GB2484676A

GB2484676A - Cutlery item with cutting wheel

Info

Publication number: GB2484676A
Application number: GB201017599A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kathryn Hindle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-10-19
Filing date: 2010-10-19
Publication date: 2012-04-25
Also published as: GB201017599D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cutlery item 1 comprising a cutting wheel 200 connected to a handle 100, wherein the cutting wheel is rotatable relative to the handle. The wheel preferably has a diameter of 35-45mm; the distance from a point at which the wheel is mounted to the distal end of the handle is preferably 150-190mm; and the total length of the cutlery item is preferably 180-220mm. The handle may comprise a notch between a hand-held part of the handle and the wheel. The wheel may be removably attached to the cutlery item. The cutlery item can be used in place of a knife for cutting certain foods, such as pizzas, during eating.

Description

Cutlery Item

introduction

The present invention relates to a cutlery item, more particularly a cutlery item for cutting food during eating. The present invention also relates to a handle of the cutlery item, a kit of parts, a use of the cutlery item, a method of eating, and a cutlery set.

Background to the invention

There is a need for cutlery items that allow for the safe and effective cutting of food during eating. At present a standard table knife can be used, which is typically weighted and dimensioned to allow for comfortable handling during use. A problem with such knives is that they tend to "rip" food, leading to a messier eating experience. Moreover, certain foods when ripped give a non-ideal eating texture, thus eating pleasure is compromised, particularly with foods such as pizzas.

Sharper knives, such as steak knives, can be employed to cut tougher food with less ripping. However, sharp knives are more dangerous and still not ideal for cutting certain foods, such as pizzas, owing to the flexibility of the blades. Moreover, sharp knives are often ill suited to the cutting action required to cut flat tough foods on the plate.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome at least one of the problems inherent

in the prior art.

Summary of the invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a cutlery item comprising a handle; and a cutting wheel connected to the handle; wherein the cutting wheel is rotatable relative to the handle.

The cutlery item is preferably an item of table cutlery. The cutlery item is preferably suitable for eating with, by which it is meant that the cutlery item is suitable for handling and cutting food on a standard-sized dinner plate. In particular the cutlery item is preferably suitably dimensioned to be hand held during eating, and preferably also suitably weighted for comfortable eating. The cutlery item may be essentially a standard table knife (for eating) which has its knife blade replaced by a cutting wheel.

An advantage of this cutlery item is that it allows foods to be cut cleanly with reduced or no ripping, thus reducing messiness. This advantage is particularly pronounced with foods that are substantially flat on the plate, e.g. pizzas. The cutlery item allows such foods to be cut so as to give the cut food a straight edge with a more defined shape prior to eating. When eaten, food cut by the cutlery item provides improved eating pleasure through providing a more acceptable texture and shape for the mouth. This in turn allows the taste buds in the mouth to better appreciate the food, as is well understood by those skilied in the fine-dining art.

Another advantage is that this cutlery item is not as dangerous as a sharp eating knife, and moreover allows cutting via a more natural and easy action (i.e. by rolling the cutting wheel over the food to be cut whilst applying suitable pressure).

Herein, a "cutting wheel" may be non-circular, for example elliptical or even regularly polygonal or irregularly polygonal. Preferably, however, the cutting wheel is substantially circular and most preferably circular.

The cutting wheel is preferably a blade, preferably with a sharp edge around its perimeter. The cutting wheel preferably comprises metal, preferably at least around the sharp edge. Preferably the entire cutting wheel comprises metal, and most preferably the cutting wheel consists essentially of metal. The metal is preferably stainless steel, and is preferably dishwasher-proof. The metal is preferably stainless steel.

The cutting wheel preferably has a diameter of 20-60mm, more preferably 30-50mm, most preferably 35-45mm. Most preferably the cutting wheel has a diameter of 40mm. Where the cutting wheel is non-circular, the diameter is the average diameter.

The cutting wheel preferably has a thickness of 0.01-3mm, more preferably 0.1-2mm, most preferably 0.5mm-1.Smm. The thickness of the cutting wheel is the average thickness towards the edge, preferably the average thickness around an outer portion of the cutting wheel which is defined by 10% of the radius nearest to the edge.

