Abstract:
An apparatus for slicing fruits, vegetables and other food items into slices of varying thickness is designed to work in combination with the user&#39;s own kitchen knives rather than having a preinstalled fixed blade of limited operable life span. The apparatus includes means for properly orienting and securing knife blades of a variety of shapes and sizes within the apparatus as well as safety features to prevent accidental injury.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject invention relates to food preparation devices generally, and more particularly to a hand-held apparatus for safely and efficiently cutting food articles such as fruits and vegetables into slices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Fruit and vegetable slicers of the hand-held and manually operated variety provide an efficient means of quickly cutting fruits and vegetables into slices for immediate consumption or use in cooking. Such slicers typically comprise a pivotable slide plate across which the food article is passed reciprocally while striking a transverse cutting blade for cutting the article into slices. 
     While most such slicing devices are effective in carrying out their primary purpose, namely providing a means for rapidly slicing food articles with a minimum of effort, they also commonly suffer from similar shortcomings and limitations. For example, a common shortcoming is that the cutting blade, which is not removable, ultimately becomes dull and/or rusted resulting in the entire apparatus going unused or being discarded. Replacing the apparatus with a new one with any frequency becomes cost prohibitive often resulting in the user performing the task manually with a kitchen knife. This, of course, is undesirable because the task is time and labor intensive. 
     Another problem associated with slicers of the prior art is that the pivotable slide plate on which the article to be cut is guided sags when pressure is exerted on the article during the sliding process. This often results in the creation of slices that are not uniform in thickness, and in some instances, results in breakage of the apparatus because the height adjustable slide plate is not properly supported. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a slicing apparatus for fruits and vegetables wherein the cutting blade is easily replaceable and the height-adjustable slide plate is adequately supported. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above referenced objects and advantages are achieved by the subject invention which, very generally, is a slicing apparatus adapted for manual use in both home and commercial kitchens for slicing fruits, vegetables and other food items into slices of varying thickness. The food processing apparatus of the subject invention is designed to work in combination with the user&#39;s own kitchen knives rather than having a preinstalled fixed blade of limited operable life span. The apparatus includes means for properly orienting and securing knife blades of a variety of shapes and sizes within the apparatus as well as safety features to prevent accidental injury. A pivotable slide plate supports the food items to be sliced, and the slide plate is supported by a transverse support member that prevents it from sagging to assure consistent slice thickness and to mitigate against breakage that occurs in manual slicing apparatus of the prior art. The support member also serves as the height adjustment means for the pivotable slide plate for adjusting the height of the slide plate relative to the cutting blade. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes mounting means for mounting the apparatus across the top of bowls and the like for collection of the food slices. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technica disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is, therefore, a primary object of the subject invention to provide a manually operated kitchen apparatus for safely slicing fruits, vegetables and other foods into slices of varying thickness, the apparatus being designed to work in combination with a variety of differently sized and shaped kitchen knives. 
     Another primary object of the subject invention is to provide a kitchen apparatus for safely slicing fruits, vegetables and other foods into slices of varying thickness, the apparatus including a food support platform or “sliding tray” that is both height adjustable and adequately supported to prevent sagging or breakage. 
     It is another primary object of the subject invention to provide a slicing apparatus that is fabricated from materials that are durable, corrosion-resistant, and non-absorbent. 
     Another object of the subject invention is to provide a slicing apparatus that is fabricated from materials that are sufficient in weight and thickness to withstand repeated warewashing. 
     Another object of the subject invention is to provide a slicing apparatus that is fabricated from materials that may be finished to possess smooth, easily cleanable surfaces. 
     Still another object of the subject invention is to provide a slicing apparatus that is fabricated from materials that are resistant to pitting, chipping, crazing, scratching, scoring, distortion and decomposition. 
     Still another object of the subject invention is to provide a slicing apparatus designed with limited sharp internal angles, corners, and crevices which could retain moisture, bacteria, molds and other deleterious substances. 
