Abstract:
An improved appliance for slicing food articles, particularly baked goods and bagels in a uniform, quick and safe manner. The appliance includes a food receptacle which is slidably inserted into one end of a main housing and into which a food item such as a bagel is placed. A motorized cutting carriage is pivotally mounted to the main housing and extends a serrated dual-bladed slicing assembly over the food item. When power is applied, the blades of the slicing assembly begin reciprocating, and the entire cutting carriage is pivoted with respect to the main housing in order to move the reciprocating blades of the slicing assembly through the food item. Once the food item is cut, the cutting carriage is returned to its home position, the food receptacle is slidably withdrawn, and the sliced food item is removed and consumed. The appliance requires a minimum of space and facilitates the slicing operation without damage to the bagel. The appliance is efficient, quick, easy to clean, and above all, completely safe.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Priority of this application is based on provisional application Seral No.: 60/016,067, filed Apr. 25, 1996, now abandoned, and is further a Continuation-In-Part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/845,595 Apr. 25, 1997 U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,163. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to kitchen appliances and, more particularly, to a motorized food slicing appliance to simplify the cutting of bagels and other baked goods, and to increase safety. 
     2. Description of the Background 
     The conventional means for slicing food articles, particularly baked goods such as bagels, doughnuts and the like, entails a simple carving knife and cutting board. However, this engenders a significant safety hazard. Safety is especially compromised in the cutting of bagels, which are hard and round and thereby difficult to stabilize. It is recognized that bagel slicing is one of the foremost causes of household injury. Hospitals routinely treat an inordinate number of lacerated fingers caused thereby. 
     A number of machines and jigs for slicing bagels already exist in the prior art. These generally fall into two categories: 1) manual holding jigs or receptacles into which the bagel is placed to hold it during a conventional knife cutting operation; and 2) industrialized slicing machines designed to slice a large number of bagels or baked goods in an assembly-line manner. 
     Many of the former manually-operated devices include a receptacle having a pair of opposed slots into which is inserted a cutting instrument, which is then moved back and forth in a sawing action to slice the bagel while it is held by the receptacle. Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 4,399,989 to Baillie shows a mechanical bagel press for securing bagels whilst cutting with a knife, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,505 to Campbell et al. shows a miter-box type manual bagel slicer for securing a bagel and guiding a knife. In these and other cases, the use of a separate knife to slice the bagel is not always convenient and leaves the risk of injury from the knife blade. Other variations attach the knife blade to the housing to facilitate the sawing action. Still others employ a special guided blade or make provision for rotating the bagel to facilitate slicing. Examples include U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,331 to Policella, which shows a mechanical bagel press for securing bagels whilst cutting with a pivotally mounted knife, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,078 to Ricard et al. which shows a manual guillotine-type bagel slicing jig. These and like devices still result in a labor intensive process and user interaction with a free-swinging blade. Injuries are still prevalent. 
     There are heavy commercial devices used by restaurants and the like. These industrialized devices entail automatically feeding bagels past rotating blades. They are designed for use where ample counter space and a high price tag are not obstacles. For example, U.S Pat. No. 5,404,782 to Ryan et al. shows an automated slicer in which bagels or other baked goods are carried on a conveyer past two opposing horizontal blades. The baked goods are sliced by the blades and continue onward until they are ejected from the conveyer into a hopper. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,252 to Herlitzius shows an automated slicer in which bagels are carried on a conveyer to a rotary slicer. The bagels are sliced by adjustable blades and continue onward until they fall off the conveyer into a hopper. 
