Chopper

Abstract

A vegetable cutter includes a housing, a carriage, a blade, a guide channel, and a carriage lock. The carriage is connected to the housing and is slidable relative to the housing. The blade is connectable to the carriage, and when connected, the carriage and the blade move together relative to the housing. The guide channel is connectable to the housing. The carriage lock is connected to the housing and is operable between a locked position in which the carriage is prevented from sliding relative to the housing and an unlocked position in which the carriage is movable relative to the housing, wherein when the guide channel is connected to the housing, the guide channel contacts the carriage lock to move the carriage lock toward the unlocked position.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] A mandoline is a cooking utensil used for slicing, julienning, wavy cutting, and similar food processing. Mandolines have two parallel working surfaces, including a first plane and a main blade, one of which is height adjustable. Main blades included in known mandolines become soiled and worn after use, but are difficult to access for cleaning, refurbishing, or replacement. Additionally, main blades in known mandolines are often uncovered, uncontrolled, or difficult to use reliably. Thus, there is a need for a mandoline that provides better control and covering of a main blade for food processing, and easy access. SUMMARY

[0002] According to one aspect, a mandoline includes a housing, a sled, a blade, a chute, and a sled lock. The sled is connected with the housing and is slidable relative to the housing. The blade is connectable with the sled, and when connected, the sled and the blade move together relative to the housing. The chute is connectable with the housing. The sled lock is connected with the housing and is operable between a locked position in which the sled is prevented from sliding relative to the housing and an unlocked position in which the sled is movable relative to the housing, wherein when the chute is connected with the housing, the chute contacts the sled lock to move the sled lock toward the unlocked position.

[0003] According to another aspect, a mandoline includes a housing, a sled, a blade cartridge, and a blade adjustment mechanism. The sled is connected with the housing and is slidable relative to the housing. The blade cartridge includes a blade and a platform connectable with the sled, and when connected, the sled and the blade cartridge move together relative to the housing. The blade adjustment mechanism is operably connected with at least one of the blade and the platform to adjust an offset of a cutting edge of the blade relative to a front edge of the platform, wherein an actuation range of the blade adjustment mechanism is between a first operating position and a second operating position, and when the blade adjustment mechanism is in the first operating position, the blade adjustment mechanism impedes removal of the blade cartridge from the housing.

[0004] According to another aspect, a mandoline includes a housing, a platform, a blade, a chute, a ridge, and a catch mechanism. The platform is connectable with the housing. The blade is connectable with the housing, and when connected, the platform and the blade move together relative to the housing. The chute is connectable with the housing and is configured to store food against the platform. The ridge is disposed along an outer surface of the chute. The catch mechanism is connected with the housing and includes a protrusion, a catch, and a button. The protrusion is configured to engage with the ridge to lock the chute connected with the housing. A catch spring biases the protrusion toward engagement with the ridge. The button is operable to disengage the protrusion from the ridge, wherein pressing the button perpendicular to the platform drives the protrusion out of the ridge to unlock the chute from the housing.

[0005] According to another aspect, a vegetable chopper includes a housing, a carriage connected with the housing and slidable relative to the housing, and a blade connected with the carriage such that the carriage and the blade move together relative to the housing. The vegetable chopper also includes a feed chute connectable with the housing, and a container to catch food slices that fall from the feed chute and the housing due to gravity, wherein the container is shaped to nest with the housing and the carriage in a storage state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is an exploded front perspective view of the vegetable chopper with the food pusher removed from the feed chute.

[0007] Figure 2 is a back perspective view of the vegetable chopper.

[0008] Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the vegetable chopper with the feed chute removed from the housing.

[0009] Figure 4 is a partial exploded front perspective view of the vegetable chopper with the main housing cover and the feed chute removed.

[0010] Figure 5 is an enlarged front perspective view of the vegetable chopper with the locking mechanism.

[0011] Figure 6 is Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vegetable chopper with the locking mechanism depicted.

[0012] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the housing, carriage, and blade box with the cover in an open position relative to the housing.

[0013] Figure 8 is Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the right carriage lock depicted.

[0014] Figure 9 is an exploded front perspective view of the housing, carriage, blade box, left carriage lock, and right carriage lock included in the vegetable chopper.

[0015] Figure 10 is an exploded left side perspective view of the housing, carriage, and blade box.

[0016] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the blade box.

[0017] Figure 12 is an exploded view of the blade box.

[0018] Figure 13 is a further exploded view of the blade box.

[0019] Figure 14is a schematic view of an alternative carriage and knife box for a vegetable chopper.

[0020] Figure 15 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of another alternative carriage and knife box for a vegetable chopper.

[0021] Figure 16 is Figure 15 is a schematic rear view of the alternative carriage and knife box depicted.

[0022] Figure 17 is a schematic exploded perspective view of another carriage and knife box for a vegetable chopper.

