GB2246510A

GB2246510A - Food cutting apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2246510A
Application number: GB9015277A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Siu Ming Chow
Original assignee: Newpros Consumers & Appliances
Current assignee: Newpros Consumers & Appliances
Priority date: 1990-07-11
Filing date: 1990-07-11
Publication date: 1992-02-05
Also published as: GB9015277D0

Abstract

An apparatus for cutting hard foods such as vegetables or fruits comprises a first blade 6 comprising a grid of cutting edges and a second blade 7 comprising a set of cutting edges spaced parallel to each other. The first blade 6 and the second blade 7 are arranged adjacent each other and substantially normally. The food 19 to be cut is passed through the first blade 6 by pivoting a handle 10 and a first platen 11 in the first direction and the food 19 having passed around the cutting edges of the first blade 6 then lies on top of the second blade 7. The handle 10 is then pivoted in the opposite direction, forcing a second platen 14 towards the second blade 7 and thus forcing the food 19 around the cutting edges of the second blade 7 into a tray 8 positioned below the second blade 7. In this way the food may be cut into 3-dimensional shapes such as cubes. The first and second platens 11, 14 have grooves 13, 18 which pass around the first and second blades 6, 7. <IMAGE>

Description

CUTTING APPARATUS The present invention relates to apparatus for cutting food, more particularly to apparatus for chopping food into small shaped pieces, such as cubes, and a method for use of such apparatus.

In the preparation of certain foods, particularly hard foods such as vegetables or fruits, the original material is often required to be cut into smaller pieces.

Such pieces may be merely slices or rectangular strips the length of the original material such as, with potatoes, slices for saute potatoes or rectangular strips for french fries. The cutting of such material into particular shapes is a time consuming process particularly when such materials have been prepared in bulk, for exa:::ple, in a restaurant. Accordingly, devices have been designed for producing slices or strips of material, which devices tend to consist of a series of blades to be passed through the material. For example, a device for slicing hardboiled eggs comprises a cradle within which the egg is placed and a frame pivoted at one side of the cradle which frame has, stretched thereacross, several Darallel blades.The frame is passed over the egg and the cradle and the blades pass through the egg and into recesses, in the cradle, corresponding to the blades, thus cutting the egg, with a single movement of the frame, into slices of equal width. Similar devices, using a grid of blades, may be used to cut material such as potatoes into rectangular strips, for example, for french fries.

However, many materials such as, for example, carrots, potatoes and some fruits may, for certain recipes, be required to be decied, that is, cut into cubes.

In such a case, the material must be cut in three dimensions along three planes each of which is normal to the other two.

At present the method for doing such an operation is to cut the material in two planes to produce rectangular strips and then to cut the rectangular strips by hand to produce diced material. However, the requirement of cutting in the third plane by hand is a time consuming one and, accordingly, the present invention serves to produce an apparatus which may cut material in three planes, all substantially normal to each other, to produce chopped shapes considerably smaller than the original material, such as cubes.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for cutting an object which apparatus comprises a first blade, a second blade, first cutting means for passing the first blade through an object to be cut and second cutting means for passing the second blade through the object to be cut, the arrangement being such that, in use, when the first blade is passed through the object, the object is positioned adjacent the second blade Preferably one of the first or second blade comprises two sets of cutting edges, each set of cutting edges comprising substantially, parallel evenly spaced cutting edges, the two sets being arranged at right-angles to each other to form a grid. More preferably the other of the first and second blades comprises a set of cutting edges arranged substantially parallel and evenly spaced.Most preferably the first and second blade are arranged adjacent each other and substantially normal to each other.

Preferably the first and/or second cutting means comprises urging means for urging the object around the first and/or second blade. Preferably the apparatus further comprises actuating means for actuating the first and/or second cutting means. Most preferably the actuating means comprises a handle pivotally mounted on the apparatus.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises a tray for collecting the cut object.

There is also provided a method of using the apparatus according to the present invention which method comprises placing the object in the apparatus, actuating the first cutting means so as to pass the first blade through the object so that the object is positioned adjacent the second blade and subsequently actuating the second cutting means to pass the second blade through the object.

For better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be put into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 to 6 show a schematic side view of one embodiment of the present invention in successive stages of dicing an object.

The cutting apparatus as shown in Figures 1 to 6 comprises a body 1 having two side walls 2 encompassing a hollow interior. Dicing takes place within the generally triangular interior between the two walls. This interior has a first processing position 3 located to the top and one side of the hollow interior, a second processing position 4 located to the top-and other side of the hollow interior and a tray receiving position 5 located at the bottom and other side of the interior.

A first blade 6 divides the first processing position 3 from the second processing position 4. A second blade 7, located adjacent the first blade 6 and extending normally therefrom, serves to separate the second processing position 4 from the tray receiving position 5. A tray 8 fits within the tray receiving position 5 with an open side covered by the second blade 7. The tray 8 is removable from the tray receiving position 5 by way of a tray removal aperture 9, located in one end of the body 1 of the apparatus, adjacent the tray receiving position 5.

