Patent Publication Number: US-2007108686-A1

Title: Cutting board assembly

Description:
I. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      The present application is a nonprovisional of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to Casale, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/596,922 filed Oct. 28, 2005. The entire disclosure of this patent application is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     II. COPYRIGHT STATEMENT  
      All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.  
     III. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Cutting boards for use in cutting and preparing various food items are generally known. Further, cutting board assemblies including various components that aid in the cutting and preparation process are also known. Examples of available cutting board assemblies include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,271 to Collins, et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,970 to Scott.  
      Collins et al. discloses a cutting board assembly including a cutting board surface having a pair of legs supporting the surface, a container for holding food that has been cut or prepared and a container for disposing of waste produced during the cutting. The containers are separate components that may be detachably connected to the cutting board surface when it is being used. However, there is no accommodation for storing the containers integrally with the cutting surface when it is not in use.  
      Collins et al. also discloses that the container for holding food that has been cut or prepared includes hash marks for measuring purposes. The hash marks begin near a base of the container and extend up a wall of the container such that food volume may be measured based on the depth of the food in the container. This method of measuring volume may be well suited for liquid or granular food items that have a tendency to level out in a container due to gravity. However, cut food items, which are typically more bulky, solid foods, such as onions, peppers, celery, and the like, do not share the tendency to level out along the base of a container. In contrast, such food items tend to stack in mounds. Accordingly, the “bottom-up” volume measuring method of Collins et al. is not ideal for the typical type of food items that are cut using a cutting board.  
      Scott discloses a cutting board assembly with multiple interchangeable cutting surfaces. The available surfaces include a perforated cutting surface, a cutting surface including a door hinged to the surface and a cold cutting surface. Both the perforated surface and the surface with the door provide access to a holding container under the cutting surface. For the perforated surface, the holding container provides a receptacle for juices or other fluids associated with the food being cut. For the surface with the hinged door, the holding container provides many uses. Examples include holding waste from the food being cut and holding the food that has been cut until it is used. The holding container slides into a base of the cutting board assembly and may be stored therein when the cutting board assembly is not in use. Unfortunately, in order to access the holding container, the hinged door of the surface must be lifted thereby reducing the surface area available for cutting.  
      A cutting board assembly addressing the shortcomings of available cutting board assemblies would be desirable. For instance, a cutting board assembly providing a cutting surface free from obstruction in addition to containers for holding cut food that may be stored within the cutting board assembly when it is not in use would be advantageous. Further, a cutting board assembly providing a means for measuring the volume of cut food that is better suited to bulky, solid foods would be advantageous.  
     IV. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention includes many aspects and features. In a first aspect, a cutting board assembly comprises a cutting board; a first container including a bottom, opposite side walls, and opposite end walls, the opposite side walls and opposite end walls extending from a periphery of the bottom to define a holding area wherein food items may be retained; and a frame including opposite side walls and a support platform from which the side walls extend. The cutting board is retained upon the support platform. The frame is configured to receive and retain therein the first container such that the first container is movable between a retracted position, in which the first container is substantially disposed interior to the frame and the holding area thereof is substantially covered, and a protracted position, in which the first container is substantially disposed exterior to the frame and the holding area of the container is at least partially uncovered.  
      In a feature of this aspect, the cutting board defines an uninterrupted, generally rectangular cutting surface. In another feature, the first container further comprises a detachable first partition disposed within the holding area so as to define two compartments for holding food items. In accordance with this feature, the first partition is movable such that the volume of the two compartments may be varied and food items retained therein may be measured. With regard to this feature, the first container further comprises a detachable second partition so as to define two compartments on either side thereof for holding food items. It is preferred that the second partition is movable such that the volume of the two compartments may be varied and food items retained therein may be measured.  
      In an additional feature, the first container is slidably supported by the frame such the first container may slide between the retracted position and the protracted position. In accordance with this feature, the frame includes support ledges to facilitate movement of the first container between the retracted position and the protracted position. In yet another feature, the first container is removable from the frame of the cutting board assembly.  
