Cutting – Other than completely through work thickness or through work... – Splitting
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-30
2001-02-13
Dexter, Clark F. (Department: 3724)
Cutting
Other than completely through work thickness or through work...
Splitting
C083S454000, C083S465000, C083S762000, C083S932000, C269S054500, C269S087200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186038
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a device for slicing and/or skinning of food products, particularly bagels. A number of machines and devices for slicing bagels have been proposed in the prior art. These generally have a receptacle where the bagel is held vertically, and the bagel holder contains a pair of opposed slots or grooves into which a cutting instrument is inserted and moved back and forth in a sawing action to slice the bagel. In some cases the receptacle contains multiple opposed slots for making multiple slices. Due to the movement of the bagel back and forth caused by the sawing of the knife, and the resulting damage to the bagel, some prior art taught the use of tapered walls, moveable side doors, or pivotally connected sides which would be closed in efforts to hold the bagel stationary and prevent damage to the bagel while being sliced. In commercial settings, such as restaurants and delicatessens, speed, safety, cleanliness, uniform bagel slicing or skinning, and a minimum amount of space required to use the device are all desired. However, as far as is known, a bagel slicer having these characteristics as well as the capacity of being economically manufactured has not been available and accepted in the trade.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, one of the objectives of the invention is to provide a device which allows bagels and the like to be sliced and/or skinned uniformly, quickly, and safely.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved bagel slicer using a minimum of space, and which facilitates even slicing while preventing damage to the bagel.
Another object of the invention is to provide a bagel slicer which only requires the operator to operate the inserted knife once the bagel is inserted into the retention area of the device and the lid is closed, further facilitating safety, speed, and ease of use.
The invention comprises a base with upwardly projecting bagel retention protrusions and two vertical end walls attached to opposing ends of the base and extending upwardly from the base. There are two sets of elongated members, the members of each set being in a parallel spaced relationship to each other, and the members of one set being spaced from and parallel to the elongated members of the other set. Each elongated member is engaged at the end walls such that there remains a slot between at least two elongated members necessary to insert a knife. The bagel slicer has a flexible connector attached to a lid and one of the end walls. The flexible connector allows the lid to engage a substantial portion of the top of the bagel despite varying bagel thicknesses, to optimize bagel stabilization. Preferably, the lid will have downwardly projecting bagel retention protrusions that work in conjunction with the upwardly projecting protrusions on the base to provide extra stabilization of the bagel without damage to the bagel during cutting. For additional ease of use, the lid may also have a handle attached to it to facilitate opening and closing of the lid.
These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims and appended drawings.
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DeYoung Perry R.
Lastovich Mark S.
Sikkema Scott D.
Dexter Clark F.
Oliver Products Company
Price Heneveld Cooper DeWitt & Litton
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