Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02621521 2008-03-04
50956-48D
1
FOOD SLICER
Related Application
This is a divisional application of Canadian patent application number
2,524,197, filed September 17, 2003 as PCT/US2003/029487.
Background
This application relates to food cutting and slicing devices and, in
particular,
to devices of the type for moving food iteins past a substantially stationary
cutting or
slicing blade.
Various types of food slicing devices have heretofore been provided. Many of
these devices are rather bulky and consume considerable storage space. It is
known to
provide food slicing devices which are somewliat foldable or collapsible for
storage
purposes, but they are still not very conipact.
It is also known to provide food slicing devices which have combinations of
blades to effect different types of slicing or cutting patterns in the food.
One such
arrangement has a rotatable mount carrying plural groups of slitting blades
which can
be selectively rotated into the path of the food items, and a stationary
slicing blade
positioned downstream of the slitting blades for slicing the slit food
portions. The
slicing blade is typically fixed in the device and only a single such blade is
provided.
Summary
This application discloses an improved food slicer which avoids the
disadvantages of prior food slicing devices, while affording additional
structural and
operating advantages.
In particular, there is described a food slicer which is of compact
construction
and, specifically, is foldable to a compact storage configuration.
Another aspect is the provision of a food slicing device of the type set
forth,'
which has- a reversible slicing blade to greatly increase the flexibility of
the device and
the number of different slicing pattems which it can achieve.
CA 02621521 2008-03-04
50956-48D
2
Specifically, there has been described a food
slicer comprising a frame, a food-receiving platform carried
by the frame and having an aperture therein, and a
reversible cutting blade having first and second cutting
edges and being selectively removably mountable on the frame
in first and second positions. The cutting blade in its
first position has the first cutting edge disposed in the
aperture for cutting engagement with food being slid in a
predetermined direction along the platform, the cutting
blade in its second position having the second cutting edge
disposed in the aperture for cutting engagement with food
being slid in the predetermined direction along the
platform.
Another aspect of the invention is directed to a
food slicer comprising: a frame having opposed side walls
with facing inner surfaces, a food slicing assembly carried
by the frame, and two support legs carried by the frame for
movement between a stowed position, wherein the support legs
are disposed against the frame entirely between the inner
surfaces of the side walls, and a use position, wherein the
support legs extend from the frame and laterally outwardly
of the inner surfaces of the side walls, wherein a lateral
distance between the legs changes as the legs move between
the stowed position and the use position; and a structure
for pivotal movement joining the support legs for
simultaneous movement thereof between the stowed and use
positions.
CA 02621521 2008-03-04
50956-48D
2a
Brief Description of the Drawings
For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought
to
be protected, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawings an embodiment
thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the
following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its
construction and
operation, and many of its advantages should'be readily understood and
appreciated.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of food slicer, with a
removable blade in a first orientation, fully retracted, and with a rotor
assembly in a
first position;
FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, with a portion broken away, with the
removable blade in a second orientation and partia(ly retracted, and with the
rotor
assembly in a second position;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the food slicer of FIG. 1 with its
legs disposed in a stowed position;
CA 02621521 2008-03-04
50956-48D
3
FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary,. top plan view of the food slicer of FIG.
1,
with the removable blade and discharge plate removed, with the rotor assembly
in a
tliird position, and with the infeed plate raised;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged rear elevational view of the food slicer of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary bottom perspective view of the food slicer of FIG. 1
with the removable blade installed and with the rear legs partially extended;
FIG. 7 is a further enlarged sectional view of the rotor assembly taken
generally along the line 7-7 in FIG. 4;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged end elevational view of the reversible blade of the
slicer
of FIG.1.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged, exploded, perspective view of the knob assembly of the
rotor assembly of the food slicer of FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a food holder for use with the food slicer of
FIG. 1; and
FIG. 11 is an enlarged, perspective, sectional view ~ f the holderof FIG. 10.
Detailed Description
Referring to FIGS. 1-6, there is illustrated a food slicer, generally
designated
by the numeral 10, which includes an open frame 11, generally rectangular in
shape,
including a pair of substantially parallel sidewalls 12 and 13, respectively
having
inner surfaces 14 and 15 which face toward each other. The sidewalls 12 and 13
are
interconnected adjacent to a rear end thereof by a rear beam 16, and are
interconnected adjacent to a front end thereof by a front beam (not shown).
