Patent Publication Number: US-2006012097-A1

Title: Cutting board and receptacle assembly

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention relates generally to material processing, and, more particularly, to tools for facilitating such material processing.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      It is often necessary when preparing food to chop, dice, slice, peel, scale, or otherwise prepare the ingredients before introducing them to the cooking vessel or measuring cup. This chopping can be accomplished using various devices, the most common of which is a cutting board and knife. Typically, once the food has been prepared, it is transferred to the cooking vessel or to a measuring cup by lifting the board and its contents to its destination and scraping the food off of the board with a knife blade or other utensil.  
      This procedure is adequate when the quantity of chopped or sliced food is small and uniform. However, attempts to scrape the various different prepared foods into a conventional measuring cup or a cooking vessel with a relatively small opening often result in a considerable quantity of the food falling to the stove top, counter or floor. It would be a benefit, therefore, if the processing surface were flush with or above the opening of the food container, thus allowing the prepared food to be easily moved from the processing surface to the container without the need to lift and carry the entire cutting board. In addition, it would be a benefit, if multiple foods could be prepared on a processing surface without having to move the entire cutting board to dispose of one of the prepared foods.  
      In addition, it would be a benefit to provide such an assembly with a variety of different processing surfaces so that different food processing methods can be performed. A kit including a plurality of such processing surfaces and a stand and receptacle frame would be an important advance in the field of food preparation.  
      Furthermore, when performing a food processing method, such as peeling or scaling, the waste generated is often scattered beyond the edges of the cutting board. Therefore, a device which reduces or eliminates such scattering would be an important advance.  
      An improved cutting board and receptacle assembly which addresses the problems of known cutting boards would be an important advance in the art. The present invention is directed to a cutting board and receptacle assembly and kit which overcomes the disadvantages of the aforementioned prior art.  
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
      It is an object of the invention to provide a cutting board and receptacle assembly which overcomes some of the problems and shortcomings of the prior art.  
      Another object of the invention is to provide a cutting board and receptacle assembly which facilitates use and clean up.  
      Another object of the invention is to provide a cutting board and receptacle assembly which allows for one or more containers to be positioned under the processing surface.  
      Another object of the invention is to provide a cutting board and receptacle assembly which positions a waste receptacle adjacent to the processing surface to receive waste therefrom.  
      Another object of the invention is to provide a cutting board and receptacle assembly which positions the opening of a waste receptacle substantially vertical.  
      Another object of the invention is to provide a cutting board and receptacle assembly which includes a plurality of different platforms to provide different processing surfaces necessary in different food processing methods.  
      Another object is to provide a convenient way to dispose of food wrappings, packaging, and table scraps.  
      Still another object of the invention is to provide a kit including a plurality of platforms having different processing surfaces, a stand, and a receptacle frame.  
      Yet another object of the invention is to provide a cutting board and receptacle assembly suited for use with industry standard waste bags.  
      How these and other objects are accomplished will become apparent from the following descriptions and the drawings.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention is an improved cutting board and receptacle assembly for facilitating the processing of materials, and in particular to the preparation of food or other applications where cutting, separating, and collecting of parts are required, such as in medical or scientific dissections. The invention represents a significant advance over the state of the art by providing novel elements to satisfy the objectives herein.  
      In certain embodiments, the cutting board and receptacle assembly comprises a rigid platform having a processing surface; a stand for holding the platform above the work surface at a height allowing a container resting on the work surface to be positioned below the platform to receive processed material; and a receptacle frame connected with respect to the platform and/or stand, the receptacle frame supporting a receptacle for receiving waste, the receptacle having an opening which is substantially vertical when the receptacle is supported by the receptacle frame.  
      In some embodiments, the stand is adjustable to allow the platform to be held at an adjustable angle with respect to the work surface.  
      In some embodiments, the stand includes legs having anti-slip surfaces for contact with the work surface.  
