Abstract:
A combination cutter and server includes a first flexible blade having front and rear opposite ends; a second flexible blade having front and rear opposite ends; a connecting section which connects together the front end of the first blade and the front end of the second blade; a first handle connected to the rear end of the first blade; and a second handle connected to the rear end of the second blade and being unconnected with the first handle, the first handle being coplanar with the first blade in an unbiased condition of the combination cutter and server, and the second handle being coplanar with the second blade in an unbiased condition of the combination cutter and server.

Description:
This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/639,200 filed Aug. 15, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,381,851. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to food cutters and food servers which are highly stable during both cutting and serving operations. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventionally, a slice of food such as a slice of cake is defined by at least two cuts made by a knife on opposite sides thereof. A spatula, cake server or other similar instrument is then placed under the slice to remove and serve the slice. This, however, results in a relatively complicated operation for serving each slice. In addition, the slices are not always served as whole pieces. That is, they often fall apart after cutting but prior to placement on a plate. 
     Cake cutting and serving devices which are able to concurrently cut both sides of a slice and then engage the cut slice for removal are known from, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,264,486 (Smith et al), U.S. Pat. No. 2,600,646 (Haugland), U.S. Pat. No. 2,770,035 (O&#39;Brien), U.S. Pat. No. 2,841,868 (O&#39;Brien) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,138 (Piche), and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 248,271 (McGee, III). 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,264,486 (Smith et al) discloses handles that are offset at an angle from the cutting blades. Therefore, the cutting blades can only cut a large triangular sector whose dimensions can not be altered. This is very limiting, particularly in view of the many different sizes and shapes of cakes to be cut. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,600,646 to Haugland discloses curved handles that do not extend in the same plane as the blades. In such arrangement, to form a substantially triangular piece of cake, which is the conventional shape of a piece of cake, the handles are not in contact with each other, thereby making secure gripping of the device more difficult. Although the handles can be pressed further toward each other so that the handles are in contact with each other, there is contact of the handles only at the front ends thereof, and also, such secure contact of the handles occurs only when cutting a thin rectangular piece, not a triangular piece. 
     The remaining above-identified patents provide more complicated and/or less versatile cake cutters and servers. 
     Other related cake cutters are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,104,718 (Trevisan), U.S. Pat. No. 2,403,190 (Parraga), U.S. Pat. No. 3,045,347 (Elias et al) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,159 (Fuenzalida). While, these cake cutters cut cake, they do not remove and serve the slices. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a combination cutter and server which overcomes the aforementioned problems. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a combination cutter and server that can cut, for example a cake, into a plurality of slices and remove each slice for serving immediately after the slice has been cut. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a combination cutter and server in which the shape of the slice that is cut can be altered by compressing the cutter and server handles toward each other in varying amounts. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a combination cutter and server in which the handles of the device are in contact with each other in a stable condition in at least two different conditions for cutting and serving two different shaped slices of food. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a combination cutter and server that is easy and economical to use and manufacture. 
     According to the present invention, a combination cutter and server, includes a first thin flexible blade having front and rear opposite ends; a second thin flexible blade having front and rear opposite ends; a connecting section which couples the front end of the first thin blade and the front end of the second thin blade; a first handle connected to the rear end of the first thin blade; and a second handle connected to the rear end of the second thin blade and being unconnected with the first handle. The first handle is coplanar with the first thin blade in an unbiased condition of the combination cutter and server, and the second handle is coplanar with the second thin blade in an unbiased condition of the combination cutter and server. Only rear ends of the first and second handles are in contact with one another to form the combination cutter and server into a first geometric cutting configuration when the first and second handles are initially moved toward each other to an initial biased position. Further, the first and second handles are in contact with other along substantially entire lengths thereof to form the combination cutter and server into a second geometric cutting configuration, which is different from the first geometric cutting configuration, when the first and second handles are further moved toward each other from the initial biased position. 
     In one embodiment, the blades are formed by a thin, flat and flexible sheet of metal which is bent at a center section thereof so as to form the two blades which diverge away from each other at a slightly rounded nose section. Upper edges of the blades, beginning from the nose section to an approximate mid-point of each blade, are cut away to form an upwardly curved upper edge portion. Each blade has a generally rectangular shape, and a straight, non-serrated bottom edge. Preferably, the diverging angle is approximately 20 degrees, Preferably, the first geometric cutting configuration is a substantially triangular shape and the second geometric cutting configuration is a substantially rectangular shape. 
