CA1164776A - Kitchen implement - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT

A kitchen implement similar to a cheese board in that it exhibits a tray-like structure with a cutting board positioned thereon. This device however, is intended for use as a foodstuff cutting board wherein cut product may be immediately removed from the board surface yet retained in the tray until all cutting is complete and the cut product is thereafter used in some other food preparation process.
Furthermore, it is contemplated that the implement will be constructed of a high impact plastic material, therefore, in order to assure a consistently good cutting board surface, such is removable and replaceable. Likewise, to assist in removal of cut foodstuff from the tray a scraper is included with the device and is mounted for removal from a recess under the cutting board.

Description

1 16~776 SPECIFICA~ION
The invention, among other things, relates to a kitchen implement for cutting foodstuff and more particularly to a combined cutting board and tray wherein the cutting board surface is replaceable and a scraper is removably positioned on the underside of the device.

Thus, in accordance with the present teachings, a kitchen implement is provided which i5 suitable for use as a cutting board and collector for foodstuff and includes a tray which has integral side and bottom walls with the bottom walls including an upwardly projecting segment spaced from the side walls and planar upper and lower surfaces. The segments have fixed thereto a removable cap-like cover which extend over substantially the entirety of the upper surface with the lower surface being recessed to accommodate a scraper element in juxtaposition therewith.

The basic construction of this type of device is well known and is typically found in cheese board constructions.
This implement has, however, several added features which distinguish it from those presently known. For example, since in the preferred arrangement the implement will be made of a high impact plastic material the cutting board portion or segment will be subjected to extreme wear and tear. Therefore, to assure that such portion may retain a suitable integrity, the cutting board segment has a removable cap-like cover. The upper surface of this cover functions as the cutting surface and whenever desired such cover may be replaced.

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Similarly, this invention contemplates furnishing a scraper with the implement so that the user will have readily available an element which can be used to remove cut foodstuff from the tray. To secure and retain the scraper to and with the tray the underside of the cutting board portion is recessed and provided with lips which secure the scraper ends. Accordingly, the scraper is held out of the way and is yet conveniently positioned for use.

Additional advantages and objects of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description that follows and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of the implement showing the cutting board cover in place;
Fig. 2 is a front elevational view thereof;
Fig. 3 is a side elevational view thereof;
Fig. 4 is an exploded top perspective view of the implement showing the cover and scraper removed therefrom;
Fig. 5 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the implement showing the scraper in its juxtaposed relation-ship with the underside thereof:
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the implement taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a top perspective view of the scraper;
Flg. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the scraper taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view at line 9 in Fig. 6; and ~.

1 16477~

Fig. 10 is an exploded partial cross-sectional view of the cutting board segment of the implement, the cap-like cover and the scraper.

Referring in detail to the re~pective drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts of the kitchen implement 10, it can be seen that such is comprised of ~hree distinct elements; the tray 12, a cap-like cover 14 and a scraper 16. As is further evident from Figs. 1 and 4 the implement 10 is adapted to function as a cutting board and temporary collector for cut foodstuff. To this end tray 12 can be seen to include an integral bottom wall 18 (Fig. 6) and surrounding side wall 20. The bottom wall 18 tends to slope forwardly from its intersection with and adjacent the upper extent of side wall 20 at the rear of the implement toward its intersection with and adjacent the lower edge of side wall 20 at the forward end thereof. Note, however, that the upper extent of sidewall 20 extends above the bottom wall at all points thereby fashioning a container-like structure of varying depth along its length. Further-more, the juncture of the sidewall and bottom wall at the forward end of the tray is shaped to create a pouring lip or spout 22. Likewise, a handle 24 extends from the rear edge of tray 12, which handle preferahly includes an opening 26 so that the implement may be conveniently stored by hanging from a peg or hook.

The interior of tray 12 also includes an upwardly projecting segment 28 having a substantially planar surface 30 which is at the approximate height of and parallel to the upper extent of sidewall 20. Segment 28 includes an under-cut 32 abouts its uppermost peripheral edge adjacent surface 30 [Figs. 6, 9 and 10). The segment similarly has a recessed lower surface 34. This recess further includes opposed inwardly projecting lips 36. These lips engage and retain the opposite ends of scraper 16 (Figs. 5, 6, 9 and 10) so as to hold it firmly in juxtaposition with lower surface 34.

Segment 28 and surface 30 are intended as a cutting board. However, since the implement is preferably to be constructed of high impact plastic such a surface will be subjected to significant wear and tear. Accordingly, the actual cutting surface here is contemplated to be the removable, replaceable cap-like cover 14 which covers the entirety of upper surface 30.

As can best been seen in Figs. 6, 9 and 10 such cover 14 is grooved as at 38. This groove or recess is sized for engagement with undercut 32 so that cover 14 will be securely held in position on projecting segment 28 yet can be easily removed therefrom. Note also that when the cover is in place on segment 28 its planar upper surface 40 projects above sidewall 20, thereby presenting an unobstructed cutting area.

From the foregoing it is believed that one can readily appreciate the improvements residing in the particular preferred embodiment described, but it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (4)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclu-sive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A kitchen implement suitable for use as a cutting board and collector for foodstuff and including a tray having integral side and bottom walls, said bottom wall including an upwardly projecting segment spaced from said side walls, and having planar upper and lower surfaces, said segment having affixed thereto a removable cap-like cover which extends over substantially the entirety of said upper surface and wherein said lower surface is recessed to accommodate a scraper element in juxtaposition therewith.

2. A kitchen implement according to claim 1 wherein said segment includes an undercut extending about the periphery thereof and the underside of said cover is grooved so as to matingly engage with said undercut.

3. A kitchen implement according to claim 1 wherein said recess includes at least two opposed projecting lips which engage and retain the scraper.

4. A kitchen implement according to claim 1 wherein said cover projects upwardly above the extent of said side walls.