WO2002035974A1

WO2002035974A1 - A storage and sanitising unit for utensils

Info

Publication number: WO2002035974A1
Application number: PCT/EP2001/005700
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Mclaverty
Original assignee: Richard Mclaverty
Priority date: 2000-05-16
Filing date: 2001-05-16
Publication date: 2002-05-10
Also published as: AU2002234519A1; GB0011735D0

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus for storing and sanitising a utensil having a handle and a working surface (28). The apparatus consists essentially of a hollow body (12) which has a plurality of apertures (32) located in a top face thereof, through which, in use, the working surface (28) is inserted, the apparatus also including a plurality of nozzles (36a) arranged to spray a sanitising fluid onto at least the working surface of each utensil within the body. The apparatus includes, in addition, a support member (48) located within the body, the support member defining a plurality of recesses (52) in spaced relation to each corresponding aperture, each of which recess engages, in use, the working surface of a utensil such as to stabilise the utensil while permitting the sanitising fluid, in use, to contact a substantial portion of the working surface and to drain therefrom.

Description

A STORAGE AND SANITISING UNIT FOR UTENSILS

The present invention relates to a storage and sanitising unit for utensils.

This invention relates to an apparatus for use in, for example, commercial kitchens, and is, in the embodiments described hereinafter, adapted for use with a range of different sized utensils, in particular knives, as are used by chefs in the preparation of food. Present environmental health regulations require that each time a knife is used in the preparation of food, it is cleaned and sanitised in readiness for re- use.

However, in the often busy atmosphere of a modern commercial kitchen, it is readily acknowledged that this is not always a practical possibility, in addition to the fact that this essential activity is often simply neglected by the staff. Furthermore, when knives and other utensils are not stored under suitable conditions, for example when discarded about a kitchen, there is a risk of the occurrence of cross contamination, and at present there is a steady rise in the reported number of outbreaks of harmful bacteria and related food poisoning in the United Kingdom. The inventor is currently unaware of any suitable solutions to the above-mentioned problems.

Therefore, the present invention provides an apparatus for storing and sanitising a utensil having a handle and a working surface, the apparatus comprising a hollow body; at least one aperture located in a face of the body, through which the working surface may be at least partially inserted; and at least one nozzle arranged to supply, in use, a sanitising fluid to the body so that the sanitising fluid, in use, issues from the at least one nozzle such as to substantially contact the working surface within the body.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises a reservoir for housing a supply of the sanitising fluid, the reservoir being in fluid communication with the at least one nozzle.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises a pump operable to cause the sanitising fluid, in use, to issue from the at least one nozzle.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises a support member located within the body, the support member defining a recess in spaced relation to the aperture, which recess engages, in use, the working surface of the at least one utensil such as to stabilise the at least one utensil while permitting the sanitising fluid, in use, to contact the working surface and to drain therefrom.

Preferably the support member is removably located within the body.

Preferably the recess in the support member is in the form of a notch. Preferably the apparatus includes a plurality of apertures in the face of the body, wherein the support member is in the form of a plate having a plurality of correspondingly positioned notches therein.

Preferably the plate has a plurality of voids therein, each void being provided with at least one notch therein.

Alternatively the support member projects into the body and includes a head in which the at least one recess is located.

Preferably the support member is a stabilising member which is adjustable in length in order to permit accommodation of utensils of varying shape.

Preferably the support member comprises a first section, and a second section on which the head is located, the first section being movable relative to the second section in order to facilitate adjustment of the length of the support member.

Preferably the at least one aperture is shaped and dimensioned to effect a scraping action, in use, on the working surface as the working surface is inserted and removed from the apparatus .

Preferably the apparatus further comprises at least one externally located cover movable between a first closed position surrounding the at least one aperture, and a second open position permitting access to the at least one aperture. Preferably the mechanical action of moving the cover from the first position to the second position effects priming of the pump, and the mechanical action of returning the cover to the first position from the second position effects actuation of the pump, thereby causing the sanitising fluid to issue, in use, from the at least one nozzle.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises at least one second nozzle arranged to supply the sanitising fluid under the cover so that a sanitising fluid, in use, issues from the at least one second nozzle such as to substantially contact the handle of the at least one utensil.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises at least one scraper located in the body adjacent the at least one aperture, the scraper being resiliently deforrαable and having at least one scraper aperture therein in register with the at least one aperture.