The cutting wheel preferably weighs above 20g, preferably above 30g, more preferably above 50g, most preferably above 80g. The cutting wheel preferably weighs below 180g, preferably below 170g, more preferably below 150g, and most preferably below 120g. Most preferably the cutting wheel weights about 100g.

Herein, the "handle" is a portion of the cutlery item arranged to be held by the hand during use. Preferably the handle is arranged to be hand-held. The handle may be any form of suitable handle, and may be connected to the cutting wheel in any manner allowing the cutting wheel to be rotatable (at any angle) relative to the handle.

The cutting wheel is preferably attached to the cutlery item at a cutting wheel mount, preferably such that the cutting wheel is rotatable about the cutting wheel mount. Preferably, the handle extends so as to directly connect with the cutting wheel (i.e. at the cutting wheel mount). The handle may therefore comprise the cutting wheel mount. Alternatively, the handle may be connected to the cutting wheel via an intervening link piece or pieces, for example a spacer which ensures the cutting wheel is a suitable distance from the hand during use. The intervening link piece(s) may therefore comprise the cutting wheel mount. Such intervening link piece(s) may be integral to the handle.

The handle may be in the form of a loop (straight or curved edged) having an opening to allow the hand to grip through the loop. The handle is preferably an extended rod (preferably as per a standard knife handle), preferably substantially straight along at least one axis, although the handle may be curved along an axis, for example to improve hand-held comfort.

The handle may extend in a plane substantially at right angles to a plane defined by the cutting wheel. In this case, preferably the handle extends in a plane inclined 80-100°, more preferably 85-95°, to the plane of the cutting wheel.

More preferably the handle extends in a plane substantially parallel to the plane defined by the cutting wheel, and most preferably extends substantially in the same plane as the plane of the cutting wheel. In this case, preferably the handle extends in a plane inclined +1-10°, more preferably +1-5°, to the plane of the cutting wheel. When substantially parallel to the plane of the cutting wheel, the plane in which the handle extends is preferably disposed 0- 20mm, more preferably 0-10mm, most preferably 0-5mm, from the plane of the cutting wheel.

The distance from the point at which the cutting wheel is mounted on the cutlery item (preferably the cutting wheel mount) and the end of the handle distal to the cutting wheel is preferably 120-220mm, more preferably 135-205mm, more preferably 150-190, and most preferably l6Omm-l8Omm. Preferably the total length of the cutlery item from one extremity (preferably the end of the handle distal to the cutting wheel) to the other (preferably an outer edge of the cutting wheel) is 150-250mm, more preferably 165-235mm, more preferably 180- 220, and most preferably l9Omm-2lOmm.

The handle may comprise a notch (protrusion) towards the cutting wheel end of the handle to prevent a user's hand slipping into or towards the cutting wheel during use.

Alternatively such a notch may be present on the link piece or pieces instead. The notch is preferably located between a hand-held part of the handle and the cutting wheel. Either way, the distance from the end of the handle distal to the cutting wheel to the notch is preferably 70- 150mm, more preferably 80-140mm, more preferably 90-130mm, most preferably 100-120mm.

The distance from the notch to the cutting wheel mount is preferably 50-90mm, more preferably 60-80mm.

The handle preferabJy has an average width between 10-30mm, more preferabJy 15- 25mm. Preferably the width of the handle tapers from the end distal to the cutting wheel, where it is widest, towards either the notch or the point where the handle terminates.

Preferably the handle is 15-25mm, more preferably 18-24mm, most preferably 20-23mm, at its widest point and preferably 6-15mm, more preferably 8-13mm, most preferably 9-12mm, at its point of minimal width.

The handle preferably has a thickness of 2-10mm, more preferably 3-8mm, most preferably 4-7mm.

The handle (preferably the hand-held part of the handle) preferably weighs above 22g, preferably above 33g, more preferably above SSg, most preferably above 88g. The cutting wheel preferably weighs below 198g, preferably below 187g, more preferably below 165g, and most preferably below 132g. Most preferably the cutting wheel weights about 110g.

The cutlery item preferably weighs above 42g, preferably above 120g, more preferably above 168g, and most preferably above 200g. The cutlery item preferably weighs below 378g, preferably below, more preferably below 250g, and most preferably below 220g, although the cutlery item may weigh below 180g. The cutlery item preferably weights about 210g.