     In a second embodiment, the blades are formed by a thin, flat and flexible sheet of metal which is bent into a U-shape having the first and second blades substantially parallel and spaced apart from each other in an unbiased condition of the combination cutter and server, and a center connecting blade which connects opposite ends of the first and second blades together and is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first and second blades. Again, each blade has a generally rectangular shape. Upper edges of the first and second blades, beginning at an attachment to the center connecting blade, to a point of each first and second blade which is approximately one-third of the length thereof, are cut away to form an upwardly curved upper edge portion. Preferably, the first geometric cutting configuration is a substantially trapezoidal shape and the second geometric cutting configuration is a substantially reverse triangular shape. 
     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description thereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top, front, right side perspective view of a combination cake cutter and server according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof; 
     FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view thereof; 
     FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view thereof, the left side elevational view being a mirror image; 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan view thereof; 
     FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view thereof; 
     FIG. 7 is a top plan view thereof in a partially compressed condition; 
     FIG. 8 is a top plan view thereof in a fully compressed condition; 
     FIG. 9 is a top, front, right side perspective view of a combination cake cutter and server according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the second embodiment; 
     FIG. 11 is a rear elevational view of the second embodiment; 
     FIG. 12 is a right side elevational view of the second embodiment, the left side elevational view being a mirror image; 
     FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the second embodiment; 
     FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the second embodiment; 
     FIG. 15 is a top plan view thereof in a partially compressed condition; 
     FIG. 16 is a top plan view thereof in a fully compressed condition. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIGS. 1-8, a combination cutter and server  10  according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a thin, flat and flexible sheet of metal  12  which is bent at a center section thereof so as to form two blades  14  and  16  which diverge away from each other at a slightly rounded nose section  18  in an unbiased condition of the combination cake cutter and server  10 . The diverging angle is shown in the drawings as being approximately 20 degrees, although the present invention is not limited thereby. Each blade  14  and  16  has a generally rectangular shape with straight, non-serrated bottom edges  20 . For example, the blades  14  and  16  can each have a length of about 13.5 cm and a height of about 4.5 cm. The upper edges of blades  14  and  16 , beginning from nose section  18  to approximately the mid-point of each blade  14  and  16 , are cut away by the same amount, to form an upwardly curved upper edge portion  22 . 
     Thin, flat sheet of metal  12  also includes rear extension portions  24  that extend rearwardly as continuations of upper portions of blades  14  and  16 . Handles  26  are secured to rear extension portions  24 . Handles  26  extend linearly, that is, not in a curved manner, and are connected with rear extension portions  24  so as to extend in the same planes as blades  14  and  16 . For example, handles  26  can include slots  28  for receiving rear extension portions  24  therein, with transverse rivets  30  being provided through handles  26  and rear extension portions  24  to secure handles  26  to rear extension portions  24 . 
     Handles  26  extend in the same plane as blades  14  and  16 . As a result, when handles  26  are compressed by a user, the rear ends  26 a of handles  26  first come into contact with each other. In such arrangement, as shown in FIG. 7, blades  14  and  16  bend in a slightly arcuate configuration, thereby still cutting a substantially triangular piece of cake, while at the same time, providing a secure gripping arrangement that does, not change shape. In contrast in the prior art, in order to form a substantially triangular piece of cake, which is the conventional shape of a piece of cake that is cut, the handles are not in contact with each other, thereby making secure gripping of the device more difficult. 
     Further, handles  26  can be pressed further toward each other so that the handles are in contact with each other, along substantially the entire length thereof, as shown in FIG.  8 . In this position, blades  14  and  16  are substantially parallel with each other. Unlike the prior art, however, where there is contact of the handles only at the front ends thereof, the handles  26  of the present invention are in contact substantially along the entire length thereof, providing a very secure. arrangement. 
     Thus, the present invention provides for two different cutting shapes, namely substantially triangular (FIG. 7) and thin rectangular (FIG.  8 ), and in which handles  26  are in contact with each in both positions, providing an easy and secure holding arrangement. 
     The present invention also includes non-serrated bottom edges  20  to blades  14  and  16 . It has been found that the serrated bottom edges of the prior art are not necessary, in view of the very thin nature of the blades  14  and  16 . 
     In operation, the user compresses handles  26  to the substantially triangular configuration of FIG. 7 or the substantially thin rectangular configuration of FIG. 8, such that handles  26  are in contact with each other. For example, in the =configuration of FIG. 7, the user can grasp the rear ends  26   a  of handles  26  to maintain this relation, while in FIG. 8, the user can grasp the middle or forward portions of handles  26 , and squeeze them together. Then, the user pushes blades  14  and  16  through the cake. Combination cake cutter and server  10  can then be pulled radially outward of the cake to remove the slice of cake. Alternatively, in the arrangement of FIG. 7, handles  26  can be compressed slightly more toward each other to compress slightly against the sides of the slice of cake for easier removal of the same. 
