Patent Publication Number: US-8991291-B2

Title: Multiple slicing device

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure is generally related to food processing devices, and more particularly, to a multiple slicing device manually operable to simultaneously slice food items into multiple pieces. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Slicing food items has long been important in consumption and preparation of food. Some items are often sliced in multiple pieces for immediate consumption, such as a variety of fruits. Food items that serve as ingredients for other foods are also often sliced to a suitable size for being cooked with other ingredients. Other slicing applications include slicing food items to particularly sized or shaped pieces for aesthetic appearance or creating aesthetic patterns. Conventional methods and devices for cutting or slicing food items are time-consuming and/or complicated. A common conventional method is to use a single blade cutting device such as a knife. However, this method is time-consuming. It is also difficult to obtain substantially identical slices using a knife, which may be desirable for aesthetic or functional purposes. In addition, a knife cannot be used to simultaneously slice a piece of food into multiple pieces. 
     Other devices have included electric powered and manual devices with complicated mechanisms that require two hands to operate and/or make it difficult to control the size or shape of the slices. These devices are also time-consuming to clean and expensive to repair. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a multiple slicing device according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a working portion and a portion of a frame of the multiple slicing device of  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is another isometric view of the working portion and the portion of the frame of  FIG. 2 , according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 4A  is a top plan view of the multiple slicing device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of the multiple slicing device of  FIG. 4A  viewed along Section  4 B- 4 B, illustrating the device in a first state, with a food item placed in a receptacle of the device before being sliced. 
         FIG. 4C  is a cross-sectional view of the multiple slicing device of  FIG. 4A  viewed along Section  4 C- 4 C, illustrating the device in a second state, with the food item from  FIG. 4B  sliced into multiple pieces. 
         FIGS. 5A-5C  illustrate a multiple slicing device according to another embodiment and first and second cutting elements that can be alternatively used with the multiple slicing device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a slicing device  100  according to one embodiment. The slicing device  100  is manually operable to allow a user simultaneously divide a food item into multiple pieces using one hand, for example into parallel sliced and equally thick slices. In one embodiment, the slicing device  100  includes a frame  102  and a working portion  104  operatively coupled with respect to the frame  102 . The frame  102  includes a housing  105  forming a receptacle  106  sized and shaped to receive a food item, such as mushrooms, banana, tofu, avocado, cheese or any other food item that the user intends to slice into multiple pieces. 
     The frame  102  further includes a first handle  112  extending from a first portion of the housing  105 . In one embodiment, the first handle  112  is fixedly coupled or attached to the housing  105 , or is formed from a unitary body of material with the housing  105 . The frame  102  further includes a base  110 , which can be an integral portion of the housing  105 , or it can be a separate component removably or fixedly coupled to the housing  105 . The base  110  can be positioned or located toward a second portion of the housing  105 , spaced from the first portion from which the first handle  112  extends. 
     The multiple slicing device  100  further includes a plurality of cutting elements  108  spaced apart from each other at equal or non-equal distances. In one aspect, the cutting elements  108  are fixedly coupled to the frame  102  toward the base  110 . In one aspect, the cutting elements  108  are directly coupled to the base  110 , the base  110  acting as a frame for the cutting elements  108 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the base  110  includes an opening  107 , the cutting elements  108  being mounted to extend across the opening  107  and extending parallel to one another and/or mounted with substantially equal spacing therebetween. In other embodiments, the cutting elements  108  can be non-parallel and/or be spaced at unequal distances with respect to each other. 
     The cutting elements  108  can include any structure or feature that facilitates cutting of food items, for example, mushrooms, tofu, avocado or other fruits, such as kiwi, when the food item is urged against the cutting elements  108 . For example, the cutting elements  108  can include blades fabricated from a metallic material, or they can be strings or wires made from fabric, plastic, a metal, a combination thereof, or any other suitable material. Other cutting structures and material used to fabricate the cutting elements  108  are contemplated to fall within the scope of the present disclosure and the claims that follow. 
     The working portion  104  of the slicing device  100  is more clearly illustrated in  FIG. 2 , with the housing  105  removed for clarity of illustration and description. The working portion  104  includes a forcing member  114  and a second handle  116 . The second handle  116  is configured to be moved toward the first handle  112 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the second handle  116  is rotatably or pivotably coupled to the frame  102  via a pin  119  and configured to be rotated about a first axis  117 . At least a first surface  118  of the forcing member  114  forms a portion of, or is positioned adjacent to, the receptacle  106  ( FIG. 1 ). The forcing member  114  is pivotably coupled to a portion of the frame  102  ( FIG. 1 ). In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the forcing member  114  is pivotably coupled to the base  110 , and movement of the second handle  116  toward the first handle  112  causes the forcing member  114  to pivot with respect to the frame  102  and in a space defined by the receptacle  106 , toward the cutting elements  108 . 
