Grater

Abstract

To provide a grater that is highly efficient in mass production and can produce grated ingredients with a good texture. [Solution] A grating plate 1 is provided with numerous through holes 2, and a cutting blade 3 is provided projecting upward from the edge of each through hole 2. Multiple cutting blades 3 are arranged in a row on the opposing edges of the through holes 2, and a group of blades 4 is provided in a facing state. The through holes 2 having this group of blades 4 include high-bladed through holes 2A, where a high-bladed group 4A is provided on the opposing edge of the hole, and low-bladed through holes 2B, where a low-bladed group 4B is provided on the opposing edge of the hole. Numerous high-bladed through holes 2A and low-bladed through holes 2B are provided in a row in the direction of the grating plate 1's reciprocating movement, and the grating plate 1, which has the through holes 2 and the group of blades 4, is integrally molded from synthetic resin.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a household grater used when grating food ingredients such as radishes and ginger.

Background Art

[0002] Some household graters of this type are configured such that a large number of through holes are provided in a flat plate-shaped grating plate, a cutting edge projects upward at the edge of each through hole, and when the grating plate is reciprocated while pressing a food ingredient against it, the food ingredient is grated by the cutting edge and the grated food ingredient falls from the through hole (see Patent Document 1 below).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Since the heights of all the cutting edges of the grater of Patent Document 1 are the same, the grated food ingredients such as grated radishes have a substantially constant particle size (fiber quality) and do not have a good texture.

[0005] The present invention relates to an improvement of a grater such as that of Patent Document 1, and provides a grater capable of obtaining grated food ingredients with a good texture and having excellent mass productivity.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The gist of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0007] In a grater A, a grating plate 1 is provided with numerous through holes 2, and cutting blades 3 are provided projecting upward from the edge of each through hole 2, and when food is pressed against the grating plate 1 and moved back and forth, the food is grated by the cutting blades 3 and the grated food falls out through the through holes 2, The through hole 2 is provided with a group of blades 4, each having multiple cutting blades 3 arranged in parallel on one side edge of the hole located on one side in the grating reciprocating direction of the grating plate 1, and on the other side edge of the hole located on the other side in the grating reciprocating direction. This group of blades 4 is composed of a high blade group 4A and a low blade group 4B of different heights, and has a high blade through hole 2A with the high blade group 4A provided on both the one side edge and the other side edge of the hole, and a low blade through hole 2B with the low blade group 4B provided on both the one side edge and the other side edge of the hole. These high-blade through-holes 2A and low-blade through-holes 2B are arranged in a parallel configuration in the grating reciprocating direction of the grating plate 1. When food is pressed against the grating plate 1 and moved back and forth, the food is grated by the high-blade group 4A of the high-blade through-holes 2A and the low-blade group 4B of the low-blade through-holes 2B. The present invention relates to a grater characterized in that the grating plate 1, which is provided with the through hole 2 and the group of blades 4, is integrally molded from synthetic resin.

[0008] Furthermore, the through hole 2 is formed as an elongated hole having a length perpendicular to the grating reciprocating movement direction of the grating plate 1, and the group of blades 4 is provided at one side edge and the other side edge of the longitudinal hole of the through hole 2. The grater according to claim 1 is characterized in that a large number of these elongated through holes 2 are arranged in a series in the direction of the grating plate 1's reciprocating movement, and a large number of these holes are arranged in a series in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the grating plate 1's reciprocating movement.

[0009] Furthermore, the grater according to claim 1 is characterized in that the grating plate 1 has a large number of high-blade through holes 2A and low-blade through holes 2B arranged alternately in a series in the direction of reciprocating movement of the grating plate 1.

[0010] Furthermore, the grater according to claim 1 is characterized in that the through hole 2 is provided so as to penetrate the grating plate 1 in the vertical direction, and the hole shape is such that the diameter of the hole increases towards the lower side of the grating plate 1.

