Cutting Device for Food Products and Method of Using the Same

Abstract

A linear cutting assembly for a food sheet comprises a cutting surface assembly, an arm assembly, and a cutting assembly. The cutting surface assembly comprises a base that has a first channel formed at a first end of the base. The arm assembly comprises an elongated portion and a locking mechanism. The elongated portion has a track. The locking mechanism is adapted to partially reside within the first channel of the cutting surface assembly. The locking mechanism releasably secures the arm assembly relative to the cutting surface assembly. The cutting assembly comprises a rotatable blade. The cutting assembly is adapted to connect to the track of the arm assembly and move relative to the track of the arm assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A linear cutting assembly for a food sheet comprising:
 a cutting surface assembly comprising a base, the base having a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, wherein at least one of the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side includes one of either a first channel and a first rail;   an elongated arm having a first end and a second end, the elongated arm slidably engaging one of the either first channel and rail of the cutting surface assembly and moveable along the either first channel and the first rail of the cutting surface assembly;   a track formed in the arm and extending from the first end of the elongated portion towards the second end of the elongated arm, the arm assembly slidably engaging one of the either the first channel and the first rail of the cutting surface assembly;   a locking mechanism coupled proximate the first end of the arm assembly, the locking mechanism at least partially engaging the at least one of the either the first channel and the rail of the cutting surface assembly, wherein the locking mechanism releasably secures the arm assembly to the cutting surface assembly; and   a cutting assembly comprising a cutting blade, the cutting assembly being attached in slidable engagement to the track of the elongated arm, the cutting assembly moving in a generally normal direction relative to the one of either the first channel and the rail.   
     
     
         2 . The linear cutting assembly for a food sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a cam lever, the cam lever having a locked position and an unlocked position. 
     
     
         3 . The linear cutting assembly for a food sheet of  claim 1 , further comprising a cutting mat having a top surface and a bottom surface, the cutting mat being removably attached to the base. 
     
     
         4 . The linear cutting assembly for a food sheet of  claim 3 , wherein the cutting mat further comprises indicia disposed on one of either the top surface and the bottom surface of the cutting mat. 
     
     
         5 . The linear cutting assembly for a food sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting surface assembly further comprises measuring indicia. 
     
     
         6 . The linear cutting assembly for a food sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated arm is disposed generally perpendicular to the either one of the first channel and the first rail of the cutting surface assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The linear cutting assembly for a food sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting assembly comprises a base portion, the base portion having a track receiving region that connects to the track. 
     
     
         8 . The linear cutting assembly for a food sheet of  claim 7 , wherein the cutting assembly comprises a body portion pivotably connected to the base portion, the body portion having a first position and a second position relative to the base portion. 
     
     
         9 . The linear cutting assembly for a food sheet of  claim 8 , wherein the cutting assembly comprises an activation spring, the activation spring disposed between the base portion of the cutting assembly and the body portion of the cutting assembly, the activation spring biasing the body portion to the first position relative to the base portion. 
     
     
         10 . The linear cutting assembly for a food sheet of  claim 8 , wherein the cutting blade contacts the food sheet with the body portion in the second position relative to the base portion. 
     
     
         11 . The linear cutting assembly for a food sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting blade comprises a rotatable cutting blade. 
     
     
         12 . The linear cutting assembly for a food sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the base of the cutting surface assembly has one of either a second channel and a second rail, wherein the one of either the second channel and the second rail is disposed along an opposite side of the one of either the first channel and the first rail. 
     
     
         13 . A linear cutting assembly for a food sheet comprising:
 a cutting surface assembly comprising a base and a cutting mat, the base having a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, wherein at least one of the sides having a first channel formed therein and measuring indicia disposed proximate the first channel, the cutting mat removably connecting to the base;   an arm assembly comprising an elongated portion having a track, the arm assembly being adapted to partially reside within the first channel of the cutting surface assembly to be positioned relative to the measuring indicia of the cutting surface assembly, the elongated portion of the arm assembly being generally normal to the first channel of the cutting surface assembly; and   a cutting assembly comprising a rotatable blade, the cutting assembly adapted to connect to the track of the arm assembly and move relative to the track of the arm assembly.   
     
     
         14 . The linear cutting assembly for a food sheet of  claim 13 , further comprising a locking mechanism having a cam lever, the cam lever having a locked position and an unlocked position, the locking mechanism being attached to the arm assembly, the locking mechanism fixing a position of the arm assembly relative to the cutting surface assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The linear cutting assembly for a food sheet of  claim 13 , wherein the arm assembly further has a cutting assembly release having a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the cutting assembly may be removed from the track with the cutting assembly release in the unlocked position. 
     
     
         16 . The linear cutting assembly for a food sheet of  claim 13 , wherein the cutting assembly comprises a base portion, the base portion having a track receiving region that connects to the track of the arm assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The linear cutting assembly for a food sheet of  claim 16 , wherein the cutting assembly comprises a body portion pivotably connected to the base portion, the body portion having a first position and a second position relative to the base portion. 
     
     
         18 . The linear cutting assembly for a food sheet of  claim 17 , wherein the cutting assembly comprises an activation spring, the activation spring disposed between the base portion of the cutting assembly and the body portion of the cutting assembly, the activation spring biasing the body portion to the first position relative to the base portion. 
     
     
         19 . The linear cutting assembly for a food sheet of  claim 17 , wherein the rotatable blade contacts the food sheet with the body portion in the second position relative to the base portion. 
     
     
         20 . A method of making a generally linear cut into a food sheet comprising:
 providing a linear cutting assembly for a food sheet, the linear cutting assembly having a cutting surface assembly, an arm assembly adapted to move relative to the cutting surface assembly, and a cutting assembly slidably fixed to the arm;   providing a food sheet product;   placing the food sheet product on the cutting surface assembly;   positioning the arm assembly of the linear cutting assembly at a desired location relative to the cutting surface assembly; and   engaging the food sheet product with the cutting assembly, the cutting assembly sliding along a track on the arm assembly.   
     
     
         21 . The method of making a generally linear cut into a food sheet of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 repositioning the arm assembly of the linear cutting assembly at a second desired location relative to the cutting surface assembly; and   engaging the food sheet product with the cutting assembly, the cutting assembly sliding along a track on the arm assembly to make a second cut in the food sheet.