[0023] Figure 18 is Figure 17 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the carriage and knife box depicted.

[0024] Figure 19 is a schematic view of an alternative feed chute and carriage lock for a vegetable chopper.

[0025] Figure 20 is Figure 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the feed chute and carriage lock of

[0026] Figure 21 is a right side view of a vegetable chopper in a storage state.

[0027] Figure 22 is Figure 21 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the vegetable chopper of

[0028] Figure 23 is a right side view of the vegetable chopper of Figure 21 in a use state.

[0029] Figure 24 is a right side perspective view of the vegetable chopper of Figure 21 in a use state.

[0030] Figure 25 is Figure 21 is an exploded right side perspective view of the vegetable chopper of

[0031] Figure 26 is Figure 21 is an exploded left side perspective view of the vegetable chopper of DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like components throughout the several views, Figure 1A vegetable slicer 100 is depicted that includes a feed chute 102 that is coupled with a housing 104 and a container 110. The feed chute 102 is inserted into an aperture 112 defined by the housing 104 and is configured to store food to be sliced by the vegetable slicer 100 in a manner that will be described in greater detail below. The vegetable slicer 100 also includes a food pusher 114 that is configured to be inserted into the feed chute 102 to press food stored in the feed chute 102 against and against a platform 120 that is coupled with the housing 104.

[0033] The food pusher 114 includes a stem 122 that is shaped to be inserted into the feed chute 102 and a grip 124 that is configured to be actuated by a user and drive the stem 122 into the feed chute 102. The stem 122 is complementary to the feed chute 102 to occupy a cross-sectional area of the feed chute 102, and the feed chute 102 has an irregular shape so that the food pusher 114 cannot be rotated with the stem 122 inserted into the feed chute 102, as shown in Figure 2 Figure 2 The grip 124 is wider than the stem 122 and obstructs further insertion of the stem 122 into the feed chute 102 when the stem 122 is fully inserted into the feed chute 102.

[0034] The container 110 is positioned below the feed chute 102 and the housing 104 to catch food slices that fall from the feed chute 102 and the housing 104 due to gravity. Legs 130 that extend around the container 110 secure the housing 104 with the container 110 and support the container 110 above the housing 104.

[0035] Figure 3 A feed chute 102 is depicted that is spaced apart from the aperture 112. The feed chute 102 is formed by a wall 132 that has an outer surface 134 that is complementary to the aperture 112 for insertion into the aperture 112 so that the feed chute 102 cannot be rotated relative to the housing 104 when inserted in the aperture 112. In this regard, the wall 132 includes alternating flat feed chute segments 140 and curved feed chute segments 142, thus forming an irregular shape in the outer surface 134 that is configured to closely fit corresponding flat aperture edges 144 and curved aperture edges 150 of the housing 104 that define the aperture 112.

[0036] The flat feed chute segments 140 and the curved feed chute segments 142 form a top feed chute side 152, a bottom feed chute side 154, a left feed chute side 160, and a right feed chute side 162 of the feed chute 102. As shown in Figure 2 The top feed chute side 152 is positioned as an upper portion of the feed chute 102 when the feed chute 102 is inserted into the aperture 112. With continued reference to Figure 3 ​When the guide channel 102 is inserted into the hole 112, the bottom guide channel side 154 is positioned opposite the top guide channel side 152, serving as the lower part of the guide channel 102. The top guide channel side 152 is planar and is thus constructed to support food of various shapes in the guide channel 102.

[0037] The left guide trough side 160 and the right guide trough side 162 are located along the wall 132 between the top guide trough side 152 and the bottom guide trough side 154, separating the top guide trough side from the bottom guide trough side. When the guide trough 102 is inserted into the hole 112, the left guide trough side 160 and the right guide trough side 162 are positioned as opposite sides of the guide trough 102, corresponding to the left side 164 and the right side 170 of the vegetable cutter 100, respectively.

[0038] The guide channel 102 includes a top ridge 172, a bottom ridge 174, a left rib 180, and a right rib 182 disposed along the outer surface 134 of the guide channel 102. The top ridge 172 extends outward from the top guide channel side 152, the bottom ridge 174 extends outward from the bottom guide channel side 154, the left rib 180 extends outward from the left guide channel side 160, and the right rib 182 extends outward from the right guide channel side 162. The bottom ridge 174 is configured to engage with the housing 104 at the bottom edge 184 of the hole 112, thereby securing the guide channel 102 in the insertion hole 112.

[0039] In this regard, the bottom ridge 174 extends downward from the outer surface 134 and interlocks with the bottom edge 184 from behind the hole 112 when the guide channel 102 is inserted into the hole 112. Therefore, when the guide channel 102 is inserted into the hole 112, the bottom ridge 174 prevents the guide channel 102 from being removed from the hole 112 at the bottom guide channel side 154. The top ridge 172, left rib 180, and right rib 182 are each configured to engage with additional elements of the cutter 100, which will be described in more detail below.