      In still yet another feature, the cutting board assembly further comprises a second container that is received and retained in the frame concurrently with the first container being received and retained within the frame. In accordance with this feature, the second container includes a holding area defined by a bottom of the second container, oppositely disposed side walls of the second container, and an end wall of the second container. Furthermore, a wall of the frame, which is disposed in fixed disposition relative to the frame, encloses the holding area of the second container. With regard to this feature, the second container is configured to move between a retracted position, wherein the bottom of the second container is substantially covered by the cutting board, and a protracted position, wherein the bottom of the second container is at least partially uncovered, the volume of the holding area of the second container varying as the second container is moved relative to the wall of the frame between the retracted and protracted positions. In furtherance of this feature, the frame further includes support ledges supporting the second container for sliding movement of the second container between the retracted position and the protracted position. With further regard to this feature, the second container is removable from the frame of the cutting board assembly. It is preferred that the second container include a collection trough for collecting liquids or fluids associated with cut food items placed therein.  
      In a further feature, the cutting board is made of wood. In another feature, the cutting board is made of polypropylene. In an additional feature, the cutting board is selectively removable from the support platform. In accordance with this feature, the cutting board is removably retained within the support platform. With regard to this feature, the cutting board may be removed and replaced with an alternative cutting board. With further regard to this feature, the side walls include indentations defining finger holds to facilitate removal of the cutting board from the support platform.  
      In yet another feature, the frame further comprises a peripheral top rim defining a top opening through which the cutting board is seated on the support platform.  
      In a second aspect of the invention, a cutting board assembly comprises a cutting board; a frame for supporting the cutting board thereon; and a drawer having a length, a width, and a depth defining a containment space for containing food therein, and having measuring increments marked along a length or a width thereof. The drawer is supported by the frame for sliding movement between a retracted position, in which the drawer is substantially retained within the frame and the containment space is substantially covered, and a protracted position, in which the containment space is substantially uncovered; wherein a volume of food retained within the containment space may be measured using the increments marked along the length or the width of the drawer.  
      In a feature of this aspect, the cutting board assembly further comprises a first partition configured to transect the containment space of the drawer. In another feature, the first partition defines two compartments of the drawer on either side thereof. With regard to this feature, the first partition is movable relative to the drawer, whereby a volume of one of the compartments of the drawer may be reduced in order to fill the volume of the compartment with food and thereby measure the food within the compartment.  
      In an additional feature, the first partition comprises a wall that is movable relative to the frame and is attached to the drawer for movement relative thereto. In yet another feature, the cutting board assembly further comprises a second partition configured to transect the volume of the drawer in order to define two compartments of the drawer on either side of the second partition. It is preferred that the second partition also is movable relative to the drawer. In still another feature, the first partition comprises a wall of the frame. The drawer is movable relative to the first partition when measuring a volume of food contained within the drawer. In accordance with this feature, the drawer comprises a scoop.  
      In a third aspect of the invention, a cutting board assembly comprises a cutting board; a frame including opposite side walls and a support platform supporting the cutting board thereon; and a drawer supported by the frame at a side wall thereof, the drawer having a bottom and opposite side walls and opposite end walls extending from a periphery of the bottom to define a containment space. A partition divides the containment space of the drawer to define two compartments of the drawer. The partition is movable relative to the drawer to vary the volume of each of the compartments of the drawer. The drawer is supported by the frame for sliding movement between a retracted position, in which the drawer is substantially retained within the frame and the containment space is substantially covered, and a protracted position, in which the containment space is substantially uncovered. In a feature of this aspect, the cutting board assembly further comprises measuring increments enabling measurement of a volume of food retained within at least one of the compartments of the container defined by the movable partition.  
      In a fourth aspect of the invention a cutting board assembly comprises a cutting board; a frame including opposite side walls and a support platform supporting the cutting board thereon; and a scoop supported by the frame at a side wall thereof, the scoop having a bottom, opposite side walls, and an end wall extending from a periphery of the bottom and defining a containment space that is open at one end of the scoop. The scoop is supported by the frame for sliding movement between a retracted position, in which the scoop is substantially retained within the frame and the containment space is substantially covered, and a protracted position, in which the containment space is substantially uncovered. The frame includes a partitioning wall extending downwardly from an end edge of the support platform, the partitioning wall being disposed in fixed disposition relative to the frame and extending within the containment space to define an end wall of the containment space of the scoop when the scoop is in the protracted position. In a feature of this aspect, the cutting board assembly further comprises a collection trough disposed in the bottom of the scoop for containing liquids or fluids associated with cut food items retained in the scoop.  
