Abstract:
A corn stripper includes a handle and a tool head, the curved tool head having a curved blade and a brush. In the exemplary version, the tool head includes a blade with a sharpened edge that is generally orthogonal to the handle axis, rather than generally in line with the handle axis. Accordingly, in use the device is moved in a direction orthogonal to the handle rather than generally parallel to the handle.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of prior U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/162,076, filed Mar. 20, 2009 and incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to kitchen tools, particularly including devices for removing kernels of corn from a cob. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Preparing raw corn for cooking can be a time consuming and messy process. Currently, many people remove corn from a cob by using a knife, which slices through many or most of the kernels in the process. Other products have been designed specifically for removal of corn kernels, but each is less than satisfactory in one regard or another. 
         [0004]    There are a variety of products that have been developed in an effort to solve this long felt need. Some devices are more concerned with slitting open the kernels of corn while removing them from the cob. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,760 to Charlier is directed to a corn slitter that includes a handle with a curved tool head and a plurality of teeth on the tool head. The tool head is forced longitudinally along the cob in the direction of the axis of the handle, with the teeth abrading the kernels as they are separated. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,412,149 to Higgins is similar in configuration, with a curved tool head extending longitudinally from an angled handle. In each case, the cutting action is generally in the direction of the handle axis. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,173,751 to Burkhart illustrates yet another corn slicer of the type having a tool head extending longitudinally from an angularly offset handle. In the case of the Burkhart patent, the tool head includes blades carried on a frame with a gap between the blades. 
         [0007]    Another patent, U.S. Pat. No. 1,414,372 to Olcott, depicts an earlier version of this same type of device in which the tool must be pushed in a direction generally in line with the longitudinal axis of the handle. An even earlier patent, U.S. Pat. No. 935,517 to Johnson, presents a device that is much the same but in which the handle is pulled in a longitudinal direction rather than pushed. 
         [0008]    More recently, U.S. Patent Publication 2006/0288582 to Settele describes a corn scraper having an elongate handle and a tool head with a “bridge member” connected to a base plate. The bridge member includes a “tooth means” for engagement with the corn. This arrangement is substantially the same as the Burkhart device, with a blade extending across a frame to form a bridge. The longitudinal axis of the handle is described as being offset from the longitudinal axis of the tool head, much the same way as the angled offset handles of the above prior devices. One problem with the Settele device and each of the earlier described devices is that the corn must pass through the blade or “bridge member” longitudinally, in the direction of the axis of the handle. This places the handle in the way of the cob as slicing through the corn. The prior devices collectively teach that this problem can be overcome by introducing an angle between the tool head and the handle, or by longitudinally offsetting the handle from the tool head to some extent. This adjustment has not produced an effective device, and also makes for an awkward gripping action when removing kernels. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, there is a long felt but unresolved need for an improved device to remove kernels from a cob of corn. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The corn stripper in accordance with the present invention includes a handle and a tool head, the tool head having a blade and a brush. In the exemplary version, the tool head includes a blade with a sharpened edge that is generally orthogonal to the handle axis, rather than generally in line with the handle axis. Accordingly, in use the device is moved in a direction orthogonal to the handle rather than generally parallel to the handle. 
         [0011]    In accordance with a preferred version, the blade includes a first end and a second end, the first end and second ends of the blade being secured to the tool head in a longitudinal fashion such that the blade is generally parallel with the handle. The blade may optionally include three sections, including a first substantially straight section adjacent the first end of the tool head, a second substantially straight section adjacent the second end of the tool head, and a central curved section between the two substantially straight sections. The central curved section is spaced apart from the curved tool head by a distance forming a gap between the blade and the tool head that is sufficiently large to allow corn kernels to pass through the gap. 
         [0012]    The exemplary tool head further includes a brush formed from a plurality of bristles. In a preferred version, the bristles are formed from sections of thin plastic, though other materials such as food grade silicone may be used instead. 
         [0013]    The bristles form a brush that is secured to the tool head at a location generally opposite that of the blade. In use, the brush is suitable for brushing away silk or other undesired particles. 
         [0014]    These and other aspects of various examples of the invention will be described in further detail below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred corn stripper. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a left side view of the corn stripper of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the corn stripper of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a right side view of the corn stripper of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the corn stripper of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0021]    With reference to the figures, the preferred version of the corn stripper  10  includes a handle  20  and a tool head  30 , the tool head having a blade  40  and a brush  50 . In the illustrated example, the handle is formed from stainless steel and is generally cylindrical in shape, terminating in an end cap  22 . In other versions, the handle may have any shape suitable for grasping by a user, and may be formed from other materials such as plastic or wood. Likewise, the handle may include an over-molded grip formed of resilient materials such as rubber or santoprene. 
