All too often when I'm eating vegetables from a plate, I try to scoop some up with a fork or spoon, but what happens instead is that the utensil just pushes the food toward the edge of the plate.

This gadget is a simple vertical barrier, perhaps 5cm long and 2cm high, that clips onto the edge of the plate. Now, when you push food toward it, the food is stopped, and ends up on the utensil, right where you want it.

Unclip before washing, of course.
-- Vernon, Oct 02 2011

that thing I was thinking of http://s7v1.scene7....230420762?$product$
At least, I use it for this function, especially for things like peas and rice. [TomP, Oct 02 2011]

hands free eating http://blog.foreign...with_japanese_robot
[Voice, Oct 03 2011]

hands free eating http://www.youtube....watch?v=OPCapysnv1E
[Voice, Oct 03 2011]

Congratulations, you've invented a slightly less useful alternative to the bowl.
-- Alterother, Oct 02 2011


Isn't there a version of this that's normally about 2cm high and between 5cm and 10cm long on a handle partly for this purpose? Wait, I'll try and find one - [link]
-- TomP, Oct 02 2011


The trick is to use the knife and fork at the same time. You have to hold the fork in the left, and the knife in the right, instead of cutting everything up first with the knife and then swapping to the fork. It's tricky, but be persistent and you'll get it.

Alternatively, if you try to push the vegetables with the fork using a jerking motion, and do so at greater than the speed of sound in those vegetables, they will not be able to move out of the way of the fork, and your problem is solved.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Oct 02 2011


I think I saw this Chindogued a few years ago.
That's right Chindogued, I verbed it.

Lookit that, I just verbed the word verb...
<must only use powers for good>
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Oct 02 2011


Yes, I often use a knife for that purpose, especially when I grabbed a knife for the purpose of cutting something on the plate. However, sometimes I cook something that doesn't need cutting, and in those cases I usually don't bother grabbing a knife. Besides, I might be holding a book in one hand while using fork or spoon in other hand. So, when you are only using one hand during a meal or snack, that is what this gadget is for!
-- Vernon, Oct 03 2011


What we need is a utensil that allows for hands-free book reading.
-- FlyingToaster, Oct 03 2011


//when you are only using one hand during a meal or snack, that is what this gadget is for!//

Aha. I think mentioning that in the idea would have been a good idea. Meanwhile, chopsticks?
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Oct 03 2011


I applaud the author's intention but disagree with his method. A mechanical, possibly clockwork, plate lifter is the way to go.
-- methinksnot, Oct 04 2011


Wrap your arm around the plate as you eat. If you had been to prison you would have already known of this knifeless and effective defensive eating style. As a bonus, by grasping the plate or tray as your arm is wrapped around it you will find yourself in the perfect position to strike with it if need be.
-- rcarty, Oct 04 2011


Googles "rcarty" "sentencing"...
-- normzone, Oct 04 2011


(Obligatory)

I eat my peas with honey;
I've done it all my life.
It makes the peas taste funny,
But it keeps them on the knife.
-- spidermother, Oct 09 2011


// Wrap your arm around the plate as you eat. //

Prison?! I learned that as a child around the dinner table! Then again, most of my family are wolves, so...
-- Alterother, Oct 09 2011



random, halfbakery