Abstract:
A slicing apparatus and methods of using a slicing apparatus are provided. The apparatus can include a base configured to rest on a horizontal surface, a vertically extending cutting area generally perpendicular to the horizontal surface, and a food carriage for laterally moving and rotating a food item engaged with the food carriage. The cutting area can include blades angled relative to each other, and a multi-blade tool that allows adjustment and selection of different blades.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods of cutting and slicing food items. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Various devices are available for cutting food items into different shapes. For example, there are food slicers that can receive food items and, upon rotation of the food item, cause the food item to be cut into a number of different pieces or strands. However, many of the available devices have various shortcomings. For example, conventional devices can be difficult to use, clean, and/or replace parts. In addition, many devices are limited in the manner in which they can cut food items and altering those devices to change the type of cutting provided can be difficult or time consuming. Accordingly, an improved cutting device is desirable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In one embodiment, a slicing apparatus for creating spiral cuts of food items is provided. The apparatus includes a base with an upper surface and a lower surface, with the lower surface being generally flat and configured to rest on a horizontal surface. The apparatus also includes a food carriage that is laterally moveable along the upper surface of the base, with the food carriage being movable relative to the base from a first position to a second position. The apparatus also includes a first engaging member extending vertically from the food carriage and configured to engage with a food item and a first handle coupled to the first engaging member. The first handle is rotatable to cause the first engaging member to rotate. The apparatus includes a cutting section extending vertically from the base, with the cutting section including a first cutting area and a second cutting area. The first and second cutting areas are advantageously oriented at an acute angle relative to one another. 
         [0004]    In some embodiments, the first and second cutting areas are at an angle of between 30 and 40 degrees relative to one another. The first cutting area can include a first blade that is generally oriented at an angle of 20 degrees or less relative to a plane defined by the cutting section, and the second cutting area can include a plurality of blades that extend generally perpendicularly from the plane of the cutting section. 
         [0005]    In some embodiments, a second engaging member can be provided that extends perpendicular from a plane of the cutting section towards the first engaging member, so that the first and second engaging members define an axis of rotation of the food item. In other embodiments, each of the first and second cutting areas can be at an angle of less than 25 degrees relative to a vertical axis passing through the second engaging member. 
         [0006]    In other embodiments, the apparatus can include a blade tool that has a plurality of different cutting faces. The blade tool can be rotatable so that each of the plurality of cutting faces can be oriented to define the second cutting area. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of cutting faces does not have any blades and the spacing of blades on at least one of the plurality of cutting faces can be different from the spacing of blades on another of the plurality of cutting faces. A cover can also be provided and coupled to a rear wall of the cutting section to at least partially surround an exposed cutting face of the blade tool. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, a selection member can be provided that is moveable to adjust the orientation of the cutting faces of the blade tool. The adjustment can be achieved by a gearing system coupled to the blade tool and the selection member, with the selection member being rotatable to change the orientation of the blade tool via the gearing system. The selection member can include a knob that extends from a side wall in the cutting section. The knob can be biased in an unengaged position with the gearing system. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, one or more suction members can be provided on the bottom surface of the base. The suction members can be configured to restrict relative movement between the base and the horizontal surface. 
         [0009]    In other embodiments, a stop member can be provided that is moveable between a first position that doesn&#39;t restrict lateral movement of the food carriage and a second position that restricts lateral movement of the food carriage. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, a slicing apparatus for creating spiral cuts of food items can include a base, food carriage, first and second engaging members that engage the food item, and a cutting section comprising a straight blade and an adjustable blade tool with a plurality of cutting faces. The straight blade and blade tool can be arranged at an angle relative to each other, and each of the straight blade and blade tool can be oriented at an angle of less than 25 degrees relative to a vertical axis passing through the second engaging member. 
         [0011]    The blade tool can include a plurality of different cutting faces and be rotatable so that each of the plurality of cutting faces can be oriented to face the first engagement member to define an operational cutting area. In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of cutting faces does not have any blades and/or the spacing of blades on at least one of the plurality of cutting faces is different from the spacing of blades on another of the plurality of cutting faces. 
