BUTTER CUTTING DEVICE

Abstract

A butter cutting device, comprising a C-shaped body 1 positioned on a fixed surface and having a first and second portion, the first portion is attached with a platform 2 for accommodating a bar of butter, a user-interface for enabling a user to give input commands regarding dimensions of a butter slice required by the user, an imaging unit 3 for detecting dimensions of the bar, a telescopically operated gripper 4 for unwrapping a suitable length of butter paper from a spool for laying butter paper on the bar of butter, a blade 5 via a telescopically operated link 6 to extend for cutting the bar in slice of the user-defined dimensions, a robotic arm 9 arranged with body 1 for cutting the unwrapped butter paper via a cutter 10 and a speaker 8 for notifying the user to collect the butter slice from the platform 2.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a butter cutting device that is capable of facilitating a user in carrying out cutting of butter in an appropriate manner thereby reducing manual interference and maintaining hygiene. Additionally, the proposed device is capable of maintaining an optimum temperature in order to prevent melting of the butter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] User used to eat commodities like cheese or butter in their usual life within the food items, like they used to apply butter on the toast or bread as well as they use cheese in form of slices in various food items. They have been heavily used by the users and they use kitchen knife for slicing the butter or cheese while applying on the food items, however sometimes the slices are not in an accurate shape or size because of human-error as well as user might get injured while slicing the butter or cheese manually via a knife. Thereby, some apparatuses have been used by the users for slicing the butter or cheese in a specified shape without any requirement of skilled labor.

[0003] User uses some conventional ways for cutting an eatable cheese or butter in to slices like they used to cut the cheese or butter in to slices manually via knife. They use commonly used kitchen knife for cutting cheese or the butter in to number of slices, they used to hold the knife on one hand and try to cut the cheese or butter piece slice via using other hand. However, cutting the slices manually in to user-specified dimensions is not possible as well as cutting of the butter or cheese in to piece of slices via a knife takes a skilled labor, thereby requires physical efforts as well as a lot of time gets consumed in the overall process.

[0004] WO2001005561A2 discloses about an invention that includes a cheese knife for attachment to otherwise known cheese slicers having a wire. The cheese knife is designed to cut rind from surfaces of a cheese, and comprises a blade, which slides along the ring when moved forward and a cutting edge which, when moved forward, has a lower edge which passes in under the rind of the cheese such that the rind is cut from the cheese. Preferably, the cheese knife is provided with side cutting edges which define the width of rind which is cut from the cheese. The cheese knife can be provided in an embodiment for mounting on a cheese slicer wherein the wire runs perpendicular to a handle, and another embodiment wherein the wire runs parallel to a handle on the cheese slicer. The cheese knife may be provided with a supporting part for limiting the bending movement of the cheese knife when in use and for supporting a slice of cheese during transportation between the block of cheese and a slice of bread.

