GB2032768A

GB2032768A - Bread-slicing guides

Info

Publication number: GB2032768A
Application number: GB7935587A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-10-14
Filing date: 1979-10-12
Publication date: 1980-05-14

Abstract

A device for use in cutting a loaf of bread into slices of determined thickness comprises a U-shaped member 12 open at at least one end, the loaf being located in the member and extending through the open end beyond the free edges 25 which are trimmed with metal 26 to provide smooth straight edges. A knife passed through the loaf while being retained against the edges of the member, slices the bread as required without danger to the hands of the user. The side walls 16, 18 may be hinged to the base 14 which may be located by pegs on a cutting board 10. A cover may be located over the member 12. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for use in cutting bread The invention relates to apparatus for use in cutting a component such as a loaf of bread.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for use in cutting a component such as a loaf of bread, the apparatus comprising a member which, in an in-use condition, is of substantially U-shaped configuration to accommodate the component on the base between the sides, the member being open at at least one end such that the component can extend in part outwardly thereof, and the free edges of the member at said one end being substantially straight and smooth, such that the component can be cut by passing a cutting edge through the component against the free edges.

Preferably the U-shaped member is formed of a rigid plastics material.

Preferably also each of the free edges of the member at said one end has a trim substantially along its length.

Advantageously the sides of the U-shaped member are hinged on the base to be movable relative thereto.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the invention.

Referring to the drawing apparatus for use in cutting a loaf of bread, and in determining the thickness of the portion to be cut, comprises a bread board 10 on which is removably mounted a bread locating member 12 of substantially U-shape and preferably formed of a rigid plastics material. The member 12 is formed in three sections defining a base 14 and side walls 16, 18, the latter being hinged on the base 14 by means of hinges (not shown) defined by strips of a flexible plastics material, respective ends of which are embedded within the base 14 and the respective side walls 16, 18. The base 14 has one face smooth, i.e. the upper face 20 in the in-use condition as shown in the drawing, and on the reverse face has a pair of locating pegs (not shown) extending therefrom to be engageable in preformed holes in the base 10.

When the member 12 is removed from the board 10 it can lie in a flat condition with the side walls 16, 18 substantially coplanar with the base 14. For use, the side walls 16, 18 are movable about their hinges to extend at substantially right angles to the base 14, the latterthen being mounted on the board 10. Each sidewall 16,18 has a smooth inner surface and an outer surface formed with ribs 22 terminating in a projecting edge 24 adjacent the hinge. In the in-use condition as shown in the drawing the hinges prevent the side walls from moving inwardly beyond a predetermined point while the projecting edges 24 prevent the side walls from moving outwardly to theirflat condition.

At one side of the member 12 the free edges 25 of the side walls 16, 18 are finished with trims 26 which can be formed for example of metal.

In use, a component such as a loaf of bread is located in the member 12 on the base 14 to extend outwardly beyond the edges 25 by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the slice of bread which is to be cut. The loaf can be held in position by hand pressure on the side walls to engage the latter against the loaf. A cutting edge such as a knife can then be passed through the loaf of bread while being retained against the trimmed edges 25 of the member 12 such that a straight cut is achieved without requiring the person making the cut to place a hand or finger adjacent to the intended cut and thus in a dangerous position.

In a modification, the base 14 may be of increased dimensions to form the support for the bread itself, i.e. without the requirement of the bread board 10. It will be appreciated that with such a modification the base will not be provided with locating pegs.

In a further modification a cover, for example of a plastics material, may be provided to fit over the member 12 thus obviating the need to remove the bread each time the apparatus has been used.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example the U-shaped member may be formed of other materials, for example stainless steel and may be a onepiece strip of material which is then bent to form the U-shape. Also when used with the bread board, the U-shaped member may be fastened thereto in any other convenient manner. Further, it may be suitable to trim the free edges of the U-shaped member with a rigid plastics material when the member is formed of a different material.

