U.S. patent application number 10/345970 was filed with the patent office on 2003-06-12 for combination slicer/toaster.
Invention is credited to Ancona, Bruce, Varakian, Robert A..
Application Number | 20030106436 10/345970 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26889198 |
Filed Date | 2003-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030106436 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ancona, Bruce ; et
al. |
June 12, 2003 |
Combination slicer/toaster
Abstract
A combination slicer and toaster which is particularly suitable
for slicing and toasting bagels and other similar food items, which
comprises in combination a slicing section and a toasting section,
such that a bagel, or other similar food item, is inserted into an
opening slot in one end of the slicing section, wherein said bagel
or other food item is forced into intimate contact with a slicing
means located within the slicing section by the downward action of
a plunger means located in rotational contact with the opening
slot. Upon passing through the slicing section, the bagel is
simultaneously deposited in the toasting section of the device,
where the now sliced food item is toasted and, upon completion of
the toasting operation, is elevated through an exit slot in the
other end of the device.
Inventors: |
Ancona, Bruce; (New York,
NY) ; Varakian, Robert A.; (Chicago, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SONNENSCHEIN NATH & ROSENTHAL
P.O. BOX 061080
WACKER DRIVE STATION
CHICAGO
IL
60606-1080
US
|
Family ID: |
26889198 |
Appl. No.: |
10/345970 |
Filed: |
January 17, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10345970 |
Jan 17, 2003 |
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09810023 |
Mar 16, 2001 |
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6532864 |
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60193634 |
Mar 31, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
99/357 ; 99/385;
99/389 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 37/0871 20130101;
Y10T 83/576 20150401; Y10T 83/5815 20150401; Y10T 83/5796 20150401;
Y10T 83/871 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
99/357 ; 99/385;
99/389 |
International
Class: |
A23L 001/00; A47J
037/08 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A combination slicer and toaster device, particularly suitable
for slicing and toasting bagels and other similar food items, which
comprises a slicing section and a toasting section wherein the food
item is deposited in an opening in one end of the device, passes
over a slicing means and is simultaneously deposited in a toaster
section for exposure to heating coils.
2. A device according to claim 1, which also comprises a plunger
means for forcing the food item in intimate contact with the said
slicing means and depositing the slices within the toaster section
of the device.
3. A device according to claim 1, which also comprises a motor and
gearing means to operate the slicing means.
4. A device according to claim 1, which also comprises a wire
mechanism for raising and lowering the sliced food item within the
toaster section.
5. A device according to claim 1, which also comprises a plurality
of heating coils within the toaster section.
6. A device according to claim 1, which also comprises a crumb tray
located within the toaster sections of the device.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/193,634, filed Mar. 31, 2000.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to kitchen
appliances. More particularly, the invention relates to a
combination slicer and toaster which is designed to accomplish the
tasks of slicing and subsequent toasting of bagels and other
similar food items in one continuous operation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] While numerous slicing devices and toasters are known in the
art which are effective to a greater or lesser degree to slice and
then toast bagels and other similar food items in separate steps,
nowhere is there any device disclosed or taught which is capable of
carrying out both of these steps in one simple and efficient
operation, without the need for intervention by the user between
the slicing step and the toasting step. It has therefore been
deemed advantageous to provide a combination slicer/toaster to
simplify this task for the user.
[0004] A number of prior art references available in the art are
known, each reference being directed to some specific discreet
elements of the device which is described and claimed in the
present invention. However, none of the references is directed to
the totality of the combination, or its use and function in the
manner described and claimed herein.
[0005] The following prior art references are known:
[0006] McInnes et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,163 discloses a bagel
slicer appliance utilizing a motorized cutting element within a
housing containing a reciprocating knife into which housing a bagel
is inserted and the knife cuts therethrough;
[0007] Kanarek et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,013 discloses another
automatic bagel slicer;
[0008] DeMars, U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,306 discloses a combined toaster
and cutter appliance. A bagel can be placed into a container where
a cutting blade is activated to slice the bagel, which is
thereafter toasted in the toasting chamber; and
[0009] DeMars, U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,608 discloses another toaster
and bagel slicer combination having a removable slicer device.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a
combination slicer/toaster device useful for carrying out the
slicing and toasting of bagels and other similar food items.
