IMPROVEMENTS IN KITCHEN SLICER

[001] The present invention relates to kitchen utensils generally and, more particularly, to an improved hand operated food slicer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[002] Everyone who has gone to their local butcher, or to the deli, and, in recent times, the meat counter at the local grocery store, has seen the motorized slicer, and perhaps wished that they had one. Those slicers, of course, are large and bulky and in some environments, dangerous. The average kitchen is one such place. Overview of the Prior Art

[003] Innovators have recognized the value to housewives and those who toil in the kitchen to prepare meals, of a device for slicing meats, vegetables and other bulk foods, and have responded with various slicing devices which are of suitable size and function as to be useable in a non commercial setting.

[004] As an example of how appearances can deceive, if one were to rely entirely on appearance, observe Boerner patent 7,146,737, where the "V" shaped

cutter blade dominates the appearance, although he admits that it is old. Its function, however, involves the manual displacement of a selected insert to adjust the cut thickness.

[005] Mellen et al., in his publication number US2006/0283299 uses the expression "mandolin" to describe a class of. kitchen slicer in which a slicing deck is situate on front and rear sets of legs with the forward legs being shorter than the rear, thus, giving the slicing deck a downward slope relative to the surface on which it operates. Mellon adjusts the thickness of the slice to be created by a sliding lever which rides on a sloped slot to raise and lower the platforms which comprise the slicing deck in increments.

[006] In Wangler publication US 2006/0075872, a cam is used to elevate and lower a ramp to adjust the thickness of the food stuff slice to be created.

[007] Each of these devices exhibits an essentially similar structure, with each offering a different approach to the task of setting the thickness of the slice of the foodstuff to be prepared.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[008] Enterprising people have, since the memory of man runneth not to the contrary, devoted time and effort to bring to the housewife devices to take the drudgery out of the kitchen. One of the chores that is ever present at meal time is the slicing of meats, cheeses, some spices and a variety of other foodstuffs.

[009] As Mr. Mellen and Mr. Henry observed in the above referenced publication, mandolin slicers are relatively large and they take up considerable space. They also noted that they tend to slide around on the kitchen counter top while in use. It is an objective of the improved slicer of the present invention to alleviate all of the expressed concerns.

[010] More specifically, it is an objective to provide a small, yet surprisingly effective, foodstuffs slicer which is readily stored in a space as small as the kitchen silver drawer or similar space. An objective related to the foregoing is to provide such a slicer which will not slide about the kitchen counter while in use.

[011] It is yet another objective of the present invention which provides the user an infinite range of slice thickness ranging from zero to the maximum design thickness provided by the manufacturer, resulting in a repeatable, consistent and

visually appealing series of slices. Consistent with the foregoing, it is another objective to provide enhanced support for the cutter blade assembly in order to minimize any tendency to flex during cutting.

[012] It is also an objective of the present invention to provide an improved kitchen slicer which is extremely simple to use and equally easy to clean.

[013] The foregoing, as well as other objectives and advantages of the present invention will occur to those skilled in the art from a reading of the forthcoming Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment, when taken with the drawings, wherein:

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved slicer of the present invention, as seen from above, and further showing the cutter blade assembly construction;

FIG. 2 is a view, in the nature of FIG. 1, while viewed from beneath the slicer there shown;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the slicer of FIG. 1, partially sectioned and illustrating the feed deck in position to create a slice of maximum thickness;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but with the feed deck at a position to create no slice;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, illustrating the simplicity and ease of use of the improved slicer of the present invention, and;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the slicer of the present invention, illustrating in detail the various components of the unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[014] With reference now to the drawings and, initially, to FIGS. 1 and 2, an improved kitchen slicer 10, constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown.

[015] Structurally, a frame 12 is provided and may be efficiently molded or otherwise formed in any one of several suitable means. A handle 14, is integrally formed with the frame, but, again, it will be appreciated that it may be separately formed and attached. Opposed rails 16 define the longitudinal perimeter of the slicer and flank a receiving deck 18, which is positioned to receive sliced foodstuffs F. Longitudinal ridges 21 are formed on the deck to resist sliced foodstuffs sticking to the deck and making it difficult to remove therefrom. The nose 23 of each rail 16 is fitted

with a pliable, non skid tip 25 in order to inhibit the slicer from sliding on a counter or support surface, or the like, while in use.

