WO2007135370A1

WO2007135370A1 - A device for peeling fruit

Info

Publication number: WO2007135370A1
Application number: PCT/GB2007/001777
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dale Fowler
Original assignee: Dale Fowler
Priority date: 2006-05-24
Filing date: 2007-05-14
Publication date: 2007-11-29
Also published as: GB0610326D0; GB2438366A; GB2438366B

Abstract

A device for peeling fruit comprising: an elongate handle; an elongate guide member extending from an end of the elongate handle; and a cutting member extending from the elongate guide member and disposed adjacent said end of the elongate handle.

Description

A DEVICE FOR PEELING FRUIT

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a device for peeling fruit and particularly to an orange peeler.

Background of Invention

Traditionally fruit such as oranges have been peeled by hand. The fruit is held in one hand and a thumbnail of the other hand is used to pierce the skin of the fruit and peel away the skin. A problem with such a peeling technique is that the skin tends to be removed in small chunks therefore resulting in the peeling process being messy and time consuming. Furthermore, bits of the skin of the fruit may get stuck under the thumb nail. Additionally, a significant amount of force is required to pierce and peel the skin utilising only the hands and thumbnail, and as such the fruit must be held firmly which often results in the fruit being squeezed. Juice may thus be lost from the fruit over the hands and may also drip onto the underlying area or squirt over the person peeling the fruit.

As an alternative to the above-described peeling technique, a knife may be used to cut the skin of the fruit into segments which are then more easily removed by hand. However, one problem with this technique is that it is difficult to apply sufficient pressure with a knife in order to cut the skin without the knife penetrating into the middle of the fruit resulting in juice being losing lost from the fruit. Additionally, after cutting, the segments are generally removed by hand which has the same problem as described above, e.g. peel may get stuck under the nails of a peeler's hands.

In light of the problems with the aforementioned techniques, there has been a need to provide an improved fruit-peeling device. One such device is described in GB 657602 published on the 19 September 1951. This document describes a device for peeling oranges and other citrus fruits. The device comprises a middle handle portion with a cutter at one end of the handle portion and a blade portion at the other end of the handle portion. The cutter has a scoop-like cutter arrangement which can be utilised to cut and remove a strip of skin from the circumference of the fruit. The device can then be turned round and the blade portion inserted under the skin in order to cut the skin away from the fruit and remove it therefrom. One possible problem with this arrangement is that the scoop-like cutter both cuts and removes the peel in a single action which requires a significant amount of force. As such, the fruit must be held tightly which can result in the fruit being squeezed thus releasing juice. Furthermore, the cutter is arranged at right angles to the handle and thus may be difficult to use. Additionally, as the blade portion comprises a sharpened trailing edge, if a user's hand slips while peeling using the cutter, the user's hand may be cut on the sharpened trailing edge lying behind the user's hand.

GB 1255669 published on 1 December 1971 describes an alternative arrangement for an orange peeler. The peeler comprises an elongate handle and a curved operative portion with a peel cutter tooth disposed in the curved portion. In use, the curved portion rests around the orange with the cutter tooth penetrating the sldn. The peeler is drawn over the orange in such a manner that the tooth cuts a slit through the peel so as to form segments which may then be peeled away by hand. One possible problem with this arrangement is that the curved operative portion is only designed to fit around oranges and thus the arrangement is not suitable for peeling fruits of different sizes and shapes. Furthermore, the peeler is only arranged to cut orange peel into segments, which subsequently must be removed by hand. The peeler is not suitable for both cutting and removing peel.

In light of the above, it is clear that there is still a need for improving fruit peeling devices in order to overcome the aforementioned problems. It is an aim of the present invention to provide a device for peeling fruit which solves the aforementioned problem.

Summary of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for peeling fruit comprising: an elongate handle; an elongate guide member extending from an end of the elongate handle; and a cutting member extending from the elongate guide member and disposed adjacent said end of the elongate handle, wherein the elongate guide member has a blade-like shape with a rounded or blunted edge adjacent the cutting member, wherein the handle has a guard portion and a grip, the guard portion being located adjacent said end and having a width greater than that of the grip, and wherein the cutting member abuts the elongate guide member and the end of the elongate handle, the cutting member being located in a recess formed between the end of the handle and the elongate guide member with an upper edge abutting the elongate guide member and a rear edge abutting the guard portion at the end of the elongate handle.