[0011] Furthermore, the grater according to claim 1 is characterized in that the grating plate 1 is provided with a sliding locking portion 5 that can be detachably locked by sliding horizontally against the flange portion 8 of a receiving container B, which is an open-top container capable of accommodating grated food falling from the through-hole 2 and has a flange portion 8 on the peripheral edge of the upper opening.

[0012] Furthermore, the grater according to claim 5 is characterized in that the slide locking portion 5 is integrally molded from synthetic resin at two locations on one side and the other side in the grating reciprocating movement direction of the grating plate 1, and these two slide locking portions 5 are configured to slide lock at two locations on the flange portion 8 of the receiving container B.

[0013] Furthermore, the grater according to claim 1 is characterized in that a gripping handle 6 is provided protruding from the grating plate 1, and the gripping handle 6 is provided with a finger insertion part 7 for accommodating the thumb 9 of the hand that grips the gripping handle 6.

[0014] Furthermore, the grater according to claim 7 is characterized in that the grip handle 6, on which the finger insertion portion 7 is provided, is integrally molded with the grating plate 1 from synthetic resin. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] As described above, the present invention is configured such that when food is pressed against the grating plate and moved back and forth, it is possible to obtain grated food with a very good texture, which is a mixture of coarsely cut (coarse fibrous material) by the high-blade group and finely cut (fine fibrous material) by the low-blade group. Moreover, the grating plate, which is provided with through holes and a group of blades, can be easily designed and realized by integral molding of synthetic resin and is highly mass-producible, making it an extremely practical grater.

[0016] Furthermore, the invention described in claim 2 provides a grater that is even more practical, with good cutting efficiency and reliably exhibits the aforementioned effects.

[0017] Furthermore, the invention described in claim 3 provides a more practical grater that can reliably produce grated food with a very good texture, containing a mixture of coarsely and finely chopped ingredients.

[0018] Furthermore, in the invention described in claim 4, the grated ingredients grated by the group of blades easily fall through the through holes, and therefore the grated ingredients are less likely to clog the blades. Even if clogging occurs, the grated ingredients can be easily removed through the through holes by a simple operation such as lightly tapping the grating plate, resulting in a more practical grater.

[0019] Furthermore, the inventions described in claims 5 and 6 enable the reliable storage of grated ingredients when used in conjunction with a receiving container, and the grating plate can be easily attached to and detached from the receiving container simply by sliding the grating plate horizontally. Moreover, by configuring the invention as described in claim 6, the grating plate can be stably attached to the flange portion of the receiving container by two sliding locking parts, resulting in a grater with even greater practicality.

[0020] In the inventions described in claims 7 and 8, the rubbing plate can be easily moved back and forth while holding the holding handle, and at this time, the thumb of the hand can be placed in the finger insertion part to stably hold the holding handle. Further, by configuring as in the invention described in claim 8, the holding handle provided with the finger insertion part can be easily designed and realized by integrally molding with synthetic resin, etc., and it becomes a rubbing plate with further excellent practicality.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing this embodiment and a partially enlarged perspective view of the rubbing plate. [Figure 2] It is a side view showing this embodiment and a partially enlarged side cross-sectional view of the rubbing plate. [Figure 3] It is an explanatory plan view showing the state of holding the holding handle of this embodiment. [Figure 4] It is an explanatory perspective view showing the state of this embodiment during the process of being slidably locked to the receiving container. [Figure 5] It is an explanatory side view showing the state of this embodiment when it is slidably locked to the receiving container. [Figure 6] It is an explanatory front view showing the stacking structure of this embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] The optimal embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described based on the drawings to show the operation of the present invention.

[0023] When the rubbing plate 1 is reciprocally moved while pressing the food material against it, the food material is rubbed by the cutting blade 3 and the rubbed food material falls from the through hole 2. At this time, for example, if a receiving container B is prepared below the rubbing plate 1, the rubbed food material falling from the through hole 2 is accommodated in the receiving container B, and the receiving container B containing the rubbed food material can be directly carried to the dining table or put into the refrigerator for storage.