Preferably the scraper is permitted to readily deform about the scraper aperture as the working surface is inserted into the body, while the deformation of the scraper is restricted as the working surface is withdrawn from the body, thereby effect a scraping action on the working surface during withdrawal thereof from the body.

Preferably the scraper is removably located within the body. Preferably the at least one aperture is in the form of a slot.

Preferably the slot is provided with an enlarged end.

Preferably the face of the body is vertically inclined, in use, such as to bias the working surface of the at least one utensil into engagement with the at least one recess .

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a plan view, from beneath, of a top face of the apparatus of Figure 1, having a number of scrapers partially withdrawn therefrom for illustrative purposes;

Figure 3 illustrates a rear perspective partial view of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 4 illustrates a support member forming part of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 5 illustrates a second embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention; and

Figure 6 illustrates a stabilising member forming part of the apparatus of Figure 5. Referring now to the Figures 1 to 4, there is illustrated a first embodiment of a storage and sanitising unit, generally indicated as 10, for particular use in commercial kitchens or the like. The apparatus 10 is substantially composed of a main body 12 as seen in Figure 1, which is box like in form and preferably formed from a plastics material. It will however be appreciated that the body 12 may be formed from any other suitable material such as stainless steel or the like. The body 12 is defined by a front wall 14, a first side wall 16, a second side wall 18, a base (not shown) , a rear mounted tank 46 and a top face 20.

The top face 20 is vertically inclined downwardly from the tank 46 towards the front wall 14, and includes a plurality of narrow slots 32 each being shaped and suitably dimensioned to be capable of receiving a working surface (blade) 28 of a knife 26. The slots 32 are arranged, in the first embodiment of the invention, in an array of rows and columns. The apparatus 10 also includes a plurality of covers 22 pivotally mounted to the top face 20, and moveable between a first closed position surrounding the slots 32, and a second open position allowing access to the slots 32, both as shown in Figure 1. The covers 22 may be formed from any suitable material such as plastic, and are preferably transparent in order to allow ready identification of the knives 26 located in the apparatus 10 at any given time. It will be readily apparent that the actual number of slots 32 and covers 22 of the apparatus 10 are not essential to the operation thereof, and may be varied accordingly. The tank 46, mounted, in the present embodiment, rearwardly of the apparatus 10, is adapted to retain a sanitising fluid (not shown) for sanitising the knives 26 as is hereinafter described. In the first embodiment of the invention the tank 46 is capable of holding 7.5 litres of sanitising fluid (not shown). The volume of the tank 46 may of course be altered in order to provide a greater or lesser capacity. The tank 46 may be formed from a transparent material in order allow the level of the sanitising fluid therein to be easily inspected. Alternatively, the apparatus 10 may be provided with any conventional indicator (not shown) illustrating the level of the sanitising fluid therein. The apparatus 10 further includes, in fluid communication with the tank 46, a plurality of nozzles 36a disposed about the body 12 from which, in use, the sanitising fluid issues in order to sanitise the blades 28 of the knives 26.

Turning now to Figure 3, there can be seen a partial perspective view of the rear of the apparatus 10, having a rear panel (not shown) removed to expose the interior of the body 12. There can be seen one first dividing wall 60 and one second dividing wall 62, separating the interior of the body 12 into an individual compartment 64 - only one first and second dividing walls 60, 62 are visible in Figure 3 but it will be appreciated that there are alternate first and second dividing walls separating the interior of the body 12 in several compartments 64 which correspond with the divisions of the top face 20 defined by each of the covers 22. These divisions are imposed such that the knives 26 located within the apparatus 10 may be cleaned and sanitised within an individual compartment 64. Therefore, a smaller number of knives 26 may be cleaned at once, thereby minimising the use of the sanitising fluid (not shown) , such as to reduce waste.

