Handheld food cutter

Abstract

This invention discloses a handheld food cutter. The food cutter has an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis and has an upper portion and a lower portion. The elongated body has a cylindrical profile with a closed bottom, and the upper portion has a hemispherical profile at its apex. The elongated body has a height of 8.8 to 16.5 cm and a width or diameter of 5.9 to 12.5 cm. The upper portion includes a housing, a handle extending from the housing, and a drive shaft, wherein the housing contains a gear mechanism for transmitting driving force from the handle to the drive shaft. The lower portion serves as a container for holding food to be processed, wherein the lower portion is provided with an opening, and the upper portion is detachably engaged with the opening to close the opening during use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a cooking appliance, and more particularly to a food cutter, including but not limited to a non-electric handheld food cutter. Background Technology

[0002] A wide variety of cooking tools are available to help prepare or cook food. Common, conventional appliances include electric food processors. These food processors are versatile and powerful, and they are well-suited for providing different food processing functions. However, they are often relatively large and contain many different components. Therefore, a considerable amount of effort is required to clean and store them after each use. On the other hand, some food processors are too small to accommodate larger foods, or their complex structure makes cleaning difficult.

[0003] For at least these reasons, relatively compact handheld or non-powered tools remain a necessity. Users with small kitchens or who prepare relatively simple meals still prefer these types of cooking tools.

[0004] During food preparation, a typical practice is to cut food into small pieces. Using a traditional knife is an option, but inexperienced users may find cutting food into small pieces with a knife inconvenient, tedious, dangerous, and / or time-consuming.

[0005] The present invention seeks to solve the above-mentioned problems, or to provide a more efficient food cutter with a simpler and / or easier-to-clean structure, or at least to provide an alternative for the public. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, a food cutter is provided having an elongated body with a defined longitudinal axis, the food cutter comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein i) the upper portion includes a housing, a handle extending from the housing, and a drive shaft, wherein the housing contains a gear mechanism for transmitting driving force from the handle to the drive shaft; ii) the lower portion includes a container for receiving food to be processed, wherein the lower portion is provided with an upper edge defining an opening, the upper portion being detachably engaged to the opening to close the opening during use; iii) the handle has a pair of arms extending from the upper portion and engaging to form a lever at its distal end, wherein, in use, the lever of the handle is reciprocating between a clockwise (or upward) direction and a counterclockwise (downward) direction; iv) the gear mechanism has a first gear, the first gear... A wheel is vertically positioned relative to a longitudinal axis and defines a first wheel surface and a second wheel surface opposite to the first wheel surface. v) The first wheel surface has teeth on its edge. vi) A gear mechanism has a second gear, which is horizontally positioned relative to the longitudinal axis and defines a first upward-facing wheel surface and a second downward-facing wheel surface. The first upward-facing wheel surface has teeth that mesh with the teeth of the first gear. The second downward-facing wheel surface defines an inner edge and has teeth. vii) A drive shaft has an elongated profile and is vertically positioned and defines an upper end that meshes with the teeth of the inner edge of the second wheel surface. iii) The drive shaft has a distal end for driving a plurality of rotatable blades disposed in a lower portion, whereby clockwise or upward movement of the lever of the handle achieves rotation of the plurality of blades in one direction, and counterclockwise or downward movement of the lever of the handle achieves rotation of the plurality of blades in the opposite direction.

[0007] Preferably, the first gear may be the only vertically mounted gear in the gear mechanism; the elongated body may have a cylindrical profile with a closed bottom, and the top of the upper portion may have a hemispherical profile; and the distal end of the drive shaft may protrude from the upper portion of the food cutter. For clarity, providing only one vertically mounted gear means providing a functional vertically mounted gear that can act on the gear mechanism.

[0008] Suitable, the elongated body may have a height of 8.8 to 16.5 cm and a width or diameter of 5.9 to 12.5 cm. These size ranges are not arbitrary, but are advantageous in the context of this invention.