[0040] Figure 4 An exploded view of the vegetable cutter 100 is depicted, in which the main housing cover 190 and the feed channel 102 are separated from the housing 104. (See image) Figure 4 As shown, the vegetable cutter 100 includes a carriage 192 disposed within a housing 104. The carriage 192 is connected to the housing 104 and is capable of sliding relative to the housing 104 in a first position (according to...) Figure 1 The upper part of the orientation shown) and the second position (according to Figure 1 Slide between the lower part (as shown in the diagram), the direction of which is depicted by a double-headed arrow 194.

[0041] A knife holder 200 disposed within the housing 104 is connected to a carriage 192, such that the carriage 192 and the knife holder 200 move together relative to the housing 104. The knife holder 200 includes a platform 120 and blades 202 connected to a knife holder shell 204, which forms the outer shell of the knife holder 200. The platform 120 and blades 202 are configured to position and slice food placed in a feed chute 102 as the knife holder 200 moves relative to the housing 104 from a first position to a second position along with the carriage 192.

[0042] The housing 104 includes a locking mechanism 210 connected to the housing 104 and configured to selectively lock the feed chute 102 onto the housing 104. The locking mechanism 210 includes a base 212 secured to the inside 214 of the main housing cover 190 via fasteners 216 and spaced apart from the platform 120 and the blade 202 in the housing 104.

[0043] Figure 5 Depicting Figure 4 An enlarged view of the locking mechanism 210. (See image.) Figure 5 As shown, the locking mechanism 210 includes a protrusion 220 supported on the base 212. The protrusion 220 forms an inclined surface 222 and a step 224 extending from the base 212, and is configured to engage with the top ridge 172 of the guide channel 102 when inserted into the guide channel 102 insertion hole 112.

[0044] The locking mechanism 210 also includes a locking spring 230 supported on the base 212 and operably connected to the protrusion 220. For example... Figure 3 As shown, when the guide channel 102 is inserted into the hole 112, the locking spring 230 biases the protrusion 220 toward the guide channel 102 so that it enters the hole 112. With this configuration, when the guide channel 102 is inserted into the hole 112, the locking spring 230 drives the protrusion 220 to contact the guide channel 102, and uses the protrusion 220 to lock the guide channel 102 in the hole 112. More specifically, inserting the guide channel 102 into the hole 112 causes the top ridge 172 to contact the inclined surface 222 and slide against the inclined surface, thereby driving the protrusion 220 to resist the bias of the locking spring 230 until the top ridge 172 slides past the inclined surface 222, at which point the locking spring 230 biases the step 224 against the guide channel 102. In this configuration, step 224 prevents the top ridge 172 from moving backward (in the opposite direction to the insertion direction), thereby locking the guide groove 102 connected to the housing 104.

[0045] refer to Figure 5The lock mechanism 210 further includes a button 232 configured to retract the protrusion 220 from the food guide chute 102, unlocking the food guide chute 102 from the housing 104. The platform 120 includes a planar top surface 234 and has a plurality of ribs 236 configured to support food in the food guide chute 102 to be sliced by the blade 202. The plurality of ribs 236 are oriented along the slide direction 194 and are configured to support food in the food guide chute 102 with a reduced contact surface area compared to a planar surface. With this configuration, food supported on the platform 120 is more easily slid along the platform 120 in the slide direction 194 to be sliced by the blade 202.

[0046] The button 232 is configured to be pressed in a direction perpendicular to the top surface 234 to disengage the protrusion 220 from the food guide chute 102, unlocking the food guide chute 102 from the housing 104. The button 232 is supported on the base 212 via a shaft 240. Thus, the button 232 is configured to pivot about the shaft 240 relative to the base 212 toward the platform 120 when the button 232 is pressed by a user.

[0047] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the lock mechanism 210 including the protrusion 220 and the button 232 is depicted. As shown, the button 232 is operably connected to the protrusion 220 by a lock lever 242 and a slide link 244. Figure 6

[0048] The lock lever 242 is pivotally secured to the base 212 via a lever hinge portion 250 at a location along the lock lever 242 between a first lever end portion 252 and a second lever end portion 254. The first lever end portion 252 and the second lever end portion 254 are configured to pivot about the lever hinge portion 250 relative to the base 212 between a first lever position and a second lever position. The slide link 244 is configured to slide with the protrusion 220 along the base 212 to lock and unlock the food guide chute 102 relative to the housing 104.

[0049] The button 232 is disposed on the first lever end portion 252 such that pressing the button 232 toward the platform 120 causes the first lever end portion 252 and the second lever end portion 254 to pivot from the first lever position toward the second lever position. The protrusion 220 is operably connected to the lock spring 230 by the slide link 244, where the lock spring 230 biases the slide link 244 and the protrusion 220 relative to the base 212 toward the food guide chute 102 when the food guide chute 102 is inserted into the aperture 112.