Respectively integral with the sidewalls 12 and 13 at the front ends thereof
and
extending downwardly and forwardly therefrom are short stub legs 18. Formed
CA 02621521 2008-03-04
50956-48D
4
through the sidewall 13 intermediate its ends is a long, narrow, rectangular
opening
19. Each of the sidewalls 12 and 13 is provided adjacent to its rear end with
a
laterally inwardly projecting cam projection 20 (FIG. 4) having a sloping cam
surface
21 and a flat bearing surface 22 disposed substantially parallel to the
adjacent inner
surface 14 or 15 of the associated sidewall. Formed in each of the inner
surfaces 14
and 15, respectively just below the cam projections 20, are shallow
cylindrical
recesses 23.
Referring to FIG. 6, the sidewalls 12 and 13 are respectively provided with
laterally inwardly projecting stop lugs 25 just rearwardly of the rectangular
opening
19, and are also provided with laterally inwardly projecting stop lugs 26,
respectively
below and just rearwardly of the recesses 23. Projecting laterally inwardly
from each
of the side walls 12 and 13 forwardly of the rear beam 16 is a pivot lug 27.
Formed in
the upper edge of the sidewall 12 intermediate its ends is a rectangular rotor
notch 28,
beneath which is a rotor aperture (not shown), both for a purpose to be
explained
more fully below. Spanning the sidewalls 12 and 13 along the lower edges
thereof
adjacent to the notch 28 is a substantially semi-cylindrical guard 29. Also
interconnecting the sidewalls 12 and 13 inimediately beneath the rectangular
opening
19 is a flat, substantially rectangular support 30, which may have flexible
and resilient
fingers 30a cut therefrom. All of the foregoing form part of the frame 11 and
may be
formed of a suitable plastic material.
Carried by the frame I 1 is a platform assembly 31, which includes a
rectangular infeed plate 32, which may be provided with longitudinally
extending and
laterally spaced-apart ribs 32a. The infeed plate 32 is dimensioned to fit
between the
sidewalls 12 and 13 between the rear beam 16 and the rectangular opening 19
and is
CA 02621521 2008-03-04
50956-48D
provided at its rearward end with a handle pad 33. Integral with the plate 32
along its
opposite side edges are depending side flanges 34, respectively parallel to
the inner
surfaces 14 and 15 of the sidewalls 12 and 13 and respectively having legs 34a
depending from the rearward ends thereof and respectively pivotally coupled to
the
5 sidewalls 12 and 13 at the pivot lugs 27. The infeed plate 32 has a straight
front edge
35 disposed in use substantially perpendicular to the sidewalls 12 and 13 so
that, in
use, it defines a rear end of a generally rectangular gap or aperture 37 in
the platform
assembly 31, the forward end of which is defined by a discharge plate 38. The
plate
38 is also rectangular in shape and occupies the space between the sidewalls
12 and
13 at the forward end thereof, being fixedly secured thereto by suitable
means. The
plate 38 may be provided with longitudinally extending and laterally spaced-
apart ribs
38a and has a straight rear edge 39 disposed in use substantially
perpendicular to the
sidewalls 12 and 13. The forward end of the discharge plate 38 may have a
depending flange which covers and conceals the front beam 17.
Refer*ing ir! Particular to FIGS. 1, 2 and 8, the food slicer 10 includes a
reversible blade 40 having an elongated, rectangular, generally flat body 41
which
may be of unitary one-piece construction and is provided at one end thereof
with an
enlarged handle 42. The body 41 may be formed of a sheet metal plate which has
folds and bends therein so as to be generally z-shaped in transverse cross
section and
to define a longitudinally extending shoulder 43 on one surface thereof and a
shoulder
44 on the opposite surface thereof. The body 41 defines a first longitudinally
extending blade edge 45 along one side thereof and a second blade edge 46
along an
opposite side thereof, the blade edge 46 including a plurality of flutes or
serrations 47.
At least one rectangular opening 48 may be formed through the body 41. The
CA 02621521 2008-03-04
50956-48D
6
reversible blade 40 is dimensioned to be received in the rectangular opening
19, as
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, overlying and supported by the support 30, until
the distal
end thereof engages the sidewall 12, whereupon one of the fingers 30a snaps
into the
opening 48 to retain the reversible blade 40 in place. The handle 42 is
preferably
dimensioned so that it will not pass through the opening 19. As can be seen
from
FIGS. 1 and 2, the blade 40 is reversible so that either the blade edge 45
(FIG. 1) or
the blade edge 46 (FIG. 2) may be disposed rearwardly.
