EP3747598A1 - Blade storage unit with a housing - Google Patents

Abstract

A knife storage unit (1) is provided with a knife magazine (4) having a housing (40) for storing a knife (2), with at least one upper housing part (39) of the housing (40) arranged at the top, viewed in the vertical direction, at least one magazine opening (5 ) for inserting the knife (2) into the knife magazine (4), a grinding device (9) being provided for grinding a knife edge (10) of the knife (2), at least one transport unit (12, 13) for transporting the grinding device (9) is provided along a transport path (11), which at least partially eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art. This is achieved according to the invention in that at least the upper housing part (39) comprises a kitchen furniture contact surface (38) for contacting / arranging and / or fixing the housing (40) on a kitchen furniture (36) and / or a kitchen furniture plate (36).

Description

The invention relates to a knife storage unit with a knife magazine for storing a knife according to the preamble of claim 1.

State of the art

Various knife blocks for multiple knives are already known in the household and in professional kitchens for storing knives. These consist e.g. made of solid wood and have several knife sheaths for the knives. These knife blocks often stand with their feet or upholstered elements or the like on kitchen furniture or a kitchen worktop and are mobile, i.e. can be adjusted or parked in different places as required.

Knife sheaths are also known, the knife sheath, which can be fastened to a belt of the user, has a sharpening or grinding device (cf. eg DE 32 46 100 40 C2 , US 27 67 530 ). This grinds the blade when inserting and removing the knife from the sheath.

In addition, the U.S. 4,866,845 a knife block with a mechanical grinding device, the knife being ground not only when it is inserted but also when it is pulled out by inserting the knife into the knife block or the knife magazine through wedge-shaped grinding elements so that after use or for the next use, the knife or the blade of the knife is sharpened slightly.

The disadvantage of such knife sheaths or knife magazines with grinding / sharpening devices, however, is that the quality of the sharpening or grinding and thus the quality of the knife for subsequent use, at least over time, etc. due to wear of the grinding elements etc. is worse than with manual grinding, for example using a so-called sharpening steel or grindstone.

In addition, from the DE 10 2017 100 289 B4 the applicant already known a knife storage unit, with the knife stored in the magazine being automatically sharpened by means of a knife sensor and an electrically driven grinding device. Here, the grinding element is transported along the blade, on the one hand a translatory back and forth movement and / or a rotational movement of the grinding element being provided.

The disadvantage of the known knife blocks, however, is that they are often in the way when working in the kitchen.

Object and advantages of the invention

In contrast, the object of the invention is to propose a knife storage unit which at least partially eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art.

Based on a knife storage unit of the type mentioned in the introduction, this object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are possible through the measures mentioned in the subclaims.

Accordingly, a knife storage unit according to the invention is characterized in that at least the upper housing part, in particular a housing cover element or an upper housing closure element, comprises a kitchen furniture contact surface for contacting / arranging and / or fixing the housing on a kitchen furniture and / or a kitchen furniture plate.

With the help of this measure it is achieved that the knife storage unit according to the invention does not stand on the feet or the foot elements such as cushions or the like on the kitchen worktop and takes up space, but that the knife storage unit is advantageously integrated into the kitchen furniture or the kitchen worktop or is sunk. This not only saves space and space, but can also be implemented in an aesthetically sophisticated way. In this way, knife sharpening can be implemented in an advantageous manner in or within the kitchen furniture.

At the same time, the place is clearly defined or fixed, so that it is no longer possible to rearrange or clear away by corresponding people and then other people have to look around for the knife storage unit according to the invention.

The kitchen furniture contact surface of the upper housing part is preferably aligned horizontally in the fixed state. Often knife blocks have sloping upper edges / tops, so that an acute angle in relation to the kitchen worktop is available. According to this variant of the invention, the kitchen furniture contact surface and / or the upper housing part or the housing cover element or upper housing closing element is horizontal and thus usually parallel to the kitchen furniture surface, so that a structurally advantageous and aesthetically demanding implementation is realized.

At least one stop of the upper housing part advantageously comprises the kitchen furniture contact surface. In this way, the knife storage unit can be plugged / pushed into the kitchen furniture or the kitchen furniture plate in an advantageous manner and advantageously strike the kitchen furniture or the kitchen furniture plate with the stop according to the invention, i.e. realize a form fit. This is structurally favorable and at the same time stable.

The stop is preferably designed as a shoulder and / or a cross-sectional enlargement of the upper part of the housing, wherein in particular a cross-section of the enlarged cross-sectional area is larger than a cross-section of a lower part of the housing. In this way, the stop according to the invention can be implemented without great effort and in an aesthetically demanding manner. For example, the (possibly one-piece) housing has a projection or a widening / thickening that is designed as a stop or shoulder according to the invention.

In a preferred variant of the invention, the stop or the shoulder of the upper housing part, in particular the housing cover element or the upper housing closure element, is designed as a shoulder and / or housing border extending essentially around the entire circumference of the housing. This measure allows an advantageous introduction of the knife storage unit according to the invention in the Kitchen furniture or in a recess in the kitchen furniture plate, so that manufacturing tolerances, etc., for example of the recess and / or the housing, can advantageously be compensated for. A particularly aesthetically demanding implementation can also be implemented.

