Abstract:
A melon peeler system designed to safely and quickly separate the rind from a melon for consumption. The melon peeler system comprises a melon peeler assembly having a concave base, a horizontal blade, fasteners, and vertical supports. The concave base has a smooth surface and serves as a melon cutting guide. The horizontal blade is supported a user-determined distance above the concave base by the vertical supports and the blade is a small, flat cutting edge sufficiently sharp to slice through a melon but not sufficiently sharp to easily cut a user. Suction cups fasteners located on the bottom of the device provide stability and allow the assembly to be removably affixed to a planar surface of the user&#39;s choice.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/401,130, filed Aug. 9, 2010 which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
       [0002]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d). 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates generally to the field of peeling devices and more specifically relates to melon peelers. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0005]    Many individuals enjoy the taste of melons and include them in their diet(s). Prior to consuming melons an individual typically removes the rind using a knife to access the fleshy interior. This cutting act is often achieved by running a sharp knife between the rind and the flesh of the fruit and then slicing through the fruit by pulling the knife toward the user&#39;s body. Cutting motions such as this may prove dangerous. Knives may also be used in conjunction with cutting boards; however much of the fruit may be wasted by cutting using a knife. 
         [0006]    A second option for preparing melons for consumption involves use of a peeler (normally either a potato peeler or an apple peeler.) Peelers traditionally comprise a metal blade attached to a wooden, metal or plastic handle. They may be used, through skillful manipulation, to remove the outer skin or peel. The peeling action normally involves using the fingers of the right hand (provided the individual is right-handed) to pull the peeler&#39;s blade over the skin of the melon, turning the blade slightly so that it digs in and removes the skin, in a movement towards the right thumb. Other peelers, such as Y-peelers, may be used in a similar manner to a razor, shaving off strips parallel to the handle. For safety reasons, when a peeler is used to peel an item held in the hands, the blade should be kept still, and the item pushed against it. In certain circumstances the outer peel or rind may be difficult to pierce, thus a user may have to begin the cutting operation with a knife and finish using the peeler. It is desirable that a single device be used to remove the rind from the fruit before consumption and that any cutting be accomplished in a safe manner. 
         [0007]    Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,116,155, 5,664,490, 4,318,339, 5,598,773, 5,660,104, and 2004/0117991. This prior art is representative of fruit and/or vegetable peeling means. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
         [0008]    Ideally, a melon peeling device should be safe and efficient in use, user-friendly and require little maintenance, yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable melon peeler system to safely and quickly separate the rind from a melon such that the fruit is ready for consumption and to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known melon peeler art, the present invention provides a novel melon peeler system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide a reliable manually-operated melon peeler system to safely and quickly separate the rind from a melon. 
         [0010]    The present invention, melon peeler systems, as disclosed herein, preferably comprises: a melon peeler assembly having, a concave base, at least one horizontal blade, at least one fastener, and vertical supports. The concave base, in preferred embodiments, comprises a smooth surface and serves as a melon cutting guide upon which the fruit may efficiently slide during the cutting action. The horizontal blade is suitably supported a user-determined distance above the concave base by the vertical supports. 
         [0011]    The horizontal blade is horizontally-oriented within and via the vertical supports (in relation to the concave base) and is vertically adjustable (distance-wise) from the concave base within the vertical supports. The vertical adjustment may be accomplished by moving the blade up or down in the notches provided. The blade in these embodiments preferably comprises stainless steel (although other suitable materials may be used), and has a small, flat cutting edge sufficiently sharp to slice through a melon but not sufficiently sharp to easily cut a user. This feature provides that the device is substantially safe in use. In this way the horizontal blade of the melon peeler assembly is usable to cut the flesh of the melon from the rind for consumption. After the rind is removed from the flesh, strips and shapes of the melon at desired thicknesses may be created using the present invention, the melon flesh being used to form at least one aesthetic comestible. 
