Abstract:
A device and method for manufacture thereof having a one or more cantilevered cutting teeth integrally formed in raised configuration on a flat base fro cutting food items moved along said base. The free end portion is formed by upper and lower etched out portions of the upper end of said cutting teeth to form a cutting edge. The upper surface of the upper cut-out portion of the teeth is situation at a position out contact with food items being cut. A substantially portion of the teeth is coated with a low friction material, except for the cutting edge In a second embodiment one or more domed cutting elements are cut out of base sheet and may include a leading V-shaped cutting edge.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 61/213,876 filed Jul. 23, 2009, Ser. No. 61/213,931 filed Jul. 30, 2009, and Ser. No. 61/336,583 filed Jan. 25, 2010. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to cutting and abrading devices and more particularly, to several embodiments of formed or domed style cutting teeth for cutting and abrading, and improved etching processes for manufacture thereof, which cutting teeth optionally can be coated for improved results. 
       SUMMARY OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0003]    As a prior improvement in the formation of cutting elements from sheet material, cutting elements and the like have in the past been formed by double chemical etching processes. Known double etching processes produce cutting element that suffer from several deficiencies. One problem occurs because the cutting element produced by a double sided etch creates a step or wall that food contacts during cutting or slicing. This abutment results in a relative increase in the force needed to cut or slice the food item and the like. A single sided chemical etching process in the prior art was introduced to alleviate some of the deficiencies present in the formation of cutting teeth by the double etching process. A typical known single side etching process is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,506 to Sturtevant et al. issued Mar. 31, 1992. Although the cutting elements produced by a single side method such as disclosed in the foregoing Sturtevant patent reduces the force needed to move food through the cutting teeth as compared to similar teeth produced by prior double etch processes, the sharpness of teeth so produced do not attain an optimum cutting efficiency that is desirable along with an accompanying advantage in economy of manufacture. Further, the teeth formed by a single side etch process disadvantageously possess the same thickness as the base blank from which the cutting elements are formed. 
         [0004]    Although low stick surfaces are applied to cooking elements and similar utensils, low stick resins are not applied to known cutting elements used in food processing. Coated cutters can provide highly desirable benefits. For example, the absence of such an applied layer of protection provided by the presence of a non-stick coating in the prior art subjects the cutting edge to dulling effects and fails to reduce friction during use. In the prior art non-stick surfaces are typically applied to a surface by spraying. The coating provided by spraying creates several deficiencies in use. In the prior art, a non-stick coating is disadvantageously applied after all forming operation to an element is formed. By coating the entire cutting element, the cutting edge is also coated producing a thicker profile and a less sharp edge. For these reasons, it is desirable in the prior art to provide a process for effectively coating cutting elements of a tool with a low frictional surface. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is therefore an objective of the invention to provide improved cutting teeth and process of manufacture thereof for use in cutting and slicing ford items and the like in a wide range of implements, including graters, madolines, zesters and a wide range of other applications requiring efficient cutting elements. In a first embodiment, the cutting teeth of the invention have an improved cantilevered or bent tooth design, which are effectively manufactured by a process employing the double sided chemical etching technique of the invention. The cutting teeth as disclosed as the first embodiment of the invention reduce the force needed to cut food items and the like as a result of a reduction of the cutting thickness of the teeth and a substantial removal of the step or wall on the cutting teeth formed by known double sided etch processes, as described previously. In addition, the cutting teeth of the first embodiment of the invention attain an improved sharpness over teeth formed by prior standard single side etching processes. As result of the unique design of the teeth as manufactured in accordance with the invention, the cutting elements herein exceed the cutting capabilities of cutting teeth formed by both known double side etch techniques or prior art single side etching processes of manufacture. As a further benefit attained by the teachings of the invention, a more economical method of manufacture of cutting teeth is provided. 
