Cutter for pizza and other foods

A cutter for cutting pizza and other foods comprising a pair of rotatable cutting wheels mounted on the ends of a substantially C-shaped handle. The cutting wheels are spaced such that the centers are a predetermined distance apart equal to one half of the length of the food item to be cut. By positioning one wheel in the center of the pizza and one wheel at the edge of the pizza, a complete cut of the pizza may be made by moving the cutter one half of the span of the pizza. The cutter in this position may be used with the lower arm of the user substantially vertical wherein the shoulder and body weight of the cutter may be used directly to press down on the cutter. The cutter may also be used in a vertical position using a single cutting wheel. In either position, the cutter provides improve ergonomics.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cutter for pizza and other foods. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cutter for pizza and other foods having a pair of spaced cutting wheels spaced a distance equal to one half of the length of the food item to be cut and connected together by a C-shaped handle structure which provides enhanced ergonomics when using a single cutting wheel or both cutting wheels of the cutter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Millions of pizzas are baked, cut and consumed in the United States alone each year. Many of these are baked in pizzerias and are cut by the workers at the pizzeria. Others are made at home and are cut by the consumer in the home.

The standard pizza cutter is a single wheel mounted on a straight handle. This pizza wheel needs to be run the entire length of the pizza to be cut, or if used for cutting another food item, the entire length of the other food item. Since it is a single wheel cutter, there may be difficulty in tracking. The ergonomics of the standard pizza cutter are poor in that it is a single handle which is usually held at approximately a 45 degree angle to the pizza being cut with the need to apply a downward pressure. This is hard on the hand, wrist and forearm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One advantage of the present invention is that it provides a cutting device which may be used for cutting pizzas and other foods in which the length of travel is reduced to one half the length of the cut to be made in the food item.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides improved ergonomics in that a downward pressure may be applied to both cutting wheels uniformly and evenly and by having the hand, wrist and forearm vertically aligned to apply the pressure directly in a downward direction, applying the force of the cutting wheels directly to the food items, such as pizza being cut.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it may be used as a cutting device using a single cutting wheel with the handle portion being substantially vertical.

Briefly and basically, in accordance with the present invention, a cutting device is provided which comprises a first and second cutting wheel mounted for rotatable movement. The cutting device includes a substantially C-shaped handle structure having a first and a second end with the first wheel mounted at the first end of the C-shaped handle structure and the second cutting wheel mounted at the second end of the C-shaped handle structure with the center of the first wheel and the center of the second wheel being spaced a distance equal to one half of the length of the food item to be cut.

Although the cutting device of the present invention may be utilized for cutting various food items, it is particularly adapted for use as a pizza cutter. When used as a pizza cutter, the cutter is adapted to be positioned with one wheel in the center of the pizza and one wheel at the edge of the pizza wherein a complete cut of the pizza may be made by moving the cutter one half of the span of the pizza.

In accordance with the present invention, the substantially C-shaped structure faces downward with the center of the C-shaped structure being substantially horizontal wherein pressure may be applied in a downward manner on the handle for the cutting of the pizza with the hand, wrist and user aligned in a substantially vertical direction.

In accordance with the present invention, the C-shaped structure may be positioned substantially vertically wherein the food item may be cut using one of the wheels with the handle being substantially vertical so that the forearm of the cutter is substantially horizontal when the food item is being cut on a horizontal surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown inFIG. 1a cutting device10having a first cutting wheel12mounted for rotatable movement and a second cutting wheel14mounted for rotatable movement. Substantially C-shaped handle16is provided with a first end18on which first wheel12is pivotally mounted for rotatable movement by removable bolt and nut20and22as best seen in the cross sectional view ofFIG. 2. Wheel12is mounted on a bushing or bearing24. Second wheel14is similarly mounted at second end28by bolt26.

As may be seen fromFIG. 1, the pressure may be applied downwardly through a vertically lower arm17of the person applying the pressure of his shoulder and body weight to cut the pizza instead of manually trying to use his arm at a 45 degree angle.

As may be illustrated inFIG. 1, when the center of the cutting wheels are positioned on the ends of C-shaped handle16such that one wheel is at the edge of the pizza30, such as wheel14, and the center of the other wheel12is at the center of the pizza, the entire pizza may be cut by the movement of cutting device10only one half the distance of pizza30. Of course, cutting device10may be utilized to cut various other types of foods.

Cutting device10is also provided with fenders or guards32and34which prevent the user's hand or fingers from accidently being cut by cutting wheels12and14.

Cutting device10may also be utilized with the forearm in the horizontal position by holding C-shaped member substantially vertically or in the normal position of a normal C. In this manner, only one wheel would be used for cutting, but the lower arm of the user would be substantially horizontal or substantially parallel to the top of the table or pizza being cut.

Referring now toFIG. 3, there is shown a storage apparatus40which includes a base42and a removeably mounted container44for receiving at least a portion of the first and second cutting wheels12and14. Base42may be comprised of any suitable material, but preferably a heavy rigid material such as granite, marble, plastic or plastic impregnated with heavy material such as sand or the like may be utilized. Base42is preferably provided with a groove46into which a mating projection on container44may be slidably removeably mounted therein. In a presently preferred embodiment, projection48may be a dove tail in cross section which slidably mounts into a mating dove tail groove46. However, it is understood that any other suitable mating groove and projection may be utilized in practicing the present invention.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, container44may easily be removeably slidably removed from base42for washing, cleaning or other reasons. It is presently preferred that container44may be comprised of stainless steel and may be readily removed from base42and inserted into a dishwasher for washing and cleaning. However, container44may be comprised of other suitable materials including plastics and the like.

Referring now toFIG. 4, there is shown another embodiment of a storage apparatus50. Storage apparatus50includes a base52and a removeably mounted substantially vertical member54having a receiving means56for receiving the substantially C-shaped handle16of cutter10. Receiving means56may preferably be in the shape of a U or hook for receiving handle16. Substantially vertical member54is mounted to a member58which is slidably mountable within a groove60formed in base52. The storage apparatus ofFIG. 4may preferably be a consumer oriented storage apparatus. However, the storage apparatus of eitherFIG. 3orFIG. 4may be used with either business pizzerias or for consumers. As with the embodiment ofFIG. 3, base52may preferably be comprised of a heavier material such as granite, other stone, heavy plastic or weighted plastic. As illustrated inFIG. 4, member58may be in the shape of a dove tail which mates with a corresponding dove tail groove60. However, it is understood that various other shapes of member58may be utilized with a suitable mating groove within base52. Further, the groove may be oriented in different directions in base52. Other types of suitable receiving means may be utilized on vertical member54.