U.S. patent application number 11/505611 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-07 for food peeler.
Invention is credited to Anthony Di Bitonto, Alec Drummond, Juan Escobar, Arsenio Garcia, Kevin Lozeau, Mark Prommel.
Application Number | 20060272161 11/505611 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32990475 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060272161 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Di Bitonto; Anthony ; et
al. |
December 7, 2006 |
Food peeler
Abstract
The present invention provides for a food peeler having a
removable blade that includes an end received in a bore of the food
peeler handle and a resilient member is mounted adjacent to the end
of the blade and allows for the blade to be moved between a
centered and offset position so that the blade may be removed and
replaced. A tool is provided in order to remove and replace the
blade.
Inventors: |
Di Bitonto; Anthony;
(Brooklyn, NY) ; Prommel; Mark; (New York, NY)
; Lozeau; Kevin; (Ridge, NY) ; Garcia;
Arsenio; (Brooklyn, NY) ; Escobar; Juan; (New
York, NY) ; Drummond; Alec; (Brooklyn, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SEYFARTH SHAW LLP
131 S. DEARBORN ST., SUITE2400
CHICAGO
IL
60603-5803
US
|
Family ID: |
32990475 |
Appl. No.: |
11/505611 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10428267 |
May 2, 2003 |
|
|
|
11505611 |
Aug 17, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
30/279.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 83/9461 20150401;
A47J 17/02 20130101; B26B 5/00 20130101; B26B 5/006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
030/279.6 |
International
Class: |
A01D 1/00 20060101
A01D001/00 |
Claims
1-44. (canceled)
45. A method of releasing a blade from a food peeler comprising the
steps of: providing a food peeler including a bore having a
resilient member; applying a force to a blade in a first direction
generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the blade, and
causing a first and second mounting area at each end of the blade
to move in the first direction; depressing the resilient member
upon moving the first mounting area against the resilient member;
and releasing the second mounting area from a recess of the peeler
and allowing the blade to pivot so that the first mounting area may
be removed from the bore.
46. The method of claim 45 further comprising the steps of:
mounting a tool to the blade so that an engagement mechanism of the
tool engages and grips the blade; moving the tool and blade so that
the blade moves from a centered position to an offset position; and
removing the blade from the food peeler.
47. The method of claim 45 wherein the first mounting area includes
a finger protruding therefrom to be received by the bore.
48. The method of claim 45 wherein the first mounting area includes
a cap attached thereto and the cap having a finger activation
area.
49.-53. (canceled)
Description
[0001] The present invention pertains to a blade holding device and
in particular a food peeler having a removable blade.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Many food peelers are known for peeling food items such as
carrots, potatoes or apples that have a long flat blade having a
pair of cutting surfaces for peeling the food item. In certain
known devices, the blade is attached at one end and has a distal
end which is free. The attached end of the blade is generally
fixedly attached to a handle so that the consumer or end user of
the device cannot remove the blade from the handle. Generally, the
blade is secured by some mechanical means or welded in place within
the handle.
[0003] Other types of peelers are either Y-shaped or have an
L-shaped arm having mounting areas at each side to receive each end
of the blade. In known embodiments, the blade can be mounted
permanently between the two mounting areas formed by the arms by
exerting sufficient force on the blade in order to forcibly insert
each end of the blade into bores formed at each mounting area. The
arms are generally formed of substantially rigid plastic or metal.
High pressure machines are used in order to forcibly insert the
blade by slightly flexing the arms away from each other or flexing
the blade so that the blade may be the arms between. Upon mounting
of the blade between the arms, the arms spring back to their static
position and hold the blade fixedly therebetween. As the end user
does not have the proper machinery to forcibly expand the arms, the
blade cannot be removed. Therefore, for all of these devices where
the blade is fixedly mounted, when the blade becomes dull, the
entire peeling device must be discarded. Therefore, there is
desired a food peeler that has a replaceable blade so that a dull
blade may be removed and a new sharp blade replaced quickly and
easily by an end user.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present invention provides for a food peeler comprising
a handle having a grip and a working end, a blade having a first
end and a second end, a bore formed in the working end of the
handle and a resilient member mounted in the bore, the first end of
the blade being removably mountable in the bore to abut the
resilient member, wherein by sliding the blade so that the first
end compresses the resilient member the blade may be mounted on or
removed from the handle. In an embodiment, the handle may include
an arm and the second end of the blade is attached to the arm. In
an embodiment, the arm may include a bore for receiving the second
end of the blade. In an embodiment, the blade may have a centered
position where the first end of the blade abuts, but does not
compress the resilient member, wherein the blade is retained in the
handle. In an embodiment, the blade may have an offset position
where the blade is moved from the centered position so that the
first end is inserted further into its bore and compresses the
resilient member so that the second end is removed from its recess
so that the blade may be mounted on or removed from the handle.
