Abstract:
A device for removing the husk from a clove of garlic incorporates female and male members. The female member has a body with a cylinder therein terminating in a resilient bottom with a compound surface relief. The male member has a handle and a rigid projection. The projection is sized and shaped to mate with the cylinder, to move longitudinally with respect to the cylinder, and to rotate about the longitudinal axis when positioned in the cylinder. The projection terminates in an end incorporating a resilient material having a compound surface relief. When a clove of garlic is placed in the device and the projection is inserted into the cylinder until the clove contacts the cylinder and the projection, rotation of the handle with respect to the female member removes the husk.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present disclosure generally is related to kitchen tools, and more particularly, to tools for peeling garlic. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Devices and methods for use in removing the husks from cloves of garlic can make peeling garlic and preparing food quicker, easier, cleaner and more enjoyable. A variety of devices have been developed over the years in an attempt to optimize this procedure. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present disclosure is directed to devices and methods for use in removing the husk from cloves of garlic. In one particular embodiment, a device for use in removing the husk from a clove of garlic incorporates a female member and a male member. The female member has a body with a cylinder therein oriented about a longitudinal axis. A base of the cylinder incorporates a resilient material having a compound surface relief. The male member has a handle and a projection rigidly coupled thereto to move as a unit therewith. The projection is sized and shaped to mate with the cylinder in the female member, to move longitudinally with respect to the cylinder, and to rotate about the longitudinal axis when positioned in the cylinder. The projection terminates in a distal end incorporating a resilient material having a compound surface relief; whereby when at least one clove of garlic is placed in the cylinder and the projection is inserted into the cylinder until the clove is in contact with the cylinder and the projection, rotation of the handle with respect to the female member can remove husk from the clove of garlic. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an apparatus for peeling garlic, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of a male member of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the male member of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of a female member of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is another top perspective view of the female member of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a diametric cross-sectional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The following detailed description is directed toward apparatus and methods for peeling garlic and other, similar food items. The detailed description and corresponding figures are intended to provide an individual of ordinary skill in the art with enough information to enable that individual to make and use embodiments of the invention. Such an individual, however, having read this entire detailed description and reviewed the figures, will appreciate that modifications can be made to the illustrated and described embodiments, and/or elements removed therefrom, without deviating from the spirit of the invention. It is intended that all such modifications and deviations fall within the scope of the invention, and the invention is limited only by construction of following claims. 
         [0014]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosed structures and/or methods. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. 
         [0015]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate one particular embodiment of a device  10  for peeling garlic or similar food items. The illustrated device  10  primarily comprises an upper, male member  12  and a lower, female member  14 . The device  10  can be sized and shaped to comfortably fit in a user&#39;s hand, and the user can use the device by holding the female member  14  in one hand and manipulating the male member  12  with the other hand. In the illustrated embodiment, the device  10  has a generally circular cross-section. In other embodiments, the outside shapes and dimensions of the device  10  can vary dramatically without deviating from the spirit of the invention. As noted below, only the interior shapes are particularly relevant. 
         [0016]    As best illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the female member  14  can have depressions  16 , contours or other features to facilitate gripping the female member during use, and/or it can have a coating, texture or otherwise be treated for such purposes. The male member  12  can be similarly adapted. The female member  14  also can have feet  18  or other features on its bottom surface  20  to resist slipping when the device  10  is manipulated while located on a countertop or other surface. 
         [0017]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate the male member  12  removed from the device  10 . The illustrated upper portion  12  incorporates a handle  22  and a projection  24 . The handle  22  can be sized, shaped and adapted to fit comfortably in a user&#39;s hand. The handle  22  can be circular, as shown, or can have another shape, as discussed above. 
         [0018]    The projection  24  can be fixed to the handle  22 , and projects therefrom for engagement with the female member  14 . The projection  24  is adapted to rotate as a unit with the handle  22 , such that when the user rotatingly reciprocates the handle during use, the projection  24  also rotatingly reciprocates. 
         [0019]    In the illustrated embodiment, the projection  24  has a smaller diameter than the handle  22 , although the size and shape of the handle  22  is not critical to the operation of the invention, as indicated above. The illustrated projection  24  is a right cylinder, symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the device  10 . The projection  24  could instead be conical or have another shape suitable for functioning as described herein. As discussed below, the projection  24  is complementary in size and shape with a mating feature on the female member  14 . 
         [0020]    The projection  24  on the male member  12  terminates opposite the handle  22  in a distal end  26 . The illustrated distal end  26  is in the form of a cap coupled to the projection  24 ; however, the distal end could be an integral part of the projection or could take another form without deviating from the spirit of the invention. A bottom surface  28  of the distal end  26  of the projection  24  supports an array of fingers  30 , which project outward from the bottom surface. 