     It would be greatly advantageous to provide a compact motorized bagel slicing device adapted for home or light commercial use, thereby simplifying the slicing process and improving the safety thereof. While there have been efforts to achieve a balance between automation, safety, and simplicity, none as yet have yielded a satisfactory design. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,546,686 to Losiowski shows a bagel slicing jig in which a bagel is inserted through an entrance door in advance of a pushing mechanism. The handle operated pushing mechanism urges the bun past a diagonal blade. After slicing, the bun is ejected from the side of the jig. U.S. Pat. No. 2,685,901 to Putzer shows a bun slicing machine in which a round bun is inserted in a slidable carriage. The carriage and bun are shifted via a handle such that the bun encounters a diagonal blade. After slicing, the bun falls into an exit hopper for removal. These devices remain bulky, difficult to use and clean, and expensive to manufacture. They could be better designed for simplicity, compactness, ease of operation, more economical manufacturing, and ease of cleaning. It is believed that a well-designed modular unit striking a better balance between manual and motorized operation would find a significant market. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for slicing food articles, particularly baked goods and bagels in a uniform, quick and safe manner. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an improved semi-automatic bagel slicer that requires a minimum of space and which facilitates the slicing operation without damage to the bagel. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an improved bagel slicer which is efficient, quick, easy to clean, and above all, completely safe. 
     These and other objects are provided by an improved appliance for slicing food articles, particularly baked goods and bagels, in a uniform, quick and safe manner. 
     The appliance of the instant invention includes a food receptacle which is slidably inserted into one end of a main housing and into which a food item such as a bagel may be placed. A motorized cutting carriage is pivotally mounted to the main housing and extends a serrated dual-bladed slicing assembly over the food item. When power is applied, the blades of the slicing assembly begin reciprocating, and the cutting carriage is pivoted with respect to the main housing in order to move the reciprocating blades through the food item. Once the food item is cut, the cutting carriage is returned to its home position, the food receptacle can be slidably withdrawn, and the sliced food item is removed. The appliance requires a minimum of space and facilitates the slicing operation without damage to the bagel. The appliance is efficient, quick, easy to clean, and above all, completely safe. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and certain modifications thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a bagel slicing appliance in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the bagel slicing appliance of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the bagel slicing appliance of FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     FIG. 4 is a side cut-away view of the bagel slicing appliance as in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is a top cut-away view of the bagel slicing appliance of FIGS. 1-4 along section line A—A of FIG.  4 . 
     FIGS. 6-8 are an enlarged side view, front view, and top view, respectively, of the food receptacle  40  as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     FIGS. 9-11 are an enlarged top view, front view, and side view, respectively, of the main housing  20  as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the cutting carriage  10  as shown in FIGS.  1  and  2 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a bagel slicing appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The device generally includes a clear main housing  20  formed as a somewhat triangularly shaped enclosure. While main housing  20  as described and shown herein is clear, it may optionally be provided with any opaque or colored appearance. A bagel  4  or other food item is seated in a food receptacle drawer  40 , which in turn is slidably inserted into one end of the main housing  20 . A motorized cutting carriage  10  is pivotally mounted to one end of the main housing  20  and is adapted for pivoting a serrated dual bladed slicing assembly  12  downward towards the bottom of main housing  20  for guided slidable depression into said receptacle drawer  40 . Serrated dual-bladed slicing assembly  12  extends outwardly from the cutting carriage  10  within the confines of main housing  20 . Dual-bladed slicing assembly  12  is actuated by a drive mechanism internal to the cutting carriage  10  (to be described) and is driven to reciprocate for slicing through the food item  4 . In operation, the entire cutting carriage is pivoted about pivot pin  10   a  towards the bottom floors of main housing  20  and food receptacle drawer  40  in order to move the reciprocating blades of slicing assembly  12  through the food item  4 . An on/off switch  115  is provided at the top of cutting carriage  10  which, when activated, applies power to the internal drive mechanism to begin reciprocation of the slicing assembly  12 . A secondary safety switch  115   a  is also provided at the bottom portion of cutting carriage  10  and positioned for engagement with a vertically-extending finger  200  on receptacle drawer  40  when drawer  40  is properly seated within main housing  20 . Secondary safety switch  115   a  interrupts the circuit between on/off switch  115   a  and a power source such that the device is rendered unoperational unless receptacle drawer  40  is properly seated within main housing  20 . 
