AU2012251896B2

AU2012251896B2 - Cutting insert for a foodstuff chopping apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2012251896B2
Application number: AU2012251896A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Cedomir Repac
Original assignee: Genius GmbH
Current assignee: Genius GmbH
Priority date: 2011-05-05
Filing date: 2012-05-04
Publication date: 2015-08-20
Anticipated expiration: 2032-05-04
Also published as: PL2581184T3; KR20140029477A; NZ618350A; HUE030488T2; DK2576160T3; AU2012251896A1; RS53763B1; ES2529135T3; SI2576160T1; DK2581184T3; DE202011050041U1; EP2581184B1; KR20180088741A; KR20180003085U; RU2013154297A; EP2576160B1; EP2581184A1; EP2576160A1; ES2585811T3; WO2012150044A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a cutting insert having a first cutting blade arrangement for a foodstuff chopping apparatus, which has a ram for pushing material to be chopped through the cutting insert. The first cutting blade arrangement is arranged in a first region of the cutting insert and a second region, different from the first region, has a second cutting blade arrangement.

Description

1 CUTTING INSERT FOR A FOODSTUFF CHOPPING APPARATUS Field The invention relates to a cutting insert with a first 5 cutting blade arrangement for a foodstuff chopping apparatus which has a pressing punch for pushing material to be chopped through the cutting insert. Background 10 DE 102009023167 Al discloses an apparatus for cutting food, such as fruit and vegetables, with a cutting part having a plurality of cutters and with an actuating part, which cutting part and actuating part are mounted pivotably in relation to each other. In order to cut the 15 material to be cut, the actuating part is pivoted against the cutting part. The actuating part has a punch which pushes the material to be cut through the cutting part. In the process, the cutters plunge into corresponding depressions of the punch. The cutting part has a cutting 20 frame holding cutters. US 1,263,151 discloses an apparatus in which, depending on cutting requirements, one cutting insert from a multiplicity of different stored cutting inserts is 25 placed into a chopping apparatus. The reference to prior art in this specification is not and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that the referenced prior art forms part of the 30 common general knowledge in Australia or in any other country. Summary It would be beneficial if a cutting insert of this general 35 type could be devised which is usable with greater versatility and which in particular reduces the number of 2 cutting inserts t h a t need to be kept for various cutting requirements. According to one aspect there is provided a foodstuff 5 chopping apparatus with a cutting insert with a first cutting blade arrangement for the foodstuiff chopping apparatus which has a pressing punch for pushing material to be chopped through the cutting insert, wherein the first cutting blade arrangement is arranged in a first region of 10 the cutting insert, and a second region, which is different from the first region, has a second cutting blade arrangement wherein the foodstuff chopping apparatus is designed as a cover which is placeable onto a vessel and/or is fixable on a vessel wherein the foodstuff chopping 15 apparatus has a receptacle into which the cutting insert is inserted and/or into which the cutting insert is insertable, wherein alternatively either the first cutting blade arrangement or the second cutting blade arrangement is positionable and/or fixable in the operative region. 20 The first cutting blade arrangement may have a efferent blade spacing and/or a different blade orientation and/or a different blade pattern and/or different blade types from the second cutting blade arrangement, 25 The first cutting blade arrangement and the second cutting blade arrangement may be arranged in a common frame. Further the first and second cutting blade arrangements may be arranged spaced apart. from each other in a common fraRe. 30 The first cutting blade arrangement and the second cutting blade arrangement may be separated from each other by an intermediate web.

2A The cutting insert may be formed symmetrically, in particular mirrorsyxunetrically apart from differences in the cutting blade arrangements. The cutting insert may have at least one handle and/or a handle region.. 5 The first cutting blade arrangement and!or the second cutting blade arrangement may have cutting blades which are arranged in a grid-shaped manner or are arranged in a star shaped manner or are arranged crosswise. The first cutting 10 blade arrangement and/or the second cutting blade arrangement may have cutting blades with a serrated edge, The first cutting blade arrangement and/or the second cutting blade arrangement may have a plurality of cutting 15 blades which are arranged one above another in different planes. The cutting insert may have connecting elements, in particular latching projections and/or latching recesses, 20 which are designed and intended to interact with mating connecting elements of the foodstuff chopping apparatus. The pressing punch may be arranged on a pivotably mounted pressing lever, and/or the pressing punch may be arranged 25 removably on a pivotably mounted pressing lever. The foodstuff chopping apparatus may include a further pressing punch. 30 The further pressing punch may be arranged on a pivotably mounted pressing lever, and/or the further pressing punch may be arranged removably on a pivotably mounted pressing lever. Further the pressing punch and the further pressing punch may be arranged together on a pivotably mounted 35 pressing lever.

