Slicer for items and method of manufacturing and using the same

A method for cutting a food item, the method using an apparatus, the apparatus comprising an upper assembly having interior vertical rails, and a blade;

• and a lower assembly having a holding plate, movable centering plates, and a plurality of pins configured to couple the movable centering plates to at least two inner plates and an outer plate within the lower assembly, the method comprising:
• depressing one or more actuators such that the movable centering plates separate from each other within the lower assembly to define a space for the food item;
• and
• in response to the food item being placed on the holding plate between the movable centering plates, releasing the one or more actuators to apply substantially equal amounts of force on the food item to substantially center the food item,
• wherein:
• each of the plurality of pins resides within at least one of corresponding channels of the at least two inner plates and the outer plate that facilitates movement of the movable centering plates when the one or more actuators is depressed or released, and
• the movement of the movable centering plates comprises:
• a movement of at least one pin of the plurality of pins along a slanted channel of the channels of one of the at least two inner plates,
• a movement of the outer plate along the at least two inner plates, via vertical slide alignments, and
• the movement of the at least one pin of the plurality of pins along a horizontal channel of the channels of the outer plate.

A device for an upper assembly and a lower assembly for cutting an item, the device comprising:

• a blade movable via the upper assembly;
• a holding plate movable via the lower assembly, wherein the holding plate is configured to hold the item;
• a centering assembly configured to be engageable via movement of the upper assembly relative to the lower assembly, wherein the centering assembly is configured to hold and secure the item;
• an actuator configured to receive a force and engage the centering assembly to receive the item, wherein the actuator is configured, upon release of the force, to engage and hold the item in a cutting position for cutting by the blade;
• and
• a plurality of connectors configured to couple the centering assembly to an inner plate and an outer plate within the lower assembly,
• wherein:
• each of the plurality of connectors resides within at least one of corresponding receivers of the inner plate and the outer plate,
• the centering assembly is configured to move when the actuator is depressed or released,
• at least one connector of the plurality of connectors is configured to move along at least one of the receivers of the inner plate,
• the outer plate is configured to move along the inner plate, via at least one sliding interface oriented in a first direction, and
• the at least one connector of the plurality of connectors is configured to move along at least one of the receivers of the outer plate, wherein at least one of the receivers of the outer plate is oriented in a second direction different than the first direction.