GB2527850A - Apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A cutting guide 110 comprising a base 112 and at least one guide section 114 hingedly connected to the base, wherein the guide section includes at least one aperture 140 for receiving a knife. There may be two guide sections attached to opposite edges of the base. Each guide section may have a plurality of apertures which may be elongate slots. The slots may have different widths, with some of these expanded slots 140 having a width 3 to 4 times greater than the other slots 148. The expanded slots may be provided towards either end of the guide section. The guide sections may be movable from a first position co-planar with the base to a second position 75-90 degrees to the base. A locking mechanism 160 may selectively hold the guide section in the second position. The locking mechanism may comprise an interference fit between clips and lips. The hinged connection may comprise a living hinge 122, 128.

Description

APPARATUS

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to kitchen apparatus and implements.

BackRround to the Invention Cutting or chopping boards are common items of kitchen paraphernalia. They provide a surface upon which food maybe cut without damaging the the kitchen work-top or counter-top. They come in a variety of sizes, and in a variety of materials, but are commonly wooden, plastic and ceramic.

When cutting food it is often desirable to obtain a uniform portion size, by maintaining a uniform thickness of item cut, and for presentation it may be desirable that the cut food portions are regular in shape.

Users working freehand will tend to cut food irregularly especially given that the cutting force used to apply to relatively tough foodstuffs such as bread will tend to have an adverse effect on the desired uniform orientation of a cutting implement such as a knife.

Summary of the Invention

According Lo the presenL invenLion Lhere is provided cutLing apparaLus comprising a base section, a first guide section, the first guide section being hingedly connected to the base section along a first edge of the base section and a first edge of the first guide section, wherein the first guide section includes at least one aperture.

The at least one aperture may be of sufficient dimensions to receive a knife or other utensil or implement.

There may be a plurality of guide apertures provided at various locations on the first guide section.

The guide aperture(s) may be slots.

The slots maybe elongate.

The slots may commence at a second edge of the first guide section, the second edge being located distally from the first edge.

The slots may encompass the majority of the distance between the first edge and the second edge of the first guide section.

There may be provided slots with different widths.

There may be provided one or more expanded slots having a width 3 to 4 times greater than the remainder of the slots.

Expanded slots maybe provided towards either end of the first guide section.

There may be a living hinge located along the first edge of the base section and first edge of the first guide section.

The first guide section may be movable from a first position, wherein the first guide section is substantially co-planar with the base section, to a second position, wherein the first guide section is at an angle approximately 7S9O0 to the base section.

There may be provided a first guide section locking mechanism, to selectively hold the first guide section in the second position.

The cutting apparatus may include a second guide section.

The second guide section maybe hingedly attached to the base section along a second edge of the base section, the second edge being located distally from the first edge of the base section.

The second guide section may include at least one aperture The at least one aperture may be of sufficient dimensions to receive a knife or other utensil or implement.

There may be a plurality of guide apertures provided at various locations on the second guide section.

The guide aperture(s) may be slots.

The slots maybe elongate.

The slots may commence ata second edge of the second guide section. the second edge being located distally from the first edge.

The slots may encompass the majority of the distance between the first edge and the second edge of the second guide section.

There may be provided slots with different widths.

There may be provided one or more expanded slots having a width 3 to 4 times greater than the remainder of the slots.

Expanded slots maybe provided towards either end of the first guide section.

There may be a living hinge located along the first edge of the base section and first edge of the second guide section.

The second guide section may be movable from a first position, wherein the second guide section is substantially co-planar with the base section, to a second position, wherein the second guide section is at an angle approximately 75900 to the base section.

There may be provided a second guide section locking mechanism, to selectively hold the second guide section in the second position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment cutting apparatus according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the cutting apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 3is an end elevation of the cutting apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the cutting apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. S is a perspective view of the cutting apparatus of Fig. 1 receiving an item being cut in the apparatus; Fig. 6is a further perspective view of the cutting apparatus of Fig. 1 receiving an item being cut in the apparatus; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment cutting apparatus according to the present invention in a first or open configuration; Fig. S is a perspective view of the cutting apparatus of Fig. 7 in a second or closed configuration; Fig. 9 is perspective view of the cutting apparatus of Fig. 7 in an intermediate configuration; Fig. lOis perspective view of the cutting apparatus of Fig. 7 in an intermediate configuration; Fig. 11 is a perspective detail view of the locking mechanism of the cutting apparatus of Fig. 7; and Fig. 12 is a further perspective detail view of the locking mechanism of the cutting apparatus of Fig. 7.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Fig. l.a cutting apparatus lOis depicted. The cutting apparatus 10 functions largely similar to a prior art chopping or cutting board, providing a barrier between knives and the kitchen work-top or counter-top.