      In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the present invention, it should be noted that the present invention further includes the various possible combinations of such aspects and features. 
    
    
     V. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      Further aspects, features, embodiments, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is an end perspective view of a cutting board assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the cutting board assembly of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is an exploded side perspective view of the cutting board assembly of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 4  is an end view of the first end of the frame of the cutting board assembly, shown with the first container removed;  
       FIG. 5  is an end view of the second end of the frame of  FIG. 4 , shown with the second container removed;  
       FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the frame of  FIG. 4 ;  
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the first container; and  
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the second container. 
    
    
     VI. DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the present invention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention.  
      Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.  
      Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by the appended claims rather than the description set forth herein.  
      Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein-as understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such term-differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.  
      Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having at least one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” In contrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes “a picnic basket having only one apple.” 
      When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket having crackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well as describes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese.” 
      Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention are next described. The following description of one or more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.  
       FIG. 1  is an end perspective view of a cutting board assembly  10  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a side view of the cutting board assembly  10  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is an exploded side perspective view of the cutting board assembly  10  of  FIG. 1 .  
      The cutting board assembly  10  is a self-contained system that includes a cutting board  12 , a frame  14 , a first container  16 , and a second container  18 . The frame  14  is configured to support the cutting board  12  on a support platform  20  thereof. The frame  14  is further configured to support the first container  16  and second container  18  such that they may move between a retracted position, wherein the containers  16 , 18  are substantially disposed interior to the frame  14 , and a protracted position, wherein the containers  16 , 18  are substantially disposed exterior to the frame  14 . The first and second containers  16 , 18  retract and protract from opposite ends  22 , 24  of the frame  14 , with the first container  16  corresponding with a first end  22  of the frame  14  and the second container  18  corresponding with a second end  24  of the frame  14 .  
      In the present embodiment, the cutting board  12  is rectangular, having sides  30  disposed opposite one another and ends  32  disposed opposite one another. The cutting board  12  has a thickness defined between a top surface  26  and a bottom surface  28  thereof. Further, the cutting board  12  is generally planar with an obstruction-free top surface  26 . When used, the cutting board  12  rests on the support platform  20  of the frame  14 . Further, the cutting board  12  is easily removed from the cutting board assembly  10 . A user simply lifts the cutting board  12  from the support platform  20  to remove it. This feature enables easy cleaning of the cutting board  12 . For example, the cutting board  12  may be removed and washed in a sink or a dishwasher and then replaced on the frame  14 . Further, it is contemplated that the cutting board assembly  10  will include multiple cutting boards  12 , which are interchangeable with one another as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . For example, multiple cutting boards may have the same dimensions but may be constructed from different materials. Exemplary materials include wood and various plastics, such as polypropylene.  
      As shown in  FIG. 3 , the frame  14  includes the generally planar, rectangular support platform  20  having sides  34  disposed opposite one another and ends  36 , 38  disposed opposite one another and two side walls  40  disposed opposite one another in spaced relation with one another along opposite sides  34  of the platform  20 . The support platform  20  is oriented generally orthogonal to the side walls  40  and is mounted to the side walls  40  near top edges  42  thereof. A first end  36  of the support platform  20  corresponds with the first end  22  of the frame  14 , and similarly, a second end  38  of the support platform  20  corresponds with the second end  24  of the frame  14 . The side walls  40  of the frame  14  generally define a width of the frame  14 . The ends  22 , 24  of the frame  14  generally define a length of the frame  14 , and the height of the side walls  40  generally defines the height of the frame  14 .  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , each side wall  40  has a bottom edge  44  disposed opposite to a top edge  42 , with the bottom edge  44  resting on a surface on which the frame  14  is placed. The side walls  40  slope in a general inward direction relative to one another from the bottom edges  44  to the top edges  42  thereof such that the bottom edges  44  of the side walls  40  are disposed further apart from one another than the top edges  42 . As such, the width of the frame  14  narrows from the bottom edges  44  of the side walls  40  to the top edges  42  of the side walls  40 .  