         [0006]    It is further an objective of the invention to provide a second embodiment of cutting teeth in accordance with the invention having a dome or formed style tooth design, and a process of manufacture thereof, for use in food graters and a wide range of other cutting and abrading implements. The second embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is directed to cutting tooth generally having an open dome configuration. The cutting edge formed on the dome teeth and is shown with a V-shaped leading profile such that the cutting edge can be formed by etching, grinding or any other sharpening process during manufactured by the double etching process. Although the dome teeth of the second embodiment herein are shown having a V-shaped leading edge, other leading edge shapes of the open dome may also be provided in accordance with the invention. The teeth formed by the invention reduce the force needed to cut as a result of a reduction of the cutting thickness of the teeth and a removal of the step or wall present on the cutting teeth formed by known double sided etch processes. In addition, the second embodiment of the invention not only attains improved sharpness than possible with cutters made by current double sided etch processes, but also reduces the force required for cutting required as compared to cutters produced by a known single side etch processes. 
         [0007]    In the second embodiment of the invention an addition of shear to the dome tooth as disclosed herein effectively reduces the force associated with cutting during use. Without the V-shear in the dome tooth of the invention, the cutting elements of the invention also capable of reducing the force required for cutting due to its thinner edge relative to the base thickness. The cutter teeth of both embodiments of the invention eliminate food traps and are easier to clean, both features desirable in food applications. The dome cutting teeth herein of the second embodiment also exhibit enhanced strength and are more durable due to their design. As a further benefit attained by the teachings of the invention, the domed on formed style cutting teeth herein can be produced at a reduced cost compared to known elements. In addition to providing a reduction of the cost of manufacture due to the double etching process herein disclosed, the dome teeth of the second embodiment can tolerate the formation of greater variations of tooth height to allow higher tolerances in manufacture without affecting the overall function of the part. 
         [0008]    It is still a further objective of the invention to provide the cutting elements and base herein disclosed with a coating through an improved process for use in a grater, zester, and the like. The coating is preferably in the form of a low stick resin, such as, for example, the material sold under the trademark Teflon or other suitable resin. The application of the low friction resin to the cutting element(s) and base is performed while the cutting edge portion of the cutting element is masked. To attain the foregoing result of the invention, a blank is chemically etched and then a non-stick resin is applied to the etched blank by silk-screening or a pad print process, while cutting edge(s) of the cutting element(s) are masked to prevent the application of a coating at the cutting edge. By masking the cutting edge portion, the optimum sharpness of the cutting edges of the formed cutting elements is maintained. The application of a non-stick surface on the cutting elements by the process herein disclosed along with providing optimum sharpened edges reduces the force needed to cut and grate, makes the cutting tool easier to clean, allows for multiple coloring of a steel or stainless steel element without painting, and reduces damage to the tool during handling in production. The successful application of a non-stick surface in accordance with the invention is accomplished through use of a screen printing process and/or pad print process. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a partial vertical cross-section of an elevational view of a typical prior art cutting tooth formed by the a double side chemical etch process; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a partial vertical cross-section of an elevational view of a typical prior art cutting tooth formed by the a single side chemical etch process; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a partial vertical cross-sectional view along line III of  FIG. 4  of an elevational view of a first embodiment of the invention directed to a cantilevered or formed cutting tooth manufactured by the double side chemical etching process of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a partial top plan view of a plurality of cantilevered cutting teeth of  FIG. 3  formed from a base plate in accordance with the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention directed cutting implement employing domed or formed style cutting teeth; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a partial top plan view of a cutting tooth shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a partial side perspective view of the cutting teeth of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged partial top plan view of the cutting teeth of  FIG. 5 , and 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a schematic flow chart showing the process of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 , there is illustrated a cross-section view of a prior art cutting tooth  2  formed by known double side chemical etching processes angularly protruding from a base  4 . Prior art teeth  2  are formed from a blank of metal, such as steel, through chemical etching applied to both sides of the blank through a well known method. As result of using prior double side etching techniques, a cross-section of the cutting element  2  of  FIG. 1  is produced. In  FIG. 1 , an abutment surface or catch  6  is detrimentally formed on the body of tooth  10  which contacts food being cut to increase the force required for a cutting operation. 
