WO2007062533A1

WO2007062533A1 - Vegetable cutter

Info

Publication number: WO2007062533A1
Application number: PCT/CH2006/000651
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marco De Angelis
Original assignee: Marco De Angelis
Priority date: 2005-11-29
Filing date: 2006-11-16
Publication date: 2007-06-07
Also published as: CH698550B1

Abstract

A vegetable cutter is disclosed. It comprises a knife arrangement (170), preferably in the form of a knife wheel, arranged rotatably in a basic body (110). The outer surfaces of the blades (172) are inclined relative to the axis of rotation. When the product to be cut is pushed into the knife arrangement (170), the latter is rotated in such a manner that the blades (172) cut the product to be cut along helical paths. In addition, there is preferably a second knife arrangement (140) in relation to which the first knife arrangement (170) can be rotated. The second knife arrangement (140) can be arranged in a rotationally fixed manner or rotatably in the basic body (110). It is preferably rotatable in an opposed manner to the first knife arrangement (170) and is coupled mechanically to the latter. The vegetable cutter preferably has feet (190) which can be unfolded obliquely to provide better handling. In an alternative configuration, the knife arrangement is forcibly rotated by a guide element, in particular a quick-acting threaded rod, during an axial movement. In addition, a cost-saving variant of a cutting knife with a support and a blade attached releasably thereto is disclosed.

Description

vegetable cutter

Technical area

The present invention relates to a cutting device for a food to be cut, which consists of a foodstuff such as e.g. a vegetable. Such vegetable slicers are typically used in homes.

State of the art

The household often has the task of vegetables such. Zucchini / zucchini, aubergines, potatoes, cucumbers, etc. in pieces of about uniform size to crush. Traditionally, this is done manually with a knife. This is very time consuming. In addition, the cut pieces tend to stick together. This is unpleasant in further processing and results in e.g. in a subsequent searing the vegetables to a non-uniform cooking. Occasionally, it is also desirable to cut the vegetables into a helical form, e.g. with radish or with potatoes for the production of particularly appealing French fries. This is traditionally done with a knife.

From the prior art devices are known which have proven themselves in an industrial environment for the production of helical food strips. For example, from WO-A-95/17285 a cutting machine is known which comprises a rotating helical, but substantially flat disc. The disc has a radially outwardly extending cutting edge which cuts the material to be cut along the radial direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation. On the side of the disc from which the material to be cut is fed, a plurality of slitter blades are also radially spaced, which cut the material to be cut along the circumferential direction. The disc is driven by an electric motor. In this way, in particular helical potato strips get cut. Because of its complexity, such a machine is primarily suitable for an industrial environment. In any case, it requires an external drive, which leads to considerable space requirements and considerable acquisition costs.

GB-A-2 228 668 discloses a cutting machine with two counter-rotating cutting wheels. The first of these discs has a radial cutting edge which cuts the material to be cut along the radial direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation, while the second disc has a plurality of radially spaced slot blades which cut the product along the circumferential direction. Both discs are driven by their own electric motor. Due to its complexity and size, the machine is particularly suitable for an industrial environment or for commercial kitchens. A similar cutting principle is also pursued in GB-A-2 315 991.

Presentation of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cutting device for foodstuffs such as e.g. Provide vegetables that is suitable to cut the cut without external drive into helical strips or pieces.

This object is achieved by a cutting device having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

Thus, a cutting device for cutting one of a food, especially a vegetable, cutting material is specified. This comprises a main body and a knife arrangement rotatably arranged therein about a rotation axis, preferably in the form of a knife wheel, with at least one blade extending outwardly from the axis of rotation. In general, the knife assembly at least two such blades, for reasons of stability advantageously at least three, preferably at least at least four such blades. Each blade is inclined relative to the axis of rotation. The knife assembly is designed and arranged such that it rotates relative to the main body about the axis of rotation, when the base body is moved manually in an axial direction of movement relative to the cutting material, so that each of the first blades along the cutting material along a first, preferably substantially helical cutting path (helical path) cuts. This can be achieved on the one hand by the shaping of the blades, in particular by the choice of the pitch of the blade surface relative to the radial plane. The pitch must then be sufficiently large that an axial force between blade and material to be cut produces sufficient torque on the blade assembly that causes the blades to automatically cut into the material to be cut along the helical cutting path. On the other hand, a helical cutting path, as described in more detail below, can also be ensured by means of a guide element which imposes a defined rotational movement relative to the guide element of the knife arrangement during an axial movement of the base body (forced coupling between axial movement and rotation).

Preferably, each blade has a substantially helical orientation, that is, the blade is a substantially flat formation approximately on a constant pitch helix. In particular, the pitch of the blade surface in the direction of rotation decreases continuously relative to the radial plane from the inside (ie from an area close to the axis) to the outside (that is to say towards an axis-dependent area). The slope angle ß follows approximately the formula r tan ß = const, where r denotes the radius. Deviations are of course possible above all in the region close to the axis. In addition, targeted small deviations from the helical shape can improve the cross-sectional image. Such a cutting device produces in a good approximation helical strips from the material to be cut.

