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Knife block with protective knife slot insertsRelated Patent Categories: Supports: Racks, Special Article, Article Includes Elongated Portion, Cutlery (i.e., Spoons, Forks, Knifes)Knife block with protective knife slot inserts description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070278165, Knife block with protective knife slot inserts. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The invention relates to knife holder, and more particularly, to a knife block having protective polymeric inserts of a length substantially equal to the length of a knife blade to be inserted therein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Certain types of knife holders, also known as knife blocks, are known to one of skill in the art. Generally, knife holders are a rectangular block of generally solid material, such as wood or metal. Holes are cut into the block lengthwise, and knife blades are inserted into the holes, such that the blade rests within the hole, and the knife handle rests outside of the hole. The blade is pointed downward, so that the knife is held safely in the hole by gravity. [0003] Certain types of knife holders are disadvantageous in that repeated insertion and withdrawal of a knife into and from the holder can result dulling the knife blade over time. Further, knife holders made of wood can, over time, become warped by the elements. A wood knife holder, when warped, can further hasten the process of rendering the knife blade dull, and can also have the disadvantageous result of bending the blade. Even metal knife holders can, over time, because rusted around the edges of the hole into which the knife blade is inserted. Over time, that rust can be transferred to the knife blade. If the blade is then used in food preparation, the rust can then be dangerously transferred into human consumption. [0004] To solve those problems, some knife holders known in the art use inserts, which are seated into the knife blade holes in the knife holder. The inserts serve to guide the knife blade into the knife holder. However, such inserts do not fully protect the knife blade, because such inserts only seek to guide the blade into the hole, but do not extend to protect the majority of the knife blade. [0005] The present invention is provided to solve the problems discussed above and other problems, and to provide advantages and aspects not provided by prior knife holders of this type. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] According to the present invention, a knife holder suitable for receiving at least one knife is provided. The knife holder is comprised of a body, a first plurality of slots and a plurality of inserts. The body has a top surface and a substantially solid interior. The slots extend from the top surface and into the interior of the body. The inserts are disposed within each of the slots. Each of the inserts has a first open end and a second end and defines a shaft having a predetermined length L.sub.I. The shaft is configured to receive a knife blade having a blade length L.sub.K. The predetermined length of the insert L.sub.I is at least equal to the blade length L.sub.K. According to one embodiment of the invention, the predetermined length of the insert L.sub.I is greater than the blade length L.sub.K. [0007] According to one aspect of the invention, each of the plurality of inserts has a distal lip, which extends radially outward from the open end of the insert. The distal lip has a width that is greater than the width of the slot, and thereby serves to prevent the insert from becoming lodged within the slot. [0008] According to another aspect of the invention, the knife holder further comprises a plate attached to an exterior of the body. The plate has a second plurality of slots corresponding to the first plurality of slots to define an opening for receiving a knife blade. The plate serves to retain the structure of the slots and also to reduce the likelihood of bacterial buildup on the exterior of the body of the holder. [0009] According to another aspect of the invention, the inserts are removably disposed within the knife block. The interior of the inserts are coated with one or more of an antibacterial agent, a non-stick coating or a low-friction coating. [0010] According to still another aspect of the invention, the slots are arranged on the body in a plurality of tiers. At least one of the plurality of the tiers is configured to receive a knife blade having a blade length L.sub.K that is different from the blade length L.sub.K received by another of the plurality of tiers. [0011] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a securing strap is mounted to the exterior of the body of the knife holder. The securing strap is positioned so as to be perpendicular to the second open end of at least one of the inserts, so as to releasably secure the knife blade within the insert. Securing the knife blade in the inserted position has the advantage of providing a child-proof knife holder, such that the knife blades will not slide out of the inserts if the knife holder is knocked or jostled. [0012] According to the present invention, a knife holder suitable for receiving at least one knife is provided. The knife holder is comprised of a body having a top surface, an aperture and an insert. The aperture is disposed in the top surface and is configured to receive an insert therein. The insert defines a shaft and being configured to receive a knife blade having a blade length L.sub.K. The insert is disposed within the aperture and has a first open end and a second end. The insert defines a shaft having predetermined length L.sub.I that is at least equal to the blade length L.sub.K. [0013] According to the present invention, a knife holder suitable for receiving at least one knife is provided. The knife holder is comprised of a body, a plurality of slots and a plurality of polymer inserts. The body is comprised of a top surface and a substantially solid interior. The slots extend from the top surface and into the interior of the body. The polymer inserts are removably disposed within each of the slots. The polymer inserts have a first open end, a second end and an interior surface and define a shaft having predetermined length L.sub.I configured to receive a knife blade having a blade length L.sub.K. The interior surface of the inserts are coated with a low friction material. The predetermined length of the inserts L.sub.I are at least equal to the blade length L.sub.K. [0014] Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [0016] FIG. 1 is perspective view of a knife holder according to the present invention, illustrating knives inserted therein; [0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an insert for a knife holder according to the present invention; [0018] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the knife holder shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line 3-3; [0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a knife holder according to the present invention; [0020] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the knife holder shown in FIG. 4 taken along the line 5-5; Continue reading about Knife block with protective knife slot inserts... Full patent description for Knife block with protective knife slot inserts Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Knife block with protective knife slot inserts patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Knife block with protective knife slot inserts or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Double sided peg hook strips Next Patent Application: Fishing rod holder Industry Class: Supports: racks ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Knife block with protective knife slot inserts patent info. 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