DE102011052885A1 - Foodstuff i.e. potato cutting device for preparing hash brown potato, has knife holder holding cutting knives for cutting potato, where cutting knives are held to be displaced transversely to longitudinal direction in knife holder - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a knife holder (1) holding cutting knives (2) one behind the other in a longitudinal direction (L), for cutting a foodstuff i.e. potato into strips or pieces. The cutting knives are held to be displaced transversely to the longitudinal direction in the knife holder. The knife holder includes a cutter support having two telescopic rods (5) for holding the cutting knives, where the telescopic rods are made ?[deg] f stretchable, elastic materials. A clamping device allows the cutting knives to be locked in a cutting position or pulled apart in a release position.

Description

The invention relates to a food cutting device with a knife holder and a plurality of cutting knives held in the knife holder in a longitudinal direction one behind the other for cutting the food into strips or slices. Typical applications for such devices are cutting potatoes or other vegetables. Here, the foodstuffs are cut into strips or, if provided also in the transverse direction arranged knife, in cubes.

Food slicers of this type are well known. In the known food cutting devices usually the cutting blades, which are held in a frame, pressed from the top of the food, so that this is cut in strips through the frame. Here, the cutting blades are arranged parallel to each other, so that strips of the same thickness result. If cubes are to be cut, for example for the production of so-called hash-brown potatoes, additional blades arranged at right angles to the longitudinally arranged cutting blades are provided.

The known food cutting devices have the disadvantage that there is a danger that the cut material adheres to the knives after cutting and can only be released with difficulty. This is especially the case when the last piece is cut so that the strips or slices can not be pushed out of the cutting knives by the subsequent food sections.

Furthermore, it is disadvantageous that even when pressed out by the subsequent food, the strips or discs produced are pushed upwards. Often, however, the user wishes to drop the pieces directly into a bowl or pan so that, for example, he no longer has to touch them.

Furthermore, the thickness of the material to be cut is predetermined due to the fixed cutting blade. As a result, the user can not vary the strip or slice thickness so that the food slicer is relatively inflexible.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a food cutting device of the type mentioned, in which the material to be cut is easy to remove and which is as flexible as possible at low production costs in use.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the cutting blades are held transversely to the longitudinal direction displaceable in the knife holder.

The inventive design of the food cutting device, it is now possible to pull apart the cutting blades in the longitudinal direction after pressing the blades into the food, so that reduced by the increased distance of the cutting blade to each other, the adhesive force of the cut parts of the food on the flanks of the cutting blade , causing them to fall off. Optionally, the product to be cut can be additionally loosened by gently tapping.

In addition, the cutting blades can be moved so far apart that it can be more easily gripped from above into the gap between two adjacent cutting blades, so that without risk of injury, the food can be pushed out of this gap. Finally, pulling the blades apart allows for easier cleaning after use.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the knife holder has a cutting holder, in which the cutting blades are held. In principle, according to the invention, the device is designed such that the knives are arranged one behind the other, wherein they are preferably, but not necessarily, arranged parallel to one another. Furthermore, the knives may be rectilinear or curved, as well as inclined in the longitudinal direction. Essential to the invention is the fact that the knives are fastened to the frame in such a way that, by pulling apart, the distance of the knives from one another can be increased in order to transfer the knives from the cutting position to a release or cleaning position.

The food cutting device preferably has a frame-shaped base body which has the blade holder on the inside of the frame. This frame can be designed to be adjustable, in which case the cutting holder is formed by the longitudinal frame strips, on whose side surfaces the cutting blades are attached. The cutting device essentially has a passage for the food to be cut, which passage is penetrated by the at least transversely extending cutting blades. Basically, the above-mentioned closed frame can be used here, it is of course also possible that the cutting device has, for example, a U-shaped or V-shaped base body. It is essential only the fact that the two blades are held at the opposite ends in each case in the blade holder and the blade holder so is formed, that the blades are mutually variable.