In addition, if the cutting device is to produce pieces from the strips, it advantageously additionally comprises a second knife arrangement, preferably also in the form of a knife wheel with at least one, usually at least two, advantageously at least three, preferably at least four second blades. The first knife assembly is then arranged rotatable relative to the second knife assembly, wherein the second knife assembly relative to the base body rotatably or can also be rotatable. The decisive factor is the possibility of a relative rotation of the two knife assemblies. The second knife assembly is arranged offset relative to the first knife edge arrangement in or against the axial direction of movement, so is in the feed direction either before or after the first knife assembly. It is designed and arranged such that the second blade cuts the material to be cut along a cutting path which differs from the cutting path of the blade of the first knife arrangement. This cutting path may, but need not, be helical, with the helix being in the same or opposite direction as the helix of the first cutting path. Of course, additional Messeran orders may be present in addition to further reduce the cut material.

If both blade arrangements are rotatable relative to the base body, preferably the first blade arrangement and the second blade arrangement are mechanically coupled such that they execute opposite rotational movements relative to the base body, preferably with the same rotational speed, when the vegetable cutter is displaced in the axial movement direction relative to the cutting material. This leads to a particularly reliable operation with a particularly uniform sectional image. In this case, the cutting paths are preferably oppositely helical with the same pitch. But there are also other types of coupling possible in which the rotational speeds are different, or in which the two knife assemblies coupled in the same direction, but run at different rotational speed.

In order to achieve the coupling, for example, a first ring-shaped toothing running around the axis of rotation is connected to the first knife arrangement. With the second knife assembly is accordingly a second ring around the Rotary axis circumferential toothing connected, and between the first and the second toothing at least one gear is arranged, which engages in both the first and in the second toothing. Instead, however, a power transmission by friction wheels or otherwise conceivable.

The vegetable cutter may also have a positive coupling between the axial movement and the rotation. The vegetable cutter then preferably comprises a relative to the main body axially movable and relative to Schneidgut fixed guide element which is mechanically coupled to at least the first knife assembly such that by an axial movement of the body in the direction of movement relative to the guide element, the first knife assembly is rotated. For this purpose, the guide element can be a steep threaded rod, into which a drive wheel rotatably arranged on the main body engages with a complementary internal thread (i.e., a running nut) which at least indirectly drives the first knife arrangement. Preferably, the coarse thread has a slope to the radial plane of more than about 45 °.

To facilitate cleaning, it is advantageous if each of the knife assemblies is releasably held in a knife holder. In particular, when the knife assembly is in the form of a knife wheel, the knife holder may be annular. It is particularly advantageous if both blade arrangements can be removed from the blade holders in the same axial direction without disassembling the cutting device. For this it is necessary that one of the knife arrangements can be passed through the knife holder of the other knife arrangement, e.g. by choosing its outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the relevant knife holder.

Better torque transfer and cleaner cutting may result when the first and / or second blade has a cutting edge that is inclined in a near-axis region away from a radial direction (radial plane) and toward the axial direction of travel. A better centering tion can result if the first and / or second blade has a cutting edge which is bent away from a radial direction and bent towards the direction of rotation. The force distribution is improved if the first and the second blade arrangement are axially supported on one another in an area close to the axis. In this case, the axial compressive force used for cutting is more evenly distributed to both cutter wheels, which makes it possible to use thinner blades with improved cutting properties.

A low-loss storage is possible by the first and / or second knife serser is mounted in a circumferential area by means of a ball bearing ring. Of course, other types of bearings, in particular Gleitoder bearings are possible. Also, in a coupling of the knife assemblies by gears these can take over the storage function for one of the knife assemblies.

To facilitate handling, legs are preferably arranged on the attachment to a work surface or on a collecting container, which are pivotable between a pivoted and a pivoted position on the body. Preferably, each of the legs is pivotable about a pivot axis which is inclined relative to the axis of rotation, so that the legs in the pivoted position substantially along a circumferential direction of the body and in the pivoted position from the body radially in a direction inclined relative to the rotational axis direction extend outside. Instead, however, it is also possible to provide a separate collecting container, on the shape and size of the vegetable slicer is tuned.

A cost-effective production of the knife wheel is made possible if at least the first knife wheel comprises a carrier on which the blade is attached, in particular releasably secured, advantageously plugged or clipped. Such a two-part, "supported" structure of a knife has economic and functional advantages, in particular in a production of plastic. Such a construction is not only in connection with the present cutting Device advantageous, but can quite generally with knives, especially knives for cutting food, are used.

