BUTTER DISH WITH INTEGRATED SLICER

Abstract

A butter dish includes a cover having a blade fixedly attached therein and a base cooperating with the cover, the base configured to receive a stick of butter. The blade extends across a width of inside surfaces of opposing sidewalls of the cover and is confined within those sidewalls. The base includes a cutting surface having a plurality of equidistant markings to receive the stick of butter such that the cover operates as a blade handle and allows for the measured cutting of butter on the cutting surface.

Claims

1. A butter dish comprising: a cover having two opposing ends and opposing sidewalls connecting the opposing ends; a blade positioned at one end of the cover and fixedly attached between the sidewalls; and a base cooperating with the cover and being configured to receive a stick of butter.

2. The butter dish of claim 1, wherein the blade is confined within the sidewalls of the cover.

3. The butter dish of claim 1, wherein the base further comprises a cutting surface configured to receive the stick of butter and having a plurality of measurement markings on edges of the cutting surface.

4. The butter dish of claim 1, wherein the base further comprises a blade indentation disposed on the cutting surface and positioned such that the blade is received into the blade indentation when the cover is in a closed position over the base.

5. A butter dish comprising: a cover having a first end and an opposing second end, and opposing sidewalls connecting the first and second ends; a blade positioned at a first end of the cover and fixedly attached between the sidewalls; and a base having a cutting surface extending along a length of the base, and opposing end walls connected to the base cutting surface, the cutting surface being configured to receive a stick of butter.

6. The butter dish of claim 5, further comprising: a channel positioned along a top edge of one end wall of the base; and a notch position on an inside surface of the cover at the second end thereof, the channel being configured to receive the notch in the cover and thereby enable the cover to be secured to the base in a secure non-moving arrangement.

7. The butter dish of claim 6, further comprising a blade indentation disposed on the cutting surface and positioned such that the blade is received into the blade indentation when the cover is in a closed position over the base.

8. The butter dish of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of markings disposed on edges of the cutting surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The invention will provide details in the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the following figures wherein:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a butter dish, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the butter dish of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 3 shows a perspective bottom view of the cover of the butter dish of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a side view of the base of the butter dish of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a user cutting a stick of butter by employing the butter dish with the integrated blade of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Throughout the drawings, same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide for a butter dish with an integrated blade. The blade is preferably a single linear blade that can be fixedly or non-removably attached to a cover of the butter dish. The blade can be fixed within the confines of the cover and can extend between inner sidewalls of the cover. In one embodiment, the blade does not extend beyond a lowermost point of the cover sidewalls or onto outer sidewalls or surfaces of the cover.

[0015] Traditionally, butter is provided in sticks, usually four sticks to a pound of butter, and many people prefer to have butter sticks available on the table during a meal. People usually place the stick of butter on a butter dish with a butter knife available. Most butter dishes are flat plates, often rectangular in shape. Frequently, when a person tries to cut a pat of butter from one end of the stick with the butter knife, the stick can slide around the plate. Also, the butter may melt while at room temperature for extended periods of time, and the excess liquid butter runs off the plate onto the tabletop. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention alleviate such issues by providing for a butter dish with a blade or cutter integrated or fixedly attached therein.

[0016] It is to be understood that the present invention will be described in terms of a given illustrative architecture; however, other architectures, structures, substrate materials and process features and steps/blocks can be varied within the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that certain features cannot be shown in all figures for the sake of clarity. This is not intended to be interpreted as a limitation of any particular embodiment, or illustration, or scope of the claims.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a butter dish 5, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The butter dish 5 includes a cover 10 and a base 20. The cover 10 cooperates with the base 20 to house or contain butter or butter sticks therein.

[0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the butter dish 5 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment. A blade 12 is integrated into the cover 10 and is preferably fixedly attached therein such that it is not removable.

[0019] The base 20 includes a first sidewall 22A and a second sidewall 22B. In this embodiment, the first sidewall 22A is thinner than the second sidewall 22B, or stated differently, the second sidewall 22B has a width greater than a width of the first sidewall 22A. The first sidewall 22A is in opposed relation to the second sidewall 22B. The base 20 includes a cutting surface 24 that can also be referred to as a bottom surface. The cutting surface 24 can further include markings 26 extending along the edges of the cutting surface 24 and are generally equidistant with respect to each other. The cutting surface 24 can further include a blade indentation 29 that can be disposed adjacent the first sidewall 22A and is configured to receive the blade 12 within the cover 10 when the cover is in the closed position over the base 20. It will be appreciated that the blade indentation 19 shall be positioned in the base so as to receive the blade 10, and in this embodiment it can be seen that the blade indentation 19 extends transverse to the cutting surface 24.

[0020] In one embodiment, the base 20 can be supported by a first leg 28A and a second leg 28B. The first leg 28A and the second leg 28B are disposed under the base 20 on opposed ends thereof to assist in stability of the base 20 on a flat surface.