[0009] In one embodiment, the pair of arms extending from opposite sides of the upper portion of the food cutter may define a laterally extending axis passing through the center of the first gear, and wherein the laterally extending axis may be arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body. In a more specific embodiment, the pair of arms extending from the upper portion may surround and conform to the shape of the hemispherical upper portion of the elongated body, and transform into levers.

[0010] In one embodiment, the lever can be moved or swung back and forth from one lateral side of the upper portion of the food cutter to the opposite lateral side of the upper portion of the food cutter.

[0011] Advantageously, the first gear may have a post fitted to or formed at its center, and the pair of arms may be fixedly fixed to the post, whereby rotation of the handle causes the arms to rotate the post and thus rotates the first gear.

[0012] Preferably, the second gear surface of the first gear may be toothless, or at least may be toothless with no functional or operable teeth.

[0013] Appropriately, the second gear may be eccentrically positioned within the upper portion of the food cutter and positioned such that the teeth from the first gear's first wheel surface mesh with the teeth from the second gear's upper surface.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the elongated body and the drive shaft share a longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the upper end of the drive shaft may have teeth that mesh with the inner edge of the second gear, thereby causing the drive shaft to rotate due to the rotational movement of the second gear.

[0015] The lower portion of the food cutter may include a blade assembly having multiple blades extending radially from its axle. In a particular embodiment, the lower end of a drive shaft may engage with the upper end of the axle, whereby rotation of the drive shaft causes the multiple blades to rotate.

[0016] In some embodiments, the plurality of blades may comprise two or three blade components.

[0017] In one embodiment, the blade assembly may include: a first plate positioned adjacent to or adjacent to the bottom of an upper portion of the food cutter; and a second plate positioned adjacent to or adjacent to a lower portion of the food cutter for removing food adhering to the bottom surface of the upper portion and the bottom plate surface of the lower portion of the food cutter, and then for processing by a plurality of blades.

[0018] According to a second aspect of the invention, a food cutter is provided having an elongated body with a defined longitudinal axis, the food cutter comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein i) the elongated body has a cylindrical profile with a closed bottom, and the top of the upper portion has a hemispherical profile, wherein the elongated body has a height of 8.8 to 16.5 cm and a width or diameter of 5.9 to 12.5 cm, ii) the upper portion includes a housing, a handle extending from the housing, and a drive shaft, wherein the housing contains a gear mechanism for transmitting driving force from the handle to the drive shaft, and iii) the lower portion is designed to accommodate food... A container for processed food, wherein the lower portion is provided with an opening, the upper portion is detachably engaged to the opening to close the opening during use, iv) a handle extends from an elongated body and is reciprocating in a clockwise (or upward) direction and a counterclockwise (downward) direction during use, and v) a drive shaft has a lower end projecting from the upper portion to drive a plurality of rotatable blades disposed in the lower portion of the food cutter, whereby clockwise or upward movement of the lever of the handle achieves rotation of the blades in one direction, and counterclockwise or downward movement of the lever of the handle achieves rotation of the blades in the opposite direction. These dimensions are advantageous in the context of the present invention for a handheld, non-electric food cutter.

[0019] Preferably, the gear mechanism may have a first gear vertically arranged relative to the longitudinal axis, the first gear defining a first wheel surface; the first gear may define a second wheel surface opposite to the first wheel surface; the first gear may be the only vertically arranged gear in the gear mechanism; the first wheel surface may have teeth on its edge; the gear mechanism may have a second gear horizontally arranged relative to the longitudinal axis and defining an upward-facing wheel surface and a downward-facing wheel surface, the upward-facing wheel surface having teeth that mesh with the teeth of the first gear, the downward-facing wheel surface defining an inner edge and having teeth; the drive shaft may have an elongated profile and be vertically arranged and defining an upper end that meshes with the teeth of the inner edge of the second wheel surface; and the first gear may be the only vertically arranged gear in the gear mechanism.

