Patent Publication Number: US-2011067545-A1

Title: Mandolin

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to food preparation instruments. More particular, the invention relates to a mandolin constructed to provide for dicing of food products in a controlled, convenient and safe manner. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     As those skilled in the art will certainly appreciate, a mandolin is a food preparation instrument used for slicing and cutting food products. Various cuts can be achieved using a mandolin by adjusting the blades of the mandolin and the orientation of the food product as it passes across the cutting blades of the mandolin. 
     In its most basic configuration, a mandolin includes first and second food decks, or working surfaces, one of which can be adjusted in height. A cutting blade is positioned between the first and second food decks, such that a food item is slid along the adjustable first food deck until it reaches a cutting blade mounted on, or adjacent to, the fixed second food deck, slicing it and letting it fall into a collection located beneath the first and second food decks. A variety of blade configurations are known for use in conjunction with mandolins, including the use of perpendicular blades that slice the food product into strips. As a result, mandolins are capable of cutting food products in several widths and thicknesses. Mandolins also are known which allow one to makes slices, waffle cuts and crinkle cuts with firm vegetables, fruits and/or other food products. 
     A mandolin offers the advantage of making cuts that are uniform in thickness. In addition, mandolins allow for cooks to make slices that can be very thin, with much less effort than would be required cutting the product with a knife or other blade, or even a food processor. 
     Those skilled in the art appreciate the versatility offered by a mandolin. As such, the present invention extends the functionality of traditional mandolins by providing a structure which allows for improved cutting variety in conjunction with enhanced convenience and user ergonomics. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a mandolin including a food deck having an adjustable first food deck and a fixed second food deck. A slide selectively engages food products as they are moved along the food deck. A parallel cutting blade is positioned between the first food deck and the second food deck, wherein the parallel cutting blade cuts food product along a plane which is substantially parallel to a plane in which an upper surface of the second food deck lies. A plurality of elongated perpendicular cutting blades mounted along the first food deck for engagement with food product prior to engagement of the food product with the parallel cutting blade, the elongated cutting blades being oriented to longitudinally extend along an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the food deck and to cut the food product in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the upper surface of the first food deck lies and which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the food deck. The slide includes a series of transverse slide cutting blades. The slide cutting blades are oriented to cut food products along a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the food deck when the slide is positioned for operation adjacent the food deck and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the food deck. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a mandolin wherein the mandolin includes a first rail and a second rail supporting the food deck. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a mandolin further including a first leg and a second leg respectively depending from the first rail and the second rail for supporting the food deck at a desired angular orientation. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mandolin wherein the food deck includes a first end and a second end, and the first food deck constitutes the first end of the food deck while the second food deck constitutes the second end of the food deck, such that a user may move food product between the first end and the second end of the food deck in a manner causing the slicing of the food product. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a mandolin wherein the first food deck includes a first end and a second end, and the second end of the first food deck is adjustable relative to the parallel cutting blade and the second food deck. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a mandolin including a rotatable camming surface acting upon the second end of the first food deck in a manner allowing for raising and lowering of the second end of the first food deck. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mandolin wherein the second end of the first food deck includes a plurality of longitudinally extending slots oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the food deck and a plurality of elongated perpendicular cutting blades mounted beneath the first food deck for selective extension through the longitudinally extending slots. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a mandolin wherein elongated cutting blades are oriented to longitudinally extend along an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the food deck and to cut the food product in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the upper surface of the first food deck lies and which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the food deck. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a mandolin wherein the elongated perpendicular cutting blades are aligned with the slots formed in the second end of the first food deck for movement between a first storage position where the elongated perpendicular cutting blades are stored beneath the first food deck and a second use position where the elongated perpendicular cutting blades extend through the slots formed in the second end of the first food deck. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mandolin wherein the elongated perpendicular cutting blades are supported by a blade support assembly rotationally supporting the elongated perpendicular cutting blades for movement between the storage position and the use position. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a mandolin wherein the slide includes a food support capsule mounted between a first end and the second end of the slide. The capsule is shaped and dimensioned for receiving food product and supporting the food product along a position such that the food product may be brought into engagement with the elongated perpendicular cutting blades and the parallel blade. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mandolin wherein the capsule includes an outer housing that is substantially cylindrical in shape and includes a first open end and a second open end. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a mandolin wherein transverse slide cutting blades are mounted within the outer housing at a position adjacent the second open end of the outer housing. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a mandolin including a compression member that holds the food product as it is positioned within the outer housing and forces the food from the first open end of the outer housing, toward the second open end of the outer housing and through the slide cutting blades at the first open end of the outer housing. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mandolin including wherein the slide cutting blades are obliquely oriented. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certain embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the mandolin in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side plan view of the mandolin shown with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded bottom perspective view of the mandolin shown with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
         FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7  are respectively a top perspective view, a bottom perspective view, a cross sectional view along the line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 4  and an exploded view of the slide of the mandolin shown with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 8 ,  8 A,  9 ,  9 A,  10 ,  11 ,  11 A,  12 ,  13 , and  13 A are various views showing operation of the present mandolin. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention. 
