Abstract:
An apparatus to quickly and uniformly cut out cookies and to cut out multiple cookie shapes in just a fraction of the time that it once took using Conventional cookie cutters that only cut one cookie at a time.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of priority of prior-filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/917,615, filed May 11, 2007, the complete contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This patent application relates, generally, kitchen gadgets and more specifically to apparatus for cookie cutting. 
         [0003]    People spend an exorbitant amount of time and energy to cut out hundreds of very small cookies. Hence, many people find the slow process of making shaped cookies to be daunting due to the time commitment. This is especially true for those people who either work full-time jobs or those who do lots of baking for the holidays. 
         [0004]    Regular cookie cutters are much too big for the job. Small cutters sold in the craft stores to cut clay are a great size, but they take too much time for this size job. Using a knife and a rolling pizza cutter, still takes too long and the pieces end up being multi-sized and do not bake evenly. Also using a julienne slicer for potatoes, the frame around it ends up smashing the cookie dough. 
         [0005]    What is needed is an apparatus which will allow a user to quickly and uniformly cut out multiple cookies and to cut out multiple cookie shapes in just a fraction of the time that it once took using conventional cookie cutters that only cut one cookie at a time. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0006]      FIG. 1  depicts one embodiment of a Multi-Cutter. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  depicts an alternate embodiment of the Multi-Cutter shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  depicts an alternate embodiment of the Multi-Cutter shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  depicts an alternate embodiment of the Multi-Cutter shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  depicts an alternate embodiment of the Multi-Cutter shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  depicts an alternate embodiment of the Multi-Cutter shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 7-FIG .  14  depicts an alternate embodiment of the Multi-Cutter shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 15  depicts an alternate embodiment of the Multi-Cutter shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 16  depicts an alternate embodiment of the Multi-Cutter shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 17-FIG .  25  depicts an alternate embodiment of the Multi-Cutter shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  depicts the top view of the Multi-Cutter.  FIG. 1  shows the frame  100  of the Multi-Cutter. The Multi-Cutter can be made-up of three components: a frame  100 , a cutter assembly  408 , and a plunger attachment  2100 . 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment in which the Frame can be made using a Wood frame  100  8″×9 41  with a cutout interior  102  measuring 6″×7″. However in alternate embodiments, the Frame  100  can be comprised of any other known and/or convenient material and can have any known and/or convenient dimensions. This cutout  102  area can allow the user to look down and see exactly where the cutter  800  could be placed on the dough. In some embodiments, the top of the frame  100  can include 4 posts/dowels  104  capable of holding a plunger attachment  2100 . These posts  104  can be placed 1⅜″ in from the 9″ side of the frame  100  and ½″ in from the 8″ side of the frame  100 . However, in alternate embodiments any convenient number of posts/dowels  104  can be used and such posts  104  can be located in any convenient geometric relationship to the frame  100 . In some embodiments, each post  104  can have a 1″ spring  2200  on it to hold up the plunger attachment  2100 . However, in alternate embodiments, a spring of any convenient dimension and/or the springs may not be present. 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  depicts the bottom view of an embodiment. The underside of the frame  100  can include two pieces of 8″ long aluminum ¼″ channel  106 , that can be placed along the long side of the frame  100 , the 9″ side. This channel  106  can be attached ¼″ from inside edge of the frame. This can be the channel  106  for a cutter assembly  408  to slide into. Thus in some embodiments, the cutter assembly  408  could be 6⅛″ wide—to correctly mate with the frame  100 . However, in alternate embodiments any dimensions and/or geometric relationship which will allow the components to mate correctly can be used. Moreover, in alternate embodiments, any convenient number of channels  106  can be used and such channels  106  can be placed in any convenient geometric relationship to the frame  100  and such channels  106  can be made of any known and/or convenient material. 