[0021] FIG. 3 shows a perspective bottom view of the cover 10 of the butter dish 5 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The bottom view shows how the blade 12 is fixedly attached to the side walls 13A and 13B of the cover 10. The cover 10 generally has an upside down U shape where the side walls 13A and 13B are the legs of such U-shape and the top of the cover connects the side walls such that the cover 10 is a single unitary device. As shown, the cover 10 has a first end 11L and a second opposing end 11R. As shown in this embodiment, the blade 12 is fixedly attached or non-removably attached between the sidewalls 13A and 13B at a bottom portion thereof at the first end 11L. The blade 12 is preferably a single blade that is non-removably fixed to the cover 10 and is preferably linear across the width of the cover and base. The blade 12 is confined within the inner boundaries of the sidewalls 13A and 13B of cover 10 such that it does not extend beyond the sidewalls. In addition, the blade 12 does not extend under the cover 10 and does not extend beyond or outside of sidewalls 13A and 13B or surfaces of the cover 10. For safety purposes, the blade 12 is maintained entirely within the confines or boundaries defined by the sidewalls 13A and 13B of the cover 10.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a side view of the base of the butter dish of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The side view of the base 20 shows the first end wall 22A and the second end wall 22B. In this embodiment, the second end wall 22B is shown to be wider than the first end wall 22A. For instance, the second end wall 22B can be thicker and includes a channel 40 such that a notch 42 (FIG. 2) is integrated into the end 11R of the cover 10 and received within the channel 40 of when in a closed state. This configuration allows for proper securement of the cover 10 to the base 20. Stated differently, the notch 42 received within the channel 40 of the second end wall 22B operates to prevent axial movement of cover 10 with respect to base 20 when in a closed state. However, in practice it will be appreciated that the end walls 22A or 22B can be configured to be the same width or not include the securing channel 40/notch 42 as shown.

[0023] The markings 26 extending along an edge of the cutting surface 24 are preferably equally spaced apart with respect to each other and can be representative of, for example, a teaspoon or tablespoon slice of butter. The blade indentation 19 is also shown as a small divot or slot.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the operation of the butter dish 5 with integrated slicer 12 of the invention. As shown, in use, a butter stick 30 is stored in the butter dish and rests on the cutting surface 24 of the base 20. The user 40 then handles the cover 10 with the fixed blade 12 and moves it over the butter stick 30 and presses downward in a direction A. The user 40 can then move the cover 10 with the blade 12 to slice the butter stick 30 into butter slices 32. The markings 26 guide the user 40 in making butter slices 32 of an equal predetermined size (e.g., tablespoon, teaspoon). As noted, the blade 12 is preferably a single blade extending across the width of the cover 10 between the side walls for cutting single slices of the butter stick 30. The blade 12 only cuts one butter slice 32 at a time. As will be appreciated, the cover 10 operates as the blade handle for the user, and allows them to simply and safely slice the butter without ever having to handle a knife or blade.

[0025] In summary, the exemplary embodiments present a butter dish with an integrated blade. The blade is preferably a single linear blade and is fixedly or non-removably attached to a cover of the butter dish. In other embodiments, the blade can be configured to be removable and replaceable with a new blade if needed, or a decorative style blade (e.g., zig zag) to create decorative butter slices. The blade extends between inner sidewalls or surfaces of the cover and does not extend underneath the cover or on outer sidewalls or surfaces of the cover. In other contemplated embodiments, two or more blades can be implemented without departing from the intended scope of the invention.

[0026] In one embodiment, the butter dish includes a cover having a blade fixedly attached therein and a base cooperating with the cover, the base configured to receive a stick of butter. The blade extends across the width defined by the sidewalls of the cover and is preferably confined within the sidewalls of the cover. The base includes a cutting surface to receive the stick of butter, the cutting surface including a plurality of markings disposed on edges of the cutting surface.

[0027] While there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the present principles, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details of the methods described and devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the same. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the present principles. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or implementation of the present principles may be incorporated in any other disclosed, described or suggested form or implementation as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

[0028] It should also be understood that the example embodiments disclosed and taught herein are susceptible to numerous and various modifications and alternative forms. Thus, the use of a singular term, such as, but not limited to, a and the like, is not intended as limiting of the number of items. Furthermore, the naming conventions for the various components, functions, parameters, thresholds, and other elements used herein are provided as examples, and can be given a different name or label. The use of the term or is not limited to exclusive or but can also mean and/or.

[0029] Having described preferred embodiments, which serve to illustrate various concepts, structures and techniques that are the subject of this patent, it will now become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments incorporating these concepts, structures and techniques may be used. Additionally, elements of different embodiments described herein may be combined to form other embodiments not specifically set forth above.

[0030] Accordingly, it is submitted that that scope of the patent should not be limited to the described embodiments but rather should be limited only by the spirit and scope of the following claims.