A deseeding device

Abstract

Disclosed is a deseeding device comprising handles 3 connected to jaws 2. The jaws comprise sharp or pointed sections 20 suitable for gripping a seed. The handles are adapted to pivot at a pivot 1, in

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a deseeding device, in particular a device for helping people remove seeds, pits, stones from fruit or similar; more particularly but not exclusively a device for destoning avocado. Background In many societies across the world it is increasingly common for people to eat avocado, which has become known for health properties, as well as taste. Avocado can be a difficult food to eat however, particular for those with limitations in mobility. For example in order to access the edible part of the fruit a person will be required to slit through the outer skin, and then to remove the flesh from the skin, the pit must be removed. The pit or stone is typically hard and shiny, and difficult to remove from the flesh, often whereby a people may continue to use their knife to pry the stone from the flesh, risking slips and cut hazards. Prior Art US 2006 0 070 241 (MILLER) discloses a stone removing tool for removing a stone from a fruit having an outer flesh portion surrounding the stone, comprising: a head section configured for being gripped by a user; and a stem section extending from said head section and having an end opposite said head section configured for penetrating the flesh of the fruit and positively engaging the stone for removal from the fruit in an axial pulling action; wherein said stem section comprises at least two opposing arms extending in an axial direction and defining a hollow substantially cylindrical cavity configured for positively engaging the stone; wherein said at least two opposing arms have an inner surface with at least one helical rib opposing the surface of the stone. US 1 531 903 (CUMMINS) discloses a fruit pitter, comprising a pair of pivoted arms ' said arms fitting side by side like a shear throughout their lengths, and forming a handle, and cutting blades on the arms, each arm being formed of a single sheet of material bent to form a shank and one blade. US 1 178 684 (SHIMODA) discloses a fruit pitting tool, comprising a pair of pivotally connected jaw members, a handhold rigidly attached to one of said j\members, an arcuate spring member affixed to the outer end of said hand-hold, a second hand-hold 'extending substantially parallel with the first-named hand-hold connected at one end to said spring member, a projection on the other jaw member formed with an 80 arcuate slot, and a member on said second hand-hold slidably engaging said slot. I Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a deseeding device comprising a first handle and a second handle, a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the handles are adapted to pivot at a pivot and the jaws are adapted to move from a first proximate position to a second distal position, wherein the jaws have proximal portions at the pivot and sharp or pointed sections distal the pivot, which sections are adapted to approximate in the first position. In this way the device of the present invention provides an easy means of dislodging a stone from an avocado or similar, comprising pointed ends on a lever. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises curved jaw sections, so as to curve around the stone or pit, and / or angle pointed sections towards a central point, so as to better grip the stone. In some such embodiments of the device the jaw sections comprise a concave inner face in this way. In some embodiments of the device the Inner face comprises a plurality of pointed teeth, which are spaced around the inner face of the jaw section. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises jaw support portions between the pivots and the jaw sections, which are arranged to extend the teeth away from the pivot and the handle, so as to better locate the hands in use, in relation to the fruit, preventing contact therewith ideally during use. In some embodiments of the device the jaw support portions are straight in the first position, and may comprise a deviation from the plane of the handles. In some embodiments of the device the handles extend outwards from the pivot, in an opposing direction to the jaws or jaw supports. In some embodiments of the device the handles comprise arcuate discontinuous members, describing a larger space for the hands and fingers in use, ideally providing a plurality of different gripping means, with plenty of space surrounding the hands, limiting discomfort and increasing potential leverage. In some embodiments of the device the handles comprise a central hole, for the user’s fingers so as to allow pulling as well as pushing. In some embodiments of the device the pivot comprises a threaded stud and barrel. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a pivot and two unitary members. In some such embodiments of the device the members are formed in stainless steel. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of removing a pit from a fruit utilising a device substantially as described herein. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention in the second position; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, in a first position; and Figure 6 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, in a first position. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of a deseeding device 99 generally comprising two handles 3, two jaws 2, wherein the handles are adapted to pivot at a pivot 1 and the jaws are adapted to move from a first proximate position (as shown in Figure 5) to a second distal position (as shown in Figure 1), wherein the jaws have proximal portions 22 at the pivot and sharp or pointed sections 20 adapted to approximate in the first position. In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises two main parts 100, formed in stainless steel, which each provide a handle and a jaw, and which are pivoted together at a midpoint by the pivot. The pivot comprises a female threaded barrel 10 and male threaded pin 1. In this way it may be envisaged that the pivot may be unscrewed and the device taken apart, and the embodiment taken apart, so as to allow for storage, transport, cleaning or maintenance. The jaws comprise jaw support portions 22, which are colinear when closed, which comprise elongated straight parts. Said support portions provide a deviation from the handles’ plane, such that in use the jaws extend coaxial the handles, but are displaced spatially, this in turn meaning that the user’s hand(s) will be displaced from the flesh of the fruit whilst using the jaws on the pit. The jaws comprise curved sections 20, which comprise flat parts continuing in the plane of the handles, and which from the ends of the jaw support portions bow outwards from the axis defined by the support portions when in the closed position shown in Figure 3. The inner surface of the jaws is provided with a plurality of teeth 21, which are triangular and have pointed ends directed towards a central point. Such teeth may be envisaged to cut and engage into the pit in use, such that the pit may be removed easily from flesh. The handles of the pictured embodiment comprise discontinuous loops, extending away from the pivot in opposing directions and describing an open looped perforation A, between a proximal loop 32 and a distal discontinuous loop 33, such that in use a user’s fingers may grip the handle and be inserted into the perforation, thereby providing greater control and / or leverage. The handles comprise indentations 23 around the pivot, so as to allow for the handles to be coplanar and turn about the pivot also. It may be envisaged that the free arcuate ends 33 of the handles provide a location for a user to grip the arm(s) so as to pull arms open if necessary, for example should the teeth of the jaws become embedded in the pit. As shown in Figure 3, when the handles are closed together, there is an open tear drop shaped space B behind the pivot, where the proximal end 33 of the handles bow in an arcuate concave shape away from the pivot 1. 5 In this way it may be envisaged that the user may be enabled to hold the handles in a plurality of locations so as to open or close the handles and jaws with one or both hands, and push against the handles in a plurality of locations, allowing for greater flexibility for users with limitations to their mobility. 10 The handles are circular, oval or rounded in section, so as to provide a more comfortable surface to use. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing 15 from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A deseeding device comprising a first handle and a second handle, a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the handles are adapted to pivot at a pivot and the jaws are adapted to move from a first proximate position to a second distal position, wherein the jaws have proximal portions at the pivot and sharp or pointed sections distal the pivot, which sections are adapted to approximate in the first position.

2. A deseeding device according to claim 1 comprising curved jaw sections.

3. A deseeding device according to claim 2 wherein the jaw sections compris a concave inner face.

4. A deseeding device according to claim 3 wherein the Inner face comprises aplurality of pointed teeth.

5. A deseeding device according to any of claims 2 to 4 comprising jaw support portions between the pivots and the jaw sections.

6. A deseeding device according to claim 5 wherein the jaw support portions are straight in the first position.

7. A deseeding device according to claim 6 wherein the jaw support portions comprise a deviation from the plane of the handles.

8. A deseeding device according to any preceding claim wherein the handlesextend outwards from the pivot.

9. A deseeding device according to any preceding claim wherein the handlescomprise arcuate discontinuous members.

10. A deseeding device according to any preceding claim wherein the handlescomprise a central hole.

11. A deseeding device according to any preceding claim wherein the pivot comprises a threaded stud and barrel.

12. A deseeding device according to any preceding claim wherein comprises a pivot and two unitary members.

13. A deseeding device according to claim 12 wherein the members are formed in 5 stainless steel.

14. A method of removing a pit from a fruit utilising a device according to any of the preceding claims.T +44(0)30 0300 2000

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