     Of course, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited by the above operation. For example, if larger angled triangular sectors are to be cut from the cake, blades  14  and  16  of combination cake cutter and server  10  can be pushed through the cake in a condition where handles  26  are not in contact with each other. In such case, handles  26  can be compressed slightly more toward each other to compress slightly against the sides of the slice of cake for easier removal of the same. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 9-16, there is shown a combination cake cutter and server  110  according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which elements corresponding to those of combination cake cutter and server  10  are identified by the same reference numerals augmented by 100, and accordingly, a detailed description of the common elements will not be made herein for the sake of brevity. 
     Specifically, combination cake cutter and server  110  includes a thin, flat and flexible sheet of metal  112  which is bent into a U-shape having two substantially parallel, spaced apart blades  114  and  116  and a center connecting blade  118  which connects opposite ends of blades  114  and  116  together and is oriented substantially perpendicular to blades  114  and  116 , in an unbiased condition of combination cake cutter and server  110 . Each blade  114 ,  116  and  118  has a generally rectangular shape with a straight, non-serrated bottom edge  120 . As an example, blades  114  and  116  can each have a length of about 10.5 cm and a height of about 4.5 cm, while blade  118  can have a length of about 6 cm and a height of about 2.5 cm. The upper edges of blades  114  and  116 , beginning with the attachment to center connecting blade  118 , to a point of each blade  114  and  116  which is approximately one-third of the length thereof, are cut away by the same amount, to form an upwardly curved upper edge portion  122 . 
     Thin, flat sheet of metal  112  also includes rear extension portions  124  that extend rearwardly as continuations of upper portions of blades  114  and  116 . Handles  126  are secured to rear extension portions  124 . Handles  126  extend linearly, that is, not in a curved manner, and are connected with rear extension portions  124  so as to extend in the same planes as blades  114  and  116 . For example, handles  126  can include slots  128  for receiving rear extension portions  124  therein, with transverse rivets  130  being provided through handles  126  and rear extension portions  124  to secure handles  126  to rear extension portions  124 . 
     As with the first embodiment, handles  126  extend in the same plane as blades  114  and  116 . As a result, when handles  126  are compressed, the rear ends  126   a  of handles  126  first come into contact with each other. In such arrangement, as shown in FIG. 15, blades  114  and  116  bend or flex inwardly from center connecting blade  118 , but maintain their planar configuration, in order to cut a substantially trapezoidal piece of cake, while at the same time, providing a secure gripping arrangement that does not change shape. 
     Further, handles  126  can be pressed further toward each other so that the handles are in contact with each other, along substantially the entire length thereof, as shown in FIG.  16 . In this position, blades  114  and  116  are substantially parallel with each other. Thus, handles  126  of the present invention are in contact substantially along the entire length thereof, providing a very secure arrangement. In this arrangement, a substantially reverse triangular piece of cake is cut. 
     Thus, the present invention provides for two different cutting shapes, namely substantially trapezoidal (FIG. 15) and substantially reverse triangular (FIG.  16 ), and in which handles  126  are in contact with each in either position, providing an easy and secure holding arrangement. 
     In operation, the user compresses handles  126  to the  1 S substantially trapezoidal configuration of FIG. 15 or the substantially reverse triangular configuration of FIG. 16, such that handles  126  are in contact with each other. For example, in the configuration of FIG. 15, the user can grasp the rear ends  126   a  of handles  126  to maintain this relation, while in FIG. 16, the user can grasp the middle or forward portions of handles  126 , and squeeze them together. Then, the user pushes blades  114 ,  116  and  118  through the cake. Combination cake cutter and server  110  can then be pulled radially outward of the cake to remove the slice of cake. Alternatively, in the arrangement of FIG. 15, handles  126  can be compressed slightly more toward each other to compress slightly against the sides of the slice of cake for easier removal of the same. 
     Of course, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited by the above description. For example, if larger angled sectors are to be cut from the cake, blades  114  and  116  of combination cake cutter and server  110  can be pushed through the cake in a condition where handles  126  are not in contact with each other. For example, a substantially rectangular piece of cake can be cut in the configuration of FIG.  5 . In such case, handles  126  can be compressed slightly more toward each other to compress slightly against the sides of the slice of cake for easier removal of the same. 
     Having described specific preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, the cutter and server of the present invention need not bemused only for cutting and serving cake, but could also be utilized for cutting and serving any suitable food.