[0020] Suitablely, the handle may have a pair of arms that extend from opposite sides of the upper portion and engage to form a lever at the distal end, wherein, in use, the lever of the handle can reciprocate in a clockwise (or upward) direction and in a counterclockwise (downward) direction.

[0021] The second gear surface of the first gear may not have teeth or at least functional teeth that are operatively engaged in the gear mechanism.

[0022] In one embodiment, the food cutter may include a blade assembly disposed in a lower portion and may include: a first plate disposed adjacent to a bottom surface of an upper portion; and a second plate disposed adjacent to a bottom plate surface of the lower portion for removing food adhering to the bottom surface of the upper portion and the bottom plate surface of the lower portion. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Some embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 This is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the food cutter according to the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Bottom perspective view of a food cutter;

[0026] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a food cutter, showing its internal structure;

[0027] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 First exploded view of a food cutter;

[0028] Figure 5a It is shown Figure 1 A first schematic diagram of the internal structure of the upper part of a food cutter;

[0029] Figure 5b It is shown Figure 1 A second schematic diagram of the internal structure of the upper part of the food cutter;

[0030] Figure 5c It is shown Figure 1 A third schematic diagram of the internal structure of the upper part of the food cutter;

[0031] Figure 5d It is shown Figure 1 The fourth schematic diagram of the internal structure of the upper part of the food cutter;

[0032] Figure 5e yes Figure 1 The second exploded view of the food cutter provides a more comprehensive depiction of its internal structure.

[0033] Figure 6a , 6b 6c and 6d are indicated during use. Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the reciprocating movement of the internal structure of a food cutter;

[0034] Figure 7a and 7bIt is shown during use Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the reciprocating movement of the internal structure of a food cutter;

[0035] Figure 8 It is shown by Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating the exemplary processing of food by a food cutter;

[0036] Figure 9a It is installed in the first configuration Figure 1 Side view of a food cutter;

[0037] Figure 9b It is shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram of two possible configurations of a food cutter; and

[0038] Figure 10a It is shown by Figure 1 Another illustration of the food processing by the food cutter; and

[0039] Figure 10b yes Figure 10a A perspective view of the lower part of a food cutter. Detailed Implementation

[0040] This invention relates to a food processing machine, or a handheld, non-electrically operated food cutter, for cutting foods such as garlic and ginger into small pieces. The food cutter is illustrated and explained by means of the following examples.

[0041] Figures 1 to 2 These are top and bottom perspective views of an embodiment of a food cutter generally designated as 2. The food cutter 2 has an elongated (or upright) body 4 defining a longitudinal axis A-A'. The food cutter 2 typically includes an upper portion 6 and a lower portion 8. In this embodiment, the height and width or diameter of the elongated body 4 of the food cutter 2 are 10.4 cm and 6.9 cm, respectively. In another embodiment with a smaller size, the height and width or diameter of the elongated body of the food cutter are 8.8 cm and 5.9 cm, respectively. In yet another embodiment with a larger size, the height and width or diameter of the elongated body of the food cutter are 16.5 cm and 12.5 cm, respectively.

[0042] Figure 3 yes Figure 1A schematic diagram of a food cutter 2 shows its internal structure. In the assembled configuration, an upper portion 6 is shown detachably connected to a lower portion 8, with the lower end 6a of the upper portion 6 engaging the upper end 8a of the lower portion 8. In other words, the upper portion 6 rests on the lower portion 8 and seals the lower portion 8 at its upper edge. In this embodiment, the detachable connection between the upper portion 6 and the lower portion 8 is achieved by a lug 10 provided on the upper end 8a of the lower portion 8, which is received in a corresponding recess 12 formed in the lower end 6a of the upper portion 6. See also... Figure 8 It can be seen from Figure 8 As can be seen, during assembly, the lower end 6a of the upper part 6 rests within the upper end 8a of the lower part 8. The detachability of the upper part from the lower part allows users to easily clean the food cutter after use, especially the lower part.

