Depth of cut limiting device and cutting tool.

Abstract

cutting depth limiting device, and cutting tool. The present invention relates to a cutting depth limiting device (1) applicable to a cutting tool (2), the device (1) comprising a limiting element (10) configured to selectively cover a portion of a blade (20) of the cutting tool (2).

Description

1 / 8 Descriptive Report of the Invention Patent for a CUTTING DEPTH LIMITING DEVICE AND CUTTING TOOL.

[001] The present invention relates to a cutting depth limiting device applicable to cutting utensils, and particularly applicable to cutting knives used in bleeding poultry for slaughter.

[002] The present invention also relates to a cutting tool comprising the aforementioned limiting device. Description of the State of the Art

[003] In the case of bleeding poultry, such as chickens, this involves making a cut in the neck area of ​​the bird to allow its blood to drain.

[004] The cut made for bleeding the bird requires a certain level of precision, particularly with regard to its depth, since a poorly executed cut can result in multiple problems that affect the quality of the final product. For example, a cut that is too deep and improperly reaches the bird's spinal cord causes it to struggle, potentially colliding with machinery, other birds, etc., possibly resulting in injuries that render the bird unusable in the production process. Furthermore, this struggling of the bird can also result in cross-contamination in the process.

[005] The state of the art proposes two solutions for making precise cuts in order to avoid the aforementioned problems: (i) having professionals specialized in cutting and bleeding poultry; or (ii) having machines that perform bleeding in an automated way.

[006] It so happens that, notwithstanding the efficiency of the machines employed in bleeding poultry, the poultry slaughter market sometimes requires that the cutting be done exclusively manually. This is the case, for example, with poultry exported to Arab countries, which, for religious reasons, consume only poultry meat that Petition 870200130834, dated 10 / 16 / 2020, page 18 / 28 2 / 8 were culled in a specific way, including the requirement for manual culling.

[007] In this way, for these markets with particular requirements, the only option left is to employ people to perform the bleeding cut manually, people who, even if specialized, are not free from making human errors during the procedure. Objectives of the Invention

[008] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a cutting depth limiting device that allows covering a portion of the utensil blade to limit the portion of the knife that is effectively capable of performing the cut.

[009] A second objective of the present invention is to provide a cutting depth limiting device that eliminates human error during cutting performed in poultry bleeding. Brief Description of the Invention

[0010] The present invention relates to a cutting depth limiting device applicable to a cutting tool, the device comprising a limiting element configured to selectively cover a portion of a blade of the cutting tool.

[0011] In one possible configuration, by covering part of the cutting tool blade, the limiting element creates a free cutting portion of the blade.

[0012] In another possible configuration, the free cutting portion comprises a defined depth between one end of the blade and one end of the limiting element.

[0013] In another possible configuration, the device comprises a stop configured so that, by covering part of the blade with the limiting element, it comes into contact with a portion of the handle of the cutting tool and delimits an extension of the free cutting portion. Petition 870200130834, dated 10 / 16 / 2020, page 19 / 28 3 / 8

[0014] In another possible configuration, the stop includes at least one removable marking for adjusting the extent of the free cutting portion.

[0015] In another possible configuration, the limiting element is rotatably or interlockably associated with the cutting tool, the covering of the blade part by the limiting element being configured by selective rotation or interlocking of the limiting element in the cutting tool.

[0016] In another possible configuration, the limiting element is rotatably associated with the cutting tool via a shaft housed in a hole in the blade.

[0017] In another possible configuration, the device comprises a slot configured to accommodate the portion of the blade that is covered by the limiting element.

[0018] In another possible configuration, the device comprises a user-manipulated projection to selectively move the limiting element to cover the blade portion and hold the limiting element in a fixed position.

[0019] The present invention further provides a cutting tool comprising a cutting depth limiting device as described above. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] The present invention will now be described in more detail based on an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings. The figures show:

[0021] Figure 1 - is a perspective view of a cutting tool comprising the depth-of-cut limiting device of the present invention in a preferred configuration, in a closed position;

[0022] Figure 2 - is a perspective view of a utensil of Petition 870200130834, dated 10 / 16 / 2020, page 20 / 28 4 / 8 cut comprising the depth-of-cut limiting device of the present invention in a preferred configuration, in an open position;

[0023] Figure 3 - is a side view of a cutting tool comprising the cutting depth limiting device of the present invention in a configuration considered preferred;