Advantageously, at least one sealing element, in particular a flat gasket or the like, and / or elastomer element is provided for sealing / closing off the upper part of the housing, in particular the housing cover element or the upper housing closing element and / or the shoulder or the housing border running around the entire circumference of the housing, especially opposite the kitchen furniture or the kitchen furniture plate. In this way, any unevenness in the kitchen worktop or manufacturing tolerances etc. can be compensated for and the penetration of dirt, dust, water or the like can be effectively prevented. In this way, the knife storage unit can also be integrated into the kitchen furniture, which is particularly demanding in terms of hygiene.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the housing comprises at least one fastening surface for fastening and / or fixing / arranging the housing on the kitchen furniture and / or the kitchen furniture top and / or on a fastening device. This ensures stable and permanent attachment / fixation of the knife storage unit in / on the kitchen furniture.

The fastening device is advantageously designed as a fastening clip for clamping / pressing the housing. This is structurally and economically feasible.

The fastening device and / or the fastening clip is preferably arranged in the fixed state on an underside of the kitchen furniture plate. In this way, a particularly stable and permanent attachment / fixation of the knife storage unit to the kitchen furniture top can be achieved in a particularly aesthetically demanding manner.

In a particular development of the invention, the grinding device comprises at least a first grinding element having a first grinding surface and a second grinding element having a second grinding surface and, in addition, at least one adjustment unit is provided for adjusting the first grinding element and the second grinding element transversely to the transport path, so that at least During a first transport of the grinding device along the transport path, a first distance between the first grinding surface and the second grinding surface is smaller than a second distance between the first grinding surface and the second grinding surface during a second transport of the grinding device along the transport path. With the help of these measures it is achieved in an advantageous manner that the knife is ground or pulled off in only one direction. This significantly improves the quality of the grinding process. In addition, the knife edge or blade is spared, i.e. not as badly worn in one sanding pass. In this way an optimal grinding or sharpening of the knife is achieved. The sanding result can be compared to professional, manual sanding. Accordingly, even the non-professional or so-called "normal" user of knives, e.g. In the private kitchen, knives that are very well sharpened with the invention, whereby the sharpening or sharpness of the knife is of top quality.

For example, the two grinding elements or the first and the second grinding element are in the direction of the transport path or Arranged along the transport path on opposite sides of the (inserted) knife or knife edge. This means that the two grinding elements or the first and the second grinding element are arranged "at the same height" when viewed in the direction of the transport path or along the transport path. In this way, for example, a similar or even pressure load on the cutting edge or knife can be achieved by the grinding device during the grinding process.

In an advantageous variant of the invention, a third distance or offset to the second grinding element and / or to the second grinding surface is provided between the first grinding element and / or the first grinding surface in the direction of the transport path. This means that the two grinding elements or the first and the second grinding element are offset or spaced in the direction of the transport path or viewed along the transport path and are therefore "not at the same height". This achieves that the "front" grinding element, e.g. the first grinding element, first grinds / sharpens the one / first side of the knife edge, possibly creating a small burr, and then or after that the "rear" grinding element, or in the above example then the second grinding element, the other / second The side of the knife edge grinds / sharpens and also breaks the previously created burr. This enables an extremely sharp knife edge or cutting edge.

In principle, the adjustment unit can advantageously be implemented as a mechanical and / or electromagnetic and / or magnetic and / or pneumatic adjustment device. For example, at least one or two cam tracks or guide rails for adjusting or guiding the grinding element (s) and / or mechanical cams and / or an electro-mechanical adjustment or decoupling / coupling can be used and / or a magnetic adjustment or decoupling / coupling, etc. can be provided.

The adjustment unit advantageously has at least one first lever element, rotatable about a first axis of rotation, for adjusting the first grinding element, and a second lever element, rotatable about a second axis of rotation, for adjusting the second grinding element. The adjustment according to the invention can be implemented in an advantageous manner by means of the rotatably mounted lever elements.

It is conceivable, for example, that the lever element (s) are in operative connection with a curved track or guide rail in order to implement the adjustment according to the invention. For example, the lever element (s) has an elevation, a pin, a nose or the like that engages / dips into the curved path or guide rails and generates the adjustment according to the invention when the grinding device is transported.

Preferably at least two stops or stop elements such as e.g. There are cams, pins, struts, etc., against which the / the first and / or second lever element / grinding element strike in an advantageous manner during transport along the transport path and enable adjustment according to the invention. This enables adjustment according to the invention without great effort such as electrical pneumatic power / supply or actuators.

In general, active / complex (separate) drive components or actuators can possibly (completely) be dispensed with in an advantageous manner. Thus, the adjustment according to the invention can preferably be implemented in that the (active) transport unit or the transport of the grinding device along the transport path is more advantageous Operational connection with the adjustment unit is / is. As a result, only comparatively little effort is required, since a separate or additional (active) (adjustment) drive is unnecessary. The effort can thus be reduced and the costs of the invention are quite low.

The adjustment unit advantageously has at least one first spring element for generating a first grinding force for the first grinding element and a second spring element for generating a second grinding force for the second grinding element. In this way, an advantageous contact pressure or grinding force and / or an advantageous adjustment can be generated. For example, the spring force can generate the grinding force for the grinding process for the first transport and / or for the second transport in a spaced-apart position of the two grinding elements, i.e. for / at the second distance according to the invention or the so-called "free running" of the cutting elements, the spring action / force can e.g. be overcome by a mechanical cam track / guide rail / groove and / or by electromagnetic / magnetic force or the like.

Basically, in the sense of the invention, the / during the first transport is / takes place in an advantageous manner a grinding phase or a grinding process / operation, in which the / the grinding element (s) or the grinding surface (s) on the knife edge or on the Knife is applied / is / are and preferably a material removal in the sense of grinding / stripping takes place / is realized.

