Work holders – Work-underlying support – Movable roller
Reexamination Certificate
2001-11-19
2003-11-25
Hail, III, Joseph J. (Department: 3723)
Work holders
Work-underlying support
Movable roller
C269S013000, C269S015000, C269S302100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06651970
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to cutting surfaces and, more specifically, multifunctional cutting surface. The cutting surface device of the present invention is designed to replace the traditional kitchen cutting board with a more practical cutting surface, performing a variety of functions and increasing the efficiency of the end user. The present invention consists of multiple pieces that make the entire unit as a whole.
The foundation of the entire unit as a whole is the base. The base unit is a shell, designed to stabilize the cutting surfaces and act as a universal receiver of all other pieces. The base unit is made up of a three-sided shell. The inner section of this shell is grooved with a track for means of inserting the variety of holding containers that support a specific surface. The base is designed to act as the primary receiver of multiple and interchangeable cutting surfaces. Each surface is fitted with notched grooves, one in each of the four corners of each surface. These grooves act as the female receiver for metal rods extending from the base unit that match up symmetrically with each groove found on the belly of the cutting top. These secure the unit as a whole, preventing any shifting or lateral movements of the surface while attached to the base.
The first of a variety of surfaces that are interchangeable with the main base unit are as follows. The first is “the porous” cutting top, consisting of a surface made of tiny holes that allow food juices to pass the board into a receiving receptacle. This cutting surface is used when working with any food products that tend to purge fluids. The top allows the juices from the food product to pass through the cutting board instead of running off the side. This particular surface also relies on a hard, plastic tube plate that directs the purged fluids into a holding receptacle. The plate fits snugly into the bottom portion of the cutting surface and top portion of the holding container. For each hole in the cutting surface and holding container there is a matching tube on the plate. Each hole at the top of the holding container is fitted with a one-way, resealable rubber piece, that allows the tube to penetrate the container's surface and deposit liquid, but not dispense its contents. The holding receptacle is fitted with a removable cap that allows the user to pour out any liquid accumulated in the unit.
The next cutting surface is referred to as the “trap door” cutting surface. The function of this work surface is for general purposes (i.e., chopping, dicing, slicing, etc.). The function of the trap door is to allow the user to quickly remove products (waste or useable trimmings) from the cutting surface. This enables the end user to save steps when transferring products from the cutting surface into a separate unit. This also eliminates the user from having to lift the entire cutting unit, like a platter, and scrape the contents into a separate receptacle. This cutting surface has a flip-top shell that allows the user to slide product or waste neatly into a holding container underneath the cutting surface. The holding container is secured within the base unit of the cutting board itself and is designed to slide into and out of the base unit to empty and fill as necessary.
The third cutting surface is the “butcher block” cutting top. The unique function of this surface is that it is designed to keep the surface of the cutting top cold while working with perishable foods. The cutting surface contains a thin, metal plate that is exposed on the belly of the cutting surface. This metal plate is then encased with material suitable for cutting purposes. Under the belly of the cutting surface, attached to the base is a refreezable ice pack that contacts the thin metal plate at the belly of the cutting top, acting as a conductor allowing the surface to remain cold. The cold pack like the other containers slides into the universal shell with the base unit and can be slipped in and out as necessary.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are other cutting surface devices designed to improve the cutting of products. Typical of these in U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,115 issued to Schom on Mar. 31, 1992.
Another patent was issued to Benjamin on Nov. 22, 1994 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,208. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,009 was issued to Mertz on Jan. 17, 1995 and still yet another was issued on Feb. 7, 1995 to Ladwig et al. as U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,978.
Another patent was issued to Gibson et al on Jun. 18, 1996 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,022. Another patent was issued to Bidwell et al on Aug. 20, 1996 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,546,852. Another patent was issued to Beres et al on Aug. 11, 1998 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,479. Another patent was issued to Collins et al on May 18, 1999 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,271. Another patent was issued to Kletter et al on Aug. 19, 1999 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,185. Another patent was issued to Bogomolny et al on Nov. 16, 1999 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,294. Another patent was issued to Makowski et al on Feb. 22, 2000 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,026,972.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,115
Inventor: James B. Schom
Mar. 31, 1992
A cutting board with a planar cutting surface and one or more generally vertical retaining members extending upward from and perpendicular to the cutting surface, the retaining members thereby defining a vertical retention surface. The vertical retaining members may be in the form of solid wall shoulders at each end to accommodate a knife handle, a wall with a notch to permit cutting pendicular to the retention surface, or a plurality of pegs which may be arranged in various positions on the cutting board.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,208
Inventor: William Benjamin
Issued: Nov. 22, 1994
A cutting board system provides both a cutting board and a drip pan tray for receiving juices and trimmings which are cut from food particles. The cutting board mounts directly within a drip pan tray and is provided with at least one notch whereby juices may flow into the tray below. The tray is provided with a pour system to provide convenient cutting, serving and pouring of the food to be served.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,009
Inventor: Dyanna Mertz
Issued: Jan. 17, 1995
A portable hinged cutting board with drawer for recreational use, such as the popular picnic, is presented having a housing
10
with a folding extension
11
attached by a hinge means
12
to the top edge along the length of the housing
10
. The folding extension
11
corresponds in length and width with top of the housing thereby when folded in a closed position it is adjacent to the upper surface of the housing top
10
a
. The housing
10
can generally be described as having a rectangular top
10
a
two short sides
10
b
one long side
10
c
thereby forming a compartment
10
e
. A drawer
13
fits snugly into the compartment
10
e
and is of such a width that when positioned inside as in the closed position the outer wall
13
a
of the drawer
13
is flush with the edges of the housing
10
. The drawer is held in the closed position inside the housing by a fastening means
18
thereby preventing the drawer from opening during transport. The drawer
13
is extended as far as possible until it is restricted by a stopping means
19
from removal from the housing
10
. The folding extension
11
is rotated along the axis of the hinge
12
resting in a position on top of the drawer
13
thereby doubling the area available for food preparation by combining the upper surface of the housing top
10
a
and the adjacent surface
11
a
of the folding extension
11
which are aligned on the same plane forming a cutting “board” area.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,978
Inventor: Todd Ladwig
Issued: Feb. 7, 1995
A cutting board which is substantially rectangular in shape and made of a polymer material such as polyethylene. The cutting board includes a handle at one end, and an inner groove surrounding three of the edges and the handle on an upper portion of the cutting board. A living hinge extends across a lower portion of the cutting board
Hail III Joseph J.
Kroll Michael I.
Shanley Daniel
LandOfFree
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