Abstract:
The present invention is directed toward a simple, hand-held, disposable device and a kit used to decorate and enhance the presentation of food. The device creates decorative shavings of food items of a desired thickness and curl. Particularly, the device creates decorative shavings of food items of a uniform, aesthetically pleasing design in a safe, effective and economical manner while being able to retain and store any unshaved portion of the food item therein.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is based upon Provisional Patent Application 60/537,322, filed on Jan. 15, 2004, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention is directed towards a simple, hand-held, disposable device used to decorate and enhance the presentation of food; particularly towards a device which creates decorative shavings of food items of a desired thickness and curl; most particularly to a device that creates decorative shavings of food items of a uniform, aesthetically pleasing design while being able to retain and store any unshaved portion of the food item therein.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     There is often a desire to enhance the appearance of food items for human consumption, especially on notable occasions (holidays, birthdays, weddings, etc). Careful control of color, surface texture and physical arrangement of edible objects can enhance the appeal of the food item. Often, various toppings are added to food items so that they are more appealing to the eye.  
         [0004]     For example, chocolate is one of the most popular food items used to embellish and enhance the flavor of desserts (cake, truffles, ice cream, etc). Sometimes the chocolate is applied in the form of thin flakes, ribbons or shavings. Currently, if one wishes to decorate a food using chocolate shavings, two options exist. First, one may purchase and use pre-shaved chocolate. Typically such chocolate is bulk packaged in plastic bags. However, a number of significant problems typically arise when using pre-shaved chocolate to decorate food items. The delicate nature of the chocolate shavings means that the shavings do not readily survive packaging and transport. Frequently, a significant portion of the packaged shaved chocolate is broken into small pieces and fines before it can be utilized by the end-user. Secondly, the relatively large surface area of the chocolate shaving to its mass invites degradation from the atmosphere by oxidation and humidity. Additionally, thin chocolate shavings are very sensitive to melting and/or “blooming” since these shavings have relatively low thermal mass and are readily warmed upon exposure to elevated temperatures.  
         [0005]     Another option available to one wishing to decorate with chocolate (or similar food products) requires the use of a sharp knife, peeler, or grater to create the desired shavings. It may also be necessary to warm the chocolate so that the knife or peeler will perform satisfactorily. Considerable skill is required to produce the thin, delicate shavings or curls which are most often desired. Frequently, the knife or peeler will dig into the chocolate too deeply. This discontinuous action of the blade against the food product results in irregular shards or partial curls and production of “fines,” which are generally less desirable than uniform curls.  
         [0006]     Further, chocolate has a relatively high yield strength and considerable force is often required to force the knife or peeler blade through the chocolate. Moreover, it is difficult to hold the piece of chocolate to be shaved as heat from one&#39;s fingers causes the chocolate to melt and become slippery. Further difficulty is encountered if the chocolate bar to be shaved is small, making an adequate grip difficult. This can create a dangerous situation as the blade of the knife, peeler or grater comes ever closer to the user&#39;s hand holding the chocolate. Many cooks have at one time or another accidentally sliced their knuckles using a grater to grate foods.  
         [0007]     Additional problems often arise when attempting to grate or shave chocolate from a hand held chocolate bar as the sufficient amount of shavings have been generated but some of the chocolate bar remains. Unless the remaining unshaved portion is wasted, a means of packaging and storing must be devised for this unused portion so that it can be saved for future use. Lastly, any of the tools used to generate the shavings must be cleaned and stored for future use.  
         [0008]     There are numerous commercially available food-processing devices and storage container systems for grating, slicing and crushing food items. However, many of the designs found in the prior art make no attempt to precisely control the feed rate of the food to be processed with respect to the cutting motion of the blade(s). Most of these designs rely on manually applied force by the user to urge the food product into contact with the moving blade. Such means cannot be relied upon to produce uniform, aesthetically pleasing shavings or curls. Indeed, most prior art devices are not able to produce shavings or curls but rather only generate irregular granules, flakes or powder.  
