Patent Application
20230121177
The present invention relates to slicing bagels and other food items, and in particular to a simple inexpensive knife guide for slicing bagels.
Bagels are generally sliced to provide a suitable thickness and a flat surface for butter and other toppings. A bagel can be sliced while holding in a hand, but a risk of cutting the hand is an issue.
Various US Patents, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,322 filed by the present inventor, describes bagel cutters holding the bagel vertically. While these may work well, they also require a base and some vertical structure for holding the bagel, and require storage space which is often a premium in kitchens.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,546,686 describes a bagel slicer having a cavity for insertion of the bagel, and two stationary blades. The bagel is pushed into blades slicing the bagel. While the bagel slicer described in the '686 patent works well, it also is more complex than necessary. The slicer must be disassembled to clean blades 29 and 29′ causing undesirable work.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,550,636 describes a bagel slicer having an angled guide and allows use of a typical knife, but requires more space than necessary.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,690,285 describes a vegetable slicer which is complex and generally too expensive for occasional home use.
Thus a need exists for a simple, small, inexpensive bagel slicer.
The present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing a bagel slicing guide including two narrow horizontal slots in two opposite sides. The guide includes a base and the sides reach up from opposite edges of the base. The slots are in the sides and spaced above and parallel with the base, the slots guiding a knife blade to establish a thickness of a sliced bagel or roll. The slots include at least one enlarged slot end to facilitate entry of a knife blade tip into the slots. The sides are short to provide a compact envelope not requiring very much storage space. The guide may be plastic or a single piece of metal, preferably stainless steel, and more preferably as single piece of stainless steel sheet bent to create the sides.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a slicing guide suitable for bagels or rolls. Slots in short sides of the guide keep a knife blade parallel with a base of the guide to provide a uniform surface for butter or toppings.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a slicing guide having at least one enlarged slot end for easy insertion of a knife blade through opposite slots. The enlarged end may be on both ends of one slot, or both ends of both slots.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a simple slicing guide made from a single piece of metal. The metal is bent to provide a horizontal base and two opposite short sides. The simple single piece construction is inexpensive and easy to clean. A preferred material is stainless steel.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a slicing guide having three or four pads made of rubber or similar material. The pads resist sliding while slicing a bagel or roll.
In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for slicing bagels or rolls. The method includes the steps of laying the bagel or roll into the base of the guide. Inserting a knife blade through a first slot. Guiding a tip of the knife blade over the base and through a second opposite slot. Holding down the bagel or roll with one hand. Slicing the bagel or roll with the knife held in a second hand. Because bagels are generally harder to cut than rolls, the bagel may be turned while slicing to make slicing easier. The slicing guide may include at least one enlarged slot end to facilitate insertion of the knife blade tip through both slots.
The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings.
The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing one or more preferred embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims.
Where the terms “about” or “generally” are associated with an element of the invention, it is intended to describe a feature's appearance to the human eye or human perception, and not a precise measurement, or typically within 10 percent of a stated value.
An isometric view of a bagel slicing guide 10 according to the present invention is shown in
A side view of the slicing guide 10 is shown in
The slicing guide 10 had a length L1, width W1, and height H1. The length L1 is preferably about 6.5 inches and more preferably is 6.5 inches. The width W1 is preferably about 5 inches and more preferably is 5 inches. The height H1 is preferably about 1.25 inches and more preferably is 1.25 inches.
The slots 16 have a length L2, a height H2 above the base 12 and a width W2. The enlarged slot end 18 are preferably round with a radius R but are not necessarily round. The length L2 is preferably about 5 inches and more preferably is 5 inches. The height H2 is preferably about 0.625 inches and more preferably is 0.625 inches. The width W2 is preferably about 0.090 inches and more preferably is 0.090 inches. The radius R is preferably about 0.125 inches and more preferably is 0.125 inches. The enlarged slot end 18 is not necessarily round and may be other shapes with a vertical dimension of about 0.25 inches.
A method of use for the slicing guide 10 is described in
While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.
The present application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/360,569 filed Oct. 15, 2021, which application is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63360569 | Oct 2021 | US |