As previously detailed, one of the main health concerns in relation to kitchen utensils (not shown) is cross contamination between the various utensils (not shown) . Therefore, in any apparatus such as that embodied by the present invention, cross contamination must also be a concern due to the proximity of the knives 26 in relation to one another. Due to the possible variations in the thickness of different knife blades (not shown) , the slots 32 must be sufficiently wide as to cater for this variation. Therefore, the width of the slots 32 in relation to the blades 28 may allow for a degree of lateral movement from the substantially vertical, of the knives 26, the blades 28 of which may contact each other within the body 12. It will be appreciated that this could be perceived as an undesirable feature due to the risk of cross contamination between the knives 26. In addition, it is preferable to maintain each of the plurality of blades 28, in use, in a substantially vertical orientation within the body 12.

Therefore referring to Figures 3 and 4, removably located beneath the top face 20, disposed between the first dividing wall 60 and the second dividing wall 62, is a support member 48. The number of voids 50 will depend on the number of rows of slots 32 in the top face 20. In the present embodiment the support member 48 is substantially rectangular in form, and includes three voids 50 which correspond to the three rows of slots 32 in the top face 20. Equally, the number of voids 50 depends on the number of rows of slots 32. The support member 48 also includes a plurality of notches 52 substantially in registry with the plurality of the slots 32 in the top face 20. Once the blade 28 is inserted within the body 12, the handle 27 contacts, and is supported by, the top face 20, which is angularly inclined to the vertical. The weight of the knife 26, acting downwardly on the top face 20, via the point of contact between the handle 27 and the top face 20, therefore causes the knife 26 to pivot about the top face 20, due to the angular inclination thereof. Each knife 26, therefore, is biased such that the respective blade 28 is pressed into engagement with the respective notch 52. Therefore, the combination of the slots 32 and notches 52 serve to maintain the knives 26 in a predetermined isolated disposition, in which neither the blade 28 nor the handle 27 of each knife 26 contact their adjacent counterpart.

It will be apparent that the most obvious method of maintaining the knives 26 in a predetermined position would be to provide a support plate (not shown) similar to the support member 48, but replacing the voids 50 and notches 52 with a plurality of slots (not shown) in substantial alignment with the slots 32 in the top face 20. Such a support plate (not shown) may form part of the invention, although such a configuration would inhibit the distribution of the spray of sanitising fluid from the plurality of nozzles 36a, thereby inhibiting each blade 28 from receiving a substantially complete coating of the sanitising fluid, and is therefore less preferred. Furthermore, such a configuration would hinder the drainage of the sanitising fluid (not shown) from each blade 28 and the interior of the main body 12.

Turning now to the operation of the apparatus 10, the predominant mode of operation within the apparatus 10 is the sanitising of the knives 26 with the sanitising fluid (not shown) , which is preferably, but not necessarily, an antibacterial agent, for example, Endbac™, produced by Johnson & Johnson. The tank 46 may optionally be divided in two, thereby facilitating the use of a second sanitising and/or cleaning fluid (not shown) such as water, to be mixed with the antibacterial sanitising fluid.

Disposed about the body 12 of the apparatus 10 are the plurality of nozzles 36a, each of which being in fluid communication, via suitable piping (not shown) with the tank 46. Disposed within the tank 46 is a pump (not shown) operable to pump sanitising fluid from the tank 46 to the nozzles 36a, to issue therefrom. The pump (not shown) may be of any suitable form, but is preferably similar to that located within a toilet cistern (not shown) , having a main body (not shown) and a priming bar (not shown) projecting outwardly therefrom. Each of the covers 22 are mounted to the apparatus 10 such that the mechanical action of moving the cover 22 from the first closed position to the second open position draws the priming bar (not shown) outwardly of the main body (not shown) of the pump (not shown) , thereby priming the pump (not shown) . The covers 22 are also arranged such that closure thereof into the second position forces the priming bar (not shown) inwardly of the main body (not shown) to actuate the pump (not shown) , thereby causing the sanitising fluid (not shown) to issue from the nozzles 36a.

