U.S. patent application number 11/796670 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-30 for corn removal device.
This patent application is currently assigned to HELEN OF TROY LIMITED. Invention is credited to Inbal P. Austern, Mark C. Naden, Nicolas A. Oxley.
Application Number | 20080264437 11/796670 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39885543 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080264437 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Naden; Mark C. ; et
al. |
October 30, 2008 |
Corn removal device
Abstract
A corn removal device including a housing constructed to be held
by a user's hand and adapted to be moved along a surface of an ear
of corn. The housing defines a cavity and an opening that accesses
the cavity. The corn removal device also includes a blade attached
to the housing adjacent to the opening. The blade is adapted to
remove corn kernels from the surface of the ear of corn and guide
the corn kernels through the opening and into the cavity for
storage.
Inventors: |
Naden; Mark C.; (New York,
NY) ; Oxley; Nicolas A.; (New York, NY) ;
Austern; Inbal P.; (Brooklyn, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SEYFARTH SHAW LLP
131 S. DEARBORN ST., SUITE 2400
CHICAGO
IL
60603-5803
US
|
Assignee: |
HELEN OF TROY LIMITED
|
Family ID: |
39885543 |
Appl. No.: |
11/796670 |
Filed: |
April 27, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/73.5 ;
132/75; 132/75.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01F 11/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/73.5 ;
132/75; 132/75.4 |
International
Class: |
A45D 29/18 20060101
A45D029/18; A45D 29/20 20060101 A45D029/20 |
Claims
1. A corn removal device comprising: a housing constructed to be
held by a user's hand and adapted to be moved along a surface of an
ear of corn, said housing defining a cavity and an opening that
accesses said cavity; and a blade attached to said housing and
positioned adjacent to said opening, said blade adapted to remove
corn kernels from the surface of the ear of corn and guide the corn
kernels through said opening and into said cavity.
2. The corn removal device of claim 1, wherein said housing
includes a top member and a bottom member, said top member being
removably connected to said bottom member.
3. The corn removal device of claim 2, wherein said top member
defines a first slot at a first end of said housing and a second
slot at an opposing second end of said housing, and said bottom
member includes a first tab engagable with said first slot and a
second tab engageable with said second slot, wherein said first tab
engages said first slot and said second tab engages said second
slot when said first and second members are connected together.
4. The corn removal device of claim 1, wherein said housing
includes a top member and a bottom member that are hingedly
connected together, said top member being pivotable between an open
position and a closed position.
5. The corn removal device of claim 4, wherein said housing
includes a latch and an actuator associated with said latch, said
latch adapted to secure said top member to said bottom member and
said actuator being operable to release said latch to enable said
top member to be moved to the open position.
6. The corn removal device of claim 1, wherein said housing defines
an additional opening to allow the corn kernels in said cavity to
be removed by the user.
7. The corn removal device of claim 1, wherein said housing
includes at least one grip member.
8. The corn removal device of claim 1, wherein said blade includes
a serrated edge.
9. The corn removal device of claim 1, wherein said housing
includes a bottom surface defining a groove.
10. A corn removal device movable along a surface of an ear of
corn, said corn removal device comprising: a housing including a
top member removably connected to a bottom member, said top and
bottom members defining a cavity and said bottom member defining an
opening that accesses said cavity; and a blade attached to said
bottom member adjacent to said opening.
11. The corn removal device of claim 10, wherein said top member
defines a first slot at a first end of said housing and a second
slot at an opposing second end of said housing, and said bottom
member includes a first tab engagable with said first slot and a
second tab engageable with said second slot, wherein said first tab
engages said first slot and said second tab engages said second
slot when said first and second members are connected together.
12. The corn removal device of claim 10, wherein said top member
and said bottom member are hingedly connected together, said top
member being pivotable between an open position and a closed
position.
13. The corn removal device of claim 12, wherein said housing
includes a latch and an actuator associated with said latch, said
latch adapted to secure said top member to said bottom member and
said actuator being operable to release said latch to move said top
member to the open position.
14. The corn removal device of claim 10, wherein said top member
defines an opening to allow the corn kernels in said cavity to be
removed by the user.
15. The corn removal device of claim 10, wherein said housing
includes at least one grip member.
16. The corn removal device of claim 10, wherein said blade
includes a serrated edge.
17. The corn removal device of claim 10, wherein said housing
includes a bottom surface defining a groove.
18. A peeler for removing peelings from an item, the peeler
comprising: a housing constructed to be held by a user's hand and
adapted to be moved along a surface of the item, said housing
defining a cavity and an opening that accesses said cavity; and a
blade attached to said housing and positioned adjacent to said
opening, said blade adapted to the peelings from the surface of the
item and guide the peelings through said opening and into said
cavity.
