GB2176093A - Foodstuff cutting aid - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention preferably comprises a moulded plastics device (10) which is substantially square in shape having at least one raised formation (12) substantially in the shape of an inverted 'U'. The device in use is placed over, for example, a sandwich and a knife may then be introduced into a slot (16) which enables the sandwich to be cut in half without the user having to touch the food while at the same time, the users hands are shielded from the blade of the knife. A flange (20) may be provided for engaging the edge of a cutting board or table top. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A novel device to assist in the cutting or slicing of certain food stuffs This invention is concerned with a device which is intended primarily to assist in the slicing of such things as sandwiches, cakes, cheese and various other food stuffs. To the best knowledge of the inventor, no similar articles are known.

According to the invention, a slicing or cutting aid comprises a substantially quadrate apparatus, said apparatus including a relatively large, flat undersurface area adapted to engage and retain in contact with a subsidiary surface, an article to be cut or sliced; the apparatus further including one or more elongate, substantially inverted 'U' shaped formations, said formation(s) incorporating a slotted recess running the length of the formation(s), said recess being open only to the undersurface of the apparatus and adapted to receive and guide a suitable cutting instrument.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the apparatus may optionally include a downwardly directed flange along one edge, adapted to locate with the edge of a cutting board or table top such that the apparatus, together with the article to be cut or sliced, is more easily retained in position during use.

In order to facilitate further understanding of the invention, one example will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which, Figure 1 is an isometric projection of a cutting or slicing aid in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is an undersurface view of the cutting or slicing aid shown in Figure 1. In this description, like reference numerals will refer to the same parts throughout.

Referring to the drawings generally, reference numeral 10 shows a cutting or slicing aid in accordance with the invention. The illustrated cutting aid 10 includes a single inverted 'U' shaped formation 12 which has been fluted 14 to assist the user to firmly grip the aid. The formation 12 includes a slot 16 into which a knife (not shown) may be inserted.

In use, the cutting or slicing aid 10 is placed over, for example, a sandwich. The knurled/embossed undersurface 18 engages the sandwich (not shown) and with the aid of moderate downward pressure applied by the user, maintains the sandwich in contact with the cutting board or table top (not shown).

A knife (not shown) is inserted into slot 16 and the sandwich may be cut in -half, without the users hands having to be in contact with the sandwich and further, at all times safely shielded from the blade of the knife.

To further assist in positively locating the cutting or slicing aid, an optional flange 20 may be provided which will engage the edge of a cutting board or table top if desired.

It will be appreciated that numerous variation and/or uses of the article of the invention may be envisaged. For example, two inverted 'U' shaped formations may be placed diagonally across the article to facilitate slicing into wedges without the need to move the cutting aid to an intermediate position. The cutting aid may be used to slice or cut numerous food items, for example cheese, celery, carrots, bread, etc.

Preferably the article is to be made from semirigid plastics material to be moulded in a one piece construction. It is submitted that the present invention provides a useful cutting aid which has advantages in terms of hygiene in that ones hands do not have to contact the food stuff while it is being cut or sliced. In addition, a large degree of safety is inherent in that the knife is sheathed by the 'U' shaped formation at all times during the cutting operation and it would be extremely unlikely for one to accidentally injure oneself while using the device of the invention.

1. A slicing or cutting aid comprising a substan tialiy quadrate apparatus, said apparatus including a relative large, flat undersurface area adapted to engage and retain in contact with a subsidiary surface, an article to be cut or sliced; the apparatus further including one or more elongate, substantially inverted 'U' shaped formation(s), said formation(s) incorporating a slotted recess running the length of the formation(s), said recess being open only to the undersurface of the apparatus and adapted to receive and guide a suitable cutting in stro menu 2.A slicing or cutting aid as claimed in Claim 1 which includes a downwardly directed flange along one edge, adapted to engage with the edge of a cutting board or table top such that the apparatus, together with the article to be cut or sliced, is more easily retained in position during use.

3. A slicing or cutting aid as claimed in either Claim 1 or 2 wherein the undersurface of the aid is knurled or embossed to better assist in engaging and retaining the article to be sliced or cut.