2B The cutting insert may be insertable into the foodstuff chopping apparatus alternatively in a first position or in a second position, which is different from the first position. 5 In the first position, the first cutting blade arrangement may be positioned in the operative region, in particular a pivoting region, of the pressing punch. In the second position, the second cutting blade arrangement may be 10 positioned therein and/or in the first position. The second cutting blade arrangement may be positioned in the operative region, in particular a pivoting region, of the further pressing punch, and, in the second position, the 15 first cutting blade arrangement may be positioned therein. The first position may differ from the second position by a cutting insert rotated by 180 degrees - in particular in the cutting blade plane. 20 The first position and the second position may be distinguished by the same position of the cutting insert, but differ by an orientation which differs by 180 degrees. 25 The cutting insert may be insertable alternatively with a first orientation or with a second orientation into the receptacle. According to another aspect there is provided an item of 30 kitchen equipment with a foodstuff chopping apparatus as defined in any of the preceding aspects of the invention and with a vessel. The vessel may be a dish in the manner of a cover onto which 35 the foodstuff chopping apparatus is placeable.

2C In another aspect a cutting insert is provided wherein the first cutting blade arrangement is arranged .n a first region of the cutting insert, and a second region, which is 5 different from the first region, has a second cutting blade arrangement. A cutting insert according to at le as t one embodiment of this disclosure has the quite 10 particular advantage that alternatively either the first cutting blade arrangement or the second cutting blade arrangement can be positioned and used in a working position within a foodstuff chopping apparatus. As is explained in more detail below, this can take place, for 15 example, by the cutting insert being fixable in different positions and/or at different locations on or in a foodstuff chopping apparatus. Alternatively or in addition, provision can also be 20 made for both the first cutting blade arrangement and the second cutting blade arrangement to be used at the same time - for example with two separate pressing punches. in a particular embodiment of the cutting insert according 25 to the disclosure, it is provided that the first cutting blade arrangement differs from the second cutting blade arrangement. The difference can reside, for example, in a different blade spacing and/or in a different blade orientation and/or in a different blade pattern and/or by 30 the use of different blade types. For example, the first cutting blade arrangement can have cutting blades with a straight cutting edge, while the second cutting blade arrangement has cutting blades with a 35 serrated edge.

2D Provision can also be made, for example, for the first cutting blade arrangement exclusively to have cutting blades arranged parallel to each other, while the 5 second cutting blade arrangement has cutting blades which intersect in the manner of a chessboard.