      In some embodiments, the platform is bounded by edges, the platform including at least one channel adjacent the processing surface and extending to an edge to allow liquid to drain from the platform.  
      In some embodiments, the platform includes at least one aperture, the aperture receiving a portion of the receptacle frame to hold the receptacle frame at a fixed position with respect to the platform.  
      In some embodiments, the receptacle frame includes two arms, each arm terminating at an end, each end received within and supported by the platform.  
      In some embodiments, the receptacle frame includes a pivot separating a first portion from a second portion, the first portion being pivotable about the pivot with respect to the platform.  
      In some embodiments, the platform and stand are unitary.  
      In some embodiments, the assembly further comprises connection means for connecting the platform and stand. Such connection means may be a pin-and-aperture arrangement which allows connection and disconnection between the platform and stand.  
      In some embodiments, the receptacle is a flexible bag which rests on the work surface when the opening is supported by the receptacle frame. Such a bag may be a standard commercially available bag or it may be specifically designed for use with the receptacle frame.  
      In some embodiments, the stand or platform includes at least one aperture which receives a portion of the receptacle frame to hold the receptacle frame at a fixed position with respect to the stand or platform.  
      In some embodiments, the platform includes a lower portion and the stand includes raised guide-members, the lower portion fitting within the guide-members. In such embodiments, the platform may include an upper portion which is positioned above the guide-members when the lower portion is received within the guide-members.  
      The invention may also be described as a cutting board and receptacle assembly for use during material processing above a work surface, in which the assembly comprises a rigid platform having a processing surface; a stand for holding the platform above the work surface at a height allowing a container resting on the work surface to be positioned below the platform to receive prepared material, the platform attachable to and removable from the stand; and a receptacle frame connected with respect to the platform and/or stand for supporting a bag having an opening for receiving waste such that the opening is substantially vertical when the bag is supported by the receptacle frame and accepts waste from the processing surface, the opening surrounding the frame and the platform.  
      The invention may also be described as a kit for use during material processing, particularly food preparation, above a work surface. Such kit comprises a plurality of platforms having processing surfaces; a stand for holding one platform at a time above the work surface at a height allowing a container to be positioned on the work surface below the platform to receive processed material; and a receptacle frame connected with respect to the platform and/or stand, the receptacle frame supporting a receptacle for receiving waste, the receptacle having an opening which is substantially vertical when the receptacle is supported by the receptacle frame.  
      In some embodiments, the plurality of platforms includes identical means for connection to the stand such that the platforms are interchangeable.  
      In some embodiments, each of the plurality of platforms includes first and second edges and apertures spaced from the first and second edges such that each of the plurality of platforms may be connected to the stand regardless of orientation.  
      In some embodiments, the plurality of platforms comprises a platform including only a flat cutting surface; a platform including a grater; a platform including a slicer; a platform including a grid cutter; a platform including a fish scaling and cleaning surface; or a platform including a combination of at least two of a flat cutting surface, a grater, a slicer, a grid cutter, and a fish scaling and cleaning surface.  
      In some embodiments, the stand includes means for mounting the receptacle frame. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the cutting board and receptacle assembly in accordance with the principles of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the cutting board and receptacle assembly of  FIG. 1  showing an alternate mounting for the receptacle frame.  
       FIG. 3  is an overhead view of an embodiment of the stand of the cutting board and receptacle assembly in accordance with the principles of the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  is a front view of the stand and platform of  FIG. 3 .  
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the stand of  FIGS. 3 and 4 .  
       FIG. 6  is an overhead view of another embodiment of the stand of the cutting board and receptacle assembly in accordance with the principles of the present invention.  
       FIG. 7  is a front view of the stand and platform of  FIG. 6 .  
       FIG. 8  is a side view of the stand of  FIGS. 6 and 7 .  
       FIG. 9  is an overhead view of another embodiment of the stand of the cutting board and receptacle assembly in accordance with the principles of the present invention.  
