Food comminution device

Abstract

The invention relates to a food comminution device having a base part, which has a receptacle for a cutting insert with at least one cutting blade, and having an actuation part, which is articulatedly connected to the base part and which, for pushing through food items for comminution, can be pivoted towards the cutting insert. The food comminution device is characterized in that a cutting insert with mutually spatially separate cutting regions, said cutting regions being separated from one another by an intermediate web, or a cutting insert with an uninterrupted cutting blade arrangement, in particular a cutting blade arrangement which is not interrupted by an intermediate web, or multiple separate cutting inserts simultaneously, in particular cutting inserts each with a separate frame, can be selectively fitted into the receptacle and used.

Claims

1. A food comminution kit comprising: a food comminution device (1) comprising a base part (2) having a receptacle (3), wherein the food comminution device (1) further comprises an actuation part (11) articulatedly connected to the base part (2) to pivot relative to the base part (2), the actuation part including an initial pressing plunger (19) fixed thereto; a cutting insert kit consisting of a plurality of interchangeable cutting inserts (4, 15) each selectable by a user for use during a comminution process by placement of the cutting insert into the receptacle, each of the plurality of interchangeable cutting inserts having at least one cutting blade arrangement (6, 8), wherein the plurality of interchangeable cutting inserts includes a first cutting insert (4) having spatially separate cutting regions (5, 7) separated from one another by an intermediate web (10), and a second cutting insert (15) having an uninterrupted cutting blade arrangement which is not interrupted by an intermediate web; and a pressing plunger kit consisting of a plurality of interchangeable pressing plungers (20, 21) each selectable by a user for use during a comminution process by fixing the pressing plunger to the actuation part (11), wherein the plurality of interchangeable pressing plungers includes a first pressing plunger (20) fixable to the actuation part (11) such that the first pressing plunger (20) is spaced apart from the initial pressing plunger (19) by an intermediate space (22) large enough to accommodate the intermediate web (10), and a second pressing plunger (21) fixable to the actuation part (11) such that the second pressing plunger (21) is not spaced apart from the initial pressing plunger (19) on the actuation part (11) by the intermediate space (22); wherein, when the first cutting insert (4) is received by the receptacle (3) and the first pressing plunger (20) is fixed to the actuation part (11), the actuation part (11) pivots toward the first cutting insert such that the first pressing plunger (20) and the initial pressing plunger (19) push food items to be comminuted through the first cutting insert (4) and the intermediate web (10) of the first cutting insert is accommodated in the intermediate space (22) between the first pressing plunger (20) and the initial pressing plunger (19), whereby an entire cutting area defined by the spatially separate cutting regions (5, 7) of the first cutting insert (4) is usable for comminution by pivoting the actuation part (11); wherein, when the second cutting insert (15) is received by the receptacle (3) and the second pressing plunger (21) is fixed to the actuation part (11), the actuation part (11) pivots toward the second cutting insert (15) such that the second pressing plunger (21) and the initial pressing plunger (19) push food items to be comminuted through the second cutting insert (15), whereby an entire cutting area defined by the uninterrupted cutting blade arrangement of the second cutting insert is usable for comminution by pivoting the actuation part (11).

2. The food comminution kit according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of interchangeable cutting inserts (4, 15) is sized to completely fill the receptacle (3) when received by the receptacle (3).

3. The food comminution kit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of interchangeable pressing plungers (20, 21) have recesses into which the cutting blade arrangement of the cutting insert received by the receptacle (3) can protrude during a comminution process.

4. The food comminution kit according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of interchangeable cutting inserts has multiple cutting blades (29, 30) arranged one above the other in a direction of comminution in different planes (31, 32), and the plurality of interchangeable pressing plungers includes at least one pressing plunger (23) configured for cooperation with the cutting insert having multiple cutting blades arranged one above the other in the direction of comminution in different planes.

5. The food comminution kit according to claim 1, wherein the base part (2) is formed as a container for receiving the comminuted food items.

6. The food comminution kit according to claim 1, wherein the base part (2) includes a stand for enabling the food comminution device to be placed on a worktop.