The cutting apparatus 10 comprises a base section 12, a first guide section 14 and a second guide section 16. The first guide section 14 has a first edge 18 which attaches to a first edge 20 of the base section 12 via a first living hinge 22. The second guide section 16 has a first edge 24 which attaches to a second edge 26 of the base section via a second living hinge 28.

The base section 12 is a substantiafly rectangular planar section approximately 3 to 4 times as long as it is wide. The present embodiment is adapted primarily for the cutting of foodstuffs such as a baguette, and the width of the base section 12 reflects this, being approximately 100mm.

It will be understood by the skilled addressee that the width may be modified to render the apparatus 10 more suitable for differently sized foodstuffs, and that the width and length need not maintain the same scaled relationship i.e. the apparatus 10 may be more square, more elongate or so forth depending on any relevant criteria such as intended foodstuffs to be cut) attractiveness, space for storage of the apparatus, etc. The apparatus 10 is made from polypropylene, although it maybe formed from any other suitable plastics material, such as polyethylene, or indeed non-plastics material with suitable design modifications such as to the living hinge portions.

The base section 12 has an upper cutting surface 30 upon which foodstuffs to be cut are placed. First and second base chamfers 32, 34 are located along the first and second edges 20, 26, between the cutting surface 30 and the first and second living hinges 22, 28.

Complementary first and second guide chamfers 36, 38 are located along the first edges 18, 24 of the first and second guide sections 14, 16. The living hinges 22, 28 form the boundary of the two chamfer arrangements on either side of the base section 12.

A plurality of apertures or slots 40 are located on the first guide section 14. The slots 40 extend from a second edge 42 of the first guide section 14, the second edge 42 being located distally from the first edge 18. The slots 40 have filleted sides 44 running across the guide section 14 generally from the second edge 42 to the first edge 18, perpendicular to the edges 18, 42.

The slots 40 define a plurality of guide members 46, with the filleted sides 44 being located on either edge of the guide members 46. In the present embodiment there is provided fourteen slots 40 defining fifteen guide members 46. It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that these amounts may be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention.

A base web 47 is located at the base of each guide member 46 and slot 40, defining a lower or inner boundary 49 of the slots 40.

A locking mechanism (not shown) is provided between the base section 12 and the first guide member 14. It has been omitted for clarity in the present embodiment, but functions largely as described in the second embodiment which will subsequently be described.

The second guide section 16 is similar to the first guide section 14. A plurality of second guide section slots 48 are provided on the second guide section 16 which in turn define a plurality of second guide members 50.

In the present embodiment, there are also fourteen second guide section slots 48 defining fifteen second guide members 50. Again, it will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that these amounts may be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Filleted sides 52 are also located on the edges of the guide members 50 and the guide section slots 48. A base web 54 is located at the base of each guide member 50 and slot 48, defining a lower or inner boundary of the slots 48, with the slots 48 being open adjacent a second edge 56 of the second guide section 16.

As can be seen from the Figs. the living hinges 22, 28 enable each guide section 14, 16 to be movable from a first position, wherein each of the guide sections 14, 16 is substantially co-planar with the base section 12, to a second position, wherein the guide section 14,16 is at an angle approximately 75-90° to the base section 12. It will be appreciated that each guide section's 14, 16 movement is independent of one another.

As can also be seen from the Figs. the chamfers 32, 34, 36, 38 enable each guide section 14, 16 to be moved into the second position while allowing the base webs 54 to be located at or below the plane of the upper cutting surface 30 of the base section 12.

Figs. S and 6 depict a baguette B being received and cut within the apparatus 10. The baguette B is placed onto the upper cutting surface 30 and the first and second guide sections 14, 16 are moved from their first positions to their second positions. The first guide section 14 is locked with the locking mechanism (not shown]. The user may clasp the guide sections 14, 16 together to hold the apparatus 10 steady on the kitchen work-top or counter-top and to assist the guide sections 14, 16 in abutting and more securely holding the baguette B within the apparatus 10.

The second edges 42, 56 of the guide sections 14, 16 are presented to the user in this configuration. The user may feed the knife K into a slot 40 of the first guide member and simultaneously a slot 48 of the second guide member and into contact with the baguette B between these two positions. The user may cut the baguette with the usual cutting motion.

The slots 40, 48 maintain the knife K in a uniform longitudinal position and angle perpendicular to the plane of the upper cutting surface 30 of the base 12.

