HK1130453B - Slicing device - Google Patents

Abstract

A food chopper and slicer includes a lower receptacle for holding chopped food items and one or more blades at the top. A pushing element is secured within an outer housing, with the outer housing being configured to snugly and slideably fit around the receptacle. The housing forms a guide path such that the pushing element follows a generally straight and vertical path as it moves downward toward the blades.

Description

Slicing device

Priority requirement

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. utility model application (serial No. 12/118,620), filed on 9/5/2008, claiming the benefit of the prior U.S. provisional application (serial No. 61/042,648), filed on 4/2008.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to food slicing apparatus, and more particularly, to apparatus wherein a food product is sliced by a pushed grid slicing blade.

Background

There are a number of slicing devices on the market, among which: food products such as onions are sliced by pushing them through a slicing blade holder or grid. In some examples of such devices, the pusher and the slicing grid are pivotally movable relative to each other and are caused to together slice the items. In other instances, complex handles, springs or gears are involved, and these components add cost and complexity while making the device more difficult to clean.

Disclosure of Invention

Preferred examples of the present invention include: a lower container for holding chopped food products; and one or more blades at the top of the container. In one form, the container is an open-top container configured to hold a grid of blades across the open top. The pusher is secured within the outer housing, wherein: the outer housing is configured to fit tightly and slidably around the container. The housing thus forms a guide path to maintain the path of the pusher member in a substantially straight and vertical orientation as it moves axially downward toward the blade.

In some versions of the invention, the grid of blades may be movable and can be replaced by one or more different structures, such as straight, tapered, V-shaped, or other types of blades.

In some examples of the invention, the pusher member may also be removable and replaceable by one or more different structures that closely match corresponding replacement blade structures.

These and other examples of the invention are described in more detail below.

Drawings

Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred apparatus;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the preferred apparatus;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an alternative form of the preferred apparatus;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an alternate form of the preferred apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a housing according to the preferred apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a preferred pusher member;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative pusher member;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the alternative example shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a preferred V-shaped slicing blade;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a preferred V-shaped slicing blade; and

FIG. 12 is a side view of a preferred pusher member for use with a V-type slicing blade.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred slicing apparatus 10. As shown, the outer pusher housing 20 surrounds the container 30. In this example of the invention, the container 30 has a generally rectangular cuboid shape with a bottom, upwardly extending side walls and an open top (best shown in FIG. 2). The pusher housing 20 has a matching, complementary shape, wherein: the inner surface of the housing tightly accommodates the outer surface of the container such that: the housing is capable of sliding up and down around the container. As shown, the interior of the housing side walls abut a substantial portion of the exterior of the container and form a tight fit to frictionally engage the container as the housing slides up and down. In this solution, the housing and the container are not permanently fastened to each other, but can be freely separated if the housing is pulled upwards a sufficient distance from the container.

In other versions of the invention, other shapes of housings and containers are used. For example, each of the housing and the container may have a substantially cylindrical shape, formed in a similar mating manner as described above. In other aspects, the housing need not have an interior surface that abuts substantially the entire exterior surface of the container. Rather, the rails or other guides may form respective surfaces to ensure that the housing can follow a path of travel that is substantially aligned with an axis extending upwardly through the center of the container.

In some versions of the invention, the upper surface of the housing 20 projects upwardly to accommodate the palm of the user's hand when the housing is pushed downwardly. In other aspects, the upper surface is flat.

Fig. 2 provides an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated container 30 is a rectangular cuboid container with an open top. Preferably, the container is made of clear plastic, although other materials may be used.

The frame 40 has a circumference substantially the same as the circumference of the rim of the open top of the container so that the frame can be closely received within the top of the container. The frame includes downwardly extending legs and outwardly extending flanges forming shoulders 41 so that the frame can be properly seated on the rim without falling further into the container. The frame 40 and container 30 are preferably sized and configured such that: the frame is frictionally received in the container. In other aspects, the frame may be glued or otherwise adhered to the container. Alternatively, the attributes of the frame may be integrally formed with the container.

The frame 40 also includes an upwardly extending peripheral flange 42. In some aspects, the flange 42 may extend substantially around the perimeter of the frame. However, in the illustrated example, the flange 42 is formed as a pair of opposed side wall portions on opposite sides of the frame. On each end of each opposing sidewall portion, a lip 44 projects outwardly toward the opposing sidewall. As discussed further below, the sidewall portions extend upwardly from the horizontal lower portion of the frame to provide a seat configured as a container cartridge 50.