7. A food comminution kit comprising: a base part (2) having a receptacle (3); an actuation part (11) articulatedly connected to the base part (2) to pivot relative to the base part (2), the actuation part including a first pressing plunger (12) and a second pressing plunger (13); a cutting insert kit consisting of a plurality of interchangeable cutting inserts (4, 25, 26) each selectable by a user for use during a comminution process by placement of the cutting insert into the receptacle, each of the plurality of interchangeable cutting inserts having at least one cutting blade arrangement (6, 8), wherein the plurality of interchangeable cutting inserts includes a first cutting insert (4) having spatially separate cutting regions (5, 7) separated from one another by an intermediate web (10), and multiple separate cutting inserts (25, 26) simultaneously fittable into the receptacle (3), each of the multiple separate cutting inserts having a separate frame (27, 28); and wherein, when the first cutting insert (4) is received by the receptacle (3), the actuation part (11) pivots toward the first cutting insert such that the first pressing plunger (12) and the second pressing plunger (13) respectively push food items to be comminuted through the spatially separate cutting regions (5, 7) of the first cutting insert (4), whereby an entire cutting area defined by the spatially separate cutting regions (5, 7) of the first cutting insert (4) is usable for comminution by pivoting the actuation part (11); wherein, when the multiple separate cutting inserts (25, 26) are simultaneously received by the receptacle (3) such that no cutting area of the multiple separate cutting inserts (25, 26) overlaps another cutting area of the multiple separate cutting inserts (25, 26), the actuation part (11) pivots toward the multiple separate cutting inserts (25, 26) such that the first pressing plunger (12) and the second pressing plunger (13) respectively push food items to be comminuted through the multiple separate cutting inserts (25, 26), whereby an entire cumulative cutting area within the frames (27, 28) of the multiple separate cutting inserts (25, 26) is usable for comminution by pivoting the actuation part (11).

8. The food comminution kit according to claim 7, wherein the first cutting insert (4) is sized to completely fill the receptacle (3) when received by the receptacle (3).

9. The food comminution kit according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the first pressing plunger (12) and the second pressing plunger (13) has recesses into which the cutting blade arrangement of at least one cutting insert received by the receptacle (3) can protrude during a comminution process.

10. The food comminution kit according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the plurality of interchangeable cutting inserts has multiple cutting blades (29, 30) arranged one above the other in different planes (31, 32), and at least one of the first pressing plunger and the second pressing plunger is configured for cooperation with the cutting insert having multiple cutting blades arranged one above the other in different planes.

11. The food comminution kit according to claim 7, wherein the base part (2) is formed as a container for receiving the comminuted food items.

12. The food comminution kit according to claim 7, wherein the base part (2) includes a stand for enabling the food comminution device to be placed on a worktop.

13. A food comminution kit comprising: a base part (2) having a receptacle (3); an actuation part (11) articulatedly connected to the base part (2) to pivot relative to the base part (2), the actuation part including an initial pressing plunger (19) fixed thereto; a cutting insert kit consisting of a plurality of interchangeable cutting inserts (15, 25, 26) each selectable by a user for use during a comminution process by placement of the cutting insert into the receptacle, each of the plurality of interchangeable cutting inserts having at least one cutting blade arrangement (6, 8), wherein the plurality of interchangeable cutting inserts includes a first cutting insert (15) having an uninterrupted cutting blade arrangement which is not interrupted by an intermediate web, and multiple separate cutting inserts (25, 26) simultaneously fittable into the receptacle (3), each of the multiple separate cutting inserts having a separate frame (27, 28); and a pressing plunger kit consisting of a plurality of interchangeable pressing plungers (21, 20) each selectable by a user for use during a comminution process by fixing the pressing plunger to the actuation part (11), wherein the plurality of interchangeable pressing plungers includes a first pressing plunger (21) fixable to the actuation part (11) such that the first pressing plunger (21) is not spaced apart from the initial pressing plunger (19) on the actuation part (11) by an intermediate space large enough to accommodate adjacent portions of the cutting insert frames (27, 28), and a second pressing plunger (20) fixable to the actuation part (11) such that the second pressing plunger (20) is spaced apart from the initial pressing plunger (19) on the actuation part (11) by an intermediate space large enough to accommodate adjacent portions of the cutting insert frames (27, 28); wherein, when the first cutting insert (15) is received by the receptacle (3) and the first pressing plunger (21) is fixed to the actuation part (11), the actuation part (11) pivots toward the first cutting insert such that the first pressing plunger (21) and the initial pressing plunger (19) push food items to be comminuted through the first cutting insert (15), whereby an entire cutting area defined by the uninterrupted cutting blade arrangement of the first cutting insert (15) is usable for comminution by pivoting the actuation part (11); wherein, when the multiple separate cutting inserts (25, 26) are simultaneously received by the receptacle (3) in a plane of the receptacle (3) and the second pressing plunger (20) is fixed to the actuation part (11), the actuation part (11) pivots toward the multiple separate cutting inserts (25, 26) such that the second pressing plunger (20) and the initial pressing plunger (19) push food items to be comminuted through the multiple separate cutting inserts (25, 26), whereby an entire cumulative cutting area within the frames (27, 28) of the multiple separate cutting inserts (25, 26) is usable for comminution by pivoting the actuation part (11).

