Chopstick Holder

Abstract

At least one embodiment of the present invention relates to a resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks. The resilient connecting element includes a resilient flexible plate and two pairs of breakthrough portions, each pair of breakthrough portions including a first and a second breakthrough portion. Each second breakthrough portion is positioned at a unidirected distance perpendicularly from an imaginary line extending between each first breakthrough portion. The distance (a) between the second breakthrough portions is equal or shorter than the distance (b) between said first breakthrough portions. At least one embodiment of the present invention also relates to a chopstick arrangement including a resilient element and one pair of chopsticks and to the use of the resilient connecting element in combination with chopsticks for eating food.

1 . Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks, comprising:
 a resilient flexible plate; and   two pairs of breakthrough portions, each pair of breakthrough portions including a first and a second breakthrough portion, each second breakthrough portion being positioned at a unidirected distance perpendicularly from an imaginary line extending between at least one first breakthrough portion, wherein a distance (a) between said second breakthrough portions is equal to or shorter than the distance (b) between said first breakthrough portions and wherein said second breakthrough portions are interconnected to form one continuous breakthrough portion.   
   
   
       2 . Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to  claim 1 , wherein said distance (a) between said second breakthrough portions is shorter than said distance (b) between said first breakthrough portions. 
   
   
       3 . Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to  claim 1 , wherein said second breakthrough portions of each pair of breakthrough portions are equally distanced from said imaginary line. 
   
   
       4 . Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to  claim 1 , wherein said two pairs of breakthrough portions are through holes. 
   
   
       5 . Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to  claim 1 , wherein said second breakthrough portions of each pair of breakthrough portions are interconnected to form one continuous breakthrough portion. 
   
   
       6 . Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to  claim 1 , wherein said resilient connecting element is made of resilient plastic material. 
   
   
       7 . Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to  claim 1 , wherein said resilient connecting element is detachably connected to a food package. 
   
   
       8 . Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to  claim 7 , wherein said resilient connecting element is integrated with said package suitable for food. 
   
   
       9 . Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to  claim 7 , wherein the contour of said resilient connecting element is formed of an indication of fracture in said package suitable for food, and whereby said connecting element can be broken out of said package. 
   
   
       10 . Chopstick arrangement, comprising:
 a resilient element; and   one pair of chopsticks, resiliently connected together by said resilient element, said resilient element including a plate of flexible material including two pairs of breakthrough portions, each pair of breakthrough portions being penetrated by one of said chopsticks, wherein said resilient element is bent into an essentially U-shaped form, wherein one of the breakthrough portions of each pair of breakthrough portions is arranged to be positioned at one side of the bend and the other one of the breakthrough portions of each pair of breakthrough portions is positioned at the opposite side of said bend and wherein one of said pairs of breakthrough portions is interconnected to form one continuous breakthrough portion.   
   
   
       11 . Chopstick arrangement according to  claim 10 , wherein said resilient element includes
 a resilient flexible plate; and   two pairs of breakthrough portions, each pair of breakthrough portions including a first and a second breakthrough portion, each second breakthrough portion being positioned at a unidirected distance perpendicularly from an imaginary line extending between at least one first breakthrough portion, wherein a distance (a) between said second breakthrough portions is equal to or shorter than the distance (b) between said first breakthrough portions and wherein said second breakthrough portions are interconnected to form one continuous breakthrough portion.   
   
   
       12 . Chopstick arrangement according to  claim 10 , wherein said resilient element is bent against the resiliency of its material into said essentially U-shaped form. 
   
   
       13 . Chopstick arrangement according to  claim 10 , wherein the breakthrough portions of each pair of breakthrough portions that are positioned closest to an end of said chopsticks for gripping food have a larger distance (b) in relation to one another than the distance (a) between the other breakthrough portions of each pair of breakthrough portions and wherein said chopsticks diverge towards said ends for gripping food. 
   
   
       14 . A method, comprising:
 using the resilient connecting element according to  claim 1  in combination with chopsticks for eating food.   
   
   
       15 . Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to  claim 1 , wherein said second breakthrough portions form the outer portions of said one continuous breakthrough portion. 
   
   
       16 . Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to  claim 2 , wherein said distance (a) between said second breakthrough portions is shorter than said distance (b) between said first breakthrough portions. 
   
   
       17 . Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to  claim 15 , wherein said distance (a) between said second breakthrough portions is shorter than said distance (b) between said first breakthrough portions. 
   
   
       18 . Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to  claim 2 , wherein said second breakthrough portions of each pair of breakthrough portions are equally distanced from said imaginary line. 
   
   
       19 . Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to  claim 15 , wherein said second breakthrough portions of each pair of breakthrough portions are equally distanced from said imaginary line. 
   
   
       20 . Resilient connecting element for connecting together a pair of chopsticks according to  claim 8 , wherein the contour of said resilient connecting element is formed of an indication of fracture in said package suitable for food, and whereby said connecting element can be broken out of said package. 
   
   
       21 . Chopstick arrangement according to  claim 11 , wherein said resilient element is bent against the resiliency of its material into said essentially U-shaped form. 
   
   
       22 . Chopstick arrangement according to  claim 11 , wherein the breakthrough portions of each pair of breakthrough portions that are positioned closest to an end of said chopsticks for gripping food have a larger distance (b) in relation to one another than the distance (a) between the other breakthrough portions of each pair of breakthrough portions and wherein said chopsticks diverge towards said ends for gripping food.