         [0009]     For example U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,107 to Romano discloses a hand-held food processor for grating garlic or the like in which a reciprocating flat blade is forced across the face of a food product. The feed rate of the food into the cutter blade is dependent upon the force manually applied by the user.  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,353 to Hanson describes a machine for forming chocolate spiral shavings. This machine is powered by electric motors and utilizes a reciprocating blade action to produce chocolate shavings. The machine is of an industrial type and is not intended to be hand-held.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,663 to Dugan discloses a cheese grater and package in which the grater device also provides a storage receptacle for the cheese contained therein. Again, the rate of feed of the cheese product into the grater blade is dependent on the application of manual force by the user. Since the product is intended to produce gratings of indeterminate shape and not delicate curls, this means of feeding the cheese into the grating blade is sufficient.  
         [0012]     U.S. Pat. No. 936,101 to Edwards teaches a reusable soap granulator intended to grate bars of soap. This device employs a feeder screw mechanism to force a bar of soap into a grating blade assembly. Unlike the present invention, this prior art device uses a toothed blade to granulate the soap, and is incapable of producing decorative shavings. Additionally, this device is to be reused by opening and disassembling the device by the user so that it may be reloaded with soap, thereby exposing the user to the toothed arm and possible injury.  
         [0013]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,127,375 to Nelson describes a re-loadable dispensing device for producing a plurality of uniform dough masses. The device employs a hand operated crank to extrude and cut the dough into masses. A feed screw forces the dough through an extrusion plate whereupon it is cut into pieces by a rotating flat blade.  
         [0014]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,552,460 to Cooney describes an apparatus for cutting blocks of chocolate and the like. The device comprises a tubular housing having fixed blades, a rotatable, non-cylindrical barrel and a follower for urging a block of material into contact with the blades. No means of controlling the feed rate is provided other than manual application of force by the user.  
         [0015]     U.S. Pat. No. 1,025,513 to Craven describes a receptacle for containing and discharging solid and semisolid substances. The device of this invention employs a feed screw to advance the material to be grated into a blade, which rotates relative to the material to be grated. Disclosed is the fact that the device can be used to reduce chocolate to a fine condition, not distinct shavings.  
         [0016]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,082,230 to Steinko describes a cheese grater and container. In this device a reversible blade/cover assembly is employed to either cover the food product in the container or, alternately, to grate the product. The force applied by the user determines product feed into the grater blade.  
         [0017]     While the foregoing described prior art devices have advanced the art in a variety of ways, there nevertheless remains a need for an improved food processing device to produce delicate shavings, curls and other interesting shapes from food items, particularly chocolate or the like, which is economical to manufacture, simple to assemble, and permits the consistent production of uniformly reproducible decorative food products by individuals of average skill, in a safe, effective and economical manner.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]     While the use of food items, such as chocolate shavings to embellish the appearance and flavor of foods such as cakes and the like was known, prior to the instantly disclosed invention there was no adequate means in the art by which one could effectively utilize commercially prepared shavings, nor a process of producing one&#39;s own shavings using conventional means.  
         [0019]     Accordingly, it is the principle objective of this invention to provide a convenient, simple and safe means to produce decorative, reproducible and precise shavings of a food item on demand, while simultaneously providing a sanitary and convenient storage receptacle for any unshaven portion thereof. Because the shavings are produced at the time of use, the aforementioned problems of oxidation, moisture degradation, melting, and production of undesirable fines are substantially reduced.  
         [0020]     It is a further object of this invention to disclose a device wherein the food item to be shaved is securely held in place relative to the motion of the cutting blade and, since the feed rate of the food product relative to the rotation of the blade is precisely controlled, precision shavings result, requiring little skill by the operator.  
         [0021]     Still another objective of this invention is to disclose a device wherein the user&#39;s fingers are not in contact with the food to be shaved, such that body heat is not transferred to the food causing it to melt.  
         [0022]     Another objective of the present invention is to disclose a device wherein the cutting blades are safely contained therein such that there is little possibility of injury to the end user.  
         [0023]     Yet still another objective of this invention is to provide for increased sanitation since the user&#39;s fingers never come in contact with the food product.  
         [0024]     An additional object of the instant invention is to teach a means wherein the bulk of the food item is substantially sealed from the atmosphere, thereby substantially reducing degradation.  
         [0025]     Another objective of the instant invention is to provide a device that is economical to manufacture in that it has few components or complicated moving parts.  
         [0026]     Yet an additional objective of the instant invention is to provide a device that is easily assembled, and which, once assembled, is reliable and resistant to disassembly.  