       FIG. 10  is a front view of the stand and platform of  FIG. 9 .  
       FIG. 11  is a side view of the stand and platform of  FIGS. 9 and 10 .  
       FIG. 12  is an overhead view of another embodiment of the stand of the cutting board and receptacle assembly in accordance with the principles of the present invention.  
       FIG. 13  is a front view of the stand and platform of  FIG. 12 .  
       FIG. 14  is a side view of the stand of  FIGS. 9 and 10 .  
       FIG. 15  is an overhead view of an alternate platform in accordance with the principles of the present invention.  
       FIG. 16  is a front view of an alternate platform in accordance with the principles of the present invention.  
       FIG. 17  is a front view of an alternate platform in accordance with the principles of the present invention.  
       FIG. 18  is an overhead view of a plurality of platforms in accordance with the principles of the present invention.  
       FIG. 19  is a side view of an assembly in accordance with the principles of the present invention.  
       FIG. 20  is a side view of an assembly in accordance with the principles of the present invention.  
       FIGS. 21 and 22  are front views of alternate receptacle frames in accordance with the principles of the present invention.  
       FIG. 23  is a side view of two alternate receptacle frames in accordance with the principles of the present invention.  
       FIG. 24  includes data showing the location of peeled waste portions from a potato and a carrot to demonstrate the need for the current invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the cutting board and receptacle assembly  10  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Assembly  10  includes a platform  20 , a stand  30 , and a receptacle frame  40 .  
      Platform  20  includes a processing surface  22  which extends between edges  24  and beyond stand  30  to the left, right, and front, thereby allowing the user to slide the processed material, such as prepared food,  8  to the left, right, or front off of processing surface  22  into a container  4 . Platform  20  may be metal, plastic, wood, or any other known type. Legs  32  support platform  20  over work surface  2  at a height  31  such that container  4  may be positioned below platform  20  to receive processed material  8 . Legs  32  preferably have anti-slip surfaces  34  which may be rubber or another known material having sufficient friction to serve as an anti-slip surface. Legs  32  may be foldable or removable to facilitate storage and may be adjustable to allow for control of the angle of the processing surface  22 . In certain embodiments, the legs may be telescopically adjustable. Platform  20  or stand  30  may optionally support a knife sharpener or the like.  
      Receptacle frame  40  is shown as a U-shaped member having two arms  44 . Arms  44  are connected to either platform  20  or stand  30  via frame mounting means  12  at a fixed substantially vertical position. Receptacle  50 , which is shown as a flexible bag  54  resting on work surface  2 , includes an opening  52  which is supported by frame  40 . Opening  52  is, thus, substantially vertical and allows waste  9  to be deposited directly into receptacle  50  from processing surface  22  or above where cutting, slicing, peeling, scaling, or the like are performed.  
      Also shown in  FIG. 1  is a second container  4  which can also be positioned under platform  20  to receive processed material  8  which is separated from the processed material  8  received in the other container  4 .  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the assembly  10  of  FIG. 1  showing an alternate mounting position for the receptacle frame  40 . As shown receptacle frame  40  is connected to platform  20  near its front edge  24  (all references to front, rear, side, etc. herein are only in reference to the orientations shown and are not intended to be limiting) rather than at its rear edge  24  as shown in dashed lines and in  FIG. 1 . Mounting at the front of platform  20  allows a user to more easily contain otherwise messy material processing or food preparation procedures, such as scaling a fish. As shown, the material  6  to be processed, i.e., the fish, is substantially bounded by platform  20  and receptacle  50  such that little or no waste  9  is littered about the work surface  2 .  
       FIG. 3  is an overhead view of an embodiment of stand  30  of the cutting board and receptacle assembly  10 . Stand  30  includes web members  33  which support legs  32  (not shown) and are interconnected by lateral web member  38 . Stand  30  includes connection means  13  which are shown as bores  35  which receive posts  21  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) to connect to platform  20 . Stand  30  also includes raised guide-members  36  which are shown as L-shaped members located at the corners of stand  30 . Guide-members  36  can receive a lower portion of platform  20  or posts  21 .  
