Abstract: An improved hand-held, hand-crank operated rotary drum-type grater for cheese and the like is provided which has a housing that has portions which are slidably engagable with mouth adjacent lip portions of a predetermined collection vessel for grated material. The grater preferably utilizes a cage-type drum body having a cylindrical surface defined by a metal sheet having bladed perforations. The drum is insertable into either end of a cylindrical cavity defined transversely in the unitary housing of the grater hopper rotary drum and thereafter the drum is engagable with a crank. The vessel can be associated with either opposite side of the housing and the association of this vessel with either housing side does not interfere with grater operation.

Abstract: An improved hand-held, hand-crank operated rotary drum-type grater for cheese and the like is provided. The grater is adapted to incorporate molded plastic or metal components but preferably utilizes a cage-type drum body having a cylindrical surface defined by a metal sheet having bladed perforations. The drum is insertable into either end of a cylindrical cavity defined transversely in the grater hopper and thereafter is engagable with a crank. The drum has an internally threaded hub at one end that is engagable with a threaded stub shaft of the crank. The hopper has an improved integral support handle and also is associated with an improved press plate with an integral support arm. The arm pivotably extends adjacently to the handle, both the handle and the arm are graspable by one hand. The grater has few components, and the food contacting components thereof can be readily dissembled so that the entire grater is easily cleaned after use.

Abstract: Method for cutting food materials having predetermined depths defined by a proximal surface and a remote surface, into a desired, continuous, closed configuration. A food material is selected having a predetermined depth. The desired configuration is cut into the food material by inserting therein at the proximal surface blade means having a cutting edge defining at least the exterior outline of the desired, continuous, closed configuration, while maintaining the cutting edge of the inserted blade means spaced from the remote end of the food material. The blade means is then removed from the food material while leaving the cut configuration substantially intact in the food material. Removal from the food material of the desired cut configuration when the blade means is removed is prevented by avoiding excessive compression of the food material when the blade means is inserted in the food material.