GB2422290A

GB2422290A - Garlic cutter press

Info

Publication number: GB2422290A
Application number: GB0501048A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter James Jackson; Jonathan Rodda Jackson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-01-19
Filing date: 2005-01-19
Publication date: 2006-07-26
Also published as: GB0501048D0

Abstract

A garlic cutter press having an arcuate press plate 3 with a perforated area 4 and an integral cutter blade 6 with a clearance aperture 7. The press plate and integral cutter are firmly attached to a handle 1. The shape of the handle facilitates use of the cutter blade to cut garlic cloves and press out the garlic flesh with the perforated press plate, using one hand or two. The pressing action can be carried out, either by impacting or by rocking the press plate against a firmly supported surface, causing the flesh to be pressed through the perforations and rest on top of the press plate. The flesh can then be carried to the required site. The handle is provided with a hole 2 to offer a means of suspended storage.

Description

1 2422290

GARLIC CUTTER PRESS

This invention relates to a kitchen utensil, in particular a garlic cutter press for use in cutting and separating flesh from the outer husk and fibre of garlic cloves.

Prior art shows that garlic presses normally consist of two or more moving parts, probably the most common consisting of a piston, driven by opposing hand operated levers within a chamber whose base is perforated and containing the garlic clove, pre-prepared by removal of the hard root end and if necessary cut into pieces according to its size and hardness.

Some similar presses have a lift out perforated press plate to aid removal of the unwanted residues.

U.S. Pat. No. 6505548 shows a press with facility for operation in the manner of a press using opposing handles and also by downward pressure on the upper handle against a surface supported base.

As garlic presses are relatively slow to use and not easily cleaned, it is common practice among professional chefs, to use a broad bladed knife to cut off the root end of the clove, crush it with the flat of the blade on a hard supported surface, separate out the flesh from the husk and fibre with the blade, and transfer the flesh on the knife.

The object of the invention is to provide a manually operated garlic cutter press that is simple and fast to use, suitable for use by the physically disabled, and easy to clean.

To achieve this the present invention provides a garlic cutter press with a cutting blade integral with a perforated press plate attached to a handle and a means of transferring the garlic flesh to the required site.

FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of the garlic cutter press, viewed from the front.

FIGURE 2 shows a side elevation FIGURE 3 shows a perspective view from below Referring to Fig 1 an arcuate press plate 3 has an area 4 perforated with holes in rows staggered relative to adjacent rows. When the cutter press rests on a firmly supported flat and level surface and is in a state of static balance, the centre point of the perforated area 4 lies on the line of contact of the press plate 3 and said surface.

From the perforated area 4 the press plate 3 continues forward to a point where it is bent upwards to form a cutter panel 5, the upper limit of which is embedded or otherwise attached to the handle 1. An aperture 7 in the press plate 3, adjacent to the bend between the press plate 3 and the cutter panel 5, creates an edge which is appropriately sharpened to form the cutter blade 6. The aperture 7 also allows the cutter blade 6 and cutter panel 5 to pass through the garlic clove and provides the clearance for the cut garlic to pass through the press plate 3.

The press plate 3 continues rearwards of the perforated area 4 in a continuous arc to rise upwards to be embedded or otherwise attached to the handle 1.

The handle 1 provides support for the press plate 3 and cutter panel 5 and also shaped to allow alternative ways of operating the cutter press. When gripped from above with the operator's fingers through the aperture 8, the cutter panel 5 can be conveniently held upright for cutting against a firmly supported surface using the cutter blade 6. It is normally sufficient to only cut off the root end of the garlic clove but if it is hard and dry, pressing is made easier by further cuts.

Having cut off the root end of the clove, the operator's hand would move to the rear of the aperture 8 and the perforated area 4 brought down sharply onto the clove, or parts thereof, splitting and loosening the outer husk. Further pressing is then carried out using the perforated area 4, either by repeated impacting of the piece / pieces of clove or by a rocking action of the convex lower surface of the perforated area 4. This rocking action can be more easily carried out using two hands, both placed on top of the handle I, one at each end, with thumbs passing through the aperture 8. The overhang of the handle at each end provides additional leverage and allows the user easier operation of the press in either a standing or a sitting position.

During the pressing operation the garlic flesh is forced up through the perforated area 4 to rest on the inner concave surface of the press plate 3. When the press is lifted from the work surface the waste husk and fibre is either left on that surface, or easily removed if remaining on the underside of the press plate 3, the flesh can then be conveniently transferred to the required site. The handle 1 is provided with a through hole 2 to offer a means of suspended storage of the cutter press.

The preferred embodiment of the invention having no moving parts, would utilise stainless steel for the press plate 3 and cutter panel 5 and moulded plastic for the handle 1.

Alternative versions may use any suitable materials without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A garlic cutter press having a cutting blade integral with a perforated press plate, attached to a handle, and a means of transferring the garlic flesh to the required site.

2. A garlic cutter press as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the cutting blade is provided with an aperture to allow clearance for the cut material.

3. A garlic cutter press as claimed in Claim I or 2 wherein the perforated press plate is arcuate.

4. A garlic cutter press as claimed in Claim 2 or 3 which when resting on a firmly supported flat and level surface in a state of static balance has the centre point of the perforated area lying on the line of contact of the press plate and said surface.

5. A garlic cutter press as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the handle is disposed in relation to the cutter blade and press plate such that it facilitates the cutting action and/or the pressing operation either with one hand or two.

6. A garlic cutter press as claimed in any proceeding claim in which there are no moving parts.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows A garlic cutter press having a perforated press plate integral with a cutting blade and attached to a handle enabling garlic cloves to be crushed and separated from the husk by an impacting or rocking action causing the processed garlic flesh to be forced up through the press plate on which the material can be transferred to the cooking vessel.

2. A garlic cutter press as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the cutting blade is provided with an aperture to allow clearance for the cut material 3. A garlic cutter press as claimed in Claim I or 2 wherein the perforated press plate is arcuate 4. A garlic cutter press as claimed in Claim 2 or 3 which when resting on a firmly supported flat and level surface in a state of static balance has the centre point of the perforated area lying on the line of contact of the press plate and said surface.