GB2174033A

GB2174033A - Biscuit cutting roller

Info

Publication number: GB2174033A
Application number: GB08504523A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ho Yin Tong
Original assignee: ORIENTAL HOUSEWARES
Current assignee: ORIENTAL HOUSEWARES
Priority date: 1985-02-21
Filing date: 1985-02-21
Publication date: 1986-10-29
Also published as: GB8504523D0

Abstract

A cutter for biscuits and the like comprises a central roller (1) having axially extended handles (2,3), the roller (1) being provided with means (4,7) for attaching a plurality of detachable outer elements (5) carrying cutting blades (8, 9, 10) such that for use the elements (5) conform to the profile of the roller (1) and the cutting blades (8, 9, 10) are arranged to extend radially outwards with their cutting edges lying on the surface of an imaginary cylinder coaxial with the roller (1). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Biscuit cutter This invention relates to a cutter for biscuits, cookies and the like enabling the cook to produce biscuits of predetermined shape by pressing a shaped cutter against a rolled-out sheet of dough.

Biscuits and cookies and pastries are frequently stamped out of a rolled sheet of dough using an individual cutter comprising a shaped cutting blade matching the required profile, attached to some form of handle. For example, a simple form of cookie or jam tart cutter comprises a generally circular cutting blade in the form of a short length of cylinder, conveniently with a handle across the diameter. More complicated shapes, such as gingerbread men require a suitably shaped convoluted cutting blade.

Cutters of this type only allow one shape to be cut at a time and it is clearly desirable to be able to cut several individual articles at once, but at the same time to have a cutter which is relatively neat and non-bulky so that it can be easily stored.

According to the present invention there is provided a cutter for biscuits and the like comprising a central roller having axially extended handles, the roller being provided with means for attaching a plurality of detachable outer elements carrying cutting blades such that for use the elements conform to the profile of the roller and the cutting blades are arranged to extend radially outwards with their cutting edges lying on the surface of an imaginary cylinder coaxial with the roller.

The cutter is thus essentially in the form of a rolling-pin with individual cutters mounted on the curved cylindral surface thereof. However, in order that the device may be easily cleaned, and so that different shapes may be selected, the cutters are mounted on individual detachable outer elements.

While these elements can be attached to the roller in any desired configuration, for example as a series of side-by-side rings, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the detachable elements essentially comprise longidinal sections of the curved surface of a cylinder superimposable on the roller. The means for attaching such elements may, for example, comprise partially segment-shaped end portions carrying resiliently deformable portions arranged to interlock with cooperating portions on the ends of the central roller.

Any suitable number of segmental strips of this kind may be employed, but for convenience 3 or 4 will provide the necessary width to encompass a suitable cookie shape. Each segmental strip may be mounted with one or more, preferably about 3, individual cutters.

For example, a cutter according to the invention may comprise a central roller fitted with four segmental outer elements, each carrying three cutters disposed longitudinally. The cutter in this embodiment thus presents 12 separate cutting shapes.

In use, the cutter is simply used in the same manner as a rolling pin, that is to say it is rolled across a previously rolled-out sheet of dough, so that the pressure applied forces the cutters through the dough and cuts it into the appropriate shapes.

The cutter may be made of any convenient material, in particular a mouldable thermoplastic or thermosetting resin, for example, polystyrene, polyamide or a polyalkylene. The cutter may be any convenient size, but generally is of a similar size to an ordinary kitchen rolling pin. Thus, for example, the circumference of the central roller is conveniently about 6 centimeters and its length about 26 cm. The cutting blades themselves are conveniently about 1 to 1.5cm in depth. The handles are conveniently about 10cm long.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 represents a general perspective view of the cutter in its assembled state: Figure 2 represents a longitudinal section of the cutter; and Figure 3 represents a perspective view of the cutter partially disassembled.

Referring to the drawings, a central roller 1 is provided with two axially extending integral cylindrical handles 2, 3, formed as a one-piece moulding. The ends of the roller are recessed, so as to provide a circumferential rim 4.

Individual elements are provided for attachment to the roller 1 in the form of segmental strips 5 adapted to conform to the curved surface of the roller 1. The strips 5 have partially segmental end portions 6 arranged to overlap the ends of the roller 1. Each end portion 6 is provided with a resiliently deformable tang 7, designed to cooperate with the rim 4. Each segmental strip 5 is mounted with 3 individual cutting blades 8, 9, 10, which may be the same as each other or different in shape, although 3 different cutting blades are illustrated.

For use, the individual segmental strips 5 carrying the cutting blade 8, 9, 10, are pressed against the roller 1 so that the resilient tangs 7 are deformed and clip over the circumferential rim 4 to provide a fully assembled cutter as shown in Figure 1.

Each resilient tang 7 is formed integrally with a release lever 11, so that the cutter may be dismantled by easing the levers 11 in a direction radially outwards from the axis of the roller 1, thus releasing the tang 7 from the rim 4.

For different shapes, different strips 5 can be applied to the central roller 1.