         [0027]     Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the accompanying descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that the use of a simple, hand-held, disposable apparatus for creating decorative slices of food items is highly effective and useful in the culinary art.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0028]      FIG. 1A  illustrates an isometric view of a first embodiment of the shaver assembly with integral shaving means;  
         [0029]      FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A  as seen along axis  1 - 1  in  FIG. 1A ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 2A  is an exploded view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the end-piece portion of the shaver assembly;  
         [0032]      FIG. 2C  is a cross-sectional view of the end-piece portion of the shaver assembly as seen along axis  2 - 2  in  FIG. 2B ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 3  illustrates the first embodiment of the shaver assembly in operation;  
         [0034]      FIG. 4  illustrates a second embodiment of the shaver assembly with integral shaving means;  
         [0035]      FIG. 5A  is an exploded view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0036]      FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the end-piece portion of the shaver assembly;  
         [0037]      FIG. 5C  is a cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment of the end-piece portion of  FIG. 5B  as seen along axis  3 - 3 ;  
         [0038]      FIG. 6  illustrates the second embodiment of the shaver assembly in operation;  
         [0039]      FIG. 7A  illustrates the angle of attack normal to the tangent formed along the longitudinal axis of the food item, as seen along the plane transverse to the food item;  
         [0040]      FIG. 7B  illustrates the angle of attack which is less than normal to the tangent formed along the longitudinal axis of the food item and the relief angle, as seen along the plane transverse to the food item;  
         [0041]      FIG. 7C  illustrates the angle of the blade relative to the transverse axis of the food item.  
     
    
     DEFINITIONS  
       [0042]     The following list defines terms, phrases and abbreviations used throughout the instant specification. Although the terms, phrases and abbreviations are listed in the singular tense the definitions are intended to encompass all grammatical forms.  
         [0043]     As used herein, the term “food item” refers to any edible item, which may be desirous to obtain in the form of a decorative shaving. Non-limiting examples of suitable food item include chocolate, nougat, caramel, butter, toffee, meat, cheese, dough, nuts, fruit, vegetable, marzipan, pet food and combinations thereof.  
         [0044]     As used herein, the term “shaving” is used to denote the formation of a single continuous segment of the food item obtained from a single stroke of the cutting means across the food item. Different configurations of shavings include, albeit not limited to, helical, spiral or telescopic type curls, and relatively flat, uncurled ribbons.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0045]     Detailed embodiments of the instant invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific functional and structural details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.  
         [0046]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A-3 , wherein like elements are numbered consistently throughout,  FIG. 1A  shows an isometric view of the assembled shaver assembly, or device, generally referenced as  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the shaver assembly  10  comprises container  12  and an end-piece  16 . The end-piece  16  has at least one chamfered cutting means  20 , such as a blade, and at least one opening, or window,  18  positioned adjacent to the cutting means  20  through which shavings  45  fall out ( FIG. 3 .)  
         [0047]     The container  12  is comprised of a generally cylindrical tube with an enclosed first end. The second end of the container  12  and end-piece  16  are operatively engaged in a manner effective to provide unidirectional rotation of the end-piece relative to the longitudinal axis of the container. For example, as seen in the preferred, albeit non-limiting embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1B and 2A , the opposite end of the container  12  includes a plurality of spaced apart ratchet fingers  24  formed from a flexible material and that can be forced inward with respect to the sidewall of container  12  when the container  12  is inserted into mating relationship with the end-piece  16  during assembly of the device.  
         [0048]      FIG. 2B  depicts the cross-sectional view of the end-piece  16  in which the details of ratchet ring  26  may be clearly seen. The ratchet ring  26  comprising an integrally formed retainer groove  34  with a plurality of ramped teeth  38  formed therein. Each of the spaced apart ratchet fingers  24  includes locking projections, or lugs,  32  formed on the ends thereof. When the end-piece  16  is place over the end of the container  12 , the ratchet fingers  24  “snap-fit” or engage the retainer groove  34  to prevent the end-piece  16  from being pulled off the container  12  once the device has been assembled. Additionally, these ratchet fingers  24  operatively engage the ramped teeth  38  of the end-piece  16  to provide unidirectional rotation of the end-piece  16  relative to container  12 . Alternatively, although not illustrated, it is contemplated by the instant invention that second end of said container  12  could include a ratchet ring  26  with an integrally formed retainer groove  34  and plurality of ramped teeth  38  formed therein for receipt of at least one spaced apart ratchet fingers  24  integrally formed on the end-piece  16 . Like the aforementioned configuration, the ratchet fingers  24  can include locking projections  32  formed on the ends thereof such that when the container  12  is placed over the end-piece  16  the ratchet fingers  24  engage the retainer groove  34  to prevent the container  12  from being counter-rotated and separated from the end-piece  16  once the device  10  has been assembled.  
