FOOD CHOPPER

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This application claims the benefit of prior U.S. Provisional application Serial No. 60/623,582, filed October 29, 2004 and U.S Utility application 11/033,944 filed January 11, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to food preparation devices, including devices for chopping or slicing onions, mushrooms, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In preparing food, it is often desirable to prepare onions by slicing them in strips or chopping them into small pieces. Most commonly, this is done by using a knife. There are other specially-designed devices for chopping foods, but none are particularly well suited to chopping onions.

[0004] One exemplary food cutting device is used to cut potatoes for French fries, incorporating a sliding array of rectangular projections that can be pressed downward to push the potato through a grid of blades. This arrangement is common to all French fry cutters, which can also be used to cut other vegetables such as onions. In such devices, the blades and the projections are parallel to each other at all times. One problem with such devices is that there is no integrated reservoir to receive the sliced potatoes as they are pushed through the grid of blades.

[0005] There are also presently existing mushroom cutters, including a blade frame and pusher element that are pivotally connected to each other via an elongated handle. Unfortunately, the operation of the device pushes the food onto the countertop or work surface, limiting the amount of food that can be chopped and potentially mashing the food or resulting in an uneven slicing operation. Alternatively the user must hold the device above the countertop with one hand, and use the other hand to receive the slices as they emerge from the device.

[0006] GB Patent number 2286110 discloses a vegetable or fruit cutting apparatus comprising a base member preferably with cooperating container; a handle pivotally attached to the base member; a blade member positioned adjacent an opening of the container and a pressing member to press a vegetable or fruit past a blade or blades in the blade member into the container.

[0007] There is therefore a need for an improved food chopping or slicing device, including devices suitable for cutting mushrooms, onions, and the like. According to the present invention, there is provided a food processing device as set out in claim one.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0009] Figure 2 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0010] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0011] Figure 4 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention oriented on end.

[0012] Figure 5 is a partial exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, oriented upside down.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0013] A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 1, below. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the food processing device includes three primary components, including a lid 10, a blade tray 20, and a food reservoir 30. The blade tray and the food reservoir are pivotally connected to one another, with the blade tray being removably mounted within an upper rim of the reservoir.

[0014] The lid is generally rectangular in shape, having squared corners at a first end that is pivotally connected to the reservoir and rounded corners at a second end opposite the first end. A downward-extending flange surrounds the peripheral edge of the lid, and is sized and shaped to snugly receive an outer surface of the reservoir within the flange when the lid is rotated downward against the reservoir.

[0015] The lid further includes a grid of projections 50 on the inner surface, extending downward in the same direction as the flange. The projections may take on any size or shape, as desired, and are ideally shaped to thoroughly push the food through the blades within the blade tray. As discussed further below, the blade tray includes a network of blades 40 configured at right angles and forming generally square openings. The projections on the lid are sized and located within the lid such that when the lid is closed a projection fits within each of the blade openings.

[0016] The food reservoir, best seen in the exploded view of Figure 2, is formed in substantially the same shape as the lid when viewed from the top. Thus, in the preferred form, it has a generally rectangular shape with two rounded corners. The reservoir includes a bottom and four side walls to form an interior rectangular cubic cavity. The depth of the reservoir may vary, and is preferably sized to hold a typical expected volume of onions, mushrooms, or other food ingredients that may be used in cooking.

[0017] The reservoir includes a boss 64 at opposing sides of the squared ends of the top of the rectangular reservoir. The bosses are configured to be received within a pair of bores 66 at opposite sides of the squared ends of the lid, forming the pivotal connection between the lid and the reservoir. Accordingly, the lid is able to rotate about the pivotal connection from an open position that is preferably at least about 90 degrees with respect to the blade tray to a closed position resting adjacent and substantially flush with the blade tray.

[0018] The reservoir may also include volumetric measurements on an inner or outer surface, as shown in Figure 4. As discussed further below, the measurements enable the user to determine when he or she has chopped enough of the food ingredient, without the necessity of a further step of transferring the ingredient to an additional measuring cup.