A portion of the frame 40 optionally includes one or more receptacles 46. As shown, a receptacle is provided on each frame portion extending between the opposing upwardly extending side walls. The receptacles assist in the removal of the blade holder 50 by providing an area in which there is frameless material adjacent the blade holder.

An alignment key 43 is integrally formed in one or both of the upwardly extending flanges 42. As shown, the alignment key has a crescent shape and extends from the central portion of the sidewall toward the interior of the frame. Mating alignment keys are formed on opposing sidewalls. In other aspects of the invention, the alignment keys can be formed in different shapes and in different locations on the frame.

The cartridge 50 as shown includes an outer perimeter sized to fit within a seat defined on the frame. Thus, in a preferred example, the outer perimeter of the cartridge is substantially square. The perimeter of the blade holder 50 includes a peripheral flange forming a shoulder 54, the shoulder 54 being complementary to a seat defined in the frame such that: the cartridge forms a relatively tight frictional fit within the frame.

Recessed areas 53 are provided at peripheral locations on the blade holder 50, sized and shaped to match the keys 43, thereby ensuring that the blade holder is inserted in the proper orientation. Depending on the location of the keys and recessed areas, the cartridge may be configured such that: it may be inserted in only a single orientation or, alternatively, in more than one orientation.

The cartridge also includes an open central region having one or more blades 52. As discussed in more detail below, the cartridge is preferably removable from the frame so that the cartridge is replaced with a different cartridge having a different blade configuration.

The upper surface of the cartridge includes an alignment indicator, the example of which is shown in the form of a pair of arrows 51. The alignment indicator provides a visual indication of the orientation of the cartridge such that: where the orientation between the particular blade holder used and the pusher is important, the pusher 60 can be easily aligned in the same orientation.

The pusher 60 includes one or more downwardly extending projections 62, the projections 62 being sized and configured to pass between the blades in the cartridge. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pusher 60 is detachably coupled to the upper inner surface of the casing 20. The pusher may be a snap fit, a friction fit, or any other means of attachment to the housing that allows the pusher to be removably retained within the housing. While the pusher is preferably configured for removable attachment, in some versions of the invention, the pusher may also be permanently affixed to the housing or integrally formed within the housing itself.

As best seen in fig. 6, in the illustrated construction, the pusher includes a central post 65 that extends upwardly in the opposite direction of the pusher projection 62. The post is surrounded by two supports 63, 64 defining a crescent-shaped slot. The interior surface of the housing includes mating structures to retain and secure the pusher within the housing, as best seen in fig. 5. Thus, a pair of crescent-shaped levers or projections 22, 23 are provided within the housing, extending downwardly from the upper interior surface, which levers are configured to be received within slots in the arcuate supports 63, 64. Similarly, cylindrical receptacle 24 is configured in the upper interior surface of the housing to receive post 65. The receptacle may be formed as a circular flange extending downwardly from the housing, or may alternatively be formed as a hole that passes entirely through the top surface of the housing. In the case of a hole-incorporating solution, a portion of the post preferably extends through the hole and allows the user to press directly against the post of the push device. In other aspects of the invention, a wide variety of other structures may provide a snap fit, friction or other engagement between the pusher member 60 and the housing 20.

In one example of the invention, the housing 20 is formed of a transparent plastic material so that the pusher member is visible through the housing. In addition, the transparent material makes alignment arrows 61 visible, helping to ensure that the housing is properly positioned with alignment arrows 61 of pusher 60, pusher 60 being positioned in the same manner as alignment arrows 51 of cartridge 50.

The housing may optionally include an opening 21 in one or more of its side walls. In the example shown, the opening 21 is a high arch extending along a majority of the length of one of the housing side walls. Similar openings are also provided on the opposite side walls in the preferred version of the invention. In other examples of the invention, the openings may be provided on all four side walls, or vice versa, no openings at all. The inclusion of two opposing openings allows a user to access the interior of the slicer to properly adjust the food product with the housing, yet maintain the structural rigidity of the housing to ensure proper alignment during use.

Fig. 3 provides an exploded view similar to fig. 2, but with a different cartridge 50. The preferred cartridge will be discussed further below.