[0043] Figure 4 This is a first exploded view of a food cutter 2. The upper portion 6 of the food cutter 2 includes a hemispherical portion 14 and a cylindrical portion 16 positioned below and suspended from the hemispherical portion 14. The food cutter 2 has a handle 18 extending from the hemispherical portion 14. In this embodiment, the handle 18 includes a pair of arms 20a, 20b extending laterally from opposite lateral sides of the hemispherical portion 14 of the food cutter 2. The arms 20a, 20b conform to the shape of the hemispherical portion 14 and transform into a lever. In this embodiment, the lever takes the form of a spherical handle 22. However, any suitable form that fits the user's fingers and palm is appropriate. Specifically, the arms 20a, 20b are made of a metal material, while the lever or spherical handle 22 is made of a polymer material. However, in other embodiments, the arms may be made of other materials. In this embodiment, the cylindrical portion 16 is relatively thinner than the hemispherical portion 14.

[0044] The hemispherical portion 14 contains a first gear 24. The first gear 24 is relatively thin and defines opposing wheel surfaces, namely a first outward-facing wheel surface 24a and a second outward-facing wheel surface 24b. In other words, the first gear 24 is vertically positioned relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body 4. The hemispherical portion 14 also contains a post 26 fixed and fitted into and / or within the first gear 24. The post 26 is substantially thick and extends through the first gear 24. Arms 20a, 20b are fixedly connected to the opposite ends of the post 26. In other words, as the handle 18 and arms 20a, 20b move about the hemispherical portion 14, the post 26 and the first gear 24 also rotate accordingly. See details [link to details]. Figure 4It should be understood that when the handle 18 and arms 20a, 20b are moved clockwise or upward, the column 26 and the first gear 24 rotate in the corresponding direction. Alternatively, when the handle 18 and arms 20a, 20b are moved counterclockwise or downward, the column and the first gear rotate or move in the corresponding direction. The first gear 24 and the column 26 can be integrally molded, or alternatively, the first gear 24 and the column 26 can be molded separately and then fixedly connected together.

[0045] The first gear has teeth on its first wheel surface. In this embodiment, the second wheel surface of the first gear does not have any teeth.

[0046] The upper portion 6 of the food cutter 2 has a cylindrical portion 16 containing a second gear 28. Similar to the first gear 24, the second gear 28 defines a first or upper wheel surface 28a and a second lower wheel surface 28b. However, unlike the first gear 24, the second gear 28 is positioned horizontally relative to the longitudinal axis or the first gear 24. In other words, the second gear 28 (or its wheel surface) is positioned perpendicular to the wheel surface of the first gear 24. The upper wheel surface 28a of the second gear 28 has teeth that engage with the teeth of the first wheel surface 24a of the first gear 24. Therefore, it is conceivable that, in use, rotation of the first gear 24 causes a corresponding rotation of the second gear 28. See also... Figures 5a to 5d .

[0047] Figure 4 The second gear 28 is depicted positioned eccentrically relative to the cylindrical portion 16. The second gear 28 has an edge in the lower wheel surface 28b defining the opening. Teeth are disposed at said edge of the second gear 28. See also... Figure 5e .

[0048] refer to Figure 5d , 5e The cylindrical portion 16 contains a drive shaft 30, which defines an upper end 30a and a lower end 30b. The drive shaft 30 has teeth at the edge of the upper end 30a. The drive shaft 30 is fixed by meshing the teeth at the edge of the upper end 30a with the teeth on the lower surface 28b of the second gear 28. The lower end 30b of the drive shaft 30 is configured as a polygonal column. Therefore, it is conceivable that, in use, rotation of the second gear 28 causes a corresponding rotation of the drive shaft 30. See also... Figure 5c .

