Abstract:
An apparatus for separating a central portion of piece of bread from a crust portion of said piece bread.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims the U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/862,766 filed Oct. 24, 2006, the complete contents of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This patent application relates, generally, to apparatus for separating bread from its crust. 
         [0003]    Children often request that their sandwiches be served without the crust of the bread. Thus, parents spend an exorbitant amount of time and energy in removing the crusts from children&#39;s sandwiches. 
         [0004]    Elegant occasions also dictate that small bit-sized sandwiches, often referred to as finger sandwiches be served. Catering staff and/or party hosts can spend many hours both removing crusts from sandwiches and cutting the remaining large sandwich into smaller and/or intricate and interesting shapes which will be visually appealing to guests. 
         [0005]    What is needed is an apparatus which will allow a user to quickly and efficiently remove the crust from sandwiches and, in some cases, cut the remaining sandwich in to desired shapes. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0006]      FIG. 1  depicts one embodiment of a bread decruster. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  depicts an alternate embodiment of the bread decruster shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  depicts an alternate embodiment of the bread decruster shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  depicts an alternate embodiment of the bread decruster shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  depicts an alternate embodiment of the bread decruster shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  depicts an alternate embodiment of the bread decruster shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  depicts an alternate embodiment of the bread decruster shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  depicts an alternate embodiment of the bread decruster shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  depicts an alternate embodiment of the bread decruster shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  depicts an alternate embodiment of the bread decruster shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  depicts an alternate embodiment of the bread decruster shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of a bread decruster  100 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the bread decruster  100  includes a perimeter blade  102 , a divider blade  104  and a handle  106 . 
         [0018]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the perimeter blade  102  is depicted as having a shape that approximates the shape of standard baked bread, having three substantially straight edges  108 ,  110 ,  112  and one semi-circular edge  114  at the top. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the perimeter blade  102  of the bread decruster  100  has dimensions such that the entirety of the perimeter blade  102  can fit within the perimeter of a standard piece of baked bread. However in alternate embodiments, the perimeter blade  102  can have any known and/or convenient geometry and/or dimensions. 
         [0019]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the divider blade  104  is oriented such that the divider blade  104  can divide the interior of the sandwich into two substantially equal portions. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the divider blade  104  is oriented diagonally relative to the perimeter blade-running from the intersection of the semi-circular blade  114  and one substantially straight edge  108  to the intersection of the other two edges  110 ,  112 . Although depicted in a diagonal orientation in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , in alternate embodiments the divider blade  104  can be located in any convenient location within the perimeter blade  102  and can divide the remaining sandwich into any two convenient shapes having any relative shapes, dimensions and sizes. In still further alternate embodiments, the divider blade  104  may not be present. In further alternate embodiment, the bread decruster  100  can include any convenient number of divider blades  104  that can be arranged to cut the interior of the sandwich into any known and/or convenient shapes. 
         [0020]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the handle  106  is depicted as being integral with the perimeter blade  102  and the divider blade  104 . However, in alternate embodiments, the handle  106  can be integral with any convenient portion of the perimeter blade  102  and/or divider blade  104 . In still further alternate embodiments, the handle  106  can be a separate item coupled with and/or selectively couplable any convenient portion of the bread decruster  100  and/or may be absent. 
         [0021]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the bread decruster  100  can be an integrated unit made from a food-grade plastic. However, in alternate embodiment the device can be comprised of various components made from any know and/or convenient material. 
         [0022]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the bread decruster  100  can have a perimeter blade  102  that is substantially circular. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the perimeter blade  102  can have dimensions such that the perimeter blade  102  has a diameter such that the perimeter blade  102  will fit within the confines of the perimeter of a standard piece of baked bread. However, in alternate embodiments, the perimeter blade  102  can have any known and/or convenient geometry and/or dimensions. 
         [0023]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the bread decruster  100  includes a handle  106  and two divider blades  104 . However in alternate embodiments, the bread decruster  100  can include any desired number of divider blades  104  capable of dividing the interior of the sandwich into any number of known and/or convenient shapes having any convenient geometries and/or dimensions and/or no divider blades  104 . 
