Abstract:
Disclosed is a pizza cutting device that allows the user to cut a pizza in uniform, evenly-sized pieces on a consistent basis. The cutter consists of a circular frame that has a series of blades spanning across its hollow interior diameter. Sized so that the entire pizza fits within the interior diameter, the user simply presses down on a pair of handles located on the outside of the frame and the blades cut the pizza into uniform, even slices.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to culinary utensils, and more specifically to a pizza cutter that divides the pizza into uniform, evenly-sized slices. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Most of us are all too familiar with the common situation where, in ordering and eating a pizza, the size of the pieces contrast drastically in size. When this occurs, the large pieces are difficult to handle, often resulting in dropped sauce and toppings that can stain clothing and carpet. Furthermore, due to the fact that pizza is often hot, burns can result where the hot cheese, sauce and toppings drop onto one&#39;s person. Also, where the pizza serves as a meal for a number of people, the disproportionate pieces make for unequal servings and, as a result, further cutting is required to even-out the meal. From a business point of view, a poorly cut pizza relates directly to quality and workmanship in the food product. Accordingly, there is need for a means by which commercial pizza establishments and restaurants can ensure constant, evenly sliced pizzas on a consistent basis. The development of the present invention fulfills this need. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention. However, several references to food slicing and cutting devices were discovered. These devices neither anticipate nor disclose any embodiment that would preclude the novelty and the utilitarian functionality of the features of the present invention. 
     The following patents describe slicing devices that cut items such as fruits and vegetables into uniform wedges or slices: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,431, issued in the name of Tateno 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,249, issued in the name of Repisky et al. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,480, issued in the name of Codikow 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,111,112, issued in the name of Altman 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,046,067, issued in the name of Loveland et al. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 471,158, issued in the name of Westerman 
     U.S. Pat. No. 262,332, issued in the name of Tozer 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,574,479, issued in the name of Gramann, discloses a pizza cutter having an arcuate, angled cutting edge that is used to both to cut the pizza into slices and serve the slices in a manner similar to that of a spatula. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,423,551, issued in the name of Chmela et al., describes a pizza cutter having a sharpened cutting wheel and a planar sharpened cutting blade that doubles as a spatula for serving purposes. 
     U.S. Pat. No. Des. 316,656, issued in the name of Hall, describes the ornamental design for a multiple slice pizza cutter. 
     While several features exhibited within these references may be incorporated into this invention, alone and in combination with other elements, the present invention is sufficiently different so as to make it distinguishable over the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention consists of a pizza cutting device that allows the user to cut a pizza in uniform, evenly-sized pieces on a consistent basis. The cutter consists of a circular frame that has a series of blades spanning across its hollow interior diameter. Sized so that the entire pizza fits within the interior diameter, the user simply presses down on a pair of handles located on the outside of the frame and the blades cut the pizza into uniform, even slices. Available in a variety of sizes, the present invention ensures uniform slicing that avoids the dangers and problems associated with disproportionate slices while conveying a quality professional food presentation. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a multi-slice pizza cutter that cuts an entire pizza into slices at once. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a multi-slice pizza cutter that produces slices of uniform size and shape. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a multi-slice pizza cutter that produces slices that are easy to handle and minimize the likelihood of spilled or dropped toppings. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a multi-slice pizza cutter that produces slices that display a high-quality workmanship and maintain a professional appearance. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a multi-slice pizza cutter that is of a high-quality construction designed to withstand the rigors of both commercial and domestic use. 
     Finally, It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-slice pizza cutter that is capable of handling a variety of pizza sizes. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the multi-slice pizza cutter, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the multi-slice pizza cutter, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the frame portion of the multi-slice pizza cutter, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the frame portion of the multi-slice pizza cutter, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the cutting blade portion of the multi-slice pizza cutter, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the center cap portion of the multi-slice pizza cutter, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of the center cap portion of the multi-slice pizza cutter, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a magnified side view of the multi-slice pizza cutter depicting the assembly of the cutting blades within the frame portion, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a top view of the multi-slice pizza cutter depicting its use in cutting a large pizza into multiple slices, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 10 is a top view of the multi-slice pizza cutter depicting its use in cutting a small pizza into multiple slices, according to the preferred embodiment of present invention. 
