Container-grater for a friable food product

The container-grater comprises a base (10) on which an inverted cup-shaped element (12) having a polygonal cross-section is mounted rotatably so as to define a chamber (14) for containing the food product. The base (10) includes a grating plate (18) which constitutes the bottom of the chamber (14) and has a plurality of through-holes (20), with the edges of which respective teeth (22) that project into the chamber (14) are associated. Furthermore, a threaded rod (30) extends upwards from the plate (18) into the chamber (14) and a pressure plate (32) has a central, threaded hole (34) which is engaged by the rod (30) and an outer perimeter suitable for engaging with the internal wall of the element (12) in a manner such that rotation of the element (12) relative to the base (10) brings about translation of the plate (32) along the rod (30) and compression of the food product against the plate (18) so that the food product is broken up and dispensed from the containing chamber (14). The container-grater further comprises means for cutting the grated product, which are provided at the side of the grating plate (18) remote from the containing chamber (14).

The present invention relates to a container-grater for a friable food product, such as, for example, cheese.

An article of this type performs both the function of a packaging for the food product, isolating it from the outside environment during transport and storage at the point of sale and by the customer, and the function of a grater at the time of consumption.

Known models of a container-grater of this type comprise:a base on which an inverted cup-shaped element having a polygonal cross-section is mounted rotatably so as to define a chamber for containing the food product, the base including a grating plate which constitutes the bottom of the chamber and has a plurality of through-holes, with the edges of which respective teeth that project into the chamber are associated,a threaded rod which extends upwards from the grating plate into the chamber, anda pressure plate having a central, threaded hole which is engaged by the threaded rod and an outer perimeter suitable for engaging with the internal wall of the inverted cup-shaped element in a manner such that rotation of the inverted cup-shaped element relative to the base brings about translation of the pressure plate along the rod and compression of the food product against the plate so that the food product is broken up and dispensed from the containing chamber.

During grating, the teeth of the plate move with a circular movement relative to the piece of cheese which, since it is clamped inside the containing chamber, is cut into at the bottom in its circumferential portions which face the path of each tooth and is thus broken up and dispensed. As a result of the constant repetition of that movement, the grated product is in the form of elongate strands, completely different from the flake-like shape produced by the irregular movement of a piece of cheese rubbed by hand by a consumer against a conventional plate-like grater, that is to say, lacking means for containing and retaining the cheese.

Moreover, the elongate-strand-like appearance of the grated cheese can be considered to be undesirable or unusual for consumers accustomed to the flaked appearance produced by conventional graters.

The object of the present invention is to provide a container-grater for a friable food product in order to be able to bring about the formation of a flake-like grated product.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by virtue of a container-grater and of the respective grating plate which have the characteristics specified in the appended claims.

A container-grater for a friable food product, in particular a piece of cheese, comprises (FIGS. 1-3) a base10on which an inverted cup-shaped element12having a polygonal, in particular square, cross-section is mounted rotatably so as to define a chamber14for containing the cheese. A bushing13, which internally defines a hollow seat15, protrudes from the end wall of the cup-shaped element.

The base10comprises a circular sleeve16inside which a circular grating plate18is fixed transversely and constitutes the bottom of the containing chamber14. The grating plate18has a plurality of square through-holes20which are arranged in a plurality of parallel rows. Teeth22are associated with the edge of the holes20in a manner known per se and protrude into the containing chamber14. The form, arrangement and number of teeth22are conventional and substantially unimportant as regards the present invention, so that further details will not be provided in this regard.

Protruding from the lower face of the plate18(FIGS. 2 and 4) there is a first rib24which extends diametrically along the lower face and a second rib24which extends diametrically along the face and perpendicularly to the first rib24.

The inverted cup-shaped element12further has at its mouth a flange26having an outer perimeter which reproduces the profile of the internal cross-section of the sleeve16. The flange26is kept associated with the facing surface of the plate18by means of projections28which protrude radially from the internal wall of the sleeve16.

A threaded rod30having an axis parallel with that of the sleeve16extends upwards from the centre of the grating plate18into the chamber14. A pressure plate32having a square outer perimeter which reproduces the shape of the internal wall of the inverted cup-shaped element12is engaged by the threaded rod30through a central, threaded hole34. The rod30is of tubular structure and internally defines a cavity36which extends along the axis thereof.