19. A peeler movable along a surface of an item, said peeler
comprising: a housing including a top member removably connected to
a bottom member, said top and bottom members defining a cavity and
said bottom member defining an opening that accesses said cavity;
and a blade attached to said bottom member adjacent to said
opening.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Corn is a common ingredient in many recipes. Specifically,
corn kernels are used to make a variety of foods, such as creamed
corn and corn bread. In order to prepare such foods, the kernels on
an ear of corn must be removed. At home, one way to remove the
kernels from an ear of corn is to use a knife. A user holds the
knife and moves the knife so that it cuts slightly behind the
kernels along the surface of the ear of corn. Although this method
accomplishes the task of removing the corn kernels, it tends to cut
away part of the corn husk when the cut is too deep or partially
remove the kernels when the cut is not deep enough. Some of the
husk may be mixed in with the removed corn kernels which is not
desirable. Furthermore, this method is dangerous as the user's
fingers or hand may be cut by the knife during use.
[0002] Corn strippers are tools which are designed to safely remove
corn kernels from an ear of corn. Some corn strippers are free
standing devices which have several inwardly facing cutting
surfaces or blades. These corn strippers define a through hole that
enables an ear of corn to be moved downward through the middle of
the corn stripper to remove the kernels from the ear of corn. These
types of corn strippers require the user to use both hands and are
difficult to use.
[0003] Another type of corn stripper is a handheld stripper which
typically has a handle and a blade at one end of the handle. A user
holds the handle and moves the blade along the outer surface of an
ear of corn to scrape away or remove the kernels. Neither of the
above-described corn strippers include a container to collect the
kernels after they have been removed or cut away from the ear of
corn. Instead, the kernels fall onto a surface such as that of a
cutting board or countertop, and are then collected by the
user.
[0004] Certain corn strippers do have containers to store the
removed kernels from the ears of corn. Such a container is attached
to an outer surface of the corn stripper as shown in U.S. Pat. No.
2,326,873. However, the storage container either has to be removed
or opened to remove the kernels and to clean the container.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved corn removal
device which enables a user to manipulate the corn removal device
to remove corn kernels from an ear of corn while collecting the
removed corn kernels.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention is directed to a corn removal device
which is holdable in a user's hand and which defines an internal
compartment for storing corn kernels removed from an ear of
corn.
[0007] One embodiment provides a corn removal device including a
housing constructed to be held by a user's hand and adapted to be
moved along a surface of an ear of corn. The housing defines a
cavity and an opening that accesses the cavity. The corn removal
device includes a blade attached to the housing adjacent to the
opening. The blade is adapted to remove corn kernels from the
surface of the ear of corn and guide the corn kernels through the
opening and into the cavity.
[0008] In an embodiment, the housing includes a top member and a
bottom member, where the top member is removably connected to the
bottom member.
[0009] In an embodiment, the top member defines a first slot at a
first end of the housing and a second slot at an opposing second
end of the housing, and the bottom member includes a first tab
engagable with the first slot and a second tab engageable with the
second slot, where the first tab engages the first slot and the
second tab engages the second slot when the first and second
members are connected together.
[0010] In an embodiment, the housing includes a top member and a
bottom member that are hingedly connected together, where the top
member is pivotable between an open position and a closed
position.
[0011] In an embodiment, the housing includes a latch and an
actuator associated with the latch. The latch is adapted to secure
the top member to the bottom member and the actuator is operable to
release the latch to move the top member to the open position.
[0012] In an embodiment, the housing defines an additional opening
to allow the corn kernels in the cavity to be removed by the
user.
[0013] In an embodiment, the housing includes at least one grip
member.
[0014] In an embodiment, the blade includes a serrated edge.
[0015] In an embodiment, the housing includes a bottom surface
defining a groove.
[0016] Another embodiment provides a corn removal device movable
along a surface of an ear of corn. The corn removal device includes
a housing including a top member removably connected to a bottom
member. The top and bottom members define a cavity and the bottom
member defines an opening that accesses the cavity. The corn
removal device also includes a blade attached to the bottom member
adjacent to the opening.
[0017] In an embodiment, the top member defines a first slot at a
first end of the housing and a second slot at an opposing second
end of the housing. The bottom member includes a first tab
engagable with the first slot and a second tab engageable with the
second slot, where the first tab engages the first slot and the
second tab engages the second slot when the first and second
members are connected together.