     In accordance with the present invention, and with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 13A , a mandolin  10  is disclosed. The mandolin  10  includes a first rail  12  and a second rail  14  supporting a food deck  16  having an upper surface  156  and a lower surface  158 . The food deck  16  is composed of a first food deck  18  (having an upper surface  160  and a lower surface  162 ) and a second food deck  20  (having an upper surface  164  and a lower surface  166 ). The first food deck  18  is adjustably supported between the first and second rails  12 ,  14 , while the second food deck  20  is fixedly mounted between the first and second rails  12 ,  14 . As will be discussed below in greater detail, a first leg  22  and a second leg  24  respectively depend from one end of the first rail  12  and the second rail  14  for supporting the food deck  16  at a desired angular orientation. The mandolin  10  is further provided with a slide  26  which is used to engage food products as they are moved along the food deck  16  in a manner described below in greater detail. 
     The first rail  12  and the second rail  14  are elongated members. Each of the first rail  12  and the second rail  14  includes a generally rectangular cross section when viewed along a plane extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the first rail  12  or the second rail  14 . Looking to the cross sectional view of the first and second rails  12 ,  14 , they include a top end  28  upon which the slide  26  rides and a bottom end  30 . The top end  28  is provided with a substantially convex upper surface  32  shaped and dimensioned to enhance the ability of the slide  26  to move along the first and second rails  12 ,  14  as it is drawn up and down the upper surface  156  of the food deck  16 . 
     As mentioned above, the food deck  16  is supported between the first rail  12  and second rail  14 , and the first lateral side  34  and second lateral side  36  of the food deck  16  are therefore secured to the respective first rail  12  and second rail  14 . The food deck  16  is provided with a first end  38  and a second end  40 . The adjustable first food deck  18  may be thought of as constituting the first end  38  of the food deck  16  while the fixed second food deck  20  may be thought of as constituting the second end  40  of the food deck  16 . As such, a user may move a food product between the first end  38  and the second end  40  of the food deck  16  in a manner causing the slicing of the food in a desired configuration. 
     The adjustable first food deck  18  is provided with a first end  42  and a second end  44 . The first end  42  forms the distal end  46  of the food deck  16  and is secured between the first rail  12  and the second  14  in a manner allowing pivoting of the first end  42  while the second end  44  of the first food deck  18  is adjusted in the manner discussed below in greater detail. The second end  44  is positioned adjacent the fixed second food deck  20  and the parallel cutting (or slicing) blade  48 ; that is, the cutting blade which cuts food product along a plane which is substantially parallel to the plane in which the upper surface  164  of the second food deck  20  lies. The second end  44  is adjustable relative to the parallel cutting blade  48  and the second food deck  20 . Adjustment of the second end  44  of the first food deck  18  is achieved by the provision of a camming member  52  including rotatable camming surfaces  50  which act upon the second end  44  of the first food deck  18  in a manner allowing for raising and lowering of the second end  44  of the first food deck  18  relative to the second food deck  20  and the parallel cutting blade  48 . 
     The adjustment mechanism of the first food deck  18  includes a camming member  52  rotatably secured at a position beneath the second end  44  of the first food deck  18 . By adjusting the position of the second end  44  of the first food deck  18  relative to the parallel cutting blade  48  and the second food deck  20 , one is able to adjust the thickness of the cuts made in accordance with the present invention. Preferably, and as will be appreciated based upon the following disclosure, the second end  44  of the first food deck may be adjusted to provide for ⅛″, ¼″ and ½″ cuts depending upon the orientation of the camming member  52 . The adjustment mechanism includes a first adjustment support bracket  54  extending downwardly from the bottom end  30  the first rail  12  and a second adjustment support bracket  56  extending downwardly from the bottom end  30  of the second rail  14 . The first adjustment support bracket  54  includes a support aperture  58  shaped and dimensioned for rotationally supporting a first end  60  of the camming member  52 . The second adjustment support bracket  56  includes a support aperture  62  shaped and dimensioned for rotationally supporting a second end  64  of the camming member  52 . 