         [0012]    A selection member can be moveable to adjust the orientation of the cutting faces of the blade tool and a gearing system can be coupled to the blade tool and the selection member. The selection member can be rotatable to change the orientation of the blade tool via the gearing system. The selection member can include a knob that extends from a side wall in the cutting section and the knob is biased in an unengaged position with the gearing system. In some embodiments, one or more suction members on the bottom surface of the base can be used to restrict relative movement between the base and the horizontal surface. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, a method of slicing a food item into spiral-shaped portions is provided. The method can include positioning the food item in a horizontal orientation and engaging the food item with a first engaging member of a slicing apparatus, moving the food carriage horizontally relative to a base to engage with a cutting section extending vertically from the base, rotating the first engaging member to slice the food item with a first cutting area comprising a plurality of blades extending generally perpendicular from the cutting section, and rotating the first engaging member to cut the sliced portions of the food item with a second cutting area. The first and second cutting areas can be arranged at an angle relative to each other of between 20 and 50 degrees. Alternatively, the first and second cutting areas can be arranged at an angle relative to each other of between 30 and 40 degrees. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, the method can include engaging the food item with a second engaging member of the slicing apparatus, with the second engaging member extending horizontally from the cutting section, and each of the first and second cutting areas can be at an angle of less than 25 degrees relative to a vertical axis passing through the second engaging member. 
         [0015]    In other embodiments, the method can include securing a lower surface of base to a horizontal surface by creating a suction force between the lower surface of the base and the horizontal surface, and/or engaging the food item with a second engaging member that extends perpendicular from a plane of the cutting section to define an axis of rotation of the food item. 
         [0016]    Other steps can include adjusting a cutting face of the first cutting area by rotating a blade tool comprising a plurality of different cutting faces. In this manner, different cutting faces can be used, with the spacing of blades on at least one of the plurality of cutting faces being different from the spacing of blades on another of the plurality of cutting faces. The adjustment of the blade tool can include engaging a knob with a gearing system coupled to the blade tool and rotating the knob to cause the orientation of the blade tool to change. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, the device can be safely stored by rotating the knob to cause the blade tool to move into an orientation with a cutting face that has no blades in the exposed orientation and adjusting a stop member to restrict relative movement between the food carriage and the base. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are a front perspective view of a food slicing apparatus with a food carriage in different positions. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a left side view of the food slicing apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a right side view of the food slicing apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the food slicing apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the food slicing apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a back end view of the food slicing apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a front end view of the food slicing apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is an isolated view of a blade tool with multiple cutting faces and exemplary operational components of the same. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9A and 9B  show cross-sectional views taken along lines  9 A- 9 A and  9 B- 9 B, respectively. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    For purposes of this description, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the embodiments of this disclosure are described herein. The disclosed methods, apparatuses, and systems should not be construed as limiting in any way. Instead, the present disclosure is directed toward all novel and nonobvious features and aspects of the various disclosed embodiments, alone and in various combinations and sub-combinations with one another. The methods, apparatus, and systems are not limited to any specific aspect or feature or combination thereof, nor do the disclosed embodiments require that any one or more specific advantages be present or problems be solved. 
         [0028]    Although the operations of some of the disclosed methods are described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that this manner of description encompasses rearrangement, unless a particular ordering is required by specific language set forth below. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed methods can be used in conjunction with other methods. Additionally, the description sometimes uses terms like “determine” and “provide” to describe the disclosed methods. These terms are high-level abstractions of the actual operations that are performed. The actual operations that correspond to these terms may vary depending on the particular implementation and are readily discernible by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrates a food slicing apparatus  10  that comprises a cutting section  12  and a food carriage  14  that are moveable relative to one another to cause a food item, carried at least in part by food carriage  14 , to be cut into pieces and/or strands of various shapes and sizes. 
         [0030]    Food slicing apparatus  10  can include a base  16  upon which food carriage  14  can move relative to cutting section  12 . Relative movement between base  16  and food carriage  14  can be achieved in various manners. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , base  16  can include a slotted portion  18  that can receive at least a portion of food carriage  14  in a slidable manner. In this way, food carriage  14  can slide horizontally along slotted portion  18  to move a food item, at least partially retained by food carriage  14 , from a first distance “x” away from cutting section  12  to a second distance “y”—smaller than “x”—away from cutting section  12 .  FIG. 1A  illustrates food carriage  14  at distance “x” and  FIG. 1B  illustrates food carriage  14  at distance “y.” 