[0005] US20050278957A1 discloses about an invention that includes a cheese cutting apparatus with a cutter wire mounted in a taught condition between arms of a frame. The frame has a handle that extends oppositely from the frame arms. A drive is used to adjustably tension the cutting wire to a desired tension. A ratchet or other keeper or locking mechanism allows the tensioned wire to stay at a desired tension adjustment. A version with a thickness guide may be used to provide adjustment of the thickness of cheese slice cut.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices have been developed that are capable of cutting butter. However, these devices are incapable of facilitating a user in carrying out cutting of butter in an appropriate manner and fails in reducing manual efforts of the user in the overall process. Additionally, these existing devices also lack in cutting the butter in a user-specified dimensions appropriately.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that allow the user to carry out cutting of butter in an appropriate manner thereby reduces manual interference and maintaining hygiene. In addition, the developed device should also cut the butter in a user-specified dimensions appropriately.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of facilitating a user in carrying out cutting of butter in an appropriate manner thereby reducing manual interference and maintaining hygiene.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of cutting the butter in a user-specified dimensions appropriately.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of maintaining an optimum temperature in order to prevent melting of the butter.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to a butter cutting device that is capable of facilitating a user in carrying out cutting of butter in an appropriate manner thereby reducing manual interference and maintaining hygiene. Additionally, the proposed device also maintains an optimum temperature in order to prevent melting of the butter.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a butter cutting device comprises of a C-shaped body positioned on a fixed surface and having a first and second portion, wherein the first portion is attached with a platform for accommodating a bar of butter, a user-interface installed within a computing unit wirelessly associated with the device for enabling a user to give input commands regarding dimensions of a butter slice required by the user, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit mounted on the body for detecting dimensions of the bar, a telescopically operated gripper installed with the body, a blade suspended from the second portion via a telescopically operated link, to extend, and a motorized two-axis lead screw arrangement configured between the second portion and link for providing a suitable bi-direction motion to the link in view of cutting the bar in slice of the user-defined dimensions.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of, a speaker mounted on the body for notifying the user to collect the butter slice from the platform, wherein upon cutting of the bar in the slice, a robotic arm arranged with the body for cutting the unwrapped butter paper via a cutter equipped with the robotic arm, a Peltier unit is configured with the platform for maintaining an optimum temperature of the platform to prevent melting of the butter, a tactile sensor is positioned on the platform for detecting hardness of the bar of butter, and a battery is associated with the device for supplying power to electrical and electronically operated components associated with the device.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a butter cutting device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to a butter cutting device that allow the user to carry out cutting of butter in an appropriate manner thereby reduces manual interference and maintaining hygiene. In addition, the proposed device also cuts the butter in a user-specified dimensions appropriately.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of a butter cutting device is illustrated, comprising a C-shaped body 1 positioned on a fixed surface, the first portion is attached with a platform 2, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 3 mounted on the second portion, a telescopically operated gripper 4 installed with the body 1, a blade 5 suspended from the second portion via a telescopically operated link 6, a motorized two-axis lead screw arrangement 7 configured between the second portion and link 6, a speaker 8 mounted on the body 1 and a robotic arm 9 arranged with the body 1 for cutting the unwrapped butter paper via a cutter 10.

[0023] The device disclosed herein includes a C-shaped body 1 positioned on a fixed surface and having a first and second portion. Herein, the first portion is attached with a platform 2 for accommodating a bar of butter. The body 1 is in C-shaped which offers a large storage capacity for several mechanical and electrical units to be placed within the body 1. Also, the body 1 is light in weight and is cast with highly durable materials which are easy to be carried from one place to another as per the requirement of the user. The outer surface of the body 1 is coated with thin paint sheets which shield the body 1 from dust and water buildup, as well as prevent the body 1 from rusting if exposed to the outer atmosphere.

[0024] Further, a user-interface installed within a computing unit wirelessly associated with the device for enabling a user to give input commands regarding dimensions of a butter slice required by the user. Herein, a microcontroller wirelessly linked with the computing unit processes the input commands and activates an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 3 mounted with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images of the bar, respectively, for detecting dimensions of the bar. Also, the inbuilt microcontroller is pre-fed with the instructions required to control the operation of various components associated with the proposed device.

[0025] Upon processing the input commands, the microcontroller actuates an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 3 integrated on the second portion in order to capture multiple images of the bar for detecting dimension of the bar. The artificial intelligence (AI)-based imaging unit 3 refers to a camera that incorporates AI protocols to enhance its functionality and capabilities. AI protocols are used to process and analyses the images or videos captured by the camera, enabling it to perform various tasks beyond traditional image capturing. The AI analysis is performed locally on the camera itself and the real-time processing on the camera enables immediate responses and faster decision- making. The camera captures images or records videos by the help of specialized lenses designed to capture high-quality visuals.