The invention further comprises a cutting material holder for a cutting device according to the invention. This comprises a plurality of holding arms for the cut material, between which helical (helical, spiral) recesses are present. The recesses extend along helices with a common helix axis (screw axis) and preferably with the same pitch. Preferably, the slope of the heights of the recesses coincides with the pitch of the helix defined by the knuckle (s) of the knife wheel through which the material to be cut is first guided. In this way, the corresponding knife wheel can penetrate into the vegetable holder, without damaging it. Of course, the invention also includes the combination of a cutting device and a Schneidguthalters to a set.

Brief description of the drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vegetable cutter according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the vegetable cutter of Fig. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vegetable cutter of FIG. 1 with the legs extended; FIG. Fig. 4 is a side view of the vegetable cutter of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the vegetable cutter of Fig. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a variant of the vegetable cutter of FIG. 1 without legs; FIG. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the vegetable cutter of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of the vegetable cutter of Fig. 7 in the plane 8-8; Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section of the vegetable cutter of Fig. 7 in the plane 9-9;

FIG. 10 shows an enlarged partial view of FIG. 8 in the region 10; FIG.

11 is an enlarged partial view of Figure 8 in the area 11. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a conical knife wheel;

Fig. 13 is a side view of the knife wheel of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a plan view of the cutter wheel of Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of another cutter wheel;

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the knife wheel of FIG. 15; FIG. Fig. 17 is a longitudinal section of the knife wheel of Fig. 15 in the plane 17-17;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of another cutter wheel;

FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the knife wheel of FIG. 18; FIG.

Fig. 20 is a longitudinal section of the knife wheel of Fig. 18 in the plane 20-20;

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a vegetable holder;

Fig. 22 is a side view of the vegetable holder of Fig. 21;

Fig. 23 is a plan view of the vegetable holder of Fig. 21;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a vegetable cutter according to a second embodiment; FIG.

Fig. 25 is a plan view of the vegetable cutter of Fig. 24;

Fig. 26 is a longitudinal section of the vegetable cutter of Fig. 24 in the plane 26-26;

FIGS. 27A and 27B are sectional views of a knife with a detachable blade according to a first embodiment; such as

28A and 28B are sectional views of a knife with removable blade according to a second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of a vegetable slicer according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. Other features will be apparent from Figures 6 to 11. These show an embodiment without legs 190, the otherwise identical Table with the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5.

Figures 1 and 2 show such a vegetable cutter in a perspective view and in side view. The vegetable cutter has a base body 110, in which two counter-rotating cutter wheels 140, 170 are rotatably mounted. The upper cutter wheel 170 has five blades 172, which generally extend outwards in a star-shaped arrangement. The blades are essentially flat structures, that is, their outer surfaces are approximately parallel or, especially in the region of the cutting edges, at an acute angle to each other. The blades, strictly speaking their outer surfaces, are inclined relative to the axis of rotation, in such a way that each blade follows in its shape a right-handed helix of constant pitch, that is helical. In particular, decreases in such a shape, the inclination of the outer surfaces of the blades to the axis of rotation from the inside to the outside. The lower cutter wheel 140 also has five blades 142 which extend outward in a star shape. These blades are also helical, but follow an opposite (left-handed) helix. The knife wheels 140, 170 are coupled to each other so as to make opposite rotations in the body 110, that is, when the upper cutter wheel 170 rotates counterclockwise, the lower cutter wheel 140 rotates clockwise.

On the main body 110 three legs 190 are mounted on inclined hinges 191. Due to their arcuate configuration, the legs 190 in the folded-in state closely conform to the outer circumference of the base body 110. Thus, the vegetable cutter with folded legs is very compact and can be stowed away to save space.

In use, the legs 190 are deployed over the hinges 191, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In the unfolded state, the legs then cover an area that exceeds three times the diameter of the base body 110, so that the vegetable cutter can fit on a large number of different containers. Since the hinges are at an angle of some degrees, preferably 10 ° to 30 °, here about 16 °, are inclined against the axis of rotation 101, the legs extend in the unfolded state obliquely downwards. In use, the vegetable cutter is placed with the legs on a work surface or placed on a container, such as a bowl, a pot or a pan. In order to safely position the vegetable slicer on the container and to prevent slipping from the container, the undersides of the legs 190 are designed jagged.

In order to comminute the material to be cut, it is pressed from above centrally in the direction 103 into the upper cutter wheel 170. This creates a torque on the upper cutter wheel 170, causing it to rotate counterclockwise. In this way, the blades of the upper cutter wheel 170 cut helically (= helically, spirally) into the material to be cut. The upper cutter wheel 170 thereby generates helical strips of the material to be cut. At the same time, due to the coupling of the cutter wheels, the lower cutter wheel 140 rotates clockwise. As a result, the lower knife wheel 140 cuts the strips into uniform pieces along a second, opposite helical cutting direction.