         [0031]    Food carriage  14  can include a rotatable member  20  that can contact a food item and cause rotation of the food item. Rotatable member  20  can comprise one or more food-retaining portions  22  that function to secure the food item to rotatable member  20 . Such food-retaining portions  22  can include, for example, one or more pointed protrusions that engage with the food member—either in a piercing manner or a non-piercing manner—to restrict relative movement of the food item and rotatable member  20 . In addition, rotatable member  20  can have a handle or gripping member  24 , which a user can grasp to impart the rotating motion of rotatable member  20 . As shown in  FIG. 1A , for example, handle  24  (i.e., a “turning handle”) can be rotate about a pivot point P on food carriage  14 , causing a food item engaged with food-retaining portions  22  to rotate in the direction “R,” which is the same direction as the rotation of handle  24 . Although R is depicted as clockwise rotation in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , it should be understood that, at least in some embodiments, handle  24  (and engaged food item engaged with food-retaining portions  22 ) can turn in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. 
         [0032]    Cutting section  12  extends from base  16  so that one or more blades are positioned to contact a food item engaged with food-retaining portions  22  of rotatable member  20 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , cutting section  12  can extend vertically from base  16 . Although cutting section  22  preferably extends in a generally perpendicular manner from base  16 , other orientations can be used if desired. 
         [0033]    To facilitate a spiral cut of a food item, the food item can be engaged with food slicing apparatus  10  at both ends of the food item. At one end the food item engages with the rotatable member  20  (e.g., food-retaining portions  22 ), and, at the other end, the food item can engage with the cutting section  22 . In some embodiments, a projecting member  25  (e.g., a “coring blade” in some embodiments) extends from cutting section  22  to secure the other end of the food item during cutting. Projecting member  25  can engage with the food item in various manners (e.g., piercing, non-piercing) so long as it serves the function of generally fixing the vertical location of that end so that the food item can rotate about an axis “X” defined by the two points of engagement. Projecting member  25  preferably can receive food items that are both small in diameter, such as carrots and red radishes, and large in diameter, such as rutabaga. In some embodiments, projecting member  25  comprises a hollow cylindrical member with a relative thin wall section which can pierce a food item to maintain engagement of the food item on projecting member  25  during the cutting process. 
         [0034]    The number and type of blades that are provided on cutting section can vary. In one embodiment, cutting section  12  includes a first cutting area  26  and a second cutting area  28 . First cutting area  26  has a blade that is generally parallel to a plane defined by cutting section  22  or at a relatively small angle relative to that plane (i.e., about 20 degrees or less, or more preferably less than about 10 degrees). The blade of cutting area  26  can be a generally straight blade. In this manner, the blade of first cutting area  26  can slice a food item with a longitudinal axis in a plane (i.e., an axis generally similar to that defined by the direction “x” when the food item is positioned on slicing apparatus  10 ) in a cutting direction that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the food item. An opening  30  is provided along the length of the blade to allow the cut portion of the food item to pass through cutting section  12 . Although  FIG. 1A  shows a single blade of first cutting area  26 , it should be understood that one or more blades could be used. 
         [0035]    Second cutting area  28  has a plurality of blades that extend in a generally perpendicular direction from the plane “P” defined by cutting section  12 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , for example, the plurality of blades extend outward from cutting section  12  to provide spaced apart cutting blades that can slide a food item into different sections. In some embodiments, the blades of section cutting area  28  are equally spaced apart (i.e., the spacing between adjacent blades is generally the same) to provide similarly sized slices of the food item. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate in more detail the arrangement of first and second cutting areas  26 ,  28  to one another. As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 7 , in one embodiment, the two cutting areas are positioned such that an angle between them is acute. The angle formed between the two cutting areas can be between about 20 and 50 degrees, in one embodiment, the angle can be between 30 and 40 degrees, such as about 35 degrees. In addition, both cutting areas can be positioned at an angle to an axis  29  extending perpendicularly from the plane of the base  16 . As shown in  FIG. 1A , the angle between each cutting area and axis  29  can be about the same, with each angle being less than about 25 degrees, or more preferably less than about 20 degrees relative to axis  29 . 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 7 , the blades of cutting areas  26 ,  28  form an angle relative to axis  29  (a line normal to a plane defined by base  16 ). In this manner, the respective blades can function to achieve a slicing action (i.e., compared to a chopping action) when a food item is rotated into the blades of these sections. This can create more uniform cuts and reduce wear on the blades of the system. In one embodiment, both blades are positioned at the same angle relative to axis  29 . The angle formed by each respective blade with axis  29  can vary between about 10 and 25 degrees, and more preferably between about 12.5 and 17.5 degrees. 
