WO2002028249A1

WO2002028249A1 - Food preparation system

Info

Publication number: WO2002028249A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2001/000212
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hilton Shane Johnson; Blanche Janine Johnson
Original assignee: Hilton Shane Johnson; Blanche Janine Johnson
Priority date: 2000-10-04
Filing date: 2001-10-04
Publication date: 2002-04-11
Also published as: AU2002212846A1

Abstract

A food preparation system and method is disclosed for preparing foodstuffs for consumption and collecting waste scraps/liquids generated therefrom. The system includes a receptacle surrounded by a retaining wall (106) to contain liquid and/or solids within the receptacle. In the centre of the receptacle are a number of ribs (112) surrounded by four partitions (114). A bread board (100) on which said foodstuffs may be prepared, is seated on said ribs and restrained by the partitions (114). Liquids can flow freely within the receptacle under the board between the ribs (112) and can be drained off through a spout (116).

Description

FOOD PREPARATION SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to food preparation equipment.

BACKGROUND ART

It is well known to use rectangular or other shaped boards to prepare food on. These boards are designed to have a surface which will not damage the blade of a knife when cutting food and also to provide a slightly roughened surface such that the food does not slip when being prepared.

However using such devices during the preparation of food it is often the case that the waste scraps from the food are left distributed around the preparation area and can be difficult to collect. Therefore it would be desirable to have a system whereby the waste scraps could be easily collected for disposal.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a food preparation system which goes some way to overcoming the above mentioned disadvantages or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Accordingly in a first aspect the present invention consists in a food preparation system for preparing foodstuffs for consumption and collecting waste scraps generated therefrom, comprising: a receptacle having at least one retaining wall adapted to contain liquid and/or solids within said receptacle, a plurality of restraining partitions forming a partial wall around a central portion of said receptacle, a plurality of ribs on what is in use the upper side of said receptacle extending towards but not connecting said restraining partitions, a preparation surface on which said foodstuffs may be prepared, said preparation surface adapted to be seated on said ribs and within said restraining partitions, and a spout adapted to drain off waste liquids generated in the preparation of said foodstuffs.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in method of preparing foodstuffs for consumption and collecting waste scraps generated therefrom, comprising the steps of: preparing foodstuffs on a preparation surface, collecting waste scraps/liquids in a receptacle restraining, and juxtaposed underneath, said preparation surface and allowing liquids to flow freely underneath said preparation surface, and draining off liquids collected in said receptacle through a spout.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;

Figure 1 is a plan view according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 2 is a plan view showing the waste scraps bin in isolation, Figure 3 is a cross sectional view at B-B according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view through A-A according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an easy means of preparing foodstuffs and simply disposing of the waste scraps generated therefrom. Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the present invention is shown in detail. The bread board 100 is located approximately in the middle of the waste scraps bin 102. The bread board 100 is preferably a rectangular wooden board, although it will be appreciated that any shape, or construction from other materials such as plastics, glass etc. is equally applicable. The bread board 100 may include handles or recesses (not shown) as is known in the art. The waste scraps bin 102 in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is moulded from plastics into a generally rectangular shape, while in the preferred embodiment it follows the shape of the bread board and any number of shapes may be possible. Handles 104 may be provided at either end to allow easy transport of the waste scraps bin 102. A flange 106 is provided around the periphery 108 of the waste scraps bin 102 to ensure all waste scraps are contained within the bin 102. In the preferred embodiment the bin is injection moulded from plastic. However it will be appreciated that any number of materials know in the art as suitable for food preparation will be applicable, for example stainless steel, glass, resin, or wood.

In the centre of the 110 of the bin 102, facilities are provided to accommodate the bread board 100. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the bread board sits on a number of longitudinal ribs 112 on the upper side 115 of the bin 102. The bread board 100 is secured in place by a number of abutments 114, which prevent lateral movement. Once the board is in place it is important it is of a height greater than the tray 102, including the abutments 114. This is to ensure that there is no obstacle to the food preparation, for example when chopping, the knife needs to be able to land evenly on the breadboard from all angles.

This arrangement allows any juices or liquids generated to flow freely and will not be trapped under the bread board 100. In this fashion any such liquids may be collected afterwards by tilting the bin 102 and pouring those liquids through spout 116, on the periphery 108 of bin 102. By having the abutments 114 on the sides of the board 100 (as opposed to the corners) free flow of liquids are permitted between the ribs 112 and no accumulation of solids can occur (as would in the corner for instance).

Thus it will be appreciated what has been described in a simple and effective method for preparation of foodstuffs and disposal of the waste scraps. The system prevents messy distribution of the waste scraps and ensures simple disposal. Also provided is the facility to easily pour off any liquids that collect, through a spout provided. The liquids may then be further used in preparation or may be disposed of in a simple fashion.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A food preparation system for preparing foodstuffs for consumption and collecting waste scraps/liquids generated therefrom, comprising: a receptacle having at least one retaining wall adapted to contain liquid and/or solids within said receptacle, a plurality of restraining partitions forming a partial wall around a central portion of said receptacle, a plurality of ribs on what is in use the upper side of said receptacle extending towards but not connecting said restraining partitions, a preparation surface on which said foodstuffs may be prepared, said preparation surface adapted to be seated on said ribs and within said restraining partitions, and a spout adapted to drain off waste liquids generated in the preparation of said foodstuffs.

2. A food preparation system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said preparation surface is a bread board.

3. A food preparation system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said bread board is constructed substantially from wood.

4. A food preparation system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said bread board is constructed substantially from plastics.

5. A food preparation system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said bread board is constructed substantially from glass.

6. A food preparation system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said receptacle is substantially larger in surface area than said preparation surface such that any waste scraps/liquids removed from said preparation surface will fall on said receptacle, and be contained within by said retaining wall.

7. A food preparation system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said receptacle is oblong rectangular and said retaining wall comprises a vertical flange bounding said receptacle on all four sides and adapted to substantially contain the waste scraps/liquids generated by the preparation of said foodstuff.

8. A food preparation system as claimed in claims 1 to 7 wherein said restraining partitions partially following a shape substantially that of the outline of said preparation surface.

9. A food preparation system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said outline is oblong rectangular.

10. A food preparation system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said receptacle is moulded from a plastic composition.

11. A food preparatin system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said receptacle is moulded from a stainless steel composition.

12. A food preparatin system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said receptacle is moulded from a glass composition.

13. A food preparatin system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said receptacle is moulded from a resin composition.

14. A food preparatin system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said receptacle is moulded from a wood composition.

15. A food preparation system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein said restraining partitions comprises at least four partitions, each partition either adapted to be adjacent a side of said preparation surface, and in use preventing lateral movement of said preparation surface means while allowing flow of liquids between said ribs and said receptacle.

16. A food preparation system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein said preparation surface is a predetermined height, said height adapted such that when in place on said ribs, the upper side of said preparation surface being higher than said restraining partitions or said retaining wall.

17. A food preparation system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said ribs are arranged longtitudinally within the oblong rectangle of said outline

18. A method of preparing foodstuffs for consumption and collecting waste scraps/lquids generated therefrom, comprising the steps of: preparing foodstuffs on a preparation surface, collecting waste scraps/liquids in a receptacle juxtaposed underneath said preparation surface and allowing liquids to flow freely underneath said preparation surface, and draining off liquids collected in said receptacle through a spout.

19. A food preparation system substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by at least one of the accompanying drawings.

20. A method of preparing foodstuffs substantially as herein described.