         [0049]      FIG. 2C  illustrates how the cutting means  20  extends into the interior region of end-piece  16  at a predetermined angle relative to the 2-2 axis shown in  FIG. 2B .  
         [0050]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1B and 2A , the interior of the assembly  10  includes a follower  28  with a threaded through-hole  37  that operatively mates with a threaded rod  40  so that as the rod  40  is rotated relative to the follower  28 , the follower  28  translates along the longitudinal length of the rod  40 . The threads in the through-hole  37  may be of a ratcheting type such that the follower  28  may be pushed along the length of threaded rod  40  until it is nested into a mating relationship with a preformed food item  30  pre-packaged therein. Ratcheting threads of this type are sometimes referred to as “jam nuts” and would aid in quick assembly of the device.  
         [0051]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1B and 2A , the peripheral edge of the follower  28  is generally of the same transverse shape as the container  12 . Additionally, the follower  28  is prevented from rotating relative to container  12  by a means to engage corresponding elements formed within the container sidewalls  12 . In one preferred embodiment, the means to engage includes at least one wing  42  formed on the peripheral edge of the follower that slidingly fit within at least one correspondingly sized groove  44  formed on the interior surface of the container  12 . Conversely, the means to engage could contain at least one wing (not shown) projecting from the interior surface of the container that slidingly engages at least one corresponding groove formed on the peripheral edge of the follower  28 .  
         [0052]     As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 1B , the threaded rod  40  is non-rotatably attached to a corresponding threaded annular support  36  by a female blind thread  35 , however, any suitable fastening means known in the art can used (e.g. pins, clamps, latches, set screws, etc). Thus, as the user rotates the end-piece  16 , the follower  28  moves longitudinally downward relative to the container  12  and the food item  30  is urged towards the cutting means  20  in a predetermined and precise amount.  
         [0053]     The space between food item  30  and the interior walls of container  12  is kept to a minimum leaving just enough annular space for the food item  30  to be advanced along the longitudinal length of container  12 . This ensures that the food item  30  is securely held in place and its alignment relative to the central longitudinal axis is maintained with respect to the rotation of the cutting means. The intimate rotational and longitudinal interaction of container  12  with end-piece  16  and cutting means  20 , should be such that there is minimal opportunity for wobble or chatter of the food item  30  when the device is operated. Thus, the annular support  36  may be employed to maintain the relative position of the food item  30  stable.  
         [0054]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-3 , the cutting means  20  is driven directly by rotation of the end-piece  16 , such that the interaction of the cutting means  20  to the food item  30  is both smooth and continuous, thereby resulting in the production of uniform shavings with little skill required by the operator. By permanently affixing one end of the threaded rod  40  with the end-piece  16 , it is possible to synchronize the downward longitudinal movement of the follower  28  along the threaded rod  40  upon rotation of the end-piece  16 . The synchronized timing between the movement of the follower  28  and the end-piece  16  controls the amount of food item  30  that encounters the beveled edge of the blade  20  positioned within the end-piece  16 . In other words, it determines the thickness of the shaving. The end-piece  16  can include knurling (not shown) on the exterior surfaces thereof to aid in gripping by the end-user.  
         [0055]     It is contemplated by the instant invention to provide shaver assemblies that produce shavings of varying thickness. This may be accomplished, e.g. by providing a shaver assembly having a rod  40  with a relatively coarse pitch and/or reducing the number of blades  20  acting on the food item  30 . Additionally, it is contemplated to provide an assembly that creates different configurations of shavings (e.g. helical curls, spiral curls, ribbons, etc). This may be accomplished by varying the shape of the end-piece, e.g. the angles created between the cutting means  20  and the longitudinal axis of the food item  30 .  