         [0038]    In one embodiment, the angle formed by the blade of cutting area  26  and axis  29  is at least 10 degrees to provide a desired slicing action. In other embodiments, the angle can be at least 12.5 degrees, at least 15 degrees, or at least 17.5 degrees. 
         [0039]    When a food item is urged toward the cutting section  12 , first and second cutting areas  26 ,  28  cooperatively cut that food item into several spiral sections. For example, in operation, the following actions can be performed to cut a food item:
       A food item can be secured between rotatable member  20  and cutting section  12  (e.g., at projecting member  25 ).   Rotatable member  20  can be rotated (e.g., by rotating handle  24  in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction), causing the food item to rotate in the same direction.   The food item can be urged toward the cutting section  12  by pushing food carriage  14  towards cutting section  12 . Food carriage  14  can be pushed in the direction of cutting section  12  by simply exerting pressure on handle  24  while rotating handle  24 . Alternatively, a second handle  32  can be used to push food carriage  14  in the desired direction while, at the same time, rotating handle  24 . ( FIG. 1A  shows food carriage  14  in a first position,  FIG. 1B  shows food carriage  14  in a second position, closer to the cutting section than the first.)   As the food item comes into contact with the plurality of blades of second cutting section  28 , the food item is cut into sections.   After contacting second cutting section  28 , that portion of the food item comes into contact with the blade or blades of first cutting section  26 , which cuts the food item in slices.   The sliced and sectioned food item passes through opening  30 , with the resulting cuts of the food item being generally spiral in shape.       
 
         [0046]    In this manner, food items of various shapes and sizes can be cut into spiral cut sections by the engagement of the food item with cutting section  12  and the rotational movement of the food item by rotatable member  20 . 
         [0047]    In some embodiments, second handle  32  can move between different positions to facilitate operation and storage of slicing apparatus  10 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , handle  32  can move between a first position that is generally perpendicular to a length of the slicing apparatus  10  to facilitate moving the food item towards cutting section  12  and a second position that is generally parallel to the length of the slicing apparatus  10  to facilitate storage of the apparatus by providing a narrower overall profile. It should be understood, however, that either position could be used for storage or movement of the food item depending on personal preferences of the user. 
         [0048]    To facilitate operation of the cutting tool, one or more suction members  34  can be provided on the bottom of base  16 . Suction members  34  can comprise a suction-engagement member  36  which creates a seal by creating at least a partial vacuum between the surface of suction members  34  and the surface on which suction members  34  rests. Preferably, suction members  34  extend across a large portion of base  16  to provide a strong gripping force. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , both suction members  34  generally extend the width of the base and are positioned at both ends of the apparatus for improved suction strength. To release the suction force, suction-engagement members  36  can be released (i.e., moved to an unclamped position) and an upward force can be applied to one or more tab members  37  to disengage the suction force. 
         [0049]    The suction members securing slicing apparatus  10  to a horizontal surface (e.g., a countertop), which provides increased leverage and ease of cutting. The dual vacuum base and/or larger vacuum surface can help facilitate cutting by providing a user with greater leverage. This can be particularly helpful when cutting larger or tougher food items. 
         [0050]    The type and shape of spiral-cut food items is determined by the arrangement and type of blades. In one embodiment, second cutting area  28  has a plurality of blade selections possible. As shown in  FIG. 6 , a blade tool  38  can be provided that has a plurality of blade members that can be selected for use. Blade tool  38  can include at least two different blade members that rotate to provide the second cutting areas  28  shown in  FIGS. 1A and 7 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6-9 , blade tool  38  has a plurality of different cutting faces  40 A-D, with each face providing a respective cutting area  28  that can be used in connection with the cutting section  12  to adjust the type of cut achieved by slicing apparatus  10 . 