The cutlery item is preferably suitably weighted to provide comfort during use. In particular the hand-held part of the handle preferably weighs more, preferably at least 1% more, preferably at least 2% more, more preferably at least 5% more, more preferably at least 9% more, and most preferably about 10% more than the rest of the cutlery item (including the cutting wheel).

Preferably the cutting wheel is mounted to the cutlery item substantially in line with the handle in the direction the handle extends. Preferably the cutting wheel mount is substantially in line with the handle in the direction the handle extends (theoretically extrapolated where intervening link pieces are present or in practice where the handle itself comprises the cutting wheel mount).

The cutting wheel may be removably attached to the cutlery item, preferably at the cutting wheel mount. Such removability facilitates cleaning of the cutlery item and also allows for the replacement of the cutting wheel. Preferably the cutting wheel is removable via a quick-release mechanism (i.e. preferably a mechanism which requires no tool for screwing/unscrewing), most preferably via a snap-fastener or press-stud mechanism. The cutting wheel may be removably connected to the handle at a connecting point other than the cutting wheel mount, for example an intervening link piece may be removably attached to the handle. In such circumstances, the intervening link piece is preferably removable from the handle via a quick-release mechanism.

Preferably the cutting wheel mount provides a rotational axis for the cutting wheel, preferably the only axis of rotation therefor. The cutting wheel is preferably attached at the cutting wheel mount via a wheel-axle arrangement which allows the cutting wheel to freely rotate relative to the handle. The cutting wheel mount may comprise a pin protruding from one 1 5 side of the handle, such that the cutting wheel can be mounted upon said pin through a hole in the plane of the cutting wheel (preferably a substantially central hole). The pin may comprise a cap at the end for securing the cutting wheel in place. The cap may be removable. The cutting wheel mount may comprise one or more holes in the handle or intervening link piece(s), such hole(s) being arranged to receive a pin or axel supporting the cutting wheel.

The cutting wheel may comprise an axle, preferably an axle protruding from the centre of the cutting wheel, preferably protruding from one or both sides of the cutting wheel (preferably perpendicular to the plane of the cutting wheel). In such a case, the axle or pin protruding from the cutting wheel may be integral or fixedly attached to the cutting wheel. The cutting wheel itself may comprise a hole, preferably substantially centrally, arranged to receive a pin or axle from the cutting wheel mount. A cap may be screwed or snap-fastened onto the end of the pin to secure the cutting wheel to the cutting wheel mount. Alternatively, both the cutting wheel and the cutting wheel mount comprises holes through which a pin or axle may be threaded to attach the cutting wheel to the cutting wheel mount. Again a cap or caps may be arranged on one or both ends of the pin to secure the cutting wheel in place. The cutting wheel mount or cutting wheel may comprise bearings to facilitate rotation of the cutting wheel.

The pin may be any suitable mounting means known in the art, for example a rod or screw.

The cutting wheel may be mounted to one side of the cutting wheel mount.

Alternatively, the cutting wheel may be mounted or clamped between two protruding pieces so that the cutting wheel mount is characterised as an mounting area rather than merely a mounting point.

The cutting wheel is preferably arranged so as to rotate relative to the handle as the cutlery item is moved back and forth as the cutting wheel is pressed against a surface (preferably the surface of food, especially a pizza). Preferably the cutting wheel is configured to cut food as the cutlery item is moved back and forth as the cutting wheel is sufficiently pressed against the food.

The cutlery item may comprise a lock operable to lock the cutting wheel so that the cutting wheel is non-rotatable relative to the handle. Preferably the lock is operable to lock and unlock the cutting wheei. The Jock may comprise multiple parts, such as a cutting wheeJ lock part, which rotates with the cutting wheel, and a handle lock part, which is operable to restrain rotation of the cutting wheel lock part and thereby prevent rotation of the cutting wheel.