An important feature of the vegetable cutter is that no separate drive is required for the rotational movement of the knife wheels. The knife wheels are rotated solely by generating an axial force between the material to be cut and the vegetable cutter. Here, this is solely due to the shape of the blades of the upper and lower knife wheel. The helical shape, which follow the blades, has a pitch sufficient to translate the translational axial force between the slicing material and the vegetable slicer partially into a torque of the upper knife wheel 170.

The shape of the pieces resulting from the operation of the vegetable cutter corresponds approximately to that of a parallelepiped, but unlike a true parallelepiped, the pieces are crooked from all sides Limited areas. Because of this particular shape, the pieces do not stick together and adhere less strongly to smooth surfaces than the smooth-surfaced pieces that result when vegetables are cut with a regular knife or machine of the prior art.

Instead of looking at the movement of the material to be cut relative to the (stationary) vegetable cutter in the direction 103 (see Fig. 4), one can equally look at the movement out of the frame of reference of the material to be cut. In this reference system, the vegetable cutter moves in the feed direction 102 towards the material to be cut. In the following, the movement and the configuration of the vegetable cutter are considered in each case in this reference system and reference is made to the feed direction 102.

The construction of the vegetable slicer is illustrated in detail in FIG. 5. In the base body 110, a first, lower cage ring 120 is arranged, which holds in its openings 121 a plurality of balls, not shown, of a ball bearing (here twelve balls). The balls run in the main body in a raceway 113. In the cage ring from the top, a lower knife holder 130 is inserted. This lies with a race 131, on the underside of a lower raceway groove 135 is formed on the balls of the cage ring 120. On the upper side of the race, on the one hand, an upper raceway 136, on the other hand near the edge, a not shown, upwardly facing, circumferential toothing 134 (in other words, a toothed ring) is formed. This is followed by a second, upper cage ring 150 for a second ball bearing, which in turn carries twelve balls. On this ring four additional radial axle pins 152 are formed, are clicked on the four gears 153. While the balls of the upper cage ring 150 run in the groove 136 of the lower knife holder 130, the gears engage 153 in the toothing 134 of the lower knife holder 130 a. An upper knife holder 160 is then inserted from above into the upper cage ring 150. This has a race 161, on the underside of which on the one hand a running groove 163, on the other hand near the edge a downwardly facing, circumferential toothing 164 is formed. The upper knife holder 160 sits with the track groove 163 on the balls of the upper cage ring 150, while the gears 153 engage in the lower teeth 164. The upper knife holder 160 closes the structure of the vegetable slicer upwards.

The axle pins of the upper cage ring 150 are designed such that they fix the cage ring 150 in the base body 110 in a rotationally fixed manner, e.g. by clamping forces or by being inserted during assembly in parallel to the axis of rotation grooves (not shown in the drawing) of the base body 110. The gears 153 then together with the serrations 134 and 164 ensure that the knife holders 130 and 160 rotate in opposite directions relative to the main body. In an advantageous manufacturing method, both the upper and the lower cage ring are made in one piece with the axle pins (preferably in the plastic injection molding method). For the production of the lower cage ring, the axle pins are then simply removed, e.g. broken off or punched. As a result, only the recesses 122 remain at the edge of the lower cage ring back.

In order to avoid unintentional falling apart of the individual parts of the vegetable cutter, spring bases (not shown in the drawing) are formed on the base body 110, which cover the outer edge of the upper knife holder 160 at the top and prevent it from falling out. However, for the purpose of cleaning or maintenance, the vegetable cutter can be completely disassembled by pulling the upper knife holder 160 upwards out of the main body 110 against the force of these females. To further facilitate cleaning, a plurality of openings 112 are provided on the main body 110, which extend from the interior of the main body 110 outwardly and obliquely downwards.

The knife wheels can now be inserted from above into the basic frame of the vegetable cutter assembled in this way. The lower cutter wheel 140 has for this purpose an outer diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of the upper knife holder 160. Thereby, the lower cutter wheel 140 through the upper knife holder 160 are inserted into the lower knife holder 130 therethrough. There, it is held downwardly by a circumferentially slightly radially tapered portion 143 and a complementary, circumferential, radially inwardly facing projection 133 of the lower knife holder 130 axially in the receiving ring 132 of the lower knife holder 130. After the lower knife wheel is inserted, the upper knife wheel 170 is inserted into the upper knife holder 160. The upper cutter wheel 170 is held axially in the upper knife holder 160 at the bottom by a rim 173 which points radially outwards and bears on a circumferential, axially upwardly pointing projection 162 of the upper knife holder 160. The fixation at the top is effected by frictional forces or by (not shown) spring lugs on the upper knife holder 160, which cooperate with the edge 173 of the knife wheel 170. The transmission of torques between knife holders and knife wheels is carried out by frictional forces or by not shown in Fig. 5 drawings, which produce a positive connection. Examples of such embodiments will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 15 to 20.