         [0024]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the handle  106  is substantially equal to the diameter of the perimeter blade  102  However in alternate embodiments, the handle can be positioned in any convenient location relative to the perimeter blade  102  and/or and/or divider blades  104  (if present) and/or can be absent. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  depicts an alternate embodiment of the bread decruster  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the perimeter blade  102  is substantially in the shape of a heart. In some embodiments the bread decruster  100  can include a divider blade  104  which can divide the heart shaped interior of the sandwich into any two convenient pieces. In some embodiments, the divider blade  104  can configured to produce a jagged edge such the two portions of the sandwich appear to be broken. However in alternate embodiments, the divider blade  104  can be a standard straight blade and/or have any convenient shape and/or configuration and/or orientation desired. Moreover is some embodiments, the decruster  100  can be made with or without a handle or handles  106 . 
         [0026]    In still further alternate embodiment of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the bread decruster  100  can include two or more divider blades  104  and the interior of the sandwich can be divided into any number of convenient pieces having any known and/or convenient geometry and/or dimensions. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments the bread decruster  100  depicted in  FIG. 3  can include a handle and/or the handle may be absent. 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  depicts an alternate embodiment of the bread decruster depicted in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the perimeter blade  102  is in the shape of a square. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the bread decruster  100  can include a divider blade and/or blades  104  and/or a handle or handles  106 . In some embodiments, the perimeter blade  102  and/or handle  106  can have rounded corners and/or any desired geometric configuration. 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  depicts an alternate embodiment of the bread decruster depicted in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the perimeter blade  102  is in the shape of a star. In some embodiments, the star can have 4 points, 5 points and in other embodiments the star can have 6 points. In still further alternate embodiments, the star can have any known and/or convenient number of points and can have regular and/or irregular geometry and/or dimensions. In further alternate emboidiments, the bread decruster can include divider blades  104  and/or a handle  106 , each of which may be integral and/or coupled with the bread decruster in any known and/or convenient manner. 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  depicts an alternate embodiment of the bread decruster depicted in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the perimeter blade  102  and/or divider blades  104  can be in the shape of one or more logos and/or desired text. In further alternate emboidiments, the bread decruster can include divider blades  104  and/or a handle  106 , each of which may be integral and/or coupled with the bread decruster in any known and/or convenient manner. 
         [0031]      FIG. 7  depicts an alternate embodiment of the bread decruster depicted in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the perimeter blade  102  and/or divider blades  104  can be in the shape of one or more Christmas trees and/or other holiday shapes and/or desired shapes. In further alternate emboidiments, the bread decruster can include divider blades  104  and/or a handle  106 , each of which may be integral and/or coupled with the bread decruster in any known and/or convenient manner. 
         [0032]      FIG. 8  depicts an alternate embodiment of the bread decruster depicted in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , the perimeter blade  102  and/or divider blades  104  can be in the shape of one or more faces and/or desired images. In further alternate emboidiments, the bread decruster can include divider blades  104  and/or a handle  106 , each of which may be integral and/or coupled with the bread decruster in any known and/or convenient manner. 
         [0033]      FIG. 9  depicts an alternate embodiment of the bread decruster depicted in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the perimeter blade  102  and/or divider blades  104  can be in the shape of one or more dinosaurs. In further alternate emboidiments, the bread decruster can include divider blades  104  and/or a handle  106 , each of which may be integral and/or coupled with the bread decruster in any known and/or convenient manner. 
         [0034]      FIG. 10  depicts an alternate embodiment of the bread decruster depicted in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , the perimeter blade  102  and/or divider blades  104  can be in the shape of one or more flowers. In further alternate emboidiments, the bread decruster can include divider blades  104  and/or a handle  106 , each of which may be integral and/or coupled with the bread decruster in any known and/or convenient manner. 
         [0035]      FIG. 11  depicts an alternate embodiment of the bread decruster shown in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 11 , the perimeter blade  102  and divider blade  104  can be configured to define two complementary heart-shaped chambers. In further alternate emboidiments, the bread decruster can include additional and/or alternately configured divider blades  104  and/or a handle  106 , each of which may be integral and/or coupled with the bread decruster in any known and/or convenient manner. 
         [0036]    It should be understood that the particular embodiments described above are only illustrative of the principles of the present invention, and various modifications could be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Thus, the scope of the present invention is limited only by the claims that follow.