There are second nozzles 36b located beneath each of the covers 22, in order to clean the handles 27, as well as nozzles 36a within each individual compartment 64 in order to clean the blades 28. The pump (not shown) and associated hydraulic circuitry (not shown) are arranged such that the sanitising fluid only issues from the nozzles 36a and the second nozzles 36b located within the compartment 64 and cover 22, respectively, whose cover 22 was last opened and closed. This therefore ensures that only those knives 26 which have been placed within the apparatus 10 subsequently to the last operation thereof will be sanitised, preventing unnecessary waste of the sanitising fluid. The provision of the notches 52 in order to maintain the knives 26 in position ensures that the entire blade 28 of each knife 26 is doused with sanitising fluid. It will furthermore be appreciated that the apparatus 10 may be adapted such as to allow spraying of the blades 28 only, or spraying of the blades 28 and handles 27, or indeed spraying of the handles 27 only by actuating the nozzles 36a or the second nozzles 36b or both, as required.

It will be appreciated that the tank 46 may, in an alternative embodiment, be pressurised in order to effect the issuance of the sanitising fluid from the plurality of nozzles 36a and second nozzles 36b or both. This would therefore obviate the need for a separate pump (not shown) . It will also be understood that the sanitising fluid may be piped directly from an external source (not shown) , thereby obviating the need for the tank 46. The tank 46 could also be located remotely of the apparatus 10, or within the body 12, in order to reduce the overall dimensions of the apparatus 10.

Once the knives 26 have been doused with the sanitising fluid, it is essential that the sanitising fluid be able to drain fully therefrom. Therefore, in considering first, drainage of the sanitising fluid which had issued from the second nozzles 36b under the covers 22 and onto the handles 27, the inclination of the top face 20 causes most of the sanitising fluid to drain downwardly from the top face 20. A gutter 38 is provided at the end of the top face 20 adjacent the front wall 14, in which are located a plurality of drain holes 40 which are in communication with the interior of the body 12. Therefore, the sanitising fluid which issues from the second nozzles 36b under the covers 22 mainly drains downwardly along the top face 20 and into the body 12 via the drain holes 40.

The internal surfaces of the main body 12 are arranged such that the spent sanitising fluid is directed into a drawer 30 which is removably inserted in the apparatus 10 via the front wall 14. The sanitising fluid drains downwardly from the underside of the top face 20, the plurality of plates 28 located within the body 12, downwardly along the front wall 14, the first and second side walls 16, 18, onto the base (not shown) of the body 12. The base (not shown) is slightly vertically inclined from the perimeter thereof towards the drawer 30, such that the spent sanitising fluid flows, under the influence of gravity, into the drawer 30.

Turning now to the internal drainage of the apparatus 10, the provision of the voids 50 within the support members 48, in addition to allowing the entire blades 28 to be doused with sanitising fluid, also ensure that the sanitising fluid may then drain downwardly from the blades 28 and internal surfaces of the body 12, into the drawer 30. The drawer 30 may be removed periodically and its contents emptied. As an alternative to the drawer 30, the apparatus 10 may be provided with a filter (not shown) through which the spent sanitising fluid is passed, before being returned to the tank 46. Alternatively, the apparatus 10 may be provided with suitable plumbing (not shown) in order to allow the spent sanitising fluid to be passed directly to any suitable drain (not shown) .

Considering Figure 2, in order to ensure that the blades 28 are cleaned of any food particles which may be present thereon, the slots 32 are adapted to effect a scraping action on the blades 28 as the knives 26 are inserted and removed from the apparatus 10. This is achieved by the provision of a plurality of scrapers 56 located on the underside of the top face 20, in register with the columns of slots 32. The scrapers 56 include a plurality of scraper apertures 58 aligned and congruent with the slots 32, but having a slightly lesser area than the corresponding slot 32. Referring to Figure 3, it can be seen that the scrapers 56 are located in a channel 54 formed between the upper face 66 and the lower face 68 of the top face 20, the lower face 68 being provided with large openings 70 about the scraper apertures 58.