4. A slicing or cutting aid as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the outersurface of the inverted 'U' shaped formation(s) include fluting or knurling to improve the users grip of the article.

5. A slicing or cutting aid as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 including two inverted 'U' shaped formations diagonally disposed.

6. A slicing or cutting aid substantially as herein described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A novel device to assist in the cutting or slicing of certain food stuffs This invention is concerned with a device which is intended primarily to assist in the slicing of such things as sandwiches, cakes, cheese and various other food stuffs. To the best knowledge of the inventor, no similar articles are known. According to the invention, a slicing or cutting aid comprises a substantially quadrate apparatus, said apparatus including a relatively large, flat undersurface area adapted to engage and retain in contact with a subsidiary surface, an article to be cut or sliced; the apparatus further including one or more elongate, substantially inverted 'U' shaped formations, said formation(s) incorporating a slotted recess running the length of the formation(s), said recess being open only to the undersurface of the apparatus and adapted to receive and guide a suitable cutting instrument. According to a further aspect of the invention, the apparatus may optionally include a downwardly directed flange along one edge, adapted to locate with the edge of a cutting board or table top such that the apparatus, together with the article to be cut or sliced, is more easily retained in position during use. In order to facilitate further understanding of the invention, one example will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which, Figure 1 is an isometric projection of a cutting or slicing aid in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is an undersurface view of the cutting or slicing aid shown in Figure 1. In this description, like reference numerals will refer to the same parts throughout. Referring to the drawings generally, reference numeral 10 shows a cutting or slicing aid in accordance with the invention. The illustrated cutting aid 10 includes a single inverted 'U' shaped formation 12 which has been fluted 14 to assist the user to firmly grip the aid. The formation 12 includes a slot 16 into which a knife (not shown) may be inserted. In use, the cutting or slicing aid 10 is placed over, for example, a sandwich. The knurled/embossed undersurface 18 engages the sandwich (not shown) and with the aid of moderate downward pressure applied by the user, maintains the sandwich in contact with the cutting board or table top (not shown). A knife (not shown) is inserted into slot 16 and the sandwich may be cut in -half, without the users hands having to be in contact with the sandwich and further, at all times safely shielded from the blade of the knife. To further assist in positively locating the cutting or slicing aid, an optional flange 20 may be provided which will engage the edge of a cutting board or table top if desired. It will be appreciated that numerous variation and/or uses of the article of the invention may be envisaged. For example, two inverted 'U' shaped formations may be placed diagonally across the article to facilitate slicing into wedges without the need to move the cutting aid to an intermediate position. The cutting aid may be used to slice or cut numerous food items, for example cheese, celery, carrots, bread, etc. Preferably the article is to be made from semirigid plastics material to be moulded in a one piece construction. It is submitted that the present invention provides a useful cutting aid which has advantages in terms of hygiene in that ones hands do not have to contact the food stuff while it is being cut or sliced. In addition, a large degree of safety is inherent in that the knife is sheathed by the 'U' shaped formation at all times during the cutting operation and it would be extremely unlikely for one to accidentally injure oneself while using the device of the invention. CLAIMS

1. A slicing or cutting aid comprising a substan tialiy quadrate apparatus, said apparatus including a relative large, flat undersurface area adapted to engage and retain in contact with a subsidiary surface, an article to be cut or sliced; the apparatus further including one or more elongate, substantially inverted 'U' shaped formation(s), said formation(s) incorporating a slotted recess running the length of the formation(s), said recess being open only to the undersurface of the apparatus and adapted to receive and guide a suitable cutting in stro menu

2.A slicing or cutting aid as claimed in Claim 1 which includes a downwardly directed flange along one edge, adapted to engage with the edge of a cutting board or table top such that the apparatus, together with the article to be cut or sliced, is more easily retained in position during use.

3. A slicing or cutting aid as claimed in either Claim 1 or 2 wherein the undersurface of the aid is knurled or embossed to better assist in engaging and retaining the article to be sliced or cut.

4. A slicing or cutting aid as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the outersurface of the inverted 'U' shaped formation(s) include fluting or knurling to improve the users grip of the article.

5. A slicing or cutting aid as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 including two inverted 'U' shaped formations diagonally disposed.

6. A slicing or cutting aid substantially as herein described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.