Abstract:
A corn removal device including a housing constructed to be held by a user&#39;s hand and adapted to be moved along a surface of an ear of corn. The housing defines a cavity and an opening that accesses the cavity. The corn removal device also includes a blade attached to the housing adjacent to the opening. The blade is adapted to remove corn kernels from the surface of the ear of corn and guide the corn kernels through the opening and into the cavity for storage.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Corn is a common ingredient in many recipes. Specifically, corn kernels are used to make a variety of foods, such as creamed corn and corn bread. In order to prepare such foods, the kernels on an ear of corn must be removed. At home, one way to remove the kernels from an ear of corn is to use a knife. A user holds the knife and moves the knife so that it cuts slightly behind the kernels along the surface of the ear of corn. Although this method accomplishes the task of removing the corn kernels, it tends to cut away part of the corn husk when the cut is too deep or partially remove the kernels when the cut is not deep enough. Some of the husk may be mixed in with the removed corn kernels which is not desirable. Furthermore, this method is dangerous as the user&#39;s fingers or hand may be cut by the knife during use. 
         [0002]    Corn strippers are tools which are designed to safely remove corn kernels from an ear of corn. Some corn strippers are free standing devices which have several inwardly facing cutting surfaces or blades. These corn strippers define a through hole that enables an ear of corn to be moved downward through the middle of the corn stripper to remove the kernels from the ear of corn. These types of corn strippers require the user to use both hands and are difficult to use. 
         [0003]    Another type of corn stripper is a handheld stripper which typically has a handle and a blade at one end of the handle. A user holds the handle and moves the blade along the outer surface of an ear of corn to scrape away or remove the kernels. Neither of the above-described corn strippers include a container to collect the kernels after they have been removed or cut away from the ear of corn. Instead, the kernels fall onto a surface such as that of a cutting board or countertop, and are then collected by the user. 
         [0004]    Certain corn strippers do have containers to store the removed kernels from the ears of corn. Such a container is attached to an outer surface of the corn stripper as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,326,873. However, the storage container either has to be removed or opened to remove the kernels and to clean the container. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there is a need for an improved corn removal device which enables a user to manipulate the corn removal device to remove corn kernels from an ear of corn while collecting the removed corn kernels. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed to a corn removal device which is holdable in a user&#39;s hand and which defines an internal compartment for storing corn kernels removed from an ear of corn. 
         [0007]    One embodiment provides a corn removal device including a housing constructed to be held by a user&#39;s hand and adapted to be moved along a surface of an ear of corn. The housing defines a cavity and an opening that accesses the cavity. The corn removal device includes a blade attached to the housing adjacent to the opening. The blade is adapted to remove corn kernels from the surface of the ear of corn and guide the corn kernels through the opening and into the cavity. 
         [0008]    In an embodiment, the housing includes a top member and a bottom member, where the top member is removably connected to the bottom member. 
         [0009]    In an embodiment, the top member defines a first slot at a first end of the housing and a second slot at an opposing second end of the housing, and the bottom member includes a first tab engagable with the first slot and a second tab engageable with the second slot, where the first tab engages the first slot and the second tab engages the second slot when the first and second members are connected together. 
         [0010]    In an embodiment, the housing includes a top member and a bottom member that are hingedly connected together, where the top member is pivotable between an open position and a closed position. 
         [0011]    In an embodiment, the housing includes a latch and an actuator associated with the latch. The latch is adapted to secure the top member to the bottom member and the actuator is operable to release the latch to move the top member to the open position. 
         [0012]    In an embodiment, the housing defines an additional opening to allow the corn kernels in the cavity to be removed by the user. 
         [0013]    In an embodiment, the housing includes at least one grip member. 
         [0014]    In an embodiment, the blade includes a serrated edge. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment, the housing includes a bottom surface defining a groove. 
         [0016]    Another embodiment provides a corn removal device movable along a surface of an ear of corn. The corn removal device includes a housing including a top member removably connected to a bottom member. The top and bottom members define a cavity and the bottom member defines an opening that accesses the cavity. The corn removal device also includes a blade attached to the bottom member adjacent to the opening. 
         [0017]    In an embodiment, the top member defines a first slot at a first end of the housing and a second slot at an opposing second end of the housing. The bottom member includes a first tab engagable with the first slot and a second tab engageable with the second slot, where the first tab engages the first slot and the second tab engages the second slot when the first and second members are connected together. 