      The support platform  20  is recessed a small depth within the frame  14  thereby creating a recessed area  46  within which the cutting board  12  may fit. The depth of the recessed area  46  generally corresponds to the thickness of the cutting board  12  such that when the cutting board  12  is placed in the recessed area  46 , the side walls  40  of the frame  14  enclose side edges of the cutting board  12 . In at least one embodiment (not illustrated), the top edges  42  of the side walls  40  generally align with the top surface  26  of the cutting board  12 . In at least one other embodiment, shown in  FIG. 1 , the bottom of the cutting board  12  is enclosed by the side walls  40  of the frame  14 , but the top of the cutting board  12  extends above the top edges  42  of the side walls  40 .  
      Each side wall  40  further includes an indentation  48  disposed centrally along a length of the side wall  40 . A side handle  50  is attached to each side wall  40  in perpendicular covering relation to each indentation  48 , leaving a recess behind the handle  50 . The indentation  48  provides space for a person&#39;s hand to grasp the side handle  50 . The side handles  50  provide convenient, easy means to pick up and carry the cutting board assembly  10 . Additionally, each side wall  40  further includes a centrally disposed notched area  52  in the top edge  42  thereof. The notched area  52  is dimensioned to accommodate fingers of a person&#39;s hand such that the person may more easily grasp the cutting board  12  for removal from the frame  14  using the notched area  52 .  
       FIGS. 4-6  provide more detailed views of the frame  14 . More particularly,  FIG. 4  is an end view of the first end  22  of the frame  14 , shown with the first container  16  removed.  FIG. 5  is an end view of the second end  24  of the frame  14 , shown with the second container  18  removed, and  FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the frame  14 . The first and second ends  22 , 24  of the frame  14  include end members  54  that are integrally connected to the side walls  40  and disposed generally orthogonally to the side walls  40 . Each of the end members  54  comprises an elongate connection arm  58  having opposite ends and opposite sides, an interior side  60  and an exterior side  62 . The end members  54  are connected to the side walls  40  such that the interior sides  60  of the connection arms  58  are nearly vertically aligned with the ends  36 , 38  of the support platform  20 , with the interior sides  60  of the connection arms  58  being disposed slightly outside or exterior to the ends  36 , 38  of the support platform  20 .  
      Bottom surfaces  64  of the connection arms  58  rest against or adjacent the surface on which the frame  14  is placed, such as a kitchen counter. The end members  54  transition into joint panels  66  that extend upwardly from the ends of each of the connection arms  58 . The joint panels  66  are dimensioned to integrally connect the end members  54  to the side walls  40  with a smooth sloping, aesthetically pleasing transition. As shown, for example, in  FIG. 4 , the panels  66  have a respective exterior surface  68  that matches the slope of the side walls  40 . They further have a respective interior surface  70  that connects with a top surface  72  of the connection arm  58  at each end  22 , 24  of the frame  14  to create an opening  74 , having a generally “U”-shaped rim, at each end  22 , 24  of the frame  14 .  
      As stated previously, the first end  22  and the second end  24  each have a respective end member  54  integrally connected to the side walls  40 . However, each end has a unique feature that is not present in the opposite end. With each end  22 , 24 , the unique feature aids in accommodating the container  16 , 18  associated with the particular end  22 , 24 . For example, the first end  22  is configured to accommodate the first container  16 . More specifically, a portion  76  of the first end  36  of the support platform  20  is cut away. The cut away portion  76  is dimensioned to accept a feature of the first container  16  therein when the first container  16  is in the retracted position.  