         [0019]      FIG. 3  depicts a side view of the Multi-Cutter. The channels  106  are shown attached to the frame  100 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 4  shows a top view and side view of an embodiment. This embodiment includes a frame strip  400  of aluminum measuring 1/16″×½″ that can be attached to the cutters  402 . This frame strip  400  can be attached to the upper edge of the cutters  402 . However, in alternate embodiments, such frame  100  and/or frame strip  400  can be made of any known and/or convenient material. In some embodiments, a strip attachment  404 , made of a steel piece of ¼″ square×6″ long can be used. This strip attachment  404  is attached to the frame strip  400  and also attached at the upper edge. In this embodiment, the slide attachment  404  should be placed on the 6″ side of the cutters. However, in some embodiments, the slide attachment  404  can be as long as the frame  406  around the cutters. Moreover, in further alternate embodiments, such slide attachment  404  can be made of any known and/or convenient material and such slide attachment  404  can be of any dimensions and/or the slide attachment  404  may not be present. The side view shows the cutter assembly  408 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 5  shows the side view of the frame  100  and the channel  106 . The cutters  402  and its frame strip  400  are shown as fitted into the channel  106 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 6  shows an embodiment in which a plunger can be used attached to a Plunger Attachment  2100 , that can be made up of a flat piece of lightweight, yet sturdy plastic, that can be set on posts  104  on top of the frame  100 . When or if the cookie dough sticks in the cutters  402 , such plunger  600  can be pressed down and can push the dough out of the cutters  402 . The plunger can consist of a piece  602  with a spring  604  fitted within. The size of the plastic used to make the plunger  600  can be 6″×8½″. However, in alternate embodiments, such plunger  600  and plunger attachment  2100  can be of any known and/or convenient material and of any convenient geometric dimensions and/or such plunger attachment  2100  may not be present. 
         [0023]      FIG. 6  shows such plunger  600  can be made of any known and/or convenient material. In some embodiments, a piece of acrylic sheet  608  cut to 6″×8½″ can be used for the underside of such plunger attachment  2100 . The acrylic sheet  608  will have holes  612  in the corners to fit the posts  104  through.  FIG. 6  also shows an alternate embodiment in which nylon/plastic pieces  610  can be attached to the underside of such plunger  600  that can be approximately 1¾″ long. In some embodiments, these pieces  610  should be at least ½″ wide and they should also be flat so as to not leave indents on the dough. However, in an alternate embodiment, the underside of such plunger  600  can be made of any known and/or convenient material and of any convenient geometric dimensions. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, a slow-drying epoxy can be used to assemble such pieces of the plunger attachment  600 . However, in alternate embodiments, such pieces of the plunger attachment  600  can be assembled using any known and/or convenient fastening mechanism. 
         [0025]      FIG. 7-FIG .  15  show alternate embodiments of the Multi-Cutter. 
         [0026]      FIG. 8  shows an embodiment in which a Cutter Assembly  408  can be arranged into a 6″× up to 6″ shape cutters. Each of the cutters  800  can be attached to the others at number of points  802  to provide added strength and stability. However, in alternate embodiments as shown in  FIG. 7-FIG .  15 , any varied shapes of the cutters can be used and such shapes can be placed in any convenient dimensions. 
         [0027]      FIG. 16  shows bottom view of the cutter assembly  408  sliding into the frame. 
         [0028]      FIG. 17  and  FIG. 18  show alternate embodiments of the Multi-Cutter. 
         [0029]      FIG. 19  shows a bottom view of an embodiment in which the cutter assembly  408  is attached to the frame  100 . The cutters  402  are shown within the cutter assembly  408 . The springs  604  within a plunger  600  are shown. 
         [0030]      FIG. 20  shows a top view of an embodiment in which the cutter assembly  408  is attached to the frame  100 . The tops of the plungers  600  are shown. 
         [0031]      FIG. 21  shows an embodiment of the plunger attachment  2100  and plungers  600  without springs in them. The plunger attachment  2100  can be made of clear plastic so that the cutter assembly  408  is clearly visible. The holes  612  for the posts  104  can be placed 1⅜″ in from the 9″ side of the frame  100  and ½″ in from the 8″ side of the frame  100 . Each post  104  can have a 1″ spring  604  on it to hold up the plunger attachment  2100  until it is needed. However, in alternate embodiment, such plunger attachment  2100  can be made of any known and/or convenient material and the posts  104  can be placed at any convenient geometric relationships to the frame  100 . 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, the plunger attachment  2100  can have ¼″×2″ stainless steel nut and bolts and such pieces can correspond to the shape of the cutters  402  so that the entire plunger attachment  2100  can be easily changed to match the cutter assembly  408 . However, in alternate embodiments, such pieces of the plunger attachment  2100  can be made of any known and/or convenient material and can be of convenient or different shapes. 
         [0033]      FIG. 22  shows an embodiment of the plungers  600  being fitted into the frame  100 . The frame  100  has posts  104  with springs  2200  in them. 