[0024] Figure 4 - is a detail of figure 3 highlighting the region of the utensil where its blade meets its handle;

[0025] Figure 5 - is a front view of a cutting tool comprising the cutting depth limiting device of the present invention in a configuration considered preferred; and

[0026] Figure 6 - is a side view of a cutting tool comprising the cutting depth limiting device of the present invention in a preferred configuration. Detailed Description of the Figures

[0027] Figures 1 to 6 reveal a tool 2 comprising the cutting depth limiter device 1 of the present invention in a preferred configuration. It should be noted that the term "preferred" used here should not be understood as imperative or mandatory, but only to characterize a particularly efficient configuration of the invention among the multiple possible ones.

[0028] It can be seen, initially from figures 1 and 2, that the utensil 2 comprises a handle 22 and a blade 20 attached to the handle. Associated with the utensil 2 is the device 1, which comprises a limiting element 10. This limiting element 10 is configured to selectively cover a portion of the blade 20 of the cutting utensil 2.

[0029] For a better understanding of the present invention, the term “selectively” should be understood as “through the action of a user or operator”. Therefore, the limiting element 10 is configured so that, through an action of the professional performing, for example, bleeding Petition 870200130834, dated 10 / 16 / 2020, pages 21 / 28 5 / 8 of a bird, cover a portion of blade 20. The actions that allow configuring the covering of the portion of blade 20 are not limiting to achieving the technical effect of the invention. Nevertheless, preferred examples of selective configuration of the covering of blade 20 by the limiting element 10 will be described later.

[0030] In a possible embodiment of device 1, by covering a portion of the blade 20 of the cutting tool 2, the limiting element 10 creates a free cutting portion 21 of the blade 20, as can be better seen in figures 3, 5 and 6. The free cutting portion 21 preferably corresponds to the portion of the blade 20 that is not covered by the limiting element 10 and in which the blade 20's edge is located. This free cutting portion 21 comprises a defined depth 210 between the lower end of the blade 20 and the lower end of the limiting element 10, a depth 210 which effectively corresponds to the portion of the blade 20 that will penetrate the animal being slaughtered.

[0031] It therefore becomes evident that the shape and dimensions of the limiting element 10, as well as its arrangement in relation to the utensil 2, are factors that influence the extent of the free cutting portion 21 and, consequently, the depth 210 of this free cutting portion 21. Thus, the device 1 of the present invention provides the advantage of great flexibility in determining the desired cutting depth, simply by varying, for example, the shape, dimensions and arrangement of the limiting element 10 to obtain cutting portions 21 of different extents.

[0032] In another possible embodiment of device 1, it comprises a stop 11 configured to, by covering part of the blade 20 with the limiting element 10, touch a portion of the handle 22 of the cutting tool 2 and delimit an extension of the free cutting portion 21.

[0033] Door frame 11, as can be seen in more detail in Petition 870200130834, dated 10 / 16 / 2020, pages 22 / 28 6 / 8 figure 4, preferably takes the form of a projection located close to the handle 22 of the tool 2. The stop 11 has the main function of delimiting the travel of the limiting element 10 and contributing to the configuration of the free cutting portion 21.

[0034] Additionally, in another possible configuration, the stop 11 may comprise at least one removable marking 110 for adjusting the extent of the free cutting portion 21. The removable marking 110 may be, for example, a slot in the body of the stop 11 or a manually removable layer of material. The removal of the marking 110 may be carried out manually, by intentional wear or as a result of the use of the tool 2, depending on the type of marking 110 used.

[0035] By removing the marking 110, it is possible to reduce / adjust the stroke of the limiting element 10 and, consequently, adjust the free cutting portion 21 and depth 210 of the blade 20. Preferably, the stop 11 may include multiple markings 110 to allow multiple levels of adjustment in the cutting depth of the tool 2. The marking 110 also allows readjusting the cutting depth of the tool according to the wear and / or sharpness of the blade 20.

[0036] In one possible embodiment of device 1, the limiting element 10 is rotatably or interlockably associated with the cutting tool 2, the covering of the blade part 20 by the limiting element 10 being configured by the selective rotation or interlocking of the limiting element 10 on / in the cutting tool 2.