      Stand  30  includes mounting means  12  for mounting receptacle frame  40 . Mounting means  12  are shown as open sleeves  37  which receive the ends of frame  40 , though such sleeves  37  may be closed. Also depicted is a bag roll holder  56  which may be fixed to stand  30  to hold additional bags for use.  
       FIG. 4  is a front view of the platform  20  and stand  30  of  FIG. 3 . Stand  30  supports platform  20  at a height  31  above work surface  2 . Stand  30  includes legs  32  which have anti-slip surfaces  34  for contact with work surface  2 . Lateral web member  38  connects the rear legs or rear portions of legs  32 . Raised-guide members  36  are shown receiving lower portion  27  of platform  20  which, in this embodiment, are posts  21  received in bore  35 . Alternatively, platform  20  may include holes which also receive posts  21 . Upper portion  29  of platform  20  is not received within guide-members  36  and extends beyond the profile of stand  30 .  
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the stand  30  of  FIGS. 3 and 4 . As shown, rear legs  32  are shorter than front legs  32  to allow a platform positioned on stand  30  to drain to the rear, into receptacle  50 . Web members  33  interconnect front and rear legs  32 . Frame mounting means  12  are shown at the rear of stand  30 . Bag roll holder  56  is not shown in this Figure.  
       FIG. 6  is an overhead view of another embodiment of stand  30  of the cutting board and receptacle assembly  10 . Stand  30  includes web members  33  which support legs  32  (not shown) and are interconnected by lateral web member  38 . Stand  30  includes connection means  13  which are shown as raised L-shaped guide-members  36  which receive a lower portion  27  of platform  20  (shown in dashed lines and in  FIG. 7 ).  
      Stand  30  includes sleeves  37  which are cylindrical members or members having another shape including a cavity for receiving arms of receptacle frame  59  for mounting receptacle frame  40  to stand  30 . Sleeves  37  are shown as open, though they may be closed at an end. Also depicted is a bag roll holder  56  which may be fixed to stand  30  to hold additional bags for use.  
       FIG. 7  is a front view of the platform  20  and stand  30  of  FIG. 6 . Stand  30  supports platform  20  at a height  31  above work surface  2 . Stand  30  includes legs  32  which have anti-slip surfaces  34  for contact with work surface  2 . Lateral web member  38  connects the rear legs or rear portions of legs  32 . Raised-guide members  36  are shown receiving lower portion  27  of platform  20 . Upper portion  29  of platform  20  is not received within guide-members  36  but rests on guide-members  36  and extends beyond the profile of stand  30 .  
       FIG. 8  is a side view of stand  30  of  FIGS. 6 and 7 , except that web members  33  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) are not necessary or can be considered to be a part of legs  32  since legs  32  extend substantially from the front to the rear of platform  20 . Only two side legs  32  are necessary to support platform  20  as in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . As shown, the rear portions of legs  32  are shorter than front portions of legs  32  to allow a platform positioned on stand  30  to drain to the rear, into receptacle  50 . Platform and stand connection means  13  includes raised guide-members  36 . Frame mounting means  12  are shown at the rear of stand  30 . Bag roll holder  56  is not shown in this Figure.  
       FIG. 9  is an overhead view of another embodiment of stand  30  of the cutting board and receptacle assembly  10 . Stand  30  includes web members  33  which support legs  32  (not shown) and are interconnected by lateral web member  38 . Stand  30  includes connection means  13  which are shown as elongated bores  35  which may be referred to as grooves. These grooves  35  receive a lower portion  27  of platform  20  (shown in  FIG. 10 ).  