The distances between the cutting blades are the same in a preferred embodiment. But it is also possible that the distances change, for example, over the length of the food cutting device in the longitudinal direction continuously increase or decrease. Also, various cutting areas are conceivable, so that, for example, a first section is present, in which the blades have a first distance from each other, while in the longitudinal direction thereafter further areas are provided, in which the blades have a greater or lesser distance in the first area to each other , Especially with a somewhat longer device, this would have the advantage that the user can select the desired cutting thickness of the strips or slices of food by pressing the respective desired area onto the food.

For example, to cut a potato, usually less than 15 cm in diameter, a 30 cm long device may be used, the first section having cutting blades extending over a length of 15 cm and a first one Have distance to each other, while the underlying second area also extends over 15 cm and cutting blades, which have a greater distance from each other, than those of the first area. In both areas, the cutting blades assigned to each area then have the same distance from each other.

To realize the variable distance of the cutting blade to each other holding strips may be provided on the blade holders, in which the ends of the blades are held. Here, the ends of the knife can be loosely inserted, so that the knife, for example, for replacement or sharpening, are removable. It is essential only the fact that they can be fixed after insertion in the longitudinal direction and of course in the vertical cutting direction, so that the knife can not be pushed out of the food from the blade holder.

A preferred embodiment of a blade holder has, for example, slots in which the blades are inserted. Above the slots then, for example, a closure strip may be arranged, which can be snapped onto the retaining strips, so that the slots are limited upwards and the knives are held in the cutting direction. This interchangeability of the cutting blades has the added advantage that the user can remove, for example, every other cutting blade, as desired, to thereby increase the cutting width of the strips or slices of food to be cut. Also, for example, straight knives can be replaced by curved blades if necessary.

Regardless of the basic housing of the food cutting device, two retaining strips are provided, for example, in one embodiment of the invention, which hold the cutting blade. Within a closed frame, these are, as already described, arranged on the opposite sides of the frame, for example, in a fork-shaped holder with u-shaped base support, these are then arranged on the two prongs of the fork opposite to each other on the inside. So that the adjustability according to the invention can be realized, the retaining strips are formed either of a stretchable, elastic material or, for example, as telescopic rods. All other possibilities of an adjustment mechanism, for example via small lever mechanism are possible.

When using stretchable retaining strips will automatically adjust due to the elastic forces an even distribution of the cutting blades over the length in the longitudinal direction. In the case of telescopic rods, the telescopic rod is preferably formed so that it is fully extended in the cutting position of the cutting blade, so that over the length of the individual segments of the telescopic rod, the distance of the cutting blade to each other. For example, if the cutting blades all have the same distance, the segments of the telescopic rod are then all the same length. Alternatively, however, a different distance can be realized, in which different lengths of the elements of the telescopic rods are used in this case.

Finally, the retaining strips can also be formed by individual, elastic elements which are placed in a row together. This can be, for example, cylindrical or cuboidal components that can be made of rubber, another elastic material or may be formed resiliently due to the inherent elasticity. The cutting blades can then be held between these elastic elements. In this case, the cutting blades can either be attached to the sides of the elastic elements or protrude between the individual elastic elements, in which case the elastic elements are fastened, for example, to the front or rear flanks of the cutting blades. This may be a plug connection, an adhesive connection or another connection, whereby intermediate elements can be used, in which the ends of the cutting blades are held.

Essential to the invention is merely the fact that the side portions in which the cutting blades are held, was elastically deformed or otherwise variable in length, so that due to this deformation or change in length, the distance of the cutting blade relative to each other, preferably while maintaining the parallel position of the cutting blade, also can be changed.

Preferably, the retaining strips are formed so that they are held on the one hand in the blade holder, on the other hand, however, compressible in the longitudinal direction, or can be pulled apart. For this purpose, the retaining strips may be held with one end firmly in the blade holder, for example, while at the opposite end a handle is arranged, via which the user can push together the retaining strips in the direction of the fixed end or push away from this fixed end.

Preferably, a common handle for the two opposite retaining strips is provided, for example, has the form of a handle which extends over the width of the cutting blade and is connected at both ends with one of the two retaining strips. This handle may additionally be guided on a frame-like housing of the food cutting device in the longitudinal direction to simplify the adjustment. This frame-like housing then has inside the passage opening with the cutting blades open transversely to the opening. This passage opening may for example have a rectangular cross-section, wherein the handle is then displaceable along the longitudinal edges of this rectangle.