The apparatus further comprises an actuating handle 10 which extends away from the apex of the body 1 of the apparatus. The actuating handle 10 extends into the body 1 of the apparatus and, at the end of the actuating handle 10 locatable within the body 1 of the apparatus, is a first processing platen 11. The actuating handle 10 is pivotally secured to the body 1 of the apparatus by means of a pivot 12 located on the lower side of the handle 10, which pivot 12 connects the handle 10 with the body 1 at a point above the first processing position 3. The handle 10 is pivotally moveable around the pivot 12 such that, when the handle is pivoted toward the first processing position 3, the first processing platen 11 is pivoted, through the first processing position 3, into contact with the first blade 6.

The first blade 6 comprises a grid of two sets of parallel, evenly spaced cutting edges, the two sets of cutting edges being arranged in an intercepting manner at right-angles to each other. The first processing 11 platen has a grid of grooves 13 therein, which grooves 13 correspond to the grid of cutting edges of the first blade 6 so that, when the first processing platen 11 is brought against the first blade 6, the grooves 13 mesh with the grid of cutting edges of the first blade 6 so as to allow the first processing platen 11 to pass around the first blade 6.

Located at the top of the second processing position 4 is a second processing platen 13. The base 15 of the second processing platen 14 comprises, on each side, a longitudinal projection 16. On each of the inner faces of the side walls 2 at the second processing position 4 is a guiding groove 17, which guiding groove 17 extends from the top of the second processing 4 position to a point adjacent the second blade 7. Each guiding groove 17 is dimensioned to correspond with a longitudinal projection 16 on the base 15 of the second processing platen 14. Each longitudinal projection 16 is received within a guiding groove 17 for slidable motion therealong so as to guide the second processing platen 14 from a position at the top of the second processing position 4 to a position at the bottom of the second processing position 4, around the second blade 7.

Each longitudinal projection 16 is attached to one end of a spring (not shown), the other end of which spring is attached to the respective side wall 2 at the top of the body 1 of the apparatus, so as to urge the longitudinal projection 16 and, thus, the base 15 of the second processing platen 14 toward the top of the second processing position 4.

The second blade 7 comprises a set of cutting edges arranged parallel to each other, each cutting edge being evenly spaced from its neighbours. The cutting edges of the second blade 7 are aligned in a plane normal to the plane within which the grid of cutting edges of the first blade 6 are aligned. The second processing platen 14 comprises a plurality of grooves 18, which grooves 18 correspond to the cutting edges of the second blade 7. Accordingly, when the platen 14 is moved into contact with the second blade 7, the cutting edges of the second blade 7 move into the grooves 18 and thus allow the second processing platen 14 to pass around the second blade 7.

The lower face of the handle 10 nearer the second processing position 4 is adapted to be brought into contact with an upper face of the base 15 of the second processing platen. 14, upon pivoting of the handle 10 around the pivot 12 toward the second processing position 4. When the handle 10 is pivoted, around the pivot 12, toward the second processing position 4, the lower face of the handle 10 comes into contact with the upper face of the base 15 of the second processing platen 14 and, with continued pivoting motion around the pivot 12 of the handle 10, this face of the handle 10 forces the second processing platen 14 toward the second blade 7 against the resisting force of the springs. The second processing platen 14 is guided toward the second blade 7 by means of the longitudinal projection 16 sliding within the guiding grooves 17.

To use the apparatus of Figures 1 to 6, a tray 8 is placed within the tray receiving position 5 and an object 19 to be diced is placed within the first processing position 3, as shown in Figure 1.

As shown in Figure 2, the handle 10 is then pivoted, around the pivot 12, toward the first processing position 3, until the first processing platen 14 comes into contact with the object 19.

As shown in Figure 3, the handle 10 is then pivoted around pivot 12 further towards the first processing position 3, with greater force, and the first processing platen 11 pushes the object 19 around the cutting edges of the first blade 6 cutting the object 19 into rectangular strips having square cross-sections. The handle 10 is continued to be pivoted, around the pivot 12, until the first processing platen 11 passes around the cutting edges of the first blade 6 by means of the grooves 13 in the first processing platen 11.

This serves to force the duly cut object 19 into the second processing position 4, resting on the second blade 7. At this stage, as shown in Figure 3, the object 19 has been cut into rectangular strips of square cross-section.

