DE102008040937A1 - Device for cutting processed material, in particular for dicing food, and food processor - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for cutting up processed goods, in particular for dicing foods, comprising a cutting tool (6) that rotates along a cutting grid (7) about a rotating axis, said tool being supported radially outward by way of at least one support device (21). According to the invention, the cutting tool (6) comprises at least one cutting blade (20) and a blade carrier provided near the outer periphery thereof that completely surrounds the blade, said carrier being for the purposes of abutting against the at least one radially outward-acting support device (21). The support device (21) preferably comprises hook-like latching elements (22) that are pivotably disposed at a housing section (5) and that sit against the upper axial surface (26) of an annular element (19) of the blade carrier in the latched position. This embodiment allows the support devices (21) and the device (1) as a whole to be very easy to hold, so that the device (1) is no longer reserved only for professional use. Also, the noise level during operation of the device can be reduced. Moreover, the device can also be cleaned easily, and can even be cleaned in the dishwasher with a suitable selection of materials.

Description

Background of the invention

The Invention relates to a device for cutting processed material, especially for dicing food, with one along a cutting gate rotating about a rotation axis cutting tool, which radially by means of at least one support means is supported outside in the axial direction. The invention further relates to a food processor equipped therewith.

State of the art

A generic device for dicing food, especially fruit and vegetables, is from the German utility model DE 203 14 247 U1 known. It consists of a stationary arranged in the machine frame cuboid and a parallel to this rotating knife. The material to be processed introduced into the device via a feed chute is first sliced by the knife, which is then pressed by the knife through the dice gate. The knife is bar-shaped and has two knife blades, which are arranged in mirror image to each other and connected to the drive shaft of the device.

The Knife blades join in with the cube gate Rotation of the knife narrowing wedge gap, by means of which the required for cutting the material to be processed in the cube gate Axial force is generated. The corresponding counterforce is through a support device in the form of two to the cube gate intercepted conically tapered support rollers, the area of the first area swept by the cutter bar Dice gate at the level of the outer circumference of the knife are arranged. The complementary to the conical Support rollers shaped outer circumference of each knife blade runs at Operation of the device once per turn in the role, which the axial, acting on the knife, from the cube gate away directed reaction forces and into the machine frame derives. This will cause an inadmissible bending of the knife avoided, which leads to an uneven machining result and contact of the knife with the feed chute can lead. About a clamping device can the conical rollers in their axial position relative to the machine frame be set.

At This device may be disadvantageous in that the knife blades at each revolution against the conical surface of the Support rollers run, reducing the noise emission the device is increased. In addition there is the risk that constituents of the material to be processed arrive on arrival the knife blades in the support rollers between these and the Outside circumference of the knife advised. With wrong attitude the support rollers are an increased wear or even damage to the knife or support not excluded.

The German Auslegeschrift DE 1 156 267 describes a similar machine for chopping substantially cube-shaped pieces of root crops or the like, in which the bar knife is sickle-shaped. The radially outer periphery of each knife blade is thickened into a bead having a rectangular cross section. The beads are guided in an inner radial groove of the housing divided in the groove area. In a bending of the knife over a predetermined amount, in principle, there is the possibility that the beads are supported on the axial surface of the radial groove facing away from the cube gate. The beads are further equipped with tapered front surfaces, which remove machining material from the radial groove during rotation of the knife.

Also In this design, the risk of increased Wear exist, especially in a tight fit between the beads and the radial groove.

In the German utility model DE 203 14 246 U1 Another device for dicing fruit and vegetables is disclosed which comprises a wing knife and a static cube gate. The device is not equipped with a separate supporting device for the knife connected to the motor shaft of the drive, so that the forces acting on the knife during operation axial forces must be completely dissipated via the engine mount.

Another operating principle is from the utility model DE 20 2006 017 087 U1 known. In this case, the material to be processed, for example meat, is driven by means of a ram through a Gattermessereinrichtung. The gate blade device consists of a first guide frame with a plurality of parallel aligned Gattermessern which are linearly reciprocated in a plane perpendicular to the feed direction of the Bearbeitungsguts, whereby the Bearbeitungsgut is cut. The gate blade device is further equipped with a second guide frame, in which also parallel spaced gate blades are arranged. These move, rotated 90 ° to the first gate knives, also in a plane perpendicular to the feed direction. The processed material is cut rod-like by the Gattermessern and subsequently separated from a downstream of the Gattermessers to this parallel rotating knife into cubes. Storage as well as construction of the Knives are not shown in this document or only hinted.

A similar dicer is described in the patent DE 827 844 described. There, below the dynamically acting knife gate, a rotating knife is arranged in a disk-like, solidly executed support, which is supported exclusively in its center by the drive shaft.

In the German Offenlegungsschrift DE 43 33 096 A1 discloses a device for rasping or grating food, which are fed via a magazine shaft after passing through a Gattermessers on the end face of a disc-like rotating tool, which is equipped with a plurality of rasp edges for cutting the Bearbeitungsguts. The relatively thin-walled rasping disc is mounted to increase its strength on a spoked wheel-like support disc, by means of which the forces acting on the radially outwardly unsupported rasp disc axial forces are transmitted to the drive shaft.

The invention is based task

Of the Invention is based on the object, a generic To further develop a device for cutting processed material so that even with a cost-effective construction a secure function, quiet operation and easy handling especially for dicing less hard foods, such as fruits or vegetables. The device should basically also be used in kitchen appliances intended for home use be suitable.

invention solution

The The object underlying the invention is in a device of the type mentioned solved in that the cutting tool at least one cutting blade and one in the region of its outer periphery completely circulating, to the plant to the at least one provided radially outwardly supporting device Has knife carrier.

There the support means the circumferential outer circumference of the knife carrier is a cyclic and failure prone running of the cutting tool not required in the support device. The cutting tool rather, in the associated device housing be positioned, reducing the location of the outer circumference the knife carrier relative to the at least one support device is essentially fixed. It is achievable by the invention, that the outer periphery of the knife carrier in operation Although the device on the or the support devices running along, its location opposite this overall However, of production-related form and position deviations as well elastic deformations apart, not changed. hereby the handling of the device can be considerably simplified as an adjustment of the support devices in the rule is not required or at least greatly simplified. As a result, the support means and the device as a whole structurally kept fairly simple so that the device is not just for the professional Use is suitable. By eliminating the cyclical shrinkage In the support device may further the noise level during operation the device can be lowered. In addition, it is achievable that the device easily and, with a suitable material selection, can also be cleaned in the dishwasher.

Preferred embodiment of invention

advantageous Training or further education, which individually or in combination with each other can be used are the subject of the dependent Claims.

in principle it is possible to support in spite of circulating Outside perimeter of the knife carrier on the areas restrict the cutting tool in which the cutting blades are arranged. This can be done, for example, by appropriately arranged, frontal thickening of the outer circumference done. With The advantage is the system between knife carrier and support device however, provided continuously, making the operation particularly quiet and can be done reliably.

With particular advantage is the knife carrier in the field of Rotary axis with a coupling device for initiating a drive torque provided, which a quick and easy change of rotating cutting tool allows. The constructive Structure and handling of the coupling device can be simplified in particular by the fact that the axial forces at least proportionally on the support device be derived in the device housing.

at A preferred embodiment of the invention is for reduction provided by material cost and weight of the cutting tool, that the blade carrier radially outside to a plant Has provided on the support means ring element, which forms the respective outer circumference. This Ring element is advantageous by or the required anyway Cutting knife connected to the coupling device, so that the construction of the cutting tool can be simplified again.

The Supporting device is after a particularly advantageous Formation of the invention for axially sliding drive on the Knife carrier of the cutting tool provided. By the Abandon rolling rolling elements are the Structure of the device cheaper and their cleaning facilitated. The sliding friction is achieved by appropriate material pairings between knife carrier and support device, for example, the use of plastics such as polyoxymethylene (POM) or polyamide (PA), kept low, with juices again reduce friction from the material to be processed.

To A preferred embodiment is the at least one support device provided on a housing part, on which the cutting tool is rotatably mounted. The housing part can, for example have a cylindrical shape, wherein the knife carrier with its outer circumference on the face of this Cylinder rests. In such a housing part can Furthermore, without any special effort for the purpose of exchange or Cleaning removable cutting gate can be used.

With Particularly advantageous, the support means a number of releasable locking elements, which for grasping are formed of the outer periphery of the cutting tool. The axial securing of the cutting tool can by this training particularly easy to be realized. In addition, can the handling is made simpler and more intuitive.

constructive preferred is an embodiment in which the outer circumference of the cutting tool on its side facing away from the housing part axial surface equipped with a circumferential bead, that of the locking elements is grabbed restraining. For fixing the locking elements in their closed position No further facilities are required. This is especially true when the locking elements are hook-shaped and tangentially to the circumference of the housing part pivotally with this are connected. To even out the load transfer from the cutting tool into the associated housing part preferably four locking elements evenly over arranged distributed over the circumference of the housing part.

Brief description of the figures

The The invention will be described below with reference to schematic drawings two embodiments in more detail with more details explained.

It demonstrate:

1 FIG. 3: a three-dimensional view of a device according to the invention with 1a ) as well as without ( 1b ) attached lid and feed chute;

2 : a section through the device after 1a ;

3 : An exploded view of the upper housing part of the device according to

1 and 2 and the associated attachments in oblique view from above;

4 : a comparable view from diagonally below;

5 a perspective view of housing part and cutting tool in the locked state;

6 : At sight ( 6c ), Views from below ( 6a ) and from the side ( 6b ) as well as different cuts (section AA in 6d , Cut BB in 6e ) the in 5 shown components;

7 FIG. 2: a section through a device according to a further embodiment of the invention in unlocked ( 7a ) and locked ( 7b ) Status.

Detailed description the invention with reference to two embodiments

Direction and position information in the following description refers to the usual, inter alia in 2 shown installation and operating position of the device.

In the 1 and 2 illustrated device 1 for dicing food includes one from a side handle 2 provided, cylindrical bowl 3 , which is intended to be placed on a non-illustrated food processor. The food processor has an upwardly projecting drive shaft, which in operation the bowl 3 in the region of a central, sleeve-like recess 4 penetrates.

On the upper edge of the bowl 3 is a housing part 5 attached, which on the one hand the dynamic cutting tool 6 and on the other hand, the static cutting gate 7 receives. The housing part 5 is with a lid 8th lockable, which in the area of the cutting gate 7 an upwardly projecting feed chute 9 for the supply of the processed material. The drive shaft of the food processor, not shown, is in a conventional manner in the upper region of the recess 4 for transmitting the torque form-fit in a coupling device 10 of the cutting tool 6 admitted.

The housing part 5 is how out 3 and 4 seen circular disk-shaped and arranged with an eccentrically arranged, approximately rectangular opening 11 provided for the passage of the material to be processed, which tapers conically in the lower area. On provided in the tapered part of the opening support ribs 12 is the equally rectangular cutting gate 7 flush with the top 13 of the housing part 5 placed. In the housing part 5 is also located centrally a substantially cylindrical, vertical in operating position bore 14 , whose lateral surface partially in the breakthrough 11 passes. The cutting gate 7 For this reason, one of the lateral surface following recess 15 on.

The hole 14 is to receive the sleeve-like coupling device 10 of the cutting tool 6 provided, which is designed to be placed down on the drive shaft of the food processor down. At the top is the cutting tool 6 in the region of the coupling device 10 with a circumferential collar 16 and a pen 17 (please refer 2 ), which are arranged coaxially to one another and to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft. The cutting tool 6 on the one hand on the lower lateral surface of the coupling device 10 in the hole 14 and on the other hand by collar 16 or pen 17 on a downwardly projecting annular projection 18 of the lid 8th mounted radially.

The cutting tool 7 is further provided with a coaxially aligned to the axis of rotation, in the region of its outer circumference completely encircling ring member 19 equipped, which has two horizontally extending, opposing cutting blade 20 with the upper part of the coupling device 10 connected is. ring element 19 and coupling device 10 thus together form a knife carrier for the cutting tool 6 out. The cutting knife 20 are arranged inclined in a conventional manner, that of the cutting tool 6 in slices transversely cut material to be processed during its rotation in the direction of the arrow A due to wedge action by the cutting gate 7 driven and cut there longitudinally.

Along the outer circumference are evenly distributed on the housing part 5 support devices 21 in the form of hook-like locking elements 22 arranged at its lower end in each case about a vertical, tangential to the outer circumference of the housing part 5 aligned axis of rotation 23 are pivotable. In the 3 and 4 are the locking elements 22 pictured in their unlocked position while the following 5 and 6 show them in the locked state.

During commissioning of the device 1 becomes the coupling device 10 into the hole 14 pushed in until the lower axial surface 24 of the ring element 19 on the top 13 of the housing part 5 rests. The following are the opened latch elements 22 through a to the center of the housing part 5 directed pivoting with its upper horizontal leg 25 over the upper axial surface 26 of the ring element 19 pushed until they rest against each other. The locking elements 22 form with the ring element 19 while a bistable system, which due to elastic deformation of the locking elements 22 as well as in the housing part 5 offset in rotation axes 23 in the locked state generates a biasing force in the locking direction. When manually releasing the locking elements 22 after overcoming a dead center without further action acted upon by an opposing force acting in the direction of its unlocking position.

When operating one with the device 1 equipped kitchen machine arises due to inclination of the cutting blade 20 in connection with the resistance of the cutting gate 7 one on the cutting tool 6 acting, upward axial force, which of the support means 21 in the housing part 5 is derived. The locking elements 22 thus serve not only the cohesion of cutting tool 6 and housing part 5 rather, form ring element 19 , Top 13 of the housing part 5 and the locking elements 22 together a low-noise, easy-to-handle and to be cleaned thrust bearing for the cutting tool 6 out.

In the execution after 7 is the upper axial surface 26 of the ring element 19 of the cutting tool 6 on its outer circumference with a circumferential bead 27 provided, which when closing the locking elements 22 is grabbed restraining. The upper horizontal leg 25 each bar element 22 is for this purpose with a bead 27 in the locking position receiving crank 28 fitted. The device 1 is still another in 3 ejector shown 29 assigned to the cutting gate 7 complementary grid of cuboidal projections 30 and a handle 31 and for manually cleaning the cutting gate 7 can be used.

housing part 5 , Lid 8th as well as ring element 19 and coupling device 10 the device 1 are preferably made by injection molding of plastic, wherein wear and frictional resistance of the sliding surfaces are kept low by a suitable material pairing. The cutting knife 20 For example, made of metal and radially outward and radially inward with the material of ring element 19 and coupling device 10 to be overmoulded. Alternatively, it is planned the complete cutting tool 6 as well as the cutting gate 7 each in one piece in plastic form. The locking elements 22 For example, can also be injection molded from plastic or bent from spring steel.

The in the above description, the claims and the Drawings disclosed features can both individually as well as in any combination for the realization the invention in its various embodiments of importance be.

1

contraption (for dicing food)

2

handle

3

bowl

4

recess

5

housing part

6

cutting tool

7

cutting grid

8th

cover

9

feed chute

10

coupling device

11

breakthrough

12

supporting rib

13

top

14

drilling

15

indentation

16

collar

17

pen

18

annular projection

19

ring element

20

cutting blade

21

support means

22

locking element

23

axis of rotation (of the locking element)

24

axial surface (of the locking element, below)

25

horizontal leg

26

axial surface (of the locking element, above)

27

bead

28

cranking

29

ejector

30

head Start

31

grip

A

arrow (Direction of rotation of the cutting tool)

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 20314247 U1 [0002]
• - DE 1156267 [0005]
• - DE 20314246 U1 [0007]
• - DE 202006017087 U1 [0008]
• - DE 827844 [0009]
• DE 4333096 A1 [0010]

Claims (13)

Contraption ( 1 ) for cutting processed material, in particular for dicing foodstuffs, with one along a cutting gate ( 7 ) about a rotation axis rotating cutting tool ( 6 ), which by means of at least one support device ( 21 ) is supported radially outward in the axial direction, characterized in that the cutting tool ( 6 ) at least one cutting blade ( 20 ) and in the region of its outer circumference completely encircling, for engagement with the at least one radially outwardly acting support device ( 21 ) provided knife carrier. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the system between knife carrier and supporting device ( 21 ) is provided continuously. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the knife carrier in the region of the axis of rotation with a coupling device ( 10 ) is provided for initiating a drive torque. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the knife carrier radially outwardly provided for abutment against the support means ring element ( 19 ) having. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the ring element ( 19 ) by the one or more cutting blades ( 20 ) with the coupling device ( 10 ) connected is. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supporting device ( 21 ) for axially sliding engagement with the knife carrier of the cutting tool ( 6 ) is provided. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one support device ( 21 ) on a housing part ( 5 ) is provided, on which the cutting tool ( 6 ) is rotatably mounted. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the cutting gate ( 7 ) in the housing part ( 5 ) can be used. Apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the supporting device ( 21 ) a number of releasable locking elements ( 22 ), which for gripping the outer periphery of the cutting tool ( 6 ), in particular of the ring element ( 19 ), are formed. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the outer circumference of the cutting tool ( 6 ) on its housing part ( 5 ) facing away axial surface ( 26 ) with a circumferential bead (( 27 ), which of the locking elements ( 22 ) is grabbed restraining. Apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the locking elements ( 22 ) hook-shaped and tangential to the circumference of the housing part ( 5 ) are pivotally connected to this. Device according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that preferably four locking elements ( 22 ) evenly over the circumference of the housing part ( 5 ) are arranged distributed. Food processor with a device after a of the preceding claims.