A further preferred embodiment of the food cutting device has retaining strips, in which the cutting blades can be fixed in the cutting position in particular via a latching possibility or via a clamping device.

In one possible embodiment, for example, the retaining strip transversely to the direction of displacement, so in the frame lying on the table in the vertical direction, be kept displaceable in the frame-like base housing, the blades are pushed to move in the longitudinal direction slightly upwards and in different positions for the knife, but at least in the cutting position, small recesses result, in which the blades can then resiliently engage. Such locking or clamping devices have the additional advantage that the knives are set in the cutting position and can not tilt, for example.

If only cutting blades are used, which run in the transverse direction, strips or slices are cut from the food. On the other hand, if cubes are to be produced, the cutting blades can also be used in the longitudinal direction; for this purpose, additional blades are placed in the longitudinal direction on the cutting blades described. So that the displaceability of the cutting blades in the longitudinal direction is still guaranteed, the cutting blades arranged in the longitudinal direction have slots in the upper region, through which the additional blades are inserted in the transverse direction, these additional blades are then also provided with slots at these locations, so that the displaceability results.

In an alternative embodiment, an additional frame may be used in which the transverse blades are held. In this embodiment, the transverse blades are then fixed in the cutting position relative to the displaceable blades, which in turn also takes place via a slot connection. To move the cutting blade in the longitudinal direction of the additional frame is then raised, so that the additional knife along with this additional frame out of engagement of the cutting blade cutting in the longitudinal direction. Then can be done on the handle above the adjustment of the cutting blade described above.

Also, the additional knives can be slidably held over a similar mechanism in the additional frame retaining strips, so that here a distance change is possible, which then serves less to remove the product from the food slicer, but to adjust the cutting thickness.

Preferably, a further embodiment of the invention locking possibilities for the cutting blade at different locations, so that the thickness of the discs is adjustable over the handle. Here, for example, find an elastic retaining strip use, which is initially used to adjust the cutting thickness. For this purpose, the handle is moved until the desired cutting thickness, ie the distance between the cutting blade is reached. Due to the elastic material of this retaining strip will always set an equal distance between all cutting blades. For example, after the handle is in the desired position, a clamping means may be depressed which depresses and locks the cutting blades so that, despite the elasticity of the retaining strip, they are no longer movable, thus providing a good cutting result.

A further preferred embodiment of the invention has a base housing, the top has described frame-like shape. Here, a passage opening is provided in the base housing, through which the food can be pushed. Alternatively, of course, the frame may also have behind or next to each other a plurality of through openings, which may be equipped with common or even via separate adjustment in each case with adjustable knives. In this case, the mechanism described above is simply provided several times next to each other or behind each other in the basic housing. The base housing can in all cases have handles for which it can be grasped by the user with two or one hand. Also, a basic housing with a base plate on which the frame described above is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis is conceivable. In this case, the user would put the food on the base plate and then trigger the cutting process by lowering the pivotable housing. In the same way, of course, a frame on two opposite bearings can be arranged parallel to the base plate slidably.

The use of a base plate has the advantage that an abutment for the cutting blade is provided, which on the one hand leads to the fact that not accidentally a pad, such as the kitchen worktop, is damaged. On the other hand, the abutment can also have corresponding shapes, the slots into which the cutting blades can sink to achieve a better cutting result at the bottom of the food. Finally, the base plate may also be concave in the area of the bearing surface for the food so that the food is automatically centered on the base plate. This is particularly interesting when slicing food that tends to roll away, such as hard-boiled eggs or radishes.

A further advantageous supplement of the invention provides cutting blade, which have means which in turn can suppress sticking of the material to be cut to the flanks of the cutting blade or preferably prevent completely. Such means may be, for example, stripping means, which may be formed, for example, as narrow, extending at an angle to the cutting edge of the cutting blade elevations. In the simplest case, these are embossed in the cutting blade beads, which in turn emerge as elevations on the opposite side. To provide these means in the form of elevations on both sides of the cutting blades, the indentations can be applied alternately on the two sides of the cutting blade, so that recesses and elevations alternate with each other.