         [0021]    The fingers  30  in the illustrated embodiment are made from a resilient material (e.g., silicone, Shore A 45); however, other suitable materials could instead be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the fingers  30  are molded as a single part in combination with the cap that forms the distal end  26  of the projection  24 . In other embodiments, the fingers  30  could be glued or otherwise attached, bonded, affixed or otherwise coupled to the bottom surface  28  of the projection  24 , or could be formed through other suitable means. 
         [0022]    As best illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the illustrated fingers  30  intersect the bottom surface  28  at a base curve  32 , and terminate at their distal tips in an apex curve  34 , giving the fingers a partially sinusoidal cross-section, although different shapes are also suitable. For example, the base curve  32  and/or apex curve  34  could be replaced by chamfered or otherwise formed. The fingers  30  can be flexible and resilient. 
         [0023]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate an embodiment of the female member  14 . The female member  14  generally comprises a body  36  surrounding a cylinder  38 . The body  36  of the female member  14  can be sized and shaped to fit within a user&#39;s hands, and can be adapted to rest on a countertop or other surface, similar to a countertop appliance. 
         [0024]    The illustrated cylinder  38  is in the shape of a right cylinder, symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the device  10 , as is the projection  24  illustrated in association with this particular embodiment. As indicated above, the projection  24  and cylinder  38  could instead be conical or have other shapes that will function as described herein. The primary criterion is that the projection  24  can be received within and rotate with respect to the cylinder  38 . The illustrated cylinder  38  has a diameter slightly larger than a corresponding diameter of the projection  24 , allowing the projection to be received in the cylinder during use. The diameter of the cylinder  38  can be just slightly larger than that of the projection  24 , or it can be even larger. 
         [0025]    In alternate embodiments, the cylinder  38  and/or the projection  24  need not be a perfect cylinder; it is envisioned that other shapes and cross-sections could instead be used. Other shapes and combinations of shapes will suffice, provided the male member  12  can be received by the female member  14  and can be reciprocally rotated about the longitudinal axis over an angle sufficient to enable the device to peel garlic. As a non-limiting example, one or more stops or other features on the projection  24  and the cylinder  28  can be incorporated to allow the male member  2  to rotate with respect to the female member  14  over only 180 degrees, 90 degrees, or other ranges. 
         [0026]    A bottom surface  40  at the base of the cylinder  38  contains an array of recesses  42  therein. The illustrated bottom surface  40  is flat and oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (as is the bottom surface  20  of the illustrated projection  24 ), although the surfaces need not be flat. As a non-limiting example, the surfaces could be partially spherical or partially conical, and can be complementary in shape, provided the surfaces, and the fingers  30  and recesses  42  satisfy their intended purpose during use. The bottom surface  40  and the recesses  42  in the illustrated embodiment are made from a resilient material (silicone, Shore A 45), although other suitable materials could also be used. 
         [0027]    In alternate embodiments, fingers can be positioned on both the male and female components, or only on the female component, instead of the embodiment shown and described herein. Likewise, the recesses can be positioned on both the male and female components, or only the male component, instead of the embodiment shown herein. The only requirement is that the particular combination of fingers, recesses or both function as described herein to remove the husk from cloves of garlic. 
         [0028]      FIG. 7  is a cross-section further illustrating this particular embodiment of the invention. As depicted in  FIG. 7 , the male member  12  is fully inserted into the female member  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the fingers  30  contact the bottom surface  40  of the cylinder  38  at full engagement, although it is possible that the male member will “bottom out” before the fingers contact the bottom surface or will be spaced apart when the components are completely engaged. An individual of ordinary skill in the art, having reviewed this disclosure, will immediately appreciate the range of dimensions that are suitable. 
         [0029]    As discussed above, the projection  24  and the cylinder  38  in the illustrated embodiment can be symmetrical about the longitudinal axis, L. The projection  24  has a diameter slightly smaller than that of the cylinder  38 , creating a gap, G, therebetween. The projection  24  can slide longitudinally into and out of the cylinder  38 , and can rotate with respect to the cylinder about the longitudinal axis L. As the projection is moved longitudinally with respect to the cylinder, the space between the fingers  30  and the bottom surface  40  increases and decreases. This longitudinal movement can compensate for the size and/or amount of garlic in the device  10 . When the projection  24  is rotated with respect to the cylinder  38  about the longitudinal axis L, the fingers move with respect to the bottom surface  40  and the recesses  42 . This lateral (circumferential) movement can force the garlic in the device  10  to rub against the edges of the fingers  30  and recesses  42 , thereby removing the husk from the garlic. 
         [0030]    From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.