As shown in fig. 4, the shredder and slicer are configured to shred or slice objects such as food items, such as onions, apples, or any other item for which shredding or slicing is desired. Thus, when a food article is placed in the frame 50 at the top of the container 30, the food article 70 is placed on top of the cartridge 50. The housing 20, in which the pusher 60 is fastened, is placed around the container so that: the protrusion of the pusher abuts the food item 70. Typically at that point, the sidewalls of the container and those of the housing will frictionally engage one another. Pressure is applied to the top of the housing, pushing the housing downward toward the container. This downward pressure similarly pushes the pusher against the food article, forcing the pusher through the cartridge so that: the food product is sliced by a blade within the rack. The protrusion of the pusher is configured to extend past the lower edge of the blade to force the food product completely past the blade. The close fit of the housing to the container allows the pusher to have a smooth and straight path of travel toward and past the blade.

The general path of travel of the housing is vertical with respect to the container. The container thus defines a central axis substantially at the centre of the container side wall. In the case of a container having straight side walls, the central axis is parallel to the side walls. The container may be irregular or have angled sides, and in this case the central axis preferably extends centrally and vertically in the side wall, perpendicular to and substantially in the centre of the bottom of the container. Unlike hinged shredding devices, the housing follows a path of travel substantially along a central axis.

Because the blade holder and pusher are both removable, they may be replaced with other blade holders and pushers of different configurations. For example, in the version shown in FIG. 2, the blade holder is configured as a corer and slicer. Thus, the blade holder includes a central circular cutting hub blade and 8 radially extending blades 52, each of which is substantially straight. Each blade is preferably formed of stainless steel. The mating pusher 60 includes a protrusion 62 such that: the individual protrusions are each sized and configured to fit between the openings defined by each of the 8 wedges and the central hub. While the core pick and cutter blade holder shown is configured to produce 8 blades, alternatives may include 4 or 6 blades to produce 4 or 6 wedge blades, for example. The pusher of such a solution would similarly have a different number of protrusions having dimensions that match the corresponding shelves.

In the version of fig. 3, the blade holder 50 comprises a circular blade opening and 8 radially protruding blades 80 joined at a first end at the center of the opening and a second end to the perimeter of the opening. As shown, the blades have a downward angle from perimeter to center, forming a conical shaped grid of 8 wedge-opening blades defined between the blades. A corresponding pusher 60 (best shown in fig. 6) similarly has 8 protrusions supported and configured to fit between corresponding openings. In other versions, the conical blade holder may include a different number of blades, such as 4 or 6, and the pusher includes a corresponding number of mating projections.

The cartridge as shown in fig. 4 includes a plurality of V-shaped blades 82, wherein each blade includes a first end 83 secured to one side of the cartridge and a second end 84 secured to the opposite side of the cartridge. The V-shaped blade holder is also shown in fig. 10 and 11. The blade has a downward angle from one end toward a point at substantially the center of the blade, forming a V-shape. The top surface of each blade is preferably tapered to aid in slicing. Any number of V-shaped blades are disposed in the blade holder, longitudinally aligned and spaced apart to provide a slice of appropriate width.

Pusher 60, corresponding to the V-blades, is best seen in fig. 7 and 12, and preferably has a plurality of straight, flange-shaped pusher projections 66 sized and configured to fit in the spaces between the V-blades. In a preferred form, the shape of the protrusion 66 is generally rectangular, as viewed from the side.

An alternative example of the slicing apparatus 100 is shown in the perspective view of fig. 8 and in the exploded view of fig. 9. In this version, the apparatus includes a main container 130, the main container 130 having a removable chassis 132. The shelf 132 is preferably snap-fit or friction-fit to the container 130.

The upper surface of the container 130 supports a cartridge 150. The blade holder in this alternative is generally the same as that of the previously described versions and includes a plurality of blades configured to slice or chop food articles. Although not shown, the cartridge 150 may be secured to the top of the container 130 using a shoulder and seat structure as discussed above or in any other manner that secures the cartridge to the container. Cartridge 150 may also be removably secured to container 130 to allow cartridge 150 to be replaced with other cartridges having different configurations of blades. Alignment arrows or other indicators are optionally provided to ensure that the tray racks are inserted in the correct orientation.

In the same manner as discussed with respect to the above example, pusher 160 includes downwardly extending projections sized and configured to pass between the blades of blade holder 150. The pusher may be secured to the pusher housing 120 by a snap fit, friction fit, or other means. Preferably, the pusher is removably secured to the housing such that it can be removed and replaced with a pusher having a different configuration to mate with an optional cartridge as desired. Although not shown, the preferred form of pusher includes structure for securing the pusher to the housing in the same manner as the other embodiments discussed above.