[0050] ​The sliding link 244 is disposed on the second rod end portion 254 and configured to slide against the second rod end portion, such that when the guide groove 102 is inserted into the hole 112, the second rod end portion 254 rotates from the first rod position toward the second rod position, driving the sliding link 244 and the protrusion 220 to resist the bias of the locking spring 230 and move away from the guide groove 102. The first rod end portion 252 and the second rod end portion 254 are fixed to the rod hinge portion 250 at a certain offset angle, such that pressing the button 232 toward the platform 120 and the first rod end portion 252 drive the second rod end portion 254 and the sliding link 244 to resist the bias of the locking spring 230.

[0051] When button 232 is not pressed and latch lever 242 is biased in the first lever position, the first lever end portion 252 presses button 232 against the inner side 214 of the main housing cover 190. This configuration biases the latching mechanism 210 toward a locking configuration with the guide channel 102, wherein button 232 protrudes relative to housing 104 for user pressing, unlocking the guide channel 102 from the latching mechanism 210. In this manner, button 232 is operatively connected to protrusion 220 to drive protrusion 220 away from guide channel 102 when the user presses button 232, thereby unlocking guide channel 102 for removal from hole 112, allowing guide channel 102 to connect and lock with housing 104.

[0052] like Figure 7 As shown, the vegetable cutter 100 includes a left slide lock 260 and a right slide lock 262 connected to the housing 104 on opposite sides of the slide 192 and the hole 112, the opposite sides corresponding to the left side 164 and the right side 170 of the vegetable cutter 100. The left slide lock 260 and the right slide lock 262 are each operable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the slide 192 is prevented from sliding relative to the housing 104; in the unlocked position, the slide 192 is movable relative to the housing 104.

[0053] Figure 8 Depicting Figure 7 An enlarged view of the right carriage lock 262 connected to the housing 104, as depicted. Figure 8 As shown, the right carriage lock 262 is secured to the housing 104 via a pair of pivots 264 in a corresponding shaft mount 266 inserted into the housing 104. The pair of pivots 264 restricts the right carriage lock 262 to a pivotal connection relative to the housing 104, wherein the right carriage lock 262 is configured to pivot relative to the housing 104 between a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0054] The right carriage lock 262 includes a toggle end 270 and a locking end 272 extending in opposite directions from a pair of pivots 264 (see [link]). Figure 9Using this configuration, the pair of pivots 264 are positioned between the toggle end 270 and the locking end 272 along the right carriage lock 262 (see...). Figure 9 Therefore, the toggle end 270 and the locking end 272 are configured to travel in opposite directions when pivoting about a pair of pivots 264.

[0055] The toggle end 270 is configured to actuate the right carriage lock 262 between a locked position and an unlocked position. The right carriage lock 262 includes a carriage hook 274 integrally formed with and extending from the toggle end 270.

[0056] like Figure 8 As shown, the latch 280 extends from and is secured to the right side housing 282 included in the housing 104. An elastic band 284 extends around the carriage hook 274 and the latch 280. The elastic band 284 is a tension spring that pulls the right carriage lock 262 toward the locked position by pulling the toggle end 270 at the carriage hook 274 toward the housing 104, thereby driving the locking end 272 toward the carriage 192.

[0057] Return to reference Figure 4 The right rib 182 is configured to engage with the toggle end 270 when the guide channel 102 is inserted into the hole 112 and locked with the locking mechanism 210. In this respect, when the guide channel 102 is connected to the housing 104, the right rib 182 contacts the toggle end 270 to move the right carriage lock 262 toward the unlocked position. Therefore, inserting the guide channel 102 into the hole 112 defined by the housing 104 drives the right carriage lock 262 toward the unlocked position.

[0058] Figure 7 The left carriage lock 260 and right carriage lock 262 are depicted engaged with carriage 192 in the locked position. (See image.) Figure 9 As shown, the carriage 192 defines a right carriage recess 290, which is configured to engage the locking end 272 when the right carriage lock 262 is pivoted to the locked position, thereby preventing the carriage 192 from moving relative to the housing 104 in the sliding direction 194.

[0059] The right carriage notch 290 is positioned along the sliding direction 194 along the carriage 192 to engage the locking end 272 in the locked position when the carriage 192 is in the first position. With this configuration, the right carriage lock 262 is configured to interlock with the carriage 192 in the first position when the guide channel 102 is removed from the hole 112. In this way, without first installing the guide channel 102 in the housing 104, the user is prevented from actuating the slider 192 from the first position to the second position with a slicing action, wherein the guide channel 102 covers the blade 202 to prevent user access.