In general, in the sense of the invention, the / during the second transport is / takes place in an advantageous manner a free-running phase or a so-called free-running / process in which the grinding element (s) or the grinding surface (s) are advantageously not on the knife edge or rest / is / are on the knife, see above that no material removal in the sense of grinding / honing takes place / is realized. Rather, an advantageous "return transport" of the grinding element (s), preferably without contact with respect to the knife, to a so-called "starting point" or a starting position for the first transport is implemented within the meaning of the invention.

In a special development of the invention, the first transport of the grinding device is directed away from the magazine opening. As a result, the grinding operation / process or the grinding is implemented with a transport direction of the grinding device or transport device from the magazine opening or a handle of the knife to the tip of the knife. It has been shown that this grinding or. Pulling direction is of particular advantage. Of course, the grinding operation / process or the grinding could also be carried out with a correspondingly opposite transport direction of the grinding / transport device, i.e. a grinding or the first transport within the meaning of the invention, starting from the knife tip, to the handle of the knife or the magazine opening.

The transport path of the first transport of the grinding device is preferably formed at least up to a knife tip of the knife. This means that essentially the entire knife edge or blade, i.e. the cutting edge, be ground or peeled off in an advantageous manner. The second transport of the grinding device is advantageously directed towards the magazine opening.

In general, the knife sensor, in particular an electrical and / or electronic knife sensor, opens up advantageous possibilities for significantly improving the sharpening of the knife, especially during the storage period. This means that the next time you use the knife, Even after a long storage period, a knife sharpened with high quality is available. Thus, even non-professional users in private households can use the knife storage unit according to the invention to obtain knives, for example kitchen knives, etc., of particularly high quality.

In a preferred variant of the invention, at least one knife sensor is provided for detecting the knife that has been at least partially inserted into the knife magazine through the magazine opening. The knife sensor is preferably designed as an electrical and / or electronic knife sensor. With the help of a knife sensor of this type, in particular an electrical and / or electronic knife sensor, completely new possibilities open up for grinding the knife in particular. to improve significantly during the storage time. This means that the next time the knife is used, even after a long storage period, a knife that has been sharpened to a high quality is available. Even non-professional users in private households can use the knife storage unit according to the invention to obtain knives, e.g. Kitchen knives, etc., in particularly high quality.

The knife sensor according to the invention advantageously triggers a (subsequent) grinding process or operation or generates an (electrical) signal for the (electrical and / or electronic) grinding device of the knife storage unit. Thus, by detecting the introduction or insertion of the knife into the knife magazine through the magazine opening with the aid of the inventive (electrical and / or electronic) knife sensor, a grinding phase / process is advantageously initiated, in particular started automatically. An electrical and / or electronic control unit for controlling the grinding process or the knife storage unit and / or is preferably used here Grinding device provided.

According to the invention it can therefore be achieved that each knife that is stored in the knife storage unit according to the invention undergoes a grinding process / operation during / after insertion or the knife is sharpened with the aid of the grinding device. Consequently, each knife is always advantageously sharpened by the user the next time it is used, without, for example, manual and / or separate sharpening by the user being necessary.

In advantageous variants of the invention, the knife sensor is designed, for example, as a Hall sensor, light barrier, capacitive proximity switch, inductive proximity switch, electromagnetic coil element, piezo element, electrical switch with tactile element or mechanical switching element and / or as an infrared sensor or the like.

Such a knife sensor advantageously generates a sensor signal that is transmitted, for example, to an electrical control unit and the electrical grinding device is started or put into operation as a result.

The transport device advantageously comprises at least one (electric) drive unit for transporting the grinding element. This can include, for example, an electric motor that transports the grinding element (s) along the transport path. This achieves an advantageous grinding of the blade of the knife or the cutting edge of the knife by means of a translational grinding movement. The grinding phase or the grinding process is advantageously provided after the knife has been inserted into the knife magazine and / or the free-running phase is provided after the grinding phase. In addition, it can be advantageous that a further grinding phase is provided after the freewheeling phase. Preferably, after an adjustable number of grinding phases and free-running phases, a rest phase of the grinding device and the transport unit is provided. For example, a comparatively long-lasting grinding or honing can be achieved with a particularly high grinding quality. In this case, the rest phase advantageously corresponds to the storage phase in which the knife is inserted / is arranged in the magazine and is not sharpened, but is kept until the next use.

According to the invention, the knife edge does not necessarily have to be sharpened during the relatively short process of inserting the knife into the knife magazine, but rather it can only be done after the process of inserting the knife, e.g. After a set or programmed waiting time, the stored knife or the knife edge is ground with the aid of the grinding device. In this case, the grinding element (s) or the grinding device is then transported along the transport path or along the knife or knife blade, in particular being transported back and forth several times.

Thus, according to the invention, the grinding process is made significantly longer than the extremely short insertion process. For example, the grinding element can be transported back and forth several times along the knife edge in order to achieve an advantageous sharpening or a particularly high quality of the sharpened knife. It has been shown that it is not a strong or "strong" grinding process that generates sharp knives, but rather that repeated, "light" grinding of the knife edge or the knife blade edge is more advantageous and generates a particularly high quality of very sharp knives. Accordingly, for example, multiple transport along the (entire) knife edge can generate particularly sharp knives in the sense of the invention.