[0019] The bores 66 on the lid may be open adjacent the outer edge of the lid, as shown in Figure 2, forming a C-shape. The C-shaped openings enable the lid to more readily be removed from the tray for cleaning.

[0020] The blade tray 20 is formed in the same shape as the lid and reservoir, such that in the preferred embodiment it comprises a rectangular shape with two rounded corners. A substantially square blade grid 40 is formed at a central location on the tray. Preferably, the tray is formed from plastic and the blade grid formed from stainless steel. The top edges of the blades within the grid are sharpened in order to slice through the foods that are being pushed through the blade grid from above.

[0021] At one end of the tray, in this case, the rounded end, a bore 62 is included to more easily enable the tray to be lifted from the reservoir and removed for cleaning and removal of the food within the reservoir.

[0022] The tray includes a flat base that transitions to a generally vertical peripheral wall, as best seen in Figure 2. At the top of the wall, the tray includes a substantially horizontal peripheral flange. The wall and flange are sized and configured such that the wall is snugly received within the side walls of the reservoir, and the flange rests against a top rim of the reservoir. In this fashion, the flange enables the tray to rest securely atop the reservoir. The size and shape of the tray and other components may be varied, consistent with the invention.

[0023] Each of the lid, tray, and reservoir is preferably formed from plastic, except for the blades as noted above. In a preferred form, at least the reservoir is formed from clear plastic to enable the user to see the volume of food inside.

[0024] The reservoir may optionally include non-skid feet attached to the bottom, as best seen in Figure 4, formed from silicone or other suitable materials. In yet other embodiments, as best seen in Figures 2 and 5, the reservoir 30 may include a removable bottom section 70 that is preferably friction-fitted or snap-fitted into the reservoir 30. Thus, with the bottom section in place, food that is chopped with the device will be retained within the reservoir and can be readily carried to a pot or bowl. With the bottom removed, the chopper can be placed directly onto a plate, bowl, or other device to allow food to be chopped and dropped directly into the plate, bowl, or pan.

[0025] In some embodiments, a top surface of the lid includes a generally rounded convex shape adjacent the rounded end, as best seen in Figure 2. This provides a better grip and more ergonomic surface for the user when chopping food within the device.

[0026] In use, the user places an onion (or other food item) atop the grid of blades while the lid is open. By pressing against the lid, causing pivotal and downward rotation of the lid, the grid of projections is pressed against the onion. In turn, the onion is pressed against the grid of blades, urging it through the blade openings and producing chopped onion sections having a cross-sectional shape that is the same as the blade openings. Once the lid approaches the blade grid, the projections press through the grid to clear any remaining food from the grid.

[0027] When the reservoir is full, or the chopping is completed, the tray is removed from the top of the reservoir. The chopped onion or other food may then be readily removed from the reservoir. The entire device can also be easily cleaned by separating the tray from the reservoir and, if desired, also removing the lid.

[0028] An alternate form of the food processing device is shown in Figure 3. In this form, the device includes the same primary components of a lid, tray, and reservoir. The primary difference is that the grid of blades comprises a plurality of elongated parallel blades, rather than two pluralities of blades arranged at right angles. The grid of projections extending from the lid is similarly configured as a series of adjacent parallel bars that will fit snugly through the grid of blades. In addition, the reservoir is somewhat deeper and the rectangular shape is somewhat shorter, with the length and width of the rectangle being closer in length to one another.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, the food processing device may include measurement markings 80. In the preferred form, the measurement markings 80 are oriented vertically, so that the words are read properly with the device tipped up on end, or rotated 90 degrees. As food is chopped with the device, it will form a mound shape, making it difficult to tell with certainty the amount of food that has been chopped, even if there are measurement markings oriented horizontally. This is especially true for devices that have a base of a width or length that is substantially greater than the height. In order to determine the amount of food that has been chopped, the device is rotated 90 degrees, allowing the food to settle to the hinged end. The device may be shaken gently to allow the food to settle and form a substantially horizontal top. At that point, the user can determine the amount of chopped onions or other food ingredients by looking at the measurement markings associated with the top of the ingredient level through the clear plastic food reservoir. Ideally, the size of the reservoir is sufficient to accommodate a typically expected volume of food. In the example shown in Figure 4, there are markings in half-cup increments up to the 2-cup level, with the reservoir itself exceeding 2 cups in volume.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, the volumetric markings 80 are placed on a sidewall of the reservoir. The markings may be placed on the bottom 70, the lid 10., or in other locations that are visible and enable a determination of the volume of articles within the device.

