Mandolin slicer

A mandolin slicer, comprising:

• a frame having a first frame member and a second frame member;
• a first food support surface and a second food support surface, the first and second food support surfaces between the first and second frame members;
• a plurality of elongated cutting members each configured to be inserted into and removed from a space between the first and second food support surfaces, wherein at least one of the plurality of elongated cutting members is configured to accommodate a vertically disposed blade;
• a food carrier rail coupled to the first frame member, the food carrier rail extending separate from and higher than the first and second food support surfaces;
• a food carrier having a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposite the first side-wall, a back wall extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and an open front portion, the food carrier rotatably coupled to the food carrier rail near the first sidewall and configured to receive a food article and to be movable along the food carrier rail to pass over the first and second food support surfaces when the food carrier is moved along the food carrier rail;
• a plurality of fasteners coupled to and between the first frame member and the food carrier rail, wherein the plurality of fasteners are separate from and extend higher than the first and second food support surfaces, and wherein the plurality of fasteners hold the food carrier rail separate from and higher than the first and second food support surfaces;
• a slicing thickness adjustment mechanism configured to vary a vertical distance between a cutting edge of one or more of the plurality of cutting members and the first food support surface;
• and
• a handle coupled to a lower end of the second sidewall of the food carrier opposite the first sidewall, near the back wall and remote from the open front portion and the food carrier rail to allow a user to move the food carrier translationally along the food carrier rail, the handle extending from the lower end of the second sidewall of the food carrier such that, when the lower end of the second sidewall of the food carrier rests on the frame and the mandolin cutter is viewed from overhead, the handle is laterally offset from the cutting member, and the handle being positioned relative to the food carrier such that during a cutting operation a path of the handle does not pass directly above the cutting member and such that a user may apply a downward and forward directed force to the handle off to the side of the food carrier in a location adjacent where the lower end of the second sidewall of the food carrier rests on the frame.

A mandolin cutter, comprising:

• a frame having a first frame member and a second frame member;
• a first food support surface and a second food support surface, the first and second food support surfaces between the first and second frame members;
• a cutting member between the first and second food support surfaces, the cutting member having a cutting edge;
• a food carrier rail coupled to the first frame member, the food carrier rail extending substantially parallel to the first and second food support surfaces;
• a food carrier having a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposite the first side-wall, a back wall extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and an open front portion, the food carrier rotatably coupled to the food carrier rail near the first sidewall and configured to receive a food article and to be movable along the food carrier rail to pass over the first and second food support surfaces when the food carrier is moved along the food carrier rail;
• a slicing thickness adjustment mechanism configured to vary a vertical distance between the cutting edge of the cutting member and the first food support surface;
• and
• a handle coupled to a lower end of the second sidewall of the food carrier opposite the first sidewall, near the back wall and remote from the open front portion and the food carrier rail to allow a user to move the food carrier translationally along the food carrier rail, the handle extending from the lower end of the second sidewall of the food carrier such that, when the lower end of the second sidewall of the food carrier rests on the frame and the mandolin cutter is viewed from overhead, the handle is laterally offset from the cutting member, and the handle being positioned relative to the food carrier such that during a cutting operation a path of the handle does not pass directly above the cutting member and such that a user may apply a downward and forward directed force to the handle off to the side of the food carrier in a location adjacent where the lower end of the second sidewall of the food carrier rests on the frame.