Abstract:
A cutting device in accordance with the present invention is deal for use in cutting pizza and other “flat-bread” like cuisine. For example, in accordance with various embodiments, a cutting device is provided which exhibits improved functionality and ease of use through the use of handle which directs the cutting force from a user in the most efficient manner to carryout the task of cutting, for example, pizza. Moreover, the handle may provide improved protection of the user from accidental injury during use as well as be suitably configured to retract in a manner which facilitates removal of the cutting blade.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of the filing date of United States Design patent application Ser. No. 29/180,502 entitled “CUTTING WHEEL,” filed Apr. 24, 2003. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention generally relates to cutting devices, and more particularly, to a cutting device ideally configured for cutting pizza and other “flat-bread” like items into individual slices. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Various devices for the cutting and slicing of many different items have been both desirable and available for centuries. For example, as far back as one can search in recorded history, blade-type knives have been used in the most important and basic of human activities, from the hunting, to the dressing and slicing of food into portions suitable for consumption. As such, improvements to cutting and slicing devices have continuously been sought. For example, the various blades have evolved over the ages into finely crafted, precision instruments constructed from newer, stronger and sharper materials from high strength steel alloys to titanium. 
   However, notwithstanding the developments in cutting and slicing technology, devices known heretofore are undesirable in many respects. That is, while blades become sharper and stronger, allowing them to retain sharp cutting edges for longer and longer periods of time, desirable attributes continue to remain unrealized. 
   For example, many suffer from being ergonomically difficult to use. Exemplary of such short-comings, many cutting devices have long handles positioned well away from the portion of the blade edge most suited for cutting, and thus create increased tension and stress in the user&#39;s wrist. 
   Additionally, in efforts to increase the safety of cutting devices, various guards and shields have been employed to protect the user and others from the sharp edges of the blades. However, many of these guards trap debris within, making subsequent cleaning of the blades difficult. 
   Relatedly, while many of these improved devices are comprised of strong materials and posses the capability of slicing even the toughest substances, they require a gentle touch during cleaning, or they will lose their sharpened edges. For example, many of such blades are not “dishwasher” safe, and the simple act of placing in them in a dishwasher may ruin, or at least greatly diminish, sought after benefits such as the long time retention of a sharp edge. 
   For example, one currently known device which suffers from the foregoing is the pizza cutter. Briefly, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , typical pizza cutters use a circular blade  10  comprised of stainless steel or other similar alloys or materials. The circular blade is typically rotatably mounted on axle  12  connected by “forks”  14  to one end of an elongated handle  16 . The handle  16  is held while moving the blade  10  across pizza. While the blade  10  is moved, it tends to rotate about its axle  12  as it rolls across the pizza. However, these cutters suffer from many of the foregoing drawbacks as they are often bulky and awkward, the cutting pressure from the user is difficult, if not impossible, to direct over the cutting center of the blade, the forks may make cleaning difficult by trapping debris, and the exposed blade may become dulled when stored or run through dishwashers. 
   Thus, it is apparent that particular examples of the drawbacks of currently known slicing devices are numerous. However, suffice it to say, there is a long-felt need for cutting devices which improve upon the ergonomics of the device to the user, which improve the safety of the device, yet which still facilitate the cleaning of the blade. As will be described hereinbelow, the present invention addresses such long-felt needs in all areas of slicing, and as will become apparent, will demonstrate particular utility in the areas of slicing pizza and other “flat-bread” like cuisine. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   While the way in which the present invention addresses the disadvantages of the prior art will be discussed in greater detail below, in general, the present invention provides for a cutting device which offers significant advantages to the user of the device which the prior art does not address. 
   For example, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a cutting device is provided which exhibits improved functionality and ease of use through the use of a handle which directs the cutting force from a user in the most efficient manner to carryout the task of cutting items such as, for example, pizza. Moreover, in some instances, the handle provides additional protection to the user from accidental injury during use because a reduction in the amount of cutting surface of the blade to an exposed area. 
