Abstract:
A puzzle apple slicer which cuts an apple or similar fruit or vegetable portions thereof into wedges by radial blades each having a protrusion forming interfit channels and ridges in adjacent sides of the wedges to interlock the wedges together.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention concerns apple cutters or slicers of a type which cuts an apple into wedge shaped pieces and also cores the apple. Such apple slicers have long been known, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,466,114, D432,874 and D1114,471. Sliced apples are often prepared for children, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an apple slicer which cuts apples into specially shaped wedges in a way calculated to provide interest for the enjoyment of children and others. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The above recited object as well as other objects which will become apparent upon a reading of the following specification and claims are achieved by a slicer tool for wedging apples or other fruits or vegetable comprised of a series of radial blades held in a holder grip having an opening through which an apple or other item to be sliced can pass. Each blade is formed with an open looped segment projecting laterally of a main portion of the blade which cut corresponding complementary channel and projection features into the apple wedges extending axially on adjacent sides of wedges into which the apple is sliced. These features are interfit to interlock the wedges to each other creating a three dimensional puzzle from the sliced apple wedges which are taken apart by relative sliding movement in an axial direction. 
         [0003]    A central ring attached to inner ends of the blades can also be included to simultaneously core the apple in conventional fashion. 
         [0004]    The holder grip preferably takes the form of an annular hard plastic ring into which the ends of the slicer steel blades are molded, with an overmolded outer grip layer of a softer elastomeric material. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a pictorial view of a puzzle apple slicer according to the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is an exploded pictorial view of the slicer blade set included in the apple slicer shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of a blade piece included in the apple slicer of  FIG. 1  which forms two of the radial cutter blades according to the present invention with a coring ring outline depicted in phantom lines. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the puzzle apple slicer shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a view of the radial section  5 - 5  taken in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a pictorial view of an apple sliced into interlocked wedges with the use of an apple slicer tool according to the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6A  shows the sliced apple of  FIG. 6  with some of the wedges axially displaced from each other. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    In the following detailed description, certain specific terminology will be employed for the sake of clarity and a particular embodiment described in accordance with the requirements of 35 USC 112, but it is to be understood that the same is not intended to be limiting and should not be so construed inasmuch as the invention is capable of taking many forms and variations within the scope of the appended claims. 
         [0013]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the puzzle apple slicer  10  according to the present invention comprises a generally annular holder grip  12  having a central opening  14  sized to allow apples or other similarly sized fruits or vegetables to pass through, i.e. on the order of four inches in diameter. 
         [0014]    An evenly spaced array of six radially extending slicer blades  16  each preferably made of stainless steel is disposed within the opening  14  affixed at their inner ends to a casing ring  18 . The outer ends  20  are embedded in the holder grip  12 . The holder grip  12  includes an inner holder body  22  molded of a tough molded plastic such as ABS to securely anchor the outer ends  20  of the blades  18 . 
         [0015]    An overmold layer  24  of a softer elastomeric material such a TPE enclosed the outer regions of the holder body  20  providing a better gripping surface. An embossed pattern  26  similar to the shape of the slicer blades  16 . 
         [0016]    The six slicer blades  16  are advantageously formed by three double bladed pieces  28  connected by a curved segment  30  matched to the outside diameter of the ring  18 , which are spot welded to the ring  18  to form a unitary blade assembly. 
         [0017]    According to the present invention, each blade  16  is formed with a circumferentially extending protrusion feature  32 , here shown as in a partially circular shape intermediate the length of the main straight portion of each blade  16 . 
         [0018]    The features  32  simultaneously cut matched channels  34  and ridges  36  into the apple  38  ( FIGS. 6 ,  6 A) as well as the core plug  38  cut by ring  18 . 
         [0019]    Since the features  36  are partially circularly shaped, and preferably are greater than semicircle, the channels  34  and ridges  36  interlock to each other to resist pulling away from each other. Thus, the interfit cut wedges  40  are held together thereby but may be disassembled by axial sliding movement as seen in  FIG. 6A . 
         [0020]    This provides a three dimensional puzzle for amusement of children and others. 
         [0021]    The apple wedges  40  are also uniquely shaped for decorative effect in fruit salads, etc. 
         [0022]    Other fruits such as pears or portions of fruit such as melons may be sliced using the apple slicer. According to the invention or vegetables such as potatoes.