GB2463947A

GB2463947A - Condiment sachet opener

Info

Publication number: GB2463947A
Application number: GB0818232A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rae Keith Vallan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-10-06
Filing date: 2008-10-06
Publication date: 2010-04-07
Also published as: GB0818232D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a condiment sachet opener 1 having a base member 2 for placement on a surface, and a shaft 3 extending up from the base member having one first end 3 A connected to the base 2 and a second free end 3B, said free end having a substantially vertical slot 4 therein supporting a cutting blade 5. In use the user holding a sachet between thumbs and fingers and pushing the sachet into the slot whereby to cut open the sachet on said blade, whereby allowing the contents of the sachet being consumed. The base member may receive used sachets and the opposing sides of the top of the shaft may be tapered inwardly towards the blade.

Description

Title: Condiment Sachet Opener The present invention relates to a condiment sachet opener.

According to the present invention there is provided a condiment sachet opener comprising: a) a base member for placement on a surface, and b) a shaft extending up from the base member having one first end connected to the base and a second free end, said free end having a substantially vertical slot therein supporting a cutting blade, in use the user holding a sachet between thumbs and fingers and pushing the sachet into the slot whereby to cut open the sachet on said blade, whereby allowing the contents of the sachet being consumed.

Preferably the base member is a receptacle to receive used sachets.

Preferably the cutting blade is recessed below the top of the slot to prevent fingers being cut.

Preferably the opposing sides of the top of the shaft are tapered inwardly towards the top substantially parallel to the direction of the blade, whereby to separate thumb and finger on each hand apart as the sachet is passed across the blade and so cutting the sachet into two components. Preferably the opposing sides have a curved taper.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of the opener, and Figure 2 shows a front view.

Referring to the drawings there is shown a condiment sachet opener 1.

Opener I has a base member in the form of plastics bowl-like receptacle 2 for placement on a surface such as table. Receptacle 2 has a planar lower surface 2A to sit on a planar surface.

A plastics shaft 3 extends up from the centre of the receptacle 2. Shaft 3 has one first end 3A connected to the base and a second free end 3B.

As shown in Figure 2, shaft free end 3B has a substantially vertical slot 4 therein supporting a metal cutting blade 5. Blade 5 is recessed below the top of the slot 4 to prevent fingers being cut.

As shown in Figure 1, the opposing sides 6A,6B of the top 3B of the shaft taper inwardly towards the top with a curved taper, and are substantially parallel to the direction of the blade.

In use the user holds a sachet between left finger and thumb and right finger and thumb. A sachet, such as mustard sachet "X" is pushed into the slot whereby to cut open the sachet on the blade into two components, whereby allowing the contents of the sachet being consumed.

As the left finger and thumb and right finger and thumb pass down either sides of shaft 3 the ends of the fingers and thumbs follow the contour of the shaft. As the ends of the fingers and thumb move down the widening the taper of the opposing sides 4A,4B, this has the action of pulling apart the sachet into two components as the blade 5 cuts through the sachet..

After the contents of the sachet have been consumed, the two components of the used sachet can be placed in the receptacle 2.

The condiment sachet opener has use in restaurant and other eating establishments. It is easily cleaned and cheap to produce so that one opener could be provided at each table in an eating establishment.

The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above. The opener of the invention may be used on dry goods sachets or packets, e.g. gravy packets, peanut packets, sweet packets, and. it can also be used to start (open) a plastic bag containing chips, or frozen food items packed in plastic. it can also cut string.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A condiment sachet opener comprising: a) a base member for placement on a surface, and b) a shaft extending up from the base member having one first end connected to the base and a second free end, said free end having a substantially vertical slot therein supporting a cutting blade, in use the user holding a sachet between thumbs and fingers and pushing the sachet into the slot whereby to cut open the sachet on said blade, whereby allowing the contents of the sachet being consumed.
2. A condiment sachet opener according to claim 1, wherein the base member is a receptacle to receive used sachets.
3. A condiment sachet opener according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cutting blade is recessed below the top of the slot to prevent fingers being cut.
4. A condiment sachet opener according to any preceding claim, wherein the opposing sides of the top of the shaft are tapered inwardly towards the top substantially parallel to the direction of the blade, whereby to separate thumb and finger on each hand apart as the sachet is passed across the blade and so cutting the sachet into two components.
5. A condiment sachet opener according to claim 4, wherein the opposing sides have a curved taper.
6. A condiment sachet opener substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.