   In accordance with various further aspects of the present invention, the cutting device is suitably configured such that the actual cutting blade can be easily cleaned (or otherwise maintained). For example, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention, the cutting blade is removable. Further yet, in various embodiments, the handle is suitably configured to retract in a manner which facilitates removal of the cutting blade. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. A more complete understanding of the present invention, however, may best be obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims in connection with the drawing figures, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a typical prior art pizza cutting device; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an exemplary pizza cutter in accordance with various aspects of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of an exemplary blade in accordance with various aspects of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of an exemplary assembled and open pizza cutter housing in accordance with various aspects of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of an exemplary insertion half of a pizza cutter housing in accordance with various aspects of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of an exemplary pivoting half of a pizza cutter housing in accordance with various aspects of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  are side views of an exemplary pizza cutter in accordance with various aspects of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9   a  is a top view of an exemplary segmented retainer in accordance with various aspects of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9   b  is a front side view from the opening of an exemplary segmented retainer in accordance with various aspects of the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a bottom view of an exemplary pizza cutter in accordance with various aspects of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 11  is a view of segmented retainers in a closed pizza cutter in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The following description is of exemplary embodiment of the invention only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description is intended to provide a convenient illustration for implementing various embodiments of the invention. As will become apparent, various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described in these embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, in the context of the present invention, the apparatus hereof finds particular use in connection with the cutting of pizza into individual slices. However, generally speaking, it should be apparent that devices in accordance with the present invention should not be construed as limited to pizza cutting devices. Rather, the devices should be understood to have the ability to cut many materials now known or as yet unknown (and not necessarily just those associated with culinary applications). As such while the cutting of pizza is used for exemplary purposes herein, the scope of the present invention should not be so limited. 
   That said, the present invention is described herein with respect to cutting devices having at least one cutting wheel and may be used when cutting flat-bread style cuisine such as pizzas. For example, with reference to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 2 , pizza cutter  100  generally comprises a handle  110  and a blade  200 . 
   In this exemplary embodiment, blade  200  comprises a conventional stainless steel material, though any number of suitably rigid material capable of generally maintaining a sharp edge for slicing and cutting, whether now known or as yet unknown, may fall within the ambit of the present invention. With reference to  FIG. 3 , blade  200  is generally circular in shape, and though may be provided in any number of sizes, in this non-limiting embodiment, blade  200  has a diameter of about 10 cm. 
   In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, blade  200  further comprises a blade axle  210 . In this embodiment, blade axle  210  is a molded plastic axle (though, similar to the material selection of blade  200 , numerous known or unknown materials may be used) for facilitating the rotation of blade  200  in housing  110 . For example, with continuing reference to the embodiment described now and illustrated in  FIG. 3 , axle  210  has two opposing ends which, as described further below, engage axle bearing surfaces  175  (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) in housing  110 , and allow blade  200  to rotate with respect to housing  110 . 
   With particular reference to axle  210  of the presently described embodiment, each opposing end (though not shown in  FIG. 3 , the opposing end of axle  210  is generally similar to the shown end) of axle  210  has an axle lock (or “detent”)  220  which engages the aforementioned axle bearing surfaces. As will described further herein, benefits achieved by providing an ability for axle  210  to lock into housing  100  include the prevention of blade&#39;s  200  removal from housing  100  until desired and/or increased stability vis-à-vis less “rattle” or motion in axial or radial directions. 
   Further still, with continued reference to  FIG. 3 , blade  200  may further comprise features which help to facilitate its removal, storage, various aesthetical qualities and other characteristics. For example, in the presently described embodiment, blade  200  further comprises a removal facilitator  230  which can be grasped and used to pull blade  200  from housing  110 . Removal facilitator  230  generally comprises any portion of blade  200  which can be serve such a purpose, however, in the presently described embodiment facilitator  230  comprises a cavity through blade  200 . As such, while cavity  230  can be grasped for removal, other benefits, such as the ability to hang pizza cutter  100  by removal facilitator  230  are realized. 
   In accordance now with the presently described embodiment of the present invention, handle  110  comprises plastic, though any suitably rigid material capable of supporting blade  200  may be substituted in accordance with the present invention. For example, any number of polymeric materials, metals, or other elements may fall within the scope of the present invention. 