Preferably, a display unit, such as a light emitting diode or the like, can be provided in order to, among other things, to display the grinding or the grinding process to the user. This advantageously makes it possible for the user not to take the knife out of the knife magazine too early or during the grinding process and thus have a knife that has not been optimally ground.

The transport path advantageously corresponds essentially to a contour of a curved knife edge. Knives, in particular household knives or the like, are usually equipped with a curved knife edge or a curved blade. The design of the transport unit in such a way that the transport path essentially corresponds to a curved contour of a curved knife edge improves the grinding result.

In addition, an adaptation of the transport path or the curved transport path of the grinding element to the curved contour of the knife introduced / inserted into the knife magazine can be provided in an advantageous manner. An adaptation unit is preferably provided for adapting the transport path to the contour or the curvature of a curved knife edge. The transport unit or the adaptation unit advantageously has a pressing device or pressure device in order to apply a contact force or a grinding force Generate grinding element in relation to the knife edge.

If necessary, a transport drive for the transport unit and / or the adjustment unit can also be designed as an adjustment drive for the adjustment unit, so that only a single electric motor or drive is provided for both the adjustment and the transport of the grinding element (s). A gearbox or the like may be provided so that e.g. a (fast) adjustment speed and a different (slow) transport speed of the grinding element (s) can be realized.

In a preferred variant of the invention, the transport unit is at least partially pivotable about a pivot axis. It has been shown that an advantageous adjustment of the transport path of the grinding device along the mostly (differently) curved knife edges can be realized by such an advantageous pivotable mounting of the transport unit. This means that, for example, an essentially straight transport or guide rod and / or a straight guide element or transport element is provided, along which the grinding element or the grinding device is adjustably arranged or guided / transported. At the same time, the advantageous adaptation of the transport path of the grinding device or the grinding element (s) along a curved knife edge or along the curved contour of the knife, especially the blade, is achieved by pivoting the transport unit or the transport element about the advantageous pivot axis. In this way, for example, a complex sensory determination of the (differently) curved contour of the blade and the generation of a curved transport path can be dispensed with without a correspondingly large structural, mechanical and / or electronic effort.

The transport unit preferably comprises at least one spring device for generating a pressing force of the (first and / or second) grinding element (s). With the help of this advantageous spring device, on the one hand, the pressing force of the grinding element (s) on the knife to be ground or on the knife edge can be generated and at the same time an adaptation of the transport path to the (curved) contour or the curved knife can be realized. Thus, an advantageous spring device can generate the pivoting of the transport unit about the pivot axis and also the adaptation to the contour and at the same time generate the pressing force of the grinding element (s) on the knife or the knife edge to be ground. In this way, the constructive and economic effort for adaptation to a wide variety of knives or differently curved knife contours can be reduced.

A rack is advantageously provided as the transport element, along which the grinding device or the grinding element (s) are advantageously transported with the aid of the transport drive or an electric motor with at least one toothed wheel. This means that the grinding element (s) can be transported back and forth along the rack. An electric motor is preferably arranged as a drive unit for rotating or twisting the rack, so that in particular with this electric motor the grinding device with the grinding element (s) can be transported along the rack or the transport path in an advantageous manner. The rack can advantageously be rotatably mounted at one end and can be designed to be acted upon by a pivoting force with the spring device, such as a spiral spring, leaf spring, elastomer or the like. So the adaptation to differently curved contours of the knife edges and / or different contact forces without great effort to be implemented.

Alternatively, other transport elements or transport units, such as, for example, a stroke-piston-cylinder unit, an electromagnetic linear drive or linear motor, a cable drive or the like, can also be provided.

At least one transport sensor is preferably provided for detecting the transport path and / or at least one end position of the transport path of the grinding device and / or of the grinding element (s). At least one sensor is preferably provided at two spaced-apart positions of the transport path, in particular at its two ends / end regions, in order to detect the beginning and / or the end of the transport path or the position of the cutting device, especially the cutting element (s) to generate an advantageous control signal or sensor signal. With the help of one or more such sensors it can be achieved that a signal for the electrical and / or electronic control unit is advantageously generated so that e.g. the transport direction of the transport unit can be changed or so that the grinding device or the grinding element (s) can advantageously be transported back and forth or back and forth along the knife edge.

For example, the number of transport routes along the knife edge or along the transport route can be monitored. For example, with the aid of the advantageous electronic control unit, the number can be recorded and / or controlled, so that the grinding device or the grinding element (s), for example, 5 times, 15 times, 30 times along the knife edge guided or transported in order to generate an advantageous grinding result.

The knife storage unit is advantageously designed as a first knife storage module for coupling and / or connecting to a second knife storage module. This means that a modular knife block or a modular knife storage unit can be implemented and can be adapted to the number of knives that the user wants to use or has. At the same time, this means that each knife of the user is equipped with a separate sharpening device or a separate sharpening mechanism, so that each knife that is stored in the respective knife magazine can be sharpened for the next use according to the invention.

In a particular development of the invention, at least one plug-in device is provided for transmitting energy between the first and second knife storage modules. For example, the first knife storage module comprises a mains connection or a mains plug and / or a transformer for supplying electrical energy to the knife storage unit or the electric grinding device and / or the electric transport unit. For example, the electrical network energy from the first knife storage module, possibly converted to low voltage of approx. 12 or 24 volts by means of a converter / transformer, can be transmitted or forwarded to the second knife storage module and / or to a third, fourth or fifth knife storage module with the aid of the advantageous plug-in device will. Thus, a “master knife storage module” with a mains plug device or the like and one or more “slave knife storage modules” can be provided in an advantageous manner. This reduces the constructive and economic effort for Realization of the second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth knife storage module. In this way, an economically favorable adaptation to the number of knives used by the user can be made.