WO 2012/150044 - WO 2012/150044 Alternatively or in addition, provision can alSo D made, for example, for the first cutting blade arrangement to have cutting blades arranged in a star-shaped manner, while the second cutting blade 5 arrangement is provided with cutting blades which are parallel or are arranged in a diamond--shaped manner. In another embodiment, the cutting blade arrangements do not differ. This embodiment has the advantage of an 10 overall extended service life because, first of all, toe first cutting blade arrangement can be used in a working position and, subsequently, for example if the cutting blades of the first cutting blade arrangement are damaged, the second cutting blade arrangement can 15 be positioned in the working position instead of the first cutting blade arrangement. In a particularly advantageous and stable embodiment, the first cutting blade arrangement and the second 20 cutting blade arrangement are arranged in a common frame. In particular, provision can be made for the first cutt inc blade arrangement and the second cutting blade arrangement to be arranged spaced apart from each other in. a common fr.ame. In a partIcularly advantageous 25 manner, an. intermediate web can be present between the cutting blade arrangements. Said intermediate web can be designed in particular to stabilize and to reinforce the entire cutting insert. -- optionally together with a common frame of the cutting blade arrangements. 30 A very particularly advantageous embodiment of the cutting insert according to the invention is formed symmetrically, in particular mirror-symmetrically - apart from possible differences 35 between the different cutting blade arrangements. Such an embodiment has the very particular advantage that the selection of the cutting blade arrangement to be used can be determined by simple selection of the WO 2012/150044 - 4 - WO 2012/150044 position, in particular the rotational position, of the cutting insert. in particular, provision can advantageously be made in this context for the cutting insert to be formed symmetrically with respect to a 5 mirror plane which is perpendicular to the plane in which the cutting blades are arranged. In order to be able easily and precisely to handle the cutting insert, in a particular: embodiment, at least 10 one handle and/or a handle region are/is provided. Such a handle can advantageously be designed in such a manner that the cutting attachment can be positioned easily and safely in a foodstuff chopping apparatus and can be removed again easily and safely. In particular, 15 provision can be made to provide a plurality of handles and/or handle regions which can be used independently of one another depending on the position and/or orientation of the cutting insert in a foodstuff chopping apparatus. 20 in a particular embodiment, it is provided that the first cutting blade arrangement and/or the second cutting blade arrangement have a plurality of cutting blades arranged above one another - preferably 25 differently - in different planes. Such an embodiment has the particular advantage that particularly exotically shaped foodstuff portions can be produced. In particular, a particularly precise cutting grid can thereby also be made available. 30 In a particularly safely and rapidly insertable embodiment of the cutting insert according to the invention, it is provided that the latter has connecting elements, in particular latching projections 35 and/or latching recesses, which are designed and intended to interact with mating connecting elements of a foodstuff chopping apparatus. The cutting insert according to the invention can thereby advantageously WO 2012/150044 - 5 - WO 2012/150044 be safely positioned in a foodstuff chopping apparatus by means of simplelatching. The connecting elements and the mating connecting 5 elements are preferably designed and positioned in such a manner that the cutting insert is fixable in different positions and/or in different orientations in the foodstuff chopping apparatus. In particular, provision can be made for the connecting elements 10 and/or the mating connecting elements to in each case be arranged symmetrically, in particular mirror-symmetrically, with respect to one another. Such an embodiment advantageously permits the connecting elements, which, in a first position and/or 15 orientation, engage in first mating connecting elements, in a mirror-symmetrical position to engage in second mating connecting elements arranged nirror-symmetrically, and vice versa. The effect thereby advantageously achieved is that dedicated 20 connecting elements and/or mating connecting elements do not have to be provided for each possible position and/or orientation. On the contrary, in an advantageous manner according to the invention, the same connecting elements and the same mating connecting elements are 25 used for different positions and/or orientations of the cutting insert within the foodstuff chopping apparatus. A set which can consists of a plurality of different cutting inserts according to the invention is 30 particularly advantageous. Such a set is usable in a particularly flexible manner for a multiplicity of different cutting requirements. A foodstuff chopping apparatus which. is made available to the user with a cutting insert according to the invention and/or with a 35 set of interchangeable cutting inserts according to the invention is particularly advantageous.