In this way, the knife wheels 140, 170 can be easily removed from the otherwise completely assembled vegetable cutter or even exchanged for other knife wheels for the purpose of cleaning.

On the vegetable cutter a centering device in the form of a shutter 180 can be placed. The diaphragm 180 in the present example consists of an outer ring 181, which is connected via a plurality of radial webs 183 with a concentric inner ring 182. It serves to center the vegetables routed in the vegetable slicer to achieve as even pieces as possible, as well as to protect the user's fingers from cuts by the blades. In this case, different apertures can be provided for different types of vegetables, which are adapted with their inner diameter to the dimensions of the respective vegetables. The centering device can also be designed differently. In particular she can do one release adjustable range. It can also have flexible, elastic elements that push the vegetables inwards.

Figures 6 to 11 show a vegetable cutter in which the legs 190 have been omitted, but otherwise completely coincide with the vegetable cutter of Figures 1 to 5. The arrangement of the knife holder 130, 160 and the cage rings 120, 150 in the assembled state of the vegetable cutter and the interaction of balls and grooves on the one hand and of gears 153 and serrations on the other hand, in particular from Figures 8 to 11 can be seen.

In the following, some considerations Σur shape of the blades and the knife wheels will be discussed.

While in the upper knife wheel 170 the cutting edges form spokes of the knife wheel extending substantially along the radii, the blades and thus the cutting edges of the lower knife wheel 140 are curved in the radial plane relative to the radial direction. The direction of curvature corresponds to the direction of rotation of the knife wheel, that is, the cutting edge is curved towards the direction of rotation. In mathematical terms, the second partial derivative of the locus, which describes the profile of the cutting edge, is positive after the angle of rotation when the angle of rotation is defined to increase in the intended direction of rotation. This curvature leads to a centering effect of the knife wheel on the material to be cut: the blades exert a force on the material to be cut from the axis of rotation. Instead of the lower cutter wheel and the upper cutter wheel or both cutter wheels can be equipped with such curved cutting edges.

In particular, in FIG. 8 can also be seen that the two cutter wheels 140 and 170 are axially reinforced in their near-axis areas. Here, the knives must absorb particularly large axial forces during operation.

These forces are better distributed by the lower knife wheel a central, upwardly facing nose 144 which extends into a corresponding central recess 174 of the upper knife wheel 170 inside. Upon application of an axial force on the upper knife wheel 170 downwardly, the lower knife wheel 140 supports the upper knife wheel 170 through this "tip bearing" and receives some of the axial forces. By supporting the upper cutter wheel by the lower cutter wheel, for example, the height of the upper cutter wheel can be significantly reduced, as its load is smaller.

Figures 12 to 20 show variants of the upper and lower knife wheel, each of which offers certain advantages for certain situations and applications.

Thus, FIGS. 12 to 14, somewhat simplified, show a knife wheel 170 'tapering conically upwards (omitting the peripheral edge 173). In this knife wheel, the cutting edges of the blades 172 'are inclined away from the radial direction in the direction of the feed direction 102 in the direction of the feed direction 102 by an angle α, which leads to the formation of a central point 175 on the knife wheel 170'. This has at least two advantages. Firstly, such a tendency of the cutting edge towards the item to be cut, particularly, promotes the formation of a torque when the vegetable cutter is pressed into the item to be cut, since the steep region close to the axis has a larger outer surface than the flatter axis-proximate area. Secondly, this shape enhances the cross-sectional view, as a true cut is made instead of a pure gap cut. Preferably, the angle α is at least 30 °, more preferably at least 45 °, in the present example more than 60 °. In addition, in the direction of the sweeter edge of the knife wheel (towards the support ring 171 '), the cutting edges can be pulled slightly upwards, ie tilting away from the radial direction in the direction of the feed direction 102, resulting in an overall (inverse) bell shape of the knife wheel (not shown in Figs. 12 to 14). As a result, the cutting material is better centered.

FIGS. 15 to 17 show a further variant of an upper knife wheel While the blades 172 "extend radially here, wedge-shaped drivers 177 are formed on the support ring 171. These engage in corresponding indentations, not illustrated, on the knife holder 160 and thus enable better transmission of the forces in the circumferential direction to the measuring device. serhalter 160.

Another variant is shown in FIGS. 18 to 20. Here, a lower knife wheel 170 '' 'is shown, again, the cutting edges 172' 'are substantially radial, but serrated, which may offer advantages in certain types of vegetables, as this locally increases the cutting pressure. The support ring 171 '' 'is formed here downwardly, wedge-shaped carrier 178. These engage in this case in corresponding, not graphically represented depressions on a correspondingly designed, not graphically illustrated knife holder.This arrangement may have additional advantages if the support ring additional , here shown not graphically represented springs, which can be made in one piece with the support ring and ensure that an engagement of the driver 178 takes place with the knife holder only when an axial cutting force acts on the knife wheel.As long as no axial force through a material to be cut on the On the other hand, when the knife wheel 170 '"is applied against these springs, the knife wheel can rotate freely in the knife holder. This can be advantageous if a piece of the material to be cut has jammed between the knife wheels, or to be able to remove from the vegetable cutter easier cutting material only partially cut.