Alternative, the lock may be operable to increase the rotational friction of the cutting wheel to restrict or prevent such rotation. Such a lock provides versatility to the cutlery item, enabling it to optionally function as a standard knife and thereby providing suitable cutting means for different types of food. Such a dual function reduces the need for extra cutlery.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a handle as described in the first aspect, which handle is connectable to a cutting wheel as described in the first aspect to form a cutlery item.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a cutting wheel as described in the first aspect, which cutting wheel is connectable to a handle as described in the first aspect to form a cutlery item.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising a handle as described in the second aspect and a cutting wheel as described in the third aspect, wherein the handle is connectable to the cutting wheel to form a cutlery item. The kit of parts may further comprise one or more intervening link pieces as described in the first aspect.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a use of the cutlery item described in the first aspect for cutting and eating food. The use includes using the cutlery item in conjunction with other cutlery such as a standard knife, fork, and/or spoon.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of eating food, comprising providing a cutlery item as described in the first aspect; cutting food with the cutlery item; and eating the food. The method preferably comprises pressing the cutting wheel of the cutlery item against the food whilst moving the cutlery item back and forth to rotate the cutlery wheel upon the food, thereby cutting the food.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a cutlery set comprising the cutlery item of the first aspect; or the kit of parts of the fourth aspect. The cutlery set preferably comprises additional cutlery, for example standard knives, forks, spoons, etc. Preferred features of all aspects are also preferred features of any other aspect.

Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention, and to understand how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the following diagrammatic drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a cutting wheel-side view of a first embodiment of a cutlery item; FIG. 2 is a handle-side view of a second embodiment of a cutlery item; and FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the cutlery item of Fig. 2.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments of the Present Invention Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in relation to a table cutlery item providing for an enhanced cutting and eating experience in relation to certain foods, particularly hard flat-based food such as pizzas.

FIG. I shows a cutlery item I in accordance with a first embodiment. The cutlery item has a solid stainless steel handle 100 connected to a stainless steel cutting wheel 200 at a cutting wheel mount 110. In this example, the mount 110 includes a pin 110 extending perpendicularly from one side of the handle 100 of which the pin 110 is an integral part, so as to fit through a hole 210 in the centre of the cutting wheel 200. The pin 110 thereby serves as an axle 110 about which the cutting wheel 200 can freely rotate. To secure the cutting wheel 200 the pin 110 is end-capped with a snap-fastening cap llOa that allows for quick-release of the cutting wheel 200. The hole 210 is internally lined with bushing (in this case PTFE) to reduce rotational friction.

In alternative embodiments a pin 110 is threaded through holes in both the cutting wheel 200 and the handle 100 and the pin 110 is capped at both ends to secure the cutting wheel to the handle 100.

The cutting wheel 200 is perfectly circular with a diameter of 40mm, and has a generally uniform thickness of 1mm.

The handle 100 is solid (i.e. with no hollows) and consists of two integral portions 120, which together form the handle 100, namely a hand-held part 120 and a spacer part 130.

The handle 100 also has a protruding notch 140 on the spacer part 130 near to the hand-held part 120. The hand-held part 120 has a length of 110mm and a width which tapers from 22mm to 11mm from the handle end to the spacer part 130 and notch 140 (i.e. the handle is thinnest nearest the notch). The spacer part 130 has a length of 70mm and a width which generally tapers from 11mm to 22mm from the notch to the cutting wheel/mount end of the handle 100. Therefore, the total length of the handle is 180mm. The distance from the end of the handle distal to the cutting wheel 200 to the mount 110 is 170mm. The thickness of the handle is 5mm and is generally uniform along its length.

The spacer part 130 ensures that the cutting wheel is a suitable distance from the users hand, whilst the notch 140 reduces the risk of the user's hand slipping towards the cutting wheel.

The cutlery item 1 is suitably weighted to provide comfort during use. In particular the hand-held part 120 weighs 10% more than the rest of the cutlery item (including the spacer part 130 and cutting wheel 200). Generally speaking, the cutlery item is weighted so as to be 10% lighter on the cutting wheel-side of the notch 140 than the handle-side of the notch. In this example the cutlery item weighs 210g, but in other examples (e.g. children's cutlery items) the cutlery item weighs 150g.

FIG. 2 shows a cutlery item I in accordance with a second embodiment, this time from the handle side. FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the cutlery item I so that the relevant parts can be discerned. Again the cutlery item 1 has a stainless steel handle 100 connected to a stainless steel cutting wheel 200 at a cutting wheel mount 110. The dimensions and materials of the handle 100 and cutting wheel 200 are generally the same as the first embodiment.