[0049] Still referencing Figure 5eThe lower portion 8 of the food cutter 2 has a container, typically in the form of a cup, for holding food to be processed. The lower portion 8 also includes a blade assembly 32. The blade assembly 32 has a central axle 34 and two cutting blades 36a, 36b extending radially from the middle portion of the axle 34. Each cutting blade 36a or 36b has two cutting edges at its opposite ends. The blade assembly 32 further includes two scraping members 38a, 38b, namely an upper scraping member and a lower scraping member. See also... Figure 3 The scraping components 38a and 38b are thin plates with tapered opposite ends. The upper scraping component 38a is adjacent to the bottom surface of the upper portion, and the lower scraping component 38b is adjacent to the bottom plate surface of the lower portion. Therefore, it is conceivable that, in use, rotation of the drive shaft 30 causes corresponding rotation of the blade assembly 32 and thus the cutting blades 36a and 36b. Rotation of the drive shaft 30 also causes corresponding rotation of the scraping components 38a and 38b, allowing food adhering to the bottom surface and the bottom plate surface to be removed for processing. In an alternative embodiment, the scraping components 38a and 38b are adjacent to the bottom surface and the lower surface, respectively. See also... Figure 5d In other embodiments, the blade assembly may provide three or four cutting blades extending radially from the drive shaft.

[0050] Still referencing Figure 5e The second gear 28 and the upper end 30a of the drive shaft 30 act as a speed-changing gear mechanism. For the food cutter to operate effectively, there are requirements for the first gear 24, the second gear 28, and the drive shaft 30. Specifically, there are requirements for the ratio of the teeth located on the upper surfaces of the first gear 24 and the second gear 28, the inner edge of the second gear, and the upper end of the drive shaft 30. In this embodiment, these teeth are assembled in a specific manner and each has a corresponding number, with a rotational ratio between the first gear 24 and the drive shaft 30 that is essentially 4. The rotational ratio refers to the degree of rotation relative to the drive shaft 30 caused by the first gear 24. When the rotational ratio is 4, this means that the degree of rotation of the first gear 24 will translate into four times the rotation of the drive shaft 30 (and therefore its rotational speed). During the development of this invention, experiments were conducted to confirm the range of operable rotational ratios in the context of this invention. The following table summarizes the experimental results.

[0051] Table 1: Results of the number of teeth on gears and drive shafts

[0052]

[0053]

[0054] Experiments show that if the ratio is below 2.92, operating the food cutter will be ineffective. On the other hand, if the ratio is above 7.78, excessive force is required from the user, making the food cutter unusable for most people. In other words, the preferred range for the rotation ratio of the first gear is 2.92 to 7.78.

[0055] Figure 6a , 6b 6c and 6d are indicated during use. Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the internal structure and movement of the food cutter 2. Similar to... Figures 5a to 5d , Figures 6a to 6d The force and motion are transmitted from the handle 18 of the food cutter 2 to the first gear 24, then to the second gear 28, then to the drive shaft 30, then to the wheel axle 34, then to the blade assembly 32, and finally to the cutting blades 36a and 36b.

[0056] Figure 7a and 7b This is an alternative schematic diagram showing the force ultimately transmitted from the handle 18 to the cutting blades 36a, 36b.

[0057] At least from Figures 6a to 6d And 7a to 7b, it should be understood that as the handle swings back and forth from one side of the upper portion to the other, the cutting blade rotates back and forth, thus effectively cutting or slicing the food contained in the lower portion. See also Figure 8 , 9a Up to 9b and 10a to 10b.

[0058] Embodiments of the food cutter according to the invention are advantageous in several ways. First, the food cutter 2 has only one vertically arranged operable gear. An operable gear means that it functionally engages and drives subsequent rotatable components. In the context of the embodiments described above, the only vertically arranged operable gear is the first gear 24. This is important, in part because, unlike more complex systems involving multiple vertically arranged gears, it makes the manufacture of a food cutter with only one vertically arranged gear more cost-effective. Furthermore, providing a vertically arranged gear allows for a relatively simple transmission of force and motion from the handle. Second, the food cutter 2 has only one horizontally arranged gear driven by the vertically arranged gear. Then, between the horizontally arranged gear and the blade assembly, only a drive shaft exists. Providing a limited number of rotating parts facilitates manufacture and assembly, and makes the transmission of force and motion from the handle to the cutting blade easy, efficient, effective, and reliable. Furthermore, the reciprocating movement of the food cutter's handle requires a corresponding rotation of the cutting blade. The rotation of the cutting blade in alternating directions or bidirectional rotation allows for a more simplified and efficient structure in the food cutting mechanism.