   With reference now to  FIG. 4 , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, handle  110  comprises a first half  120  and a second half  130  pivotally connected to one another by a housing axle  140 . Preferably, as will be defined further below, housing axle  140  is located on housing  110  proximate to a corner defined by an intersection point between a gripping border  150  and a blade exposing border  160 . Stated otherwise, first and second halves preferably pivot at a corner. 
   As will be described below, first and second halves  120 ,  130  preferably have an open position and a closed position. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, pizza cutter  100  is used when in the closed position. An embodiment of the present invention in a closed position is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Inapposite, an embodiment of the present invention in an open position is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . As will be described below, an open position thus facilitates removal of blade  200 , for inter alia, cleaning, storage, etc. 
   First and second halves  120 ,  130  generally may be comprised in any number of shapes and sizes and are generally mirror images of one another, though differences between the two halves  120 ,  130 , which facilitate benefits of the present invention, will be described below. That said, generally, halves  120 ,  130  are at least slightly bigger than blade  200  so that blade  200  may fit at least partially within housing  110  (assembled halves  120 ,  130 ). Additionally, while numerous shapes may be used and still fall within the scope of the present invention, certain shapes provide the ability to shield portions of blade  200  from user, as well as assist to concentrate force imparted from a user of cutter  100  through a center of blade  200 , increasing the efficacy of cutting. 
   For example, as is illustrated in  FIGS. 4–6 , halves  120 ,  130  have a generally “clam-shell”-like shape. That is each half  120 ,  130  as viewed from its broadest side, is comprised of an arcuate outer gripping border  150  having opposing ends  152  which are joined by a generally linearly extending blade exposing border  160 , providing the “clam-shell”-like shape. The clam-shell shape thus allows force from the user to be placed directly over the center of blade  200 . 
   Of course, it should be apparent to one skilled in the art that each border  150 ,  160  may take any number of shapes. However, the inventors of the present invention have found the arcuate gripping border and linear blade exposing border to be the most ergonomically and aesthetically pleasing. In particular, in this non-limiting embodiment, border  150  is an arcuate segment of about 150 to 210 degrees, and preferably closer to about 160 to about 170 degrees. Further, in accordance with the presently described embodiment, linear blade exposing border  160  is suitably comprised of two lines extending radially from a point located near a center  170  of, as described further below, axle bearing surfaces  175  for supporting blade axle  210 . 
   Further still, in the presently described embodiment, in furtherance of the clam-shell design, as well as in other configurations, halves  120 ,  130  are configured to accommodate blade  200  when closed. For example, each half  120 ,  130  are recessed such that when placed in a closed position, an outer shell is created having a hollow interior, into which blade  200  fits (see  FIGS. 7–8 , showing side views of the narrowest perspective of closed pizza cutter  100 ). 
   As mentioned above, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, halves  120 ,  130  are configured with bearing surfaces  175  for supporting blade  200 . As noted above, blade axle  210  engages axle bearing surfaces  175  when housing  110  is closed such that blade  200  can rotate within housing  110 . Additionally, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, halves  120 ,  130  further comprise segmented retainers  180 ,  190  which receive blade axle  210  and facilitate characteristics such as retention of blade  200  and/or stability of blade  200  within housing  110 . 
   In the presently described embodiment, each of segmented retainers  180 ,  190  is substantially similar in shape and size. Generally, with brief reference to  FIG. 9 , retainers comprise an arcuate wall  181 ,  191  extending from an inner surface  165  of each half  120 ,  130 . Arcuate wall  181 ,  191  is preferably generally circular shaped, with an opening  182 ,  192  to a cavity  183 ,  193  having an inner diameter substantially equal to a diameter of axle lock  220  on blade  200 , loose enough however, that blade  200  can rotate within housing  110 . Segmented retainers  180 ,  190  further comprise a clasping wall  184 ,  194  having generally the same shape a arcuate wall  181 ,  191 , having a similar positioned opening as wall  181 ,  191 , but having a narrower internal diameter such that when blade axle  210  is inserted into retainer  180 ,  190 , its removal is prevented by the interference between axle lock  220  and clasping wall  184 ,  194 . 