     When the food item is placed in the receptacle  106 , moving the second handle  116  toward the first handle  112  urges the forcing member  114  against the food item, forcing the food item against the cutting elements  108 , which slice through the food item, simultaneously dividing the food item into multiple pieces. In one aspect, at least the first surface  118  of the forcing member  114  includes elongated recesses  120 . The recesses  120  allow a portion of the forcing member, including the first surface  118 , to move between the cutting elements  108  as the forcing member  114  pushes the food item past the cutting elements  108 . The recesses  120  are sized and shaped to receive the cutting elements  108  after they cut through the food item, to ensure thorough slicing or cutting of the food item. In some embodiments, some or all of the elongated recesses  120  extend through an entire thickness of at least a portion of the forcing member  114 . 
     In one embodiment, the working portion  102  further includes a cam mechanism  122  to convert movement of the second handle  116  toward the first handle  112  into movement of the forcing member  114  toward the cutting elements  108 , and to collapse the forcing member  114  toward the cutting elements  108 . In one embodiment, the cam mechanism  122  includes an elongated cam member  124  (best viewed in  FIG. 4   c ) slidably coupled to a slotted cam member  126 . The slotted cam member  126  is fixedly coupled to, or forms a portion of, the forcing member  114 . In some embodiments, the slotted cam member  126  can be formed from a unitary body of material with the forcing member  114 , for example, as an extension to the forcing member  114 , extending rearwardly. The forcing member  114  and/or the slotted cam member  126  can be pivotably coupled to the frame  102  proximate or adjacent a location where the cutting elements  108  are mounted. 
     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the forcing member  114  is pivotably coupled to the base  110  toward one end of the base  110 , to pivot about a second axis  127 . Therefore, the forcing member  114  and the slotted cam member  126  can pivot toward the cutting elements  108  as one unit. 
     The elongated cam member  124  can include a first gear  128  toward a first end  138  thereof. In one aspect, the first gear  128  is rotatably coupled to the frame  102  such that rotation of the first gear  128  rotates or pivots the elongated cam member  124  about a third axis  130 . The first gear  128  is operatively coupled to a complementary second gear  132  positioned toward an end of the second handle  116 . The first and second gears  128 ,  132  can be operatively coupled via complementary teeth formed on the first and second gears  128 ,  132 , respectively. The second gear  132  can be fixedly coupled to, or formed from a unitary body of material with, the second handle  116 . 
     In one embodiment, the elongated cam member  124  is slidably coupled to the slotted cam member  126 . For example, the elongated cam member  124  can include a protrusion  134  and the slotted cam member  124  can include a slot  136  slidably receiving the protrusion  134 . The protrusion  134  is spaced from the third axis  130  about which the elongated cam member  124  rotates or pivots. 
     In one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , when the user grips the first and second handles  112 ,  116 , and urges the second handle  116  toward the first handle  112  in a first radial direction  142 , the second gear  132  rotates the first gear  128  in a second radial direction  144 , opposite the first radial direction  142 . Because the first gear  128  is either fixedly coupled to, or formed from a unitary body of material with, the elongated cam member  124 , the first gear  128  rotates the elongated cam member  124  about the third axis  130  in the second direction  144 . The elongated cam member  124  is mounted such that its movement is substantially limited to rotation about the third axis  130 . Therefore, rotation of the elongated cam member  124  results in the protrusion  134  sliding along, and bearing against, a portion of the slot  136  of the slotted cam member  126 . 
     In one aspect, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the elongated cam member  124  is rotatably mounted toward the first end  138  thereof, while the protrusion  134  is formed toward a second end  140  of the elongated cam member  124 . Furthermore, the elongated cam member  124  can be mounted such that its movement is substantially limited to rotation about the third axis  130 , for example, by being fixedly coupled to a pin  131  that is rotatably coupled with respect to the frame  102 . Therefore, as the elongated cam member  124  rotates, it gains leverage from its axially and laterally fixed pivot point, such as the pin  131 , and the protrusion  134  slides in the slot  136 , exerting a force on at least a first surface  146  of the slot  136  and urging the slotted cam member  126 , and therefore, the forcing member  114  toward the cutting elements  108 . 