         [0012]    Referring back to the various components in the preferred embodiment(s), the vertical supports, as mentioned may comprise a plurality of notches that define a parallel distance of the horizontal blade from a planar surface (and consequently from the concave base.) The vertical supports are employed to frictionally support the horizontal blade within the notches via suitable attachment means. The blade is preferably inserted through the notches such that forward or backward movement does not affect the positioning of the blade. The notches provide an efficient and effective means for selecting a user-determined distance whereby the user-determined distance of the horizontal blade may be increased or decreased relative to and fro the concave base. The distance between the horizontal blade and the concave base may determine a ‘peel thickness’ of the rind when removed from the flesh of the melon. Further, the distance between the horizontal blade and the concave base, as determined by placement of the horizontal blade in the notches, may allow different size wedges of the melon to be cut during a cutting action. Another cutting action may include further slicing the melon into hors d&#39;oeuvres (or other shapes) after the rind has been removed. 
         [0013]    Fastener may be used to hold the present invention stationary to a work-surface. In preferred embodiments these fasteners may comprise suction cup(s) and are removable with relative ease from the planar (work) surface. The suction cups are used to provide stability such that the melon peeler assembly may be securely affixed to at least one planar surface, then removed, when desired for cleaning and storage. The device may be repeatedly affixed and re-affixed to the same planar surface or to another planar surface. For purposes of this disclosure the planar surface may comprise a table surface or a countertop or the like. 
         [0014]    The guide, as referred to herein is integral with the concave base; the concave base conforms to an outer curvature (spherical) of the melon such that a uniform cutting action is accomplished when the melon peeler assembly receives a wedge of the melon pushed by the user into cutting contact with the horizontal blade. The wedge of the melon (including the rind and the flesh) is separable by the horizontal blade, leaving the fruit ready to eat when completed and the rind able to be discarded. The wedge of the melon when being cut is preferably oriented with the outer surface of the rind facing downwardly and the flesh facing upwardly. The wedge of the melon is pushed against and then pulled across the horizontal blade separating the rind from the flesh in one pass. 
         [0015]    A kit is embodied herein for the melon peeler systems preferably comprising: the melon peeler assembly; a tiered fruit arrangement and display assembly; and at least one skewer holder. The tiered fruit arrangement and display assembly may include at least one large platter and at least one small platter that may be oriented in relation to each other to display the fruit in an attractive and appetizing manner. The tiered fruit arrangement and display assembly, and at least one skewer holder are suitable for displayably-holding melon hors d&#39;oeuvres cut by the melon peeler assembly. 
         [0016]    In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention a preferred method of use is disclosed herein preferably comprising the steps of: severing a melon into wedges; manually cutting at least one wedge of the melon using a melon peeler assembly, (the wedge of the melon oriented with the rind side facing downwardly and a flesh side facing upwardly), wherein the cutting is accomplished using the horizontal blade, the wedge of the melon is push-moved along an arc on a guide surface on the concave base of the melon peeler assembly, the wedge coming into cutting contact with the horizontal blade, the blade then passing between the rind and the flesh (while being push- and pull-moved respectively by the user) to cut the melon, thereby removing the rind side from the flesh side; next slicing the flesh into melon hors d&#39;oeuvres; and finally arranging the melon hors d&#39;oeuvres within the tiered fruit arrangement and display assembly and/or on the skewer holder(s), the melon hors d&#39;oeuvres forming an aesthetic comestible for consumption. 
         [0017]    The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a melon peeler system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, melon peeler system(s), constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating a melon peeler assembly of a melon peeler system in an ‘in-use’ condition (a user beginning a peeling action to separate a rind from a flesh of a melon wedge via a pushing action) according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view illustrating the melon peeler assembly of the melon peeler system (the user continuing to peel the rind from the flesh via a pushing action) in the ‘in-use’ condition according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view illustrating the melon peeler system being used to complete the peeling action of the melon wedge using a pulling action during the in-use condition according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view illustrating a large platter of fruit hors d&#39;oeuvres as peeled by the melon peeler assembly and displayed via a tiered fruit arrangement and display assembly, both assemblies of the melon peeler system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  shows a shows a perspective view illustrating a skewer holder of the melon peeler system being used to hold and aesthetically display the (melon) fruit hors d&#39;oeuvres according to an embodiment of the present invention 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for the melon peeler system(s) according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-5 . 
       
    
    
       [0025]    The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a peeler device and more particularly to a novel manual melon peeler as used to safely and quickly separate the rind from a melon for consumption and/or for further cutting manipulations. 