The frame 11 is provided with a foldable rear leg assembly 50 which includes
an elongated axle 51 (FIGS. 3, 4 and 6) which may be substantially circular -
in
transverse cross section along most of its length, and is provided with
sloping or
inclined end surfaces 52, which are inclined toward each other so as to be non-
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the axle 51. Projecting axially from
each of
the sloping end surfaces 52 is an extension 53 which is substantially square
in
transverse cross section, each extension 53 being in turn provided with an
axially
projecting, substantially cylindrice pivc-i stub 54 adapted to the coaxially
and
rotatably received'in an associated one of the pivot recesses 23 in the
sidewalls 12, and
13 (FIG. 4). Each of the extensions 53 has a cylindrical pin bore 55 formed
therethrough.
Respectively mounted on the opposite ends of the axle 51 are the two
elongated legs 60, each having an elongated body 61 which is substantially
rectangular in transverse cross sectional outline and is provided at its
distal end with a
rectangular foot 62. Each leg 60 has an attachment end 63 with a substantially
square
aperture 64 formed therethrough for receiving an adjacent square extension 53
of the
axle 51. Also formed through the each attachment end 63 is a pin bore 65 which
is
CA 02621521 2008-03-04
50956-48D
7
disposable in alignment with pin bore 55 in the associated axle extension 53
for
receiving a suitable attachment pin 68. Projecting laterally outwardly from
each
attachment end 63 is a generally rectangular follower lug 67 disposable for
camming
engagement with the cam surface 21 and bearing surface 22 of the associated
cam
projection 20 of the adjacent one of the sidetvalls 12 and 13.
Referring in particular to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 7, the food slicer 10 also
includes a
rotor assembly, generally designated by the numeral 70, which extends between
the
sidewalls 12 and 13 and overlies the guard 29. The rotor assembly 70 includes
an
elongated body 71, which has flat surfaces 72 and 73 along adjacent sides and
inclined with respect to each other at an angle of approximately 100 .
Interconnecting
the flat surfaces 72 and 73 is a cam surface 74 which is actuate in shape
along most of
its extent. Formed in the body 71 are a plurality of longitudinally spaced-
apart,
generally wedged-shaped recesses 75. Projecting laterally from the flat
surface 72 are
a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart, relatively long blades 76, each
having a
beveled surface 76a at its distal end along its leading (in direction of
rotation) edge.
Projecting laterally from the flat surface 73 are a plurality of
longitudinally spaced-
apart, relatively short blades 77, each having a beveled surface 77a at its
distal end
along its leading edge. The longitudinal spacing of the blades 77 is
substantially less
than that of the blades 76, so that there are more of the blades 77 than the
blades 76.
It will be appreciated, however, that the numbers, spacing and lengths of the
blades 76
and 77 may be varied, as desired. The junction between the flat surface 72 and
the
cam surface 74 defines a support ledge 78, while the portion of the flat
surface 73
adjacent to the flat surface 72 defines a support ledge 79, for a purpose to
be
explained more fully below. The body 71 may be provided at its opposite ends
with
CA 02621521 2008-03-04
50956-48D
8
longitudinally extending, coaxial stub shafts 79a, 79b (see FIG. 4), one of
which is
adapted to be received in a complementary cylindrical recess in the sidewall
13, and
the other which is adapted to extend through the complementary opening (not
shown)
in the sidewall 12, just below the notch 28.
Referring also to FIG. 9, the rotor assembly 70 includes a knob assembly,
generally designated by the numera180. The knob assembly 80 includes a
circular
base plate 81 having a central circular aperture therethrough encircled by a
cylindrical
hub 82. A plurality of circumferentially spaced detent recesses 83 are formed
along
the inner surface of a cylindrical flange of the base plate 81 which is
substantially
coaxial with the hub 82. Integral with the base plate 81 and projecting
axially and
radially from the side thereof opposite the hub 82 is a mounting block 84
dimensioned
to be received in the rotor notch 28 in the sidewall 12 (see FIG. 4). When so
mounted, the hub 82 will be coaxial with the rotor aperture in the sidewall 12
for
receiving the stub shaft 79b of the rotor assembly. Projecting axially from
the
15~ ~ mounting block 84 so as to overlie the outer periphery of the base plate
81 is ar
indicator lug 85.
The knob assembly 80 also includes a generally cup-shaped cover 86 having a
recessed circular end wal187 having a central circular aperture therethrough
surrounded by a cylindrical hub 88. Formed through the end wall 87 just
radially
outside the hub 88 is an rectangular aperture 89. The knob assembly 80 also
includes
a circular control plate 90 with a cylindrical hub 91 centrally thereof
surrounding a
central aperture therethrough, and a generally rectangular support arm 92
projecting
axially therefrom adjacent to the outer periphery thereof and carrying a
detent spring
finger 93. Formed in the control plate 90 substantially in alignment with the
support
CA 02621521 2008-03-04
50956-48D
9
arm 92 is a positioning slot 94. Formed in the outer surface of the sidewall
of the
cover 86 are circumferentially spaced-apart indicia grooves 95.