[0037] In a first example, the limiting element 10 can be fitted to the cutting tool 2 by means of any suitable fitting means, such as, for example, a fitting recess in the handle 22 of the tool 2 that receives a fitting projection of the device 1. In this way, the limiting element 10 can be removed from the tool 2 to sharpen the blade 20. Petition 870200130834, dated 10 / 16 / 2020, pp. 23 / 28 7 / 8

[0038] In a second example, as illustrated in figures 1 to 6, the limiting element 10 is rotationally associated with the cutting tool 2 through a shaft 14 housed in a hole in the blade 20. In this way, the limiting element 10 comprises free rotation around the shaft 14 and can be selectively arranged to cover part of the blade 20 or not cover the blade 20 with a simple movement, also allowing the blade 20 to be sharpened without the need to remove the limiting element 10 from the tool 2.

[0039] In one possible embodiment of device 1, it comprises a slot 12 configured to accommodate the portion of the blade 20 that is covered by the limiting element 10. The slot 12 is preferably located in the center of the limiting element 10 along its longitudinal length, as can be seen in figures 2 and 5. In this way, with the use of the slot 12, the limiting element 10 is located on both sides of the blade 20, allowing greater stability in handling the utensil 2.

[0040] Furthermore, in another possible embodiment, the device 1 comprises a user-manipulated projection 13 to selectively move the limiting element 10 to cover the blade portion 20 and maintain the limiting element 10 in a fixed position. In the rotary association configuration between the device 1 and the utensil 2, the projection 13 is preferably arranged close to the axis 14 of the device 1 to facilitate the rotation of the limiting element 10. The projection 13 comprises a substantially flat shape that facilitates the positioning of the user's thumb. By pressing projection 13, preferably with the thumb, element 10 tends to rotate around axis 14 until stop 11 contacts the handle 22. Thus, by maintaining pressure on projection 13 after contact with stop 11, element 10 is kept in its proper position to configure the free cutting portion 21 despite its free-rotating condition. Petition 870200130834, dated 10 / 16 / 2020, pp. 24 / 28 8 / 8 turn of the 14-axis.

[0041] In accordance with device 1 described above, the present invention further provides a cutting tool 2 comprising a cutting depth limiting device 1 such as the aforementioned.

[0042] The device 1 described herein may be made of any suitable material, preferably a polymer.

[0043] It is important to note that, although the application of device 1 and utensil 2 for bleeding animals has been described and exemplified, their use is not limited to this branch of activity and they can be used in any activities that require adequate control of cutting depth.

[0044] Having described a preferred embodiment, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention encompasses other possible variations, being limited only by the content of the appended claims, including possible equivalents. Petition 870200130834, dated 10 / 16 / 2020, pages 25 / 28

Claims

1 / 2 CLAIMS 1. A cutting depth limiter device (1) applicable to a cutting tool (2) comprising a limiting element (10) configured to selectively cover a portion of a blade (20) of the cutting tool (2), characterized in that the limiting element (10) is rotatably associated with the cutting tool (2) via a shaft (14) housed in a hole in the blade (20), wherein the device (1) comprises a user-manipulated projection (13) for selectively moving the limiting element (10) to cover the portion of the blade (20) and maintaining the limiting element (10) in a fixed position.

2. Cutting depth limiting device (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that, by covering a part of the blade (20) of the cutting tool (2), the limiting element (10) configures a free cutting portion (21) of the blade (20).

3. Cutting depth limiting device (1), according to claim 2, characterized in that the free cutting portion (21) comprises a defined depth (210) between one end of the blade (20) and one end of the limiting element (10).

4. Cutting depth limiting device (1), according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a stop (11) configured to, by covering the blade part (20) with the limiting element (10), touch a handle portion (22) of the cutting tool (2) and delimit an extension of the free cutting portion (21).

5. Cutting depth limiting device (1), according to claim 4, characterized in that the stop (11) comprises at least one removable marking (110) for adjusting the extent of the free cutting portion (21).

6. Cutting depth limiter device (1), of Petition 870260052018, of 05 / 29 / 2026, page 6 / 18 2 / 2 according to claim 1, characterized in that the limiting element (10) is rotatably or interlockably associated with the cutting tool (2), the covering of the blade part (20) by the limiting element (10) being configured by the selective rotation or interlocking of the limiting element (10) in the cutting tool (2).

7. Cutting depth limiting device (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a slot (12) configured to accommodate the portion of the blade (20) that is covered by the limiting element (10).

8. Cutting utensil (2) characterized in that it comprises a cutting depth limiting device (1) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7. Petition 870260052018, dated 05 / 29 / 2026, page 7 / 18

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