The scrapers 56 are formed from a resiliently deformable material, such as that used for food grade conveyor belts, and it will therefore be appreciated that as the blade 28 is inserted through the slot 32 and corresponding scraper aperture 58, the scraper 56 will deform inwardly, about the scraper aperture 58, in the direction of travel of the blade 28, due to the provision of the large openings 70 on the lower face 68. However, when removing the knife 26 from the apparatus 10, the scraper 56 will again attempt to deform in the direction of travel of the blade 28, but will be prevented therefrom by virtue of the narrow slot 32. This will therefore cause the edges of the scraper aperture 58 to engage the blade 28, thereby effecting a scraping action thereon in order to remove any food particles or excess sanitising fluid remaining on the blade 28.

Any food particles which are deposited from the blade

28, during insertion of the knife 26, on the upper face 66 of the top face 20, will be washed downwardly along the top face 20 as the sanitising fluid issues from the nozzles 36. Each slot 32 is therefore provided with an enlarged end 34 of a diameter sufficient to allow said food particles to pass therethrough to the interior of the main body 12, to drain downwardly into the drawer 30. All of the above mentioned features ensure that the entire knife 26, including the handle 27 and the blade 28 are thoroughly cleansed and sanitised after each use thereof.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, there is illustrated a second embodiment of the invention, generally indicated as 110, which is similar in construction and operation to the apparatus 10 as hereinbefore described. Therefore, like components have been accorded like reference numerals. The apparatus 110 comprises a body 112 which, in use, houses a blade 128 of at least one knife 126. The main body 110 is preferably formed from a plastic, although as with the apparatus 10, and other suitable material may be employed, such as stainless steel or the like.

The main body 112 is defined by a front wall 114, a pair of side walls (not shown) , a rear wall 88 and a top face 120. The top face 120 includes a plurality of slots 132, each being shaped and dimensioned to receive the blade 128 of the knife 126, each slot 132 further including an enlarged end 134 for the purpose as hereinbefore described with reference to the apparatus 10 of the first embodiment of the invention. Unlike the top face 20 of the apparatus 10, the plurality of slots 132 are not arranged in an array of rows and columns, but rather are offset to one another, the purpose of which will be described hereinafter in detail.

The apparatus 110 is provided with a tank 146 which is substantially identical in configuration and operation to the tank 46 of the apparatus 10. Although not illustrated in Figure 5, the apparatus 110 is provided with at least one cover (not shown) , in which there are further disposed a plurality of second nozzles (not shown) in order to sanitise, in use, the handle 127 of each knife 126 located within the apparatus 110. The apparatus 110 is also provided with a drawer 130 for the collection of the spent sanitising fluid.

It will be apparent from Figure 5 that the apparatus 110 does not include the support member 48 of the apparatus 10. Therefore, in order to stabilise each knife 126 within the apparatus 110, there are provided a plurality of stabilising members 72, corresponding in number and orientation to the plurality of apertures 132 in the top face 120. Each stabilising member 72 is secured to the back wall 88 of the body 112. The stabilising member is provided with a circular plate 82, a threaded end 76, a nut 78 and a washer 80 in order to secure the stabilising member 72 to the back wall 88. The back wall 88 must therefore have a plurality of holes (not shown) therein in order to receive the threaded end 76 of each stabilising member 72.

Extending from the circular plate 82 is a hollow, internally threaded sleeve 74. The stabilising member 72 further includes an externally threaded rod (not shown) which is threaded internally into engagement with the sleeve 74, and includes a head 84 secured to the free end (not shown) thereof. The head 84 includes a channel 86 into which, in use, the blade 128 of the knife 126 is engaged, thereby stabilising the knife 126 in order to prevent the cross-contamination thereof. As with the support member 48, the arrangement of the stabilising member 72 permits the entire blade 128 to be sprayed with the sanitising fluid, in addition to allowing the sanitising fluid to drain unhindered therefrom. The plurality of slots 132 must be offset vertically from one another as the stabilising member 72 corresponding to any one slot 132 would otherwise interfere with another blade 128 if inserted within a further vertically aligned slot 132. The advantage of the stabilising member 72 is that the rod (not shown) , being threaded within the sleeve 74, can be threaded outwardly thereof in order to adjust the length of the stabilising member 72. It will therefore be appreciated that the location of the head 84, and therefore the channel 86, can be adjusted to suit the shape and/or length of the blade 128. This therefore allows the apparatus 110 to be effectively sanitise and cleanse a plurality of differently shaped and sized knives (not shown) .