In assembly, the control plate 90 is fitted against the outer surface of the
recessed end wal187 of the cover 86, witli the hub 91 and the support arm 92
of the
control plate being respectively received in the hub 88 and the aperture 89 of
the
cover 86. The base plate 81 is then fitted against the rear of the
cover/control plate
assembly, with the hub 82 disposed in coaxial alignment with the hub 91 and
with the
detent spring finger 93 being disposed for engagement in the detent recesses
83. The
mounting block 84 is then fitted into the notch 28 and the frame sidewall 12,
to
receive the stub shaft 79b of the rotor assembly 70 in alignment with the hub
82. A
screw 96 is then extended through the aligned hubs 82, 88 and 91 and
threadedly
engaged in the stub shaft 79b to secure the cover 86 and control plate 90 of
the knob
assembly 80 together and with the rotor assembly 70, so that the knob assembly
80
and the rotor assembly 70 may rotate together as a unit and relative to the
base plate
81. When the cover 86 of the knob assembly 80 is rotated, as the indicia
grooves 95
respectively align with the indicator lug 85, the detent spring finger 93 will
engage a
corresponding one of the detent recesses 83 to give a tactile indication of
the arrival at
the selected position and to resiliently retain the assembly in that position.
Two of the
widely-spaced indicia grooves 95 respectively correspond to the rotor assembly
positions illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the different slitting blade sets
in use
position, and the closely-spaced indicia grooves respectively correspond to
the height
adjustments of the infeed plate 32 by the cam surface 74 of the rotor assembly
70.
Referring now to Figs. 10 and 11, there is illustrated a food holder 100,
adapted for use with the food slicer 10. The food holder 100 has a main body
101
CA 02621521 2008-03-04
50956-48D
including a base portion 102 provided with a laterally outwardly extending
base wall
103 around its periphery, which is generally rectangular in shape and which
is, in
turn, provided at its outer edge witli an upstanding peripheral flange 104.
The food
holder 100 also includes an actuator portion 105 coupled to the body of 101
and
5 projecting upwardly therefrom and moveable relative thereto. The body 101 is
provided with an internal reinforcing lattice 96 which carries a plurality of
depending
spikes 107. The actuator portion 105 includes a plunger 108 having a base
plate 108a
which is disposed immediately beneath the reinforcing lattice 96 and is
provided with
a plurality of holes 109 therein for respectively receiving the spikes 107
therethrough.
10 The actuator portion 95 may be biased upwardly to a normal rest position
illustrated
in the drawings, wherein the base plate 108a is disposed against the
reinforcing lattice
106.
In use, in the normal rest configuration shown, the spi.kes 107 project
downwardly well below the base plate 108a for piercing engagement with an
associated article of food tq, be sliced, with the food article typically
projecting
downwardly well belovc, the bottom of the base wall 103. This facilitates
holding the
food article while it is moved relative to the food slicer 10, as will be
explained
below. As portions of the food article are sliced away, the actuator portion
95 may be
depressed to push the food article downwardly along the spikes 107, exposing
additional portions for slicing until, eventually, the food article is moved
off of spikes
107, all in a known manner.
In use, the rear leg assembly 50 is pivotally movable between an extended use
position, illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, and a retracted stowed position,
illustrated
in FIG. 3, FIG. 6 illustrating a position intermediate the use and stowed
positions.
CA 02621521 2008-03-04
50956-48D
11
During movement among these positions, the axle 51 and the legs 60 rotate as a
unit
about the axis of the axle 51. However, it is a significant aspect of the
invention, that
the legs 60 are also capable of limited pivotal movement relative to the axle
51 about
the axes of the pins 68. It can be seen that, when the legs 60 are in the
stowed
position, they are disposed entirely between the sidewalls 12 and 13,
respectively
alongside the inner surfaces 14 and 15, and respectively resting against the
stop lugs
25. As the legs 60 are swung from the stowed position to the use position, the
follower lugs 67 tliereon respectively engage the cam surfaces 21 of the cam
projections 20 (see FIG. 4), which tilts the attachment ends 63 of the legs
601aterally
inwardly about the axes of the pins 68, thereby simultaneously tilting the
rect.angular
feet 62 laterally outwardly, this tilting movement of the attachment ends 63
being
accommodated by the sloping end surfaces 52 on the axle 51 (see FIGS. 3 and
4). As
the legs 60 reach the use position of FIG. 4, wherein they are engaged with
the stop
lugs 26, the follower lugs 67 ride up onto the bearing surfaces 22 of the cam
projections 20, frictionally holding the.legs 60. in the use position. In this
position, as
can be seen, that the legs 60 tilt slightly rearwardly and have their distal
ends 62
spread so as to overlap the sidewalls 12 and 13, providing a more secure
footing.
