Foldable reusable chopsticks and storage case

Abstract

Reusable chopsticks that are foldable into a compact configuration for storage and easily transportable in a storage case. The chopsticks each comprise a rigid external structure and at least one flexible internal member that is foldable to a compact configuration for storage. In a folded configuration, the reusable chopsticks have a significantly reduced length of approximately one-half to one-fourth of their extended length when in use. The external structure of the chopstick is preferably formed of multiple rigid segments connected by the flexible internal member(s) in the extended configuration during use as chopsticks. A storage case is provided to store the chopsticks in the folded configuration in a compact form.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A reusable chopstick foldable for storage, the reusable chopstick comprising:
 a rigid external structure formed of a plurality of segments and having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central longitudinal axis passing through said ends, each of said segments configured to be coupled to at least another one of said segments at a juncture when positioned adjacent to one another along the central longitudinal axis to form said rigid external structure;   at least one flexible internal member having a proximal end and an a distal end, wherein the flexible internal member is positioned within said rigid external structure with said proximal end of said flexible internal member coupled to one of said segments and said distal end of said flexible internal member coupled to another one of said segments;   wherein said reusable chopstick is in an extended configuration when at least two of said segments are coupled together to form said rigid external structure with said flexible internal member therein, said flexible internal member being under tension within said external structure across the juncture between at least two said segments to maintain said segments coupled together;   wherein said reusable chopstick is in a folded configuration when at least two of said segments are uncoupled and moved apart along said flexible internal member by stretching said flexible internal member and folding said flexible internal member between at least two of said segments.   
     
     
         2 . The reusable chopstick of  claim 1 , wherein the juncture further comprises:
 a male end adjoined to the proximal end at least one of said segments and extending outward from the proximal end along the central longitudinal axis;   a female end adjoined to the distal end at least another one of said segments and extending inward from the proximal end along the central longitudinal axis;   wherein the male end is configured to rest within the female end when said reusable chopstick is in the extended configuration.   
     
     
         3 . The reusable chopstick of  claim 2 , wherein the male end and the female end are selected from an end shape set consisting of: a cylinder, a V-shape, a bayonet connector, a threaded connection, and a snap fitting. 
     
     
         4 . The reusable chopstick of  claim 1 , further comprising a storage case. 
     
     
         5 . The reusable chopstick of  claim 4 , wherein the storage case further comprises:
 a lower container comprising:
 a lower container rear wall joined to a lower container first side wall, a lower container second side wall, and a lower container bottom wall; 
 a lower container front wall joined to the lower container first side wall, the lower container second side wall, and the lower container bottom wall; 
 wherein a storage space exists between the lower container rear wall, the lower container front wall, the lower container first side wall, the lower container second side wall, and the lower container bottom wall; and, 
   a lid, rotationally joined to the lower container of the storage case.   
     
     
         6 . The reusable chopstick of  claim 5 , wherein the storage case further comprises:
 at least one primary attachment member adjoined to the lid, wherein the at least one primary attachment member locks the lid to the lower container.   
     
     
         7 . The reusable chopstick of  claim 6 , wherein the storage case further comprises:
 at least one secondary attachment member adjoined to the lower container, wherein the at least one secondary attachment member is configured to receive the at least one primary attachment member.   
     
     
         8 . The reusable chopstick of  claim 5 , wherein the storage case further comprises:
 at least one closure tab, extending outward from and adjoined to the lid;   at least one closure opening extending into the lower container and configured to receive the at least one closure tab;   at least one primary attachment member adjoined to the at least one closure tab, wherein the at least one primary attachment member locks the lid to the lower container;   wherein a first mode of operation includes a manual engagement of the lid upward unlocking the lower container from the lid.   
     
     
         9 . The reusable chopstick of  claim 8 , wherein the storage case further comprises:
 at least one secondary attachment member adjoined to the lower container, wherein the at least one secondary attachment member is configured to receive the at least one primary attachment member.   
     
     
         10 . The reusable chopstick of  claim 5 , wherein the storage case further comprises:
 an internal wall joined to the lower container front wall, the lower container rear wall, and the lower container bottom wall creating a first storage area and a second storage area; wherein the internal wall is approximately parallel to the lower container first side wall and the lower container second side wall.   
     
     
         11 . The reusable chopstick of  claim 10 , wherein the storage case further comprises:
 a first plurality of internal wall protrusions arranged within the first storage area on the internal wall;   a first plurality of container protrusions arranged within the first storage area on the lower container first side wall;   a first removable basket, inserted into the first storage area between the first plurality of internal wall protrusions and the first plurality of container protrusions;   a second plurality of internal wall protrusions arranged within the second storage area on the internal wall;   a second plurality of container protrusions arranged within the second storage area on the lower container second side wall;   a second removable basket, inserted into the second storage area between the second plurality of internal wall protrusions and the second plurality of container protrusions.   
     
     
         12 . The reusable chopstick of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible internal member is formed from an elastic material. 
     
     
         13 . The reusable chopstick of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid external structure further comprises an external texture to grip a hand of a user. 
     
     
         14 . The reusable chopstick of  claim 13 , wherein the external texture further comprises at least one member of a texture set consisting of: indentations, extrusions, knurling, a rough surface, and bumps. 
     
     
         15 . The reusable chopstick of  claim 5 , wherein the storage case further comprises at least one member of an identification set consisting of: an alphanumeric identification, a human user's name, a symbolic shape, a company brand, a numeric identification number, a QR code, a barcode, and an RFID tag. 
     
     
         16 . A reusable chopstick comprising:
 at least two rigid segments configured to be coupled together forming a rigid reusable chopstick, wherein the at least two rigid segments are configured to bed uncoupled such that the reusable chopstick is foldable; and,   at least one flexible member configured to retain the at least two rigid segments when uncoupled and the at least one flexible member under tension when the at least two segments are coupled supporting the rigid reusable chopstick.