      Likewise, the second end  24  is configured to accommodate the second container  18 . More specifically, a planar partition  78  extends downwardly from the second end  38  of the support platform  20  in orthogonal relation to the support platform  20 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the partition  78  extends downwardly into the opening  74  at the second end  24  of the frame  14  and terminates near the top surface  72  of the connection arm  58 . A periphery  79  of the partition  78  mimics the shape of the rim of the opening  74 . As such, a generally “U”-shaped slot or gap  80  is formed between the partition  78  and the rim of the opening  74  at the second end  24  of the frame  14 . The slot or gap  80  is configured to receive the second container  18 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 6 , a central dividing wall  82  extends downwardly from a bottom surface  84  of the support platform  20 . The dividing wall  82  provides greater stability to the frame  14  and physically separates the first container  16  from the second container  18  when they are in the retracted position. The dividing wall  82  also separates the frame  14  into a first portion  86  and a second portion  88 , as shown in  FIG. 1 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the first portion  86  of the frame  14  has a first pair of slots  90  formed in the support platform  20  adjacent and aligned lengthwise with the side walls  40  of the frame  14 . A support ledge  92  depends downwardly from an exterior side of each slot  90 . Each support ledge  92  has a vertical component  94  and a horizontal component  96 , with the vertical component  94  connecting the ledge  92  to the support platform  20  and the horizontal component  96  extending orthogonally from the vertical component  94 . Each support ledge  92  includes a catch  98  disposed at an end of the horizontal component  96  near the central dividing wall  82 . In addition, a rail  100  depends downwardly from an interior side of each slot  90 . The support ledge  92  and the rail  100  of each slot  90  define a sliding space  102  in which the first container  16  may fit, thereby enabling the first container  16  to slide between the retracted position and the protracted position. The catches  98  of the support ledges  92  help retain the first container  16  in the retracted position thereby preventing the first container  16  from inadvertently moving from the retracted position to the protracted position.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the second portion  88  of the frame  14  similarly has a second pair of slots  104  formed in the support platform  20  adjacent and aligned lengthwise with the side walls  40  of the frame  14 . A support ledge  106  depends downwardly from an exterior side of each slot of the second pair of slots  104 . Each support ledge  106  has a vertical component  108  and a horizontal component  110 , with the vertical component  108  connecting the ledge  106  to the support platform  20  and the horizontal component  110  extending orthogonally from the vertical component  108 . Each support ledge  106  includes a catch  112  disposed at an end of the vertical component  108  near the central dividing wall  82 . In addition, a rail  114  depends downwardly from an interior side of each slot of the second pair of slots  104 . The support ledge  106  and the rail  114  of each slot define a sliding space  116  in which the second container  18  may fit, thereby enabling the second container  18  to slide between the retracted position and the protracted position. The catches  112  of the support ledges  106  help retain the second container  18  in the retracted position, thereby preventing the container  18  from inadvertently moving from the retracted position to the protracted position.  
      The frame  14  further includes feet  118  with rubber inserts disposed at each of four corners of the frame  14 . Although the present embodiment includes rubberized feet, it is contemplated that the frame may include alternative features for preventing the frame from skidding or moving while the cutting board assembly is being used. For example, an alternative feature may include a rubber rim around the bottom of the frame. Moreover, many non-skid features are available for use with various contemplated embodiments of the cutting board assembly.  
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the first container  16 . The first container  16  has a bottom  200  and oppositely disposed side walls  202  and oppositely disposed end walls  204 ,  206  extending from a periphery  208  of the bottom  200  thereby defining a holding area  210  in which food items may be placed. The side walls  202  are shorter in length than the end walls  204 , 206  and define a width of the container  16 , and the end walls  204 , 206  define a length of the container  16 . The walls  202 , 204 , 206  of the container  16  have lower edges  212 , which are connected to the bottom  200  of the container  16 , and upper edges  214 , which form a periphery  216  about a top of the container  16 . Because the container  16  is to be retracted and protracted from the first end  22  of the frame  14 , the container  16  is oriented such that the side walls  202  of the container  16  are adjacent the side walls  40  of the frame  14  when the container  16  is in the retracted position. In this orientation, the container  16  has an exterior end wall  206  and an interior end wall  204 . The exterior end wall  206  has a gripping element  218  extending there from. The gripping element  218  aids in moving the container  16  between the retracted and protracted positions. In this embodiment, the gripping element  218  comprises a handle.  
      The exterior end wall  206  also has a measuring element  220  connected to it. The measuring element  220  is aligned widthwise with the exterior end wall  206  and has measurement increments  222  marked thereon. In the present embodiment, the measurement increments  222  are indented hash marks made in quarter cup increments with numerical indicators provided at the hash marks designating whole cup increments. Although the measuring element  220  is separate from the exterior end wall  206  in this embodiment, it is contemplated that the measuring element  220  may be incorporated into the exterior end wall  206 . When the first container  16  is in the retracted position, the measuring element  220  fits into the cutaway portion  76  at the first end  36  of the support platform  20  such that the exterior end wall  206  of container  16  is flush with the end member  54  at the first end  22  of the frame  14 .  