         [0018]    In an embodiment, the top member and the bottom member are hingedly connected together. The top member is pivotable between an open position and a closed position. 
         [0019]    In an embodiment, the housing includes a latch and an actuator associated with the latch. The latch is adapted to secure the top member to the bottom member and the actuator is operable to release the latch to move the top member to the open position. 
         [0020]    In an embodiment, the top member defines an opening to allow the corn kernels in the cavity to be removed by the user. 
         [0021]    In an embodiment, the housing includes at least one grip member. 
         [0022]    In an embodiment, the blade includes a serrated edge. 
         [0023]    In an embodiment, the housing includes a bottom surface defining a groove. 
         [0024]    It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a corn removal device that is holdable in a user&#39;s hand and that has an internal compartment that stores corn kernels removed from an ear of corn. 
         [0025]    Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a corn removal device including a housing having a top member that is removable from a bottom member where the top member and bottom members join to define an internal compartment that stores corn kernels that have been removed from an ear of corn. 
         [0026]    A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a corn removal device including a bottom surface having a groove that corresponds to a surface of an ear of corn to allow the corn removal device to easily move along the surface of the ear of corn. 
         [0027]    Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps and processes. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the corn removal device of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the corn removal device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the corn removal device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the corn removal device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of the corn removal device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the corn removal device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the corn removal device of  FIG. 1  illustrating the top member of the housing separated from the bottom member of the housing. 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the corn removal device where the housing includes a top member that is pivotably connected to a bottom member. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    The present invention is directed to a corn removal device that includes a housing that defines an internal compartment and includes a blade where the housing is moved along a surface of an ear of corn and the blade removes corn kernels and guides them into the internal compartment of the housing for storage. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-7 , a corn removal device  100  of the present invention is illustrated wherein the corn removal device includes a body or housing  102  having a top member  104  and a bottom member  106 . The housing  102 , and more specifically, the top member  104  and the bottom member  106 , define a cavity, receptacle or internal compartment  107 . The internal compartment  107  stores corn kernels that have been removed from an ear of corn as described in more detail below. Bottom member  106  has a bottom surface  108  which includes a groove  110  and is contoured or shaped to correspond to the shape of the surface of an ear of corn. Specifically, the groove  110  has a rounded shape that corresponds to the generally, rounded outer surface of an ear of corn. A cutting member or blade  122  is attached to and extends generally outwardly from the bottom surface  108  of the bottom member  106 . In an embodiment, the blade has a serrated edge. It should be appreciated that the blade may have any suitable edge or cutting surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the blade  122  has a generally curved shape that corresponds with the curved shape of the groove  110 . This enables the blade  122  to closely engage the surface of an ear of corn. 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the bottom surface  108  and blade  122  are positioned to define a first opening  112  that provides access to the internal compartment  107 . The first opening  112  enables corn kernels that are removed by the blade  122  to be guided into or moved into the internal compartment  107  of the housing  102 . It should be appreciated that the opening  112  may be any suitable size and shape based on the overall size of the corn removal device  100  and the size of the corn kernels to be removed. 
         [0039]    In the illustrated embodiment, the top member  104  and the bottom member  106  of the housing  102  are removably connected together. Specifically, the bottom member  106  includes a first tab  114  at one end and a second tab  118  at an opposing second end. The tab  114  is made of a flexible, resilient material which enables it to flex forwardly and rearwardly. The top member  104  defines a first slot  116  and a second slot  120 . The slots  116  and  120  are of a size and shape that correspond to the size and shape of the ends of the first and second tabs  114  and  118 , respectively. The top member  104  and the bottom member  106  are joined together by placing the top member  104  on the bottom member  106  (see  FIG. 7 ), or vice versa, and moving the top member and bottom member together until the first tab  114  engages or snaps into the first slot  116  and the second tab  118  engages or snaps into the second slot  120 . 
         [0040]    To remove the top member from the bottom member, a user presses or pushes inwardly on the second tab  118  until the top member  104  is released from the bottom member  106  on that side of the housing  102 . The user then moves or pivots the top member  104  upwardly away from the bottom member  106  which causes the first tab  114  to disengage from the first slot  116 . The top and bottom members are now removed from each other or separated so that the corn removal device  100  can be easily cleaned or so that the corn kernels stored in the internal compartment  107  can be easily removed such as by tilting the container and dumping the corn kernels in a bowl or other container. It should be appreciated that any suitable connector, connectors or connection methods may be used to join the top member and the bottom member of the housing. 