1. Apparatus for use in cutting a component such as a loaf of bread, the apparatus comprising a member which, in an in-use condition, is of substantially U-shaped configuration to accommodate the component on the base between the sides, the member being open at at least one end such that the component can extend in part outwardly thereof, and the free edges of the member at said one end being substantially straight and smooth, such that the component can be cut by passing a cutting edge through the component against the free edges.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the U-shaped member is formed of a rigid plastics material.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the free edges of the member at said one end has a trim substantially along its length.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the trims are formed of metal.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the trims are formed of a rigid plastics material.

6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sides of the U-shaped member are hinged on the base to be movable relative thereto.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Apparatus for use in cutting bread The invention relates to apparatus for use in cutting a component such as a loaf of bread. According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for use in cutting a component such as a loaf of bread, the apparatus comprising a member which, in an in-use condition, is of substantially U-shaped configuration to accommodate the component on the base between the sides, the member being open at at least one end such that the component can extend in part outwardly thereof, and the free edges of the member at said one end being substantially straight and smooth, such that the component can be cut by passing a cutting edge through the component against the free edges. Preferably the U-shaped member is formed of a rigid plastics material. Preferably also each of the free edges of the member at said one end has a trim substantially along its length. Advantageously the sides of the U-shaped member are hinged on the base to be movable relative thereto. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the invention. Referring to the drawing apparatus for use in cutting a loaf of bread, and in determining the thickness of the portion to be cut, comprises a bread board 10 on which is removably mounted a bread locating member 12 of substantially U-shape and preferably formed of a rigid plastics material. The member 12 is formed in three sections defining a base 14 and side walls 16, 18, the latter being hinged on the base 14 by means of hinges (not shown) defined by strips of a flexible plastics material, respective ends of which are embedded within the base 14 and the respective side walls 16, 18. The base 14 has one face smooth, i.e. the upper face 20 in the in-use condition as shown in the drawing, and on the reverse face has a pair of locating pegs (not shown) extending therefrom to be engageable in preformed holes in the base 10. When the member 12 is removed from the board 10 it can lie in a flat condition with the side walls 16, 18 substantially coplanar with the base 14. For use, the side walls 16, 18 are movable about their hinges to extend at substantially right angles to the base 14, the latterthen being mounted on the board 10. Each sidewall 16,18 has a smooth inner surface and an outer surface formed with ribs 22 terminating in a projecting edge 24 adjacent the hinge. In the in-use condition as shown in the drawing the hinges prevent the side walls from moving inwardly beyond a predetermined point while the projecting edges 24 prevent the side walls from moving outwardly to theirflat condition. At one side of the member 12 the free edges 25 of the side walls 16, 18 are finished with trims 26 which can be formed for example of metal. In use, a component such as a loaf of bread is located in the member 12 on the base 14 to extend outwardly beyond the edges 25 by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the slice of bread which is to be cut. The loaf can be held in position by hand pressure on the side walls to engage the latter against the loaf. A cutting edge such as a knife can then be passed through the loaf of bread while being retained against the trimmed edges 25 of the member 12 such that a straight cut is achieved without requiring the person making the cut to place a hand or finger adjacent to the intended cut and thus in a dangerous position. In a modification, the base 14 may be of increased dimensions to form the support for the bread itself, i.e. without the requirement of the bread board 10. It will be appreciated that with such a modification the base will not be provided with locating pegs. In a further modification a cover, for example of a plastics material, may be provided to fit over the member 12 thus obviating the need to remove the bread each time the apparatus has been used. Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example the U-shaped member may be formed of other materials, for example stainless steel and may be a onepiece strip of material which is then bent to form the U-shape. Also when used with the bread board, the U-shaped member may be fastened thereto in any other convenient manner. Further, it may be suitable to trim the free edges of the U-shaped member with a rigid plastics material when the member is formed of a different material. CLAIMS

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the trims are formed of metal.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein the hinges are formed as flexible plastics strips having their respective ends secured to the base and the respective sides.

8. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the base is provided with means for mounting the member on a board.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein the mounting means comprises pegs formed on one face of the base.

10. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a cover is provided for the U-shaped member.

11. Apparatus for use in cutting a component such as a loaf of bread, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

12. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.