However, this time the polarities are reversed so that the mount 110 is a hole 150 in the handle, and the pin 220 in this case extends perpendicularly from one side of the centre of the cutting wheel 200, of which the pin 220 is an integral part to provide the axle. The pin 220 is capped again with a snap-fastening cap 230. In this example the cap 230 is rotatably fixed relative to the pin 220, through snap-fastening arrangements known in the art, so that the cap 230 is rotatably coupled to the pin 220 and also the cutting wheel 200. The cap 230 has a slot 232 arranged to receive a locking rod 240 which is slidably mounted on the side of the handle adjacent to the cap 230. The locking rod 240 is a operable as a switch between a locked position (where the locking rod 240 is engaged with the slot 232) and an unlocked position (where the locking rod 240 is fully disengaged from the slot). Together, the slot 232 and locking rod 240 form a lock mechanism which prevents rotation of the cutting wheel 200 in the locked position.

The cutlery items described above are generally manufactured by forging the stainless steel parts, such as the handle 100 and cutting wheel 200, and attaching the cutting wheel to the handle by threading the pin through the relevant hole(s) before capping the pin to secure the handle 100 and cutting wheel 200 together. The cap 230 of the second embodiment must be specially forged to include the slot 232, and the switchable locking rod 240 is incorporated into the handle 100 by methods well known in the art. It is possible to provide the cutlery item as a kit comprising the handle 100, cutting wheel 200 and cap llOa, 230. Moreover, all these parts may be provided separately as replacement parts. The cutlery item may also be provided as a part of a cutlery set containing other table cutlery items.

The cutlery item is used to eat food, such as a pizza, by pressing the blade of the cutting wheel 200 down hard onto the pizza whilst rolling the cutting wheel 200 back and forth upon the pizza until a clean cut is obtained. This process is repeated until a piece of pizza with straight edges obtained. The cutlery item can then be used to assist in the eating of the pizza via such as a fork. It is envisaged that restaurants could provide the cutlery item I to pizza-eating diners, much as a special fish knife is often provided for fish-eating diners.

The cutlery item 1 of the second embodiment can be locked, by sliding the locking rod 240 into the slot 232 within the cap 230, sO that food can be cut as with a standard table knife without the cutting wheel 200 rotating with the back and forth movement of the cutlery item 1.

The cutlery item 1 can then be unlocked by sliding the locking rod 240 so as to disengage the slot 232, thus allowing the cutting wheel 200 to rotate freely again.

Although a few preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A cutlery item comprising a handle; and a cutting wheel connected to the handle; wherein the cutting wheel is rotatable relative to the handle.
2. A cutlery item as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cutlery item is for eating with.
3. A cutlery item as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cutting wheel has a diameter of 35-45mm.
4. A cutlery item as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the distance from a point at which the cutting wheel is mounted on the cutlery item and the end of the handle distal to the cutting wheel is preferably 150-190mm.
5. A cutlery item as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the total length of the cutlery item from one extremity to the other is 180-220mm.
6. A cutlery item as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the handle comprises a notch located between a hand-held part of the handle and the cutting wheel.
7. A cutlery item as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a hand-held part of the handle weighs more than the rest of the cutlery item.
8. A cutlery item as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cutting wheel is mounted to the cutlery item substantially in line with the handle in the direction the handle extends.
9. A cutlery item as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cutting wheel is removably attached to the cutlery item.
10. A cutlery item as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a lock operable to lock the cutting wheel so that the cutting wheel is non-rotatable relative to the handle.
11. A handle as described in any preceding claim, wherein the handle is connectable to a cutting wheel to form a cutlery item.
12. A cutting wheel as described in any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the cutting wheel is connectable to a handle to form a cutlery item.
13. A kit of parts comprising a handle as described in claim 11, and a cutting wheel as described in claim 12, wherein the handle is connectable to the cutting wheel to form a cutlery item.
14. A use of a cutlery item as described in any of claims Ito 10 for cutting and eating food.
15. A method of eating food, comprising providing a cutiery item as described in the first aspect; cutting food with the cutlery item; and eating the food.
16. A cutlery set comprising a cutlery item as described in any of claims Ito 10 or a kit of parts as described in claim 13.
17. A cutlery item, a handle, a cutting wheel, a kit of parts, a use for cutting and eating, a method of eating food, or a cutlery set as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the examples and diagrammatic drawings.