         [0027]    Referring now to the drawings by numerals of reference  FIGS. 1-3  show perspective views of melon peeler system  100  in ‘in-use’ condition  106 ,  206 , and  306 , respectively, as a cut (peeling action) progresses from a push to a pull manipulation, whereby melon  160  is prepared for consumption in a safe and efficient manner. Melons  160  for the purposes of the present disclosure may include various culinary vegetables, members of the plant family Cucurbitaceae including watermelons, cantaloupe, honeydew, horned, muskmelons and the like. 
         [0028]    Melon peeler system(s)  100  preferably comprises melon peeler assembly  110 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . Melon peeler assembly  110  is designed to safely and quickly separate rind  164  from flesh  168  of melon  160 . Rind  164  of melon  160  preferably has rind side  166  (being removed to be discarded), while flesh  168  (the edible portion) preferably has flesh side  170  (being retained). The present figures are used to illustrate how user  180  progresses from a push action to a pull action to manually separate rind  164  from flesh  168  of melon  160 . 
         [0029]    Melon peeler assembly  110  may be used to separate rind  164  from melon  160  such as watermelon, cantaloupe, or muskmelon, however it should be appreciated that other melons or fruits having rinds may be cut/carved using melon peeler assembly  110 . Melon peeler assembly  110  within this particular embodiment preferably includes concave base  120 , at least one horizontal blade  130  (more may be used if desired), at least one fastener  140 , and vertical supports  150  (vertical supports  150  having a plurality of notches  154 .) To separate rind  164  from flesh  168  of melon  160 , user  180  may begin by pushing and continue to slide melon  160  across horizontal blade  130  of melon peeler assembly  110  to cut flesh  168  of melon  160 . After rind  164  is successfully removed from flesh  168 , strips and shapes of flesh  168  of melon  160  at desired thicknesses may be created (such as those displayed in  FIGS. 4 &amp; 5 .) 
         [0030]    Concave base  120  preferably comprises smooth surface  124  and serves as guide  128 . Smooth surface  124  effectively enables melon  160  to be efficiently and continuously ‘guided’ along concave base  120  during the entire cutting action. Guide  128  of concave base  120  comprises a surface (at least herein enabling smooth surface  124 ) that conforms to an outer curvature of melon  160  such that a uniform cutting action is able to be accomplished, separating rind  164  from flesh  168  of melon  160 , as melon  160  is pushed against and then pulled across horizontal blade  130 . This feature provides that an even and consistent peel is achieved thereby preserving the maximum amount of the fruit and minimizing the amount of flesh  168  left on rind  164 . In this way the present invention serves to minimize waste. 
         [0031]    Horizontal blade  130  is preferably suitably supported a user-determined distance above concave base  120 . Further, horizontal blade  130  may be adjustable and preferably comprises stainless steel, however it should be appreciated that other suitable comestible-friendly materials such as plastic may be used. Concave base  120  in this particular embodiment preferably comprises plastic, thereby providing a cost-efficient manufacture, a food-friendly surface that doesn&#39;t contaminate the fruit being cut, and a lightweight device that is relatively easy to clean and store. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other materials such as, for example, stainless steel, composite, etc., may be sufficient. 
         [0032]    Melon peeler assembly  110  is designed to receive melon  160  pre-cut into wedge(s)  162 . Wedge(s)  162  may be initially pushed by user  180  (hand of user  180  shown) into cutting contact with horizontal blade  130  with melon  160  being oriented with rind side  166  facing downwardly and flesh side  170  facing upwardly as shown in ‘in-use’ condition  106  of  FIG. 1 , ‘in-use’ condition  206  in  FIG. 2 , and ‘in-use’ condition  306  in  FIG. 3 . Thus, wedge  162  of melon  160  is able to be pushed against and pulled across horizontal blade  130  to separate rind  164  from flesh  168 . 
         [0033]    In-use’ condition  106  of  FIG. 1  illustrates user  180  pushing wedge  162  of melon  160  against horizontal blade  130 , to begin the cutting action, causing flesh  168  of melon  160  to ultimately be separated from rind  164 . In a similar, yet continuing motion, ‘In-use’ conditions  206  as shown in  FIG. 2  illustrates wedge  162  of melon  160  being pushed toward center portion  134  of horizontal blade  130  to create and continue a sheering/cutting action upon wedge  162 . Lastly, in-use’ condition  306  of  FIG. 3  illustrates user  180  pulling wedge  162  (grasping on the opposite side of wedge  162 ) continuing the forward movement illustrated by the relative motion indicating arrow(s) through horizontal blade  130  to complete the cutting action to fully remove rind  164  from flesh  168 . User  180  may switch between pushing and pulling manipulations using one or both hands, however use of both hands is conducive to a continuous cutting action, thus is preferred. 