   However, as noted above, while halves  120 ,  130  are generally mirror images of one another, halves  120 ,  130  may purposely include differences in some of their respective components to facilitate advantages of the present invention. For example, segmented retainers  180 ,  190 , though having generally similar shapes on each half  120 ,  130 , are suitably oriented at different angles on each respective half so as to facilitate removal and insertion of blade  200  when open, but maintain blade  200  as captive when closed. The same in accomplished in various exemplary embodiments by ensuring the segmented retainers  180 ,  190 , have openings which are not coincident when housing  110  is closed. 
   For example, with reference to  FIG. 5 , half  130  represents an “insertion half” of housing  110  (the opposing half, a “pivoting half”). That is, in this exemplary embodiment, it is preferable that when housing  110  is open, blade axle  210  is inserted or removed from segmented retainer  180  found on this half  130 . That is, while blade axle  210  is located within both of retainers  180 ,  190  when closed, as halves  120 ,  130  are opened, one end of axle blade leaves retainer  190 , while remaining in retainer  180 . 
   With continuing reference to  FIG. 5 , half  130  has a border axis A—A passing through center  170 , and opening  182  has a central axis B—B, also passing through center  170 . Border axis A—A and central axis B—B thus define four regions, I, II, III, and IV, between the axes. In accordance with the present invention, preferably, central axis B—B is as close to coincident with axis A—A as possible (angle α approaches zero) between, while still allowing blade  200  to be slidably removed from axle lock  220  without substantial interference from the remainder of housing  110 /half  130 . Stated otherwise, preferably the area of region IV is minimized. 
   Somewhat similarly, but with reference to  FIG. 6 , half  120  has a second border axis A′—A′ passing through center  170 , and a second central axis B′—B′ through opening  192 , also passing through center  170 . Half  120  further comprises a tangent line T—T of a circle β having a center defined by the pivot point of housing axle  140  (about which half  120  pivots with respect to half  130 ), circle β having a radius (R) equal to the distance between the pivot point and center  170 . Tangent T—T and axis B′—B′ thus also define four regions, I′, II′, III′, and IV′. However, with respect to segment  192 , preferably, instead of axis B′—B′ being as close as possible to coincident with axis A′—A′, axis B′B′ is as close to coincident with tangent T—T as possible (angle α′ approaches zero). Stated otherwise, preferably the area of region IV′ is minimized. 
   Thus, when so configured, in the foregoing embodiment, when blade axle  210  is locked within axle locks  220  within closed housing  110 , openings  182 ,  192  are thus oriented in different directions (see  FIG. 11 ), and axle  210  is effectively retained within housing  110 . Moreover, in accordance with further aspects of the present invention, as housing  110  is opened, as axle  210  remains in half  130 , because opening  192  is oriented coincident with the tangent of a circle having a center as defined above and having a radius equal to the distance noted above, axle lock  220  slides through opening through the pivot of half  120 , without interference. 
   Now, in accordance with still other aspects of the present invention, other features and aspects may likewise be included in pizza cutters  100  of the present invention. For example, housing  110  may have a housing halves locking mechanism suitable for maintaining halves  120 ,  130  as closed until opening is desired. For example, with reference to FIGS.  4 — 6 , halves  120 ,  130  illustrate a locking mechanism  195  proximate to an upper portion of each half  120 ,  130 . Locking mechanism suitably comprises any known or as yet unknown mechanism capable of keeping two halves of such designs shut, but exemplary devices include interference and snap-fit mechanisms. Examples include protruding lips and clasps flexible enough to engage when force is applied, but rigid enough to stay together until enough force is re-applied to open. Other mechanisms include projections and detents on opposing halves. It should also be understood that while the presently locking mechanism  195  is located proximate to an upper portion of housing  110 , mechanism  195  may be located elsewhere on housing. Likewise, multiple locking mechanisms may be used depending on the amount of certainty housing  110  will remain closed. In any event, it should appreciated that many locking mechanisms and varying numbers of the same may be employed and still fall within the scope of the present invention. 
   Last, various principles of the invention have been described in illustrative embodiments. However, many combinations and modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, proportions, elements, materials and components, used in the practice of the invention, in addition to those not specifically described, may be varied and particularly adapted to specific environments and operating requirements without departing from those principles.