[0031] This alternate embodiment is particularly well suited for use in slicing mushrooms or other foods intended to be sliced rather than chopped into smaller bits. The device is used in the same manner, by placing a mushroom or other food item atop the grid of blades and rotating the lid toward the tray, urging the food through the grid of blades.

[0032] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A food processing device, comprising:

a reservoir (30) having upwardly extending sidewalls when the reservoir (30) is resting on a horizontal surface, the sidewalls having a top end and a bottom end;

a tray (20) secured to the reservoir (30) relatively closer to the top end of the reservoir (30) than to the bottom end of the reservoir (30), the tray (20) having a plurality of blades (40) and a surface devoid of blades to one side of the plurality of blades (40);

the tray (20) further comprising a flat base, a generally vertical peripheral wall extending upward from the base, and a flange extending peripherally outward from the peripheral wall; and

a lid (10) pivotally attached to the device for movement between a first position adjacent the tray (20) and a second position relatively distant from the tray (20), the lid (10) having a plurality of projections (50) sized and configured to be received between the plurality of blades (40) when the lid (10) is adjacent the tray (20);

characterised in that the tray's flange rests against a top rim of the reservoir (30) and the peripheral wall recesses the base below the top edges of the blades (40), and the flat base of the tray contains a bore (62) to facilitate removal of the tray (20) from the reservoir (30), formed in said surface to one side of the plurality of blades (40).

2. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the blades (40) within the plurality of blades (40) are parallel to one another.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of blades (40) further comprises a first plurality of parallel blades (40) and a second plurality of parallel blades (40), the second plurality of parallel blades (40) being generally orthogonal to the first plurality of parallel blades (40) to define a plurality of substantially square openings, and further wherein each of the projections (50) among the plurality of projections (50) is configured to fit within one of the plurality of substantially square openings.

4. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tray (20) is removably secured to the reservoir (30).

5. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (10) is removably attached to the reservoir (30).

6. The device of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a reservoir (30) bottom removably secured to the bottom end of the reservoir (30) sidewalls.

7. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir (30) bottom further comprises a non-skid surface.

8. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second pivotable position of the lid (10) forms an angle of at least 90 degrees with respect to the first pivotable position of the lid (10).

9. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir (30) is substantially transparent.

10. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device further comprises one or more volumetric indicators (80).

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the device further comprises a horizontal axis when the device is resting on a horizontal surface, and further the one or more volumetric indicators (80) are arranged to indicate a volume along the horizontal axis.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the device further comprises a horizontal plane when the device is resting on a horizontal surface, and further wherein the one or more volumetric indicators (80) are arranged to indicate a volume of a top surface of items within the device that is non-parallel to the horizontal plane.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the device further comprises a horizontal axis when the device is resting on a horizontal surface, and further the one or more volumetric indicators (80) are substantially orthogonal to the horizontal axis.

14. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (10) comprises a downwardly extending flange at the peripheral edge of the lid (10) sized and shaped to receive an outer surface of the reservoir (30) within the flange when the lid (10) is adjacent the tray (20).

Ansprüche

1. Nahrungsmittelverarbeitungsvorrichtung, die Folgendes umfasst:

einen Behälter (30) mit Seitenwänden, die sich nach oben erstrecken, wenn der Behälter (30) auf einer horizontalen Fläche steht, wobei die Seitenwände ein oberes und ein unteres Ende aufweisen;

eine Schale (20), die relativ näher am oberen Ende des Behälters (30) als am unteren Ende des Behälters (30) an dem Behälter (30) befestigt ist, wobei die Schale (20) eine Vielzahl an Klingen (40) und eine Oberfläche ohne Klingen an einer Seite der Vielzahl an Klingen (40) aufweist;