[0018] In an embodiment, the top member and the bottom member are
hingedly connected together. The top member is pivotable between an
open position and a closed position.
[0019] In an embodiment, the housing includes a latch and an
actuator associated with the latch. The latch is adapted to secure
the top member to the bottom member and the actuator is operable to
release the latch to move the top member to the open position.
[0020] In an embodiment, the top member defines an opening to allow
the corn kernels in the cavity to be removed by the user.
[0021] In an embodiment, the housing includes at least one grip
member.
[0022] In an embodiment, the blade includes a serrated edge.
[0023] In an embodiment, the housing includes a bottom surface
defining a groove.
[0024] It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to
provide a corn removal device that is holdable in a user's hand and
that has an internal compartment that stores corn kernels removed
from an ear of corn.
[0025] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a
corn removal device including a housing having a top member that is
removable from a bottom member where the top member and bottom
members join to define an internal compartment that stores corn
kernels that have been removed from an ear of corn.
[0026] A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a
corn removal device including a bottom surface having a groove that
corresponds to a surface of an ear of corn to allow the corn
removal device to easily move along the surface of the ear of
corn.
[0027] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will
be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like
numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps and
processes.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0028] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the
corn removal device of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a top view of the corn removal device of FIG.
1.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the corn removal device of FIG.
1.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a front view of the corn removal device of FIG.
1.
[0032] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the corn removal device of FIG.
1.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a side view of the corn removal device of FIG.
1.
[0034] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the corn removal
device of FIG. 1 illustrating the top member of the housing
separated from the bottom member of the housing.
[0035] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
corn removal device where the housing includes a top member that is
pivotably connected to a bottom member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] The present invention is directed to a corn removal device
that includes a housing that defines an internal compartment and
includes a blade where the housing is moved along a surface of an
ear of corn and the blade removes corn kernels and guides them into
the internal compartment of the housing for storage.
[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, a corn removal device 100 of the
present invention is illustrated wherein the corn removal device
includes a body or housing 102 having a top member 104 and a bottom
member 106. The housing 102, and more specifically, the top member
104 and the bottom member 106, define a cavity, receptacle or
internal compartment 107. The internal compartment 107 stores corn
kernels that have been removed from an ear of corn as described in
more detail below. Bottom member 106 has a bottom surface 108 which
includes a groove 110 and is contoured or shaped to correspond to
the shape of the surface of an ear of corn. Specifically, the
groove 110 has a rounded shape that corresponds to the generally,
rounded outer surface of an ear of corn. A cutting member or blade
122 is attached to and extends generally outwardly from the bottom
surface 108 of the bottom member 106. In an embodiment, the blade
has a serrated edge. It should be appreciated that the blade may
have any suitable edge or cutting surface. In the illustrated
embodiment, the blade 122 has a generally curved shape that
corresponds with the curved shape of the groove 110. This enables
the blade 122 to closely engage the surface of an ear of corn.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 5, the bottom surface 108 and blade 122 are
positioned to define a first opening 112 that provides access to
the internal compartment 107. The first opening 112 enables corn
kernels that are removed by the blade 122 to be guided into or
moved into the internal compartment 107 of the housing 102. It
should be appreciated that the opening 112 may be any suitable size
and shape based on the overall size of the corn removal device 100
and the size of the corn kernels to be removed.
[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, the top member 104 and the
bottom member 106 of the housing 102 are removably connected
together. Specifically, the bottom member 106 includes a first tab
114 at one end and a second tab 118 at an opposing second end. The
tab 114 is made of a flexible, resilient material which enables it
to flex forwardly and rearwardly. The top member 104 defines a
first slot 116 and a second slot 120. The slots 116 and 120 are of
a size and shape that correspond to the size and shape of the ends
of the first and second tabs 114 and 118, respectively. The top
member 104 and the bottom member 106 are joined together by placing
the top member 104 on the bottom member 106 (see FIG. 7), or vice
versa, and moving the top member and bottom member together until
the first tab 114 engages or snaps into the first slot 116 and the
second tab 118 engages or snaps into the second slot 120.
[0040] To remove the top member from the bottom member, a user
presses or pushes inwardly on the second tab 118 until the top
member 104 is released from the bottom member 106 on that side of
the housing 102. The user then moves or pivots the top member 104
upwardly away from the bottom member 106 which causes the first tab
114 to disengage from the first slot 116. The top and bottom
members are now removed from each other or separated so that the
corn removal device 100 can be easily cleaned or so that the corn
kernels stored in the internal compartment 107 can be easily
removed such as by tilting the container and dumping the corn
kernels in a bowl or other container. It should be appreciated that
any suitable connector, connectors or connection methods may be
used to join the top member and the bottom member of the
housing.
