Abstract:
The present invention relates to a multi-functional cutting device for foodstuffs, especially for pizzas and herbs, which is easily transformable between a configuration adapted for cutting pizzas and a configuration adapted for cutting herbs. The cutting device of the present invention comprises covering members which, when detached from a main body, allow respective cutting means to be exposed to enable the cutting of foodstuffs. A locking mechanism for locking and unlocking the covering members is provided to ensure the attached one of the cutting means. The cutting device of the present invention can be disassembled effortlessly with easy access to the interior thereof.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to a multi-functional cutter for foodstuff, particularly a cutter that is transformable between a configuration adapted for cutting pizzas and a configuration adapted for cutting herbs. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Pizza cutters are currently available. A typical pizza cutter comprises a disk-shaped blade rotatably mounted on a handle. The user holds the handle and rolls the disk-shaped blade over a pizza in order to cut the pizza into pieces/slices. Also available are herb cutters, which have some similarity in structure to pizza cutters, in that they also have a handle with blades rotatably mounted thereon. What is different is that a typical herb cutter usually comprises a plurality of blades arranged in parallel, so as to facilitate the cutting of herbs. This difference is due to the fact that pizzas are usually cut into relatively larger pieces/slices while herbs are cut into smaller chips. As these two types of cutters are both frequently used in many occasions and often are used in combination when the pizza is consumed, it would be desirable if they can be combined into one device, which can be easily switched between a configuration adapted for cutting pizzas and a configuration adapted for cutting herbs. 
         [0003]    In addition, one disadvantage of currently available pizza cutters and herb cutters is that, as there is usually a covering member protecting the hand of the user from being hurt by the blade(s), it is difficult to access and clean the interior of the cutter. Therefore, it would be desirable if there is a foodstuff cutter that allows effortless disassembling of the components enabling easy access to the interior of the cutter. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention has a principle object of providing a multi-functional cutter for foodstuff, especially for pizzas and herbs, which is easily transformable between a configuration adapted for cutting pizzas and a configuration adapted for cutting herbs. 
         [0005]    Another object of this invention is to provide a foodstuff cutter that can be disassembled effortlessly with easy access to the interior thereof. 
         [0006]    This and other objects are satisfied by the present invention, which provides a cutting device for foodstuffs, comprising: at least one first cutting means and at least one second cutting means, both rotatably mounted on the main body portion and adapted for cutting respective target foodstuffs, and a cover detachably connected to the main body portion to define an interior space for accommodating the first cutting means and the second cutting means. The cover comprises a first covering member detachably attached to the main body portion and configured in such a manner that the attachment of the first covering member from the main body allows for exposure of at least part of the first cutting means to enable the cutting of foodstuffs; and a second covering member detachably attached to the main body portion and configured in such a manner that the detachment of the second covering member from the main body allows for exposure of at least part of the second cutting means to enable the cutting of foodstuffs. The first covering member and the second covering member are mounted on the main body portion in a way which permits the detachment of one or both of the first and second covering members from the main body portion. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the cutting device further comprises a locking mechanism arranged on the main body portion, the locking mechanism being displaceable among a first position, wherein the first covering member is allowed to be detached from the main body portion and the second covering member is prevented from being detached from the main body portion; a second position, wherein the second covering member is allowed to be detached from the main body portion and the first covering member is prevented from being detached from the main body portion; and a third position, wherein both the first covering member and the second covering member are allowed to be detached from the main body portion. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the main body portion comprises an annular frame having a top plate, a bottom plate and two opposite side plates connecting the top plate and the bottom plate, and the first cutting means and the second cutting means are arranged between the top plate and the bottom plate, wherein the first cutting means extends transversely beyond edges of the top and bottom plates at two opposite sides of the frame. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the first cutting means comprises a main cutting member rotatably mounted on a main axle extending upwardly from the bottom plate to protrude beyond the top plate, and the cutting of the foodstuffs is implemented by rotation of the main cutting member. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the second cutting means comprises a first auxiliary cutting member rotatably mounted on a first mounting plate extending outwardly from below an inner surface of the top plate, and the cutting of the foodstuffs is implemented by rotation of the first auxiliary cutting member. Preferably, the main cutting member is sized and configured to serve as a part of the second cutting means. 