      Stand  30  includes sleeves  37  which are cylindrical members for receiving arms of receptacle frame  59  for mounting receptacle frame  40  to stand  30 . Sleeves  37  are shown as open, though they may be closed. Also depicted is a bag roll holder  56  which may be fixed to stand  30  to hold additional bags for use.  
       FIG. 10  is a front view of the platform  20  and stand  30  of  FIG. 9  with platform  20  spaced above stand  30  to facilitate understanding. Stand  30  supports platform  20  at a height  31  above work surface  2 . Stand  30  includes legs  32  which have anti-slip surfaces  34  for contact with work surface  2 . Lateral web member  38  connects the rear legs or rear portions of legs  32 . Elongated bores or grooves  35  receive lower portions  27  of platform  20 , in this case elongated posts  21  referred to as ribs. Upper portion  29  of platform  20  rests above grooves  35  and extends beyond the profile of stand  30 . Grooves  35  and ribs  21  serve as the connection means  13  for connecting platform  20  to stand  30 .  
       FIG. 11  is a side view of platform  20  and stand  30  of  FIGS. 9 and 10  and shows platform  20  and stand  30  in connection. As shown, rear legs  32  are shorter than front legs  32  to allow a platform positioned on stand  30  to drain to the rear, into receptacle  50 . Web members  33  interconnect front and rear legs  32 . Platform and stand connection means  13  includes interconnecting grooves  35  and ribs  21 . Frame mounting means  12  are shown at the rear of stand  30 . Bag roll holder  56  is not shown in this Figure.  
       FIG. 12  is an overhead view of another embodiment of stand  30  of the cutting board and receptacle assembly  10 . Stand  30  includes web members  33  which support legs  32  (not shown) and are interconnected by lateral web member  38 . Stand  30  includes connection means  13  which are shown as raised guide-members  36  which receive platform  20  therebetween.  
      Stand  30  includes sleeves  37  which are cylindrical members for receiving arms of receptacle frame  59  for mounting receptacle frame  40  to stand  30 . Sleeves  37  are shown as open, though they may be closed. Also depicted is a bag roll holder  56  which may be fixed to stand  30  to hold additional bags for use.  
       FIG. 13  is a front view of the platform  20  and stand  30  of  FIG. 12 . Stand  30  supports platform  20  at a height  31  above work surface  2 . Stand  30  includes legs  32  which have anti-slip surfaces  34  for contact with work surface  2 . Lateral web member  38  connects the rear legs or rear portions of legs  32 . Raised guide-members  36  receive lower portion  27  of platform  20  therebetween to serve as connection means  13  and prevent unintended movement between platform  20  and stand  30 . Upper portion  29  of platform  20  lies above raised guide-members  36 .  
       FIG. 14  is a side view of stand  30  of  FIGS. 9 and 10 . As shown, rear legs  32  are shorter than front legs  32  to allow a platform positioned on stand  30  to drain to the rear, into receptacle  50 . Web members  33  interconnect front and rear legs  32 . Platform and stand connection means  13  includes guide-members  36  interacting with the edges  24  of platform  20 . Frame mounting means  12  are shown at the rear of stand  30 . Bag roll holder  56  is not shown in this Figure.  
       FIG. 15  is an overhead view of an alternate platform  20 . Platform  20  includes a channel  26  extending from the front edge  24  to the rear edge  24 . Platform  20  also includes apertures  28  which serve as mounting means  13  to mount receptacle frame  40  to platform  20 .  
       FIG. 16  is a front view of an alternate platform  20 . Platform  20  includes a raised channel  26  which extends up from processing surface  22  to prevent liquid from draining off of the sides of platform  20 . Instead liquid is directed to the rear edge of processing surface  22 , preferably into receptacle  50 .  
       FIG. 17  is a front view of an alternate platform  20 . Platform  20  includes an indented channel  26  which extends into processing surface  22  to prevent liquid from draining off of the sides of platform  20 . Instead liquid travels through channel  26  to the rear edge of processing surface  22 , preferably into receptacle  50 .  
