal line of the lower chopstick member.

15. The chopsticks according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the chopsticks further comprise an adapter having two slots through which the upper and the lower chopstick members pass respectively, and said ergonomic device is arranged on the adapter.

16. The chopsticks according to claim 15, wherein said ergonomic device is a first plate for touching the ulnar side of the thumb at chopstick holding status, and/or a second plate for touching the radial side of the thumb at the chopstick holding status.

17. The chopsticks according to claim 15, wherein said ergonomic device is one of the following: a half-tube member, a tube member, a half -ring member and a ring member, and wherein said angle is that formed between the longitudinal axis of said ergonomic device and the normal line of the lower chopstick member.

18. The chopsticks according to claim 15, wherein said ergonomic device consists of a group of protrusions, comprising a first protrusion and a third protrusion for touching the ulnar side of the thumb at chopstick holding status, and/or a second protrusion and a fourth protrusion for touching the radial side of the thumb at chopstick holding status, and wherein said angle is that formed between the imaginary plane formed by the first and third protrusions or by the second and fourth protrusions and the normal line of the lower chopstick member.

19. The chopsticks according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in the chopsticks holding status:

the first section of the ring finger supports the back of the lower chopstick member,

the base and the location therebelow of the third section of the index finger touches the back surface of the lower chopstick member,

the second section of the thumb presses the front surface of the lower chopstick member,

the third section of the index finger touches the back surface of the upper chopstick member,

the first section of the index finger together with the first section of the middle finger grips the upper chopstick member, and

the first section of the thumb presses the front surface of the upper chopstick member.

20. The chopsticks according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at the chopsticks holding status, the thumb ergonomic device guides the first section of the thumb to touch the first section of the index finger.