     Once the food item is cut, on off switch  115  is released and cutting carriage  10  is pivoted about pivot point  10   a  to withdraw slicing assembly  12  from receptacle drawer  40 , releasing finger  200  to enable food receptacle drawer  40  to be slidably withdrawn from main housing  20 , and the sliced food item  4  can be removed and consumed. The serrated dual-bladed slicing assembly  12  makes short work of the slicing and results in a clean uniform cut through the food item  4 . The main housing  20  completely shields the user from the serrated dual-bladed slicing assembly  12 , and no injury is possible. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the bagel slicing appliance of FIG. 1 that better shows the cooperation of the food receptacle drawer  40  as it is adapted for slidable insertion into one end of the main housing  20 . Main housing  20  is here shown with a top wall  23  for added safety. Top wall  23  covers nearly the entirety of the uppermost portion of main housing  20 , leaving only a window  27  at the rear, bottom portion of top wall  23  for the upper extent of cutting carriage  10  to extend through. When assembled, the motorized cutting carriage  10  is positioned with its lower portion permanently retained within housing  20 , and pivotally attached thereto through bore hole  10   b  via pivot pin  10   a.    
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the bagel slicing appliance of FIGS. 1 and 2, and FIG. 4 is a side cut-away view of the bagel slicing apparatus as in FIG.  3 . Once seated in food receptacle  40  and inserted into the main housing  20 , the bagel  4  or other food item becomes positioned below and within the path of travel of the blades of serrated dual-bladed slicing assembly  12 . The motorized cutting carriage  10  comprises a cutting carriage handle housing  112 , and is provided with pivot pin  10   a  at its lower rear section for pivotal attachment to main housing  20 . A push contact on/off switch  115  is provided at the uppermost portion of handle housing  112 , and is connected between the power source and the motorized internal drive assembly (to be described) to apply power thereto. A secondary push contact switch  115   a  is also provided at the bottom extent of handle housing  112  and positioned within its hollow interior. Secondary push contact switch  115   a  is a safety switch that interrupts the circuit running from the power source to the motorized internal drive assembly. When food receptacle  40  is fully inserted into main housing  20 , vertical extension finger  200  on food receptacle  40  comes into contact with and depresses mechanical push contact switch  115   a . When secondary push contact switch  115   a  is depressed, the user may in turn depress switch  115  on the top of cutting carriage  10  to power the internal drive mechanism to begin reciprocation of the slicing assembly  12 . As the cutting carriage  10  is depressed further downward, the secondary push contact switch  115   a  remains depressed and the reciprocating blades of slicing assembly  12  pass through the food item  4 . 
     FIG. 5 is a top cut-away view of the bagel slicing appliance of FIGS. 1-4. It can be seen that food receptacle  40  is provided two, facing, generally unshaped concave sections  210  which serve to hold a bagel  4  or other food item in place while the apparatus is in use. The bottom of each section  210  is supported above horizontal plate  212  using a series of vertical ribs  211  (FIG.  3 ). However, the sides of each section  210  are surrounded by slots  213  defined by the open space between each section  210 , a rear slotted blade guide  214 , and a front slotted blade guide  215 . The fact that the side walls of each section  210  are surrounded by open slots  213  enables the sidewalls of each section  210  to freely expand radially outwardly, such that food items of various dimensions may be readily received in food receptacle  40 . Further, the interior of each section  210  is provided with a rounded flange which serves to frictionally engage a sidewall of the food product, thus preventing the bagel or other item from rotating or otherwise shifting during the cutting operation. 
     FIGS. 6-8 are an enlarged side view, front view, and top view, respectively, of the food receptacle  40  as shown in FIGS. 1-5. The food receptacle  40  is preferably molded of impact and heat-resistant plastic but may otherwise be formed of any suitable material. The food receptacle is an open enclosure having an integrally formed base  300  and rear handle  310 . Base  300  is formed with a small step near its midsection which engages a similarly configured step on the bottom floor of main housing  20 . This step serves as a stop to prevent insertion of food tray  40  into main housing  20  beyond that point necessary to engage secondary switch  115   a  with extended finger  200 . Likewise, handle  310  is curved to match the contour of the outer, open end of main housing  20 . Handle  310  is provided at its lower extent with a laterally raised extension which defines a crumb deflection section  320 . Section  320  is configured to forwardly direct any crumbs that fall from the food product as it is being cut, thus preventing the crumbs from collecting in the rear portion of food receptacle  40 . 