         [0056]     In operation of the above mentioned embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-3 , the user removes a cap  22  from the pre-assembled device  10  containing the food item  30 , grasps the container  12  in one hand and rotates end-piece  16  with the other hand, as shown in  FIG. 3 . Such action causes two things to happen. First, the blade  20  contained within the end-piece  16  rotates relative to the food item  30 . Second, the food item  30  is moved at a predetermined rate towards end-piece  16  by interaction between follower  28  and threaded rod  40 . These combined actions cause food item  30  to be forced into contact with the chamfered blade  20  at a precisely controlled, constant rate whereupon the chocolate or other suitable food is shaved by blade  20  and exits the assembly  10  through the opening  18  having the desired shape and thickness, as shown in  FIG. 3 . When sufficient shavings  45  have been produced the user can simply replace the cap  22  and store the assembly  10 . Any remaining food product in the assembly  10  is kept uncontaminated and fresh for the next use.  
         [0057]     Referring now to  FIGS. 4-6 , wherein like elements are numbered consistently throughout,  FIG. 4  illustrates an isometric view of an alternative shaver assembly or device, generally referenced as  10 ′. The shaver assembly  10 ′ comprises container  12 ′, an end-piece  16 ′ and knob  15 ′. The end-piece  16 ′ having at least one chamfered cutting means  20 ′, such as a blade, and at least one opening or window  18 ′ positioned adjacent to the cutting means  20 ′ for expulsion of the shavings  45 ′ from the device ( FIG. 6 .)  
         [0058]      FIG. 5A  illustrates an exploded view of the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the container  12 ′ is rotatably connected to the end-piece  16 ′ on one end and non-rotatably connected to end-cap  21 ′ on the opposite end thereof by any means known in the art, for example, screws. The container  12 ′ includes a follower  28 ′ therein and a threaded rod  40 ′ located along the longitudinal axis of the container which mate with apertures formed in the end-cap  21 ′ and the knob  15 ′, such that the rod rotatably connects the knob  15 ′ to the endcap  21 ′. Additionally, the knob  15 ′ can include any ergonomic configuration known to those of ordinary skill to aid in rotation by the user, including finger indentations (not shown) or the like.  
         [0059]     Like the aforementioned embodiment, the threaded rod  40 ′ transverses the follower  28 ′ through a corresponding threaded aperture  37 ′ and is non-rotatably attached to the end-piece  16 ′ to form the complete assembly  10 ′ ( FIG. 4 ) which contains a pre-packaged food item  30 ′ therein. The rod  40 ′ can be connected to the knob  15 ′, end-cap  21 ′ and end-piece  16 ′ by any means known in the art, including nuts, pins, etc.  
         [0060]     Referring now to  FIG. 5B , which depicts the cross-sectional view of the end-piece  16 ′ and  FIG. 5C  which illustrates how the cutting means  20 ′ extends into the interior region of end-piece  16 ′ at a predetermined angle relative to the 3-3 axis shown in  FIG. 5B .  
         [0061]     As shown in  FIG. 5A , the peripheral edge of the follower  28 ′ is generally of the same transverse shape as the container  12 ′ and the follower  28 ′ is prevented from rotating relative to container  12 ′ by a means to engage corresponding elements formed within the container  12 ′ sidewalls. For example, the means to engage can include at least one wing  42 ′ formed on the peripheral edge of the follower  28 ′ that slidingly engage at least one correspondingly sized groove  44 ′ formed within interior of the container  12 ′. Alternatively, the means to engage could contain wings (not shown) projecting from the interior of the container, which slidingly engage corresponding grooves (not shown) formed on the peripheral edge of the follower  28 ′.  
         [0062]     In operation when rotational force or torque is applied to the knob  15 ′ by the user, the force is transferred down the rod  40 ′ to the end-piece  16 ′. The rotation of the rod  40 ′ causes the follower  28 ′ to translate relative to the longitudinal axis of the threaded rod  40 ′, but the engagement means does not allow the follower  28 ′ to rotate about longitudinal axis. The food item  30 ′ is moved at a predetermined rate toward the end-piece  16 ′ and into contact with the blade  20 ′ and the shaving  45 ′ produced by the blade  20 ′ is expelled through at least one window  18 ′, as shown in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0063]     By permanently connecting one end of the threaded rod  40 ′ with the end-piece  16 ′, it is possible to synchronize the downward longitudinal movement of the follower  28 ′ along the threaded rod  40 ′ upon rotation of the knob  15 ′. This synchronized timing between the movement of the follower  28 ′ and the end-piece  16 ′ provides a predetermined amount of food item  30 ′ to encounter the beveled edge of the blade  20 ′ positioned in the end-piece  16 ′.  