         [0034]      FIG. 23  shows an embodiment of the plungers  600  fitted into the frame  100 . The frame  100  has posts  104  with springs  2200  in them. The plungers  600  are shown fitting through the cutter assembly  408 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 24  depicts an alternate embodiment of the multi-cutter assembly  2400 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 24 , the assembly is comprised of a cutter sheet  2402 , a presser structure  2404  and a biasing handle  2406 . 
         [0036]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 24 , the cutter sheet  2402  is comprised of a food-grade plastic. However, in alternate embodiments, the cutter sheet  2403  can be comprised of any known and/or convenient material capable of cutting dough and/or material of a desired consistency and toughness/hardness. 
         [0037]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 24 , the presser structure  2404  includes a support structure  2408  adapted to support and align the pressers  2410  with the cut outs of the cutter sheet  2402 . In some embodiments, the pressers  2410  can be aligned will each of the cut outs of the cutter sheet  2402 . However, in alternate embodiments the pressers  2410  can be aligned with only some of the cut outs of the cutter sheet  2402 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 24 , the presser structure  2404  can include one or more fixed gripping mechanisms  2412 . However, in alternate embodiments the fixed gripping mechanism  2412  can be absent. 
         [0038]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 24 , the presser structure  2404  includes two penetrations  2414 . The penetrations can be aligned to selectively engage at least a portion of the handle  2406 . In some embodiment, the number of penetrations can be fewer or greater and in some embodiments the penetrations can be absent. 
         [0039]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 24 , the presser structure  2404  is comprised of a food-grade plastic. However, in alternate embodiments, the presser structure  2404  can be comprised of any known and/or convenient material capable. 
         [0040]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 24 , the assembly  2400  includes a handle  2406 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 24 , the handle  2406  can selectively engage the cutter sheet  2402  through the penetrations  2414  in the presser structure  2408 . In some embodiments the handle  2406  can include biasing springs  2416 ,  2418  selected such that the presser structure  2404  and the cutter sheet  2402  move relative to each other within a desired range of motion. However, in alternate embodiments, the handle  2406  can include only one biasing spring  2416  or  2418  and/or the biasing springs may be absent. In still further alternate embodiments, the biasing springs  2416   2418  can be any known and/or convenient material and/or, matter, mechanism and/or construction that provides the desired bias. 
         [0041]      FIG. 25  depicts an exploded view of the assembly  2400  depicted in  FIG. 24 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 25 , the handle can include a grip  2502 . However, in alternate embodiments the grip  2502  can be absent. 
         [0042]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 25 , the handle  2406  can also include collets  2504  adapted to retain the springs  2416   2418  in desired positions. However, in alternate embodiments the collets  2504  can be absent. 
         [0043]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 25 , the handle  2406  can include magnetic components  2506  at one or more of the distal ends of the handle  2406 . In some embodiments, the magnetic components  2506  can be magnets. However, in alternate embodiments the magnetic components  2506  can be magnetically attractive material. In still further alternate embodiments, the magnetic components  2506  can be absent. 
         [0044]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 25 , the cutter sheet  2402  can include magnetic components  2506  adapted to be magnetically attracted to the magnetic components  2506  in the handle  2402 . In some embodiments the magnetic components  2506  associated with the cutter sheet  2402  can be selectively placed within recesses  2508  in the surface of the cutter sheet  2502 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 25 , the magnetic components  2506  can be bonded with the cutter sheet  2402 . However, in alternate embodiments, the magnetic components  2506  can be contained within the cutter sheet  2402 . In still further alternate embodiments, the cutter sheet  2402  and/or portions of the cutter sheet  2402  can be comprised of a magnetically attractive material and the magnetic components  2506  and/or recesses  2508  can be absent. 
         [0045]    In operation, the cutter sheet  2402  can be aligned with the material to be cut and pressed into the material. The presser structure  2404  can the be aligned with the cutting sheet  2402  and the handle can be used to provide additional pressure to the cutter sheet  2403 . The magnetic components  2506  of the cutter sheet  2402  and the handle  2406  can then engage and the cutter sheet  2402  can be lifted using the handle  2406  while the pressers  2410  of the presser structure  2404  make contact with the cut out material to ensure that the desired cut out shapes remain on the cutting surface below the cutting sheet  2402 . 
         [0046]    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.