[0005] In an embodiment, a tool is provided having an engagement
mechanism for engaging the blade and for moving the blade between
the centered and the offset positions and for removing the blade
from the handle. In an embodiment, the engagement mechanism may
include a longitudinal protrusion that engages a longitudinal slot
of the blade. In an embodiment, the engagement mechanism may
include a lip that frictionally engages the blade so that upon
movement of the blade to the offset position, the tool grips the
blade with sufficient force to remove the blade from the handle. In
an embodiment, the arm forms generally a Y-shape having distal ends
that may include the bore and recess, therein for receiving the
first and second ends of the blade, respectively. In an embodiment,
the arm may form generally an L-shape having a distal end having
the recess formed therein and for receiving a second end of the
blade. In an embodiment, the blade may include a finger at its
first end for insertion into the bore. In an embodiment, the blade
at its second end may include a distal portion that is not attached
to the handle.
[0006] In an embodiment, the first end of the blade may include a
locking member in order to restrict the first end of the blade from
being removed from the bore receiving the first end. In an
embodiment, the tool may include a plurality of cavities for
receiving blades therein. In an embodiment, the tool may include a
storage cavity for storing a blade therein. In an embodiment, the
tool may include three cavities. In an embodiment, the tool may
include a gripping surface in order to hold the tool so that the
engagement member may engage a blade and grip the tool so that the
tool may remove the blade. In an embodiment, the tool may include a
housing and the cavity is formed along an edge of the housing. In
an embodiment, the tool may be generally triangular shaped and
includes three edges and three cavities respectively formed at the
edges. In an embodiment, each cavity may include a longitudinal
protrusion centered between a pair of longitudinal ledges. In an
embodiment, each ledge may include a lip that frictionally engages
the blade on each side in order to retain the blade in the cavity
and so that the blade may be mounted on or removed from the
handle.
[0007] In an embodiment, the tool may be formed of a central
housing, a top plate and a bottom plate. In an embodiment, the
central housing may form a plurality of longitudinal protrusions at
each of its edges. In an embodiment, the top plate may form a
plurality of ledges at each of its edges. In an embodiment, the
bottom plate may form a plurality of ledges at each of its edges.
In an embodiment, the tool may be assembled so that the central
housing has the top plate attached on one side and the bottom plate
attached on the other side. In an embodiment, the tool may include
latch arms protruding from the top plate and bottom plate and each
are snap-fit to the central housing. In an embodiment, the blade
may include a cap provided at each end. In an embodiment, a finger
engagement surface may be formed on one of the caps to help apply a
force to the blade to slide the blade to the offset position and
insert the cap at the opposite end into its respective bore and
compress the resilient member. In an embodiment, the caps may be
molded to the ends of the blade and each cap may include a
resilient portion.
[0008] The present invention may also provide for a blade holding
device comprising a handle having a grip and a working end having a
bore, a blade having a first end and second end, an arm attached to
the handle and having a recess, a resilient member provided in the
bore, and one of the first or second ends of the blade received in
the bore having the resilient member, so that upon movement of the
blade to an offset position the blade compresses the resilient
member so that the opposite end of the blade is removed from its
respective recess and the blade may be mounted on or removed from
the handle. In an embodiment, the resilient member may be connected
to the blade. In an embodiment, the resilient member may be mounted
within one of the bores. In an embodiment, each bore may include a
resilient member mounted therein. In an embodiment, the arm may
generally form an L-shape. In an embodiment, the arm may generally
form a Y-shape with the handle. In an embodiment, the blade may
include a pair of cutting surfaces for peeling a food item. In an
embodiment, a tool may have an engagement mechanism that attaches
to the blade to remove it to or from the handle. In an embodiment,
the engagement mechanism may include a protrusion and a lip.