A rotor is arranged in the sleeve16under the grating plate18and comprises (FIG. 7) a central hub40, a circular ring42which is coaxial with the hub40and a plurality of cutting elements44which connect the hub40and the ring42in the manner of spokes. The spokes have cross-sections in the form of right-angled trapezoids, with the oblique side46inclined forwards in the direction of rotation of the rotor.

A pin48is mounted with its central portion able to rotate freely in the cavity36of the rod30and has the upper end50(FIG. 5) fixed in the seat15and the lower end52(FIG. 6) fixed in a hole54which is provided in the hub40of the rotor38.

The facing surfaces of the side walls of the ends50,52of the pin48, the hole54and the seat15have respective knurled surfaces having complementary profiles, which prevent relative rotation thereof. Consequently, the cup-shaped element12, the pin48and the rotor38constitute a rigid member.

The lower end52of the pin48further has, in succession after a knurled portion56, a tapering portion58and a radially protruding head60, and a projection62which extends resiliently in a radially inward direction protrudes from the lower edge of the hole54of the hub40. The projection62can be coupled to the tapering portion58of the lower end52of the pin48and can come into abutment against the head60, so that movement of the rotor38in an axial direction away from the pin48is prevented.

During grating, the rotation of the inverted cup-shaped element12(to which the piece of cheese is fixed) relative to the base10brings about downward translation of the pressure plate32along the rod30and the compression of the piece of cheese against the plate18. The cheese is thus broken up by the teeth22into fragments in the form of strands which pass through the holes20.

The strands which fall from the holes20are subsequently compelled to pass (FIG. 4) between a corner of the lower edge of a rib24, which remains stationary, and a cutting element44of the rotor38, which rotates together with the cup-shaped element12, being connected to it by the pin48. Consequently, a cutting action is produced on the strands, the length of which is considerably reduced and which thereby assume a flake type appearance. By suitably selecting the number and form of the spokes, as well as the number and height of the ribs24, it is possible to bring about the formation of flakes having desired geometric features.

FIGS. 8 to 11illustrate another embodiment of the invention, wherein the same numerals as those used with reference to the preceding Figures indicate identical or equivalent elements.

This last embodiment differs from the preceding one in respect of the construction of the means which allow the rotational movement of the inverted cup-shaped element12to be transmitted to the rotor38.

In this case, the lower surface of the flange26of the mouth of the element12carries, at its perimeter, a first set of teeth64, and the circular ring42of the rotor38has, at its upper surface, a second set of teeth66.

A toothed wheel68having a suitable hub69is accommodated in a seat70formed in a portion of the outer perimeter of the grating plate18and is interposed (FIGS. 9 and 10) between the first set of teeth64and the second set of teeth66, being in engagement with both. The toothed wheel68is thus mounted so as to rotate about its axis which is orientated radially in a perpendicular direction relative to the axis of the rod30. This rod—unlike the previous embodiment—is not hollow and does not therefore receive any pin therein.

Since the pin is absent, the bottom of the cup-shaped element does not have any bushing for receiving the upper end thereof, nor does the hub of the rotor have any hole for receiving the lower end thereof. Instead, a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart projections72protrude radially inwards (FIG. 9) from the internal side wall of the sleeve16and, being arranged under the rotor38, support it axially and prevent it from moving in a direction away from the grating plate18.

The general operation of the container-grater, the formation of cheese fragments in the form of strands which fall through the holes20and the subsequent cutting thereof as a result of the passage between a corner of the lower edge of a rib24and a spoke of the rotor38are effected in a manner similar to the previous case. However, the rotation of the rotor38is brought about by its set of teeth66being engaged with the toothed wheel68which is itself caused to rotate about its own axis by engagement with the first set of teeth64which is carried by the flange26of the element12, which is rotated by the user. As a result of such a construction of the movement transmission mechanism, the rotation of the rotor38is effected in the opposite direction relative to that of the cup-shaped element12. The cutting action which is produced on the strands thus remains substantially unchanged with respect to the previously described embodiment.

In construction variants which are not illustrated, it is possible to provide for the presence of more complex movement transmission kinematic mechanisms which allow the speed of rotation of the rotor38to be varied with respect to that of the cup-shaped element12so as to reduce, for example, the overall force required from the user in order to grate. Such kinematic mechanisms may further allow the rotor38to be rotated in the same direction as the cup-shaped element12.

Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the details of construction and the forms of embodiment may vary widely with respect to those described purely by way of example, without thereby departing from the claimed scope.