The vegetable slicer according to the invention can be produced, for example, simply from one or more food-compatible plastics. Many of the parts can be manufactured very simply and inexpensively by injection molding. However, a partial or complete execution in metal, for example in stainless steel, conceivable. This also applies to the blades, which can be made of a sufficiently hard plastic such as polycarbonate, polyoxymethylene (POM) or polyamide or steel. The blades may have a smooth or serrated cutting edge. Since the knife wheels are easily can be changed depending on the purpose and Schneidgut different knife wheels with different blade number, different pitch of the blades (ie different pitch of the helix) and / or different design of the cutting edge are used.

For the vegetable slicer according to the invention, a large number of variants are possible, although certainly more than two knife arrangements can also be present. For example, a coupling between rotating knife wheels can be omitted. In this case, each blade wheel with respect to the pitch of its blades is designed so that it is automatically put into a corresponding rotation when pushing the cutting material through the blade wheel. Instead of running in opposite directions, the blades can also rotate in the same direction, but at different rotational speeds. In this case the blades of the knives will have different pitches. One of the knife wheels can also stand still, so be rotatably connected to the body. This can be either the upper or the lower cutter wheel, so that either the material to be cut is cut first by the rotationally fixed blade or first by the rotating blade. The fixed blade wheel will advantageously have blades whose outer surfaces extend substantially parallel to the axis of rotation.

One of the two knife wheels can be omitted altogether. In particular, the lower cutter wheel can simply be omitted so that only one rotating cutter wheel remains. In this case, the cut material is not cut into pieces, but in helical strips. These can then be further processed with a normal knife, if desired. In this way, e.g. decorative vegetable strips or helical French fries to be made.

Figures 21 to 23 illustrate a vegetable holder 400 as may be used with a vegetable cutter according to the present invention. The vegetable holder comprises a plurality of helical holding arms 420, which are attached to a carrier or a handle plate 410. The arms release in a central area a depression in which the cutting material (vegetables) is held by the arms. When the material to be cut is almost completely cut, the blades of the upper cutter wheel begin to enter the recesses between the holding arms 420. Due to the complementary shape of the recesses, the blades can penetrate so far into the vegetable holder 400, that the cut material is completely crushed by the upper cutter wheel and also pushed through the lower cutter wheel. In this case, the arms of the vegetable holder increasingly transmit a torque to the upper cutter wheel. At the same time, due to their helical shape, the arms are particularly well suited to absorb the torques that are transferred to the material to be cut by the vegetable cutter.

It is conceivable instead of the illustrated holder 400 and a vegetable holder with a partially freely rotatable support, which is free to rotate, for example, by the axial action of the blade tip. Also possible is a vegetable holder made of a soft plastic, rubber or gel, which is capable of generating a torque on the upper knife wheel without damaging the blades. Alternatively, the holder may itself have blades which penetrate the vegetables and thereby both hold and cut at its end.

A second embodiment of a vegetable cutter according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 24 to 26. The vegetable cutter 200 comprises a main body 210, in which an upper, rotatable knife wheel 270 with blades 272 and a lower, fixed blade wheel 240 with blades 242 are arranged. Through the main body a steep threaded rod (ball screw) 310 is guided, which is fixed to a foot 320 with a vegetable pad 322 in the form of concentric rings and two supports 321.

From Fig. 26 it can be seen that in the base body 210, a running nut 330 is arranged, which runs on the ball screw spindle. This indicates a Sen thread of the spindle complementary internal thread. It is supported by a ball bearing 340 in the base body 310. At its outer diameter, the running nut 330 has a toothing 331. This engages in a complementary toothing on the outer diameter of an upper knife holder 260, in which the upper cutter disk 270 is inserted. The upper knife holder 260 slides through a simple sliding bearing on the lower cutter disk 240 or in the main body 210.

Now, when the main body 210 is pressed down along the coarse screw 310, the nut 330 is rotated about its internal thread in rotation. This rotation is transmitted via the toothing with the knife holder 260 on the upper cutter wheel 270, whereby this is rotated in a rotation about the axis of rotation 201. In this way, a forced coupling between axial movement and rotational movement is achieved. The forced coupling is selected so that the blades 272 in space perform helical motion on a helix that substantially corresponds to the helix defined by the blade shape itself. In this way a clean helical cut is achieved. Because of the existing positive coupling, the requirements for the mounting of the upper cutter wheel 270 are less high than in the first embodiment, so that a slide bearing sufficient and no complex ball or roller bearing is required.