[0009] The present invention also provides for a food peeler
comprising a handle, a shaft extending from the handling including
a pair of mounting areas, a blade having a mounting member at each
end and each mounting member received by a pair of mounting areas
and at least one mounting area having a release mechanism for
releasing a mounting member mounted thereto. In an embodiment, the
blade may be a rectangular metal blade having a cap at each end
providing the mounting members. In an embodiment, each mounting
area may include a bore shaped generally corresponding to the
mounting member. In an embodiment, the release mechanism may
include a resilient member mounted in the bore and engaging the cap
at the end of the blade. In an embodiment, a finger activation area
may be provided by at least one of the caps. In an embodiment, each
bore may be rectangular shaped for receiving a corresponding
rectangular shaped cap therein in order to mount the blade to the
shaft. The shaft includes a D-shaped opening and the shaft may have
a proximal end and a distal end and a bore formed at each end for
receiving the mounting members therein.
[0010] The present invention further provides for a removable blade
for a food peeler comprising a generally rectangular shaped metal
blade having a pair of mounting areas at each end and one of the
mounting areas including a finger activation area. In an
embodiment, a cap may be welded to the blade. In an embodiment, the
caps may be insert molded to the blade. In an embodiment, a cap may
include a mounting member protruding opposite the blade.
[0011] The present invention may further provide for a method of
releasing a blade from a food peeler comprising the steps of
applying a force to a first mounting area of the blade in a first
direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the blade,
and causing a second mounting area at an end of the blade, opposite
the first mounting area, to move in the first direction and
depressing a resilient member mounted within a bore of the peeler
upon moving the second mounting area against the resilient member
and releasing the first mounting area from a first bore of the
peeler and allowing the blade to pivot so that the first mounting
area may be removed from the bore.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] For the purpose of facilitating an understanding the subject
matter sought to be protected, there is illustrated in the
accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of
which, when considered in connection with the following
description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its
construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be
readily understood and appreciated.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a food peeler of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the food peeler of FIG.
1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken at line 3-3 of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a food
peeler of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken at line 5-5 of FIG. 4;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken at line 6-6 of FIG. 5;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an assembled tool of the
present invention;
[0020] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the tool of FIG.
7;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of an additional embodiment of
a food peeler of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken at line 10-10 of FIG. 9
depicting a blade in a mounted and partially removed orientation;
and
[0023] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the food peeler of FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] An embodiment of the present invention is described with
reference to FIGS. 1-3. A food peeler 10 is provided having a
handle 12 that has a grip 15 formed thereon. In an embodiment, the
grip 15 is formed of a rubberized resilient material, such as a
thermoplastic elastomer, molded over a core 17. In an embodiment,
the grip 15 is insert molded over the core 17. The handle 12
includes a working end 18. Connected at the working end is an arm
20 or shaft. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the arm 20
forms a generally U-shape having a generally D-shaped opening 22
within which is mounted a blade 30.
[0025] The blade 30 generally is a metal rectangular shaped blade
having a pair of cutting surfaces 31, 32 formed at the sides of a
slot 35 formed longitudinally along the length of the blade 30. The
blade includes a first end 41 and a second end 42. Generally the
first end 41 forms a first mounting area and the second end 42
forms a second mounting area. Protruding from each of the first and
second ends 41, 42 are fingers 43, 44 or mounting members. Each end
41, 42 of the blade 30 is mounted to the arm 20. The first end 41
is mounted at a proximal end 47 of the arm 20 and the second end 42
of the blade 30 is mounted at a distal end 48 of the arm 20. The
fingers 43, 44 are respectively received within bores formed in the
proximal and distal ends 47, 48 of the arm 20. In an embodiment,
generally each bore is formed of a corresponding shape to receive
its respective finger 43, 44. However, for clarity sake the bore at
the proximal end 47 of the arm 20 will be identified as bore 51 and
that at the distal end 48 as a recess 52. In an embodiment, the
proximal end 47 of the arm 20 is protruding from the handle 12 and
is formed of a material different than the grip 15. However, in an
alternate embodiment, the proximal end 47 may be of one piece with
the handle 12 and may be formed as one piece with the working end
18 of the handle 12. Likewise, in alternate embodiment, the bore 51
may be formed in the working end 18 of the handle 12.
[0026] In the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 1-3, the bore 51 has
mounted therein a resilient member 55. The resilient member 55
functions as a release mechanism for releasing the end 41 or
mounting member from the bore 51 or mounting area. In an
embodiment, the resilient member is a metal coil spring having a
thermoplastic resin plug mechanically inserted into the spring. The
plug acts as a stop abutment for the end 41 or finger 43 of the
blade 30. In another embodiment, the resilient member 55 may be
formed of a hard durometer thermoplastic resin cap overmolded onto
a soft 11 thermoplastic resin cap material forming a resilient
body. The resilient plug is oriented in the bore 51 so that the
hard cap abuts the end 41 or finger 43 of the blade. In a further
alternate embodiment, the resilient member may be connected to the
blade. Other alternate embodiments of the resilient member 55 may
be provided, such as, an uncooled coil spring, a rubberized member,
an elastomeric plug or other member that provides for resiliency
and/or elasticity. In an embodiment, the resilient member 55 is
mounted within the bore 51 via a mechanical means, for example,
press-fitting or friction fitting the resilient member 55 therein
where the inner diameter of the bore 51 is approximately equal to
the outer diameter of the resilient member 55. However, other means
of mounting the resilient member 55 within the bore 51 may be
provided, for example, via adhesive or use of fasteners. In an
alternate embodiment, the resilient member 55 may be allowed to
freely rest within the bore 51 without any attachment means. In the
embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 1-3, the resilient member 55 is only
mounted within the bore 51, and the recess 52 has no resilient
member. However, in an alternate embodiment the recess 52 may also
include a resilient member mounted therein. An alternate embodiment
of the invention may provide for a blade that is only mounted at a
proximal end and the blade has a free distal end that is not
attached. In such an embodiment, the proximal end of the blade is
inserted in a bore of a handle. The bore includes a resilient
member that is compressed when the proximal end of the blade is
moved into the bore in order to remove the blade. A locking member
maybe provided adjacent to the bore in order to release the
proximal end from the bore when the resilient member is
compressed.
[0027] The removal of the blade 30 will be explained as follows.
The blade 30, as shown in FIG. 3, is oriented in a centered
position where the first end 41 of the blade 30 is abutting against
the resilient member 55, but is not compressing the resilient
member 55. In a preferred embodiment, the finger 43 is abutting the
side of the resilient member 55 but has very little, or slight
compression thereon. In the centered position, the second end 42 of
the blade 30 is provided in the recess 52 and a small gap 57 is
provided at the bottom of the recess 52 adjacent the finger 44 of
the second end 42 of the blade 30. However, the gap 57 is very
small and does not allow for much, if any lateral movement (as
viewed in FIG. 3) of the blade 30. The gap 57 and recess 52 are
formed to allow for pivoting or swiveling of the blade 30. In an
embodiment, the diameter of the recess 52 is larger than the outer
diameter or width of the finger 44 and the diameter of the bore 51
is larger than the outer diameter or width of the finger 43 so that
the blade 30 may pivot at least 10.degree. in each direction above
and below a horizontal orientation (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3).
[0028] To remove the blade, pressure is applied to the blade 30 in
a direction of arrow A, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis
of the blade 30, in order to move the finger 41 against the
resilient member 55 by inserting the finger 41 further into the
bore 51. As the resilient member 55 compresses, the blade 30 is
moved further into the bore 51 and the gap 57 increases, the finger
44 at the second end 42 begins to be removed from the recess 52. As
the resilient member 55 is completely compressed, the blade 30 is
moved to an offset position where the finger 44 at the second end
42 is completely removed from the recess 52. The blade then may be
pivoted so that the second end 42 moves outward and away from the
distal end 48 of the arm 20. Thereafter, the first end 41 may also
be removed from the bore 51 and the blade 30 completely removed
from the peeler 10. This removal process may be accomplished by
operation of a user's fingers gripping portions of the blade 30.
However, as will be described in more detail later, a tool may be
used in order to remove the blade 30. In order to attach a
different blade to the peeler 10, the above discussed steps are
reversed.