[0060] The left carriage lock 260, relative to the guide chute 102, housing 104, and carriage 192, contains similar features to the right carriage lock 262 and functions in a similar manner. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, further description of the left carriage lock 260 is omitted.

[0061] like Figure 9 As shown, the slicer 100 includes a right tension spring 294 configured to bias the carriage 192 toward a first position relative to the housing 104. A similar left tension spring (not visible) is provided on the opposite side of the carriage 192. Therefore, the carriage 192 is biased toward the first position, where it is locked unless the feed chute 102 is first installed in the housing 104, and thus cannot be actuated to perform slicing motion relative to the housing 104.

[0062] The knife case 200 includes a handle 300, which extends outward from the housing 104 when the knife case 200 is received within the housing 104, such as... Figure 1 As shown. The handle 300 is configured to be driven by the user to actuate the carriage 192 and the slicing box 200 to perform a slicing motion along the sliding direction 194 from the second position toward the first position.

[0063] The right tension spring 294 is connected to the right housing seat 310 fixed to the housing 104, and to the right carriage seat 312 fixed to the carriage 192. The left tension spring (not visible but similar to the right tension spring 294) is connected to the left housing seat (not visible but similar to the right housing seat 310) fixed to the housing 104, and to the left carriage seat (not visible but similar to the right carriage seat 312) fixed to the carriage 192. In this way, the left and right tension springs 294 connect the housing 104 to the carriage 192 to bias the carriage 192 toward a first position.

[0064] like Figure 9 As shown, the right outer shell seat 310 is fixed to the top portion 314 of the right outer shell 282. The right outer shell seat is positioned above the right carriage seat 312 in the sliding direction 194, and is used to pull the carriage 192 from the second position to the first position along the sliding direction 194 when the user releases force on the handle 300. The right carriage seat 312 is disposed on the right runner 320 located on the lower end portion 322 of the carriage 192, and is positioned below the right outer shell seat 310 in the sliding direction 194. The carriage 192 also includes an upper right runner 324 located on the upper end portion 330 of the carriage 192, which is positioned above the lower right runner 320 in the sliding direction 194.

[0065] The right lower slide 320 and the right upper slide 324 are integrally formed with the carriage 192 and extend outward from the carriage 192 in a lateral direction perpendicular to the slide direction 194. The right upper slide 324 and the right lower slide 320 are slidably disposed in first and second right rail slots 332, 334 provided in the right side housing 282, as shown in Figure 10

[0066] As shown in Figure 10 , the first and second right rail slots 332, 334 are formed by the right side housing 282 and are defined in the right side housing 282 along the slide direction 194. The right upper slide 324 and the right lower slide 320 are configured to slide in the first and second right rail slots 332, 334 as the carriage 192 slides between the first and second positions.

[0067] More specifically, the right upper slide 324 is configured to slide in the first right rail slot 332 between a position at a lower end portion 340 of the first right rail slot 332 corresponding to the first position of the carriage 192 and a position at an upper end portion 342 of the first right rail slot 332 corresponding to the second position of the carriage 192. The right lower slide 320 is configured to slide in the second right rail slot 334 between a position at a lower end portion 344 of the second right rail slot 334 corresponding to the first position of the carriage 192 and a position along the second right rail slot 334 corresponding to the second position of the carriage 192.

[0068] In this manner, the right lower slide 320 and the right upper slide 324 are configured to support the carriage 192 within the housing 104 at the right side housing 282 and slide relative to the housing 104 along the slide direction 194 between the first and second positions. Referring back to Figure 7 , the housing 104 includes a left side housing 350 that forms first and second left rails 352, 354. The first and second left rails 352, 354 are configured to support a left lower slide (not visible, but similar to the right lower slide 320) and a left upper slide (not visible, but similar to the right upper slide 324) of the carriage 192 that are not visible.

[0069] The left tension spring, the left housing seat, the left carriage seat, the left lower slide, the left upper slide, and the left side housing 350 include features similar to and function in a similar manner as the right tension spring 294, the right housing seat 310, the right carriage seat 312, the right lower slide 320, the right upper slide 324, and the right side housing 282. In view of the further description of the left tension spring, further description of the left housing seat, the left carriage seat, the left lower slide, the left upper slide, and the left side housing 350 is omitted for brevity.

[0070] Referring to Figure 7 ​The carriage 192 is configured to slide along the right housing 282 and the left housing 350 between a first position and a second position, wherein the carriage 192 can contact a stop 364 disposed on the housing 104 when in the second position. The stop 364 is disposed on a lower housing 370 contained in the housing 104. The right housing 282, the left housing 350, and the lower housing 370 form a frame configured to support the main housing cover 190.

[0071] As the carriage 192 moves toward the second position at the lower housing 370, the left tension spring 292 and the right tension spring 294 stretch. When the force on the handle 300 is removed, the left tension spring 292 and the right tension spring 294 bias the carriage 192 back toward the first position.