         [0034]    The distance between horizontal blade  130  and concave base  120  may determine a ‘peel thickness’ of rind  164  when removed from flesh  168 . The distance between horizontal blade  130  and concave base  120  may be determined by placement of horizontal blade  130  in notches  154 , as described previously. As such, the varying distance between horizontal blade  130  and concave base  120  allows for different sizes of wedge  162  of melon  160  to be cut during the cutting action. It should also be appreciated that more than one horizontal blade  130  may be used if desired within alternate embodiments. Vertical supports  150  support/secure horizontal blade  130  within notches  154 . Thus, notches  154  provide a means for selecting a user-determined distance whereby horizontal blade  130  may be increased or decreased in distance relative to concave base  120 , as per application and/or user preference. 
         [0035]    Fastener(s)  140  of melon peeler assembly  110  are preferably removable and are used to provide stability, when attached, such that melon peeler assembly  110  may be securely affixable to one or more planar surface(s)  114 . Fastener(s)  140  preferably comprises suction cup(s), with the preferred number of suction cup(s) being four thereby adding to the stability of melon peeler assembly  110  when in ‘in-use’ condition(s)  106 ,  206 , and  306  respectively. Planar surface  114  may comprise either a table surface or a countertop. Planar surface  114  may comprise other like surfaces that may be suitable for cutting melon  160 . 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4-5  (as relating to  FIG. 6 ) showing perspective views illustrating display means for fruit hors d&#39;oeuvres of melon  160  using the present invention, melon peeler system  110  according to preferred embodiments as described herein. Melon peeler systems  100  may be used to create a large platter of fruit hors d&#39;oeuvres  400  in the form of tiered fruit arrangement and display assembly  410  as shown in  FIG. 4  and/or skewer holder  510  holding and displaying fruit hors d&#39;oeuvres  500  as shown in  FIG. 5 . ( FIG. 6  shows flowchart  650  illustrating method of use  600 , as discussed subsequently.) 
         [0037]    Melon peeler systems  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-5  may comprise kit  540 . Kit  540  may comprise the following parts: melon peeler assembly  110 ; tiered fruit arrangement and display assembly  410 ; and at least one skewer holder  510 . Tiered fruit arrangement and display assembly  410  preferably comprises at least one large platter  400  and at least one small platter  500 . Tiered fruit arrangement and display assembly  410 , and at least one skewer holder  510  are suitable for displayably-holding melon hors d&#39;oeuvres. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different platter/skewer combinations, use of different knife or knife combinations, and parts may be sold separately may be considered to be suitable equivalents within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 . showing flowchart  650  illustrating method of use  600  according to embodiment(s) of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-5 . A method of using (at least herein enabling method of use  600 ) melon peeler systems  100  may comprise the steps of: step one  601  severing melon  160  into wedges  162 ; step two  602  manually cutting at least one wedge  162  of melon  160  using melon peeler assembly  110 , (wedge  162  of melon  160  oriented with rind side  166  facing downwardly and flesh side  170  facing upwardly, wherein the cutting is accomplished using horizontal blade  130 , wedge  162  of melon  160  is push-moved along an arc on guide  128  surface on concave base  120  of melon peeler assembly  110 , wedge  162  coming into cutting contact with horizontal blade  130 , horizontal blade  130  then passing between rind  164  and flesh  168  while being pull-moved by user  180  to cut melon  160 , thereby removing rind side  155  from flesh side  170 ); step three  603  may comprise slicing flesh  168  into melon hors d&#39;oeuvres; and step four  604  includes arranging the melon hors d&#39;oeuvres within tiered fruit arrangement and display assembly  410  and/or on skewer holder(s)  510 , the melon hors d&#39;oeuvres forming an aesthetic comestible. 
         [0039]    It should be noted that step  604  is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method  600  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG. 6  so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method  600 . It should be further noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, using different displaying means, etc., may be sufficient. 
         [0040]    The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.