Claims

1. An apparatus for storing and sanitising a utensil having a handle and a working surface, the apparatus comprising a hollow, body; at least one aperture located in a face of the body, through which the working surface may be at least partially inserted; and at least one nozzle arranged to supply, in use, a sanitising fluid to the body so that the sanitising fluid, in use, issues from the at least one nozzle such as to substantially contact the working surface within the body.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a reservoir for housing a supply of the sanitising fluid, the reservoir being in fluid communication with the at least one nozzle.

3. An apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2 further comprising a pump operable to cause the sanitising fluid, in use, to issue from the at least one nozzle.

4. An apparatus according to any preceding Claim further comprising a support member located within the body, the support member defining a recess in spaced relation to the aperture, which recess is adapted to engage, in use, the working surface of the at least one utensil such as to stabilise the at least one utensil while permitting the sanitising fluid, in use, to contact the working surface and to drain therefrom.

5. An apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein the support member is removably located within the body.

6. An apparatus according to Claim 4 or 5 wherein the recess in the> support member is adapted by the provision of a notch.

7. An apparatus according to Claim 6 including a plurality of apertures in the face of the body, wherein the support member is in the form of a plate having a plurality of correspondingly positioned notches therein.

8. An apparatus according to Claim 7 wherein the plate has a plurality of voids therein, each void being provided with at least one notch therein.

9. An apparatus according to Claim 4 or 5 wherein the support member projects into the body and includes a head in which the at least one recess is located.

10. An apparatus according to Claim 9 wherein the support member is a stabilising member which is adjustable in length in order to permit accommodation of utensils of varying shape.

11. An apparatus according to Claim 9 or 10 wherein the support member comprises a first section, and a second section on which the head is located, the first section being movable relative to the second section in order to facilitate the adjustment of the length of the support member.

12. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one aperture is shaped and dimensioned to effect a scraping action, in use, on the working surface as the working surface is inserted and removed from the apparatus .

13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim further comprising at least one externally located cover movable between a first closed position surrounding the at least one aperture, and a second open position permitting access to the at least one aperture.

14. An apparatus according to Claim 13, when dependent on any of Claims 3 to 12, wherein the mechanical action of moving the cover from the first position to the second position effects priming of the pump, and the mechanical action of returning the cover to the first position from the second position effects actuation of the pump, thereby causing the sanitising fluid to issue, in use, from the at least one nozzle.

15. An apparatus according to Claims 13 or 14 further comprising at least one second nozzle arranged to supply, in use, the sanitising fluid to the cover so that the sanitising fluid, in use, issues from the at least one second nozzle such as to substantially contact the handle of the at least one utensil.

16. An apparatus according to any preceding claim further comprising at least one scraper located in the body adjacent the at least one aperture, the scraper being resiliently deformable and having at least one scraper aperture therein in register with the at least one aperture.

17. An apparatus according to Claim 16 wherein the scraper is permitted to readily deform about the scraper aperture as the working surface is inserted into the body, while the deformation of the scraper is restricted as the working surface is withdrawn from the body, thereby effect a scraping action on the working surface during withdrawal thereof from the body.

18. An apparatus according to Claim 16 or 17 wherein the scraper is removably located within the body.

19. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one aperture is in the form of a slot.

20. An apparatus according to Claim 18 wherein the slot is provided with an enlarged end.

21. An apparatus according to any of Claims 4 to 20 wherein the face of the body is vertically inclined, in use, such as to bias the working surface of the at least one utensil into engagement with the at least one recess.

22. A method of sanitising a utensil having a handle and a working surface, the method comprising the steps of inserting the working surface of the utensil into an apparatus according to any preceding claim; substantially contacting at least the working surface with a sanitising fluid; and withdrawing the utensil from the apparatus.