Alternatively, a wave-shaped cutting blade can be used. Cutting knives with above the cutting edge arranged, large-scale openings, this is known, for example, of pie or cheese knives, can be used.

The means for preventing the sticking of the material to be cut on the flanks of the cutting blades ensure that, in particular in the case of sticky items to be cut, the individual panes do not remain in the device. This is particularly desirable because often the user expects the cut slices to fall downwardly after pulling the frame apart, for example, into a bowl or a pot. Further, this eliminates the need to reach between the cutting blades or having to tap the frame, for example on the edge of a bowl.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the subclaims and from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings.

In the drawings shows the

1 a three-dimensional representation of a food cutting device according to the invention,

2 a three-dimensional representation of a further embodiment of a food slicing device according to the invention,

3 A third embodiment of a food cutting device according to the invention in the collapsed state in a plan view,

4 in the 3 illustrated embodiment in slightly extended state and the

5 in the 3 and 4 illustrated embodiment in fully exploded state.

The food slicer has a knife holder 1 in, in the longitudinal direction L successively arranged cutting blade 2 are held. For this the knife holder is 1 with a frame 4 provided, which has on its inside vertical wall areas, in turn with telescopically or elastically expandable retaining strips 5 are provided. In particular offer here telescopic retaining strips 5 at, whose segments are the same length, so that in a cutting position, the telescoping retaining strips 5 are fully extended and therefore due to the same length Segments the cutting blades 2 have an equal distance to each other.

Of course, the cutting blades 2 if desired, also have mutually different distances, which can be realized by the choice of segment lengths.

In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining strips 5 at its left end, each with a handle 3 firmly connected. This means that the two opposite retaining strips 5 with a common handle 3 are connected, so that a one-hand operation for moving the cutting blade 2 results.

The interior of the frame 4 is probably with the exception of the interior interspersing cutting blade 2 so the frame 4 on a food, such as a peeled potato, is put on and the food, from the cutting knives 2 cut into strips, through the frame 4 can be pushed through.

In 2 a further embodiment of the invention is shown in three-dimensional representation. In this embodiment, the retaining strip 5 formed by elastic rubber bodies, which are joined together adjacent to a bar. Between the rubber bodies, or inserted into the column of the adjacent rubber body, are the cutting blades 2 used. Instead of the rubber body, any other elastic element can be used, important for this embodiment is that the cutting blade 2 are held on elastic spacers at a distance from each other.

At the two ends of the frame formed by the rubber bodies 4 is each a handle 3 formed. About this handle 3 the user can change the frame 4 Grasp and pull apart, thereby the elastic rubber body or other spacers are pulled apart. This increases the distance of the cutting blade 2 to each other. By enlarging the gap between the cutting blades 2 will then possibly between the cutting blades 2 held cutting material released so that it can fall down.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting blades 2 with additional stripping agents 6 Mistake. These additional stripping agents 6 Here are formed by vertically arranged elevations, which ensure that the adhesive material not cut on the edge of the cutting blade 2 can stick. This can otherwise be done, for example, when cutting boiled potatoes. Through the stripping means 6 Now is the cut slice of the material to be cut from the edge of the cutting blade 2 solved. Instead of the stripping means shown 6 Any other known solution for preventing sticking of the cut slices with the cutting blade can also be used 2 be used.

Thus, for example, knives known from slicing pies or knives known as cheese knives may be used, which have a large passage opening above the cutting edge, so that the flank with which the cut slice might possibly stick is dispensed with in this way ,

In the 3 - 5 a further embodiment of the invention is shown schematically. Here is the frame 4 of the knife holder 1 of an elastic member which has a circular opening in its center in the relaxed state. In this circular opening are the cutting blades 2 arranged.

