DESCRIPTION

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/195,488 filed 1 August 2011, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/375,419 filed 20 August 2010 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a food cutting device, and more particularly, to a food cutting device adapted to make generally linear cuts to food sheet products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] When preparing food, such as during baking, it is often necessary to cut food sheet products into generally polygonal shapes. For example, fondant used in cake decorating is often provided in a generally flat-sheet, and if used with a cake with a rectangular shape, it will be desired to cut the fondant into a generally rectangular shape in order to decorate the cake.

Currently, a baker, or other food preparer, has few options to accurately cut the generally flat- sheet into a polygonal shape. The baker may freehand the cut, but such a cut often lacks precision. Additionally, it is known to use a ruler or other straightedge to make cuts in food sheet products, but a ruler may be moved by a user while the cut is being made, or successive cuts may not be parallel to each other. Further, other existing linear cutting devices and methods require that the food sheet be moved to make a second cut on the food sheet, thereby risking damage to the food sheet. Thus, a need exists for a cutting device that overcomes some of these limitations.

[0004] The present invention is provided to solve the problems discussed above and other problems, and to provide advantages and aspects not previously provided. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to one embodiment, a linear cutting assembly for a food sheet comprises a cutting surface assembly, an elongated arm, a track, a locking mechanism, and a cutting assembly. The cutting surface assembly comprises a base that has a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side. At least one of the sides has one of either a first channel and a rail. The elongated arm has a first end and a second end. The elongated arm slidably engages one of either the first channel and rail of the cutting surface assembly. The arm is moveable about the one of either the first channel and rail. The track is formed on the arm and extends from a first end of the elongated arm towards a second end of the arm. The locking mechanism is coupled proximate the first end of the elongated arm. The locking mechanism at least partially engages the at least one of either the first channel and rail of the cutting surface assembly. The locking mechanism releasably secures the elongated arm to the cutting surface assembly. The cutting assembly comprises a cutting blade. The cutting assembly is attached in slidable engagement to the track of the elongated arm. The cutting assembly moving in a generally normal direction relative to the one of either the first channel and the rail.

[0006] According to another embodiment, a linear cutting assembly for food sheet comprises a cutting surface assembly, an arm assembly, and a cutting assembly. The cutting surface assembly comprises a base and a cutting mat. The base has a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side. At least one of the base sides has a first channel formed therein and measuring indicia are disposed proximate the first channel. The cutting mat removably connects to the base. The arm assembly comprises an elongated portion having a track. The arm assembly is adapted to partially reside within the first channel of the cutting surface assembly to be positioned relative to the measuring indicia of the cutting surface assembly. The elongated portion of the arm assembly is generally normal to the first channel of the cutting surface assembly. The cutting assembly comprises a rotatable blade. The cutting assembly is adapted to connect to the track of the arm assembly and move relative to the track of the arm assembly.

[0007] According to one process, a method of making a generally linear cut into a food sheet is disclosed. A linear cutting assembly for a food sheet is provided. The linear cutting assembly has a cutting surface assembly, an arm assembly adapted to move relative to the cutting surface assembly, and a cutting assembly slidably fixed to the arm. A food sheet product is provided. The food sheet product is placed on the cutting surface assembly. The arm assembly of the linear cutting assembly is positioned at a desired location relative to the cutting surface assembly. The food sheet product is engaged by the cutting assembly. The cutting assembly slides along a track on the arm assembly.

[0008] Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a linear cutting assembly according to one

embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a top view of the linear cutting assembly of FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a first side view of the linear cutting assembly of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a second side view of the linear cutting assembly of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 5 is an end view of the linear cutting assembly of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the linear cutting assembly of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 7 is an end view of the cutting assembly for use with the linear cutting assembly according to one embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 8 is an end view of the cutting assembly for use with the linear cutting assembly according to another embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 9A is a sectional view of a locking mechanism for use with the linear cutting assembly in a first position;

[0019] FIG. 9B is a sectional view of a locking mechanism for use with the linear cutting assembly in a second position;

[0020] FIG. 10A is a side view of the cutting assembly being removed from the linear cutting assembly;

[0021] FIG. 10B is a side view of the cutting assembly removed from the linear cutting assembly;

[0022] FIG. 11 A is a side view of the cutting assembly in a first position; and

[0023] FIG. 1 IB is a side view of the cutting assembly in a second position. [0024] The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an

exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGs. 1-6, a linear cutting assembly 10 is provided. The linear cutting assembly 10 comprises a cutting surface assembly 12, an arm assembly 14, and a cutting assembly 16.