         [0064]     With any of the abovementioned embodiments, a plurality of blade/window combinations may be employed as desired. The use of additional blade/window combinations located radially along the end-piece  16 ,  16 ′ permits multiple shavings to be produced simultaneously ( FIG. 6 .) Additionally, this simultaneous shaving process results in a thinner shaving when compared to shavings of prior art systems using a single blade since the depth of the shaving action is a function of the number of the blades and the pitch of threaded rod  40 ,  40 ′. The frustoconical shape of end-piece  16 ,  16 ′ further serves to maintain concentricity of end-piece  16 ,  16 ′ relative to food item  30 ,  30 ′. Additionally, the frustoconical shape of end-piece  16 ,  16 ′ determines the angle of attack and angle of the blade  20 ,  20 ′ relative to the food item, thereby producing shavings that are more or less telescoped and more or less curled to enhance visual interest to the shavings.  
         [0065]     Preferably, the food item  30 ,  30 ′ is pre-packaged by the manufacturer within the interior space created between end-piece  16 ,  16 ′ and a follower  28 ,  28 ′. The pre-packaged food item  30 ,  30 ′ is generally shaped similar the interior of the container  12 ,  12 ′ and has an interior bore running its entire length (e.g. preformed). As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 5A , one end of food item  30 ,  30 ′ is shaped to closely match the shape of the interior end of end-piece  16 ,  16 ′ such that it may interact substantially with the entire length of blade  20 ,  20 ′.  
         [0066]     In a preferred, albeit non-limiting embodiment, the follower  28 ,  28 ′ is a polygonal shape and the end of the food item  30 ,  30 ′ in contact with the follower  28 ,  28 ′ is shaped to mate with the follower  28 ,  28 ′ such that the force acting transferred to the food item  30 ,  30 ′ by the follower  28 ,  28 ′ may be effectively distributed so as to prevent damage to the food item  30 ,  30 ′. The general shape of follower  28 ,  28 ′ should be such that it substantially corresponds with the frustoconical shape of end-piece  16 ,  16 ′ in order for essentially all of the food item  30 ,  30 ′ to be utilized with minimal waste. Furthermore, the follower  28 ,  28 ′ can include teeth (not shown), as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,663 to Dugan (previously incorporated by reference), that can penetrate the top of the food item  30 ,  30 ′ to effectively grip the food item  30 ,  30 ′ such that the food item  30 ,  30 ′ does not wobble or chatter as it is being shaved. If the food item is permitted to wobble significantly during the shaving action, the form of the shavings or curls may suffer.  
         [0067]     In another preferred embodiment, the peripheral edge of said follower  28 ,  28 ′ can be provided in substantially fluid-tight contact with the sidewall of the container  12 ,  12 ′ to preclude passage of said food item  30 ,  30 ′ past the peripheral edge of said follower as the follower advances along the longitudinal axis of said container. The peripheral edge of the follower  28 ,  28 ′ can include a disc seal (not shown) as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,714,205 to Steinko (previously incorporated by reference) or a resilient O-ring (not shown) housed within a notch on the periphery of the follower  28 ,  28 ′, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,127,375 to Nelson (formerly incorporated by reference).  
         [0068]     Additionally, a cap  22 ,  22 ′ (shown in  FIGS. 1A, 5A , respectively) can be included which fits securely over the end-piece  16 ,  16 ′ when the device is to be stored or otherwise not in use. Preferably, the cap  22 ,  22 ′ is constructed such that it substantially covers the end-piece  16 ,  16 ′. In a preferred embodiment, the cap  22 ,  22 ′ can include an o-ring or gasket (not shown) to provide an air-tight seal such that the food item within the container  12 ,  12 ′ remains fresh when not in use. Other suitable engagement means can include those known in the art, such as screw threads, bayonet fittings, snap fittings or other attachment means known in the art. Additionally, the cap  22 ,  22 ′ can include a pedestal base portion (not shown), such that the device can be free standing such as is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,613 (herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.)  
         [0069]     All of the components of the assemblies  10 ,  10 ′ may be made from plastic resin, metal or any other suitable material. The cutter blades may be fabricated of a suitable plastic and may be part of end-piece  16 ,  16 ′ or the blades may be made of metal, ceramic or other suitable material and attached to end-piece  16 ,  16 ′ by any means known in the art (e.g. adhesive, welding, etc). For example, the device may be fabricated out of clear plastic or by incorporating windows such that the amount of the food portion remaining is visible to the user. Additionally, other means known in the art may be provided to inform the user of the remaining portion.  
