IP Library Granted Patent US 10,363,672
Granted Patent B2
US 10,363,672 · App. 14/857,506 · Granted Jul 30, 2019

Resilient cutlery handle

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,363,672
App. No.
14/857,506
Granted
Jul 30, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A cutlery implement having a blade and resilient handle is disclosed. The blade has a proximal end, an opposed distal end, a cutting edge and a spine. The spine is disposed on a top side of the blade portion and generally opposed to the cutting edge. The cutlery implement also includes a handle coupled to the blade proximate the distal end of the blade. The handle includes an upper handle portion and a lower handle portion. The upper handle portion is disposed at or near the spine of the blade, and the lower handle portion is coupled to the upper handle portion. Either the upper handle portion or the lower handle is formed from a resilient polymer material, and the other is formed of a generally rigid material. A cavity containing a gel is defined between the lower handle portion and the upper handle portion.

Claims (35)

1. A cutlery implement comprising:

a blade having a proximal end and an opposed distal end, the blade further having a cutting edge and a spine, the spine being disposed on a top side of the blade portion and generally opposed to the cutting edge;

a handle coupled to the blade proximate the distal end of the blade, the handle comprising:

an upper handle portion being coupled to the spine of the blade so that the handle remains stationary relative to the blade, and a lower handle portion coupled to the upper handle portion, wherein one of either the upper handle portion and the lower handle portion is formed from a resilient polymer material, and the other of the upper handle portion and the lower handle portion is formed of a generally rigid material;

a cavity defined between the lower handle portion and the upper handle portion, and

a handle core, wherein the cavity is defined between an outer surface of the handle core and an inner surface of the lower handle portion, and wherein the cavity contains a gel.

2. The cutlery implement of claim 1 , further comprising an injection aperture disposed in the handle, the injection aperture being in fluid communication with the cavity.

3. The cutlery implement of claim 1 , wherein the upper handle portion is integrally formed with the blade.

4. The cutlery implement of claim 1 , wherein the upper handle portion is coupled to the blade by a welded connection.

5. The cutlery implement of claim 1 , wherein the resilient polymer material is silicone.

6. The cutlery implement of claim 1 , wherein the gel contained in the cavity is a silicone gel.

7. The cutlery implement of claim 1 , wherein the upper handle portion is formed from stainless steel and the lower handle portion is formed from a resilient polymer material.

8. A cutlery implement comprising:

a blade having a proximal end and an opposed distal end, the blade further having a cutting edge and a spine, the spine being disposed on a top side of the blade and generally opposed to the cutting edge;

a handle coupled to the blade proximate the distal end of the blade, the handle comprising:

an upper handle portion being coupled to the spine of the blade so that the handle remains stationary relative to the blade, and a lower handle portion, wherein a portion of one of either the upper handle portion and the lower handle portion is formed from a resilient polymer material, and a portion the other of the upper handle portion and the lower handle portion is formed of a generally rigid material;

a middle assembly disposed between the upper handle portion and the lower handle portion, the middle assembly comprising: an upper frame, a gasket, an inside frame, and a handle core; and

wherein a cavity is defined between an outer surface of the handle core and an inner surface of the lower handle portion, and wherein the cavity contains a gel.

9. The cutlery implement of claim 8 , further comprising an injection aperture disposed in the handle, the injection aperture being in fluid communication with the cavity.

10. The cutlery implement of claim 8 , wherein the middle assembly is comprised of an upper frame disposed proximate an inner surface of the upper handle, an inside frame, a gasket disposed between the upper frame and the inside frame and a handle core, wherein the cavity is defined between an outer surface of the handle core and an inner surface of the lower handle portion.

11. The cutlery implement of claim 8 , wherein the entire upper handle portion is formed of a generally rigid material.

12. The cutlery implement of claim 8 , wherein the entire lower handle portion is formed of a resilient polymer material.

13. The cutlery implement of claim 8 , wherein the upper handle portion is formed from stainless steel and the lower handle portion is formed from a resilient polymer material.

14. The cutlery implement of claim 8 , wherein the resilient polymer material is silicone.

15. The cutlery implement of claim 8 , wherein a gasket of the middle assembly is formed from silicone.

16. The cutlery implement of claim 8 , wherein the upper handle portion is integrally formed with the blade.

17. The cutlery implement of claim 8 , wherein the upper handle portion is coupled to the blade by a welded connection.

18. The cutlery implement of claim 8 , wherein the gel contained in the cavity is a silicone gel.

19. A cutlery implement comprising:

a blade having a proximal end and an opposed distal end, the blade further having a cutting edge and a spine, the spine being disposed on a top side of the blade portion and generally opposed to the cutting edge;

a handle coupled to the blade proximate the distal end of the blade, the handle comprising:

an upper handle portion being coupled to the spine of the blade so that the handle remains stationary relative to the blade, and a lower handle portion coupled to the upper handle portion, wherein one of either the upper handle portion and the lower handle portion is formed from a resilient polymer material, and the other of the upper handle portion and the lower handle portion is formed of a generally rigid material;

a cavity defined between the lower handle portion and the upper handle portion;

a handle core, wherein the cavity is defined between an outer surface of the handle core and an inner surface of the lower handle portion and wherein the cavity contains a gel; and

an injection aperture disposed in the handle, the injection aperture being in fluid communication with the cavity.