[0072] Figure 11 The knife cartridge 200 is depicted as containing a blade adjustment mechanism operably connected with at least one of the blade 202 and the deck 120 via the control lever 372 to adjust an offset of the cutting edge 374 of the blade 202 relative to the front edge 380 of the deck 120. The actuation range of the blade adjustment mechanism is between a first working position and a second working position, and the blade adjustment mechanism impedes removal of the knife cartridge 200 from the housing 104 when the blade adjustment mechanism is in the first working position. As Figure 11 depicted, the knife cartridge 200 contains the control lever 372 as an exemplary component of a blade adjustment mechanism operably connected with the deck 120 to adjust an offset of the cutting edge 374 of the blade 202 relative to the front edge 380 of the deck 120. As Figure 12 depicted, the deck 120 is connected with the knife cartridge housing 204 by a right lower guide pin 382 and a left lower guide pin (not shown). The right lower guide pin 382 and the left lower guide pin are inserted into right lower and left lower apertures 384 defined in the knife cartridge housing 204, wherein the right lower guide pin 382 and the left lower guide pin are configured to pivot relative to the knife cartridge housing 204.

[0073] The deck 120 also contains a right upper guide pin 390 and a left upper guide pin 392 extending from the deck 120 at a position offset from the right lower guide pin 382 and the left lower guide pin along the slide direction 194. The right upper guide pin 390 and the left upper guide pin 392 are configured to move relative to the knife cartridge housing 204 perpendicular to the slide direction 194 such that the deck 120 pivots relative to the knife cartridge housing 204 about the right lower guide pin 382 and the left lower guide pin. The blade 202 is secured to the crossbar 394 via fasteners 400. In this manner, the right upper guide pin 390 and the left upper guide pin 392 are configured to raise and lower the front edge 380 of the deck 120 relative to the cutting edge 374 of the blade 202.

[0074] The control lever 372 is fixed to a slide 402 that is supported on the knife box housing 204. The control lever 372 and the slide 402 are configured to slide along the knife box housing 204 between a first position, which is a first operating position, and a second position, which is a second operating position, when actuated by a user. As shown in Figure 13 The knife box 200 includes a belt 404 disposed in the knife box housing 204. An extension 410 extends from the slide 402 and is received in a belt opening 412 disposed in the belt 404. The belt 404 is configured to be driven by and slide with the control lever 372.

[0075] The knife box 200 includes a left lift 414 fixed to a left end portion 420 of the belt 404 and a right lift 422 fixed to a right end portion 424 of the belt 404. The left lift 414 and the right lift 422 are configured to slide with the left end portion 420 and the right end portion 424 of the belt 404 as the belt 404 is driven by the control lever 372.

[0076] The left lift 414 includes a first left rail 430 that supports the left upper guide pin 392 and a second left rail 432 that supports a shaving blade assembly 434 in the knife box 200. The right lift 422 includes a first right rail 440 that supports the right upper guide pin 390 and a second right rail 442 that supports the shaving blade assembly 434. The platform 120 and the shaving blade assembly 434 are configured to be raised and lowered as the actuation range of the control lever 372 is between the first position and the second position by sliding along the first left rail 430, the second left rail 432, the first right rail 440, and the second right rail 442 in a manner similar to that described in U.S. Patent No. 8,919,234, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0077] While in the depicted embodiment the control lever 372 is operably connected with the platform 120 through the left lift 414 and the right lift 422 to adjust the offset of the cutting edge 374 of the blade 202 relative to the front edge 380 of the platform 120, the control lever 372 can instead be operably connected to the blade 202 through a similar lift mechanism to adjust the offset between the cutting edge 374 and the front edge 380 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0078] Reference is made to Figure 7The housing 104 is configured to retain the knife block 200 in the carriage 192 in cooperation with the cover 444. When unimpeded by the housing 104 and the cover 444, the knife block 200 containing the platform 120 and the blades 202 can be removed as a unit from the carriage 192 and the chopper 100 by the handle 300. In this manner, the knife block 200 containing the platform 120 and the blades 202 can be connected with the carriage 192 and, when connected, the carriage 192 and the knife block 200 move together relative to the housing 104. With this configuration, the knife block 200 can be cleaned or refurbished independently of the remainder of the chopper 100 and replaced without discarding the remainder of the chopper 100.

[0079] The cover 444 is connected with the housing 104 and is operable between a closed position (see Figure 1 ) in which the cover 444 covers at least the carriage 192 and a portion of the blades 202 and an open position (see Figure 7 ) in which the knife block 200 is removable from the housing 104. In the closed position, the cover 444 impedes removal of the knife block 200 from the carriage 192 in the housing 104. In the open position, the knife block 200 is unimpeded by the cover 444 and is removable from the housing 104 by means of the handle 300.

