GB2256579A

GB2256579A - A cutter for foodstuffs

Info

Publication number: GB2256579A
Application number: GB9123351A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Low Ban Chai
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-12-20
Filing date: 1991-11-04
Publication date: 1992-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 2011-11-04
Also published as: HK35295A; GB9123351D0; GB2256579B

Abstract

The cutter (10) comprises a cutting edge (20), preferably the edge of a cutting plate (14), and a guide plate (12) extending generally away from the cutting edge and perpendicularly spaced therefrom to define a path for foodstuff to be cut to the cutting edge. A plurality of cutting ribs (18) are disposed across the guide plate and are rotatably mounted for movement into and out of the path through slits (16) in the guide plate (12). The cutting ribs (18) are preferably on a cylinder rotatably mounted beneath the slits in the guide plate and lockable in a position where the cutting ribs protrude through the slits to interfere with an item passing along the path. Cylinder rotation also can raise the guide plate (12) above the edge (10). <IMAGE>

Description

A CUTTER FOR FOODSTUFFS The present invention relates to a household utensil for reducing the size offruits, vegetable or similar foodstuffs, in particular to a household utensil wherein the said foodstuffs can be reduced to varying shapes and sizes.

In known devices of the kind described, there is provided a working plate with a cutting edge positioned marginally above the horizontal plane of the working plate. The position of the cutting edge in relation to the working plate is fixed in a pre-determined manner. In some prior art models, the cutting edge is replaceable ; cutting edges of different shapes can be fitted in position. The prior art models are only capable of cutting or slicing fruits, vegetables or other similar foodstuff into planar slices the thickness of the slice depending on the height of the cutting edge from the working plate. Although it is possible to obtain either substantially smooth or wavy surfaces on one side of sliced part, it was not possible to slice the said sliced part in the opposite direction.

the present invention can provide a cutter which facilitates the slicing of the foodstuff to be cut into longitudinal strips in one continuous motion.

The invention provides a cutter for fruits, vegetables and the like comprising a first plate, a second plate positioned adjacent and a pre determined height above the first plate. The second plate includes a cutting edge mounted at the starting edge. The relative heights of the first plate and the second plate adjustable. The first plate includes a plurality of slits positioned in the direction of movement of the item to be cut, and a rotatable cylinder mounted beneath the slits.The cylinder includes at least one series of cutting ribs mounted perpendicular to the surface of the cylinder wherein the rotation of the cylinder enables the first plate to be reversibly raised above the cutting edge, or the series of cutting ribs to be introduced through the slits ; the position of the cylinder being lockable in position at any one pre-determined position when the first plate is lower than the surface of the second plate, a planar slice of the item to be cut is produce. when the series of cutting ribs is above the surface of the first plate, a series of strips of the said items are produced.

Advantageously the length of the slits in the first plate are dimensioned to accommodate the rotational movement of the cutting ribs. In the preferred embodiment the surface of the first and second plates are groved in the longitudinal direction to facilitate the unidirectional movement of the item to be cut along the longitudinal axis of the cutter.

The free end of the second plate is preferably serrated to facilitate the production of patterned margin of the item that is cut. The side walls bordering the second plate also include at least a pair of ridges to enable the positioning of the cutter on the side edges of a container vessel.

The invention will be more clearly described by reference to an embodiment of the invention by way of example only, clearly illustrated in the following diagrams in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the rotatable cylinder (shown detached from the cutter assembly, with the knob also separated)* Referring now to the drawings, in Figs 1 to 2, a cutter (10) includes a first plate #12) and a second plate with (14) a cutting edge (20). The first plate (12) includes a plnrality of slits (16) at one end. The length of the slits along the first plate is dimensioned to enable cutting ribs (18) to rotate about their mounting. In a equilibrium rest position, the first plate is an inclined plane in relation to the level of the cutting edge (20). One end of the first plate (12) is preferably integrally fastened to the side panels (22) of the cutter. The other end of the first plate (12) is free. As the cylinder (24) is rotated about its axis the free end of the first plate is moved above the level of the cutting edge.The cutting edge (20), preferably a razor like blade, is mounted on one edge of the second plate (14), preferably at a slight off right angle position in relation to the longitudinal axis of the side panels (22). The terminal end of the second plate (14) includes a serrated edge or other shapes (26) to facilitate cutting of the fruits or vegetables or other foodstuffs into a pre-determined pattern.