The aforementioned arrangement can be utilised to peel fruit by applying force to the handle such that the cutting member pierces the skin of a fruit to a depth which is determined by the distance which the cutting member extends from the elongate guide member. As the cutting member penetrates the peel the guide member abuts the surface of the skin thus preventing the cutting member from penetrating further into the fruit. The handle may then be drawn around the fruit such that the cutting member cuts through the skin to form segments for easy removal. The elongate guide member serves both to prevent the cutting member from penetrating too deeply into the fruit and also to guide the cutting member while cutting the segments.

Unlike the arrangement disclosed in GB 1255669, the cutting member is disposed adjacent the end of the handle rather then in a middle portion of the guide member. As such, it is possible to utilize the present peeling device to remove segments after cutting. A segment may be removed by inserting the cutting member at an edge of the segment, resting the thumb of the hand holding the handle on a top of the segment so as to grip the segment between the cutting member and the thumb, and then pulling away the segment which is held between the cutting member and the thumb. The segment is thus removed without requiring the use of a user's nails. This advantageous feature is achieved by locating the cutting member adjacent the end of the handle such that a user can extend a thumb adjacent to the cutting member in order to grip and remove segments after cutting. The cutting member thus functions as a thumbnail for removing segments. As such, the present arrangement functions both to cut and. remove skin from a fruit while avoiding the problems previously discussed in relation to prior art arrangements.

The elongate guide member preferably extends in a substantially linear direction and thus the device can be utilised for any size or shape of fruit. As such, this arrangement solves the problem previously described in relation to the curved operative portion of GB 1255669 which is design for use with a specific size and shape of fruit.

The elongate guide member has a blade-like shape. For example, the elongate guide member may have a tapered blade-like shape, tapering away from the end of the handle to a tip. Preferably, the tip is rounded for safety and so as to prevent the possibility of piercing the fruit with the tip of the guide member. The elongate guide member has a blunt/rounded edge adjacent the cutting member. Such guide member is thin in depth and thus does not provide a large amount of friction when the device is drawn around a fruit during the cutting operation. Furthermore, the rounded edge prevents the guide member from cutting into the fruit which could result in the peel being cut into irregular shapes and/or the guide member passing deeper into the fruit thus releasing juice.

Preferably, the elongate guide member has a length in the range 30 to 200 mm, more preferably 50 to 150 mm, more preferably still 80 to 100 mm, and most preferably approximately 90mm. It has been found that an elongate guide member extending in these ranges provides sufficient length to aid guidance of the cutting member during cutting while not being too long so as to be unwieldy.

The width of the elongate guide member adjacent the cutting member is preferably in the range 10 to 40mm, more preferably 15 to 30mm, and most preferably 20 to 25mm. It has been found that an elongate guide member having a width in these ranges is suitable for locating the cutting member at the correct position relative to a user's thumb for peeling while providing an edge adjacent the cutting member which is correctly positioned to attain a suitable cutting depth.

The depth of the elongate guide member may be in the range 2 to 10mm, more preferably 3 to 6mm. As previously stated, a thin blade-like guide member having a blunt edge provides low friction when the device is drawn around the fruit during the cutting operation while not cutting into the fruit.

The handle should be of suitable proportions to be gripped by a user. The length of the handle may be in the range 50 to 200mm, more preferably 80 to 150mm, more preferably still 100 to 140mm and most preferably approximately 120mm. The width of the handle is preferably in the range 10 to 40mm, more preferably 15 to 30mm, and most preferably 20 to 25mm. The depth of the handle is preferably in the range 10 to 40mm, more preferably 15 to 30mm, and most preferably 15 to 20mm. The handle has a guard portion adjacent the end which has a width greater than the remainder of the handle in order to prevent a user's hand from slipping onto the cutting member. Furthermore, the guard portion, along with the elongate guide member, can function to prevent the cutting member from penetrating the fruit too deeply. Preferably, the width of the guard portion is in the range 20 to 40mm, more preferably 30 to 35mm. The handle may be curved for easy of use and may also comprise a finger grip portion. Additionally, the handle may have a pommel on an end opposite to the guide member in order to balance the peeling device and so as to prevent a user's hand from slipping off the handle in use.

Preferably, the cutting member comprises a cutting edge having a pointed region in a mid-portion thereof. The pointed region can readily penetrate into the peel prior to drawing the device around the fruit in order to cut the peel into segments. The cutting member is preferably substantially square. Preferably, the cutting member has sides of length in the range 5 to 15mm, more preferably 8 to 12mm, and most preferably approximately 10mm.