If necessary, a mechanical coupling or connection, such as a latching unit, clamping unit or the like, is provided for coupling or connecting the first to a second or to a third knife storage module. The plug-in device, in particular the electrical plug-in device, is preferably also designed as a mechanical plug-in device. This means that electrical energy can be transmitted with the aid of the advantageous plug-in device and at the same time a mechanically secure or fixed connection / fixing of the two adjacent knife storage modules can be realized.

Embodiment

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures.

Figur 1

schematisch eine perspektivische Ansicht der einer ersten Messeraufbewahrungseinheit gemäß der Erfindung mit Küchenplatte und Messer,

Figur 2

schematisch eine Seitenansicht der ersten Messeraufbewahrungseinheit gemäß Figur 1 mit Küchenplatte im Schnitt,

Figur 3

eine schematisch Innenansicht auf ein Verstellsystem einer zweiten Messeraufbewahrungseinheit mit Messer in verschiedenen Betriebspositionen,

Figur 4

schematisch ein Schnitt durch eine dritte, modular ausgebildete Messeraufbewahrungseinheit gemäß der Erfindung mit Messer,

Figur 5

schematisch eine steckbare Moduleinheit mit der dritten Messeraufbewahrungseinheit gemäß Figur 4 und drei weiteren Messeraufbewahrungseinheiten,

Figur 6

schematisch eine perspektivische Darstellung einer freigemachten vierten Messeraufbewahrungseinheit gemäß der Erfindung in Schleifposition des Messers und

Figur 7

ein schematischer perspektivischer Ausschnitt des Transportschlitten der vierten Messeraufbewahrungseinheit gemäß Figur 6.

In detail shows:

Figure 1

schematically a perspective view of a first knife storage unit according to the invention with kitchen plate and knife,

Figure 2

schematically a side view of the first Knife storage unit according to Figure 1 with kitchen worktop in section,

Figure 3

a schematic interior view of an adjustment system of a second knife storage unit with knife in different operating positions,

Figure 4

schematically a section through a third, modular knife storage unit according to the invention with knife,

Figure 5

schematically a plug-in module unit with the third knife storage unit according to FIG Figure 4 and three other knife storage units,

Figure 6

schematically a perspective view of a vacated fourth knife storage unit according to the invention in the grinding position of the knife and FIG

Figure 7

a schematic perspective detail of the transport carriage of the fourth knife storage unit according to FIG Figure 6 .

Various knife storage units 1 with kitchen knives 2 or components thereof are shown schematically in the figures. The knife storage unit 1 is designed as a so-called "knife block" 3 and comprises a knife sheath 4 or a knife magazine 4 with a Magazine opening 5 in the sense of the invention.

Especially in the Figures 1 and 2 the structure according to the invention of the knife storage unit 1 or of the so-called "knife block" 3 becomes clear. A housing of the knife storage unit 1 or the so-called “knife block” 3 has at least one upper part 39 or cover 39 arranged at the top in the horizontal direction and a lower part 40 or housing part 40 arranged at the bottom in the horizontal direction. If necessary, this housing or the so-called "knife block" 3 can also be designed in one piece or as a one-piece structural unit.

The upper part 39 or cover 39 comprises a stop 38 or a projection 38 of the housing / knife block 3. This means that this upper part / cover 39 or this stop 38 can be attached to kitchen furniture 36 or kitchen furniture plate 36 when the measuring block is inserted or inserted 3 strike in a recess of the kitchen furniture plate on this. In this way, the knife storage unit 1 or the so-called “knife block” 3 is stably installed and held on the kitchen furniture 36 or on the kitchen furniture plate 36.

A fastening / fixing is preferably provided on an underside of the kitchen furniture plate 36, for example a (metal) clip 37 which presses against the lower part 40 or housing part 40 and fixes / holds this more firmly. The brackets 37 are advantageously firmly screwed to the kitchen furniture plate 36 by means of screws. For example, the clamps 37 are made of spring steel or the like, so that they generate an advantageous contact pressure / spring force and hold / position the knife block 3 securely in the recess of the kitchen furniture top 36.

In the embodiment according to Figures 1 , 3 and 4th the stop 38 or the projection 38 of the housing / knife block 3 is designed as a completely encircling shoulder 38 or stop / projection 38 of the housing / knife block 3. Without further illustration, a sealing element such as a flat seal, sealing ring or the like can also be provided between the stop 38 or projection 38 of the housing / knife block 3.

In the variant according to Figure 5 With several knife storage units 1 or so-called "knife blocks" 3, which are modularly connected or plugged together, a single knife storage unit 1 or a single "knife block" 3 advantageously does not have a completely encircling shoulder 38 or stop / projection 38 . Rather, it is advantageous if each individual knife storage unit 1 or each individual "knife block" 3 has a stop 38 or a projection 38 of the housing / knife block 3 only on two opposite sides, in particular as a shoulder 38 or projection 38 of the housing / knife block 3, these stops 38 or these projections 38 preferably not on plug-in sides, ie sides with a plug 17 or a socket 19 (cf. Figure 5 ), but on the other two (transverse) sides.