     Since the slotted cam member  126  is fixedly coupled to or formed from a unitary body of material with the forcing member  114 , movement of the slotted cam member  126  urges the forcing member  114  to pivot about the second axis  127 , the forcing member  114  moving toward the cutting elements  108 . Therefore, when a food item is placed in the receptacle  106 , moving the second handle  116  toward the first handle  112 , pivots the forcing member  114 , which in turn pushes against the food item, urging it against the cutting elements  108 . As the forcing member  114  continues to push against the food item, the cutting elements  108  slice through the food item, dividing it into multiple pieces that can be respectively shaped in accordance with a pattern according to which the cutting elements  108  are mounted, formed or arranged. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in some embodiments, the elongated cam member  124  can extend between two slotted cam members  126 , having respective slots  136 . The elongated cam member  124  can, in turn, include two opposing protrusions  134 , one of which is shown in  FIG. 3 . The two protrusions  134  slidably engage the two slots  136 , respectively, providing for added leverage and a smoother movement of the forcing member  114 . 
     The following discussion describes in more detail transition of the working portion  104  between a first, erected state, illustrated in  FIG. 4B , and a second, collapsed state, illustrated in  FIG. 4C . As illustrated in  FIG. 4B , before actuation of the second handle  116  toward the first handle  112 , the forcing member  114  is in the first, erected state, allowing the user to place a food item  109  in the receptacle  106  formed by the housing  105 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4C , the second handle  116  is moved toward the first handle  112  by being rotated in the first radial direction  142  about the first axis  117 . Movement of the second handle  116  has rotated the elongated cam member  124  in the second radial direction  144 , opposed to the first radial direction  142 , about the third axis  130 . Through this motion, the protrusions  134  slide along the slots  136 , respectively, and against at least one surface  146  of the respective slots  136 , from the position shown in  FIG. 4B  to the position shown in  FIG. 4C , to move the forcing member  114  toward the cutting elements  108  and simultaneously slice the food item  109  into multiple piece  111 . 
     The forcing member  114  is pivoted in response to a force F exerted on it by the protrusion  134 . The forcing member  114  pivots as a result of a moment applied thereto, the magnitude of which is proportional to the force F and a distance D between the protrusion  134  and the location at which the forcing member  114  is pivotably mounted along a direction perpendicular to a direction of the force F. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 4B and 4C , the forcing member  114  is pivotably mounted, for example, via a pin  133  rotatably mounted to the base  110  and extending along the second axis  127 . Because the protrusion  134  slides along the slot  136 , the distance D increases as the protrusion  134  slides from the first, erected state shown in  FIG. 4B  toward the second, collapsed state shown in  FIG. 4C . Accordingly, the moment acting on the forcing member  114  increases in magnitude as the protrusion  134  slides along the slot  136 . Therefore, the protrusion  134  more effectively leverages the forcing member  114  against its axially and laterally fixed pivot point or component, such as the third pin  133 , to push the forcing member  114  against the food item  109  with increasing moment, and efficiently slice the food item  109  into multiple pieces as the food item  109  is cut by the cutting elements  108 . 
     In addition, this configuration allows the user to easily use one hand to grip the first and second handles  112 ,  116 , and rotate the second handle  116  toward the first handle  112 . The user can apply an approximately constant force to move the second handle  116  toward the first handle  112  while the moment on the forcing member  114  increases. Alternatively, the user can apply less force as the second handle  116  is moved toward the first handle  112  while the moment on the forcing member  114  remains substantially unaffected. Therefore, food items can be sliced or otherwise processed through cutting elements  108  without requiring excessive force. This configuration also improves the useful life of the device  100  because its components are subjected to more moderate forces during the operation, substantially preventing premature deterioration of the components. 
     As the cutting elements  108  cut into the thickness of the food item  109 , the resistance of the food item  109  against movement of the forcing member  114  toward the cutting elements  108  may tend to increase depending on the type of food item desired to be sliced. The multiple slicing device  100  is particularly useful in slicing food items that may impose such resistance because it is configured to increase the moment on the forcing member  114  to counteract and overcome any cutting resistance which may be encountered. 
