GB2441815A

GB2441815A - Cutting and segmenting food products

Info

Publication number: GB2441815A
Application number: GB0617809A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graeme Stewart
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-09-11
Filing date: 2006-09-11
Publication date: 2008-03-19
Also published as: GB0617809D0

Abstract

A device that comprises a polycarbonate base 1 that provides location points for two vertical pillars 7 and 8. To these vertical pillars are fitted a sliding housing assembly that contains a series of cutting blades 30 for cutting food products such as cakes or gateaux. The sliding housing assembly may be fitted with interlocking clear guards 17 and 18. A sliding base plate 2 is located on two slide bars 3, 4 and is fitted with an interchangeable cutting plate 6. The whole unit is manually operated and when the vertical sliding housing is depressed it returns to its start position using springs 11,12.

Description

2441815

DEVICE FOR CUTTING AND SEGMENTING FOOD PRODUCTS Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a device, which enables food products such as cakes or gateau's to be cut into various segments. The invention provides a safe device to cany out this operation with a variable plate and cutting system that can be interchanged quickly to provide a safe working environment

Background of the Invention

During food preparation in particular food products such as cake's and gateaux have ■ generally been cut and prepared by hand. This action can often cause problems, specifically accidents if sharp cutting instruments are used to prepare the food products. The device has been developed to provide a safe operating environment to cut and prepare food products into the required number of segments prior to its sale.

Summary of Invention

The device is designed to allow die food product in question to but cut safely in a various number of segments. The device can be set up with ease to cut 16,12,10, 8-and 6 segments by using the combination plate and cutting system. The correct plate and cutting system is selected and placed into the location points, the lower plate fitting into the sliding base plate while the cutter block is placed within the upper half of the device. The food product is placed on the sliding base plate and pushed into its cutting position. The device is then manually operated once the guards have been lowered to prevent injury and the upper half of the device is push in a downward vertical motion. The upper half of the unit then returns to its start position by means of two compression springs fitted on pillars located through both the base and the upper half of the device. The food product can then removed in its cut position.

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Brief Description of the Drawings

A specific embodiment of the design will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings Figure 1 - Shows the device in isometric view

Figure 2 - Shows the device from the underside in particular reference to the slide system Figure 3 — Shows the device with the handle removed

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Figure 1 shows the device in isometric with the main base (1) locating the sliding base plate (2) which is located on two slide bars (3) & (4) respectively. The sliding base plate (2) is moved in and out by means of manually pulling or pushing the handle (5). On the sliding base plate is fitted an interchangeable cutting plate (6). The main base (1) is fitted with two pillars (7) & (8) respectively, the upper half (9) is connected to the top cover (10) which are both guided on the pillars (7) & (8) and supported by two springs (11) & (12) respectively. The top cover (10) is fitted with two features (13) & (14) respectively that are used to locate the handle (15) to which is fitted an ergonomically design hand plate (16). The underside of the upper half (9) provides location for two interlocking clear guards (17) & (18) respectively.

Figure 2 shows the device from the underside with particular reference to the location points (19) & (20) that locate the slide bars (3) & (4) respectively. The vertical pillars (7) & (8) are held within the main base (1) with two locators (21) & (22), The interchangeable cutter plate (6) locates via a location plug (23) in the sliding base plate (2) to prevent the interchangeable cutter plate (6) becoming misaligned. The completed unit

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when set for use sits on seven small feet (24) which are placed around the inner profile of the sliding base plate (2). The upper half (9) is fitted with a clip locator (25) that allows the top cover (10) to be removed to gain access inside.

Figure 3 shows the complete unit with the handle removed. The upper half (9) is fitted with two nylon bushes (26) & (27) respectively which locate the upper half (9) on the vertical pillars (7) & (8). The top cover (10) locates via the clip (28) and the clip locator (25). The cutter housing plate (29) locates the blades (30) via a raised boss (31) and location pins (32). The cutter housing plate (29) is secured in the upper half (9) by six location pegs (33) placed around the periphery of the cutter housing plate (29) and the corresponding location point (34) in the upper half (9).

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Claims

1) A device for the cutting & segmenting of cakes or other food products comprising a base using, e.g. a material such as polycarbonate or similar that provides location points for two vertical pillars & two horizontal pillars. The process of this product allows the user to cut through frozen cakes or other food products, easier than with a knife. In addition to this, it enables the user to segment the cake or other food products into equal portions ranging from two, up to sixteen.

2) A device for the cutting & segmenting of cakes or other food products according to claim one, wherein the device uses springs fitted on pillars located through both the base and the upper half of the device, allowing the product to be manually operated. When the vertical sliding house is released, it returns to its starting position.

3) A device for the cutting & segmenting of cakes or other food products according to the above claims, wherein addition, the device has a safety guard surrounding the blades, protecting the user from hurting themselves if their hands slip.

4) A device for the cutting & segmenting of cakes or other food products according to the above claims, wherein, the blades are all easily removable, allowing the user to choose what size segments they would like their cake or other food product to be, e.g. two portions up to sixteen portions. In Addition this process saves on wastage, compared to manually cutting a cake or other food product, as you always obtain equal portions.

5) A device for the cutting & segmenting of cakes or other food products according to the above claims, wherein all the devices are easily removable and easy to re-build. This allows the user to be able to clean the device thoroughly and not allow germs to build.

6) A device for the cutting & segmenting of cakes or other food products according to the above claims, wherein the base plate is attached by two metal rods that allow the user to pull the base plate out to place a cake or other food product on, allowing the user to push the base plate back underneath the blades ready to be segmented.