wobei die Schale (20) ferner eine flache Grundfläche, eine im Allgemeinen senkrechte Umfangswand, die sich von der Grundfläche nach oben erstreckt, und einen Flansch aufweist, der sich von der Umfangswand um den Umfang herum nach außen erstreckt; und

einen Deckel (10), der schwenkbar an der Vorrichtung für eine Bewegung zwischen einer ersten, in Bezug auf die Schale (20) angrenzenden Position und einer zweiten, relativ von der Schale (20) entfernten Position befestigt ist, wobei der Deckel (10) eine Vielzahl an Vorsprüngen (50) aufweist, die eine solche Größe und Konfiguration aufweisen, um zwischen der Vielzahl an Klingen (40) aufgenommen zu werden, wenn der Deckel (10) in der an die Schale (20) angrenzenden Position befindet;

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Flansch der Schale auf dem oberen Rand des Behälters (30) aufliegt und die Umfangswand unterhalb der Oberkante der Klingen (40) eine Einbuchtung der Grundfläche bildet und dass die flache Grundfläche der Schale eine in der Fläche an einer Seite der Vielzahl an Klingen (40) ausgebildete Bohrung (62) aufweist, um die Entfernung der Schale (20) aus dem Behälter (30) zu erleichtern.

2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, worin die Klingen (40) der Vielzahl an Klingen (40) jeweils parallel zueinander sind.

3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, worin die Vielzahl an Klingen (40) ferner eine erste Vielzahl paralleler Klingen (40) und eine zweite Vielzahl paralleler Klingen (40) umfasst, wobei die zweite Vielzahl paralleler Klingen (40) im Allgemeinen im rechten Winkel auf die erste Vielzahl paralleler Klingen (40) steht, um eine Vielzahl im Wesentlichen quadratischer Öffnungen zu definieren und worin weiters jeder der Vorsprünge (50) der Vielzahl an Vorsprünge (50) so ausgebildet ist, dass er in eine der Vielzahl an im Wesentlichen quadratischen Öffnungen passt.

4. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, worin die Schale (20) abnehmbar an dem Behälter (30) befestigt ist.

5. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, worin der Deckel (10) abnehmbar an dem Behälter (30) befestigt ist.

6. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, die ferner einen Boden des Behälters (30) umfasst, der abnehmbar an dem unteren Ende der Seitenwände des Behälters (30) befestigt ist.

7. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, worin der Boden des Behälters (30) ferner eine rutschfeste Oberfläche umfasst.

8. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, worin die zweite Schwenkposition des Deckels (10) in Bezug auf die erste Schwenkposition des Deckels (10) einen Winkel von zumindest 90 Grad bildet.

9. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, worin der Behälter (30) im Wesentlichen transparent ist.

10. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, worin die Vorrichtung ferner eine oder mehrere Volumenanzeigen (80) umfasst.

11. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 10, worin die Vorrichtung ferner eine horizontale Achse umfasst, wenn die Vorrichtung auf einer horizontalen Fläche steht, und die eine oder die mehreren Volumenanzeigen (80) ferner angeordnet sind, um ein Volumen entlang der horizontalen Achse anzuzeigen.

12. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 10, worin die Vorrichtung ferner eine horizontale Ebene umfasst, wenn die Vorrichtung auf einer horizontalen Fläche steht, und die eine oder die mehreren Volumenanzeigen (80) ferner angeordnet sind, um ein Volumen einer oberen Oberfläche von in der Vorrichtung enthaltenen Nahrungsmitteln anzuzeigen, die nicht parallel zu der horizontalen Ebene verläuft.

13. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 10, worin die Vorrichtung ferner eine horizontale Achse umfasst, wenn die Vorrichtung auf einer horizontalen Fläche steht, und die eine oder die mehreren Volumenanzeigen (80) ferner im Wesentlichen im rechten Winkel auf die horizontale Achse stehen.

14. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, worin der Deckel (10) einen sich nach unten erstreckenden Flansch an der Umfangskante des Deckels (10) umfasst, der eine Größe und Form aufweist, um eine Außenoberfläche des Behälters (30) in dem Flansch aufzunehmen, wenn der Deckel (10) an die Schale (20) angrenzend vorliegt.

Revendications

1. Dispositif de traitement d'aliments, comprenant:

un réservoir (30) ayant des parois latérales s'étendant vers le haut lorsque le réservoir (30) repose sur une surface horizontale, les parois latérales ayant une extrémité supérieure et une extrémité inférieure;

un plateau (20) fixé au réservoir (30) relativement plus proche de l'extrémité supérieure du réservoir (30) qu'à l'extrémité inférieure du réservoir (30), le plateau (20) comportant une pluralité de lames (40) et une surface exempte de lames vers un côté de la pluralité de lames (40);

le plateau (20) comprenant en outre une base plate, une paroi périphérique généralement verticale s'étendant vers le haut depuis la base et une bride s'étendant périphériquement vers l'extérieur depuis la paroi périphérique; et

un couvercle (10) fixé d'une manière pivotante au dispositif en vue d'un mouvement entre une première position adjacente au plateau (20) et une seconde position relativement distante du plateau (20), le couvercle (10) ayant une pluralité de saillies (50) dimensionnées et configurées pour être reçues entre la pluralité de lames (40) lorsque le couvercle (10) est adjacent au plateau (20);

caractérisé en ce que la bride du plateau repose contre le bord supérieur du réservoir (30), et la paroi périphérique encastre la base en dessous des bords supérieurs des lames (40), et la base plate du plateau contient un perçage (62) pour faciliter le retrait du plateau (20) du réservoir (30), formé dans ladite surface vers un côté de la pluralité de lames (40).

2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel chacune des lames (40) dans la pluralité de lames (40) sont parallèles les unes aux autres.

3. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la pluralité de lames (40) comprend en outre une première pluralité de lames parallèles (40) et une seconde pluralité de lames parallèles (40), la seconde pluralité de lames parallèles (40) étant généralement orthogonale à la première pluralité de lames parallèles (40) pour définir une pluralité d'ouvertures sensiblement carrées, et en outre où chacune des saillies (50) parmi la pluralité de saillies (50) est configurée pour s'ajuster dans une de la pluralité d'ouvertures sensiblement carrées.

4. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le plateau (20) est fixé amoviblement au réservoir (30).

5. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le couvercle (10) est fixé amoviblement au réservoir (30).

6. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant en outre un fond de réservoir (30) fixé amoviblement à l'extrémité de fond des parois latérales du réservoir (30).

7. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le fond du réservoir (30) comprend en outre une surface non glissante.

8. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la deuxième position pivotante du couvercle (10) forme un angle d'au moins 90 degrés par rapport à la première position de pivotement du couvercle (10).

9. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le réservoir (30) est sensiblement transparent.

10. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le dispositif comprend en outre un ou plusieurs indicateurs volumétriques (80).

11. Dispositif selon la revendication 10, dans lequel le dispositif comprend en outre un axe horizontal lorsque le dispositif repose sur une surface horizontale, et en outre un ou plusieurs indicateurs volumétriques précités (80) sont agencés pour indiquer un volume le long de l'axe horizontal.

12. Dispositif selon la revendication 10, dans lequel le dispositif comprend en outre un plan horizontal lorsque le dispositif repose sur une surface horizontale, et en outre où le ou plusieurs indicateurs volumétriques précités (80) sont agencés pour indiquer un volume d'une surface supérieure de produits dans le dispositif qui est non-parallèle au plan horizontal.

13. Dispositif selon la revendication 10, dans lequel le dispositif comprend en outre un axe horizontal lorsque le dispositif repose sur une surface horizontale, et en outre le ou plusieurs indicateurs volumétriques précités (80) sont sensiblement orthogonaux à l'axe horizontal.

14. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le couvercle (10) comprend une bride s'étendant vers le bas au bord périphérique du couvercle (10) dimensionnée et configurée pour recevoir une surface extérieure du réservoir (30) dans la bride lorsque le couvercle (10) est adjacent au plateau (20).

Drawing