1. A cutter for biscuits and the like comprising a central roller having axially extended handles, the roller being provided with means for attaching a plurality of detachable outer elements carrying cutting blades such that for use the elements conform to the profile of the roller and the cutting blades are arranged to extend radially outwards with their cutting edges lying on the surface of an imaginary cylinder coaxial with the roller.

2. A cutter according to claim 1 in which the detachable elements essentially comprise longitu

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Biscuit cutter This invention relates to a cutter for biscuits, cookies and the like enabling the cook to produce biscuits of predetermined shape by pressing a shaped cutter against a rolled-out sheet of dough. Biscuits and cookies and pastries are frequently stamped out of a rolled sheet of dough using an individual cutter comprising a shaped cutting blade matching the required profile, attached to some form of handle. For example, a simple form of cookie or jam tart cutter comprises a generally circular cutting blade in the form of a short length of cylinder, conveniently with a handle across the diameter. More complicated shapes, such as gingerbread men require a suitably shaped convoluted cutting blade. Cutters of this type only allow one shape to be cut at a time and it is clearly desirable to be able to cut several individual articles at once, but at the same time to have a cutter which is relatively neat and non-bulky so that it can be easily stored. According to the present invention there is provided a cutter for biscuits and the like comprising a central roller having axially extended handles, the roller being provided with means for attaching a plurality of detachable outer elements carrying cutting blades such that for use the elements conform to the profile of the roller and the cutting blades are arranged to extend radially outwards with their cutting edges lying on the surface of an imaginary cylinder coaxial with the roller. The cutter is thus essentially in the form of a rolling-pin with individual cutters mounted on the curved cylindral surface thereof. However, in order that the device may be easily cleaned, and so that different shapes may be selected, the cutters are mounted on individual detachable outer elements. While these elements can be attached to the roller in any desired configuration, for example as a series of side-by-side rings, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the detachable elements essentially comprise longidinal sections of the curved surface of a cylinder superimposable on the roller. The means for attaching such elements may, for example, comprise partially segment-shaped end portions carrying resiliently deformable portions arranged to interlock with cooperating portions on the ends of the central roller. Any suitable number of segmental strips of this kind may be employed, but for convenience 3 or 4 will provide the necessary width to encompass a suitable cookie shape. Each segmental strip may be mounted with one or more, preferably about 3, individual cutters. For example, a cutter according to the invention may comprise a central roller fitted with four segmental outer elements, each carrying three cutters disposed longitudinally. The cutter in this embodiment thus presents 12 separate cutting shapes. In use, the cutter is simply used in the same manner as a rolling pin, that is to say it is rolled across a previously rolled-out sheet of dough, so that the pressure applied forces the cutters through the dough and cuts it into the appropriate shapes. The cutter may be made of any convenient material, in particular a mouldable thermoplastic or thermosetting resin, for example, polystyrene, polyamide or a polyalkylene. The cutter may be any convenient size, but generally is of a similar size to an ordinary kitchen rolling pin. Thus, for example, the circumference of the central roller is conveniently about 6 centimeters and its length about 26 cm. The cutting blades themselves are conveniently about 1 to 1.5cm in depth. The handles are conveniently about 10cm long. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 represents a general perspective view of the cutter in its assembled state: Figure 2 represents a longitudinal section of the cutter; and Figure 3 represents a perspective view of the cutter partially disassembled. Referring to the drawings, a central roller 1 is provided with two axially extending integral cylindrical handles 2, 3, formed as a one-piece moulding. The ends of the roller are recessed, so as to provide a circumferential rim 4. Individual elements are provided for attachment to the roller 1 in the form of segmental strips 5 adapted to conform to the curved surface of the roller 1. The strips 5 have partially segmental end portions 6 arranged to overlap the ends of the roller 1. Each end portion 6 is provided with a resiliently deformable tang 7, designed to cooperate with the rim 4. Each segmental strip 5 is mounted with 3 individual cutting blades 8, 9, 10, which may be the same as each other or different in shape, although 3 different cutting blades are illustrated. For use, the individual segmental strips 5 carrying the cutting blade 8, 9, 10, are pressed against the roller 1 so that the resilient tangs 7 are deformed and clip over the circumferential rim 4 to provide a fully assembled cutter as shown in Figure 1. Each resilient tang 7 is formed integrally with a release lever 11, so that the cutter may be dismantled by easing the levers 11 in a direction radially outwards from the axis of the roller 1, thus releasing the tang 7 from the rim 4. For different shapes, different strips 5 can be applied to the central roller 1. CLAIMS

2. A cutter according to claim 1 in which the detachable elements essentially comprise longitu dinal sections of the curved surface of a cylinder superimposable on the roller.

3. A cutter according to claim 2 provided with three or four detachable elements.

4. A cutter according to claim 2 or claim 3, in which each detachable element has partially segment shaped end portions carrying resiliently deformable attaching means capable of cooperating with complementary means located on the ends of the roller.

5. A cutter for biscuits or the like substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.