     Another object of the subject invention is to provide a slicing apparatus that is relatively simple in design and therefore capable of rapid construction at relatively low costs. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the subject slicing apparatus shown with a variety of kitchen knives mountable within the apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the slicing apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is plan view of the slicing apparatus of  FIG. 1  with a kitchen knife inserted therein and with knife blade locking means in a retracted position; 
         FIG. 4  is a an enlarged view of a knife blade orientation means of the subject slicing apparatus 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of the slicing apparatus of  FIG. 3  with the knife blade locking means shown in a deployed position; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged side sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5  and illustrating the orientation of a knife blade relative to the adjustable slide plate; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged side sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5  and illustrating a slide plate support and height adjustment rod; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the subject slicing apparatus in use with a common kitchen knife; 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view of another embodiment of the subject slicing apparatus having means for mounting to a bowl; and 
         FIG. 10  is a side elevation view of the slicing apparatus of Figure shown mounted to a kitchen bowl. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     At the outset, it should be clearly understood that like reference numerals are intended to identify the same structural elements, portions or surfaces consistently throughout the several drawings figures, as such elements, portions or surfaces may be further described or explained by the entire written specification, of which this detailed description is an integral part. Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read (e.g., cross-hatching, arrangement of parts, proportion, degree, etc.) together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description of this invention. In addition, certain terms are used throughout such as “top”, “upper”, “lower”, “bottom”, “lateral”, and the like. These terms are used in order to establish an effective frame of reference when referring to the accompanying drawings. These terms, however, should not be regarded as limiting with regard to the intended scope of the present invention, except where specifically indicated. 
     Reference is made to  FIGS. 1 and 2  in which there are illustrated plan and perspective views, respectively, of a preferred embodiment of the subject food slicing apparatus designated generally by reference numeral  10 . Slicing apparatus  10  is comprised of four primary components, namely a frame body  12 , a food support plate  14  attached to frame body  12  and upon which a food item is supported during the slicing operation, blade receiving means associated with frame body  12  for receiving and transversely positioning a blade  102  of a kitchen knife  100  through frame body  12 , and blade securing means for securing the blade  102  within frame body  12 . 
     Frame body  12  is preferably but not essentially of four-sided construction having a pair of parallel longitudinal frame members  12   a , 12   b  joined together at one end by proximal cross member  12   c  and at the opposite end by distal cross member  12   d . Together, longitudinal frame members  12   a , 12   b , proximal cross member  12   c  and distal cross member  12   d  define frame opening  16 . Frame body  12 , therefore, has a proximal end  18  and a distal end  20 . A handle  22  is attached to proximal end  18  for handling the apparatus during use as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that other types of handles or means for grasping the apparatus may be employed. For instance, in another embodiment, proximal cross member  12   c  may be modified with a horizontal slotted opening (not shown) through which the fingers may be inserted for grasping the slicing apparatus  10  in a design and manner well known in the art. 
     Food support plate  14  has a proximal end  14   a  and a distal end  14   b  and occupies a portion of opening  16  at proximal end  18  of apparatus  10 . Proximal end  14   a  of food support plate  14  is in near abutting relationship with proximal cross member  12   c  and is preferably pivotally mounted in normally coplanar alignment with frame body  12  and is pivotable about an axis of rotation  24  that is parallel with proximal cross member  12   c . In one embodiment, support plate  14  includes left and right support pins  26   a,b  projecting laterally from proximal end  14   a  of support plate along axis of rotation  24 , the pins being inserted into corresponding left and right bores  28   a,b  disposed within left and right longitudinal members  12   a,b , respectively, to form a hinge. Here again, those skilled in the art will recognize that other pivotal mounting means may be employed. With additional reference now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , it may be appreciated that, once pivotably mounted, food support plate  14  is capable of pivotal rotation about axis of rotation  24  along arc of rotation  30  such that distal end  14   b  of food support plate  14  may be rotated downwardly below the plane of knife blade  102  when mounted within frame body  14  as described below to adjust the thickness of food slices in a manner well known in the art 
     The distal end  14   b  of food support plate  14  is preferably formed at an angle relative to axis of rotation  24  such that food support plate  14  possesses a trapezoidal shape. In order to support the distal end  14   b  of food support plate  14  and to prevent its downward rotation beyond a selected degree of rotation, a transverse support rod  32  extends through transverse bore  34  in left longitudinal member  12   a , across opening  16  and into at least a portion of right longitudinal member  12   b  to provide a support upon which distal end  14   b  of food support  14  rests under gravity. Support rod  32  includes a first end  32   a  projecting outwardly from left longitudinal member  12   a  a distance sufficient for grasping and rotating the rod and may be adapted with a knob  36  to facilitate turning. Support rod  32  further includes a second end  32   b  that is journaled within an aperture  38  disposed within right longitudinal frame member  12   b . In order to adjust the angle of rotation of food support plate  14  about axis of rotation  24  and relative to frame body  12 , support rod may possess an irregular cross-sectional shape to form a cam upon which food support plate  14  rests. In one embodiment, support rod may have a plurality of radial teeth  38   a,b,c,d  each extending a different distance from its surface. As should be readily understood by those skilled in the art, axial rotation of support rod  32  permits incremental height adjustment of food support plate  14  relative to cutting blade  102  when mounted in the subject food slicing apparatus  10  ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ). In this manner, the versatility of the apparatus is improved to allow slicing of a food product into thin shavings or relatively thick slices. 