         [0051]    Each of the second cutting areas  28  provided on blade tool  38  can be different. For example, each of the second cutting areas  28  of blade tool  38  can have different blades or different blade spacing to provide for different width spiral cuts. For example, the spacing of the multiple blades can vary from about ⅛″ to ½″ spacing between adjacent blades on a cutting face. In one embodiment, for example, blade tool  38  can have a second cutting area  28  with a ⅛″ spacing (e.g.,  40 A), one with a ¼″ spacing (e.g.,  40 B), one with ⅓″ (e.g.,  40 C) and one with a ½″ spacing (e.g.,  40 D) between blades along a length of respective cutting faces. These different blades and/or spacing result in different types of cuts, such as spaghetti and angel hair pasta cuts, linguine noodle cuts, fettuccine noodle cuts, and wide, ribbon-type noodle cuts. 
         [0052]    In addition, if desired, at least one of the faces of blade tool  38 , can have no blades at the second cutting area  28 . If there are no blades in second cutting area  28 , then only the first cutting area  26  will engage the food item, which would result in a single cut of a wide ribbon of the food item. In addition, for safe handling, if there is at least one face without blades, slicing apparatus can be stored with a non-bladed face in the operational position (i.e., the position facing food carriage  14 ). 
         [0053]    Changing blades of second cutting areas  28  can be achieved by rotating blade tool  38 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , blade tool  38  can be coupled to a gearing system  42 . A knob  44  extends from cutting section  12 . Rotation of knob  44  causes gearing system  42  to change the orientation of  38  blade tool. Gearing system  42  can comprise a pair of beveled gears that mesh to allow rotational movement about a first axis  43  (caused by rotation of knob  44 ) to impart rotational movement about a second axis  45  (causing rotation of blade tool  38 ). In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , the angle between the axis about which blade member  38  rotates and first axis  43  is between about 100 and 120 degrees, and more preferably between about 105 and 115 degrees, such as about 110 degrees. In one embodiment, the inside angle between the gear on the changing knob and the gear on blade tool  38  is about 80 degrees when viewed from the back of the unit. 
         [0054]    As blade tool  38  rotates, different cutting faces  40 A-D move into the operational position shown in  FIG. 1A . As discussed above, the shape of the cut of the food item can be varied by rotating knob  44  and changing the operation blade of cutting area  38 . 
         [0055]    To prevent unintentional movement of knob  44 , and unintentional movement of blade tool  38 , knob  44  can be biased in an unengaged position with the gearing system. In this manner, to engage knob  44  with gearing system  42 , a lateral force “F” must be applied to knob  44  to overcome a biasing member  46  (e.g., a spring member). By pushing on knob  44 , biasing member  46  is overcome, and knob  44  engages with gearing system  42 , allowing rotation of knob  44  to rotate blade tool  38 . Each cutting face of blade tool  38  can correspond to indicia on knob  44  (or indicia on slicing apparatus  10  adjacent knob  44 ) that indicate correspondence between knob positions and operational cutting face positions of blade tool  38 . 
         [0056]    In some embodiments, a safety cover  46  can be provided on the back of slicing apparatus  10  to ensure safe handling of slicing apparatus by preventing contact with a blades in non-operational positions. Safety cover  46  can be removable for cleaning or to otherwise provide access to blade tool  38 . 
         [0057]    A stop member  48  can be provided on base  16  to facilitate safe storage of slicing apparatus  10  by restricting lateral movement of food carriage  14  beyond stop member  48 . When in use, stop member  48  can be rotated (as shown by arrow  50 ) to a first position in which it does not restrict movement of food carriage  14 . When not in use, stop member  48  can be rotated (to the position show in  FIG. 7 ) so that food carriage  14  cannot slide out of slotted portion  18 . 
         [0058]    In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the disclosed invention may be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only preferred examples of the invention and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims. I therefore claim as my invention all that comes within the scope and spirit of these claims.