14. The food comminution kit according to claim 13, wherein The first cutting insert (15) is sized to completely fill the receptacle (3) when received by the receptacle (3).

15. The food comminution kit according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of interchangeable pressing plungers (21, 20) have recesses into which the cutting blade arrangement of at least one cutting insert received by the receptacle (3) can protrude during a comminution process.

16. The food comminution kit according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the plurality of interchangeable cutting inserts has multiple cutting blades (29, 30) arranged one above the other in a direction of comminution in different planes (31, 32), and the plurality of interchangeable pressing plungers includes at least one pressing plunger (23) configured for cooperation with the cutting insert having multiple cutting blades arranged one above the other in the direction of comminution in different planes.

17. The food comminution kit according to claim 13, wherein the base part (2) is formed as a container for receiving the comminuted food items.

18. The food comminution kit according to claim 13, wherein the base part (2) includes a stand for enabling the food comminution device to be placed on a worktop.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING VIEWS

(1) The subject matter of the invention is schematically illustrated in the drawing and will be described below on the basis of the figures, wherein identical elements or elements of identical action are normally denoted by the same reference signs.

(2) In the drawing:

(3) FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a food comminution device according to the invention,

(4) FIG. 2 shows, by way of example, the formation of an actuation part that can be used with a particular cutting insert,

(5) FIG. 3 shows, by way of example, the formation of another actuation part that can be used with another cutting insert

(6) FIG. 4 shows, by way of example, the formation of a further actuation part that can be used with a further cutting insert;

(7) FIG. 5 illustrates that the first cutting insert of the food comminution device shown in FIG. 1 can be replaced by multiple separate cutting inserts, each having a frame,

(8) FIG. 6 shows the food comminution device with separate cutting inserts, each having a frame, received into a receptacle, and

(9) FIG. 7 shows a cutting insert which has multiple cutting blades arranged one above the other in different planes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(10) FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a food comminution device 1 according to the invention which has a base part 2 with a receptacle 3. A first cutting insert 4 is fitted into the receptacle 3. The first cutting insert 4 has a first cutting blade arrangement 6 in a first cutting region 5 and has a second cutting blade arrangement 8 in a second cutting region 7. The first cutting blade arrangement 6 and the second cutting blade arrangement 8 are arranged in a common frame 9 and are separated from one another by an intermediate web 10.

(11) The food comminution device 1 furthermore has an actuation part 11 which is articulatedly connected to the base part 2 and which, for pushing through food items for comminution, can be pivoted towards the cutting insert 4. A first pressing plunger 12 and a second pressing plunger 13 are fixed to the actuation part 11 such that items for comminution 14 can be pushed through the first cutting blade arrangement 6 by means of the first pressing plunger 12 and such that items for comminution can (alternatively or additionally) be pushed through the second cutting blade arrangement 8 by means of the second pressing plunger 13.

(12) According to the invention, the first cutting insert 4 can be replaced with a second cutting insert 15 which has an uninterrupted cutting blade arrangement, in particular a cutting blade arrangement which is not interrupted by an intermediate web 10, this replacement being illustrated in the FIG. 1 by the curved double arrow. The first cutting insert 4 is illustrated in the figure in a horizontal position, that is to say so as to be visible only from the side, whereas the second cutting insert 15 is illustrated in an upright position. It is self-evident that the second cutting insert 15 must be rotated through 90 degrees in order to be inserted into the receptacle 3.