The vegetables are placed on the support 322 for cutting. The vegetable cutter is then pressed against the vegetables from above in the feed direction 202. This first divides the lower knife wheel 240 with its vertically (axially parallel) standing blades the vegetables in cake piece-shaped sectors. These are then helically cut into pieces by the upper knife wheel 270.

Numerous variants are also possible for the second embodiment. These can include variants with two rotating knives (in opposite directions or in the same direction, coupled or uncoupled). Also, the fixed knife discarded to cut helical stripes. Of course, here also a ball or roller bearing can be provided for the moving parts. A centering aid, for example in the form of an aperture, can also be provided for the second variant.

Regardless of the particular embodiment of the vegetable slicer, it may be advantageous to provide the knife wheels with blades which have been manufactured independently of the basic framework (carrier) of the knife wheel. The framework of the knife wheel (the carrier for the blade) can be made of a low-cost material, which does not have to be high demands on the edge strength. On this carrier can then be applied to the actual blade, with different mounting options exist, e.g. by sliding, gluing, screwing or clipping on. The blades can also be produced in a multi-component injection molding technique together with the carrier.

The actual blade is often made of a much more expensive material than the carrier, e.g. Made of special stainless steel, titanium alloy, ceramic or similar. By making the knife wheel in two parts, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing costs of the knife since only relatively little of the more expensive material is needed for the blade, while the carrier is very inexpensive, e.g. can be made of plastic. This can represent a significant cost factor, especially for mass products such as the vegetable cutter shown here. In addition, in this case, the blades can be easily replaced when worn, depending on the type of attachment.

The idea of a two-part production of a knife from a carrier and a blade attached thereto is not limited to knife wheels for a vegetable cutter, but is for each type of knife, especially for knives in the kitchen area, applicable.

This idea will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 27A, 27B, ₁ 28A and 28B. her explained. FIGS. 27A and 27B show a knife carrier 510, which is designed to be tapered in its region 511 facing the cutting edge. On the knife carrier 510, a blade 520 is pushed. The blade has a longitudinal groove 521 into which the tapered region 511 of the knife carrier 510 engages. The wall portions of the blade 520 adjacent the groove 521 are resilient and generate a clamping force on the knife carrier 510. In addition, the carrier 510 and the blade 520 may be glued together. The outer surfaces of the blade 520 in the deferred state, a substantially smooth continuation of the outer surfaces of the carrier 510 is. In order to avoid possible tilting of the material to be cut in a movement opposite to the cutting direction, the lower edge of the blade 520 against the surface slightly in the direction of Inside of the carrier set back.

Another embodiment of a supported blade is shown in Figs. 28A and 28B. A knife carrier 610 is wedge-shaped in cross-section. About the tapered end 611 of the blade carrier 610 is a hook-shaped portion 621 of a blade 620 is placed, followed by the cutting edge. At the blunt end of the knife carrier, a groove 612 is present, in which a second hook-shaped portion 622 of the blade 620 is clipped. In this way, the blade 620 is held by a clip connection on the knife carrier 610. In particular, such a connection is stable against forces both in the cutting direction and against the cutting direction and against lateral forces acting in Fig. 28B to the bottom right, so press the blade laterally against the carrier. On the other hand, lateral forces in the opposite direction can, under unfavorable conditions, lead to a detachment of the blade. Therefore, this type of support is particularly suitable for blades that are mainly claimed unilaterally. In particular, this type of support is suitable for the knife wheels of the present invention.

Regardless of the exact type of support, the two-part construction has the advantage of a low material requirement for the (relatively expensive) blades. In addition, the blades are easily interchangeable, as long as no additional gluing exercise takes place. Other types of attachment as by pushing, gluing or clipping are of course also possible.

List of Reference Numerals 8-8 sectional plane and viewing direction for FIG. 8

9 - 9 sectional plane and viewing direction for FIG. 9

10 cutout area for Fig. 10

11 cutout area for Fig. 11

17 - 17 sectional plane and viewing direction for FIG. 17 20-20 sectional plane and viewing direction for FIG. 20