     In another embodiment, support rod  32  can have an eccentric disc or other cross-sectional shape that produces a smooth reciprocating height adjustment when the rod is rotated. Note that the placement of support rod  32  across the entire width of the distal end  14   b  of food support plate  14  will prevent sagging and mitigate against breakage. 
     With reference now being made in particular to  FIG. 2 , the remaining two primary components of the subject slicing apparatus  10  will be described, namely blade receiving means associated with frame body  12  for receiving and transversely positioning a blade  102  of a kitchen knife  100  through frame body  12 , and blade securing means for securing the blade  102  within frame body  12 . With respect to the former, in one embodiment, blade receiving means is comprised of left and right slots  40   a,b , disposed through the sides of corresponding left and right longitudinal frame members  12   a,b , respectively, and extending longitudinally from distal cross member  12   d  to the distal end  14   b  of food support plate  14 , and sized and shaped to receive axially therethrough the blade portion  102  of a variety of kitchen knives  100  including, but not limited to, boning knives, bread knives, carving knives, cheese knives, chef&#39;s knives, clevers, filet knives, pairing knives, santoku knives and steak knives. For operation, the knife blade  102  is inserted axially through left slot  40   a  of left longitudinal frame member  12   a , across opening  16  and through at least a portion of slot  40   b  of right longitudinal member  12   b  and oriented so that its cutting edge  104  faces proximal end  18  of frame body  12  as best observed in  FIG. 3 . Thusly positioned, cutting edge  104  is in near abutting relationship with the distal end  14   b  of support plate  14  when the latter is rotated about its axis of rotation to be parallel to the plane of frame body  12 . Each slot  40   a,b  has a proximal end  42  located in proximity to the distal end  14   b  of food support plate  14 , and a distal end  44  located in proximity to distal end  20  of frame body  12 . As best observed in  FIG. 4 , proximal ends  42  of slots  40   a,b  are tapered upwardly moving from distal end  20  to proximal end  18  from the bottom  46  of each slot to the top  48  thereof to form left and right blade positioning ramps  50   a,b  which serve to properly orient the cutting edge  104  of the inserted knife blade  102  in substantially parallel alignment with, and near abutting relation to, distal edge  52  of food support plate  14 . As a safety feature, when support rod  32  is adjusted to place food support plate in a horizontal or “safe” position, ramps  50   a,b  assure that cutting edge  104  is oriented between top surface  54  and bottom surface  56  of food support plate  14  which acts to shield the blade edge and prevent accidental cuts of the user&#39;s hands or fingers. 