[0011] It is also an object of the present invention to provide for
carrying out the steps of slicing and toasting bagels and other
similar food items in one continuous operation.
[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
combination slicer/toaster device for carrying out the steps of
slicing and toasting bagels and other similar food items in one
continuous operation without the need for intervention by the user
between the slicing and toasting steps.
[0013] These and other objects of the invention will become
apparent from the following discussion of the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention provides for a combination slicer and
toaster, which is particularly suitable for slicing/toasting bagels
and other similar food items. The slicer/toaster of the invention
comprises in combination a slicing section and a separate toasting
section, such that a bagel, or other similar food item, is inserted
into an opening slot in one end of the slicing section. Said bagel,
or other similar food item, is forced into intimate contact with a
slicing means located within the slicing section by the downward
action of a plunger means, which plunger means is located in
rotational contact with the opening slot. Upon passing through the
slicing section the bagel, or other similar food item, is deposited
in the toasting section of the device where the now sliced food
item is toasted and, upon completion of the toasting operation, is
elevated through an exit slot in the other end of device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The foregoing objects and advantages of the present
invention may be more readily understood by one skilled in the art
with reference being had to the following detailed description of a
preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings wherein like elements are designated by
identical reference numerals throughout the several views, and in
which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the
combination slicing/toaster device of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the
combination slicing/toaster device of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the
combination slicing/toaster device of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a top, somewhat cross-sectional schematic view of
a preferred interior arrangement for the components of an
embodiment of the combination slicer/toaster device of the present
invention;
[0020] FIGS. 5A and 5B are each a lateral, somewhat cross-sectional
schematic view of the interior arrangement of components of the
embodiment depicted in FIG. 3;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a front, somewhat cross-sectional schematic view
of the interior components of the embodiment depicted in FIG.
3;
[0022] FIG. 7A is a front view of one preferred embodiment of the
interior horizontal and vertical support wires for use in the
toaster section of the device of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 7B is a top schematic view of the preferred embodiment
depicted in FIG. 7A;
[0024] FIG. 7C is another top schematic view of the preferred
embodiment depicted in FIG. 7A with the horizontal and vertical
support wires in an alternate position;
[0025] FIG. 7D is a side elevational view of the support wires in
the position shown in FIG. 7B; and
[0026] FIG. 7E is a side elevational view of the support wires in
the position shown in FIG. 7C.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] The present invention is directed to a combination slicer
and toaster, which is particularly suitable for slicing and
toasting bagels and other similar food items. The slicer/toaster of
the invention comprises in combination a slicing section and a
toasting section, such that a bagel, or other similar food item, is
inserted into an opening slot in one end of the slicing section,
wherein said bagel, or other similar food item is forced into
intimate contact with a slicing means located within the slicing
section by the downward action of a pusher means, which pusher
means is preferably located in rotational contact with the opening
slot. Upon passing through the slicing section, the slices of the
bagel or other similar food item are simultaneously deposited in
the toasting section of the device where the food item slices are
toasted and, upon completion of the toasting operation, are
elevated through an exit slot in the other end of the device.
[0028] The invention can perhaps be better appreciated from the
drawings. In FIGS. 1 and 2, which are front and rear prospective
views of a combination slicing/toasting device according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device generally
includes a main housing 2 which is formed as a generally
streamlined enclosure having rounded corners and a rectangular base
3. Housing 2 is provided with an opening slot 4, which has affixed
at one end 6 of opening slot 4 a pusher element 8, which generally
corresponds to the dimensions (width and length) of opening slot 4.
Housing 2 is also provided with an exit slot 10 at the upper
surface 12 of housing 2 opposite from opening slot 4. The end 14 of
housing 2 closest to exit slot 10 has an actuator 16 which operates
to lower or raise a food item that has been or will be toasted.
[0029] Lateral surface 18 of housing 2 has a control section 18
having one or more control knobs, buttons, or dials. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1, control section 18 comprises heat
control knobs 20, an indicator light 22, and a toast control knob
24.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of another preferred
embodiment of the combination slicing/toasting device of the
present invention. Pusher element 8 (shown in three positions) can
be rotated around end 6 to permit access to opening slot 4 by bagel
26 which is pushed to contact slicing blade 28 (shown in FIG. 5A).