The cutting member should preferably extend from the elongate guide member a distance of between 1 and 20 mm, more preferably 3 and 15 mm, more preferably still in the range 6 to 12 mm, and most preferably approximately 10mm. It has been found that cutting members extending in this range provide the most suitable depth of cut for removing peel from a fruit. It has been found that a cutting member of such dimensions provides the most suitable depth of cut for removing peel from a fruit. In one arrangement, the cutting member may be movably mounted in order to vary the distance that the cutting member extends from the guide member for cutting skins of various depths. The angle between a leading edge of the cutting member, located furthest away from the handle, and a bottom edge, located furthest from the guide member, may be greater than 90° such that the leading edge is sloped. Preferably this angle is in the range 95 to 145°. A cutting member shaped in this manner has been found to be ideal for penetrating the skin of the fruit prior to cutting. The primary cutting edge after penetration of the skin of the fruit is provided by the bottom edge. The width of the device from the bottom edge of the cutting member to a top edge of the elongate guide member is preferably approximately the same as the width of the handle and in particular, the guard portion of the handle.

The total length of the device may be in the range 150 to 300mm, more preferably 180 to 240mm and most preferably 200 to 220mm. These dimensions have been found to be most beneficial for using the device in order to peel fruit.

According to one arrangement the cutting member maybe made of a metal such as stainless steel. The elongate guide member may also be formed of a metal such as aluminium or stainless steel. The guide member and cutting member may be formed of one integral piece of material. The handle may be made of the same material or a different material such as wood, plastic or any other firm non-porous material. The handle may be a separate element which is attached to the cutting member and elongate guide member or may be integral with the cutting member and guide member.

According to one particularly preferred arrangement the handle and elongate guide member are formed of a single integral piece of material such as wood, plastic or any other firm non-porous material. For example, the handle and elongate guide member may be formed of an integrally molded plastic material resulting in the device being cheap and easy to manufacture. The cutting member may be inserted and fixed in a slit provided in the handle and the elongate guide member where they join.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding and to show how the same may be carried into effect, embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a top view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 3 illustrate the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 being utilised to pierce the skin of an orange and cut it into segments;

Figure 4 illustrate the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 being utilised to peel off a segment of skin from an orange;

Figures 5A-F illustrate the steps involved in cutting and peeling an orange utilizing the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2; and

Figures 6A-J illustrate various views of a second embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

Figures 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the present invention comprising an elongate handle 10; an elongate guide member 12 extending from an end of the elongate handle 10; and a cutting member 14 extending from the elongate guide member 12 and disposed adjacent the end of the elongate handle 10. The handle 10 comprises a guard portion 16, a grip 18, and a pommel 20. The handle 10 and the elongate guide member 12 are made of a single piece of moulded plastic. The cutting member 14 is metallic and is inserted and fixed in a slit provided in the handle 10 and the elongate guide member 12 where they join. The dimensions of this particular embodiment are illustrated in the Figures.

The cutting member 14 abuts the elongate guide member 12 and the end of the elongate handle 10. The cutting member 14 is thus located in a recess formed between the end of the handle 10 and the elongate guide member 12 with an upper edge abutting the elongate guide member 12 and a rear edge abutting the end of the elongate handle 10. As the cutting member 14 is held between the elongate guide member 12 and the handle 10, it is held more firmly and reliably than if it were merely extending from a mid- portion of the elongate guide member. As such, the cutting member is less likely to break off. Furthermore, both the end of the handle 10 and the guide member 12 can abut the skin of an orange in use when the cutting member 14 penetrates the skin of the orange in order to prevent the cutting member 14 from penetrating too far into the orange.

The cutting member 14 has two cutting edges, a sloped leading cutting edge 22 and a lower cutting edge 24. A pointed region is formed between the leading cutting edge 22 and the lower cutting edge 24 which can be used to penetrate the skin of an orange. The pointed region of the cutting member 14 may be sharp or rounded.

Figure 3 illustrate the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 being utilised to pierce the skin of an orange 22 and cut it into segments. The peeler is moved in direction A to pierce the skin of the orange 22 and then drawn in direction B to cut the skin into segments.

Figure 4 illustrate the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 being utilised to peel off a segment of skin 24 from the orange 22. The cutting member is inserted at an edge of the segment, the thumb of the hand holding the handle is placed on top of the segment 24 so as to grip the segment 24 between the cutting member and the thumb, and then the segment is pulled away while being held between the cutting member and the thumb. The segment is thus removed without requiring the use of a user's nails. This advantageous feature is achieved by locating the cutting member adjacent the end of the handle such that a user can extend a thumb adjacent to the cutting member in order to grip and remove segments after cutting. The cutting member thus functions as a thumbnail for removing segments. As such, the present arrangement functions both to cut and remove skin from a fruit while avoiding the problems previously discussed in relation to prior art arrangements.