         [0011]    The second cutting means may further comprise a second auxiliary cutting member rotatably mounted on a second mounting plate extending outwardly from above an inner surface of the bottom plate on the same side of the frame as the first mounting plate, and the cutting of the foodstuffs is implemented by rotation of the first and second auxiliary cutting members. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the main cutting member, the first auxiliary cutting member and the second auxiliary cutting member is provided as a circular blade, wherein the main cutting member is sized and configured to extend transversely beyond the edges of the top and bottom plates at two opposite sides of the frame, and the first and second auxiliary cutting members are sized and configured such that they only extend transversely beyond the edges of the top and bottom plates on the same side of the frame as the first and second mounting plate. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the first covering member is formed to have a first cavity accommodating said at least part of the first cutting means, and the second covering member is formed to have a second cavity accommodating said at least part of the second cutting means. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment of the present invention, a first top bulge is formed on a top inner surface of the first covering member, and a first bottom bulge is formed on a bottom inner surface of the first covering member, the first top bulge and the first bottom bulge being adapted to cooperate with the locking mechanism to prevent the first covering member from being detached from the main body portion when the locking mechanism is in the second position. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment of the present invention, a second top bulge is formed on a top inner surface of the second covering member, and a second bottom bulge is formed on a bottom inner surface of the second covering member, the second top bulge and the second bottom bulge being adapted to cooperate with the locking mechanism to prevent the second covering member from being detached from the main body portion when the locking mechanism is in the first position. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism comprises a top locking member rotatably mounted on the main axle between the main cutting member and the top plate of the main body portion, the top locking member being adapted to engage with the first top bulge to prevent the first covering member from being detached from the main body portion when the locking mechanism is in the second position, and to engage with the second top bulge to prevent the second covering member from being detached from the main body portion when the locking mechanism is in the first position. 
         [0017]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism comprises a bottom locking member rotatably mounted on the main axle between the main cutting member and the bottom plate of the main body portion, the bottom locking member being adapted to engage with the first bottom bulge to prevent the first covering member from being detached from the main body portion when the locking mechanism is in the second position, and to engage with the second bottom bulge to prevent the second covering member from being detached from the main body portion when the locking mechanism is in the first position. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the top locking member is configured to be disengaged from both the first top bulge and the second top bulge when the locking mechanism is in the third position, and the bottom locking member is configured to be disengaged from both the first bottom bulge and the second bottom bulge when the locking mechanism is in the third position. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the top locking member and the bottom locking member is provided as a circular sector having a respective arcuated tooth formed at an outer arcuated edge thereof to cooperate with the corresponding ones of the first top bulge, the second top bulge, the first bottom bulge and the second bottom bulge. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism further comprises a handle provided on top of the top plate of the main body portion, wherein the handle is configured to be rotatable around the main axle, and the rotation of the handle causes the rotation of the top locking member and the bottom locking member. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the handle is configured to be pivotal around an axis perpendicular to the main axle between an upstanding position, wherein the handle is rotatable around the main axle, and a lying position, wherein the handle is received in a recess formed on a top surface of the top plate of the main body portion. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the first covering member and the second covering member are attached to the main body portion by snap-fit. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment of the present invention, indicators are provided on a top surface of the main body portion to respectively indicate the first, second and third positions of the locking mechanism. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cutting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the cutting device shown in  FIG. 1 , with the first covering member and the second covering member detached from the main body portion. 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the main body portion of the cutting device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the first covering member and the second covering member of the cutting device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of the cutting device shown in  FIG. 1 , with the first covering member and the second covering member removed. 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of the cutting device shown in  FIG. 1 , with the first covering member and the second covering member removed. 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of the cutting device shown in  FIG. 1 , with the first covering member and the second covering member removed. 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the cutting device shown in  FIG. 1 , with only the first covering member removed. 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the cutting device shown in  FIG. 1 , with only the second covering member removed. 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the locking mechanism of the cutting device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 11  is a top exploded perspective view of the locking mechanism of the cutting device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 12  is a bottom exploded perspective view of the locking mechanism of the cutting device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the cutting device shown in  FIG. 1 , with the handle in the upstanding position. 