On the two sides of the frame 4 In each case areas are formed, where the user the frame 4 can take. Here, as in the case of in 2 shown variant, on explicit handles 3 instead, the frame is replaced 4 pulled apart as such. The ends of the frame 4 So here are a handle 3 educated. The frame 4 is preferably made of a temperature-resistant elastic rubber material, so that it is dishwasher safe. This also applies to the elastic elements of the other embodiments already described above.

The cutting blades are preferred 2 laterally in the frame 4 pushed in, the connection with the frame 4 may be formed loose or detachable, so that the cutting blade 2 are either replaceable for replacement or replacement of functionality. So it may be useful, for example, in some applications, knife with the stripping agents described above 6 to use. In other applications, however, these stripping agents 6 rather disturbing, so it makes sense then, the cutting knife 2 against cutting knife 2 to swap with a smooth flank. Also, the shape of the cutting edge of the cutting blade 2 be varied in this way, for example, corrugated cutting blades 2 , Cutting knife 2 be used with a serrated edge or with a serrated cutting edge.

In the 3 - 5 is recognizable as the pulling apart of the frame 4 in the longitudinal direction L, the cutting blade 2 spaced apart. Due to the enlarged gap between the cutting blades 2 then the cut good can fall out or be removed.

Finally, the variability of the distance of the cutting blade 2 can also be used to deliberately cut thicker or thinner slices. For this, the user can manually adjust the frame 4 pull apart or press together. Optionally, a distance switch can be used which covers the two areas of the elastic frame 4 can keep to a defined distance. Such a distance switch may be formed for example by a longitudinally extending rod, which on one side with the frame 4 firmly connected and on the opposite side via a plug connection at different lengths with the local end of the frame 4 is connectable.

The cutting knife 2 can have snap-in connections with the frame 4 be connected. Also any other mounting option can be provided. So, for example, around the elastic frame 4 after inserting the cutting blade 2 an elastic retaining ring are laid, which is a radial emigration of the cutting blade 2 prevented in the transverse direction.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 knife holder

2

 cutting blade

3

 handle

4

 frame

5

 retaining strip

6

 stripping

L

 longitudinal direction

Claims (12)

Food cutting device with a knife holder and several, in the knife holder ( 1 ) in a longitudinal direction one behind the other held cutting blades ( 2 ) for dividing the food into strips or slices, characterized in that the cutting knives ( 2 ) transversely to the longitudinal direction (L) displaceable in the knife holder ( 1 ) are held. Food slicing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the knife holder ( 1 ) has a cutting holder in which the cutting blades ( 2 ) are held, wherein the cutter holder two opposing retaining strips ( 5 ), in which the opposite ends of each of the cutting blades ( 2 ) and in the longitudinal direction (L) are pulled apart in the knife holder ( 1 ) are held. Food cutting device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the retaining strips ( 5 ) are made of a stretchy, elastic material. Food cutting device according to claim 2, characterized in that the retaining strips ( 5 ) Telescopic poles are. Food slicer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting knives ( 2 ) In particular via a locking or clamping device in a cutting position can be fixed and for pulling apart in a release position in the longitudinal direction can be solved. Food slicer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the knife holder ( 1 ) a closed frame ( 4 ). Food cutting device according to the preceding claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the opposing retaining strips ( 5 ) are coupled together and via a common handle, in particular in the form of a handle ( 3 ) are detachable and displaceable. Food cutting device according to the two preceding claims, characterized in that the handle in the longitudinal direction displaceable on the frame ( 4 ) and with the retaining strips ( 5 ) connected is. Food slicer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting knives ( 2 ) in the longitudinal direction (L) extending, additional knives are placed. Food cutting device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the additional knives in the knife holder ( 1 ) are held so that they are displaceable in the transverse direction. Food slicer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting knives ( 2 ) at different distances from one another, in particular via latching possibilities, for realizing a plurality of cutting positions with different cutting thickness of the discs or strips of food can be fixed. Food slicer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting knives ( 2 ) for releasing the material to be cut from the edge of the cutting blade ( 2 ) on the flank stripping means ( 6 ) in the form of elevations, in particular from perpendicular to the cutting edge of the cutting blade ( 2 ) running bead-like elevations are formed.

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