At the in Figure 5 The optional variant of the invention shown here have the two knife blocks 3 arranged / provided at the end of the overall module in addition to the aforementioned (transverse) stops 38 each have (end) stops 38 or shoulders 38 arranged on the outside (cf. Figure 5 , right and left outside on the outer knife blocks 3). Consequently, according to this variant Figure 5 a completely encircling shoulder 38 or stop / projection 38 is realized around all knife storage units 1. For example, after plugging the all or in Figure 5 a total of four knife blocks 3 the overall module or the several Knife storage unit 1 comprising knife blocks 3 can be inserted into a correspondingly large recess in kitchen worktop 36, an advantageous aesthetic border being realized by means of shoulder / projection 38 or circumferential stop 38 that completely surrounds all knife blocks 3.

An internal structure or internal grinding components / elements are mainly in the Figures 3 , 4th as well as 6 and 7 clarified. These knife blocks 3 advantageously have one or more sensors 23 and / or 6, which detect the presence or the insertion of the knife 2. Thus, (end) sensors 23, 6, 7 can be provided in an advantageous manner, which detect a grinding of the knife 2 or a position of a grinding unit 9, in particular a first and a second end of a transport path 11 or a grinding path 11 of the Grinding unit 9. The curved grinding path 11 or the transport path 11 of two grinding stones 24 is primarily shown in FIG Figure 7 illustrated.

The grinding unit 9 comprises, for example, a transport motor 12 and a transport slide 13 or grinding holder 13, the latter advantageously holding the two grinding stones 24 or grinding elements 24, for example ceramic grinding stones or the like. The transport carriage 13 with the grinding elements 24 and one in Figure 3 Adjusting device 31 shown in more detail are, for example, mounted / guided so that they can be adjusted or driven along a (curved) rack 14 by means of the transport motor 12 and a toothed wheel 15. The rack 14 can be designed both curved and straight in order to correspond to a curved contour of a knife blade 10 or cutting edge 10, in particular the cutting edge, of the knife 2 or to follow it during the grinding process. Especially in the variant with a substantially straight toothed rack 14, the toothed rack 14 is preferably pivotable on a pivot axis and by means of a spring element, for example a spiral spring or leaf spring or rubber / elastomer element, etc., can be acted upon with a pressing force directed against the blade 10 or cutting edge of the knife 2 (without further illustration). With this, the grinding unit 9 "follows" in an advantageous manner, inter alia, a wide variety of curved or straight cutting edges or knife blades 10.

With the help of the optional end sensors 23, 7, 8 or limit switches 7, 8, 23, 29, a change in the transport direction or the direction of the transport path 11, preferably with the lower sensor 7, and a start or end of the grinding process with the upper end sensor 8 detected or controlled. For this, e.g. an electronic / electrical control unit (not shown) is available.

In the Figures 3 , 6 and 7 the advantageous grinding or honing of the blade 10 by means of the grinding stones 24 is shown in more detail. So illustrate the Figure 3a ) essentially a grinding position of the grinding stones 24, ie grinding or material removal from the blade 10 is implemented here. The Figure 3b ) essentially illustrates a freewheeling or so-called “return” of the grinding stones 24, ie in this case no grinding or no material removal, but a spacing of the grinding stones 24 from the blade 10 is realized. In the grinding position or contact position of the grinding stones 24 there is a (first) distance A between the grinding stones 24. In the free-running position of the grinding stones 24 there is a (second) distance B between the grinding stones 24, the distance A being advantageously smaller than the distance B. In this variant, the grinding stones 24, viewed in the direction of the transport path 11, are arranged directly next to one another at what is known as "the same height".

In contrast, the two grinding stones 24 in an alternative Embodiment also viewed in the direction of the transport path 11 are not at so-called "the same height", but offset or arranged one behind the other.

Advantageously, the grindstones 24 can be acted upon by springs 25 (see. For example Figure 7 ), so that an advantageous grinding force is generated. In addition, the springs 25 can be used for freewheeling or for the spacing of the grinding stones 24.

The adjustment of the grinding stones 24 transversely to the transport path 11 or to the blade 10 is implemented by means of an adjustment device 31, as shown in FIG Figure 3 is shown by way of example and schematically. This variant of an adjustment of the grinding stones 24 according to the invention advantageously has an adjusting device 31, which is at least partially arranged on the transport slide 13, for each grinding stone 24, advantageously on both sides of the blade 10 or of the knife 2, a rotary lever 28 which rotates around an axis of rotation or a pivot bearing 26 is pivotable.

In Figure 3 a possible process of grinding or honing the knife 2 or the blade 10 is shown schematically as an example. The grinding stones 24 are each located on the pivot lever 27 and are in contact, ie left and right with the blade 10. Both pivot levers 28 are advantageously resiliently mounted (not shown in detail) and are located together on the transport carriage 13. The contact pressure of the The grinding body 24 and the pivot lever 28 can advantageously be implemented electromechanically and / or by spring technology and / or magnetically.

In the starting position or the upper transport slide position according to position I of Figure 3a lie on the pivot lever 28 attached grinding bodies / elements 24 by advantageous grinding cams 27 or locking cams 27 conditionally pressed on the blade base or on the blade 10 (see. Position I of the Figure 3a ). This enables the blade 10 to be sharpened.

The grinding operation / process takes place, with the transport carriage 13 advantageously moving down all the way to the blade tip 30 or into the area of the blade tip 30 to an electrical switching point, which is preferably defined by means of the lower sensor 7. By means of two opening cams 29, the grindstones 24 are now removed from the knife blade 10 by means of the pivot lever 28 (see position II of FIG Figure 3a ).