WO 2012/150044 - 6- WO 2012/150044 Such a foodstuff chopping apparatus can advantageously nave a pressing punch for pushing material to be chopped through the respective cutting insert - in particular through the cutting blade arrangement 5 located in a working position. The pressing punch can advantageously be arranged, for example, on a pivotabiv mounted pressing lever. .0 In a particular embodiment, the pressing punch is arranged removably on a pivotably mounted pressing lever. The pressing punch can advantageously have a 5 multiplicity of slots into which the cutting blades plunge during the cutting operation. In particular, provision can be made for the pressing punch to have slots which permit the use of a multiplicity of differently arranged cutting blade arrangements. It 20 does not have to be provided in this connection that, in each cutting blade arrangement, cutting blades also always plunge into all of the slots of the pressing pun ch, 25 In an advantageous embodiment of a foodstuff chopping apparatus acco rdino to the invent ion, a further pressing punch Is provided in addition to the pressing punch. The further pressing punch can advantageously also be arranged - in particular removably - on a 30 pivotably mounted pressing ever. in a particular embodiment, the pressing punch and the further pressing punch. are arranged together on a pivotably mounted pressing lever. This embodiment makes 35 it possible simultaneously to use two cutting blade arrangements of a cutting insert according to the invention. Accordingly, such a foodstuff chopping apparatus has two working regions which differ from WO 2012/150044 - 7 - WO 2012/150044 each other. Such a foodstuff chopping apparatus can be reset in a simple and flexible manner at any time by removal of one of the two pressing punches. 5 As already mentioned, in an advantageous embodiment of the foodstuff chopping apparatus according to the invention, alternatively either the first cutting blade arrangement or the second cutting blade arrangement can be positioned or fixed in an operative region, in 10 particular a pivoting region, of the pressing punch. In particular, it can be provided that, depending on cutting requirements, the cutting insert is insertable into the foodstuff chopping apparatus alternatively in 15 a first position or in a second position, which is different from the first position. In this case, it can advantageously be provided that in the first position, the first cutting blade arrangement 20 is positionable in the operative region, in particular the pivoting region, of the pressing punch, and, in the second position, the second cutting blade arrangement is positionable therein - depending on cutting requirements. Alternatively or in addition, it can ne 25 provided that in the first position, the second cutting blade arrangement is positionable in the operative region, in particular the pivoting region, of the further pressing punch, and, in the second position, the first cutting blade arrangement is positionable 30 therein. in a very particularly advantageous embodiment, which is simple to operate, of the foodstuff chopping apparatus according to the invention, it is provided 35 that the first position differs from the second position by a cutting insert rotated by 180" - in particular in the cutting blade plane, i.e. in particular with respect to an imaginary axis of WO 2012/150044 - WO 2012/150044 rotation which is perpendicular to ihe cutting blade piane. Alternatively or in addition, it can be provided that the first position and the second. position are distinguished by the same position of the cutting 5 insert., but differ by an orientation which differs by An advantageous embodiment of the foodstuff chopping apparatus has a receptac le into which the cutting 10 insert according to the invention is inserted and/or is insertable - preferably so as to be removable again. In. articular, it can be provided that the cutting insert is insertable alternatively with a first 15 orientation or with a second orientation into the receptacle. The required cutting blade arrangement - depending on cutting requirements -can thereby be brought very simply, rapidly and reliably into the working position and positioned there, 20 The foodstuff chopping apparatus according to the invention can advantageously be designed as a cover wnich is placeable onto a vessel - preferably completely covering the vessel opening, and/or is 25 fixable on a vessel - peferably completely cove ring the vessel opening. An it of kitchen equipment with such a foodstuff chopping apparatus, which is placeable in the manner of a cover onto a vessel, in particular onto a dish, and/or is fastenable t-hereto, is of 30 particular advantage in this context. Further aims, advantages, features and possibilities of use of the present. invention emerge from the description below of an exemplary embodiment with 35 reference to the drawing. All of the features described and/or illustrated graphically here form the subject matter of the present invention by themselves or in any expedient combination, irrespective of the summa-ry of WO 2012/150044 - 9 - WO 2012/150044 said features in the claims or the dependency references of the latter. Fig. I shows a cutting insert according to the 5 invention, and Fig. 2 shows a foodstuff chopping apparatus according to the invention with a cutting insert according to the invention. 10 Fig. 1 shows a cutting insert 1 according to the invention with a first cutting blade arrangement 2, which is arranged in a first region 3, and with a second cutting blade arrangement 4, which is arranged 15 in a second region 5. The first cutting blade arrangement 2 and the second cutting blade arrangement 4 are held together in a frame 6 and are separated from each other by a stabilizing intermediate web 7. 20 The cutting insert i has a handle 8 on both of the narrow sides. Furthermore, connecting elements 9 are provided, said connecting elements being designed to interact with mating connecting elements of a foodstuff chopping apparatus, 2 5 Fig. 2 shows a foodstuff chopping apparatus 10 according to the invention with a cutting insert. 1 according to the invention. The foodstuff chopping apparatus 10 is designed in the manner of a cover and 30 is placeable in a latchable manner onto a vessel 11. The foodstuff chopping apparatus has a pivotably mounted pressing lever 12 with a pressing punch 13. In the position shown, a first cutting blade 35 arrangement 2 of the cutting insert 1 is located in the pivoting region of the pressing punch 13 and therefore in the working position. The cutting insert . has a second cutting blade arrangement 4 which, by rotation WO 2012/150044 - 10 - WO 2012/150044 of the cutting insert I by 180 in the cutting plane, can be brought into the working position, i.e, into the pivoting region of the pressing punch 13. The first cutting blade arrangement 2 and the second cutting 5 blade arrangement 4 have cutting b lades with a different blade spacing and with a different blade pattern.