[0059] It should be understood that certain features of the invention described in the individual embodiments for clarity may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, for brevity, various features of the invention described in the individual embodiments may also be provided individually or in any suitable sub-combination. It should be noted that certain features of the embodiments are illustrated by means of non-limiting examples. Furthermore, terms such as "upper," "lower," etc., refer to relative positions; terms such as "vertical," "horizontal," etc., refer to relative orientation, etc.

Claims

1. A hand-held food cutter having an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis, characterized by, The food cutter includes an upper part and a lower part, wherein: The upper portion includes a housing, a handle extending from the housing, and a drive shaft, wherein the housing contains a gear mechanism for transmitting driving force from the handle to the drive shaft. - The lower portion includes a container for receiving food to be processed, wherein the lower portion is provided with an upper edge defining an opening, and the upper portion is detachably engaged with the opening to close the opening during use. The handle has a pair of arms that extend from the upper portion and engage to form a lever at its distal end, wherein, in use, the lever of the handle is reciprocating between a clockwise or upward direction and a counterclockwise or downward direction. The gear mechanism has a first gear with a post mounted to its center or formed therein, and the pair of arms are fixedly fixed to the post, whereby rotation of the handle causes the arms to rotate the post and thus rotates the first gear. - The first gear is vertically arranged relative to the longitudinal axis, and the first gear has a first wheel surface and a second wheel surface opposite to the first wheel surface. - The first wheel surface has teeth on its edge. The gear mechanism includes a second gear, which is horizontally arranged relative to the longitudinal axis. The second gear has a first upward-facing wheel surface and a second downward-facing wheel surface. The first upward-facing wheel surface has teeth that mesh with the teeth of the first gear, and the second downward-facing wheel surface has an inner edge with teeth. - The drive shaft has an elongated profile and is vertically arranged. The drive shaft has an upper end that engages with teeth on the inner edge of the second wheel surface. - The drive shaft has a distal end for driving a plurality of rotatable blades disposed in the lower portion, whereby clockwise or upward movement of the lever of the handle achieves rotation of the plurality of blades in one direction, and counterclockwise or downward movement of the lever of the handle achieves rotation of the plurality of blades in the opposite direction.

2. The handheld food cutter according to claim 1, characterized in that, - The first gear is the only vertically arranged gear in the gear mechanism. - The elongated body has a cylindrical profile with a closed bottom, and the top of the upper portion has a hemispherical profile; and - The distal end of the drive shaft protrudes from the upper portion of the food cutter.

3. The hand-held food cutter of claim 2 wherein, The elongated body has a height of 8.8 to 16.5 cm and a width or diameter of 5.9 to 12.5 cm.

4. The hand-held food cutter of claim 2 wherein, The pair of arms extending from opposite sides of the upper portion of the food cutter define a laterally extending axis passing through the center of the first gear, and wherein the laterally extending axis is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body.

5. The hand-held food cutter of claim 4 wherein, The pair of arms extending from the upper portion surround the hemispherical upper portion of the elongated body and conform to the shape of the hemispherical upper portion of the elongated body, and transform into the lever.

6. The hand-held food cutter of claim 5 wherein, The lever is capable of reciprocating or swinging from one lateral side of the upper portion of the food cutter to the opposite lateral side of the upper portion of the food cutter.

7. The hand-held food cutter of claim 1 wherein, The second wheel surface of the first gear does not contain operable teeth.