Upon passing through the slicing section of the device, the bagel
or food item is simultaneously deposited in the toaster section of
the device, whereafter a toasted bagel or food item is lifted out
of exit slot 14. Pusher element 8 is affixed within opening slot 4
and rotates about pivot 38.
[0031] Pusher element 8 preferably has a wedge section 29 and a
protruding portion 30, that has two functions: First, the distal
end 32 of protruding portion 30 activates a switching mechanism 34
to engage slicing blade 28. And second, when distal end 32 touches
stop 36, the movement of wedge section 29 is stopped short of
slicing blade 28. Optional stop 36 operates to disengage or "turn
off" slicer blade 28.
[0032] Pusher element 8 is dimensioned such that it may be
depressed within opening slot 4 to ensure the compression of a food
item against and past slicing blade 28. The lateral edges of pusher
element 8 may be provided with grooves or projections that
correspond to the reciprocal projections or grooves, respectively,
to guide pusher element 8 uniformly within the opening slot.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a top schematic view of a preferred interior
arrangement for the components of a preferred embodiment of the
combination slicer/toaster device of the present invention. The
interior of opening slot 4 is defined by plates 40 located on
either side of the interior of opening slot 4, which plates 40
generally orientate the food item to be sliced in a centered
position relative to slicing blade 28. Immediately adjacent to
slicing blade 28 is a wedge-shaped member 42, which serves to
channel food item slices into the toaster section 44 where each
sliced food item slice is contacted by a wire mechanism 46 which
serves to raise and lower the food item slices. One side of each
food item slice contacts stationary wire guides 48, and the other
side of each food item contacts wire guides 45, described-in
more-detail below. One end 50 of wire mechanism 46 is operationally
connected by plate 47 and through slot or slots 49 to actuator
16.
[0034] Upon being deposited upon wire mechanism 46, the food item
slices are generally positioned in parallel orientation to inner
heating coil 52 and outer heating coils 54. Control electronics 56
for duration/intensity of heat to be applied are also located
within housing 2, for example, adjacent to slicing blade 28 and
preferably separated by insulation 58 from heating coils 28.
[0035] FIGS. 5A and 5B are each a somewhat cross-sectional, lateral
schematic view of the interior arrangement of components of the
embodiment depicted in FIG. 3. The relative positioning of opening
slot 4 and slicing blade 28 are shown with relationship to
wedge-shaped member 42. Slicing blade 28 is operatively connected
to a motor and gearing means 60 which serves to move slicing blade
28 in an up and down motion.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 5A, a sloped surface 62, made, for example,
from aluminum, directs the food item slices toward the bottom
center of toasting section 44. Also, a slidable/removable deep
crumb tray 64 in base 3 catches crumbs but keeps them sufficiently
far from heating coils 52,54.
[0037] FIG. 6 is a front schematic view of the interior components
depicted in FIG. 4. Inner heating coil 52 and outer heating coils
54 are positioned in general parallel orientation to wire mechanism
46.
[0038] FIGS. 7A-7E are perspective, top and side views of a
preferred embodiment of the interior horizontal and vertical wire
guide 45 for use in the toaster section of the device of the
present invention. Each wire guide 45 comprises a set of
interlocking members, namely, vertical member 66 and horizontal
member 68. When a sliced bagel or food item enters toasting section
44, members 66 and 68 are configured as in FIGS. 7B and 7D, wherein
the wires of horizontal member 68 are exposed to and contact the
food item slices. Then, when the bagel or food item is toasted or
is to be removed, vertical member 66 pivots forward about pivot 70
so that its wires contact the food item slices and guide them as
actuator 16 and wire mechanism 46 lift up.
[0039] It will be further apparent to one skilled in this art that
the improvements provided for in the present invention, while
described with relation to certain specific physical embodiments
also lend themselves to being applied in other physical
arrangements not specifically provided for herein, which are
nonetheless within the spirit and scope of the invention taught
here.
* * * * *