In this alternative configuration, the pusher housing 120 differs from the housing 20 of the prior art in that: which is provided as a cover rather than an outer box. The housing 120 is secured to a pair of posts 122, 123, each of which is received in a mating guide 124, 125. The posts and guides are substantially cylindrical in cross-section as shown, but they may alternatively be square, oval or have other shapes. In use, the post is slidably received in the guide to slide the housing 120 up and down relative to the receptacle 130 to: pusher 160 is pressed downward relative to blade holder 150 and removed vertically away from the blade holder. The tight friction fit of the post within the guide ensures accurate alignment of the pusher projection within the blade holder. In the preferred form as shown, the post is received within the guide. Alternatively, the device may be formed such that the guide is slidably received within the post.

In the illustrated version, the guides 124, 125 are formed separately from the container 130 and are secured within slots formed in the sides of the container. In fig. 8, the first groove 126 is visible, but the opposite groove is not. The guide may be snap-fit, friction-fit, threaded, glued, or otherwise secured within the slot. In other examples of the invention, the guide is integrally formed within the container and directly receives the post. In the illustrated version, a single column is used. In other versions, multiple sleeve columns may be used.

Preferably, a coil spring is disposed within each of the guides 124, 125, with one end (shown partially cut away) of the spring 128 engaging a lower surface of the guide and the opposite end engaging a lower surface of the post. In this manner, the spring pushes the post upward, pushing the pusher housing 120 away from the container 130 and blade holder 150.

For storage, a hook 170 is provided on the swivel arm and pin 172. The hook 170 is pivotally mounted on a surface of the pusher housing and is configured such that it can pivot downward toward the container. The pins 172 are disposed on the exterior surface of the container and are positioned such that: the hook engages the pin as it pivots downward. Thus, as shown in fig. 8, the hook covers the cartridge against the container holding pusher housing despite the upward force of the spring for more compact storage. As shown in fig. 9, to use the device, the hook 170 is rotated upward, wherein: the inner surface of the arm engages the bracket holding the arm in the upward position.

The slicing and chopping apparatus described above may be used with multiple blade configurations. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a blade holder 50 configured as a blade for coring and slicing may be used. The different blade configurations are shown in fig. 3. As discussed above, the V-shaped configuration is shown in FIGS. 4 and 9-11. Each individual blade 82 may be formed as a single component, stamped or otherwise formed from stainless steel, or alternatively formed as separate portions 82, 83 that are welded or otherwise joined together at the bottom of the V. The V-shape includes a bottom of the V extending below a support surface on the cartridge. The upper or inner surface of the V forms a tapered leading edge when the opposing or falling edge is not tapered.

The V-blade is particularly suitable for slicing round objects such as onions because a larger portion of the surface of the blade contacts the surface of the onion at the initial contact, thereby reducing the force required to slice the onion.

As mentioned above, while the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiments. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.

Claims (1)

1. A slicing apparatus comprising:

a container having a bottom and a first plurality of sidewalls forming an upper edge, the first plurality of sidewalls defining an interior space and an exterior surface, the container further having a central axis substantially at the center of the sidewalls;

a blade support structure having a support surface defining an opening having a first side and an opposing second side;

a plurality of blades spanning the opening and spaced apart from one another; each blade also has a first end and a second end; a first end of each blade is secured to a first side of the opening and a second end of each blade is secured to a second side of the opening; each blade is further configured to have a substantially V-shape with the base of the V extending below the support surface, each blade having a leading edge defining an interior surface of the V, the leading edge being tapered,

a housing having a second plurality of sidewalls and a top spanning the second plurality of sidewalls, the second plurality of sidewalls defining an interior surface that engages an exterior surface of the container, the housing being sized and configured such that the container is received within the housing, the housing further being slidably movable relative to the container substantially in the direction of the central axis; and

a pusher connected to the housing, the pusher having one or more protrusions sized and shaped to fit in the spaces between the V-shaped blades,

wherein the pusher is urged against the food product by downward pressure and the one or more protrusions of the pusher are configured to extend past the lower edge of the blade, thereby forcing the food product completely past the blade.

2The slicing apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the blade support structure is substantially rectangular.

3The slicing apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the blade support structure is removably secured to the container.

4The slicing apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: indicia on the blade support structure such that the indicia indicates the orientation of the blade support structure relative to the container.