         [0019]    In  FIG. 2 , there is illustrated a cross-section view of a prior art cutting tooth  2   a  formed by a known single side etching process angularly arranged relative base surface  4   a . Although the abutment surface of  FIG. 1  is substantially eliminated, the teeth shown in  FIG. 2  possess a thickness identical to the base plate and therefore a limited sharpness is achievable with a resulting reduction the relative efficiency of cutting. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , there is illustrated a first embodiment of an improved cutting tooth  10  of the application intended to be a single cutting element or alternatively, arranged as an array of cutting teeth formed by a novel double side chemical etching method of the invention. The tooth  10  comprises a bent or cantilevered element angularly arranged in integral relationship at the lower end  11  of the tooth  10  to flat base  12 . As seen in  FIG. 4  each tooth  10  is raised as one of a plurality of bent or cantilevered cutting teeth angularly arranged with respect to base  12  above base opening  12 ′ in a pattern of upward protruding elements. It should be apparent, however, that tooth  10  can also comprise a single cutting element of a cutting or slicing implement in selected applications of use. In accordance with the invention, a blank of metal, such as a stainless steel and or other metal, is treated prior to the etching action of a etching chemical in a manner to create a pattern of protective resist layers (not shown) on opposite surfaces  14  and  16  of blank  12  and define predetermined areas of exposed surfaces to be etched. The exposed areas of the metal blank are selectively etched so that the teeth  10  and base plate  12  are ultimately formed into the configuration shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0021]    After etching, a cutting end portion  20  of tooth  10  is created having a unique configuration to provide a thin cutting edge  22  at the upper free end of tooth  10 . The configuration of the cutting end portion  20  and the cutting edge  22  is defined by the material that is etched from the lower chemically cut-out area  24  of the tooth  10  and the material etched from the top of the tooth  10  to form cut-out area  26 . The surface  28  of the cutting end portion  22  in the upper chemically cutout area  26  is shown in a concave shape forming a relatively gradual cut-out area. The length of the etched material in cutout area  26  is greater than the length of the cut-out area  24  and is determined by the thickness of tooth  10 , the angle of tooth  10  with respect to base  12 , and the amount of the material etched from upper cut out area  26 . The extended surface  28  that is created by the length of cut out area  26  is spaced from the direction of the line of sight or contact with an item being moved past the cutting edge  22  such that impact of food with the surface  28  of tooth  10  during movement of food and the like past the cutting element  10  generally in a direction parallel to the upper surface of base  12  is eliminated. Thus, the interfering abutment wall or step during cutting operations ordinarily present in teeth produced by prior art etching processes is effectively eliminated. Thus, the combination of the thinner cutting tooth  10  and the foregoing removal of the interfering step or wall of the prior art in accordance with the teachings of the invention will reduce the cutting force needed to use implements employing the cutting teeth herein disclosed. The force required in use of cutting elements of the invention will be less than not only teeth formed by known double side etch processes, but also those cutting elements created by a single side etch of the prior art. 
         [0022]    The length of the etched material in upper cutout area  26  of tooth  10  herein disclosed can be determined by the following equation: 
         [0000]      6 e −4(% etch factor)−63 e −5)*1 e 3)*(Base metal thickness))*(tooth anglê−0.997))=length
       % etch factor=desired % etched from top side of cutting edge   Base metal thickness=initial thickness of metal used to produce the cutting surface   Tooth angle=the desired angle of tooth wanted   Length=the length of double sided etch on top of the tooth needed to remove step or wall from the line of sight of the cutting action of the cutter
 
The foregoing equation defines the minimum required length of the etched cutout area  26 , but this length can be made longer than as provided by the foregoing equation to compensate for any material, process, tooling and any other production variations. As will be described later, the cantilevered cutting teeth and upper surface of base  12  can be coated with a non-stick resin in accordance with the invention.
