Abstract:
An apparatus for treating food substances includes a cutting plate defining a longitudinal axis and having at least one cutting surface for supporting food substances and a collecting tray releasably mountable to the cutting plate. The collecting tray defines a reservoir for collecting food substances cut on the culling surface. The collecting tray may define a spout adapted to facilitate pouring of liquid material of the food substances. The collecting tray may define first and second spout segments. The first and second spouts may be disposed in diametrical opposed relation.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/075,167, filed on Jun. 24, 2008 to Young, the entire contents of which are being incorporated by reference herein. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for treating food particles, and, in particular, relates to a cutting board apparatus incorporating features for facilitating removal of the food particles from the cutting board area and subsequent capturing for disposal. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Cutting boards are known in the art, and, typically, incorporate a cutting surface which may be planar or incorporate indentations to collect fluid released during the cutting process such as the juices released during the cutting of meat. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Accordingly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for treating food substances. The apparatus includes a cutting plate defining a longitudinal axis and having at least one cutting surface for supporting food substances, and a collecting tray releasably mountable to the cutting plate. The collecting tray defines a reservoir for collecting food substances treated or cut on the cutting surface. The collecting tray may define a spout adapted to facilitate pouring of liquid or fluid material emanating from the food substances. The collecting tray may define first and second spouts. The first and second spouts may be disposed in diametrical opposed relation. 
         [0007]    The cutting plate may include a peripheral edge having a grooved segment and the collecting tray may include a mounting lip or tab. The mounting lip may be received within the grooved segment in secured relation therewith to releasably secure the collecting tray to the cutting plate. The mounting lip and the grooved segment may be correspondingly dimensioned to establish a substantial frictional relation. In embodiments, the mounting lip and the grooved segment may include a locking pawl and detent mechanism to secure the two components. 
         [0008]    The at least one cutting surface may include a fluid capturing groove arranged for collecting fluids and directing the fluids toward the collecting tray. The at least one cutting surface further may include an auxiliary fluid capturing groove disposed within an interior section of the cutting plate for collecting fluids and directing the fluids toward the collecting tray. 
         [0009]    The cutting plate may define a second cutting surface opposing the first mentioned cutting surface. The second cutting surface may be substantially planar. 
         [0010]    The at least one cutting surface may define sloped segments generally tapering toward the longitudinal axis. The cutting plate may include at least two legs depending therefrom to elevate one end of the cutting plate. 
         [0011]    A roll of disposal bags may be mounted to the collecting tray. The roll may be adapted for rotation about an axis of rotation to dispense a disposal bag. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
         [0012]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the apparatus for treating food substances in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure illustrating the cutting plate and collecting tray in a disassembled condition; 
           [0014]      FIG. 1A  is a sectional view illustrating an alternate embodiment of the cutting plate; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  further illustrating the cutting plate and the collecting tray in a disassembled condition; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the cutting plate illustrating the second side of the cutting plate; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view illustrating the cutting plate and the collecting tray in an assembled condition; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5A  is an enlarged isolated view illustrating one mechanism for securing the collecting tray relative to the cutting plate; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5B  is an enlarged isolated view illustrating another mechanism for releasably securing the collective tray relative to the cutting plate; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the collecting tray incorporating a roll of disposal bag. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]    The cutting board apparatus of the present disclosure includes a cutting plate or member and a food particle catch or tray for accumulating vegetable and meat scraps, freshly diced food products, or juices from carved meats and the like. 
         [0022]    With initial reference to  FIGS. 1-2 , the cutting board apparatus of the present disclosure is illustrated. Cutting board apparatus  100  includes cutting plate or board  102  defining longitudinal axis “k” and particle collecting tray  104  which is releasably mounted to the plate  102 . Cutting plate  102  includes first cutting surface  106  which may be particularly adapted for cutting meats or other food substances capable of producing a liquid or fluid when severed or cut. First cutting surface  106  may be substantially planar and may include a small, e.g., fluid capturing recess or routing  108  (e.g., ⅛ inch in width) around at least a section of the perimeter. In the alternative, first culling surface may include surface segments  107  tapering inwardly relative to longitudinal axis “k” as depicted in  FIG. 1A . Fluid capturing recess or routing  108  may be disposed adjacent three edges of the perimeter of cutting plate  102  to encapsulate and capture the released fluid and direct the fluid to collecting tray  104  thereby preventing seepage of the fluid beyond the perimeter of the cutting plate  102 . Additional centrally or internally located fluid capturing recesses  110  may be provided to capture fluids adjacent the center area of first cutting surface  106  and direct the captured fluids into collecting tray  104 . At least two feet  112  may be positioned in two corners on the underside or second surface side  114  of cutting plate  102  to orient first cutting surface  106  at a predefined angle relative to the support surface upon which the cutting apparatus  100  is positioned. This angular relationship will further facilitate drainage of the fluids toward collecting tray  104 . Thus, the aforementioned features minimize the potential of the fluids migrating beyond cutting plate  104  and seeping along the support surface, down the front of cabinets or onto the floor etc, and will assist in directing the fluids to collecting tray  104  for subsequent use as a gravy for sliced meat, or for depositing in a pot to be used as an au jus or gravy thickener. 
