Food preparation utensil

Abstract

A food preparation utensil has a body, a flexible wiper and a handle. The body has a food-contacting surface bounded by a peripheral edge. The flexible wiper extends outwardly from at least a portion of the peripheral edge. The handle is coupled to the body and extends from the body in a direction that is opposite the food-contacting surface. The body can be inserted into an opening of a container and into contact with a food product in the container.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A utensil for use in food preparation, comprising: 
 a) a body having a food-contacting surface bounded by a peripheral edge;    b) a flexible wiper extending outwardly from at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the body;    c) a handle coupled to the body and extending from the body in a direction that is opposite the food-contacting surface, such that the body can be inserted into an opening of a container and into contact with a food product in the container.    
     
     
         2 . The utensil according to  claim 1 , wherein said food-contacting surface is a substantially flat, planer surface.  
     
     
         3 . The utensil of  claim 1 , wherein the body is formed from a pair of substantially circular disks, and wherein the flexible wiper extends outwardly from between the disks.  
     
     
         4 . The utensil of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible wiper is formed from a plurality of bristles.  
     
     
         5 . The utensil of  claim 4 , wherein said bristles are formed of plastic.  
     
     
         6 . The utensil of  claim 1 , wherein said body has a diameter which is slightly smaller than the opening of the container.  
     
     
         7 . The utensil of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible wiper is configured to swipe an inner surface of the container so as to remove food particles from said surface of the container.  
     
     
         8 . The utensil of  claim 7 , wherein said food container is a wide-mouthed Mason jar.  
     
     
         9 . The utensil of  claim 1 , wherein said food-contacting surface is one of a substantially flat, planer surface, and undulating surface, and an angularly variable surface.  
     
     
         10 . The utensil of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible wiper is formed from at least one of a plurality of bristles, a rubber wiper, metal, and an open or closed cell foam material.  
     
     
         11 . The utensil of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is attached to the body by a mechanical fastener, such as a screw.  
     
     
         12 . The utensil of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is formed from plastic, wood or metal.