         [0022]    The tool head  30  is attached to the handle opposite the end cap. In the illustrated example, the tool head is formed from plastic and therefore the tool head and the handle are configured as two separate components that are secured to one another. In other versions, the tool head and handle may be integrally formed, for example from plastic. 
         [0023]    The tool head is curved in shape, preferably following a path from a first end  31  adjacent the handle and terminating at a second distal end  32 . In one version, the arc of curvature of the tool head may follow a path defined as a segment of a circle, though in the version as illustrated the arc is closer to an oval segment than a circular segment. The first end of the tool head begins adjacent a line l 1 , the line l 1  preferably being substantially parallel to an axis defined by the length of the handle. In other versions, the line l 1  may be tangential to a point at the first end  31  and second end  32  of the tool head. As the tool head curves away from the line at the first end  31  it ultimately terminates again adjacent the line l 1  at the second end  32 . Thus, in the preferred version the line l 1  extends axially from the handle and is tangential to or passes through the first and second ends of the tool head. The tool head curvature forms a depth d 2 , defined as the distance between the line l 1  and the deepest point of curvature of the tool head. The tool head may also be described as forming a shallow U-shape as it extends from the first end  31  to the second end  32  of the tool head. 
         [0024]    The blade  40  includes a first end  41  and a second end  42 , the first end and second end of the blade being secured to the first end and second end of the tool head, respectively. The blade is comprised of three sections, including a first substantially straight section  43  adjacent the first end of the tool head, a second substantially straight section  44  adjacent the second end of the tool head, and a central curved section  45  between the two substantially straight sections. The central curved section is spaced apart from the curved tool head by a distance d 1 , the distance d 1  forming a gap between the blade and the tool head that is sufficiently large to allow corn kernels to pass through the gap. Thus, the blade and the tool head are each curved along a substantially similar path to form a substantially uniform and curved gap between the blade and the tool head at least along the curved section of the blade. 
         [0025]    The blade is secured to the tool head such that the blade is preferably fully within the region defined by the line l l  and the interior surface of the tool head arc. The blade is further secured to the tool head at locations that are substantially equidistant from the line l 1 , such that the blade extends in a direction from the first end  41  to the second end  42  in a direction that is generally parallel to the line l 1  and also parallel with a central axis extending through the handle. 
         [0026]    In other versions of the invention, the blade may be formed as an arc without the accompanying substantially straight sections, as shown. In such a version, the handle may include extensions to separate the blade from the tool head, thereby forming the gap between the blade and the tool head while securing the blade to the tool head. In one such version, the extensions may be shaped substantially the same as the substantially straight blade segments, except that they are not formed and sharpened as blades. 
         [0027]    In a preferred example, the blade is formed from stainless steel, though in other versions the blade may be formed form other metals, plastic, or other materials. 
         [0028]    The tool head further includes a brush  50  formed from a plurality of bristles. 
         [0029]    In a preferred version, the bristles are formed from sections of thin plastic, though other materials such as food grade silicone may be used instead. 
         [0030]    As shown, the bristles form a brush that is secured to the tool head at a location generally opposite that of the blade  40 . Thus, while the blade is attached to the tool head on the interior surface of the curved tool head, the brush is attached to the tool head at the exterior surface of the tool head. 
         [0031]    In other examples of the invention, the brush may be located at any location on the tool head, such as at the tip of the tool head. In such a configuration, the brush may extend generally axially away from the tool head, for example. In yet another example of the invention, the brush may be located on the tool adjacent the first end of the handle, forming a tool having a tool head and blade at one end of the handle and a brush at the opposite end of the handle. 
         [0032]    In use, the husk from an ear of corn is removed, leaving the kernels exposed. The brush is used to whisk away any remaining silk to produce a corn cob with kernels attached but with no husk or silk. Then the tool head is placed at one end of the ear of corn such that blade is adjacent the cob and the kernels are within the gap between the blade and the tool head. By urging the tool downward, the blade cuts the kernels away from the cob, with the kernels passing through the gap. The process is repeated as necessary to separate all of the corn from the cob. 
         [0033]    While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.