           [0037]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the locking mechanism of the cutting device shown in  FIG. 1 , with the handle in the upstanding position. 
           [0038]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the cutting device shown in  FIG. 1 , with the locking mechanism rotated to a third position and the cover removed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0039]    While this invention is illustrated and described in a preferred embodiment, the cutting device of the present invention may be produced in many different configurations, sizes, forms and materials. 
         [0040]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate in perspective views a cutting device  1  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The cutting device  1  comprises a main body portion  2 , a cover  51  comprising a first covering member  3  and a second covering member  4  that can be detachably attached to opposite sides of the main body portion  2 , respectively. The cutting device  1  further comprises first cutting means  101  and second cutting means  102 , and a locking mechanism  5 . When the first covering member  3  and the second covering member  4  are attached to the main body portion  2  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ), the first cutting means  101  and the second cutting means  102  are accommodated and enclosed in a space defined by the main body portion  2 , the first covering member  3  and the second covering member  4 . 
         [0041]    As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the main body portion  2  comprises an annular frame  6  having a top plate  7 , a bottom plate  8  and two opposite side plates  61 ,  62  connecting the top plate  7  and the bottom plate  8 . A through hole  42  is drilled through the top plate  7 . A main axle  10  extends from a center of the bottom plate  8  upwardly through the through hole  42  until an upper end of the main axle  10  is slightly above the top plate  7 . As will be explained in the following, the main axle  10  is provided for the rotatable mounting of the locking mechanism  5  as well as the first cutting means  101 . The main body portion  2  further comprises a first mounting plate  11  and a second mounting plate  12 , both of which extend horizontally from a same side of the top plate  7  and the bottom plate  8 . To be specific, both the first mounting plate  11  and the second mounting plate  12  extend from the side of the frame  6  on which the second covering member  4  is mounted. In other words, the first mounting plate  11  extends outwardly from below an inner surface of the top plate  7 , and the second mounting plate  12  extends outwardly from above an inner surface of the bottom plate  8 . Both the first mounting plate  11  and the second mounting plate  12  are formed to have a “C” shape, for the rotatable mounting of cutting members of the second cutting means  102 , which will be described in greater details hereinbelow. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , both the first covering member  3  and the second covering member  4  have the shape of a half enclosure with an opening  29  and  30 , respectively, and are adapted for the holding by a hand of a user. The first covering member  3  is formed to have a first cavity  15  for accommodating a half of the first cutting means  101  when attached to the main body portion  2 , and the second covering member  4  is formed to have a second cavity  16  for accommodating a half of the first cutting means  101  and the second cutting means  102  when attached to the main body portion  2 . An indented step  31  is formed at the periphery of the opening  29 , such that when the first covering member  3  is attached to the main body portion  2 , an outer surface of the first covering member  3  is flush with an outer surface of the main body portion  2 . Four bumps  33  are formed on the step  31  to cooperate with corresponding pits  35  formed on an inner surface of the main body portion  2  (see  FIG. 5 ) for snap-fit attachment of the first covering member  3  to the main body portion  2 . Similarly, an indented step  32  is formed at the periphery of the opening  30  of the second covering member  4 , and four bumps  34  are formed on the step  32  to cooperate with corresponding pits  36  formed on the inner surface of the main body portion  2  (see  FIG. 3 ) for snap-fit attachment of the second covering member  4  to the main body portion  2 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 3, 5 and 7 , a total of eight cam faces  48  are provided at both sides of the frame  6  to facilitate and guide the first covering member  3  and the second covering member  4  to move into snap-fit attachment with the main body portion  2 . 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the first cutting means  101  comprises a main cutting member  9  rotatably mounted on the main axle  10 . The main cutting member  9  is provided as a circular blade for cutting pizza. The main axle  10  runs through a center of the main cutting member  9 . As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the second cutting means  102  comprises a first auxiliary cutting member  12  rotatably mounted on the first mounting plate  11 , and a second auxiliary cutting member  14  rotatably mounted on the second mounting plate  13 . In this embodiment, the main cutting member  9  also serves as an additional cutting member of the second cutting means  102 . Each of the first auxiliary cutting member  12  and the second auxiliary cutting member  14  is also provided as a circular blade for cutting foodstuff. Each of the first auxiliary cutting member  12  and the second auxiliary cutting member  14  has a diameter that is about half of the diameter of the main cutting member  9 . As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the main cutting member  9  extends transversely beyond the horizontal edges of the top and bottom plates  7 ,  8  at two opposite sides of the frame  6 , while the first and second auxiliary cutting members  12 ,  14  extend transversely beyond the edges of the top and bottom plates  7 ,  8  on only one side of the frame  6 . 