[0080] The cover 444 is configured to pivot relative to the housing 104 between the closed position and the open position. The cover 444 contains a lip 450 that protrudes outwardly from the housing 104 for a user to pull to move the cover 444 from the closed position toward the open position.

[0081] As shown in Figure 2 , the control lever 372 extends from the carriage 192 through a cover opening 452 defined in the cover 444 so that a user can actuate the control lever 372 between the first position and the second position with the cover 444 in the closed position. The control lever 372 cooperates with the cover 444 so that when the cover 444 is in the closed position, the control lever 372 prevents movement of the cover 444 from the closed position toward the open position when the control lever 372 is in the first position.

[0082] The cover opening 452 is shaped so that along the range of motion of the control lever 372 between the first position and the second position, there is a narrow portion 454 and a wide portion 460. When the control lever 372 is in the first position, positioned closest to a first end 456 of the cover opening 452, the narrow portion 454 of the cover opening 452 extends against the control lever 372 so that the control lever 372 impedes movement of the cover 444 from the closed position toward the open position. When the control lever 372 is in the second position, positioned closest to a second end 458 of the cover opening 452, the wide portion 460 of the cover opening 452 extends against the control lever 372 so that the control lever 372 does not impede movement of the cover 444 from the closed position toward the open position. Figure 2At the second position shown, the wide portion 460 of the cover opening 452 is spaced apart from the control lever 372, so the control lever 372 does not impede movement of the cover 444 between the closed position and the open position. With this configuration, the cover 444 cannot be moved from the closed position to the open position unless the control lever 372 is in the second position.

[0083] Thus, the knife cartridge 200 cannot be removed from the housing 104 until the control lever 372 is in the second position. In this way, the control lever 372 impedes removal of the knife cartridge 200 from the housing 104 when the control lever 372 is in the first position.

[0084] While the vegetable chopper 100 as depicted includes the cover 444 configured to impede removal of the knife cartridge 200 from the carriage 192 in the housing 104, in alternative embodiments of the vegetable chopper 100, the cover 444 can also not be provided. In such embodiments, the housing 104 is configured to support the knife cartridge 200 in the carriage 192 between the first position and the second position.

[0085] In the depicted embodiment, the second position of the control lever 372 is a single position within the range of motion of the control lever 372 on the slider 402, and corresponds to an offset between the cutting edge 374 of the blade 202 and the front edge 380 of the platform 120 of zero or at a minimum. Each other position within the range of motion of the control lever 372 on the slider 402 that is intermediate the first position and the second position, i.e. the intermediate positions, corresponds to a non-zero offset between the cutting edge 374 and the front edge 380 and / or exposure of the julienne blade. The amount of offset between the cutting edge 374 and the front edge 380 defines the slice thickness of the vegetable chopper 100 relative to food placed in the feed chute 102. With this configuration, the knife cartridge 200 cannot be removed from the housing 104 unless the amount of offset between the cutting edge 374 and the front edge 380, i.e. the slice thickness of the vegetable chopper 100, is set to zero with the control lever 372.

[0086] Figure 14 An alternative embodiment of the vegetable chopper 100 is shown. Figures 1-13 In the embodiment shown, elements similar to those of the vegetable chopper 100 are denoted by the same reference numerals, but with a prime suffix (' ') added. Figure 14 In the embodiment shown, elements similar to those of the vegetable chopper 100 are denoted by the same reference numerals, but with a prime suffix (' ') added. Figures 1-13 An alternative embodiment of the vegetable chopper 100 is shown. Figure 14 An embodiment of the vegetable chopper 100 is shown that includes another example of a blade adjustment mechanism, in which the slider 402' and the carriage 192' form a slide catch mechanism 462 that is configured to selectively lock the knife cartridge 200' to the carriage 192'.

[0087] In this regard, the slider 402' includes a locking pin 464 extending from the knife holder 200' toward the carriage 192', such that when the control lever 372' is actuated to adjust the slicing thickness of the cutter 100, the locking pin 464 moves with the slider 402'. The carriage 192' defines a recess 470 configured to engage the locking pin 464 when the control lever 372' is positioned corresponding to a non-zero slicing thickness. With the locking pin 464 inserted into the recess 470, the sliding locking mechanism 462 prevents the knife holder 200' from moving from the carriage 192'. In this way, the sliding locking mechanism 462 is configured to lock the knife holder 200' onto the carriage 192' when the cutter 100 is set to a non-zero slicing thickness.

[0088] When the control lever 372' is positioned at the position corresponding to zero slicing thickness, the locking pin 464 moves out of the recess 470, thereby disengaging the carriage 192'. With the locking pin 464 out of the recess 470, the movement of the knife holder 200' from the carriage 192' is unimpeded. In this way, the sliding locking mechanism 462 is configured to unlock the knife holder 200' relative to the carriage 192' when the slicer 100 is set to zero slicing thickness.