    
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 
       20  Pizza Cutter 
       21  Frame 
       22  Pizza Receiving Aperture 
       23  Cutting Blades 
       25  Slice Segments 
       26  Handle Apertures 
       27  Center Cap 
       30  Tapered Edge 
       31  Blade Receiving Slots 
       35  Cutting Edge 
       36  Top Edge 
       37  Frame End 
       38  Center End 
       40  Blade Support Tab 
       41  Fastener Receiving Cutout 
       45  Outer Surface 
       46  Blade Surface 
       47  Fastener Receiving Aperture 
       48  Blade Receiving Grooves 
       50  Threaded Fastener 
       51  Nut 
       52  Bolt 
       53  Threaded Portion 
       60  Pizza 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, depicted is the multi-slice pizza cutter, hereinafter pizza cutter  20 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The pizza cutter  20  consists of a circular frame  21  having a hollowed center portion that forms a pizza receiving aperture  22 . The frame  21  supports a plurality of cutting blades  23  that span across the pizza receiving aperture  22 . The cutting blades  23  are positioned and oriented such that they intersect at the center of the pizza receiving aperture, forming equally sized slice segments  25 . The frame  21  includes a pair of handle apertures  26  that allow for easy grasping and handling. A center cap  27  secures the cutting blades  23  at the center of the pizza receiving aperture  22 . Depending upon the intended use of the pizza cutter  20  and the size of the pizza to be cut, its overall dimensions, particularly its diameter, as well as the number of cutting blades  23 , can vary. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3-4, depicted is the frame  21  portion of the pizza cutter  20 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The frame  21  is constructed of wood, plastic or any other material suitable for high temperature use in a culinary environment. The handle apertures  26  consist of an elongated aperture that is contoured so as to provide an ergonomic fit with an average person&#39;s hand. Viewing the frame  21  from the side, it has a tapered edge  30  along the area outside the pizza receiving aperture  22  that serves to allow the user&#39;s fingers to wrap through the handle apertures  26  without interference from the surface upon which the pizza cutter  20  is placed. It is also envisioned in an alternate embodiment that the handle apertures  26  could be replaced by protruding handle members that attach to the upper surface of the frame  21 . The frame  21  also includes a series of blade receiving slots  31  spaced radially along the interior of the frame  21 , in fluid communication with the pizza receiving aperture  22 . The blade receiving slots  31  are used to support the cutting blades  23  and will be discussed in further detail herein below. 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, depicted is the cutting blade  23  portion of the pizza cutter  20 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The cutting blade  23  is generally rectangular in shape and is constructed of stainless steel, aluminum, or any other metal suitable for high temperature use in a culinary environment. The cutting blade  23  has a sharpened cutting edge  35  opposite a top edge  36  and a frame end  37  opposite a center end  38 . The frame end  37  consists of a blade support tab  40  that is sized so as to fit snug within the blade receiving slots  31  in the frame  21 . The center end  38  is contoured, forming a fastener receiving cutout  41  that will accept the profile of a conventional threaded fastener (not shown in FIGS.  4 - 5 ). The length of the cutting edge  35  is equal to that of the radius of the pizza receiving aperture  22 , the result being that when the blade support tab  40  is inserted into a blade receiving slot  31 , the cutting blade  23  will extend to the center of the pizza receiving aperture  22 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 6-7, depicted is the center cap  27  portion of the pizza cutter  20 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The center cap  27  is constructed of wood, plastic or any other material suitable for high temperature use in a culinary environment. The center cap  27  is generally cylindrical in shape with an outer surface  45  opposite a blade surface  46  and has a fastener receiving aperture  47  bored through its center. A series of blade receiving grooves  48  are spaced radially and equidistantly along the blade surface  46 . The blade receiving grooves  48  are equal in number to the number of cutting blades  23  incorporated into the particular pizza cutter  20  model and are sized so as to receive the top edge  36  thereof. The center cap  27  allows for the use of a threaded fastener (not shown in FIGS. 6-7) to secure the cutting blades  23  at the center end  38 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 8 in conjunction with FIGS. 1-7, depicted is the assembly of the pizza cutter  20 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In assembling the pizza cutter  20 , the blade support tabs  40  are inserted into the blade receiving slots  31 , leaving the cutting blade  23  extend to the center of the pizza receiving aperture  22 . Once all of the cutting blades  23  are installed in the frame  21 , a threaded fastener  50 , consisting of a nut  51  and bolt  52  or other suitable fastening device, is placed with in the fastener receiving cutouts  41  of the converging cutting blades  23  leaving the threaded portion  53  protruding above the cutting blades  23 . The center cap  27  is then placed over the threaded fastener  50 , the threaded portion  53  passing through the fastener receiving aperture  47 . The center cap  27  is then adjusted so that the blade receiving grooves  48  receive the top edge  36  of the cutting blades  23 . Installing and tightening the nut  51 , the center cap secures the cutting blades  23  at the center end  38 . 
     2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention and as shown in FIGS. 9-10, depicted is the use of the pizza cutter  20  in cutting a pizza  60  into uniform, equally-sized slices. The difference in the size of the pizza  60  is essentially irrelevant, as long as its diameter is such that it will fit through the pizza receiving aperture  22 . In order to operate the pizza cutter  20 , the user simply positions the pizza cutter such that the center of the pizza receiving aperture  22  coincides with the center of the pizza  60  and presses down on the frame  21 . The cutting blades  23  will cut the pizza  60  into slices defined as by the dimensions of the slice segments  25 . 
     While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown, illustrated, and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in this field that various modifications may be made in these embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, as mentioned herein above, the diameter of the frame  21  and the number of cutting blades  23  may vary, depending upon the intended application. In the case of small, “personal size” or extra-large pizzas for example, one may desire to slice it into a fewer or greater number of slices, respectively. It is for these reasons that the scope of the invention is set forth in and is to be limited only by the following claims.