      A ledge  224  having a lip  226  at a rim thereof extends around the top periphery  216  of the container  16 . Portions  228  of the ledge  224  that correspond with the side walls  202  of the container  16  are configured to be slidably supported by the support ledges  92  and rails  100  of the first slots  90  of the frame  14 . More specifically, each side wall ledge portion  228  slides into the sliding space  102  between the support ledge  92  and rail  100  of the appropriate slot  90  thereby enabling the first container  16  to slide between a retracted position and a protracted position. The lip  226  at the rim of the container ledge  224  hooks onto the catch  98  of the support ledge  92  when the container  16  is in the retracted position, thereby preventing the container  16  from inadvertently sliding to the protracted position. However, when a user pulls the handle or other gripping element  218  of the container  16 , the lip  226  is pulled over the catch  98  and the container  16  may be moved to the protracted position.  
      When the container  16  is in the retracted position, the holding area  210  is completely covered by the support platform  20  of the frame  14  and the exterior end wall  206  is flush with the exterior surface  62  of the end member  54  at the first end  22  of the frame  14 . The exterior side wall  206  and the handle  218  attached thereto are accessible when the first container  16  is in the retracted position. When the container  16  is in the protracted position, the entire holding area  210  is accessible. The container  16  remains connected to the frame  14  when it is in the protracted position, with the ledge  224  of the interior end wall  204  connected to the frame  14  at this point. It should be noted that the container  16  may be detached from the frame  14  as desirable. Such detachability allows the container  16  to be easily cleaned or moved to a different location if the circumstances dictate it. The container  16  may be easily reconnected to the frame  14  by sliding the ledge side wall portions  228  into the sliding space  102  of the appropriate first slots  90 .  
      The container  16  further includes a first partition  230  and a second partition  232 , with each having upper  234 , side  236  and lower  238  peripheral edges. The partitions  230 , 232  are configured so that they may fit within the container  16  when it is in both the retracted and protracted positions. The partitions  230 , 232  are identical, so only one will be described herein. The partition is configured to transect the holding area  210  of the container  16  lengthwise thereby enabling a volume of the holding area  210  to be varied with movement of the partition. The lower  238  and side  236  peripheral edges are dimensioned to fit adjacent an interior surface of the holding area  210  when the partition is placed in the holding area  210 . When the partition is in the container  16 , the upper edge  234  is aligned with the top  216  of the container  16 . The upper edge  234  meets the side edges  236  at upper corners of the partition, comprising an interior upper corner  240  and an exterior upper corner  242 .  
      The exterior upper corner  242  of the partition has a measurement indicator  246  provided thereon. In the present embodiment, the measurement indicator  246  is an arrow. Because the partition may be moved axially along the width of the container, the measurement indicator  246  of the partition may be aligned with the hash marks  222  of the measurement element  220  to enable a user to determine a volume of food items placed in the container  16 . It will be obvious that in order to accurately measure the volume of food, the partition should be slid toward the appropriate side wall of the container  16  until the food items in the container  16  completely fill the volume enclosed by the partition in the holding area  210 . It will also be obvious that because there are two partitions, up to three holding areas or “compartments” may be defined in the first container  16  by the partitions  230 , 232 , i.e., a first compartment being defined by a first side wall  202  and the first partition  230 ; a second, central compartment being defined by the first and second partitions  230 , 232 , and a third compartment being defined by the second partition  232  and a second side wall  202 . The volume of food items placed in the multiple compartments may be determined in a similar fashion as described above. Simple subtraction may be needed to determine the volume in the central compartment if one of the partitions  230 , 232  is not aligned with a whole cup marking increment.  
      The measurement indicator  246  is located on an extension piece  248  that extends from the exterior upper corner  242  of the partition. The extension piece  248  is supported on the ledge  224  of the exterior side wall  206  of the container  16 . As such, the extension piece  248  provides further stabilization for the partition when it is placed in the container  16 . It is contemplated that the extension piece  248  may have a lip depending downwardly there from that would fit under the lip of the ledge  224 . It is further contemplated that the partition may include a hooking element that fits over and is supported by the ledge  224  of the interior end wall  204  of the container  16  such that the partition may slide axially along the ledge  224  from one side wall  202  of the container  16  to the other.  
