IE51114B1 - Improvements in or relating to kitchen implements - Google Patents

Abstract

A kitchen implement intended for use as a foodstuff cutting board comprises a tray element 12, a removable cover 14 with a cutting surface, and a detachable scraper 16 for removing cut food from the implement. The scraper fits into a recess in the underside of the tray element.

Description

This invention relates to kitchen implements for cutting foodstuffs.

According to this invention there is provided a kitchen implement suitable for use as a cutting board and as a collector for foodstuffs, the implement comprising a tray having a side wall and a bottom wall integral with one another, the bottom wall comprising an upwardly projecting region spaced from a said side wall, the said region having planar upper and lower surfaces and there being affixed to the said region a removable cap-like cover which extends over substantially the entirety of the said upper surface, the said lower surface defining part of a recess which releasably accommodates a scraper element in juxtaposition therewith.

Preferably the region comprises an undercut exten15 ding about the periphery thereof and the underside of the said cover is grooved to engage matingly with the undercut.

Suitably the said recess comprises at least two opposed projecting lips which are adapted to engage and retain the scraper.

Advantageously the cover projects upwardly above the extent of the or each side wall.

It is to be appreciated that since in the preferred arrangement the implement will be made of a high impact plastics material, the cutting board portion or segment will be subjected to extreme wear and tear. Therefore, to assure that this 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 the cover may be replaced.

Similarly, an implement in accordance with this invention provides 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 the scraper to the tray, preferably the underside of the cutting board portion is recessed and provided with lips which secure the ends of the scraper. Accordingly, the scraper is held out of the way and is yet conveniently positioned for use.

So that the invention may be more readily understood and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, a kitchen implement in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a top perspective view of the implement, showing the cutting board cover in place; FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the implement of Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the implement; FIGURE 4 is an exploded top perspective view of the implement showing the cover and scraper removed; FIGURE 5 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the implement showing the scraper in its juxtaposed relationship with the underside thereof; FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view of the implement taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 5; FIGURE 7 is a top perspective view of the scraper; FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view of the scraper taken along line 8-8 of Figure 7; FIGURE 9 is an enlarged view of the cross-section encircled at 9 in Figure 6; and FIGURE 10 is an exploded partial cross-sectional view of the cutting board segment of the implement, the cap-like cover and the scraper.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts of the kitchen implement 10, it can be seen that the implement 10 comprises three distinct elements: a tray 12, a cap-like cover 14 and a scraper 16. As is evident from Figures 1 and 4, the implement 10 is adapted to function as a cutting board and as a temporary collector for cut foodstuff. To this end, the tray 12 comprises an integral generally horizontal bottom wall IS (Figure 6) which intersects a surrounding side wall 20 at a level between the top and bottom of the side wall 20. The bottom wall 18 slopes generally downwardly and forwardly from its intersection with the upper extent of the side wall 20 at the rear of the implement toward its intersection with the lower edge of the side wall 20 at the front. The upper extent of the side wall 20 extends above the bottom wall at all points, thereby fashioning a container-like structure of varying depth along its length Furthermore, the juncture of the side wall 20 and bottom wall 18 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 the tray 12, which handle preferably includes an opening 26 so that the implement may be conveniently stored by hanging from a peg or hook.

The tray 12 also comprises a generally centrallylocated, upwardly projecting region 28 having a substantially planar upper surface 30 which is at the approximate height of, and parallel to, the upper extent of the side wall 20. This region 28 comprises an undercut 32 about its uppermost peripheral edge adjacent the planar surface 30 (Figures 6, 9 and 10). The lower surface 34 of the region 28 partially defines a recess which is located under the region 28. This recess further comprises opposed inwardly projecting lips 36.

These lips 36 engage and retain the opposite ends of the scraper 16 (Figure 5, 6, 9 and 10) to hold it firmly in juxtaposition with the lower surface 34.

The said region 28 may be used as a cutting board. However, since the implement is preferably constructed of high impact plastics material, 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 the planar surface 30.

As can best be seen in Figure 6, 9 and 10, the cover is grooved, as at 38. This groove is so dimensioned for engagement with the undercut on the projecting region 28, yet can be easily removed therefrom. When the cover 14 is in place on the region 28, the top surface 40 of the cover 14 projects above the side wall 20, thereby presenting an unobstructed cutting area.

Claims (5)

1. CIA IMS :1. A kitchen implement suitable for use as a cutting board and as a collector for foodstuffs, the implement comprising a tray having a side wall and a bottom wall 5 integral with one another, the bottom wall comprising an upwardly projecting region spaced from a said side wall, the said region having planar upper and lower surfaces and there being affixed to the said region a removable cap-like cover which extends over substantially the entirety of the said 10 upper surface, the said lower surface defining part of a recess which releasably accommodates a scraper element in juxtaposition therewith.

2. A kitchen implement according to claim 1 wherein the region comprises an undercut extending about the periphery 15 thereof and the underside of the said cover is grooved to engage matingly with the undercut.

3. A kitchen implement according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the said recess comprises at least two opposed projecting lips which are adapted to engage and retain the 20 scraper.

4. A kitchen implement according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the cover projects upwardly above the extent of the or each side wall.

5. A kitchen implement substantially as described herein 25 with reference to the accompanying drawings.