Knife block with protective knife slot inserts

Abstract

A knife holder comprises a frame having an aperture, wherein the aperture has a width corresponding to the width of a knife blade. A plastic insert is configured to be seated within the aperture, wherein the insert has a length corresponding to the length of the knife blade. The insert has a first closed end corresponding to the distal tip of the knife blade, and a second open end corresponding to the edge of the knife blade and the handle, such that the insert encloses the knife blade and prevents contact between the knife blade and the interior of the knife holder.

1 . A knife holder suitable for receiving at least one knife, wherein the at least one knife includes a blade having a predetermined length, the knife holder comprising: 
 a body comprising a top surface and a substantially solid interior;    a first plurality of slots extending from the top surface and extending into the interior of the body; and,    a plurality of inserts, each of which is disposed within one of the plurality of slots, each of the inserts comprising a first open end and a second end and defining a shaft configured to receive a knife blade, wherein the shaft has a length at least equal to a predetermined knife blade length.    
   
   
       2 . The knife holder of  claim 1 , wherein each of the inserts has a distal lip extending radially about the open first end, wherein the distal lip is configured to rest on a portion of the top surface of the body.  
   
   
       3 . The knife holder of  claim 1 , further comprising a plate attached to an exterior of the body, the plate comprising a second plurality of slots corresponding to the first plurality of slots to define an opening for receiving the at least one knife blade.  
   
   
       4 . The knife holder of  claim 1 , wherein the inserts are formed from a polymer.  
   
   
       5 . The knife holder of  claim 1 , wherein the inserts are removably disposed within the body.  
   
   
       6 . The knife holder of  claim 1 , wherein the inserts are coated with an antibacterial agent.  
   
   
       7 . The knife holder of  claim 1 , wherein the slots are arranged within the body in a plurality of tiers, at least one of the plurality of the tiers being configured to receive a knife blade having a blade length L K  different than blade length L K  received by a slot in another of the plurality of tiers.  
   
   
       8 . The knife holder of  claim 1 , further comprising a securing strap mounted on an exterior of the body and positioned perpendicularly to the open second end of one of the plurality of inserts, so as to releasably secure the knife blade within the insert.  
   
   
       9 . The knife holder of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined length of the insert L I =1 to 10 inches.  
   
   
       10 . The knife holder of  claim 1 , wherein the inserts are coated with a non-stick material.  
   
   
       11 . The knife holder of  claim 1 , wherein the inserts are coated with a low friction material.  
   
   
       12 . A knife holder suitable for receiving at least one knife, the knife holder comprising: 
 a body having a top surface;    an aperture in the top surface, the aperture being configured to receive an insert therein, insert defining a shaft and being configured to receive a knife blade having a predetermined blade length L K , the insert being disposed within the aperture and comprising a first open end and a second end, the predetermined length of the insert L I  being at least equal to the blade length L K .    
   
   
       13 . The knife holder of  claim 12 , wherein the insert has a distal lip extending radially about the open first end, wherein the distal lip is configured to rest on a portion of the top surface of the body.  
   
   
       14 . The knife holder of  claim 12 , wherein the insert is formed from a polymer.  
   
   
       15 . The knife holder of  claim 12 , wherein the insert is removably disposed within the body.  
   
   
       16 . The knife holder of  claim 12 , wherein the insert is coated with an antibacterial agent.  
   
   
       17 . The knife holder of  claim 12 , wherein the predetermined length of the insert L I =1 to 101 inches.  
   
   
       18 . A knife holder suitable for receiving at least one knife comprising: 
 a body comprising a top surface and a substantially solid interior;    a plurality of slots extending from the top surface and extending into the interior of the body; and,    a plurality of polymer inserts removably disposed within each of the plurality of slots, the polymer inserts comprising a first open end, a second end and an interior surface, the polymer inserts defining a shaft having predetermined length L I  and being configured to receive a knife blade having a blade length L K , the interior surface of the inserts being coated with a low friction material, the predetermined length of the inserts L I  being at least equal to the blade length L K .    
   
   
       19 . The knife holder of  claim 1 , wherein the insert has a distal lip extending radially about the open first end, wherein the distal lip is configured to rest on a portion of the top surface of the body.