(13) To ensure that items for comminution are pushed through the second cutting insert 15 without problems, provision is made for the articulated connection 16 of the base part 2 to the actuation part 11 to be detached, and for the actuation part 11 to be replaced with a different actuation part 17 which has a different pressing plunger 18 which is specifically adapted to the cutting blade spacing of the second cutting insert 15.

(14) The food comminution device 1 is in the form of a cover which can be mounted onto a container 24 with detent action and so as to completely cover the container opening. After all of the food items for processing have been pushed through the respective cutting insert 4, 15, the food comminution device 1 can be removed from the container 24, for example in order for the container 24 to be emptied.

(15) As an alternative to an exchange of the actuation part 11 for a different actuation part 17, it would be possible to use an actuation part on which different pressing plunger configurations can be produced, for example by virtue of pressing plungers being fixed in different positions and/or through the use of different pressing plungers. This facility will be described below on the basis of FIGS. 2 to 4.

(16) According to the invention, the first cutting insert 4 can be replaced with separate cutting inserts 25, 26, each having a frame 27, 28. This replacement is illustrated in the FIG. 5 by the curved double arrow. The first cutting insert 4 is illustrated in the figure in a horizontal position, that is to say so as to be visible only from the side, whereas the separate cutting inserts 25, 26, each having a frame 27, 28 are illustrated in an upright position. It is self-evident that the separate cutting inserts 25, 26 must be rotated through 90 degrees in order to be inserted into the receptacle 3. FIG. 6 shows the food comminution device 1 with separate cutting inserts 25, 26 received into the receptacle 3.

(17) FIG. 2 shows, by way of example, the formation of an actuation part 11 which is designed for use with a cutting insert which has two mutually spatially separate cutting regions that are separated by an intermediate web. It would also be possible for the actuation part 11 to be used together with two mutually separate cutting inserts inserted jointly and simultaneously into a receptacle of a base part.

(18) A pressing plunger 19 is fixed to the actuation part 11. Furthermore, a further pressing plunger 20 is fixed to the actuation part 11, as illustrated by the curved double arrow. The further pressing plunger 20 is preferably fixable to the actuation part 11 by way of a simple plug-type and/or detent connection.

(19) The pressing plunger 19 and the further pressing plunger 20 are spaced apart from one another by an intermediate space 22 for the intermediate web.

(20) The actuation part 11 illustrated in FIG. 2 may be converted for use with a cutting insert which has a continuous cutting area that is not interrupted by an intermediate web. For this purpose, the further pressing plunger 20 is removed and replaced with a third pressing plunger 21. The third pressing plunger 21 is larger than the further pressing plunger 20 and is designed such that it also fills the originally existing intermediate space 22. This process is illustrated in FIG. 3.

(21) FIG. 4 illustrates that the actuation part 11 may also be fitted with a pressing plunger which is capable of pushing food items for comminution through a cutting blade arrangement which has multiple cutting blades arranged one above the other in different planes. For this purpose, a fourth pressing plunger 23 which is of particularly tall form is fixed to the actuation part 11. The actuation part 11 illustrated in FIG. 4 is designed for being used together with a cutting insert which has different cutting regions that are separated from one another by an intermediate web, wherein one of the cutting regions has cutting blades arranged one above the other in different planes.

(22) FIG. 7 shows a cutting insert which has a frame 33 and which has multiple cutting blades 29, 30 arranged one above the other in different planes 31, 32.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(23) 1 Food comminution device 2 Base part 3 Receptacle 4 First cutting insert 5 First cutting region 6 First cutting blade arrangement 7 Second cutting region 8 Second cutting blade arrangement 9 Frame 10 Intermediate web 11 Actuation part 12 First pressing plunger 13 Second pressing plunger 14 Item for comminution 15 Second cutting insert 16 Articulated connection 17 Other actuation part 18 Other pressing plunger 19 Pressing plunger 20 Further pressing plunger 21 Third pressing plunger 22 Intermediate space 23 Fourth pressing plunger 24 Container 25 cutting insert 26 cutting insert 27 Frame 28 Frame 29 Blade 30 Blade 31 Plane 32 Plane 33 Frame