[0026] The captured data is pre-processed to enhance its quality and prepare it for AI analysis. This pre-processing involves tasks such as noise reduction, images stabilization, or color correction. The processed data is fed into AI protocols for analysis which utilizes machine learning techniques, such as deep learning neural networks, to extract meaningful information from the visual data such as identification of the dimension of the bar. Moreover, a telescopically operated gripper 4 installed with the body 1 that is actuated by the microcontroller for unwrapping a suitable length of butter paper from a spool attached with the body 1 and laying the butter paper on the bar of butter.

[0027] The telescopically operated gripper 4 is made of a telescopic link 6 and a clamp is attached to the link 6. After getting the actuation command from the microcontroller, the link 6 extends for unwrapping a suitable length of butter paper. The extension of the link 6 is powered by a pneumatic unit that includes an air compressor, air valves, and a piston. The air compressor used herein extract the air from surrounding and increases the pressure of the air by reducing the volume of the air. The air compressor consists of two main parts including a motor and a pump. The motor powers the compressor pump which uses the energy from the motor drive to draw in atmospheric air and compress to elevated pressure.

[0028] The compressed air is then sent through a discharge tube into the cylinder across the valve. The compressed air in the cylinder tends to pushes out the piston to extend which extends the link 6 and clamp grips and aids in unwrapping the suitable length of butter paper and followed by actuation of a step motor integrated in the clamp which enables the unwrapping a suitable length of butter paper from the spool attached with the body 1 and laying the butter paper on the bar of butter.

[0029] Further, a blade 5 suspended from the second portion by means of a telescopically operated link 6. Herein, the microcontroller actuates the link 6 to extend in synchronization with actuation of a motorized two-axis lead screw arrangement 7 configured between the second portion and link 6 for providing a suitable bi-direction motion to the link 6 in view of cutting the bar in slice of the user-defined dimensions.

[0030] The two-axis lead screw arrangement 7 utilizes two lead screws to control the movement and positioning of both of the blades in two axes. The two-axis lead screw arrangement 7 comprises of a pair of lead screws both are positioned perpendicular each other. Each screws have its own dedicated lead screw and corresponding nut assembly. Each lead screw is driven by a motor, allowing individual control and movement of the blades for cutting the bar in slices of the user-defined dimension.

[0031] Upon cutting of the bar in the slice, the microcontroller actuates a robotic arm 9 arranged with the body 1 for cutting the unwrapped butter paper by means of a cutter 10 equipped with the robotic arm 9, followed by activation of a speaker 8 mounted on the body 1 for notifying the user to collect the butter slice from the platform 2.

[0032] The speaker 8 consists of a set of magnets. One of the magnets is permanent magnate and another one is an electromagnet which made of a conducting coil which is fixed with the diaphragm of the speaker 8. Whenever, the electric current is passed across the coil, the electromagnet either attracted towards the permanent magnets or repelled away from the electromagnet. This back-and-forth movement causes the diaphragm to vibrate and that results in generation of the sound wave which is heard by the user.

[0033] Synchronously, a Peltier unit is positioned with the platform 2 for maintaining an optimum temperature of the platform 2 to prevent melting of the butter. The working of the Peltier unit employed herein is based on the Peltier effect that stated that the cooling of one junction and the heating of the other when electric current is maintained in a circuit of material consisting of two dissimilar conductors. The Peltier effect related to production or absorption of heat at the junction of two metals on the passage of a current. Based on the user-specified temperature, the Peltier unit generates the heating/cooling effect in order to maintain the user-specified temperature of the platform 2 for preventing the melting of the butter.

[0034] In addition, a tactile sensor is positioned on the platform 2 for detecting hardness of the bar of butter based on which the microcontroller regulates extension of the link 6 for accurately cutting the bar. The tactile sensor is an electronic sensor that detects the hardness through touch arising from physical interaction with its environment. The sensor comprises of two parallel conductors with an insulator arranged between them and a transducer. When the bar of the butter comes in contact with the conductors leading to an increase in capacitance. The change in capacitance is detected by the transducer for determining the hardness of the bar of the butter. The transducer further converts the obtained data into an electric signal that is received by the microcontroller.