[0024] Furthermore, the through-hole 2 of the present invention is provided with a group of blades 4, each consisting of multiple cutting blades 3 arranged in parallel on one side edge of the grating plate 1 in the grating reciprocating direction and on the other side edge of the grating plate 1 in the grating reciprocating direction. This group of blades 4 is composed of a high blade group 4A and a low blade group 4B of different heights. The high blade group 4A is provided on both the one side edge and the other side edge of the grating plate 1, forming a high-bladed through-hole 2A, and the low blade group 4B is provided on both the one side edge and the other side edge of the grating plate 1, forming a low-bladed through-hole 2B. A large number of these high-bladed through-holes 2A and low-bladed through-holes 2B are arranged in parallel in the grating reciprocating direction of the grating plate 1.

[0025] Therefore, when food is pressed against the grating board 1 and moved back and forth, the food is grated by the high-blade group 4A of the high-blade through-hole 2A and the low-blade group 4B of the low-blade through-hole 2B, resulting in a grated food with a very good texture, containing a mixture of coarsely cut pieces (with coarse fibers) by the high-blade group 4A and finely cut pieces (with fine fibers) by the low-blade group 4B.

[0026] Furthermore, the grater A of the present invention, in which the grating plate 1, which has the through-hole 2 and the group of blades 4, is integrally molded from synthetic resin, can be easily designed and realized by resin molding and is highly suitable for mass production. [Examples]

[0027] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0028] The grater A in this embodiment is a one-piece molded product made of synthetic resin, and is configured in a form in which a grip handle 6 is provided protruding from the grating plate 1, as shown in Figures 1 to 3.

[0029] Specifically, the grating plate 1 is formed in a roughly rectangular shape in plan view, and a thin rod-shaped handle 6 is projected outward from one end (base end) in the longitudinal direction of the grating plate 1, with a length along the longitudinal direction of the grating plate 1. In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the grater A, which consists of the grating plate 1 and the handle 6, is defined as the direction of the grating plate 1's reciprocating movement, the base end side (one side) of the grating plate 1 where the handle 6 is located is defined as the front side in the direction of the grating reciprocating movement, and the tip side (the other side) of the grating plate 1, located opposite the handle 6, is defined as the back side in the direction of the grating reciprocating movement. Reference numeral 10 in the figure indicates a grating guide that prevents food from flying outward from both ends (longitudinal edges) of the grating plate 1 during the grating process.

[0030] Furthermore, the grating plate 1 is provided with numerous through holes 2 (integrally molded), and cutting blades 3 are provided projecting upward from the edge of each through hole 2 (integrally molded). In other words, the grating plate 1, which is provided with the through holes 2 and the cutting blades 3 (blade group 4 described later), is integrally molded from synthetic resin (including the grip handle 6). When food is pressed against the grating plate 1 and moved back and forth along its length, the food is grated by the cutting blades 3 and the grated food falls out through the through holes 2.

[0031] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, each of these through holes 2 is formed as an elongated hole having length in the lateral direction perpendicular to the grating reciprocating direction (length direction) of the grating plate 1. A large number (fourteen in the drawings) of these elongated through holes 2 are arranged in a series in the grating reciprocating direction (length direction) of the grating plate 1, and a large number (four in the drawings) are arranged in a series in a direction perpendicular to the grating reciprocating direction of the grating plate 1 (a large number of through holes arranged in a series in the length direction of the grating plate 1 are arranged in four rows in the lateral direction perpendicular to the length direction of the grating plate 1).

[0032] Furthermore, in all of the through holes 2 of this embodiment, a group of cutting blades 4 is provided in a symmetrical arrangement, with one side hole edge (longitudinal hole edge) located on the front side (one side) in the direction of the grating plate 1's reciprocating movement, and the other side hole edge (longitudinal hole edge) located on the back side (the other side) in the direction of the grating reciprocating movement.