26-26 sectional plane and viewing direction for FIG. 26

100 vegetable cutters

101 axis of rotation 102 feed direction

103 Feed direction of the vegetables

110 basic body

112 opening

113 raceway 120 lower cage ring

121 opening

122 recess

130 lower knife holder

131 Running ring 132 Retaining ring

133 advantage

134 first teeth

135 lower track groove

136 upper track 140 lower wheel

141 support ring

142 blade 143 rejuvenation

144 nose

150 upper cage ring

151 opening

152 axle pin

153 gear

160 upper knife holder

161 race

162 advantage

163 track groove

164 second teeth

170, 170 ', 170 ", 170"' upper knife wheel

171, 171 ', 171 ", 171"' carrying ring

172, 172M72 ", 172 '" blade

173 ahead

174 deepening

175 conical tip

176 edge projection

177 drivers

178 drivers

180 aperture

181 outer ring

182 inner ring

183 radial web

190 leg

191 hinge

200 vegetable cutters

210 basic body

240 lower knife wheel

242 blade

270 upper knife wheel

272 blade 310 steep threaded rod

320 feet

321 support

322 vegetable topping

330 nut

331 toothing

340 ball bearings

400 vegetable holders

410 handle plate

420 holding arms

510 carriers

511 tapered area

520 blade

521 longitudinal groove

610 carriers

611 tapered end

612 groove

620 blade

621 hook-shaped area

622 hook-shaped area

Claims

claims

1. Cutting device (100; 200) for cutting a foodstuff consisting of a foodstuff, in particular vegetables, comprising a base body (110; 210) and a first knife arrangement (170; 270) rotatably arranged therein around a rotation axis (101; 201) comprising at least one first blade (172; 272) extending outwardly from the axis of rotation (101; 201) and inclined relative to the axis of rotation (101; 201), the first blade assembly (170; 270) being formed and arranged in that it rotates relative to the base body (110; 210) about the axis of rotation (101; 201) when the base body (110; 210) is manually displaced in an axial direction of movement (102; 202) relative to the material to be cut, such that first blade (172; 272) cuts the material to be cut along a first, preferably substantially helical, cutting path.

Cutting apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a second knife assembly (140; 240) relative to which the first knife assembly (170; 270) is rotatably disposed, the second knife assembly (140; 240) being relatively angular to the first knife assembly (170; 270) is offset in or against the axial direction of movement (102; 202) and comprises at least one second blade (142; 242), wherein the second blade arrangement (140; 240) is designed and arranged such that it cutting the material to be cut along a cutting path that is different from the first cutting path.

3. Cutting device according to claim 2, characterized in that the second knife assembly (240) relative to the base body (210) is arranged rotationally fixed.

4. Cutting device according to claim 2, characterized in that the second knife assembly (140) relative to the base body (110) is rotatably arranged.

5. Cutting device according to claim 4, characterized in that the first knife assembly (170) and the second knife assembly (140) are mechanically coupled such that they relative to the base body (110) perform opposite rotational movements when the vegetable cutter in the axial direction of movement (102 ) is shifted relative to the cutting material.

6. Cutting device according to claim 5, characterized in that with the first knife assembly (170) a first ring around the rotation axis (101) encircling toothing (163) is connected to the second knife assembly (140) a second ring around the

Rotary axis (101) circumferential toothing (133) is connected, and that between the first and the second toothing at least one gear (153) is arranged, which engages in both the first and in the second toothing (163, 133).

7. Cutting device according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the vegetable cutter comprises a relative to the base body (210) axially movable and relative to Schneidgut fixed guide member (310), which with at least the first knife seranordnung (270) so mechanically is coupled, that by an axial movement of the base body (210) in the direction of movement (202) relative to the guide member (310), the first knife assembly (270) is rotated.

8. Cutting device according to claim 7, characterized in that the guide element (310) is a helical threaded rod, in which a on the main body (210) rotatably arranged drive wheel (330) with a engages a complementary internal thread, wherein the drive wheel (330) at least indirectly drives the first knife assembly (270).

9. Cutting device according to one of claims 2 to 8, character- ized in that the first knife assembly (170) in a first

Knife holder (160) is removably arranged so that the second knife assembly (140) in a second knife holder (130) is removably disposed, and that both the first and the second knife assembly in the same direction from their respective Messerhal- tern be removed, without to disassemble the cutting device.

10. Cutting device according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the first knife assembly (170; 270) is axially supported in a near-axis region against the second knife assembly (140; 240).

11. Cutting device according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the first and / or second blade (142, 172) has a cutting edge which is inclined away from a radial direction and to the axial direction of movement.

12. Cutting device according to one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the first and / or second blade (142, 172) has a cutting edge, which is formed from a radial direction and bent towards the direction of rotation.

13. Cutting device according to one of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that the first and / or second knife assembly (140, 170) in a region close to the circumference by means of a ball bearing ring (120; 150) is mounted.

14. Cutting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body legs (190) are arranged for attachment to a work surface or on a collecting container, which are pivotable between a pivoted and a swung-out position.

15. Cutting device according to claim 14, characterized in that each of the legs (190) about a pivot axis is pivotally mounted on the base body (110) which is inclined relative to the axis of rotation (101), so that the legs in the pivoted position in essence - Lend along a circumferential direction of the base body (110) and in the pivoted position from the base body (110) in a relative to the axis of rotation (101) inclined direction radially outwardly.

16. Cutting device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the first knife wheel comprises a support on which the first blade releasably secured, in particular plugged or clipped is.

17. The slicer for a cutting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, comprising a plurality of cutting material holding arms (420) having therebetween substantially helical recesses extending along helices having a common helix axis.