[0035] The computing unit is wirelessly linked with a microcontroller via a communication module which includes but not limited to Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) module, Bluetooth module, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) module. The communication module employed herein acts as an intermediate between various electronic components, wherein the module is used to establish the communication between the user's computing unit and the microcontroller. The customized Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) module is designed for establishing a wireless connection between computing unit and the microcontroller. This module is able to receive serial data from radiation monitoring devices such as microcontroller and transmit the data as text SMS to the computing unit for notifying the user.

[0036] The device is associated with a battery integrated with the device for supplying a continuous DC (direct current) voltage to the components such as motors, microcontrollers and various other components that are associated with it. The battery used in the invention is preferably Lithium-ion battery that is rechargeable once again after getting drained out for proper functioning of the components.

[0037] The present invention works best in the following manner, where the C-shaped body 1 positioned on the fixed surface and having the first and second portion is fabricated with the platform 2 for accommodating the bar of butter as disclosed in the proposed invention. Now, the user to give input commands regarding dimensions of the butter slice required by the user via user-interface installed within the computing unit and the artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 3 captures multiple images of the bar for detecting dimension of the bar. Then, the telescopically operated gripper 4 unwraps the suitable length of butter paper from the spool attached with the body 1 and laying the butter paper on the bar of butter. Also, the blade 5 via telescopically operated link 6 to extend for providing the suitable bi-direction motion to the link 6 in view of cutting the bar in slice of the user-defined dimensions. Further, the robotic arm 9 cut the unwrapped butter paper with the cutter 10 and accordingly notifies the user to collect the butter slice from the platform 2.

[0038] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) A butter cutting device, comprising:

i) a C-shaped body 1 positioned on a fixed surface and having a first and second portion, wherein sad first portion is attached with a platform 2 for accommodating a bar of butter;
ii) a user-interface installed within a computing unit wirelessly associated with said device for enabling a user to give input commands regarding dimensions of a butter slice required by said user, wherein a microcontroller wirelessly linked with said computing unit processes said input commands and activates an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 3 mounted on said second portion with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images of said bar, respectively, for detecting dimensions of said bar;
iii) a telescopically operated gripper 4 installed with said body 1 that is actuated by said microcontroller for unwrapping a suitable length of butter paper from a spool attached with said body 1 and laying said butter paper on said bar of butter;
iv) a blade 5 suspended from said second portion via a telescopically operated link 6, wherein said microcontroller actuates said link 6 to extend in synchronization with actuation of a motorized two-axis lead screw arrangement 7 configured between said second portion and link 6 for providing a suitable bi-direction motion to said link 6 in view of cutting said bar in slice of said user-defined dimensions; and
v) a speaker 8 mounted on said body 1, wherein upon cutting of said bar in said slice, said microcontroller actuates a robotic arm 9 arranged with said body 1 for cutting said unwrapped butter paper via a cutter 10 equipped with said robotic arm 9, followed by activation of said speaker 8 for notifying said user to collect said butter slice from said platform 2.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a Peltier unit is configured with said platform 2 for maintaining an optimum temperature of said platform 2 to prevent melting of said butter.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a tactile sensor is positioned on said platform 2 for detecting hardness of said bar of butter, in accordance to which said microcontroller regulates extension of said link 6 for accurately cutting said bar.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said microcontroller is wirelessly linked with said computing unit via a communication module which includes, but not limited to Wi-Fi module, Bluetooth module, GSM module.

5) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said telescopically operated gripper 4 and telescopically operated link 6 are powered by a pneumatic unit that includes an air compressor, air cylinder, air valves and piston which works in collaboration to aid in extension and retraction of said gripper 4 and link 6.

6) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for supplying power to electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.

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