As shown in Figure 4, the handle 10 is then pivoted in the opposite direction, around pivot 12, that is, towards the second processing position 4, until the lower face of the handle 10, nearest the second processing position 4, comes into contact with the upper face of the base 15 of the second processing platen 14. The handle 10 is then continued to be pivoted around pivot 12 towards the second processing position 4 and the face of the handle 10 pushes down on the upper face of the base 15, thus forcing the second processing platen 14 toward the second blade 7, guided by the longitudinal projections 16 in the guiding grooves 17.The handle 10 is continued to be pivoted, around pivot 12, towards the second processing position 4, until the second processing platen 14 has forced the object 20 around the cutting edges of the second blade 7 and the second processing platen 14 has passed around the cutting edges of the second blade 7, by virtue of the grooves 18 in the second processing platen 14. By being passed through the second blade 7 the rectangular strips of the object 20 are cut into equal size lengths, the resulting pieces being cubes. These pieces, being forced through the second blade 7, then fall into the tray 8 within the tray receiving position 5, as shown in Figure 5.

As shown in Figure 6, the tray 8 may then be removed from the tray receiving position 5 and the duly diced object 19 may be removed from the tray 8. Alternatively, the tray 8 may be left in position to allow further objects to be diced and collected within the tray 8.

The handle 10 is then released and returned to a position extending substantially vertically from the top of the body 1 of the apparatus. This will release the pressure on the upper face of the base 15 of the second processing platen 14 and the second processing platen 14 will then return to a position at the top of the second processing position 4 by means of the action of the springs on the longitudinal projections 16, urging the longitudinal projections 16 along the guiding grooves 17, towards the top of the guiding grooves 17 at the top of the second processing position 4. The apparatus is then ready for re-use.

It should be appreciated that the embodiment described herein is an example of the present invention and may be varied. For example, by varying the angles of the blades relative to each other and by varying the angles and orientations of the cutting edges within the blades, different shapes may be produced when cutting an object, such as diamonds, stars and fancy shapes such as flower shapes.

Furthermore, the apparatus may be used to cut material in less than three planes. For example, if it is required to merely cut the material into strips, material may be placed in the first processing position 3 and the handle 10 is then pivoted around the pivot 12 towards the first processing position 3 so as to force the object 19 around the cutting edges of the first blade 6. This will push the object 19 around the cutting edge of the first blade 6 to form rectangular strips having square cross-sections and these strips may then just be removed from the second processing position 4 for use. Similarly, if the object 19 is required to be cut merely into slices, the object 19 may be placed in the second processing position 4 and the handle 10 may be pivoted around the pivot 12 towards the second processing position 4 so as to operate the second processing platen 14 to force the object 19 around the cutting edges of the second blade 7. This will force the object 19 around the cutting edges of the second blade 7 and into the tray 8 in slices. To aid the positioning and removal of the object in the second processing position 4, either or both of the first blade 6 and the second blade 7 may be made removable from the apparatus.

Claims

1. Apparatus for cutting material, which apparatus comprises a first blade, a second blade, first cutting means for passing the first blade through an object to be cut and second cutting means for passing the second blade through the object to be cut, the arrangement being such that, in use, when the first blade is passed through the object, the object is positioned adjacent the second blade.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein one of the first and second blade comprises two sets of cutting edges, each set being substantially parallel and evenly spaced, the two sets being positioned at right-angles to each other to form a grid.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein the other of the first and second blade comprises a set of cutting edges substantially parallel and evenly spaced.

4. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the first and second blades are adjacent each other and extend substantially normally.

5. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the first and/or second cutting means comprise urging means for urging the object around the respective first and/or second blade.

6. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the apparatus further comprises actuating means for actuating the first and/or second cutting means.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6 wherein the actuating means comprise a handle pivotally mounted on the apparatus.

8. A method of cutting an object substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 8 further comprising a tray for receiving the object when cut.

9. A method of using an apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 8 which method comprises positioning an object adjacent the first blade, actuating the first cutting means to pass the first blade through the object to be cut so as to position the object adjacent the second blade and actuating the second cutting means so as to pass the second blade through the object.

10. Apparatus for cutting an object substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

11. A method of tutting an object substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. Any novel feature or combination of features described herein.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS 1. Apparatus for cutting an object, which apparatus comprises a first blade and a second blade, first cutting means for urging an object, about the first blade, from a first position to a second position adjacent the second blade, second cutting means for urging an object about the second blade from the second position to a third position and an actuating handle pivotally mounted on the apparatus, wherein the first cutting means is actuatable by pivotal movement of the actuating handle in one direction and the second cutting means is actuatable by pivotal movement of the actuating handle in the opposite direction.

4. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the first and second blades extend substantially normally.

5. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the apparatus comprises a tray for receiving the object when cut, the interior of which tray is the third position.

6. A method of using an apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims which method comprises placing an object to be cut at the first position, pivoting the actuating handle in the one direction so as to actuate the first cutting means to urge the object around the first blade to the second position and pivoting the actuating handle in the opposite direction so as to actuate the second cutting means to urge the object around the second blade to the third position.

7. Apparatus for cutting an object substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.