[0033] Furthermore, the cutting blade 3 is formed as a small, roughly triangular pyramidal blade that tapers upwards (having its apex at the upper end) (integrally molded with the grating plate 1), and multiple cutting blades 3 are arranged in parallel at small intervals between the edges of one and the other sides of all the through holes 2 to form the blade group 4.

[0034] Furthermore, this blade group 4 is composed of two types of high blade group 4A and low blade group 4B with different heights (protrusion height relative to the upper surface of the grating plate 1), and the through hole 2 has high blade through holes 2A provided on one side edge and the other side edge of the high blade group 4A, and low blade through holes 2B provided on one side edge and the other side edge of the low blade group 4B (the blade group 4 has two types of through holes 2 with different heights (high blade through holes 2A and low blade through holes 2B)). To explain in more detail, the high blade group 4A is composed of multiple cutting blades 3 with a height of approximately 1 mm to 2 mm arranged in parallel at small intervals, and the low blade group 4B is composed of multiple cutting blades 3 with a height of approximately 0.5 mm to less than 1 mm (less tall than the cutting blades 3 that make up the high blade group 4A) arranged in parallel at small intervals.

[0035] Furthermore, the high-blade group 4A of the high-blade through-holes 2A and the low-blade group 4B of the low-blade through-holes 2B are arranged in a series in a manner parallel to each other in the grating reciprocating direction of the grating plate 1 (the length direction of the grating plate 1). When food is pressed against the grating plate 1 and moved back and forth, the food is grated by the high-blade group 4A and the low-blade group 4B. According to the applicant's tests, this configuration prevents the fibers of the food from being forcibly broken, and it has been confirmed that the grated food has a pleasant texture, with a mixture of coarsely cut pieces (with coarse fibers and relatively large particles) by the numerous high-blade groups 4A and finely cut pieces (with fine fibers and small particles) by the numerous low-blade groups 4B.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in the partially enlarged views of Figures 1 and 2, the high-blade through-holes 2A and low-blade through-holes 2B are arranged alternately in a series in the grating reciprocating direction of the grating plate 1. However, a configuration in which the high-blade through-holes 2A and low-blade through-holes 2B are not arranged alternately in the grating reciprocating direction is also possible.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, four through holes 2 arranged in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the grating reciprocating movement direction are arranged on the same straight line, and all four through holes 2 on this same straight line are configured to be either the same type of high-blade through hole 2A or low-blade through hole 2B. Although not shown in the figures, a configuration may be adopted in which the through holes 2 arranged in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the grating reciprocating movement direction are offset from each other in the grating reciprocating movement direction (not on the same straight line), or a configuration may be adopted in which the high-blade through hole 2A and the low-blade through hole 2B are arranged adjacent to each other in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the grating reciprocating movement direction (on the same straight line).

[0038] The drawing also shows a case where the cutting blades 3 are provided (integrally molded) between the four through holes 2 that are aligned in a lateral direction perpendicular to the grating reciprocating movement direction.

[0039] Furthermore, all of the through holes 2 in this embodiment are provided so as to penetrate the grating plate 1 in the vertical direction, and are formed as through holes 2 with a shape in which the diameter of the hole increases as it approaches the lower side (bottom surface side) of the thickness of the grating plate 1.

[0040] Specifically, the edge (inner periphery) of the through hole 2 is formed as an inclined edge that slopes outward towards the lower side, resulting in a hole shape where the diameter of the hole increases towards the lower side of the grating plate 1 (see Figure 2).

[0041] Therefore, the grated ingredients, prepared by the blade group 4 (high blade group 4A and low blade group 4B), can easily fall through the through-hole 2, which has a larger diameter towards the bottom. Consequently, the grated ingredients are less likely to clog the grater, and even if they do clog, the grated ingredients can be easily removed by simply tapping the grater 1 lightly, causing them to fall through the through-hole 2.