[0029] Turning to FIGS. 4-6 another embodiment of the present
invention is illustrated. A food peeler 110 is disclosed having
handle 112 having a grip 115 formed over a core 117. The handle 112
includes a working end 118 having a pair of arms 120, 121
protruding from the working end 118. In the embodiment disclosed in
FIGS. 4-6, the arms 120, 121 form a generally U-shaped member so
that the entire peeler 110 has a generally Y-shaped form. The arms
120, 121 form a generally D-shaped opening 122 and have a blade 130
mounted thereon. The blade 130 includes a pair of cutting surfaces
131, 132 formed on either side of a slot 135. The blade 130
includes a first end 141 and a second end 142. Protruding from the
ends 141, 142 are fingers 143, 144, respectively. The arm 121
includes a first end 147 and the arm 120 includes a second end 148.
A bore 151 is formed in the first end 147 and a recess 152 is
formed in the second end 148. The finger 143 of the first end 141
of the blade 30 is mounted in the bore 151 and the finger 144 of
the second end 142 of the blade 30 is mounted in the recess 152 at
the second end 148 of the arm 120. Mounted within the bore 151 is a
resilient member 155 which compresses upon movement of the blade
130 to an offset position from its centered position (as shown in
FIG. 6). As discussed above, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-6
include a resilient member 155 mounted only in the bore 151.
However, the recess 152 may also have a resilient member mounted
therein in order to provide for the removal of the blade 130 from
the peeler 110.
[0030] Turning to FIGS. 7-8, a tool 200 is illustrated that removes
and/or stores blades. The tool 200 may be used for many types of
blade holding devices, such as food peelers, razor blades or other
devices including the embodiments of FIGS. 1-6 and 9-11. The tool
provides for an engagement mechanism 210 including a longitudinal
protrusion 215 and a pair of ledges 217, 218 formed longitudinally
along each side of the protrusion 215. The ledges include
respectively lips 220, 221, which are curved in order to
frictionally engage the edge of a blade. In an embodiment, multiple
cavities 231, 232, 233 are formed on the tool 200. Each cavity
includes an engagement mechanism 210 comprising a pair of ledges
217, 218 and a longitudinal protrusion 215.
[0031] Each cavity 231, 232, 233 may act either as an engagement
mechanism 210 for removing a blade, or a storage cavity for storing
a blade. In an embodiment, the tool 200 may be received by the end
user with a blade mounted in two of the cavities 231, 232 and the
third cavity 233 will be empty. Therefore, a user may use the empty
cavity 233 in order to remove a blade from the food peeler and then
rotate the tool 200 to cavity 232; where a new blade is stored and
use the tool 200 to mount the new blade from the cavity 232 to the
food peeler, for example 10, 110 as discussed previously.
Generally, the tool 200 is used by inserting the longitudinal
protrusion 215 in a slot, for example slot 35 of the blade 30 of
FIG. 1, and the lips 220, 221 grasp the edges of the blade 30 so
that it may be removed or attached to a peeler or other device.
[0032] The tool 200 includes a gripping surface 240 so that the
tool 200 may be easily gripped by a user's fingers when the tool is
being used to remove or attach a blade to a blade from a food
peeler. In an embodiment the tool 200 is formed generally of three
parts that form a housing 245 consisting of a central housing 250,
a top plate 251 and bottom plate 252. Each of the top plate and
bottom plate 251, 252 include latch arms 260 that engage the inner
side of the central housing 250 so that the top plate and bottom
plate 251, 252 may be snap-fit to the central housing 250. A
central panel 262 may be attached to the bottom plate 252. The
central housing 250 forms edges 265, 266, 267. Provided at each of
the edges 265, 266, 267 of the assembled tool an engagement
mechanism 210 is formed. In the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 7-8,
there are three edges having three engagement mechanisms 210.
However, it is to be understood that the tool may be formed to have
any number of engagement mechanisms 210 and those engagement
mechanisms 210 may be formed at the edges or on other surfaces of
the tool 200.