         [0070]     The length, diameter or other dimensions of the pre-packaged food item may be varied as desired. The geometry of the food item may be irregular so as to produce irregular shavings. Likewise, modifying the shape of the blade  20 ,  20 ′, for example, saw-shape, sinuous, etc, can produce irregular shavings or curls. Moreover, the assembly  10 ,  10 ′ can be pre-packed with two or more varieties of food into a single food item, for example, white chocolate and dark chocolate, so that striped or checkered shavings can be produced by the device of the instant invention.  
         [0071]     It was discovered by the present inventors that the end-piece  16 ,  16 ′ could be formed such that the angle  23  (e.g. angle of attack) created between the chamfered tip of the blade  20 ,  20 ′ and the tangent formed from the food item  30 ,  30 ′, as seen along the plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the food item  30 ,  30 ′, dictate the degree or “tightness” of curl produced, as seen in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . The blade relief angle  25  shown therein refers to the angle of the chamfered tip of the blade  20 ,  20 ′ fabricated by the blade&#39;s  20 ,  20 ′ manufacturer. Thus, if the angle of attack  23  is about 90 degrees (e.g. normal) to the tangent then essentially flat ribbons are produced. When the blade  20 ,  20 ′ is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the food item  30 ,  30 ′ such that the angle of attack  23  is at about 45 degrees to the tangent, compact curls are produced ( FIG. 7B ). Therefore, the angle of attack  23  of the chamfered blade  20 ,  20 ′ should be provided between about 90 degrees and the predetermined relief angle  25 , such that only the chamfered tip of the blade  20 ,  20 ′ contacts the food item  30 .  
         [0072]     Additionally, as illustrated in  FIG. 7C , the end-piece  16 ,  16 ′ could be formed such that the angle=ø,  27 , created between the chamfered cutting edge of the blade  20  and transverse axis of the food item  30 ,  30 ′ dictates the degree of spiral, or telescoping, of the shavings produced. For example, in order for the device to engender flat, rectangular ribbons the angle=ø,  27 , should be about 0 degrees. On the other hand, if long helical, spiral and telescopic type curls are desired, the angle of the blade  20  relative to the transverse axis should be closer to 90 degrees. Thus, these two angles (e.g. angle of attack and ø) work in concert to dictate the degree of curl and amount of telescoping desired, and hence the amount of visual interest produced by the device.  
         [0073]     Moreover, it has been realized by the present inventors that certain food products with a certain shaving thickness appear more pleasing and offer a better mouth-feel than others. For example, shavings in the range of approximately 0.001 inches to 0.03 inches thick have a very good mouthfeel in that they melt instantly in the mouth. However, shavings thinner than 0.001 inches, while having good mouth-feel, are generally incapable of supporting their own three-dimensional shape.  
         [0074]     The thickness of the shavings produced by the instant invention can be varied by controlling the relative rate of feed of the food item into the rotating blade(s)  20 ,  20 ′ with respect to the number of blade revolutions. For example, if the feed rate of the food item  30 ,  30 ′ is increased per revolution of the blade(s), then thicker shavings will result. Similarly, if the number of blades are increased, with no change in feed rate per revolution of the end-piece  16 ,  16 ′, then the shavings produced will be thinner than those produced by fewer blades.  
         [0075]     Furthermore, thicker shavings can be created using a relatively coarse pitch (i.e. number threads per inch) for the threaded rod  40 ,  40 ′ and/or reducing the number of blades  20 ,  20 ′ acting on the food item  30 ,  30 ′. It has been found that using a softer food item such as “tropical” chocolate, or food at an elevated temperature, shavings may be effectively produced which are 0.030 inches thick or even thicker, the preferred thickness for shavings is between about 0.003 inches and about 0.030 inches thick. Thus depending on the food item to be shaved, the assembly  10 ,  10 ′ can be pre-packaged with a rod/blade configuration that will generate thick or thin shavings depending on the desire of the consumer. In one preferred embodiment the threaded rod  40 ,  40 ′ comprises a stainless steel rod of No. 4 diameter with 40 threads per inch and two cutter blades  20 ,  20 ′ were employed. This configuration yields shavings with a thickness of approximately 0.0125 inches.  
         [0076]     It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification.  
         [0077]     One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The various apparatus, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.