Each side panel (22) preferably includes a groove (27) at mid-portion between the cutting edge and the serrated edge.

The groove (27) facilitates the positioning of the cutter on the side walls of a container that receives the cut fruit or vegetables.

The cylinder includes at least one series of cutting rios (18), preferably of uniform size, arranged in such a manner that when the cylinder is rotated, the cutting ribs pass through the slits (16). The cylinder (24) is mounted on a shaft (28) off the central longitudinal axis. The shaft (28) is rotatably mounted on the side panels (22) so that when the shaft is rotated the free end of the first plate (12) is moved from a first rest position to a second position wherein the free end is above the level of the cutting edge (20). One end of the shaft (28) includes a control knob (30) which is designed to rotate the shaft along its longitudinal axis and to lock and unlock the shaft at pre-determined position along its axis of rotation.

The present embodiment of the invention as illustrated depicts two series of cutting ribs . It is possible to include additional series of cutting ribs on the cylinder if desired.

The operation of the invention in use will now be described. If only a flat wide planar slice of the fruit or vegetable is required, the free end of the first plate (12) is fixed at a position below the cutting edge. The vertical distance between the free end and the cutting edge (20) would substantially be the thickness of the sliced piece. As the vertical distance between the free end and the cutting edge is adjustable it is possible to slice fruits or vegetables of varying thickness.

To obtain strips of fruits or vegetables, the cutting ribs (18) are rotated above the slits (16). When the fruit is slid along the longitudinal direction, the cutting ribs first make a series of slits in the fruit. Thereafter the fruit is sliced by the cutting edge, thereby producing longitudinal strips of fruit or vegetable , which drops beneath the second plate (14). The width of the longitudinal strip would be determined by the distance between the adjacent cutting ribs (18).

The cut longitudinal strips can if desired be cut into smaller strips by using the serrated edge (26).

To guide the fruit or vegetable along the plates, the plates includes a plurality of wavy ridges in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the rotter . The edges of the side panels (22) are above the planar level of the plates, so as to keep the fruit or vegetable to be cut within the plates when the same is being cut.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A cutter for foodstuffs comprising a cutting edge and a guide plate extending generally away from the cutting edge and perpendicularly spaced therefrom to define a path for foodstuff to be cut to the cutting edge, a plurality of cutting ribs disposed across the guide plate rotatably mounted for movement into and out of the path through slits in the guide plate.

2. A cutter according to claim 1 in which the cutting edge is an edge of a cutting plate.

3. A cutter according to claim 2 in which the two plates do not overlap each other.

4. A cutter according to claim 2 or 3 in which the cutting plate has a second cutting edge on the end of the plate opposite to the first cutting edge.

5. A cutter according to any preceding claim in which the perpendicular distance between the guide plate and the cutting edge is adjustable.

6. A cutter according to any preceding claim in which the ribs are on a cylinder rotatably mounted beneath the slits in the guide plate.

7. A cutter according to claim 6 in which the cylinder is lockable in a position where the cutting ribs protrude through the slits to interfere with an item passing along the path, or in a position where the ribs do not protrude through the slits and do not interfere with an item passing along the path.

8. A cutter for fruits, vegetables and the like comprising a first plate, a second plate which is positioned adjacent and at a pre-determined height above the first plate, the second plate including a cutting edge mounted at the starting edge, the height of the first plate and the second plate being adjustable, the first plate including a plurality of slits positioned in the direction of movement of the item to be cut and a rotatable cylinder mounted beneath the slits, the cylinder including at least one series of cutting ribs mounted perpendicular to the surface of the cylinder wherein rotation of the cylinder enables the first plate to be reversably raised above the cutting edge or the series of cutting ribs to be introduced through the slits, the relative position of the cylinder being lockable in position at any one pre-determined position and wherein when the first plate is lower than the surface of the second plate, a planar slice of the item to be cut is produced, and when the series of cutting ribs is above the surface of the first plate, a series of elongate strips of the item are produced.

9. A cutter substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.