         [0044]    Now turning to  FIG. 8 , when the first covering member  3  is detached from the main body portion  2  and the second covering member  4  remains to be attached to the main body portion  2 , about a half of the main cutting member  9  is exposed, while the other half of the main cutting member  9  as well as the first auxiliary cutting member  12  and the second auxiliary cutting member  14  all are accommodated in the second cavity  16  of the second covering member  4 . A user can hold the cutting device  1  in this configuration by holding the main body portion  2  and the attached second covering member  4  to implement the cutting of foodstuffs, such as pizzas, into pieces or slices with the aid of the exposed half of the main cutting member  9 . In this configuration, the second covering member  4  provides protection to the hand of the user by enclosing half of the main cutting member  9  as well as the first auxiliary cutting member  12  and the second auxiliary cutting member  14 . 
         [0045]    Likewise,  FIG. 9  shows that the second covering member  4  is detached from the main body portion  2  while the first covering member  3  remains to be attached to the main body portion  2 . In this case, about a half of the main cutting member  9  as well as the first auxiliary cutting member  12  and the second auxiliary cutting member  14  all are exposed, while the other half of the main cutting member  9  is accommodated in the first cavity  15  of the first covering member  3 . The user can hold the cutting device  1  in this configuration by holding the main body portion  2  and the attached first covering member  3  to cut the foodstuffs with the aid of the exposed first auxiliary cutting member  12  and the exposed second auxiliary cutting member  14  as well as the exposed half of the main cutting member  9 . In this case, three cutters are utilized at the same time, therefore the cutting device  1  is more suitable for cutting foodstuff such as herbs into small chips. In this configuration, the first covering member  3  provides protection to the hand of the user by enclosing the other half of the main cutting member  9 . 
         [0046]    In addition to the protection from hurt to the user by the cutting means provided by the attached one of the covering members  3  and  4  when the cutting device  1  is in use as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a locking mechanism  5  is further provided to ensure that the attached one of the covering members will not be accidentally detached from the main body portion  2  causing hurt to the hand of the user by the cutting members. As shown in  FIGS. 10-12 , the locking mechanism  5  comprises a top locking member  21 , a bottom locking member  22 , and a handle  25 , all mounted on the main axle  10  in a rotatable manner. Each of the top locking member  21  and the bottom locking member  22  is of the shape of a circular sector. An arcuated top tooth  23  is formed at an outer arcuated edge on a top surface of the top locking member  21 , and an arcuated bottom teeth  24  is formed on a bottom surface of the bottom locking member  22 . 
         [0047]    The locking mechanism  5  comprises a sleeve  37  which is provided and rotatably mounted on the main axle  10 , and the top locking member  21  and the bottom locking member  22  are fixedly attached to a top end and a bottom end, respectively, of the sleeve  37 . To be specific, a pair of top slots  38  are formed at the top end of the sleeve  37  to receive a pair of projections  39  formed on a bottom surface of the top locking member  21 , such that the top locking member  21  is not rotatable relative to the sleeve  37 . Similarly, a pair of bottom slots  40  are formed at the bottom end of the sleeve  37  to receive a pair of projections  41  formed on a top surface of the bottom locking member  22 , such that the bottom locking member  22  is not rotatable relative to the sleeve  37 . The main cutting member  9  is also mounted on the sleeve  37  in such a manner that the main cutting member  9  is rotatable around the main axle  10  relative to the sleeve  37 . 