5The slicing apparatus of claim 2, wherein: each blade is formed in two parts which are fastened together at the bottom of the V-shape.

6The slicing apparatus of claim 5, wherein: the two parts are welded together。

7The slicing apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: indicia on the blade support structure whereby the indicia indicates the orientation of the blade support structure.

8A slicing apparatus comprising:

a container having a bottom and a first plurality of sidewalls forming an upper edge, the first plurality of sidewalls defining an interior space and an exterior surface, the container further having a central axis substantially at the center of the sidewalls;

a cartridge spanning at least a portion of the interior space of the container, the cartridge having a plurality of blades defining a plurality of openings;

a housing having a second plurality of sidewalls and a top spanning the second plurality of sidewalls, the second plurality of sidewalls defining an interior surface that engages an exterior surface of the container, the housing being sized and configured such that the container is received within the housing, the housing further being slidably movable relative to the container substantially in the direction of the central axis; and

a pusher connected to the housing, the pusher having one or more protrusions sized and shaped to be received within at least one opening of the plurality of openings defined in the cartridge,

wherein the pusher is urged against the food product by downward pressure and the one or more protrusions of the pusher are configured to extend past the lower edge of the blade, thereby forcing the food product completely past the blade.

9The slicing apparatus of claim 8, wherein: each of the first plurality of sidewalls is in contact with each of the second plurality of sidewalls.

10The slicing apparatus of claim 8, wherein: the cartridge is removably secured to a container.

11The slicing apparatus of claim 8, wherein: the pusher is detachableIs detachably secured to the housing.

12The slicing apparatus of claim 8, wherein: the pusher is integrally formed within the housing.

13The slicing apparatus of claim 8, wherein: the container has the shape of a rectangular cube.

14The slicing apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: a frame connected to a rim of the vessel, the frame having an upwardly extending flange defining a seat, wherein: the cartridge is retained within the seat.

15The slicing apparatus of claim 14, wherein: the frame further includes a key and the cartridge further includes a recessed area, the key sized and configured to fit closely within the recessed area.

16The slicing apparatus of claim 14, wherein: the frame also includes receptacles in a portion of the frame such that the receptacles form open areas within the nest to assist in separation of the cartridge from the frame.

17The slicing apparatus of claim 8, wherein: the housing further includes at least one protrusion extending downwardly from the top, and the pusher further includes at least one slot, the protrusion being sized and configured to be received within the slot to secure the pusher to the housing.

18The slicing apparatus of claim 17, wherein: the protrusions have a crescent shape.

19The slicing apparatus of claim 17, wherein: the pusher further includes a post and the housing includes a corresponding receptacle, the post being received within the receptacle to secure the pusher to the housing.

20The slicing apparatus of claim 19, wherein: the jack also includes a hole through the top of the housing.

21The slice of claim 8An apparatus, wherein: the plurality of blades further comprises: a central hub blade; and a plurality of substantially straight blades extending radially from the hub.

22The slicing apparatus of claim 8, wherein: the pusher further includes an alignment mark.

23The slicing apparatus of claim 22, wherein: the housing is formed of a transparent material so that the alignment mark can be seen through the housing.

24The slicing apparatus of claim 8, at least one of the second plurality of sidewalls comprising: an opening extending from a bottom of the at least one sidewall substantially to a top of the housing.

25The slicing apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

a pair of guides connected to the container; and

a pair of posts secured to the housing, each of the pair of posts slidingly engaging a respective one of the pair of guides such that: the housing is slidably movable relative to the container substantially in the direction of the central axis.

26The slicing apparatus of claim 25, wherein: each of the pair of guides comprises a hollow cylinder; and each of the pair of posts comprises a complementary cylinder received in one of the respective guides.

27The slicing apparatus of claim 26, further comprising: a pair of springs, each of the pair of springs being secured within a respective one of the pair of guides, the springs being configured to urge the post upward to: the pusher housing is pushed away from the container.

28The slicing apparatus of claim 27, further comprising: a hook secured to the pusher; and a pin secured to the container, whereby the hook engages the pin to secure the pusher housing to the upper surface of the container.

29The slicing apparatus of claim 25, further comprising: a pair of slots formed in the side wall of the container; each of the pair of guides is secured to a respective one of the slots.

30The slicing apparatus of claim 25, wherein: the pusher housing further includes at least one protrusion extending downwardly and the pusher further includes at least one slot, the protrusion being sized and configured to be received within the slot to secure the pusher to the pusher housing.