       FIG. 18  is an overhead view of a plurality of platforms  80 . As shown, plurality  80  includes platforms of various designs for use during different material processing, including food preparation, methods. As shown, the plurality of platforms  80  utilize different connection means  13 . Preferably, a kit  14  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) includes a plurality of platforms  80  with identical mounting means  12  and connection means  13 , a corresponding stand  30 , and a corresponding receptacle frame  40 . The front view of platforms  86 , 87 , 88 , 89  show four different connection means. Platform  86  connects with stand  20  of  FIGS. 6-8 . Platform  87  connects with stand  20  of  FIGS. 3-5 . Platform  88  connects with stand  20  of  FIGS. 9-11 . Platforms  83 , 84 , 85 , 89  connect with stand  20  of  FIGS. 3-5  or  9 - 11 . Platforms  81  and  82  connect with stand  20  of  FIGS. 12-14 .  
      As shown, plurality of platforms  80  includes a platform including only a flat cutting surface, a platform including a grater, a platform including a slicer; a platform including a fish scaling surface; a platform including a grid cutter; and platforms including a combination of at least two of a flat cutting surface, a grater, a slicer, a fish scaling surface, and a grid cutter.  
       FIG. 19  is a side view of assembly  10  in which platform  20  includes holes  25  similar to those shown in platforms  83 , 84 , 85 , 89 . Holes  25  may pass through platform  20  so that either surface of platform  20  can be used as processing surface  22 . As shown in  FIG. 19 , holes  25  do not pass completely through platform  20 . Stand  30  includes openings  39  which are aligned with holes  25 . Posts  21 , which may be independent elements, integral with platform  20 , or integral with stand  30 , rest in holes  25  and openings  39  to serve as connection means  13  between platform  20  and stand  30 .  
       FIG. 19  also depicts adjustable-length legs  32 . Such legs  32  may be adjusted to allow the angle of processing surface  22  to be controlled with respect to work surface  2 . For instance, the rear legs  32  may be shortened or front legs lengthened  32  to allow liquid waste  9  to stream off of the back edge  24  of processing surface into receptacle  50 . In  FIG. 19 , such adjustability is allowed by extending or contracting the anti-slip surfaces  34  with respect to legs  32 .  
       FIG. 20  is a side view of an assembly  10  in which the platform  20 , stand  30 , and receptacle frame  40  are integral with one another. Such an assembly  10  may be formed of any type of rigid plastic, wood, or other material suitable for material processing such as food preparation and convenient to clean and store.  
       FIGS. 21 and 22  are front views of alternate receptacle frames  40 . Each frame  40  includes a central portion between two arms  44  which terminate at ends  46 . The arm portions  42  near ends  46  can be received in sleeves  37  or apertures  28  in stand  30  or platform  20  depending on the arrangement of the assembly  10 . In  FIG. 21 , receptacle  50  is pierced by the free ends of arms  44  to hold receptacle  50  in place (such an arrangement is also shown in  FIG. 19 ). In  FIG. 22 , receptacle  50  is fitted snugly around the top portion of frame  40  and is held in place by friction with frame and the lower surface of platform  20 .  
       FIG. 23  is a side view of two alternate receptacle frames  40 . Frame  40  on the left of  FIG. 23  is rigid and substantially vertical. The other frame  40  includes a pivot  48  about which first portion  47  may be pivoted. Second portion  49  of frame  40  remains fixed with respect to the rest of assembly  10  during pivoting of first portion  47 .  
       FIG. 24  includes data showing the location of peeled waste portions from a potato and a carrot. As can be seen, typical peeling of such vegetables results in a wide pattern of waste on work surface  2 . By utilizing the assembly  10  of the invention, such waste can be contained and easily discarded.  
      Thus, it should be apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the present invention a cutting board and receptacle assembly for use during material processing, such as food preparation, above a work surface that fully satisfies the objectives and advantages set forth above.  
      Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.