[0042] Furthermore, this embodiment is configured to allow the use of a receiving container B capable of containing grated food falling from the through-hole 2. By using this receiving container B, the grated food falling from the through-hole 2 is contained within the receiving container B, allowing it to be carried directly to the table or stored in the refrigerator.

[0043] The illustrated receiving container B is a top-opening container with a roughly rectangular shape in plan view that conforms to the plan view outer shape of the grating plate 1, and has a flange portion 8 that protrudes horizontally outward around the entire circumference of the upper opening periphery (see Figure 4). The grating plate 1 is mounted in the upper opening of the receiving container B so that the length direction of the receiving container B and the length direction of the grater A coincide, thereby covering the upper opening of the receiving container B. Although not shown, the width between the opposing longitudinal edges of the receiving container B (the width corresponding to the width in the lateral direction perpendicular to the grating reciprocating movement direction of the grating plate 1 mounted in the upper opening of the receiving container B) may be greater than the width in the lateral direction perpendicular to the grating reciprocating movement direction (length direction) of the grating plate 1.

[0044] On the other hand, the grating plate 1 in this embodiment is provided with a sliding locking portion 5 that can be detachably locked to the flange portion 8 of the receiving container B by sliding it horizontally.

[0045] Specifically, the slide locking portion 5 is integrally molded from synthetic resin at two opposing locations: near the grip handle 6 on the front side (one side) and at the rear side (the other side) end of the grating plate 1 in the grating reciprocating movement direction (length direction). These two slide locking portions 5 horizontally slide and lock against the two opposing flange portions 8 in the short direction of the receiving container B, so that the grating plate 1 (main grater A) is stably mounted in the upper opening of the receiving container B.

[0046] More specifically, two opposing locations on the grating plate 1, near the grip handle 6 on the front side and at the rear end, are provided (integrally molded with the grating plate 1) with substantially L-shaped projections projecting downwards and their respective bent lower end pieces facing each other (symmetrically). These two L-shaped projections 5 constitute the slide locking portion 5 that horizontally slides and locks against the flange portion 8. Then, by positioning the grater A to the side of the receiving container B and aligning (adjusting the height of) each slide locking part 5 with the flange part 8, the grater A is slid horizontally relative to the receiving container B as shown by the arrows in Figure 4. The flange part 8 is then sandwiched from above and below between the bent lower end of each slide locking part 5 (L-shaped projection 5) and the lower surface of the grating plate 1 near each slide locking part 5, so that each slide locking part 5 is locked to the flange part 8 (see Figures 4 and 5).

[0047] Furthermore, the slide locking part 5 exerts a locking force to prevent the grater A (grating plate 1) from coming off when attempting to remove it upwards from the flange part 8 of the receiving container B. However, it does not exert a locking force when attempting to slide the grater A (grating plate 1) horizontally from the flange part 8 of the receiving container B, thus allowing the grater A to be easily removed from the receiving container B (by sliding it horizontally). Reference numeral 11 in the figure indicates a viewing window from above the grating plate 1 that allows the locking status of the slide locking part 5 to the flange part 8 to be checked.

[0048] Furthermore, the grip handle 6 in this embodiment is provided with a finger insertion section 7 for accommodating the thumb 9 of the hand gripping the grip handle 6.

[0049] Specifically, the rod-shaped grip handle 6 is formed into a short cylindrical shape (hollow shape) with the inner part, excluding the outer circumference, hollowed out and extending vertically (integrally molded with the grating plate 1). This inner through-hole 7 is configured as the finger insertion part 7, and the grip handle 6 can be held by inserting the thumb 9 from above into this finger insertion part 7 while, for example, positioning the other four fingers on the underside of the grip handle 6. By inserting the thumb 9 into the finger insertion part 7, the hand is less likely to slip from the grip handle 6, thus improving operability during grating.

[0050] Although not shown in detail in the illustration, the outer surface of the grip handle 6 and the inner through portion 7 (its inner surface) that constitutes the finger insertion portion 7 are textured, so that the grip handle 6 does not slip when held in the hand, and stable gripping operation is possible.