[0041] In an embodiment, the housing 102, and more specifically,
the top member 104, defines a second opening 113. The second
opening 113 is a generally circular-shaped opening which enables
the corn kernels that have been removed from an ear of corn and
that are stored in the internal compartment 107 to be removed from
the corn removal device 100 without having to separate the top and
bottom members. In use, the user simply tilts the corn removal
device 100 on end so that the corn kernels stored in the internal
compartment 107 fall out of the internal compartment through the
second opening 113 and onto a plate or container. It should be
appreciated that the second opening 113 may be any suitable size
and shape.
[0042] In an embodiment, the housing 102 includes at least one grip
member or grip 121 that is positioned on a side of and is
integrally formed with the housing 102. Specifically, the grips 121
are protruding surfaces which generally extend from the sides of
the top member 104. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a first grip member
or grip 121 is positioned on one side of the housing 102 and
another grip member or grip 121 is positioned on an opposing side
of the housing 102. The grips 121 are shown as generally elongated
oval-shaped members but many be any suitable size and shape. In
use, a user places one or more fingers of their hand on one or more
grips 121 as the user grasps or holds the corn removal device 100.
The grips 121 makes the corn removal device 100 easier to hold and
manipulate.
[0043] In all of the above embodiments, the corn removal device,
and more specifically, all the parts of the corn removal device,
are made of a suitable, durable material such as a plastic or
plastics. The different components of the corn removal device would
be injection molded and then connected together as necessary to
form the corn removal device 100.
[0044] In use, a user grasps or holds the housing 102 by
positioning his/her hand over the top of the housing 102 so that
certain of the fingers engage grip 121 on one side of the housing,
and their other fingers (i.e., their thumb) engage the grip 121 on
the other side of the housing to firmly hold the housing 102. The
user then positions the bottom surface 108 of the corn removal
device over or on a surface of an ear of corn. Specifically, the
groove 110 is configured or shaped to correspond to and engage the
surface of the ear of corn. The corn removal device 100 is then
moved along the surface of the ear of corn so that the blade 122
removes the corn kernels from the ear of corn. As the blade 122
cuts or removes the corn kernels from the ear of corn, the blade
122 also guides the removed corn kernels into the internal
compartment or cavity 107 to be stored for later use. When the user
is finished cutting and/or removing the corn kernels from the ear
of corn, the user separates the top member from the bottom member
by pressing on tab 118 to disengage it from the slot 120. (see FIG.
7) The top member is pivoted upwardly away from the bottom member
106 to release the first tab 114 from the first slot 116. After the
top member and bottom member are separated, the user can scoop up
the corn kernels that were removed from the ear of corn or tilt the
housing to dump the corn kernels onto a plate or into a storage
container.
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 8, another embodiment of a corn
removal device 200 is illustrated where the corn removal device
includes a housing 202 having a top member 204 and a bottom member
206 that are pivotably connected together. The top and bottom
members 204 and 206 are not completely removable or separable from
each other. Instead, a hinge assembly 208 having a hinge 210 is
connected to the top and bottom members at one end of the housing
102. The hinge 210 enables the top member 204 to be pivoted or
moved away from the bottom member 206 so that a user can access the
cavity or internal compartment of the housing. Specifically, the
bottom member 206 includes tab 212 and the top member 204 defines a
slot 214 where the tab 212 engages the slot 214 when the top member
204 and bottom member 206 are pivoted into engagement with each
other. To release the top member 204 from the bottom member 206 (so
that the top member can pivot to an opened position), a user simply
presses or pushes inwardly on the tab 212 to disengage it from the
slot 214. This allows the top member 204 to move outwardly away
from the bottom member 206.
[0046] As described above, the corn removal device 100 of the
present invention enables a user to securely and safely hold the
corn removal device 100 in their hand and move it along a surface
of an ear of corn to efficiently and effectively remove the corn
kernels from the ear of corn. The corn removal device 100 also
enables the removed corn kernels to be stored in a compartment for
removal at a later time. This enables the user to more easily and
efficiently remove corn kernels from an ear of corn because they
don't have to deal with assembling or handling the different
components or parts of traditional corn strippers which can be
burdensome and difficult to use.
[0047] While the present invention is described in connection with
what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it should be appreciated that the invention is not
limited to the disclosed embodiments, and is intended to cover
various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within
the spirit and scope of the claims. Modifications and variations in
the present invention may be made without departing from the novel
aspects of the invention as defined in the claims, and this
application is limited only by the scope of the claims.
* * * * *