Abstract:
A slicing device that is able to cut a pie or other similar item into a number of pieces in which the size of each piece is substantially fixed prior to cutting. In the example of the invention, the pie is cut into a number of pieces in which each piece is substantially the same size as each of the other pieces. For example, the pie cutter may cut the pie into eight pieces, with each of the eight pieces being the same size. In some examples of the invention, the device can be reconfigured or adjusted so that it can cut the pie into a different number of pieces.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 60/887,503, filed Jan. 31, 2007. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to cutting devices, particularly including devices for cutting pies or similar baked goods. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Currently, pies or similar baked goods are cut using a knife or the edge of a pie serving tool. While these devices are able to cut through the pie, they are no help at all in ensuring that the pie is cut evenly into the desired number of pieces. There is a need for a device that can cut a pie into even-sized pieces. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The invention comprises a device that is able to cut a pie or other similar item into a number of pieces in which the size of each piece is substantially fixed prior to cutting. In the example of the invention as shown, the pie is cut into a number of pieces in which each piece is substantially the same size as each of the other pieces. For example, the pie cutter may cut the pie into eight pieces, with each of the eight pieces being the same size. In some examples of the invention, the device can be reconfigured or adjusted so that it can cut the pie into a different number of pieces. For example, a single device may be constructed so that it can optionally cut the pie into either six or eight even pieces, as desired. In other examples of the invention, the pie cutter can be configured to cut the pie into a number of pieces that are differently sized from one another, but in a size relationship that is predetermined prior to cutting. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an example of the invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of an example of the invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of an example of the invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a side view of an example of the invention; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of an example of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an example of the invention. In the version shown in  FIG. 1 , the pie cutter is configured with eight blades  20  that are evenly spaced in order to cut a pie into eight even pieces. It should be understood that while the term “pie cutter” is used for convenience, the cutting device as shown and described can be readily used for cutting other food items such as cakes, cheesecakes, pastries, and other items. 
         [0012]    Each of the blades  20  is held in place by a cap assembly  30 . In the form as shown, the cap assembly includes mechanical structures to hold the blades in the desired spatial relationships, although in other forms of the invention the blades may be fixed using other structures that are separated from the cap assembly. In one example, the blades can be permanently affixed to one another at the center of the pie cutter such that each of the blades extends radially outward from a central axis. 
         [0013]    As best seen in  FIG. 5 , the preferred form of the blade  20  includes a main blade body  26 , a sharpened lower portion  24 , and a sharpened outer portion  22 . The blades may be formed from plastic, stainless steel, or other suitable materials. The lower portion  22  is preferably generally straight and has an edge that is orthogonal to a first end of the blade as well as a central axis extending through the cap assembly when the blade is attached to the cap assembly. The sharpened outer portion  22  has an edge that is inclined somewhat from the vertical (that is, a line parallel to the central axis of the cap assembly), forming an obtuse angle consistent with the incline of the perimeter of a typical pie pan. 
         [0014]    The blade  20  includes an axial edge  27  that, when the blade is attached to the cap assembly  30 , is aligned with or closely adjacent the central axis extending through the cap assembly. A tab  28  extends axially upward in a direction opposite from the lower edge  24 , and includes a pair of flanges  29  at the top of the tab  28  and orthogonal to the tab. 
         [0015]    In the example as illustrated, the cap assembly  30  includes a rigid core  31  having a top section  35  and a bottom section  36 . Each of the pieces of the cap assembly are preferably formed from plastic, but could alternatively be formed from nearly any material such as stainless steel or wood. The core  31  is received within a cylindrical cover  32  and is held in place within the cover by a cap  33 . As shown, a threaded fastener  34  attached to and extending downward from the cap mates with a complementary threaded slot within the core  31  to secure the cap, cover, and core together. The threaded fastener  34  projects axially downward and defines the central axis of the cap assembly. Alternative forms, such as snap fittings and the like may be used instead. Likewise, the threaded fastener need not extend through the central axis. For that matter, the cap and cover may be excluded altogether, and the device may instead use only the core  31  or similar structure to join the blades together in a desired configuration. 
         [0016]    As shown and described, the core  31  includes a top section  35  and a bottom section  36 . The top section includes six slots  38 , with each of the slots being sized and shaped to snugly receive the “T” shape of the tab  28  and flange  29  combination from any one of the blades  20 . The bottom section includes eight slots  37  that are configured in the same manner. Either the top or bottom sections may have a different number of slots (for example, 4, 5, 7, 9, or 10) to enable the pie to be cut in a corresponding number of pieces. In a device configured with a single core piece  31 , the pie cutter can be configured to cut a pie into any two different numbers of pieces. 
         [0017]    In alternate forms, however, the pie cutter is accompanied by a plurality of core pieces with many different numbers of slots  37 ,  38 . By mating a desired core within the cap assembly and inserting the blades, the pie cutter can then cut the pie into the desired number of pieces. 
         [0018]    In yet other examples of the invention, a plurality of core sections  31  are sized and shaped so that the cover  32  can retain the plurality of core sections within it at the same time. For example, a first core having an upper section with four slots and a lower section with five slots, plus a second core having six and seven slots, and a third core having eight and nine slots may all be simultaneously retained within a cover  32  so long as the cover is the appropriate size to accommodate them. Similarly, in such an embodiment the cap  33  preferably includes a fastener  34  (threaded or otherwise) that is sufficiently long to extend through all three cores. Alternatively, each of the plurality of cores may be snap-fit or otherwise secured to one another, either with or without the use of a cover and threaded fastener. 
         [0019]    In the preferred examples of the invention as described, the core sections include slots that are evenly spaced to cut the pie into an even number of pieces. In some examples of the invention the slots within the core sections are unevenly spaced. For example, it may be desirable to cut a pie into eight pieces, wherein four of them are somewhat larger and four are somewhat smaller. By configuring the slots within the core in the appropriate spacing, the pie can be cut in that manner. 
         [0020]    In order to use the pie cutter, the proper blade orientation is chosen and the blades are attached to the appropriate core. If a cover and cap are included, the cover and cap are attached as described above. The pie cutter is then placed over the pie and pressed straight down in order to cut the pie into the chosen number of pieces. The cap assembly is useful for this purpose, and preferably includes a top surface that is sized and shaped to be pressed by the palm of a hand or to be gripped within the palm of a hand. In alternate forms of the invention, not shown, a handle is provided to be grasped to press the pie cutter downward. 
         [0021]    After the pie has been cut, the pie cutter can remain in place when pieces are removed. This provides a number of advantages. When the pie is of a type that has juices that flow readily the pie cutter can help to retain the filling within each piece separately rather than allowing it to flow into the space vacated by a piece of pie that has been removed. In addition, the blade seals the filling of the pie for those pieces that are not removed from the pan. By leaving the pie cutter in place when a portion of the pie is not immediately consumed, the remaining pieces stay fresher than they would otherwise if the pie cutter is not left in place. 
         [0022]    While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.