         [0023]    Cutting plate  102  further includes mounting groove  116  defined within one peripheral edge  118  of the cutting plate, e.g., adjacent collecting tray  104 . Mounting groove  116  assists in releasably securing collecting tray  104  relative to cutting plate  102  as will be discussed hereinbelow. Mounting groove  116  extends within cutting plate  102  for a predetermined longitudinal distance “m” and along peripheral edge for a transverse length “b”. Transverse length “b” may be the same or less than the transverse length of peripheral edge  118 . 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , in conjunction with  FIGS. 1-2 , second side or cutting surface  114  of cutting plate  102  is depicted. Second cutting surface  114  may be substantially planar. Second cutting surface  114  may be adapted to support vegetables or other non-fluid producing items and provides a greater working surface than first cutting surface due to the absence of any fluid capturing recesses. Second cutting surface  114  is depicted with two feet  112  to orient first cutting surface  106  at a defined angle relative to the support surface or table as previously discussed. In the alternative, second cutting surface  114  may be devoid of feet  112 . 
         [0025]    Referring again to  FIGS. 1-2 , collecting tray  104  will be discussed. Collecting tray  104  is generally elongated in shape and has outer wall or boundary  120  defining internal chamber  122  for collection of fluids, gravy, juices, etc. produced during cutting. Collecting tray  104  may have a variety of dimensions including, but, not limited, to those outlined herein. Collecting tray  104  defines at least one spout  124  adjacent one end of the collecting tray  104 . Spout  124  is dimensioned to pour the captured fluid into, e.g., a pot or cup. First and second spouts  124 ,  126  may be provided on respective opposed ends of collecting tray  104 . First and second spouts  124 ,  126  provide increased flexibility to the user to distribute the fluid during, e.g., the cooking process. Collecting tray  104  may extend the transverse length of the cutting plate  102 , or may be longer in length. 
         [0026]    Collecting tray  104  includes mounting lip or segment  128  depending outwardly from outer wall  120  adjacent the upper area of the collecting tray  104 . Mounting lip  128  is dimensioned to be cooperatively received within mounting groove  116  of cutting plate  102  to releasably mount the collecting tray  104  to the cutting plate  102 . 
         [0027]    Referring now  FIG. 4 , collecting tray  104  is depicted in the assembled or mounted condition relative to cutting plate  102 . Various means for releasably mounting these components are envisioned. In one embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5A , mounting lip  128  of collecting tray  104  and mounting groove  116  of cutting plate  102  are correspondingly dimensioned to establish an interference or frictional fit between the components to releasably secure the collecting tray to cutting plate  102 . Mounting lip  128  and mounting groove  116  each define corresponding longitudinal lengths relative to longitudinal axis “k” to ensure that collecting tray  104  will not be inadvertently released from cutting plate  102  during use. In addition, or, in the alternative, as depicted in  FIG. 4B , mounting lip  128  may include locking pawl  130  which cooperatively engages locking detent or shelf  132  adjacent mounting groove  116  to releasably secure the components. Locking pawl  130  may rotate about living hinge  134  during insertion and removal of mounting lip  128  within mounting groove  116  to effect corresponding engagement and release of the locking pawl  130  relative to locking detent  132 . As a further alternative, the mounting lip  128  may be positioned beneath the cutting plate  102  and held down in place by the weight of the cutting plate  102 . 
         [0028]    Collecting tray  104  is preferably mounted relative to cutting plate  102  in a manner where the upper surface of collecting tray  104  is flush or below the operative cutting surface  106 ,  114  of cutting plate  102 . This will ensure that fluids removed, e.g., by fluid capturing grooves are directed into internal chamber  122  of collecting tray and/or the sliced particles or scrap may be swept into the collecting tray. In addition, collecting tray  104  may be positioned with respect to support surface “s” in a manner where the collecting tray  104  is not supported by the support surface “s”, but is supported by the releasable mounting mechanisms discussed hereinabove. ( FIG. 5A ) 
         [0029]    During use, collecting tray  104  and cutting plate  102  are assembled with the desired cutting surface  106 ,  114  facing upward. Apparatus  100  may be manipulated such that collecting tray  104  hangs off the edge of the support surface or counter, i.e., only supported by the cooperative engagement of mounting tab  128  of the collecting tray  104  and mounting groove  120  of cutting plate  102 . Foods substances are severed or cut on the cutting surface  106 ,  114  with the fluid and/or severed scraps or cut food particles being directed by the user or into fluid capturing recesses  108 ,  110  into the collecting tray  104 . Collecting tray  104  may be released from cutting plate  102 . The fluids or food particles may be dispensed directly into the trash or back into a bowl or a pot without slopping to lift the scraps off of the culling plate  102 , or moving the cutting plate  102  to the stove. 
         [0030]    In another embodiment depicted in  FIG. 6 , collecting tray  104  may include a roll  136  of disposal bags  138  mounted via pin or hinge segments  140  depending from wall  122  of the collecting tray  102 . Roll  136  may be adapted for rotational movement “t” about a pin  142  to permit dispensing of the individual bags  138 . Roll  136  would incorporate a plurality of selectively detachable disposal bags  138  which may be individually separated along, e.g., adjacent score or perforated lines  144 . Any means for mounting the roll  136  to the collecting tray  104  are envisioned. Disposal bag  138  may be positioned within internal chamber  122  of collecting tray  104  to catch the food components thereby obviating the necessity of cleaning the collecting tray  104  after use. 
         [0031]    The cutting plate  102  and/or the collecting tray  104  may be made of any suitable material including Lexan™ or food grade plastic and produced in a variety of colors. 
         [0032]    It will be understood that various modifications and changes in form and detail may be made to the embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting the invention but merely as exemplifications of embodiments thereof. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as defined by the claims appended hereto.