Assignments (20)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 29, 2024
From: CORELLE BRANDS HOLDINGS INC.
To: MIDCAP FUNDING IV TRUST, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 068820/0978 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT R/F 067528/0041 Recorded Aug 27, 2024
From: ACQUIOM AGENCY SERVICES LLC
To: CORELLE BRANDS HOLDINGS INC. (F/K/A INSTANT BRANDS HOLDINGS INC.)
Reel/Frame 068794/0384 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 26, 2024
From: CORELLE BRANDS HOLDINGS INC. (F/K/A INSTANT BRANDS HOLDINGS INC.)
To: 11TH LANE HOLDINGS LLC
Reel/Frame 068790/0482 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT R/F 055911/0054 Recorded Aug 2, 2024
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, N.A.
To: INSTANT BRANDS HOLDINGS INC. (F/K/A CORELLE BRANDS HOLDINGS INC. ); CORELLE BRANDS LLC
Reel/Frame 069177/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 23, 2024
From: CORELLE BRANDS HOLDINGS INC. (FKA INSTANT BRANDS HOLDINGS INC.)
To: ACQUIOM AGENCY SERVICES LLC
Reel/Frame 067528/0041 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 4, 2024
From: CORELLE BRANDS HOLDINGS INC. (FKA INSTANT BRANDS HOLDINGS, INC.)
To: MIDCAP FUNDING IV TRUST, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 066730/0412 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 28, 2024
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: INSTANT BRANDS HOLDINGS INC. (F/K/A CORELLE BRANDS HOLDINGS COMPANY, INC.); CORELLE BRANDS (GHC) LLC; CORELLE BRANDS LLC (F/K/A WORLD KITCHEN, LLC); EKCO HOUSEWARES, INC.
Reel/Frame 066703/0040 →
ASSIGNMENT OF GRANTS OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jun 1, 2023
From: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS THE SUCCESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 063822/0330 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTERESTS IN PATENTS AT R/F 054037/0075 Recorded Jul 1, 2021
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: CORELLE BRANDS HOLDINGS INC.
Reel/Frame 057434/0448 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2021
From: INSTANT BRANDS HOLDINGS INC. (F/K/A CORELLE BRANDS HOLDINGS COMPANY INC.); CORELLE BRANDS LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 056728/0673 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 13, 2021
From: INSTANT BRANDS HOLDINGS INC.; CORELLE BRANDS LLC
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 055911/0054 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 13, 2021
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: INSTANT BRANDS HOLDINGS INC. (F/K/A CORELLE BRANDS HOLDINGS INC., F/K/A WKI HOLDING COMPANY, INC.); CORELLE BRANDS LLC (F/K/A SNAPWARE CORPORATION); CORELLE BRANDS LLC (F/K/A WORLD KITCHEN, LLC); INSTANT BRANDS INC.
Reel/Frame 055911/0019 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 13, 2020
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: CORELLE BRANDS HOLDINGS INC.
Reel/Frame 054058/0586 →
RELEASE OF ABL SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 12, 2020
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: CORELLE BRANDS HOLDINGS INC. (F/K/A WKI HOLDING COMPANY, INC.); SNAPWARE CORPORATION; CORELLE BRANDS LLC (F/K/A WORLD KITCHEN, LLC)
Reel/Frame 054046/0368 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 9, 2020
From: CORELLE BRANDS HOLDINGS, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 054037/0075 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 4, 2019
From: CORELLE BRANDS HOLDINGS INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 049785/0015 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 1, 2019
From: WKI HOLDING COMPANY, INC.
To: CORELLE BRANDS HOLDINGS INC.
Reel/Frame 048485/0658 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 3, 2017
From: WKI HOLDING COMPANY, INC.; SNAPWARE CORPORATION; WORLD KITCHEN, LLC (F/K/A WORLD KITCHEN, INC.)
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 042389/0623 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 2, 2017
From: WKI HOLDING COMPANY, INC.; SNAPWARE CORPORATION; WORLD KITCHEN, LLC (F/K/A WORLD KITCHEN, INC.)
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 042386/0600 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 22, 2016
From: KERULIS, PAT; LUDEMAN, KARL; SOIBEL, RANDY; ZHONG, BING
To: WKI HOLDING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 039498/0988 →
Cited By (1)
US 12,539,628