As can be seen from the Figs, the user may align the knife K in corresponding slots i.e. first slot 40a of the first guide section 14 and first slot 48a of the second guide section 16 which will lead to a cut perpendicular to the main axis X of the baguette B. Alternatively, such as in Fig. 5, the user may align the knife K in different slots i.e. second slot 4Db of the first guide section 14 and third slot 48c of the second guide section 16, which leads to an desired angled cut in the baguette B. It will be appreciated that the filleted sides 44 assist this ang'ed cutting.

Turning to the second embodiment depicted in Figs. 7 to 12, a cutting apparatus 110 is shown. Cutting apparatus 110 is similar to first embodiment cutting apparatus 10 described above, and identical or similar features are given similar reference numerals albeit prefixed with a V e.g. base section 12 of the first embodiment cutting apparatus is analogous with base section 112. Where features are identical no further explanation will be given and the skilled addressee will appreciate that descriptions of individual features of the first embodiment will apply to the second embodiment except where noted below.

Cutting apparatus 110 likewise comprises a base section 112, a first guide section 114 and a second guide section 116. The first guide section 114 has a first edge 118 which attaches to a first edge 120 of the base section 112 via a first living hinge 122. The second guide section 116 has a first edge 124 which attaches to a second edge 126 of the base section via a second living hinge 128.

The first guide section 114 and second guide section are not substantially identical as in the first embodiment described above. First guide section 114 includes wider slots 140 than the slots 148 of the second guide section 116. There are therefore fewer slots 140 and fewer guide members 146 on the first guide section 114 than there are slots 148 and guide members 150 on the second guide section 116. There are six slots 140 and seven guide members 146 on the first guide section 114, as opposed to twelve slots 148 and thirteen guide members 150 on the second guide section 116.

The wider slots 140 allow the user a greater degree of freedom in manipulation of a cutting implement such as a knife K, whilst still still allowing the blade to abut either filleted side 144 to produce a uniform cut in foodstuffs. It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that numerous permutations of the number of slots on either guide section are permitted within the scope of the present invention.

Detail of the locking mechanism 160 are depicted in the Figs. It will be appreciated that this locking mechanism maybe employed with respect to the first embodiment apparatus 10 described above.

Locking mechanism 160 comprises a channel 162 formed adjacent chamfer 132, which has a lip 164 generally perpendicular to the plane of cutting surface 130. A base fillet 166 defines the inner boundary of channel 162.

An elongate clip assembly 168 forms the other operative part of the locking mechanism 160. The elongate clip assembly 168 comprises a continuous projecting member 170 which extends along the inner surface of the first guide member 114 adjacent the first guide chamfer 136.

Individual clip members 172 project perpendicularly from the projecting member 170.

There are seven clip members 172 and the clip members 172 project downward into the channel 162 when engaged i.e. they project in a direction opposite from the guide members 146. "Downward" is a relative term primarily from the perspective of the figs and when the clip members 172 are engaged and does not limit the embodiment to a particular spatial orientation.

Fig. 11 depicts the locking mechanism 160 in a disengaged position. Elongate clip assembly 168 is free from the channel 162 and lip 164.

Fig. 12 depicts the locking mechanism 160 in an engaged or locked position. The user folds first guide member 114 towards the base plate 112 thereby urging chamfers 132 and chamfer 136 into contact. The continuous projecting member 170 and clip members 172 are dimensioned closely to the distance between lip 164 and termination of chamfer 132, such that clip members 172 create an interference fit with the lip 172 and locking the first guide member 114 into the generally upright position depicted in Figs 8, 9 & 12. The user may disengage the interference fit by pulling the first guide member 114 firmly away from the base plate 112.

Modifications and improvements are envisaged without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Whilst the first and second embodiments both have first and second guide sections, it will be appreciated that the invention may function with only one guide section, with one or more slots located on said one guide section. Moreover, in such a one guide section configuration embodiment, one or more slots may be provided on the base section to form an additional guide to the knife or cutting implement. Such an embodiment may hold the foodstuffs in a V-configuration once folded into a cutting position, with either side being in contact with a work-top or counter-top, or there may be provided some form of stand or feet, either separate or integra' to the envisioned embodiment which holds the embodiment vertical upon the nadir of the V-configuration.

First and second embodiments of the present invention are described as being formed from a plastics materiaL such as polypropylene, although it may be formed from any other suitable plastics material, such as polyethylene, or indeed non-plastics material with suitable design modifications such as to the living hinge portions. For example, the invention may be formed from wood with a suitable hinge mechanism between the base section and the guide section(s). ii

Further, whilst first and second embodiments both depict there being a uniform width of slots 40, 140, 48, 148 on each guide section, albeit there being different widths of slots 140, 148 on opposite guide sections, the invention may be provided with non-uniform widths of slot on each guide section i.e. an embodiment may be provided which has varying widths of slots on the first and/or second guide section(s).