       
 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5-8 , there is illustrated a second embodiment of the invention having domed or formed cutting teeth, generally designated by reference numeral  2   b . In use the cutter tooth can be employed as a single cutting element or can comprise a plurality of cutting elements  2   b ′ as shown, for example, when used with cutting implement  4   b  in  FIG. 5 . Domed cutting teeth  2   b  are formed from a blank of metal, such as steel, through a standard forming process in a well known manner to create a raised dome  6   b  integrally projecting in a raised orientation above base  8   b  and generally surrounding an internal cutter chamber  6   c , except for a open leading opening in cutter  6   b . The thickness of the dome formed is less than the thickness of base  8   b . As best seen in  FIG. 6 , the top of the open end  6   b ′ is formed with V-shaped cut-out area  10   b  which impacts the food or other items being moved past the tooth  2   b . The chamber  6   c  is situated above holes  8   b ′ in base  8   b  below teeth  2   b  to capture material which is cut after passing edge  10   b . The top surface of a tooth  2   b  can be flat or taper away from the cutting surface. 
         [0028]    A thin forward cutting edge is provided on substantially the entire extent of the V-shaped front edge portion  12   b  of the V-shaped cutout area  10   b  of the tooth  2   b . The cutting edge  12   b  is thinner than the base blade and is formed out of dome  6   b  by etching. grinding or other technique. It is within the scope of the invention to form the leading edge  12   b  in any suitable configuration other than the V-shape as disclosed, such as a linear or curved leading edge, when desired in particular conditions. The combination of a thinner cutting edge, a stronger tooth configuration, and the addition of shear to the cutting edge attains more precise cuts than the prior art and the substantial elimination of food catches. The dome design of tooth  2   b  creates a more rigid design that will also hold better tolerances in the production process than known bent or cantilevered teeth in the prior art. Besides being used as a single cutting element of any size, width, thickness or pattern, a plurality of teeth  2   b  can also be of any size, width, thickness or pattern. 
         [0029]    In the preceding embodiments described with reference to  FIGS. 3-8 , the improved cutting teeth can be preferably formed by the invention of the application as hereinafter described. In addition, the method of manufacture can include the step of applying a non-stick protective resin prior to the forming process of the cutting teeth of the previously described embodiments. The application of the coasting to the cutting teeth  2  and  2   b  will provide the further advantages as previously described. Referring now to  FIG. 9 , the process of invention is shown to apply a non-stick resin to cutting elements of a tool, such as, but not limited to, a food zester, grater or any other tool employing cutting elements. Referring to block  100  of  FIG. 9 , a blank or base of a metal, such as, for example steel, stainless steel and the like, from which the cutting teeth are derived is first treated by being chemically etched to form the configuration of one or more cutting teeth, including their cutting edge profile. As previously described, the blank or base may be etched by the double etching technique described with reference to  FIGS. 3-4  herein. After being etched, the treated surface of the metal of the blank is roughened by a suitable known technique as described in block  200  for better adhesion of the non-stick resin to be applied. It is within the scope of the invention to omit the step described with reference to block  200 , if desired. In block  300  of  FIG. 9  showing the next step of the process of the invention, a non-stick resin is silk screened as a coating on the entire surface of the treated surface, which can be the top and/or bottom of the blank, but excluding application of the coating on the cutting surfaces of the tool. During the foregoing application of a coating by a known silk screen process, the cutting edge portion(s) of the cutting elements are masked to prevent the application of a coating on the cutting edge portion of the cutter to maintain its sharpness. Although this step of the process is described through use of silk screen printing, it is within the scope of the invention to alternately apply the non-stick resin using a pad print operation, photochemical etching and screen print or pad print process, a spray process, powder coating process or at typical titanium and the like process. In the step shown as block  400  of  FIG. 1 , after the non-stick resin is applied and cured, the configuration of the tool being manufactured, such as described with reference to  FIGS. 3-8  can then be fully formed by mechanical techniques through standard presses without damaging the coated surface. From the foregoing it should be apparent that other shapes and designs of coated cutting elements can be manufactured in accordance with the invention other than those possessing the improved configuration of the two embodiments herein disclosed.