[0033] Turning to FIGS. 9-11, a further embodiment of the present
invention is illustrated. A peeler tool 300 includes a handle 312
having a grip 315 and a core 317. The handle 312 includes a working
end 318 and an arm 320 protruding therefrom. In the embodiment
disclosed in FIGS. 9-11, the arm 320 is formed as one piece with
the core 317 of the handle 312. However, in an alternate
embodiment, the arm 320 may be formed separately and attached to
the working end 318 of the handle 312. The arm 320 forms a D-shaped
opening 322 to which is mounted a blade 330. The blade includes a
pair of cutting surfaces 331, 332 formed on each side of a slot
335. The blade 330 includes a first end 341 and a second end 342.
The first end 341 forms a first mounting area and the second end
342 forms a second mounting area. Protruding from the ends 341, 342
are fingers 343, 344, respectively. The first end 341 is mounted at
a proximal end 347 of the arm 320 and the second end 342 of the
blade 330 is mounted at a distal end 348 of the arm 320. A bore 351
is formed at the proximal end 347 and a recess 352 is formed at the
distal end 348 of the arm 320 for receiving the fingers 343, 344
therein, respectively. A resilient member 355 is mounted within the
bore 351.
[0034] Each end 341, 342 of the blade 330 includes a mounting
member. Mounting members 361, 362, in an embodiment, are caps
formed of a polymer material that are attached to the ends of the
blade 330. In an embodiment, the mounting members 361, 362 are
L-shaped and include fingers 343, 344 protruding therefrom. In an
embodiment, the caps are molded over the metal ends of the blade
330. In an embodiment, the mounting members 361, 362 respectively
include finger engagement surfaces 365, 366. Each finger engagement
surface provides for a finger activation area. In an embodiment,
each finger engagement surfaces 365, 366 has a surface shaped to
receive a tip of an index finger of a user's hand. For example, the
finger engagement surface 365, 366 may be formed of a resilient
material or a surface having features to provide friction against a
user's fingertip. Thus, upon pressure applied by a user's fingertip
at the finger engagement surface 365, 366 the mounting members 361,
362 and the blade 330 are activated by moving the blade 330
longitudinally in order to release the blade 330 from the peeler
300.
[0035] With reference to FIG. 10 (which shows the blade 330 in a
mounted and a partially removed orientation), the operation of the
blade 300 will be discussed as follows. The blade 330 depicted
generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle 312 is in
its mounted and centered position. In order to remove the blade
330, a user's finger is placed against the finger engagement
surface 365 at the first end 341 of the blade 330. The user's
finger applies pressure to the finger engagement surface 365 of the
mounting member 361 in order to move the blade in direction of
arrow B. The blade 330 is moved so that the first end 341 moves
towards the handle 312 and the finger 343 is inserted further into
the bore 351 in order to compress the resilient member 355. The
finger 343 of the first end 341 is inserted far enough into the
bore 351, so that the finger 344 at the second end 342 of the blade
340 is released from the recess 352. The finger 344 and second end
342 may then be pivoted away from the distal end 348 of the arm 320
in direction of arrow C. While gripping the finger engagement
surface 365 of the cap at the mounting member end 361 with a pair
of the user's fingers, the blade may then be removed from the
peeler tool 300 by pulling the blade 330 so that the first end 341
and finger 343 are removed from the bore 351. In order to mount a
new blade to the peeler 300, the above process is reversed.
[0036] Therefore, it may be understood that the embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 9-11 allows for removal and mounting of the
blade 330 without the use of a tool. However, the blade 330 may be
removed using a tool. For example, the blade 330 includes a slot
335 so that the tool described in FIG. 7-8 may also be used to aid
in the removal and mounting of the blade 330. In an embodiment the
blade 330 may have each end 341, 342 formed identically so that the
blade 330 may be mounted with either end in either the bore 351 or
the recess 352. In an alternate embodiment, the ends 341, 342 may
be designated or polarized so that only one end may be received in
the bore 351 and the opposing end in the recess 352. In an
alternate embodiment, the mounting members 361, 362 may have a
resilient member. In a further alternate embodiment, a resilient
member may be formed with the cap or mounting member 361, 362 so
that the bore 351 does not need to have a separate resilient member
355 mounted therein. In another alternate embodiment, each end 341,
342 of the blade 330 may have a resilient member attached
thereto.
[0037] The matters set forth in the foregoing description and
accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and
not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown
and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
changes and modifications may be made without departing from the
broader aspects of applicant's contribution. The actual scope of
the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following
claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior
art.
* * * * *