[0051] Furthermore, the grip handle 6 in this embodiment is thicker in the vertical direction than the grating plate 1, and its lower part is shaped to protrude downward from the lower surface of the grating plate 1. The entire outer circumference (cylindrical wall) of the grip handle 6 is formed as an inclined wall, and it is shaped as a cylinder with a wide opening at the top and a narrow opening at the bottom. Multiple grip handles 6 can be stacked vertically in a positioned state by accommodating the lower part of another grip handle 6 positioned on the upper side into the finger insertion part 7 of the grip handle 6 from above.

[0052] Therefore, the design allows multiple graters A to be stacked and stored compactly by stacking the handles 6 (see Figure 6), and similarly, another utensil having the same handle 6 can be stacked with the grater A.

[0053] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the specific configuration of each constituent element can be designed as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 1. Grating board 2 through holes 2A High blade through hole 2B Through hole with low blade 3 cutting blade 4 blade group 4A Takablade group 4B Low blade group 5. Slide locking part 6 Grip handle 7 Finger insertion section 8 Flange section 9 Thumb A grater B Receptor

Claims

1. In a grater in which a grating plate is provided with numerous through holes, and cutting blades are provided protruding upward from the edge of each through hole, and when food is pressed against the grating plate and moved back and forth, the food is grated by the cutting blades and the grated food falls out through the through holes, The through-hole is provided with a group of cutting blades arranged in parallel on one side edge of the hole located on one side in the direction of reciprocating movement of the grating plate, and on the other side edge of the hole located on the other side in the direction of reciprocating movement of the grating plate. This group of blades consists of a high blade group and a low blade group of different heights, and the through-hole has high blades provided on both the one side edge and the other side edge, and low blades provided on both the one side edge and the other side edge. These high-blade through-holes and low-blade through-holes are arranged in a parallel configuration in the direction of the grating plate's reciprocating movement. When food is pressed against the grating plate and moved back and forth, the food is grated by the high-blade group of the high-blade through-holes and the low-blade group of the low-blade through-holes. A grater characterized in that the grating plate, which has the through holes and the group of blades, is integrally molded from synthetic resin.

2. The through-hole is formed as an elongated hole having a length perpendicular to the direction of the grating plate's reciprocating movement, and the group of blades is provided on one side edge and the other side edge of the through-hole, which are longitudinal edges of the through-hole. The grater according to claim 1, characterized in that a large number of these elongated through-holes are arranged in a series in the direction of the grating plate's reciprocating movement, and a large number of these through-holes are arranged in a series in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the grating plate's reciprocating movement.

3. The grater according to claim 1, characterized in that the grating plate has a large number of high-blade through holes and low-blade through holes arranged alternately in a series in the direction of reciprocating movement of the grating plate.

4. The grater according to claim 1, characterized in that the through-hole is provided so as to penetrate the grating plate in the vertical direction, and the hole shape is such that the diameter of the hole increases towards the lower side of the grating plate.

5. The grater according to claim 1, characterized in that the grating plate is provided with a sliding locking portion that can be detachably locked by sliding horizontally against the flange portion of a receiving container which is an open-top container capable of receiving grated food falling from the through-hole and has a flange portion on the peripheral edge of the upper opening.

6. The grater according to claim 5, characterized in that the slide locking portion is integrally molded from synthetic resin at two locations on one side and the other side in the grating reciprocating movement direction of the grating plate, and these two slide locking portions are configured to slide lock at two locations on the flange portion of the receiving container.

7. The grater according to claim 1, characterized in that a gripping handle is provided on the grating plate, and the gripping handle is provided with a finger insertion part for the thumb of the hand that is gripping the gripping handle.

8. The grater according to claim 7, characterized in that the grip handle, on which the finger insertion portion is provided, is integrally molded with the grating plate from synthetic resin.

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