In the open state, the transport carriage 13 moves upwards by a motor (cf. position III of Figure 3b ) until the pivot lever closes by the grinding or closing cams 27 in the end position (see position IV of the Figure 3b ).

In general, according to the invention, cams 27 and 29 or stops 27, 29 can also / at the same time be designed as end sensors 7, 8, 23 or limit switches or the like so that the end position of transport carriage 13 or grinding elements 24 is detected with the aid of these and / or a reversal of the transport direction can be realized.

The process / cycle (described advantageously here) can only be carried out once. However, this process or cycle / pass is preferably carried out several times, the number of "passes" or downward / upward cycles being permanently set by means of advantageous programming or definition or, if necessary, by the user can be changed / adapted. For this purpose, for example, an advantageous electronic control unit is provided and, in particular, is arranged on a printed circuit board in the knife block 3. A setting element, such as a button, rotary knob or the like, can preferably be provided for setting or determining the number of grinding processes or "runs" or the downward / upward cycles.

In Figure 4 a third knife storage unit 1 with kitchen knife 2 is shown. The knife storage unit 1 is in turn designed as a so-called “knife block” 3, with a power supply 16 or electrical power supply with a mains plug also being shown. Thus, this knife storage unit 1 is optionally designed as a so-called "master" 1, to which one or any number of so-called "slaves" can optionally be connected as knife storage units 1 according to the invention (cf. Figure 5 ). The "master" is equipped with a plug 17 which can be coupled / connected to a socket 19 and with which electrical energy for the grinding units 9 or "slaves" is transmitted (cf. Figure 5 ). An (additional) mechanical coupling / latching system or the like can also be provided without further illustration. In Figure 4 if the plug 17 has an optionally available cover cap 18, ie if no "slave" is connected.

In the Figure 4 The third knife storage unit 1 shown comprises an electrical cable 21, in particular a ribbon cable, for supplying energy to the grinding unit 9, so that the grinding unit 9 to be adjusted / transported along the transport path 11 or the grinding track is also advantageously supplied with electrical energy in every position.

In addition, an LED 20 is provided, for example, a Shows the grinding phase (red) and a resting phase or a ground state (after the grinding phase) of knife 2 (green).

Furthermore, one or two cleaning brushes 22 or the like arranged on both sides can be provided for cleaning the knife 2 from grinding dust etc. and / or a holding element for the back of the knife.

According to the invention, instead of a manual activity, i. sharpening the knife blade of a high-quality kitchen knife 2 by hand can be carried out using an automatic, mechanical process. The kitchen knife 2 used is inserted into a knife block 3 with an automatically running grinding unit 9. One or more advantageous sensors 6 recognize the inserted knife 2 and the automatic grinding system is e.g. once, but preferably carried out several times. This eliminates the tedious re-sharpening of kitchen knives 2 that have been stored for different lengths of time.

An automatic knife sharpening block 3 or a grinding unit 9 is advantageously provided for each knife 2. A basic knife block 3 or so-called “master” with a power supply 16 is preferably provided, to which all further knife blocks 3 or so-called “slaves” are electrically adapted / coupled.

Generally, according to the invention, a knife 2 can be removed from any knife block 3 and put back again in order to advantageously initiate or carry out an at least one-time grinding process at this sharpening station or knife magazine 4. Frequently used knives 2 are thus always usable sharp according to the invention; likewise the rarely used knives. A positive side effect here is the order in the kitchen or in the entire or modular Knife storage unit 1 and always sharp knives 2.

In the Figures 6 and 7 a further variant of the invention is shown, this in principle according to the variant Figure 3 resembles. This means that the fourth variant according to the Figures 6, 7 has a transport carriage 13, which comprises two cutting elements 24 or ceramic rods 24, each loaded with springs 25 or adjustably mounted along an adjustment direction 32, which are preferably releasably fixed to a lever mechanism or lever 28, in particular by means of screws or the like to be replaced when necessary or when worn. The transport slide 13 can be moved up and down by a motor 12 on a rack 14 or guide rail 14 or the like.

Especially in Figure 7 it becomes clearer that the grinding elements 24 are mounted on a lever mechanism with several axes of rotation 33, 34, 35 and can be adjusted transversely to the transport path 11 by means of the springs 25. The adaptation to the curved blade contour takes place here or can also generally be implemented in other variants in an advantageous manner such that the adjustable or resilient transverse adjustment and an angular arrangement of the grinding elements generate a contact force and thereby the cutting element 24 is pressed against the cutting edge. As a result, differently curved / curved edges can be followed or "followed". A pivotable mounting of the rack 14 or guide rail 14 can thereby be omitted.

The release of the cutting elements 24 according to the invention in the lower operating position / position is achieved again by means of stops 29 or so-called cams 29. When the carriage 13 hits or makes contact in the area of the axis of rotation 26 at / on the stop 29, the lever mechanism or toggle lever is activated by means of Adjusted dead center overcoming such that the cutting element (s) 24 are retracted. The carriage 13 or the cutting elements 24 can then move freely upwards or be transported. This can be supported or implemented in an advantageous manner by electrical sensors, in which case, for example, the stops 29 can be designed as electrical switches / sensors and Control unit control the engine 12.

An advantageous function of the automatically sharpening knife block is, for example:
The knife 2 is inserted into the knife block 1, 3 for storage.