WO 2012/150044 - 11 - WO 2012/150044 List of Reference Numbers 1 Cutting insert 2 First cutting blade arrangement 5 3 First region 4 Second cutting blade arrangement 5 Second region 6 Frame 7 Intermediate web 10 8 Handles 9 Connecting elements 10 Foodstuff chopping apparatus 11 Vessel 12 Pressing lever 15 13 Pressing punch 20

Claims

3. The foodstuff chopping apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first cutting blade arrangement and the second cutting blade arrangement are arranged in 30 a common frame and/or are arranged spaced apart from each other in a comanon frame. - 13 4. The foodstuff chopping apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first cutting blade arrangement and the second cutting blade arrangement are separated from each other by an intermediate web. 5
5. The foodstuff chopping apparatus as claimed in any one of claims I to 4, wherein the cutting insert is formed symmetrically, in particular mirror-symmetrically, apart from differences in the cutting blade arrangements or 10 has at least one handle and/or a handle region.
6. The foodstuff chopping apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a. the first cutting blade arrangement and/or the 15 second cutting blade arrangement have cutting blades which are arranged in a grid-shaped manner or are arranged in a star-shaped manner or are arranged crosswise, b. and/or the first cutting blade arrangement 20 and/or the second cutting blade arrangement have cutting blades with a serrated edge.
7. The foodstuff chopping apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first cutting blade 25 arrangement and/or the second cutting blade arrangement have a plurality of cutting blades which are arranged one above another in different planes.
8. The foodstuff chopping apparatus as claimed in any one 30 of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cutting insert has connecting elements, in particular latching projections and/or latching recesses, which are designed and - 14 intended to interact with mating connecting elements of the foodstuff chopping apparatus.
9. The foodstuff chopping apparatus as claimed in any one 5 of the claims I to 8, wherein the pressing punch is arranged on a pivotably mounted pressing lever, and/or the pressing punch is arranged removably on a pivotably mounted pressing lever. 10 10. The foodstuff chopping apparatus as claimed ini claim 9, wherein a further pressing punch is provided.
11. The foodstuff chopping apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the further pressing punch is arranged on a 15 pivotably mounted pressing lever, and/or the further pressing punch is arranged removably on a pivotably mounted pressing lever and/or the pressing punch and the further pressing punch are arranged together on a pivotably mounted pressing lever, 20
12. The foodstuff chopping apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the cutting insert is insertable into the foodstuff chopping apparatus alternatively in a first position or in a second 25 position, which is different from the first position.
13. The foodstuff chopping apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein, in the first position, the first cutting blade arrangement is positioned in the operative region, in 30 particular a pivoting region, of the pressing punch, and, in the second position, the second cutting blade arrangement is positioned therein and/or -n the first position, the second cutting blade arrangement is - 15 positioned in the operative region, in particular a pivoting region, of the further pressing punch, and, in the second position, the first cutting blade arrangement is positioned therein.
14. The foodstuff chopping apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the first position differs from the second position by a cutting insert rotated by 180 degrees - in particular in the cutting blade plane 10 and/or the first position and the second position are distinguished by the same position of the cutting insert, but differ by an orientation which differs by 180 degrees. 15 15. The foodstuff chopping apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the cutting insert is insertable alternatively with a first orientation or with a second orientation into the receptacle. 20 16. An item of kitchenn equipment with a foodstuff chopping apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 and with a vessel, in particular a dish, onto which the foodstuff chopping apparatus is placeable in the manner of a cover.