[0027] The cutting surface assembly 12 comprises a base 18 and a removable cutting mat 30. The base 18 has a first side 18a, a second side 18b, a third side 18c, and a fourth side 18d. The base 18 has a first channel 20 formed along one side 18a-18d of the base 18 and a second channel 22 formed at a second side 18a-18d of the base 18, the second side generally opposite the first side. The first channel 20 and the second channel 22 may be used as tracks for the arm assembly 14 to slide in relative to the cutting surface assembly 12. Additionally, it is

contemplated that a rail, which may protrude upward from the base 18, may be provided on the base 18 instead of the first channel 20.

[0028] Measuring indicia 24 may be provided proximate the first channel 20. The measuring indicia 24 are provided to allow a user to set the arm assembly 14 a known distance from a previous cut, or to cut a food sheet to a known dimension.

[0029] Recessed areas 26 are also provided on the base 18 in order to assist with the removal of the cutting mat 30 from the base 18. The recessed areas 26 allow a user's hands to more easily be positioned underneath the cutting mat 30 to remove the cutting mat 30 from the base 18. The cutting mat 30 may be secured to the base 18 via a press- fit. It is also contemplated that snaps, or other types of fasteners may be utilized to secure the cutting mat 30 to the base 18. The cutting mat 30 may be formed from a generally translucent polymeric material, such as Styrene Acrylonitrile ("SAN"), or other polymeric materials. In addition to a translucent polymeric material, it is also contemplated that the cutting mat 30 can be made from a transparent or clear polymeric material, or clear, transparent, or translucent glass.

[0030] In addition to the first measuring indicia 24, the cutting surface assembly 12 may further comprise a measuring grid 28. The measuring grid 28 helps a user align the arm assembly 14, and provides confirmation that position of the arm assembly 14 based on the first measuring indicia 24 is accurate. The use of a translucent cutting mat 30 allows the measuring grid 28 to remain visible even with the cutting mat 30 assembled to the base 18 of the cutting surface assembly 12. It is additionally contemplated that the measuring grid 28 may be disposed on the cutting mat 30.

[0031] The arm assembly 14 comprises an elongated portion 32 and a locking mechanism 34 that is adapted to interact with the arm assembly 14. The elongated portion 32 has a track 36 adapted to receive the cutting assembly 16 and allow the cutting assembly 16 to move along the elongated portion 32 of the arm assembly 14. The track 36 is disposed in a generally normal relationship to the first channel 20. The elongated portion 32 additionally has an opening 38 adapted to allow the locking mechanism 34 to be connected to the elongated portion 32.

[0032] The locking mechanism 34 comprises a slider 40 that is adapted to reside within the first channel 20 of the base 18. As may be more readily observed in FIGs. 9A and 9B, the slider 40 additionally has an extending portion that passes through the opening 38 of the elongated portion 32 of the arm assembly 14. The extending portion of the slider 40 additionally passes through a washer 42 and a hub 44. The slider 40 may also have a hole 41 formed in the extending portion. The hole 41 receives a pin 48 that also passes through the hub 44 and a cam lever 46. The pin 48 connects the slider 40, the hub 44, and the cam lever 46.

[0033] The cam lever 46 is received by the hub 44. The cam lever 46 rotates between a locked position (FIG. 9B) and an unlocked position (FIG. 9A). In the locked position, the cam lever 46 causes the slider 40 to be lifted upward towards the first channel 20 of the base 18, thereby locking the slider 40 and the arm assembly 14 relative to the cutting surface assembly 12.