Figures 5A to 5F illustrate the steps involved in cutting and peeling an orange utilizing the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2. The skin of the orange shown in 5A is cut around a circular portion toward one pole of the orange as shown in 5B. The cap of skin is then peeled away as shown in 5C. The remaining skin is then cut into segments as shown in 5D. A first segment is removed as shown in 5E. The remaining segments are then removed to produce a peeled orange as shown in 5F. This method has been found to be particularly useful for peeling an orange using the device of the present invention. However, it is envisaged that other peeling methods could be implemented using the device of the present invention.

Figures 6A-J illustrate various views of a second embodiment of the present invention with typical dimensions indicated in millimetres, hi order to more clearly show the relationship between the features of the first and second embodiments, like reference numerals have been used for like parts.

Figure 6A shows a side view of the fruit peeler while Figures 6B and 6C shows perspective views in which the essential features of an elongate handle 10, an elongate guide member 12, a cutting member 14, and a guard portion 16. Again, as with the first embodiment, the guard portion 16 has a width greater than the grip 18 of the handle 10. Furthermore, the cutting member 14 abuts the elongate guide member 12 and the end of the elongate handle 10, the cutting member 14 being located in a recess formed between the end of the handle 10 and the elongate guide member 12 with an upper edge abutting the elongate guide member 12 and a rear edge abutting the guard portion 16 at the end of the elongate handle 10.

Figures 6D and 6E show rear and front end views respectively. Figure 6F shows a top view with cross section A-A through the guide member shown in Figure 6G. Although the shape of the guide member has been adapted in relation to that of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 so as to have a substantially semi-circular form, it still retains the essential features of being elongate and having a blade-like shape with a rounded or blunted edge adjacent the cutting member. Section A-A of the elongate guide member shows that the guide member is blade-like in shape with a rounded or blunted edge having a thickness of 0.50 mm. The semi-circular guide member allows a greater contact length between the guide member and the handle which can increase robustness. Ia particular, it allows a portion 60 of the handle 10 to be disposed over the cutting member 14 to provide additional strength and rigidity when cutting.

Figure 6H shows a bottom view with cross sections B-B and C-C through the cutting member, guide member and handle shown in Figures 61 and 61 respectively.

Both the first and second embodiments have an elongate guide member having a blade- like shape with a blunted or rounded edge adjacent the cutting member. Such a blunted or rounded edge provides a low friction contact with the sldn of an orange when the cutting member pierces the skin and the device is drawn around the fruit during the cutting operation. At the same time, the rounded or blunted edge prevents the guide member from cutting into the fruit which could result in the peel being cut into irregular shapes and/or the guide member passing deeper into the fruit releasing juice. Additionally, the blunted blade can be used to scrape over the peeled fruit in order to remove pith remaining on the surface of the fruit after it has been peeled. Again, the blunted edge of the blade prevents the blade penetrating the fruit when pith is being removed while still providing an edge suitable for removing pith.

Additionally, both embodiments described above have a handle with a guard portion at the end where the cutting member is located. The cutting member is located in a recess formed between the end of the handle and the elongate guide member with an upper edge abutting the elongate guide member and a rear edge abutting the guard portion at the end of the elongate handle. As the cutting member is held between the elongate guide member and the handle, it is held more firmly and reliably than if it were merely extending from the elongate guide member. As such, the guide member is less likely to break off. Furthermore, both the guard portion of the handle and the guide member can abut the skin of the orange in use when the cutting member penetrates the skin of the orange in order to prevent the cutting member from penetrating too far into the orange. This provides a more stable arrangement for drawing the device around the fruit during the cutting operation. Additionally, by providing that the edge of the blade-like shaped guide member is adjacent the cutting member rather than on a side opposite to the cutting member, the guard portion prevents the user's hand from slipping onto the cutting member and/or the edge of the blade-like guide member.

In light of the above, it is clear that the presently described fruit peelers have various advantageous safety features as well as providing a robust mounting for the cutting member and providing surfaces for abutting a surface of the fruit in use both on the guide member and the handle with the cutting member disposed therebetween.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A device for peeling fruit comprising: an elongate handle; an elongate guide member extending from an end of the elongate handle; and a cutting member extending from the elongate guide member and disposed adjacent said end of the elongate handle, wherein the elongate guide member has a blade-like shape with a rounded or blunted edge adjacent the cutting member, wherein the handle has a guard portion and a grip, the guard portion being located adjacent said end and having a width greater than that of the grip, and wherein the cutting member abuts the elongate guide member and the end of the elongate handle, the cutting member being located in a recess formed between the end of the handle and the elongate guide member with an upper edge abutting the elongate guide member and a rear edge abutting the guard portion at the end of the elongate handle.