8. The hand-held food cutter of claim 7 wherein, The second gear is eccentrically disposed within the upper portion of the food cutter and positioned such that the teeth of the first wheel surface of the first gear mesh with the teeth of the upper surface of the second gear.

9. The hand-held food cutter of claim 7 wherein, The elongated body and the drive shaft share the longitudinal axis.

10. The hand-held food cutter of claim 9, wherein, The upper end of the drive shaft has teeth that mesh with the inner edge of the second gear, thereby causing the drive shaft to rotate due to the rotational movement of the second gear.

11. The hand-held food cutter of claim 1 wherein, The lower portion of the food cutter includes a blade assembly having the plurality of blades extending radially from its axle.

12. The hand-held food cutter of claim 11, wherein, The lower end of the drive shaft engages with the upper end of the wheel axle, thereby causing the plurality of blades to rotate when the drive shaft rotates.

13. The hand-held food cutter of claim 1 wherein, The plurality of blades comprises two or three blade components.

14. The hand-held food cutter of claim 11, wherein, The blade assembly includes: a first plate positioned adjacent to or adjacent to the bottom of the upper portion of the food cutter; and a second plate positioned adjacent to or adjacent to the bottom plate surface of the lower portion of the food cutter for removing food adhering to the bottom surface of the upper portion and the bottom plate surface of the lower portion of the food cutter.

15. A handheld food cutter having an elongated body with a defined longitudinal axis, characterized in that, The food cutter includes an upper part and a lower part, wherein: - The elongated body has a cylindrical profile with a closed bottom, and the top of the upper portion has a hemispherical profile, wherein the elongated body has a height of 8.8 to 16.5 cm and a width or diameter of 5.9 to 12.5 cm. The upper portion includes a housing, a handle extending from the housing, and a drive shaft, wherein the housing contains a gear mechanism for transmitting driving force from the handle to the drive shaft. The lower portion serves as a container for holding food to be processed, wherein the lower portion is provided with an opening, and the upper portion is detachably engaged with the opening to close the opening during use. - The handle extends from the elongated body and, in use, is capable of reciprocating in a clockwise or upward direction and in a counterclockwise or downward direction, and The drive shaft has a lower end protruding from the upper portion to drive a plurality of rotatable blades disposed in the lower portion of the food cutter, whereby clockwise or upward movement of the lever of the handle achieves rotation of the blades in one direction, and counterclockwise or downward movement of the lever of the handle achieves rotation of the blades in the opposite direction. The gear mechanism has a first gear vertically arranged relative to the longitudinal axis, and the first gear has a first wheel surface. - The first gear has a second wheel surface that is opposite to the first wheel surface. - The first wheel surface has teeth on its edge. The gear mechanism includes a second gear, which is horizontally arranged relative to the longitudinal axis. The second gear has an upward-facing wheel surface and a downward-facing wheel surface. The upward-facing wheel surface has teeth that mesh with the teeth of the first gear. The downward-facing wheel surface has an inner edge with teeth. - The drive shaft has an elongated profile and is vertically arranged, and the drive shaft has an upper end that engages with the teeth of the inner edge of the second wheel surface.

16. The handheld food cutter according to claim 15, characterized in that, The first gear is the only vertically arranged gear in the gear mechanism.

17. The handheld food cutter according to claim 16, characterized in that, The handle has a pair of arms that extend from opposite sides of the upper portion and engage to form a lever at the distal end, wherein, in use, the lever of the handle is capable of reciprocating in the clockwise or upward direction and in the counterclockwise or downward direction.

18. The handheld food cutter according to claim 17, characterized in that, The second wheel surface of the first gear does not contain teeth.

19. The handheld food cutter according to claim 18, characterized in that, The device includes a blade assembly disposed in the lower portion and comprises: a first plate disposed adjacent to the bottom surface of the upper portion; and a second plate disposed adjacent to the bottom surface of the lower portion for removing food adhering to the bottom surface of the upper portion and the bottom surface of the lower portion.

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