With the rear leg assembly 50 in this use position, when the food slicer 10 is
supported on an underlying substantially horizontal support surface on its
legs 18 and
60, the food slicer frame i l will be inclined to the underlying support
surface, since
the legs 60 are substantially longer than the legs 18.
It can be seen that, when the reversible blade 40 is installed in place, it
substantially bridges the gap 37 between the infeed plate 32 and the discharge
plate 38
of the platform assembly 31, the rear or infeed edge 39 of the plate 38 being
disposed
CA 02621521 2008-03-04
50956-48D
12
against the shoulder 43 (or 44) of the reversible blade 40 so that the upper
surface of
the plate 38 is substantially flush with the upper surface of the blade body
41.
The rotor assembly 70,is rotatable among three basic conditions, a first
condition, illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the long blades 76 project upwardly
through
the gap 37, just upstream or rearwardly of the rearwardly facing blade edge of
the
reversible blade 40. In this condition, the front edge 35 of the infeed plate
32 will rest
on the support ledge 78 of the rotor assembly body 71, immediately adjacent to
the
rear edges of the blades 76. The rotor assembly 70 is adapted to be rotated in
the
direction of the arrows in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7. It can be seen that, when the
rotor
assembly 70 is rotated from the condition illustrated in FIG. 1, it will bring
the cam
surface 74 into engagement with the underside of the infeed plate 32 adjacent
to the
front edge 35 thereof. The cam surface 74 is shaped so that, as rotation of
the rotor
assembly 70 continues, the front edge 35 of the infeed plate 32 is gradually
raised,
thereby elevating the front edge 35 of the infeed plate 32 relative to the
rear or infeed
edge 39 of the discharge plate 38, for varying the thickness of the slic s
effected by
the exposed blade edge of the reversible blade 40. As can be seen in FIG. 9,
there are
a plurality of detent stop positions corresponding to different predetermined
thickness
settings. Continued rotation of the rotor assembly 70 will move it to the
condition
illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein the short blades 77 are projected upwardly
through the
gap 37. In this condition, the front edge 35 of the infeed plate 32 will rest
on the
support ledge 79 of the rotor assembly body 71, inunediately behind the blades
77.
It can be seen that, when either the blades 76 or 77 are exposed for use, they
cooperate with the exposed blade edge of the reversible blade 40 so that the
food
article is cut in two different planes, the blades 76, or 77 slitting the food
article which
3
CA 02621521 2008-03-04
50956-48D
13
is then sliced by the exposed blade edge of the reversible blade 40. In this
regard, it
will be appreciated that the platform assembly 31 cooperates with the
reversible blade
40 to provide a substantially continuous inclined ramp along which the food
article is
slid repeatedly for repeated slices, all in a known manner.
It can be seen that this arrangement provides great slicing flexibility,
wherein
either one of the blade edges 45 or 46 of the reversible blade 40 can be used
alone to
provide a variable-thickness slices, or can be used in combination with either
of the
sets of slitting blades 76 or 77. It will also be appreciated that the infeed
plate 32 may
be raised or tilted up about the axis of the pivot lugs 27 to facilitate
cleaning of the
device, the handle pad 33 facilitating handling for this purpose. The ribs 32a
and 38a
on the platform assembly 31 facilitate movement of food articles therealong
and
inhibit sticking.
In a constructional model of the food slicer 10, the infeed and discharge
plates
32 and 38, the reversible blade body 41, the slitting blades 76 and 77, the
detents
spring finger 93, the pins 68 and the food holder spikes 97 may be formed of
suitabie
metals, and the rest of the structure may be formed of suitable plastic
materials.
From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been provided an improved
food slicer which affords great slicing flexibility with a reversible main
slicing blade,
and provides an improved stowable leg assenibly which provides both a narrow-
base
storage configuration and a wide-base use configuration.
The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings
is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While
particular
embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those
skilled in
the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the
CA 02621521 2008-03-04
50956-48D
14
broader aspects of applicants' contribution. The actual scope of the
protection sought
is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper
perspective based on the prior art.
