Patent ID: 6243952
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: A47J

Abstract:
A one hand-operated citrus fruit segmenter, comprising:a handle having a grip end and a cutting end and having an axial lengthwise axis extending between the grip end and the cutting end and having the distance therebetween substantially fixed;a grip on the grip end adapted to be grasped in the palm of a user's hand;a generally triangular blade fixed to said cutting end of the handle having diverging segmenting surfaces extending axially of the handle parallel to said lengthwise axis and having terminal ends;a single curved scoop operatively attached to the handle for movement from a retracted position withdrawn from the triangular blade to an extended position overlying the triangular blade and adjacent the terminal ends of the segmenting surfaces to form a relatively closed segment removing chamber formed by the ends of the segmenting surfaces and the scoop; andan operating mechanism to move the scoop between its retracted and extended positions, said operating mechanism including at least one pad extending outwardly on the side of the handle spaced below the grip adapted to be engaged by a finger of the user's hand and moved axially along said axial lengthwise axis of the handle toward said grip and relative to the handle for extending the scoop toward the triangular blade, and with the palm of the same hand engaged against the grip to hold the triangular blade against the fruit and to counteract the force moving the pad, and means attached to the handle for moving the scoop back to its retracted position.