Cutting force analyser

1. A cutting force analyser, comprising:

weighing means adapted to determine the weight of an object and force applied to the object as it is cut by a knife;

a record of a force threshold for cutting the object with the knife; and

indicating means;

the analyser formed to use the weighing means to differentiate between the weight of the object and cutting force applied to it by the knife while cutting the object, to compare the cutting force with the force threshold, and to use the indicating means to communicate how the force compares with the threshold, the indicating means arranged to give a human operator real time signals while the knife is cutting, the analyser being such that different signals indicate:

when the cutting force is below the threshold; and

when the cutting force has at least reached the threshold and further,

wherein said signals comprise different coloured lights.

2. A cutting force analyser according to claim 1 , wherein the indicating means is formed to give the human operator a different instantaneous signal when the cutting force is approaching the threshold.

3. A cutting force analyser according to claim 1 , which keeps a data record of different force thresholds and associates these with different objects and is formed such that a different threshold is used for the comparison referred to in claim 1 when a different object is selected.

4. A cutting force analyser according to claim 3 , which keeps a data record of knife types and associates these with the different thresholds and objects and is formed such that a different threshold is used for the comparison when a different knife type and different object is selected.

5. A cutting force analyser according to claim 1 , comprising a load cell arranged to determine the weight of the object to be cut as well as the force applied to the object by the knife.

6. A cutting force analyser according to claim 1 , comprising clamps to hold the object referred to in claim 1 , when it is cut, each clamp having a longer arm and a shorter arm in generally ‘V’ formation, the shorter arm being inside the longer arm and the arms arranged to pivot inwards when the object is placed on the shorter arm such that the longer arm presses against the object.

7. A cutting force analyser according to claim 1 , wherein:

the indicating means is formed to give the human operator a different instantaneous signal when the cutting force is approaching the threshold;

the signals comprise different coloured lights;

the force analyser has a data record of different force thresholds and associates these with different objects, and is formed such that a different threshold is used for the comparison referred to in claim 1 when a different object is selected;

the force analyser has a data record of knife types and associates these with the different thresholds and objects, and is formed such that a different threshold is used for the comparison when a different knife type and different object is selected;

the force analyser has a load cell arranged to determine the weight of the object to be cut as well as the force applied to the object by the knife; and

the force analyser has clamps to hold the object when it is cut, each clamp having a longer arm and a shorter arm in generally CV′ formation, the shorter arm being inside the longer arm and the arms arranged to pivot inwards when the object is placed on the shorter arm such that the longer arm presses against the object.

8. A method of assessing a knife, wherein:

a cutting force analyser according to claim 1 is used to determine the cutting force applied to an object by a knife while cutting the object; and

a ‘has at least reached the threshold’ signal issued by the indicating means during cutting is used to determine that the knife needs sharpening.

9. A method according to claim 8 , wherein a record of force threshold for the object being cut is dependent on the object and/or the type of knife used for the cutting.

10. A method of assessing human cutting technique wherein:

a cutting force analyser according to claim 1 is used to determine the cutting force applied to an object by a knife while cutting the object; and

a ‘has at least reached the threshold’ signal issued by the indicating means during cutting is used to determine that the operator should improve cutting technique.

11. A method according to claim 10 , wherein a record of force threshold for the object being cut is dependent on the object and/or the type of knife used for the cutting.