         [0041]    In an embodiment, the housing  102 , and more specifically, the top member  104 , defines a second opening  113 . The second opening  113  is a generally circular-shaped opening which enables the corn kernels that have been removed from an ear of corn and that are stored in the internal compartment  107  to be removed from the corn removal device  100  without having to separate the top and bottom members. In use, the user simply tilts the corn removal device  100  on end so that the corn kernels stored in the internal compartment  107  fall out of the internal compartment through the second opening  113  and onto a plate or container. It should be appreciated that the second opening  113  may be any suitable size and shape. 
         [0042]    In an embodiment, the housing  102  includes at least one grip member or grip  121  that is positioned on a side of and is integrally formed with the housing  102 . Specifically, the grips  121  are protruding surfaces which generally extend from the sides of the top member  104 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a first grip member or grip  121  is positioned on one side of the housing  102  and another grip member or grip  121  is positioned on an opposing side of the housing  102 . The grips  121  are shown as generally elongated oval-shaped members but many be any suitable size and shape. In use, a user places one or more fingers of their hand on one or more grips  121  as the user grasps or holds the corn removal device  100 . The grips  121  makes the corn removal device  100  easier to hold and manipulate. 
         [0043]    In all of the above embodiments, the corn removal device, and more specifically, all the parts of the corn removal device, are made of a suitable, durable material such as a plastic or plastics. The different components of the corn removal device would be injection molded and then connected together as necessary to form the corn removal device  100 . 
         [0044]    In use, a user grasps or holds the housing  102  by positioning his/her hand over the top of the housing  102  so that certain of the fingers engage grip  121  on one side of the housing, and their other fingers (i.e., their thumb) engage the grip  121  on the other side of the housing to firmly hold the housing  102 . The user then positions the bottom surface  108  of the corn removal device over or on a surface of an ear of corn. Specifically, the groove  110  is configured or shaped to correspond to and engage the surface of the ear of corn. The corn removal device  100  is then moved along the surface of the ear of corn so that the blade  122  removes the corn kernels from the ear of corn. As the blade  122  cuts or removes the corn kernels from the ear of corn, the blade  122  also guides the removed corn kernels into the internal compartment or cavity  107  to be stored for later use. When the user is finished cutting and/or removing the corn kernels from the ear of corn, the user separates the top member from the bottom member by pressing on tab  118  to disengage it from the slot  120 . (see  FIG. 7 ) The top member is pivoted upwardly away from the bottom member  106  to release the first tab  114  from the first slot  116 . After the top member and bottom member are separated, the user can scoop up the corn kernels that were removed from the ear of corn or tilt the housing to dump the corn kernels onto a plate or into a storage container. 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , another embodiment of a corn removal device  200  is illustrated where the corn removal device includes a housing  202  having a top member  204  and a bottom member  206  that are pivotably connected together. The top and bottom members  204  and  206  are not completely removable or separable from each other. Instead, a hinge assembly  208  having a hinge  210  is connected to the top and bottom members at one end of the housing  102 . The hinge  210  enables the top member  204  to be pivoted or moved away from the bottom member  206  so that a user can access the cavity or internal compartment of the housing. Specifically, the bottom member  206  includes tab  212  and the top member  204  defines a slot  214  where the tab  212  engages the slot  214  when the top member  204  and bottom member  206  are pivoted into engagement with each other. To release the top member  204  from the bottom member  206  (so that the top member can pivot to an opened position), a user simply presses or pushes inwardly on the tab  212  to disengage it from the slot  214 . This allows the top member  204  to move outwardly away from the bottom member  206 . 
         [0046]    As described above, the corn removal device  100  of the present invention enables a user to securely and safely hold the corn removal device  100  in their hand and move it along a surface of an ear of corn to efficiently and effectively remove the corn kernels from the ear of corn. The corn removal device  100  also enables the removed corn kernels to be stored in a compartment for removal at a later time. This enables the user to more easily and efficiently remove corn kernels from an ear of corn because they don&#39;t have to deal with assembling or handling the different components or parts of traditional corn strippers which can be burdensome and difficult to use. 
         [0047]    While the present invention is described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, and is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims. Modifications and variations in the present invention may be made without departing from the novel aspects of the invention as defined in the claims, and this application is limited only by the scope of the claims.