[0034] While the arm assembly 14 has been described as residing in a channel 20 of the base 18, it is also contemplated that the base 18 may have a protruding track-like surface that interacts with a receiver of the locking mechanism 34 to interconnect the base 18 and the locking mechanism 34 to fix the position of the arm assembly 14 relative to the base 18. Thus, it is recognized that as long as the base 18 and the locking mechanism 34 have features with complimentary profiles, the arm assembly 14 may slidably engage the base assembly 12.

[0035] Additionally, the arm assembly 14 comprises a cutting assembly release 50. FIGs. 10A and 10B show the cutting assembly 16 being removed from the track 36 of the arm assembly 14. The cutting assembly release 50 having a locked position (FIG. 10B) and an unlocked position (FIG. 10A). The cutting assembly release 50 allows the cutting assembly 16 to be removed from the track 36 of the arm assembly 14 with the cutting assembly release 50 in the unlocked position. The cutting assembly release 50 limiting the travel of the cutting assembly 16 proximate a second end of the arm assembly 14.

[0036] The cutting assembly 16 comprises a body portion 52, a blade 54, a base portion 56, a connecting pin 58, an activating spring 60, and a thumb screw 62. The blade 54 is connected to the body portion 52 by the thumb screw 62. The thumb screw 62 is removable to allow a user to change the blade 54. It is additionally contemplated that in alternative embodiments a snap fit or a friction fit may also be used to secure the blade 54 to the body portion 52. As shown in FIG. 7, the blade 54 is a generally circular blade. The blade 54 rotates through the food sheet, generating a smooth edge in the food sheet. FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment where the cutting assembly 16 features a wave-edge cutting blade 154. The blade 54, 154 may be formed from a variety of materials including metals and polymeric materials, but stainless steel may be favored due to its durability and compatibility in use with food products. It is also contemplated that a cutting blade with an edge shape other than smooth or wave-edged may also be supplied.

[0037] The body portion 52 connects to the base portion 56 via the connecting pin 58. The connecting pin 58 passes through a first opening 51 in the body portion 52 as well as a second opening 59 formed in the base portion 56. As shown in FIGs. 11 A and 1 IB, the connecting pin 58 allows the body portion 52 to pivot relative to the base portion 56 between a first position (FIG. 11 A) and a second position (FIG. 1 IB). The spring 60 biases the body portion 52 to the first position, while a force applied by a user is required to overcome the biasing force of the spring 60 to place the body portion 52 into the second position. It is contemplated that the second position is a cutting position, where the blade 54 will contact and pass into or through food sheet resting on the cutting surface assembly 12. In addition to a spring 60, other biasing mechanisms may be used to bias the body portion 52 to the first position, such as a compressible foam piece, a stretchable band, or other known biasing devices. [0038] The base portion 56 additionally has a track receiving region 57 adapted to interact with the track 36 of the arm assembly 14. The track receiving region 57 allows the cutting assembly 16 to slide along the track 36 of the arm assembly 14 to cut the food sheet on the cutting surface assembly 12.

[0039] In order to assemble and utilize the linear cutting assembly 10, the cutting mat 30 is attached to the base 18 of the cutting surface assembly 12. A food sheet would be placed on the cutting surface assembly 12. Next, the arm assembly 14 is mated with the cutting surface assembly 12 by inserting the slider 40 of the arm assembly 14 into the first channel 20 of the base 18. The cam lever 46 is then rotated into the locked position to fix the arm assembly 14 to the cutting surface assembly 12. Finally, the cutting assembly 16 is mated to the arm assembly 14 via the track receiving region 57 of the base portion 56 of the cutting assembly 16 receiving the track 36 of the arm assembly 14. The arm assembly 14 may then be adjusted to the desired location using the measuring indicia 24. The cutting assembly 16 can be activated by applying a force to overcome the biasing force of the spring 60 to rotate the body portion 52 of the cutting assembly 16 to the second position, causing the blade 54 to interact with the food sheet on the cutting surface assembly 12. The cutting assembly 16 is then moved along the track 36 to cut the food sheet. The cutting assembly 16 moves in a generally normal direction along the track 36 relative to the first channel 20 of the base 18. Thus, the movement of the cutting assembly 16 relative to the arm assembly 14 is in a generally normal direction to the movement of the arm assembly 14 relative to the cutting surface assembly 12.

[0040] While specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.