Eating utensil for holding pieces of food and dispenser assembly containing such utensils

摘要

An eating utensil is provided for holding pieces of food. The eating utensil is provided in the form of gripping tongs (1) with gripper arms (2-3) which can be moved towards each other against a restoring force from an open position into a gripping position. Also provided is a dispenser for the eating utensil. The dispenser holds a plurality of such eating utensils in a stacked relationship within the dispenser. A lowest one of the eating utensils in the dispenser is held in place by the combination of stop elements on the dispenser and catch devices on the utensils. While held in this manner, the lowest eating utensil protrudes partially from the dispensing shaft of the dispenser. The lowest eating utensil therefore can be pulled out of the dispenser for use. The next eating utensil, which was above the lowest eating utensil, then falls to the position of the lowest eating utensil. The combination of the eating utensil and the dispenser thus provides a convenient way of storing and dispensing eating utensils.