The internal sensor 6 (e.g. reflection light barrier) in the end of the knife block detects the inserted knife 2.

A motorized transport slide 13 moves up and down along the knife edge contour or the transport path 11 as soon as the sensor 6 has detected the inserted knife blade 10 of the knife 2. The grinding stones 24 are here pressed / pressed against the blade 10 during the grinding process and are spaced or removed from the blade 10 by means of the adjusting device 31 in freewheeling or reverse motion, so that the blade 10 is not grinded / pulled off in freewheeling, i.e. no material removal or chip formation is realized.

In order to follow the knife blade contour exactly and to ensure the most uniform possible grinding, a rotating and spring-loaded grinding wheel 10 moves in a likewise resiliently mounted rocker arm or the rack 14 along the blade.

The spring-mounted rocker with the grindstones 24 and the adjusting device 31 sit together on an advantageous drive motor support or transport slide 13.

The drive motor 12 with pinion 15 and drive motor carrier transports the grinding unit 9 along a rack 14. The toothed rack contour is similar to the contour of the knife blade so that the grinding stones 24 always grind along the blade with the same spring force as possible, which leads to an even grind. The rack 14 has, for example, a shape which determines the sliding path curve.

The grinding process runs relatively quietly, since the "grinding noise" occurring in the knife block 1, 3 is swallowed and the typically massive construction of the knife block 3 hardly creates any structure-borne noise. <u> List of reference symbols </u> 1 Storage unit 2 knife 36 Kitchen plate / kitchen furniture 3 Knife block 37 Bracket 4th Knife magazine 38 Stop / shoulder 5 Magazine opening 39 Lid / top part 6th sensor 40 Lower part 7th sensor 8th sensor A. distance 9 Grinding unit B. distance 10 Knife blade 11 Transport route 12th engine 13th Transport carriage 14th Rack 15th gear 16 power adapter 17th plug 18th cap 19th Rifle 20th LED 21st electric wire 22nd brush 23 sensor 24 Grinding element 25th feather 26th Pivot bearing 27 Locking cam 28 Rotary lever 29 Opening cam 30th top 31 Adjusting device 32 Adjustment direction 33 axis 34 axis 35 axis

Claims (13)

Knife storage unit (1) with a housing (40) having a knife magazine (4) for storing a knife (2), at least one upper housing part (39) of the housing (40) arranged at the top, viewed in the vertical direction, at least one magazine opening (5) for insertion of the knife (2) in the knife magazine (4), a grinding device (9) being provided for grinding a knife edge (10) of the knife (2), at least one transport unit (12, 13) for transporting the grinding device (9) is provided along a transport path (11), characterized in that at least the upper housing part (39) has a kitchen furniture contact surface (38) for contacting / arranging and / or fixing the housing (40) on a kitchen furniture (36) and / or a kitchen furniture plate (36 ) includes. Knife storage unit according to Claim 1, characterized in that the kitchen furniture contact surface (38) of the upper housing part (39) is aligned horizontally in the fixed state. Knife storage unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one stop (38) of the upper housing part (39) encompasses the kitchen furniture contact surface (38). Knife storage unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop (38) is designed as a shoulder (38) and / or cross-sectional enlargement (38) of the upper housing part (39), wherein in particular a cross-section of the cross-sectional enlargement (38) is larger than a cross section of a Lower part (40) of the housing (40) is formed. Knife storage unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shoulder (38) of the upper housing part (39) is designed as a shoulder (38) which runs around substantially the entire circumference of the housing (40). Knife storage unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (40) has at least one fastening surface for fastening and / or fixing / arranging the housing (40) to the kitchen furniture (36) and / or the kitchen furniture plate (36) and / or a fastening device (37). Knife storage unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening device (37) is designed as a fastening clip (37) for clamping / pressing the housing (40). Knife storage unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening device (37) and / or the fastening clamp (37) is arranged in the fixed state on an underside of the kitchen furniture top (36). Knife storage unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one knife sensor (6 to 8, 23) is provided for detecting the knife (2) inserted at least partially through the magazine opening (5) into the knife magazine (4) and / or that the Grinding device (9) and / or the transport unit (12, 13) comprises at least one transport drive (12). Knife storage unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grinding device (9) comprises at least one first grinding element (24) having a first grinding surface and a second grinding element (24) having a second grinding surface and that at least one adjustment unit (31) for Adjustment of the first grinding element (24) and the second grinding element (24) is provided transversely to the transport path (11), so that at least during a first transport of the grinding device (9) along the transport path (11) a first distance (A) between the first The grinding surface and the second grinding surface is smaller than a second distance (B) between the first grinding surface and the second grinding surface during a second transport of the grinding device (9) along the transport path (11). Knife storage unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting unit (31) has at least one first lever element (28) rotatable about a first axis of rotation (26) for adjusting the first grinding element (24) and a second lever element (26) about a second axis of rotation ) has rotatable lever element (28) for adjusting the second grinding element (24). Knife storage unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first transport of the grinding device (9) is directed away from the magazine opening (5) and / or that the second transport of the grinding device (9) is directed towards the magazine opening (5). Kitchen furniture with a kitchen furniture plate (36), characterized in that the kitchen furniture plate (36) comprises at least one knife storage unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims and / or that the kitchen furniture plate (36) has at least one upper housing part contact surface for contacting / arranging and / or Fixing an upper housing part (39) of a housing (40) of a knife storage unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which is arranged at the top when viewed in the vertical direction.

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