     In one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4B and 4C , the slicing device  100  includes a biasing member  145  positioned between the second handle  116  and a portion of the frame  102 , such as a portion of the first handle  112 . The biasing member  145  acts to return the second handle  116  and with it, the forcing member  114  to their respective original positions, before actuation of the second handle  116 , for cleaning the multiple slicing device  100  or placing another food item in the receptacle  106 . In one embodiment, the biasing member  145  includes a coiled portion  147  and first and second extensions  148 ,  150  respectively engaging the first and second handles  112 ,  116 . The coiled portion  147  can be wound around the pin  119 , which in turn is rotatably mounted to the frame  102  and fixedly coupled to the second handle  116 . Other embodiments can incorporate any other type of biasing member that urges the second handle  116  toward its original position after being activated and released. 
     Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 4B and 4C , the slot  136  is an elongated arcuate slot. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the slot  136  can have any other shape that facilitates sliding engagement between the elongated cam member  124  and the slotted cam member  126 . Moreover, the slotted cam member  126  and/or the elongated cam member  124  can include any other configuration that provides for a portion of the elongated cam member  124  to slide along a portion of the slotted cam member  126 , and pivot the forcing member  114  toward the cutting elements  108 , to achieve efficient slicing or processing of food items as discussed above. 
     One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the first and second handles  112 ,  116  can be modified in different embodiments, for achieving various configurations of manipulating the working portion  104 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 4B and 4C , the second handle  112  includes a recess  129  so that when the user places the first handle  112  in the user&#39;s palm, at least one finger can be placed in the recess  129  to ergonomically force the second handle  116  toward the first handle  112 . This and other ergonomic features of the first and/or second handles  112 ,  116 , and of other components, are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure and the claims that follow. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the first and second handles  112 ,  116  may be smaller and configured to be engaged with two fingers to move one handle toward the other handle. 
     Additionally, although in the foregoing embodiments movement of the first handle  112  is not discussed, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that either or both handles  112 ,  116  may be mounted to pivot or rotate with respect to the frame  102 . For example, in one embodiment, the teeth of the first gear  128  at the end of the elongated cam member  124  can extend further about the first gear  128 , than that shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . In such an embodiment, the first handle  112  can include a third gear (not shown), and be pivotably or rotatably mounted to the frame  102 , similar to the above-described second handle  116 . Furthermore, the third gear can be operatively coupled to a portion of the first gear  128  via an intervening gear (not shown). In this manner movement of the first handle  112  toward the second handle  116  in the second direction  144  ( FIG. 3 ) will pivot the elongated cam member  124  in the second direction  144 . 
     In such an embodiment, the second handle  116  can be fixedly mounted without being operatively coupled to the elongated cam member  124  via a gear mechanism. Alternatively, the second handle  116  can be operatively coupled to the elongated cam member  124  as described above, and both handles  112 ,  116  can contribute to pivoting the elongated cam member  124  as they are forced toward each other. 
     Furthermore, the cutting elements  108  can be arranged in any pattern. In some embodiments, the cutting element or elements can be formed to slice or process the food item into particular shapes or forms. 
     For example,  FIG. 5  illustrates a slicing device  200  according to another embodiment having similar features as those described above and configured to receive various cutting elements such as the illustrated first and second cutting plates  246 ,  248 . The first and second cutting plates  246 ,  248  each include one or more cutouts  250 ,  252 , which can have various shapes or resemble figures or characters such as letters in an alphabet. This embodiment may be useful for pastry applications including sizing pastry pieces for primary pastry items or for decoration added to primary pastry items. Furthermore, such cutting plates can be useful for processing other food items to achieve desired shapes to provide an aesthetic appeal to a dish. Edges of the cutouts  250 ,  252  can be sharp and/or be slightly raised to facilitate cutting or slicing the food item at the boundary of the respective cutouts  250 ,  252 . The base  210  of the frame  202  can include a coupling feature configured to be removably coupled to the cutting plates  242 ,  244 , or to other cutting elements, to allow removing and replacing the cutting plates  246 ,  248  to switch between slicing or cutting patterns or to replace worn cutting plates. 
     Furthermore, a first surface  218  of the forcing member  214  can include protrusions  220  shaped and sized substantially similar to corresponding cutouts  250 ,  252 , to force the cut or sliced portion of the food item through the cutouts  250 ,  252  as the forcing member  214  descends toward the cutting plates  246 ,  248 . The protrusions  220  can be formed on a sheet that is removably coupled to the forcing member  214  to form the first surface  218  so that the sheet can be removed and replaced with another sheet having protrusions, which correspond to the cutouts of a cutting plate that is desired to be used. 
     All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments. 
     These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.