     In order to safely secure knife  100  in slicing apparatus  10  blade securing means are provided. In one embodiment, blade securing means comprises transverse member  58  having a left end  58   a  slidably received within left slot  40   a  of left longitudinal frame member  12   a  and a right end  58   b  slidably received within right slot  40   b  of right longitudinal frame member  12   b . Transverse member  58  further includes a leading edge  58   c  facing the proximal end  18  of frame body  12  and a trailing edge  58   d  facing the distal end  20  of frame body  12 . Blade securing means further includes adjustment means for adjusting the position of transverse member  58  proximally and distally within slots  40   a,b , and, more importantly, for applying a force on transverse member  58  in the proximal direction for biasing leading edge  58   c  against the spine  106  of a blade  102  until blade edge  104  is trapped against left and right blade stops  45  formed by the junction of ramps  5003  and slot tops  48  ( FIGS. 4 and 6 ). In one embodiment, transverse member adjustment means (hereinafter “adjustment means”) is comprised of a threaded adjustment rod  60  adjustably received within a reciprocally threaded aperture  62  extending through distal cross member  12   d , normal to its longitudinal axis Adjustment rod  60  terminates distally in knob  64  to facilitate its rotation within threaded aperture  62 , and terminates proximally in connection means for pivotable connection to the midpoint of trailing edge  58   d  of transverse member  58  such that transverse member  58  is permitted to rotate about attachment pin  66  along arc  68  in order that apparatus  10  may accommodate knives having different blade profiles (i.e., different angles of orientation between blade spine  106  and blade cutting edge  104 ). More specifically, pivotability of transverse member  58  assures that its leading edge  58   c  will always lie flush with the spine  106  of a blade  102  when mounted within the subject slicing apparatus  10 , regardless of the angle of orientation of spine  106  relative to cutting edge  104 , thereby assuring blade  102  is securely locked in place for use. Attachment pin  66  is perpendicular to axis of rotation  24  of food support plate  14  and is disposed through transverse member  58  and adjustment rod  60  connecting the two together about a common axis of rotation. Referring to  FIG. 5  it may be appreciated that rotation of adjustment rod  60  in one direction illustrated by directional arrow  72  causes adjustment rod  60  and the attached transverse member  58  to slide proximally as illustrated by directional arrow  70  within slots  40   a,b  until leading edge  58   e  engages the spine  106  of blade  102 . Rotation continues until the blade&#39;s cutting edge  104  is biased against blade stops  45  of slots  40   a,b  locking the blade in place. Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 6 , leading edge  58   c  of transverse member  58  may be adapted with a longitudinal channel  74  sized to receive the spine  106  of the knife blade  102  to provide secure abutting engagement of blade  102  and transverse member  58 . 
     An additional safety feature of the subject slicing apparatus  10  is the inclusion of a flexible blade guard  78  extending across at least a portion of slot  50   b  of right longitudinal frame member  12   b . Blade guard  78  comprises a flexible strip of cut resistant material, preferably but not essentially c-shaped in cross-section, mounted to the outer side wall of longitudinal frame member  12   b . For knives having a blade that extends beyond frame member  12   b  when mounted within slicing apparatus  10  (such as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 ), blade guard  78  will cover the exposed portion of the cutting edge  104  to prevent injury. In another embodiment, longitudinal frame member  12   b  may be wider at least in the area of slot  50   b  so as to conceal that portion of longer knife blades that would otherwise extend beyond the outer edge of right longitudinal frame member  12   b . It should also be appreciated that although the above description teaches a left-side knife mountable slicing apparatus, the design could be reversed for a right-side knife mountable embodiment. 
     Given that the subject slicing apparatus  10  is used to prepare food, its surfaces and components will become soiled. When it comes to keeping surfaces sanitary, non-porosity is key. Using porous material that can absorb water and subsequently hold onto it increases the chances of cross-contamination from growing bacteria. Moreover, because the surfaces of the subject apparatus will be exposed to food soiling and will require frequent cleaning, said surfaces shall be constructed of a corrosion-resistant, nonabsorbent, and smooth material. Such materials may not allow the migration of deleterious substances or impart colors, odors, or tastes to food and under normal use conditions shall be: safe; durable, corrosion-resistant, and nonabsorbent; sufficient in weight and thickness to withstand repeated warewashing; finished to have a smooth, easily cleanable surface; and resistant to pitting, chipping, crazing, scratching, scoring, distortion, and decomposition. 