         [0048]    A collar  43  is fixedly attached to the top locking member  21  and extends upwardly through the through hole  42  of the top plate  7  of the main body portion  2  and beyond the top plate  7  (see  FIG. 13 ). To be specific, a pair of notches  44  are formed on a bottom surface of the collar  43  to receive a pair of projections  45  formed on a top surface of the top locking member  21 , such that the collar  43  is not rotatable relative to the top locking member  21 . On top of the top plate  7 , the handle  25  is attached to the collar  43  in such a manner that the handle  25  is rotatable together with the collar  43  around the main axle  10  and also pivotal relative to the collar  43  about a horizontal axis  46  perpendicular to the main axle  10  (see  FIGS. 10 and 14 ). To be specific, the handle  25  comprises a pair of legs  251 , and a traverse hole  252  is drilled at an outer end of each of the legs  251 . A pin  47  passes through each of the traverse holes  252  and is screwed onto a respective side of the collar  43 , such that the handle  25  is pivotal relative to the collar  43  about the axis  46  between a lying position as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 8, 9 and 10 , and an upstanding position as shown in  FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 . A recess  27  is formed on the top surface of the top plate  7  to receive the handle  25  in the lying position (see  FIGS. 8 and 9 ). Indicators  28  are provided on a surface of the recess  27  to indicate which position the locking mechanism  5  is in (best seen in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0049]    In the upstanding position as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the handle  25  is better adapted for rotation by the user around the main axle  10 . The rotation of the handle  25  around the main axle  10  causes the collar  43 , and thus both the top locking member  21  and the bottom locking member  22 , to rotate around the main axle  10  as well. Put simply, the locking mechanism  5  as a whole is caused to rotate around the main axle  10 . When the locking mechanism  5  is rotated to a first position, the top tooth  23  engages with the second top bulge  19 , and the bottom tooth  24  engages with the second bottom bulge  20 , such that the second covering member  4  is prevented from being detached from the main body portion  2 , while the first covering member  3  is allowed to be detached from the main body portion  2  (as shown in  FIG. 8 ). 
         [0050]    When the locking mechanism  5  is rotated to a second position, which is opposite to the first position, the top tooth  23  engages with the first top bulge  17 , and the bottom tooth  24  engages with the first bottom bulge  18 , such that the first covering member  3  is prevented from being detached from the main body portion  2 , while the second covering member  4  is allowed to be detached from the main body portion  2  (as shown in  FIG. 9 ). 
         [0051]    When the locking mechanism  5  is rotated to a third position (as shown in  FIG. 15 ) between the first position and the second position, the top tooth  23  is disengaged from both the first top bulge  17  and the second top bulge  19 , and the bottom tooth  24  is disengaged from both the first bottom bulge  18  and the second bottom bulge  20 , such that both the first covering member  3  and the second covering member  4  are allowed to be detached from the main body portion  2 , facilitating easy access to the interior of the cutting device  1  for such purposes as cleaning. 
         [0052]    Once the locking mechanism  5  is in the desired position for cutting (for example, the first position or the second position), the handle  25  may be pivoted into the lying position to provide the cutting device  1  with a flat outer surface when in use to facilitate the holding of the cutting device  1  by a hand of the user. 
         [0053]    Alternatively, access to the interior can also be obtained by rotating the locking mechanism  5  to the first position and detaching the first covering member  3 , and then rotating the locking mechanism  5  to the second position and detaching the second covering member  4 . 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 14 , a resilient member  49  is provided on a top surface of the top locking member  21  to maintain the handle  25  in the upstanding position. The resilient member  49  is formed as a curved projection extending obliquely and upwardly from the top surface of the top locking member  21  with a rounded apex  50  proximate to a top end thereof. When the handle  25  is pivoted into the upstanding position, the outer end of one of the legs  251  abuts against the rounded apex  50 , and therefore an upward pressure is applied to the handle  25  to maintain it in the upstanding position, until a force is applied by the hand of the user to pivot the handle  25  into the lying position. 
         [0055]    While the present invention is described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment, and is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims. Modifications and variations in the present invention may be made without departing from the novel aspects of the invention as defined in the claims, and this application is limited only by the scope of the claims.