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the second container  18 . The second container  18  has a bottom  300  and oppositely disposed side walls  302  and an exterior end wall  304  extending from a periphery  306  of the bottom  300  to define a holding area  308  of the second container  18  in which food items may be placed. An interior end  320  of the second container  18  is not enclosed; therefore, the second container  18  is in the form of a scoop. The side walls  302  define a width of the container  18 , and the exterior end wall  304 , along with the partition  78  of the frame  14 , define a length of the container  18 . The relationship of the frame partition  78  with the second container  18  will be described in greater detail herein below.  
      The walls  302 , 304  of the container  18  have lower edges  310 , which are connected to the bottom  300  of the container  18 , and upper edges  312 , which form a partial periphery about a top  314  of the container  18 . Because the container  18  is retracted and protracted from the second end  24  of the frame  14 , the container  18  is oriented such that the side walls  302  of the container  18  are adjacent the side walls  40  of the frame  14  when the container  18  is in the retracted position.  
      Similarly to the first container  16 , the exterior end wall  304  of the second container  18  has a gripping element  316  extending there from. The gripping element  316  aids in moving the container  18  between the retracted and protracted positions. In this embodiment, the gripping element  316  is a handle. In addition, the second container  18  has a groove  318  formed in the bottom  300  thereof near the interior end  320  of the container  18 . The groove  318  extends widthwise along the bottom  300  of the container  18  and is intended to capture any liquids or fluids associated with food items placed in the second container  18 .  
      A ledge  322  extends orthogonally from the upper edge  312  of each side wall  302  of the container. A notched recess  324  is formed near an interior end  326  of each ledge  322 . The ledges  322  are configured to be slidably supported by the support ledges  106  and rails  114  of the second slots  104  of the frame  14 . More specifically, each side wall ledge  322  slides into the sliding space  116  between the support ledge  106  and rail  114  of the appropriate slot  104  thereby enabling the second container  18  to slide between a retracted position and a protracted position. The notched recess  324  of each ledge  322  hooks on the catch  112  of the support ledge  106  when the container  18  is in the retracted position thereby preventing the container  18  from inadvertently sliding to the protracted position. However, when a user pulls the handle or other gripping element  316  of the container  18 , the notched recess  324  is pulled past the catch  112  and the container  18  may be moved to the protracted position.  
      When the second container  18  is in the retracted position, the holding area  308  is covered by the support platform  20  of the frame  14 . Further, most of the second container  18  is disposed interior to the frame  14 , with only the exterior end wall  304  and handle  316  being accessible. When the second container  18  is in the protracted position, the holding area  308  is accessible. Further, in the protracted position, most of the second container  18  is disposed exterior to the frame  14 . The second container  18  remains connected to the frame  14  in the protracted position, with some portion of the side wall ledges  322  being slidably fitted in the sliding spaces  116  between the support ledges  106  and rails  114  of the second slots  104  of the frame  14 . Similarly to the first container  16 , the second container  18  may be detached from the frame  14  if desired. It may be easily reconnected to the frame  14  by sliding the side wall ledges  322  back into the sliding spaces  116  of the second slots  104 .  
      The side wall ledges  322  have measurement increments  328  marked thereon. In the present embodiment, the measurement increments  328  are indented hash marks made in quarter cup increments with numerical indicators provided at the hash marks designating whole cup increments. The measurement increments  328  allow a user to determine the volume of food items placed in the second container  18 .  