[016] The receiving deck supports a cutter blade assembly 27 at its upper terminus 29. The cutting edge 32 protrudes beyond the terminus of the deck 18 by an amount sufficient to permit unencumbered contact with the foodstuff while providing sufficient support for the blade to inhibit distortion during cutting.

[017] ^U V" blades offer a challenge in sharpening due to its shape. Most such blades are relatively soft since the expense of heat treating may make the manufacturing process less than economical. The present invention seeks to meet this challenge by making a two piece blade, as seen in FIG. 1. Blade elements 34 are more readily sharpened and then welded, or otherwise secured together, to form the cutter blade assembly 27, with the "V" apex pointing away from the direction of travel of the foodstuff upon being secured to the deck 18.

[018] Returning to the FIGS. 1 and 2, in order to position a chosen foodstuff for slicing, a feeder deck 36 is provided and is positioned between the rails 16 immediately upstream of the receiving deck 18. The feeder deck is aligned with the blade 27 and, in keeping with the invention, is selectively raised and lowered to determine the desired space between the blade and the feeder deck and, thus, the

thickness of the slices to be created.

[019] The deck supports a platen 38, which is itself formed with a series of ridges 41. The forward edge 42 of the deck 36 is "V" shaped, pointing in the direction of movement of a foodstuff against the blade and is shaped so as to be compatible with the "V" shaped blade 27. The surface of the platen is of an easily cleaned material so as to preserve, as much as possible, the ability to maintain the sanitary nature of the device.

[020] The feeder deck 36 is, in accordance with the invention, movable relative to the blade 27 so as to determine the thickness of the slice, and to this end, the underside of the feeder deck is formed, or otherwise provided, with a tubular boss 43. The boss 43 is threaded about its perimeter as at 45. An adjustment wheel 47 is formed with a circular flange 49. Internal threads are provided, and are adapted to engage the threads 45 about the perimeter of the circular boss 43.

[021] A pair of opposed positioning brackets 52 are riveted, or otherwise affixed to frame 12 and circumscribe the flange in grooves provided on the external wall of the tubular boss to thereby hold the wheel 47 stationary against movement relative to the frame, while being rotatable about an axis transverse to the plane of the

receiving deck. Accordingly, rotation of the wheel will result in the raising and lowering of the feeder deck 36, within defined limits, and in a straight line path perpendicular to the plane of the receiving and feeder decks.

[022] Cutouts 54 in the frame are provided so that the perimeter of the wheel protrudes beyond the frame making it a simple matter to manually rotate the wheel to adust the position of the feeder deck. To further facilitate the manipulation of the wheel 47, the perimeter is scalloped as at 56. In order to establish an upper limit to the movement of the feeder deck, stops 58 are formed on either side of the frame. The stops protrude into the path of the feeder deck and inhibit its movement in its upper travel to a position wherein the feeder deck is slightly above the plane of the receiving deck. In this manner, the sharp edges of the blade are covered and inadvertent contact, resulting in nicks and cuts is avoided.

[023] In keeping with the objective of providing slices of uniform thickness, the tubular boss 43 is positioned at right angles to the surface of the feeder deck 36. The feeder deck itself is always in a plane which is parallel with the receiving deck 18. Therefore, movement of the feeder deck is always in a direction which is at right angles with the decks and any resultant slice will be uniform throughout.

[024] It will now be evident that the user of the slicer may hold the slicer by its handle at any convenient angle, set the desired thickness with the adjustment wheel, and move a foodstuff into and across the blade to create a consistently uniform series of slices. The unit is then quickly washed and stored in a drawer without undue concern about space requirements.

[025] While the slicer of the present invention is described with respect to a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that some changes in the various elements and their interaction will occur to those skilled in the art and, and those variations are within the contemplation of the invention as defined by the forthcoming claims, wherein: