EP2277673A1 - A device for partial cutting of vegetables and associated method - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (10) has a support (14) provided with a maintaining unit (16) on which a food product (12) is arranged. A cutting block (18) is arranged above the support. Blades (34) directed along a cutting direction (D) and fingers (40) directed according to the cutting direction are included in the block. The fingers is intercalated between the blades. The maintenance unit comprises an impression unit (20) taking a shape of a profile cavity (22) adapted to the food product. A wall (24) of the cavity envelopes a part (23) of volume of the food product. An independent claim is also included for a method for preparation pieces of vegetables and fruits by carrying out partial cutting.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for partially cutting vegetables, more particularly vegetable flowers, and the method associated with this device for obtaining vegetable flowers.

By vegetable flowers, the invention means a partial cutting of a vegetable so that after cutting, there remains a base to which are secured the various cut portions of said vegetable.

It is not a pre-cut, the purpose of the invention being precisely that the different cut parts remain attached to the same base in order to manipulate the vegetable thus cut in subsequent operations and market it under a presentable appearance.

Various kitchen devices or accessories are known for cutting different kinds of vegetables or fruits.

So, in the French patent FR-2851190 it is described a household kitchen utensil for cutting fruits or vegetables diced.

For this purpose, this first cutting device of the prior art comprises a set of vertical blades through which the product to be cut is pushed. The pusher nut is driven in translation towards the vertical blades by a screw connected to a crank actuated by the user, while a horizontal blade, arranged under the set of vertical blades, is secured to the end of said screw and therefore rotated simultaneously with said screw.

This first cutting device of the prior art allows to cut vegetables or fruit simultaneously in two dimensions and without manual recovery by the user.

However, because of the cutting process and in particular the horizontal blade driven in rotation under the set of vertical blades, this first device is not intended and can not achieve vegetable flowers in the sense of the invention .

According to another design, a second type of cutting device of the prior art, described in the French patent FR-2775429 , comprises a cutting tool mounted on a carriage and having multiple blades installed according to the spokes of a wheel and a punch tube at its center.

The product to be cut is placed on a perforated base within a particularly transparent cutting chamber and, under the action of a mechanical device, the carriage drives the cutting tool through the object to be cut. cutting, the open base allowing the cutting tool of the knives to disengage entirely from said product.

This second cutting device of the prior art leads to obtaining separate portions of the product to be cut, it can not allow partial cutting of the product.

Indeed, if the user stops the descent of the cutting tool before it passes through the perforated base, the product remains stuck on the cutting tool and removal of the partially cut product is difficult or dangerous because of the knives .

It can thus be seen that the cutting devices of the prior art are not designed to allow partial cutting or "blooming" of agri-food products such as fruits or vegetables.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to fill the gaps of cutting devices of the prior art by providing a cutting device vegetables, or other agri-foodstuffs, making it possible to easily and quickly obtain a partial or blooming cut of one or more vegetables for subsequent preparation or marketing.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a device for partial cutting of at least one product to be cut, such as a vegetable, a fruit or any other food product, comprising at least one support with holding means on which is deposited said product to be cut, and a cutting block disposed above said support, characterized in that the cutting block comprises at least one set of blades oriented in a cutting direction and at least one set of fingers oriented in said direction and interposed between said blades.

• la figure 1 représente schématiquement une coupe selon un plan vertical d'une vue de face d'un dispositif de découpe de légumes selon la présente invention,
• la figure 2 représente schématiquement une coupe selon un plan horizontal d'une vue de dessus d'un dispositif de découpe de légumes selon la présente invention,
• la figure 3 représente une vue en perspective d'un premier mode de réalisation d'un dispositif de découpe de légumes selon la présente invention,
• la figure 4 représente une vue en coupe selon un plan médian vertical d'un premier mode de réalisation d'un dispositif de découpe de légumes selon la présente invention,
• la figure 5 représente une vue en perspective d'un deuxième mode de réalisation d'un dispositif de découpe de légumes selon la présente invention,
• la figure 6 représente une vue en coupe d'un deuxième mode de réalisation d'un dispositif de découpe de légumes selon la présente invention.

Other features and advantages of the invention are mentioned in the following description, given by way of example and without limitation, and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• the figure 1 schematically represents a section along a vertical plane of a front view of a vegetable cutting device according to the present invention,
• the figure 2 schematically represents a section along a horizontal plane of a top view of a vegetable cutting device according to the present invention,
• the figure 3 represents a perspective view of a first embodiment of a vegetable cutting device according to the present invention,
• the figure 4 represents a sectional view along a vertical median plane of a first embodiment of a vegetable cutting device according to the present invention,
• the figure 5 represents a perspective view of a second embodiment of a vegetable cutting device according to the present invention,
• the figure 6 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of a vegetable cutting device according to the present invention.

As stated in the preamble, the present invention aims to obtain vegetable flowers made by performing a partial cutting of said vegetable and leaving the cut or sliced portions integral with the same base.

Of course, the invention may also be adapted to the partial cutting of fruit, any other food product, and possibly a non-food material, to achieve a flower as understood in the invention.

Vegetables that can be cut into flower according to the present invention are for example: radishes, pickles, carrots, zucchini corks, potatoes, leeks, turnips, ...

Thus, for the implementation of this particular cut, the invention provides a device 10 for partial cutting, illustrated schematically on the Figures 1 and 2 of at least one product 12 to be cut.

Said partial cutting device 10 comprises at least one support 14, which can act as a base of the device 10, with holding means 16 of the product 12 to be cut, and a cutting block 18 disposed above said support 14.

The holding means 16 on which the product 12 to be cut is deposited comprise at least one imprint 20.

In order to be able to easily deposit the product 12 to be cut, said cavity 20 takes the form of a cavity 22 of profile adapted to the product 12 to be cut, in particular vis-à-vis the shapes and dimensions of said product 12. Thus, said cavity 22 may have a flat bottom, rounded, more or less deep, ... In order to maintain the product 12 during cutting and to prevent said product 12 from escaping or sliding during cutting, the wall 24 of said cavity 22 envelopes at least a portion 23 of the volume of the product 12 to be cut.

As illustrated on Figures 1 and 2 said at least one imprint 20 of the holding means 16 may be provided in an independent element 26, placed on the support 14, and removable so as to constitute a set of several interchangeable elements 26 having cavities 22 different corresponding to different products 12 to cut.

According to a variant, in particular illustrated on the figures 3 and 4 said at least one imprint 20 of the holding means 16 is integrated in the support 14 acting as a base. In this case, the invention provides a set of several supports 14 easily interchangeable and having different cavities 22 corresponding to different products 12 to be cut.

Advantageously, said cavity 20 may comprise at least one pin 28 in the cavity 22 to ensure more surely the maintenance of the product 12 during cutting.

In order to allow a flower cut of the product 12 by the cutting block 18 according to the present invention, said cavity 22 allows to exceed at least a portion 30 of the volume of the product 12 to be cut.

Thus, the portion 23 of the product 12 enveloped in the cavity 22 substantially corresponds to the base of the product 12 cut in flower while the cut portions connected to said base are substantially made in the portion 30 protruding from the cavity 22.

To make said cut into flower, the block 18 of cutting according to the invention comprises at least one set 32 of blades 34 oriented in a cutting direction D, illustrated by an arrow in figure 1 said game 32 being mounted on a movable support 36, and at least one set 38 of fingers 40 oriented in said direction D and interposed between said blades 34, said sets (32, 38) of blades 34 and 40 fingers being located immediately above and right of the footprint 20 now the product 12 to cut.

Preferably, the cutting direction D is substantially vertical, but it can also provide that said direction D is inclined relative to the vertical.

The set 38 of fingers 40 is positioned at a height H of the imprint 20 of the holding means 16.

More specifically, the lower ends 41 of the fingers 40 are positioned at a height H with respect to the flange 42 of the cavity 22.

Advantageously, said height H is adapted to leave a clearance J sufficient to easily deposit and remove the product 12 of the footprint 20 under said sets (32,38) of blades 34 and fingers 40.

In order to be able to carry out a partial cutting of vegetables of different proportions and of various shapes, the height H can be adjusted by means of different sets 38 of fingers 40 of different lengths, or by means of a support 44 of said set 38 with adjustable height position, as illustrated by the arrow F1 in figure 1 or by any other means known to those skilled in the art.

The set 32 of blades 34 is mounted on a movable support 36 between a rest position, illustrated on the figures 1 , 3 , and 5 , making it possible to deposit and easily remove the product 12 from the imprint 20, and a partial end-of-stroke position of the product 12.

In the rest position, the set 32 of blades 34 is positioned at a height K of the imprint 20 of the holding means 16.

More specifically, the lower ends 46 of the blades 34 are positioned at a height K with respect to the rim 42 of the cavity 22.

Preferably, all the blades 34 are of identical height and their lower ends 46 are aligned at said height K.

According to one variant, the blades 34 may be of different heights in order to obtain a more original variable cut. In this case, said height K corresponds to an average height of the lower ends 46 of said blades 34.

The end of cutting stroke position corresponds substantially to the level of the rim 42 of the cavity 22 on which abut the said lower ends 46 of the blades 34.

Optionally, and in order to preserve the cutting edge of the blades, a stop may be provided to stop the descent of the blades 34 before they come into contact with said flange 42 or any other surface of the device 10.

Said limit position, in combination with the depth of the cavity 22, limits the stroke of the set 32 of blades 34 to cut the product 12 only over part of its height, that is to say to avoid cutting the product 12 over its entire height to obtain the partial cutout of the invention.

Preferably, in the rest position, the height K of the lower ends 46 of the blades 34 is greater than or equal to the height H of the lower ends 41 of the fingers 40. This is to ensure the clearance of the blades 34 that can be retained or stuck in the produced 12 to be cut during the ascent of the set 32 of blades 34 from the end position to the rest position, the fingers 40 therefore allow to push back said partially cut product 12 during the ascent of the blades 34.

In order to be moved between the end position and the rest position, the set 32 of blades 34 is mounted on a mobile support 36 driven by a mechanical device 48 manually or automated operation.

According to the dimensions and shapes of the product 12 to be cut, as well as according to the cut desired by the user of the device 10 according to the present invention, the blades can be arranged in a cutting plane D1 according to different configurations, said cutting plane D1, in particular horizontal, being defined as a plane perpendicular to the cutting direction D.

Thus, in the cutting plane D1, the set 32 of blades 34 comprises several parallel blades in at least one direction D2 or D3, illustrated by arrows in FIG. figure 2 .

Preferably, the blades 34 parallel in the same direction are regularly spaced.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and illustrated in the various figures, the set 32 of blades 34 comprises a plurality of parallel blades 34 intersecting in two directions (D2, D3) substantially perpendicular to one another in the cutting plane D1.

Of course, the invention also covers configurations in which said blades 34 are spaced apart by an irregular pitch or are not parallel, and the case where the set 32 comprises only one blade 34, for example folded in a spiral, in "S", "Z", zig-zag or other.

Advantageously, the blades 34 are removable so as to allow the user to replace or choose his own cutting configuration. It can also be expected that the blades 34 are sharp on both sides, in which case the user can disassemble them to turn them when they are worn. Of course, the invention also provides the use of different types of blades 34: single-sided or double-sided, flat profile, V, hollow, convex, curved, ..., and different thicknesses to adapt to different products 12 to cut. The blades 34 are preferably metal, especially stainless steel. Whatever the configuration chosen, the blades 34 are spaced and define between them spaces 50 used for the passage of the fingers 40 to disengage the blades 34 of the product 12 partially cut.

For optimal clearance of said partially cut product 12, the clearance 38 of fingers 40 is adapted to occupy a maximum of said spaces 50, a set However, mounting is necessary to avoid blocking the movement of the blades 34 relative to said fingers 40.

Thus, the fingers 40 take the form of different rods whose sections substantially correspond to the sections, to the mounting clearance, 50 closed and / or open spaces between said blades 34.

The set 38 of fingers 40 may be made in one piece, in particular polymer.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated in the various figures, the set 32 of blades 34 comprising a plurality of parallel blades 34 intersecting in two directions (D2, D3) substantially perpendicular to each other in the D1 cutting plane, the fingers 40 take the form of different rods of square section substantially corresponding to the square section, the mounting clearance, 50 closed and / or open spaces created by the intersections between said blades 34.

Obviously, the invention also covers all the configurations of the sets (32, 38) of blades 34 and fingers 40 that can be imagined from the present description.

According to a first embodiment of the cutting device 10 according to the invention, illustrated on the figures 3 and 4 and intended for use as a kitchen household tool, the cutting block 18 is disposed directly on the support 14 acting as a base.

Said cutting block 18 is in the form of two half-shells 52-1 and 52-2 fitted together and on the base 14.

It is provided a positioning of said half-shells 52-1 and 52-2 on the base 14 by means of a centering 54 around the cavity 20, the flange 42 of the cavity 22 forming a boss on the base 14 , as well as means 56 for locking the position of said half-shells 52-1 and 52-2 by clipping on the base 14.

As illustrated on the figure 4 at least one half-shell 52-1 can be dismounted easily by the user to access the sets (32,38) of blades 34 and fingers 40.

The half-shells 52-1 and 52-2 support the set 38 of fingers 40 through various notches 58 in which are housed flanges 60 of the game 38.

This game 38 is preferably made in one piece.

The set 32 of blades 34 is mounted on the movable support 36 connected to a mechanical device 48 manually actuated in the form of a rack 62 fixed to said movable support 36 and driven by a pinion 64.

Said pinion 64 is connected by an axis 65 to a lever 66 allowing the user to lower or raise said set 32 of blades 34.

In this first embodiment of the cutting device 10 according to the invention, different pedestals 14 with different imprints 20 are provided in order to adapt the device 10 to different vegetables or products 12. Most of the components of the cutting device, such as the base 14, the half-shells 52-1 and 52-2, the set 38 of fingers 40, the handle 66, as well as possibly the mobile support 36, the rack 62, the axis 65 and the pinion 64 may be made of plastic.

According to a second embodiment of the cutting device 10 according to the invention, illustrated on the figures 5 and 6 and intended for industrial use, especially in the food industry, several products 12 to be cut can be arranged on the support 14.

Said support 14 takes the form of a plate 68 receiving a holding element 70 comprising a plurality of imprints 20.

A plate 68 may be equipped with handling handles 72 and / or be transported by any conveyor or on rails 74, for example in the form of angles.

Advantageously, this plate 68 and / or the imprints 20 of the holding member 70 may be filled upstream of the device 10 with the products 12 to be cut.

For example, this upstream filling can be done manually or by an automated feeder within a production line.

Subsequently, the plate 68 and the holding member 70 filled with products 12 to be cut are taken under the block 18 of cutting.

In order to adapt the clearance J between the products 12 and the fingers 40 to different types of products to be cut, there is provided a support 14 with an adjustable height, as illustrated by the arrow F3, by means of any means known to the user. skilled person.

The cutting block 18 is held by a frame 76 to which is suspended the clearance 38 of fingers 40 via columns 78.

The set 32 of blades 34 is slidably mounted in the direction D relative to the set 38 of fingers 40 and can be driven by any type of actuators not shown and known to those skilled in the art, such as cylinders.

Preferably, for this industrial application, the blades 34 are easily removable.

By way of example, in this second embodiment, the blades 34 may comprise notches 80 making it possible to thread them onto support pins 82 arranged at the periphery of the cutting block 18, these axes 82 being supported by elements of angles 84 secured by a lower frame 86 and an upper frame 88 enclosing and solidarisant all this assembly.

Advantageously, the clearance 38 of fingers 40 and the set 32 of blades 34 can receive transport handles 89 to facilitate their handling.

Just as they are taken under the cutting block 18, once the partial cutting of the products 12 has been carried out, means can be provided, such as a conveyor or other, for discharging the plate 68 and the holding member 70 filled with 12 cut products.

Finally, the present invention also provides a method of preparation, including vegetable flowers, fruit or other, consisting of soaking the products 12 after cutting so that the cut parts open like a flower.

More specifically, the quenching of the cut 12 products is carried out in an ice water bath, between zero and three degrees Celsius to give an order of ideas, and additives such as bicarbonate, causing the opening or bursting of the cut flower product, and citric acid, antioxidant for better conservation bacteriological and visual.

Subsequently, said flower products can be frozen, raw or cooked, and packaged for an aperitif accompanied by a sauce, or on different displays for marketing.

Claims (11)

Device (10) for partial cutting of at least one product (12) to be cut, such as a vegetable, a fruit or any other food product, comprising at least one support (14) with holding means (16) on which is depositing said product (12) to be cut, and a cutting block (18) disposed above said support (14), characterized in that the cutting block (18) comprises at least one set (32) of blades (34) ) oriented in a cutting direction (D) and at least one set (38) of fingers (40) oriented in said direction (D) and interposed between said blades (34). Device (10) for partial cutting of at least one product (12) to be cut, such as a vegetable, a fruit or any other food product, according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding means (16) comprise at least an impression (20) in the form of a cavity (22) of profile adapted to the product (12) to be cut and in that the wall (24) of said cavity (22) envelops at least a portion (23) of the volume of the product (12) to be cut. Device (10) for partial cutting of at least one product (12) to be cut, such as a vegetable, a fruit or any other food product, according to claim 2, characterized in that said cavity (20) comprises at least one pin (28) in the cavity (22). Device (10) for partially cutting at least one product (12) to be cut, such as a vegetable, a fruit or any other food product, according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the clearance (32) blade (34) is mounted on a movable support (36) between a rest position for easy removal and removal of the product (12) from the holding means (16), and a partial cutting end position of the product ( 12) limiting the race of the set (32) of blades (34) for cutting the product (12) only over part of its height. Device (10) for partial cutting of at least one product (12) to be cut, such as a vegetable, a fruit or any other food product, according to claim 4, characterized in that , in the rest position, the clearance (38) of fingers (40) being positioned at a height (H) of the holding means (16), and the set (32) of blades (34) being positioned at a height (K) of the holding means (16), the height (K) lower ends (46) of the blades (34) is greater than or equal to the height (H) of the lower ends (41) of the fingers (40). Device (10) for partial cutting of at least one product (12) to be cut, such as a vegetable, a fruit or any other food product, according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the clearance (32) blade assembly (34) is mounted on a movable support (36) driven by a mechanical device (48) with manual or automated operation. Device (10) for partial cutting of at least one product (12) to be cut, such as a vegetable, a fruit or any other food product, according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the clearance (32) blade assembly (34) comprises a plurality of parallel blades in at least one direction (D2, D3). Device (10) for partial cutting of at least one product (12) to be cut, such as a vegetable, a fruit or any other food product, according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that , the cutting plane (D1) being defined as a plane perpendicular to the cutting direction (D), the set (32) of blades (34) comprises a plurality of parallel blades (34) intersecting in two directions (D2, D3) substantially perpendicular to each other; relative to each other in the cutting plane D1. Device (10) for partially cutting at least one product (12) to be cut, such as a vegetable, a fruit or any other food product, according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the blades 34 are spaced apart and define between them spaces (50) in which pass the fingers (40) releasing the blades (34) of the product (12) partially cut. Process for the preparation, in particular of vegetable flowers, fruit or other flowers, consisting in partially cutting a product (12) to be cut, such as a vegetable, a fruit or any other food product, with a device (10) for partial cut comprising at least one support (14) with holding means (16) on which said product (12) to be cut is deposited, and a cutting block (18) disposed above said support (14), the block (18) comprising at least one set (32) of blades (34) oriented in a cutting direction (D) and at least one set (38) of fingers (40) oriented in said direction (D) and interposed between said blades (34). Process for the preparation, in particular of vegetables, fruit or other flowers, according to claim 10, characterized in that it consists in soaking the partially cut product (12), either after cutting, in an ice-water bath, especially between zero and three degrees, with additives such as bicarbonate and citric acid so that the cut parts open like a flower.

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