      As mentioned previously, the frame partition  78  at the second end  24  of the frame  14  has a relationship with the second container  18 . When the second container  18  is connected to the frame  18 , the side walls  302  and bottom  300  thereof fit within the u-shaped slot  80  at the second end  24  of the frame  14 . As such, the frame partition  78  provides an enclosing interior end wall for the second container  18  when it is connected to the frame  14 . Therefore, for the second container  18 , the retracted and protracted positions designate the minimum and maximum volume that the holding area  308  may contain. The volume of the holding area  308  of the second container  18  is made variable by the frame partition  78  when the second container  18  is slid inwardly and outwardly relative to the frame  14 . Further, the volume of food items placed in the container  18  may be measured using the measuring increments  328  marked on the side ledges  322  of the container  18 . The measurement should be read at the point where the frame partition  78  transects the measuring increment  328 . It will be obvious that in order to accurately measure the volume of food, the container  18  should be slid inwardly toward the frame  14  until the food items in the container  18  completely fill the volume of the holding area  308 , i.e., the food items should cover the bottom  300  of the container  18  and fill the volume such that they reach the top of the container. It is at this point that the measurement increment  328  at the intersection of the frame partition  78  should be read.  
      In use, the cutting board assembly  10  may be used with the containers  16 , 18  in their retracted or protracted positions. For illustrative purposes, use of the cutting board assembly  10  will be described with the first and second containers  16 , 18  in the protracted position. A person using the cutting board assembly  10  places a food item to be cut on the cutting board  12  and begins cutting it with an available cutting instrument such as a knife. As food items are cut, the user may slide cut food items into either the first  16  or the second container  18 . This action clears off the cutting board  12  so that its top surface  26  is unobstructed for further cutting. The cut food items are conveniently held in one of the containers  16 , 18  until they are needed.  
      In one exemplary scenario, assume that the cut food items have been slid from the cutting board surface  26  to the second container  18 . The second container  18  may be slid inwardly or outwardly from its protracted position until the cut food items fill the volume of the holding area  308 . The volume of cut food items may then be determined by reading the measurement increment  328  at the point where the frame partition  78  transects the measurement increment  328  on one of the side wall ledges  322 .  
      In another exemplary scenario, assume that the cut food items have been slid from the cutting board surface  26  to the first container  16 . More specifically, the cut food items have been moved to a first holding area of the first container  16 . Then a different food item is cut into pieces and this second cut food item is slid from the cutting board surface  26  to a second holding area of the first container  16 . The first cut food item is separated from the second cut food item in the first container  16  by the first partition  230 . The volumes of each cut food item may be determined using the measurement increments  222  of the measuring element  220  and the measurement indicators  246  of the partitions  230 , 232 .  
      With the cutting board assembly  10 , up to four different kinds of food items may be cut and stored separately in the first and second containers  16 , 18 . In addition, the volume of each of these four cut food items may be measured while they are stored in the containers  16 , 18 .  
      Often, a food item is cut so that it may be used as an ingredient in a recipe. The food item may need to be added to other ingredients in a mixing bowl or in a pot, pan or other cooking container. In this situation, the cutting board assembly  10  may be used to cut the food item, measure the food item, and transport the food item to the mixing bowl or cooking container where it is needed. The cut food item may be transported by moving the entire cutting board assembly  10  to the mixing container or cooking container, or more conveniently, may be transported by removing the container  16 , 18  in which the cut food item is held and pouring or dumping the cut food item from the cutting board assembly container  16 , 18  into the mixing container or cooking container.  
      In addition, the first container  16  may serve as a storage compartment for food items that have been cut. The first container  16  may store food items therein in its retracted positions and, alternatively, the first container  16  may serve as a storage compartment itself, separate from the frame  14 , especially when covered with a lid or flexible sheet of material. Further, it is contemplated that the first container  16  may be used for storage of tools such as knives, peelers, and the like when the cutting board assembly  10  is not being used and the first container  16  is retained in the retracted position within the frame  14  of the cutting board assembly  10 .  
      In a contemplated feature of one or more preferred embodiments, the containers  16 , 18  may be held in the protracted position with flex tabs. With this feature, the containers  16 , 18  may be removed from the frame  14  by pressing down the flex tabs and detaching the containers  16 , 18 .  
      The cutting board assembly  10  avoids messy transitions that may occur in moving cut food from the cutting board  12  to a measuring container and then again to a cooking or mixing container. The cutting board assembly  10  represents a self-contained system that provides a cutting board  12  free from obstruction; provides a container  16  for holding cut foods that may be stored within the cutting board assembly  10 ; and provides a means for measuring the volume of cut food that is well suited to bulky, solid food items.  
      Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those specifically described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention.  
      Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.