     Horizontal support plate  212  is positioned atop stepped base  300  a sufficient distance to create a gap  212   a  between support plate  212  and stepped base  300 , which gap is sized to receive ribs  330  (FIG. 2) on the sidewalls of main housing  20 . A series of vertical ribs extend upwardly from horizontal support plate  212  and, in turn, support each of the two food item holding sections  210 . As mentioned above, a rear knife guide  214  is integrally formed with the food receptacle  40  on the front side of handle section  310 , and a front knife guide  215  is integrally formed with the food receptacle  40  near the front portion thereof. Each of knife guides  214  and  215  comprise generally vertically-extending facing panels which define channels therebetween. These channels serve to guide the knife in a straight, downward direction as cutting carriage  10  is pivoted about pivot pin  10   a.    
     Open slots  213  are defined by the space between food article carrying sections  210  and each of knife guides  214  and  215 . Slots  213  allow the side walls of sections  210  to freely expand outwardly from the center when an oversize food item is inserted into the food receptacle section. Thus, it may readily be seen that sections  210  may receive food products of a variety of sizes. 
     Extended finger  200  is integrally formed with food receptacle  40  and is positioned at the front most portion. Finger  200  comprises a vertically extending panel which, as explained above, is of sufficient height to engage secondary safety switch  115   a  positioned within cutting carriage  10 . 
     As best seen in FIG. 7, both sides of food receptacle  40  define transverse notches  212   a  running the entire length thereof and adapted to receive and guide insertion via interfitting rails or ribs  330  (FIG. 2) in the main housing  20 . 
     As seen in FIG. 8, the interior of each food article carrying section  210  is provided with raised sections or bosses  216  which help to hold the food item in place when the cutting operation is underway. 
     FIGS. 9-11 are an enlarged top view, front view, and side view, respectively, of the main housing  20  as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The main housing  20  is preferably likewise molded of heat and impact resistant plastic, but may otherwise be formed of any suitable material. The main housing  20  is an enclosure defined by surrounding walls and an integral bottom panel. The front face of main housing  20  is open and adapted for slidable insertion of food receptacle  40  (with bagel  4  or other food product). Main housing  20  is preferably fitted with top wall  23  for added safety. Top wall  23  covers the entirety of the serrated reciprocating knifes  12  to ensure that a user&#39;s fingers cannot come into contact with the cutting instrument. Top wall  23  is provided with a window  27  at its back end such that the handle portion of cutting carriage  10  may extend therethrough. Lateral side rails or ribs  330  are formed on opposing side walls of the interior of main housing  20  and extend lengthwise throughout main housing  20 . Side rails  330  are adapted to fit within the transverse notches  212   a  of food receptacle  40  in order to receive and guide insertion of food receptacle  40  into main housing  20 . Likewise, the bottom wall of main housing  20  is provided with a stepped configuration which mates with the bottom contour of food receptacle  40  to serve as an abutment for limiting insertion of the food receptacle in main housing  20 . 
     A pivot pin  10   a  spans the width of main housing  20  and is positioned towards the closed end of main housing  20 . Pivot pin  10   a  pivotally mounts cutting carriage  10  to main housing  20 , with the uppermost portion of cutting carriage  10  extending upward through window  27  in top wall  23 . During operation, a user may thus grasp the upper extent of cutting carriage  10  to pivot cutting carriage  10  about pivot pin  10   a , in turn directing the serrated reciprocating blades  12  downward and through the bagel  4  or other food item, all without the risk of inadvertently coming in contact with blades  12 . 
     FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the cutting carriage  10  as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Cutting carriage  10  includes a cutting carriage housing  112 , dual serrated reciprocating blade assembly  1312  anchored in the cutting carriage housing  112  and protruding therefrom, and a drive assembly mounted within the cutting carriage housing  112 . The drive assembly and dual-serrated blade assembly  12  are commercially available components typically made and sold for powering electric knives. In the present case, UL listed part no. 425C E42169 (available in a unit sold as J. C. Penny Cat. No. 784-4632) is well-suited. As seen in FIG. 12, this drive assembly generally includes a standard 100 Watt Johnson electric motor  120  with an extending drive shaft  140  turning a worm gear  142 . Worm gear  142  turns an orthogonally-mounted radial gear  150  having offset drive bits  155  protruding from each face. Drive bits  155  are preferably offset in diametric directions from the center axis of gear  150 . Two opposing yoke brackets  130  each have a slot at one end and thereby engage one of the drive bits  155 . The other ends of yoke brackets  130  extend outward and are secured to a corresponding blade of the dual-serrated reciprocating blade assembly  12 . When activated, the electric motor  120  turns drive shaft  140 , which turns worm gear  142 , and this turns orthogonally-mounted radial gear  150 . Rotation of orthogonally-mounted radial gear  150  causes the offset drive bits  155  to rotate in a circular motion. The rotation of drive bits  155  urges the opposing yoke brackets  130  forward and backward in a reciprocating manner, and since drive bits  155  are offset in diametric directions, the movement of yoke brackets  130  is out of phase. In this manner, the yoke brackets  130  each drive one of the blades of the dual-serrated reciprocating blade assembly  12 . 
     Of course, the above-described drive assembly and dual-serrated reciprocating blade assembly are commercially available components and are described purely for exemplary purposes. It is contemplated that other satisfactory drive assemblies exist, and the use of any would be considered within the spirit and scope of the invention. It is only necessary to reassemble/reorient the drive assembly and dual-serrated reciprocating blade assembly  12  within a suitable cutting carriage housing  112  as will now be described. 
     Referring once again to FIGS. 1 and 2 and with particular reference to cutting carriage housing  112 , the cutting carriage housing  112  is preferably molded of heat and impact resistant plastic but may otherwise be formed of any suitable material. The cutting carriage housing  112  comprises a hollowed arm having an upper portion which extends through the window  27  in the top plate  23  of main housing  20 , enabling a user to grip the carriage housing and direct the serrated knives downward and into the bagel  4  or other food product. The bottom portion of cutting carriage housing  112  is provided a through hole  106  (FIG. 2) through which pivot pin  10   a  is placed to pivotally mount cutting carriage housing  112  to main housing  20 . The bottom, front portion of cutting carriage housing  112  is open to allow serrated reciprocating knives  12  to extend outward from the cutting carriage housing  112 , and to allow vertical extension finger  200  on food receptacle  40  to engage secondary safety switch  115   a . Secondary safety switch  115   a  is a push-contact on/off switch, and is mounted on the inside of cutting carriage housing  112  to align with finger  200  when food receptacle  40  is fully seated within main housing  20 . When food receptacle  40  is so seated, finger  200  depresses switch  115   a , thus enabling power to flow from the power source to the driving mechanism when main switch  115  is depressed by a user. As the cutting carriage housing  112  is pivoted downward to direct the serrated reciprocating knives  12  through the bagel  4  or other food product, secondary safety switch  115   a  remains depressed by finger  200  and reciprocating blades of slicing assembly  12  pass through the food item  4 . When the food item has been completely cut by slicing assembly  12 , the user pivots cutting carriage housing  112  to bring slicing assembly  12  out of contact with the food item  4 , and withdraws food receptacle  40  from main housing  20 . As food receptacle  40  is withdrawn, finger  200  releases secondary safety switch  115   a , in turn preventing power from flowing from the power source to the driving mechanism and causing inadvertent operation of slicing assembly  12 . 
     It is also of note that when a user starts to downwardly pivot cutting carriage  10  to cause serrated reciprocating knives  12  to cut through the bagel  4  or other food item, the bottom, front portion of cutting carriage housing  112  blocks the retreat of vertical extension finger  200  from within cutting carriage housing  112 . Thus, vertical extension finger  200  not only serves to control the activation of switch  115   a , but also serves as a stop preventing the inadvertent withdrawal of food receptacle  40  from main housing  20  when cutting carriage  10  is pivoted downward to engage the bagel with serrated reciprocating knives  12 . 
     Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It is to be understood, therefore, that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth herein.