     For example, the subject apparatus may be fabricated from high density polyethylene, a clean, white, high-impact plastic material that is almost unbreakable. As an alternative, the subject apparatus may be fabricated from polypropylene to exhibit very high corrosion-resistance to acidic, alkaline and saline solutions. In this embodiment, the apparatus is satisfactory for service at temperatures up to 250° F. and can be sterilized. The polypropylene construction has high tensile strength and tremendous impact strength and very importantly has virtually no water absorption. Another viable alternative is to fabricate the apparatus from fiberglass which will provide a smooth surface with rounded corners for easy cleaning. Sturdy fiberglass won&#39;t dent, chip, bend peel, crack or warp. Fiberglass is suitable for color coding of the apparatus and are impervious to dishwasher temperatures and detergents and resistant to industrial cleaners. It will withstand continuous service from −40° F. to 250° F. with intermittent service as high as 300° F. Other suitable materials may also be employed. Any metallic hardware used in the construction of apparatus  10 , such as adjustment rod  60  and adjustment pin  66 , are preferably made of stainless steel for its anti-corrosion and strength properties. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , another embodiment of the slicing apparatus of the subject invention is adapted with mounting means for removably mounting the apparatus atop kitchen bowls of a variety of sizes. In such an embodiment, the proximal end  18  of frame body  12  is modified such that proximal cross member  12   c  is slidably attached to longitudinal frame members  12   a , 12   b , rather than fixedly attached thereto or integrally formed therewith. To accomplish this, in one embodiment, proximal cross member  12  includes left and right slide arms  70   a , 70   b , respectively, fixedly mounted thereto in perpendicular fashion, one at each of its ends. Left slide arm  70   a  is slidably received within left slide arm receiver  72   a , and right slide arm  70   b  is slidably received within right slide arm receiver  72   b . As may be appreciated, proximal cross member  12   c  may be manually moved distally to engage longitudinal frame members  12   a , 12   b  in abutting relationship thereto, or may be pulled away therefrom a distance of several inches (i.e., 2-6 inches), proximally. In order that proximal cross member  12   c  may be normally biased in abutting engagement with longitudinal frame members  12   a , 12   b , proximal cross member biasing means are included. In one embodiment, such biasing means is comprised of a left distal band support peg  74   a  fixedly attached to or integrally formed with left longitudinal frame member  12   a , preferably but not essentially perpendicular to its side wall, and in proximity to proximal end  18 , and a corresponding left proximal band support peg  76   a  fixedly attached to or integrally formed with proximal cross member  12   c  in close proximity to left distal band support peg  74   a  in parallel fashion, and an elastic band  78   a  stretched around the two causing them (and the components to which they are attached) to be normally biased together. In another embodiment, a complimentary arrangement is provided on the right side of frame body  12 , the arrangement comprising a right distal band support peg  74   b  fixedly attached to or integrally formed with right longitudinal frame member  12   b , preferably but not essentially perpendicular to its side wall, and in proximity to proximal end  18 , and a corresponding right proximal band support peg  76   b  fixedly attached to or integrally formed with proximal cross member  12   c  in close proximity to right distal band support peg  74   b  in parallel fashion, and a second elastic band  78   b  stretched around the two causing them to be normally biased together. Either or both such arrangements may be employed, and those skilled in the art will recognize other biasing means suitable for carrying out this purpose such as, for instance, the use of springs. To complete the mounting means, a plurality of mounting legs  80  depend downwardly in perpendicular fashion from the bottom of frame body  12 ; one from each of its four corners; two at its proximal end, and two at its, distal end. Each mounting leg  80  may be wrapped in or coated with rubber or similar material having good gripping property. Referring to  FIG. 10 , mounting of slicing apparatus  10  to a kitchen bowl is accomplished by biasing the proximal and distal mounting legs  80  together around the outside rim of the bowl using the above-described biasing means. For instance, this may be accomplished by pulling proximal cross member  12   c  and the rest of frame body  12  away from one another longitudinally a distance sufficient for all mounting legs to be outside of the rim of the bowl when frame body  12  is mounted across the bowl opening, and then releasing proximal cross member  12   c  and the rest of frame body  12  to allow the biasing means to draw them back together such that all four mounting legs come into frictional engagement with the bowl&#39;s outer rim. As may be appreciated, the subject slicing apparatus  10  may thus be “clamped onto” the bowl in order to carry out the heretofore described slicing operation. Mounting legs  80  also serve to elevate slicing apparatus  10  above a resting or work surface such as a countertop. 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to the particular embodiments herein set forth, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should not be limited by the foregoing specifications, but rather only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.