2. A device for peeling fruit according to claim 1, wherein the elongate guide member extends in a substantially linear direction.

3. A device for peeling fruit according to claim 1, wherein the elongate guide member has a tapered blade-like shape, tapering away from the end of the handle to a tip.

4. A device for peeling fruit according to claim 3, wherein the tip is rounded.

5. A device for peeling fruit according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongate guide member has a length in the range 30 to 200 mm, more preferably 50 to 150 mm, more preferably still 80 to 100 mm, and most preferably approximately 90 mm.

6. A device for peeling fruit according to any preceding claim, wherein a width of the elongate guide member adjacent the cutting member is in the range 10 to 40 mm, more preferably 15 to 30 mm, and most preferably 20 to 25 mm.

7. A device for peeling fruit according to any preceding claim, wherein a depth of the elongate guide member is in the range 2 to 10 mm, more preferably 3 to 6 mm.

8. A device for peeling fruit according to any preceding claim, wherein a length of the handle is in the range 50 to 200 mm, more preferably 80 to 150 mm, more preferably still 100 to 140 mm and most preferably approximately 120 mm.

9. A device for peeling fruit according to any preceding claim, wherein a width of the handle is in the range 10 to 40 mm, more preferably 15 to 30 mm, and most preferably 20 to 25 mm.

10. A device for peeling fruit according to any preceding claim, wherein a depth of the handle is preferably in the range 10 to 40 mm, more preferably 15 to 30 mm, and most preferably 15 to 20 mm.

11. A device for peeling fruit according to any preceding claim, wherein a width of the guard portion is in the range 20 to 40 mm, more preferably 30 to 35 mm.

12. A device for peeling fruit according to any preceding claim, wherein the handle has a pommel on an end opposite to the guide member.

13. A device for peeling fruit according to any preceding claim, wherein the cutting member comprises a cutting edge having a pointed region in a mid-portion thereof.

14. A device for peeling fruit according to any preceding claim, wherein the cutting member is substantially square.

15. A device for peeling fruit according to any preceding claim, wherein the cutting member has sides of length in the range 5 to 15 mm, more preferably 8 to 12 mm, and most preferably approximately 10 mm.

16. A device for peeling fruit according to any preceding claim, wherein the cutting member extends from the elongate guide member a distance of between 1 and 20 mm, more preferably 3 and 15 mm, more preferably still in the range 6 to 12 mm, and most preferably approximately 10 mm.

17. A device for peeling fruit according to any preceding claim, wherein the cutting member is movably mounted in order to vary the distance that the cutting member extends from the guide member.

18. A device for peeling fruit according to any preceding claim, wherein an angle between a leading edge of the cutting member, located furthest away from the handle, and a bottom edge of the cutting member, located furthest from the guide member, is greater than 90° and more preferably in the range 95 to 145°.

19. A device for peeling fruit according to any preceding claim, wherein a width of the device from a bottom edge of the cutting member to a top edge of the elongate guide member is approximately the same as a width of the handle adjacent the cutting member.

20. A device for peeling fruit according to any preceding claim, wherein a total length of the device is in the range 150 to 300 mm, more preferably 180 to 240 mm and most preferably 200 to 220 mm.

21. A device for peeling fruit according to any preceding claim, wherein the handle and elongate guide member are formed of a single integral piece of material.

22. A device for peeling fruit according to any preceding claim, wherein the handle and elongate guide member are formed of an integrally molded plastic material.

23. A device for peeling fruit according to any preceding claim, wherein the cutting member is made of a metal.

24. A device for peeling fruit according to any preceding claim, wherein the cutting member is inserted and fixed in a slit provided in the handle and the elongate guide member where they join.

25. Use of the device claimed in any preceding claim for peeling fruit.

26. A device for peeling fruit substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

27. Use of a device substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings for peeling fruit.

28. A method of peeling an orange using the device of any one of claims 1 to 24 comprising the steps: making a circular cut around the orange toward one pole thereof in order to define a cap of skin; removing the cap of skin; cutting remaining skin into segments; removing the segments sequentially in order to completely peel the orange.

29. A method of peeling an orange using the device substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.