Onion chopping devices and methods of use thereof

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to certain novel methods of chopping onions, while avoiding (or reducing) exposure to syn-propanethial-S-oxide gas emitted from such onions. In certain embodiments, the methods generally comprise placing an onion on a cutting platform, applying heat to the cutting platform or the air surrounding the cutting platform, and applying a vacuum pressure to the air surrounding the cutting platform. In certain specific embodiments, the methods generally comprise (a) placing a cutting platform sufficiently near a heat source and ventilation hood such that air directly above the cutting platform increases in temperature and exhibits a vacuum force towards the ventilation hood when the heat source and ventilation hood are activated, (b) activating the heat source and ventilation hood, and (c) cutting the onion on the cutting platform.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.