FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the Culinary Arts, specifically to the cutting boards for food preparation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a need for a spill resistant cutting surface with flexible edges.

The provision of a food preparation surface that provides for liquid retention has been attempted in a number of ways. Provision of the rigid edge is exemplified by US Patent Number 7300103 to Grays and US Patent Number 7201445 to Dubial et al. In practice the rigid edges proved problematical for the user by inhibiting the use of a knife or other cutting instrument near the edges.

There is still a need for a spill resistant cutting surface with flexible edges.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The spill proof cutting surface includes; a cutting surface; and a flexible flange attached to the cutting surface. The flexible flange is bendable to create a rim around the cutting surface. The flexible flange is itself liquid proof and is attached to the cutting surface in a liquid proof manner. The outer circumference of the flexible flange may be smaller than the inner diameter of the flexible flange so that the flexible flange will have a tendency stay in an elevated position relative to the cutting surface. The flexible flange is attached to the spill proof cutting surface by any suitable liquid proof. One embodiment if the invention is a spill proof food cutting surface. Another embodiment of the invention is a flexible spill proof cutting surface.

The benefit of the invention is that it presents a food preparation cutting surface that is easier to work with.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more features or preferred forms of the invention are described in the accompanying drawings of embodiments of the invention. The drawings are described briefly below.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an Oval spill proof cutting surface of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a Circular spill proof cutting surface of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an Oval spill proof cutting surface with one or more openings of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is section view of an Oval Spill proof cutting surface along line AA of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a rectangular spill proof cutting surface with rounded corners of an embodiment of the invention.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It is to be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

My invention is spill proof cutting surface. One embodiment of the invention is a spill proof food cutting surface. Another embodiment of the invention is a flexible spill proof cutting surface.

A description of the invention is best illustrated by reference to specific embodiments shown in the figures. The spill proof cutting surface 1 includes; a cutting surface 2; and a flexible flange 3 attached to the cutting surface 2. The flexible flange 3 is bendable to create a rim around the cutting surface 2. The flexible flange 3 is itself liquid proof and is attached to the cutting surface 2 in a liquid proof manner. The outer circumference 4 of the flexible flange 3 may be smaller than the inner diameter of the flexible flange 3 so that the flexible flange 3 will have a tendency stay in an elevated position relative to the cutting surface 2. The flexible flange 3 is attached to the spill proof cutting surface 1 by any suitable liquid proof method such as, but not limited to: a Living hinge 8, welding, fusing, stitching. The cutting surface 2 may be constructed of metal, plastic, wood, or any liquid proof material. The cutting surface 2 may be constructed of one or more laminations 6 of similar or dissimilar materials. The cutting surface 2 may be of any shape chosen to facilitate the purpose of cutting and preparing food or to enhance esthetic appeal.

The flexible flange 3 may be constructed of plastic, wood, or metal and may be constructed of one or more laminations 6 of similar or dissimilar materials, provided that the flexible flange 3 is resilient enough to create a liquid proof rim around the circumference of the cutting surface 2. The flexible flange 3 is sufficiently resilient so that when a portion is depressed to or below the plane of the circumference of the cutting surface 2, the flexible flange 3 restores itself to its original rim shape. This deformability and resilience is to allow controlled drainage of the spill proof cutting surface 1 and restoration to a spill proof configuration.

The flexible flange 3 and cutting surface 2 may be constructed of a single piece of material, or materials, in this configuration the connection between the cutting surface 2 and the flexible flange 3 is accomplished by a thin region connecting the flexible flange 3 and cutting surface 2 by forming a thin region known as a living hinge 8. The flexible flange 3 may completely surround the circumference of cutting surface 2 or may have one or more openings 7.

Other modifications and changes regarding my invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention is not considered limited to the embodiments chosen for purposes of disclosure and covers all changes and modifications that do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.