     The underside  66  of the second end  44  of the first food deck  18  is provided with a first recess  68  and a second recess  70  along opposite sides of the food deck  16 , in particular, the first end  42  of the first food deck  18 . The first circular recess  68  and the second circular recess  70  are shaped and dimensioned for engagement with the camming surfaces  50  of the camming member  52 . Since the camming member  52  is provided with eccentric outer camming surfaces  50 , rotation of the camming member  52  adjusts the relative position of the second end  44  of the first food deck  18 . Controlled movement of the camming member  52 , and accordingly the position of the second end  44  of the first food deck  18 , is achieved by the provision of a handle  72  at the second end  64  of the camming member  52 . The handle  72  includes stop members (not shown) that interact with stop members (not shown) formed along the outer surface of the first adjustment support bracket  54  to control the rotational movement of the camming member  52  for adjusting which portion of the camming surface  50  engages the recesses  68 ,  70  along the underside  66  of the second end  44  of the first food deck  18  to ultimately control the relative position of the second end  44  of the first food deck  18 . Stop members such as those employed in accordance with the present invention are commonly employed in rotating structures and may be implemented in a variety of manners known to those skilled in the art. 
     The second end  44  of the first food deck  18  is also provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending slots  78 . In particular, each of the slots  78  includes a longitudinal axis which is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the food deck  16 . The slots  78  provide access for elongated perpendicular cutting blades (or julienne blades)  80   a,    80   b,    80   c  which are mounted beneath the first food deck  18 . The elongated perpendicular cutting blades  80   a,    80   b,    80   c  are oriented to longitudinally extend along an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the food deck  16  and to cut the food product in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the upper surface  160  of the first food deck  18  lies and which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the food deck  16 . 
     More particularly, the plurality of elongated perpendicular cutting blades  80   a,    80   b,    80   c  are mounted beneath the first food deck  18 . The elongated perpendicular cutting blades  80   a,    80   b,    80   c  are aligned with the slots  78  formed in the second end  44  of the first food deck  18  for movement between a first storage position where the elongated perpendicular cutting blades  80  are stored beneath the first food deck  18  and a second use position where one set of the elongated perpendicular cutting blades  80   a,    80   b,    80   c  extend through the slots  78  formed in the second end  44  of the first food deck  18 , 
     The elongated perpendicular cutting blades  80   a,    80   b,    80   c  are supported by a blade support assembly  82 . The blade support assembly  82  includes a first support bracket  84  extending downwardly from the bottom end  30  of the first rail  12  and a second support bracket  86  extending downwardly from the bottom end  30  of the second rail  14 . The first support bracket  84  includes a support aperture  88  shaped and dimensioned for rotationally supporting a first end  90  of a support rod  92  to which the various elongated perpendicular cutting blades  80   a,    80   b,    80   c  are secured. The second support bracket  86  includes a support aperture  89  shaped and dimensioned for rotationally supporting a second end  94  of the support rod  92  to which the various elongated perpendicular cutting blades  80  are secured. 
     Controlled movement of the blade support assembly  82 , in particular, the support rod  92  upon which the elongated perpendicular cutting blades  80   a,    80   b,    80   c  are mounted, is achieved by the provision of a handle  96  at the first end  90  of the support rod  92 . The handle  96  includes stop members (not shown) that interact with stop members (not shown) formed along the outer surface of the first support bracket  84  to control the rotational movement of the blade support assembly  82  for moving the elongated perpendicular cutting blades  80  between their storage position and their use position. The stop members further allow for various blade positions when the blade support assembly  82  is in its use position. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blade support assembly  82  is provided with  3  sets of blades  80   a,    80   b,    80   c  oriented for selective exposure as the blade support assembly  82  is rotated through 90° turns. As such, the blade support assembly  82  may be rotated through a storage position with no blades  80   a,    80   b,    80   c  exposed through the slots  78 , a first use position with the first set of blades  80   a  exposed through the slots  78 , a second use position with the second set of blades  80   b  exposed through the slots  78  and a third use position with a third set of blades  80   c  exposed through the slots  78 . 
     As mentioned above, the food deck  16  includes a first food deck  18  and a second food deck  20 . The second food deck  20  may be thought of as constituting the second end  40  of the food deck  16  and the user may move food product between the first end  38  and the second end  40  of the food deck  16  in a manner causing the slicing of the food in a desired configuration. With this in mind, the second food deck  20  is provided with a first end  102  and a second end  104 . The first end  102  is positioned adjacent the fixed first food deck  18  and the second end  104  forms the proximal end  106  of the food deck  16 . 
     Referring in particular to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , the parallel cutting blade  48  is mounted between the first rail  12  and the second rail  14  at a position such that the cutting portion of the parallel cutting blade  48  is located between the first food deck  18  and the second food deck  20 . The parallel cutting blade  48  is mounted upon a blade assembly  108 . The blade assembly  108 , of which the parallel cutting blade  48  forms a portion, is shaped and dimensioned for selective mounting between the first and second rails  12 ,  14  at a position as described above. As such, the blade assembly  108  includes a blade housing  110  having a first end  112  and second end  114 . The first end  112  of the blade housing  110  is shaped and dimensioned for placement within and selective engagement with, a recess, or aperture,  116  formed in the first rail  12  and the second end  114  of the blade housing  110  is shaped and dimensioned for passing fully through the recess  116  of the first rail  12  and for selective engagement within a recess  118  formed in the second rail  14 . In practice, the blade assembly  108  is selectively mounted between the first rail  12  and the second rail  14  by passing the second end  114  of the blade housing  110  through the recess, or aperture,  116 , formed along the sidewall of the first rail  12 . The blade assembly  108  is further moved across the food deck  16  until the second end  114  of the blade assembly  108  seats within the recess  118  formed in the sidewall of the second rail  14  and the first end  112  of the blade housing  110  seats within the recess  116  formed in the sidewall of the first rail  12 . The first end  112  of the blade housing  110  and the second end  114  of the blade housing  110  are frictionally engaged within the recesses  116 ,  118  of the first and second rails  12 ,  14 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment, clips  119  on the first end  112  engage the recess  118  for selective attachment. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blade assembly  108  is provided with first and second parallel cutting blades  48 ,  48   a  along the forward edge and the rearward edge of the blade assembly  108 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the first parallel cutting blade  48  provides for a crinkle cut and the second parallel cutting blade  48   a  provides for a straight cut. As such, different cuts may be achieved by simply flipping the blade assembly  108  over. With this in mind, the first end  112  and the second end  114  of the blade assembly  108  must be symmetrically constructed to allow for switching between the parallel cutting blade  48  along the forward edge of the blade assembly  108  and the parallel cutting blade  48   a  along the rearward edge of the blade assembly  108 . As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the terms forward edge and rearward edge are relative terms given the fact the blade assembly may be flipped over altering which blade is actually functioning in cutting the food product passing there across. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , an angled orientation comfortable for the user of the present mandolin  10  is achieved by the provision of a first leg  22  and a second leg  24  depending from the first rail  12  and the second rail  14  adjacent the distal end  46  of the food deck  16  for supporting the food deck  16  at a desired angular orientation. The first leg  22  and the second leg  24  are pivotally supported by the first rail  12  and the second rail  14  for movement between an extended use orientation and an aligned storage orientation. First and second forward legs  150 ,  152  are also provided at the proximal end  106  of the food deck  16 . Each of these legs  150 ,  152  include a concave recess  154  for gripping a support member (not shown) and stabilizing the mandolin  10  during use. 
     Referring now in particular to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  6 , and  7 , the mandolin  10  is further provided with a slide  26  which is used to engage food products as they are moved along the food deck  16  in a manner described below in greater detail. As briefly mentioned above, the slide  26  includes a first end  120  shaped and dimensioned for riding upon the top end  32  of the first rail  12  and a second end  122  shaped and dimensioned for riding upon the top end  28  of the second rail  14 . As such, the first end  120  of the slide  26  includes a concave recess  124  shaped and dimensioned to conform with the convex surface  32  defined at the top end  28  of the first rail  12  and the second end  122  of the slide  26  includes a concave recess  126  shaped and dimensioned to conform with the convex surface  32  defined at the top end  28  of the second rail  14 . 
     A food support capsule  128  is mounted between the first end  120  and the second end  122  of the slide  26 . As will be discussed below, the capsule  128  is shaped and dimensioned for receiving food product and supporting the food product along a position such that the food product may be brought into engagement with the elongated parallel cutting blades  80  and the parallel cutting blade  48 . 
     The capsule  128  includes an outer housing  130 . The outer housing  130  of the capsule  128  is substantially cylindrical in shape and includes a first open end  132  and a second open end  134 . The first open end  132  is along the upper side  136  of the slide  26 , that is, the portion of the slide  26  which faces away from the food deck  16  during operation. A prong assembly  146  is secured at the first open end  132  for engagement with food products via downwardly extending prongs  147  and guidance of the compression member  142  via a central aperture  170  formed therein. The second open end  134  is positioned along the bottom surface  138  of the slide  26  and faces the food deck  16  during operation. 
     A series of the transverse slide cutting blades  140  are mounted within the outer housing  130  at a position adjacent the second open end  134  of the outer housing  130 . The transverse slide cutting blades  140  are mounted upon a support housing  141  which is selectively attached to the outer housing  130  at a portion adjacent the open second end  134 . For example, the support housing  141  is selectively screwed into position along the open second end  134  of the outer housing  130 . As a result, it is contemplated a plurality of interchangeable cutting blades may be provided, allowing one to selectively change blades depending upon a desired cut. The slide cutting blades  140  are oriented to extend from the first end  120  to the second end  122  of the slide  26  so as to cut food products along a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface  156  of the food deck  16  (when the slide  26  is positioned for operation adjacent the food deck  16 ) and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the food deck  16 . As such, the slide cutting blades  140  are oriented to cut food product as it is forced from the first open end  132  of the outer housing  130  to the second open end  134  of the outer housing  130 . After being cut by the slide cutting blades  140 , the food product is forced out of the second open end  134  of the outer housing  130  where it is cut by the transverse slide cutting blades  140  in a manner discussed below in greater detail. 
     The slide  26  is further provided with a compression member  142  that holds the food as it is positioned within the outer housing  130  and forces the food from the first open end  132  of the outer housing  130 , toward the second open end  134  of the outer housing  130  and through the slide cutting blades  140  at the first open end  132  of the outer housing  130 , causing cutting of the food product along the cutting edges defined by the slide cutting blades. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the blades  140  are mounted at an oblique angle relative to each other (see  FIGS. 5 ,  9 A,  11 A,  12 A, and  13 A). The obliquely oriented blades  140  allow for easier passage of the food therethrough. The compression member  142  is composed of a grip  144  and a plunger  148  directly engaging the food product and connected to the grip  144  via a central shaft  172 . 
     In practice, the food deck  16  is oriented with the elongated perpendicular cutting blades  80  in their use position extending upwardly through the slots  78  and the parallel blade  48  positioned to extend between the first rail  12  and the second rail  14 . Food product is then placed within the open second end  134  of the outer housing  130  with the compression member  142  in place and the slide cutting blades  140  removed to allow for placement of the food product within the outer housing  130 . With the food product within the outer housing  130 , the slide cutting blades  140  are positioned at the open second end  134  with the food product between the slide cutting blades  140  and the compression member  142 . The mandolin  10  is then set for the desired julienne, that is, the desired set of elongated perpendicular cutting blades  80   a,    80   b,    80   c  are selected by adjusting the handle  96  of the blade support assembly  82 , and the position of the second end  40  of the first food deck  18  is set by adjusting the handle  72  of the camming member  52  so the thickness of the cut made by the parallel cutting blade  48 ,  48   a  is properly set. 
     The slide  26  is then placed upon the first and second rails  12 ,  14  with the first end  120  of the slide  26  sitting upon the top end  28  of the first rail  12  and the second end  122  of the slide  26  sitting upon the top end  28  of the second rail  14  (see  FIGS. 8 and 8A ). Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 9A , the pressure from the compression member  142  will cause the food product stored within the outer housing  130  to push downwardly such that the food product crosses the slide cutting blades  140  creating a cut in the food product as shown at Cut  1  of  FIG. 9A . The food product is pushed downward until the exposed end hits the upper surface  156  of the food deck  16 . The slide  26  is then moved from the distal end  46  of the food deck  16  toward the proximal end  106  of the food deck  16 . As the food product is moved downwardly along the food deck  16 , the elongated parallel cutting blades  80  will cut, or score, the food product in a parallel direction, that is, parallel to the direction in which the food product is being moved along the food deck  16  creating cuts as shown in  FIG. 11A  (see also  FIGS. 10 and 11 ). With the food product now cut in first, x-direction and second, y-direction along planes perpendicular to the upper surface  156  of the food deck  16 , the food product is drawn across the parallel cutting blade  48  and cut along a plane which is substantially parallel to the plane in which the upper surface  156  of the food deck  16  lies to create the cut as shown with reference to in  FIG. 13A  along the z-direction (see also  FIGS. 12 and 13 ). As a result, the present mandolin  10  creates a 3-dimensional cut resulting in the dicing of the food product in a highly controlled and convenient manner. 
     The present mandolin may be manufactured from a variety of materials, for example, co-molded plastics. In addition, the present mandolin may be employed in cutting a wide variety of food products. 
     While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.