[0089] In one embodiment, the locking pin 464 is configured to click into the housing 104 at the recess 470 when the locking pin 464 is inserted into the recess 470 and when the locking pin 464 is removed from the recess 470. In this way, the sliding locking mechanism 462 is configured to provide tactile feedback to the user operating the control lever 372' to lock the knife holder 200' onto the carriage 192' and unlock it from the carriage.

[0090] Figure 15 and 16 It shows Figures 1-13 An alternative embodiment of the vegetable cutter 100. In Figure 15 and 16 In the embodiments, with Figures 1-13 Similar elements to the vegetable cutter 100 are indicated by the same reference numerals, but with an apostrophe suffix ('). Figure 15 and 16 An embodiment of a vegetable cutter 100 is shown, which includes a cam locking mechanism 472 as a blade adjustment mechanism. In this respect, the cam locking mechanism 472 is configured to adjust the offset between the cutting edge 374' of the blade 202' and the leading edge 380' of the platform 120', and selectively lock the blade holder 200' onto the carriage 192'.

[0091] like Figure 15As shown, the cam latch mechanism 472 includes a lead screw 474 formed by a knob 480, a cam 482, and a threaded shank 484. The knob 480 is connected to the knife block 200' by the cam 482 at the threaded shank 484. The threaded shank 484 is threaded into a knife block hole 490 defined in the knife block housing 204', and the threaded shank 484 extends from the knife block hole through the knife block 200' to contact and support the blade 202'.

[0092] The knob 480 is configured for a user to grasp in order to rotate the knob 480 relative to the knife block 200' in a rotational direction, which is depicted with a double-headed arrow 492. The knob 480, the cam 482, and the threaded shank 484 are fixed to one another, so rotating the knob 480 relative to the knife block housing 204' also rotates the cam 482 and the threaded shank 484 relative to the knife block housing 204'.

[0093] The lead screw 474 includes threads 494 on the threaded shank 484, and the knife block housing 204' includes knife block threads 500 disposed around an inner periphery of the knife block hole 490. The threads 494 are complementary to the knife block threads 500, so rotating the knob 480 relative to the knife block housing 204' in the rotational direction 492 and rotating the threaded shank 484 relative to the knife block housing in the rotational direction drives the lead screw 474 to move relative to the knife block 200' in a translational direction, which is depicted with a double-headed arrow 502.

[0094] An offset between the cutting edge 374' of the blade 202' and the front edge 380' of the platform 120' extends along the translational direction 502, and the blade 202' is connected with the threaded shank 484 so as to move with the lead screw 474 as it is driven to move in the translational direction 502. With this configuration, rotating the knob 480 in the rotational direction 492 drives the blade 202' to move in the translational direction 502, thereby adjusting the offset between the cutting edge 374' of the blade 202' and the front edge 380' of the platform 120'.

[0095] The cam 482 is interposed between and separates the knob 480 from the threaded shank 484 along the lead screw 474. An outer diameter of the cam 482 is greater than an inner diameter of the knife block hole 490, so that the cam 482 obstructs the threaded shank 484 from being inserted further into the knife block housing 204' beyond a maximum position in the translational direction 502, which corresponds to a zero slice thickness of the slicer 100. Retracting the lead screw 474 from the knife block 200' in the translational direction 502 moves the threaded shank 484 from the maximum position to a position that corresponds to a non-zero slice thickness of the slicer 100.

[0096] As Figure 16As shown, the cam lock mechanism 472 includes a first lock pin 504 and a second lock pin 510 that are configured to selectively lock the cam 482 onto the carriage 192'. In this regard, the first lock pin 504 and the second lock pin 510 are mounted on the knife block 200', the carriage 192' defines a first carriage lock 512 that is configured to receive the first lock pin 504, and the carriage 192' further defines a second carriage lock 514 that is configured to receive the second lock pin 510.

[0097] When the first lock pin 504 is received in the first carriage lock 512, the first lock pin 504 and the first carriage lock 512 inhibit movement of the knife block 200' from the carriage 192'. Similarly, when the second lock pin 510 is received in the second carriage lock 514, the second lock pin 510 and the second carriage lock 514 inhibit movement of the knife block 200' from the carriage 192'. In this manner, the cam lock mechanism 472 is configured to lock the knife block 200' onto the carriage 192' so as to prevent removal of the knife block 200' from the carriage 192'.

[0098] The first lock pin 504 is supported on the knife block housing 204' via a first set of lock pin springs 520 that bias the first lock pin 504 toward the cam 482. The second lock pin 510 is supported on the knife block housing 204' via a second set of lock pin springs 522 that bias the second lock pin 510 toward the cam 482. Thus, the first lock pin 504 and the second lock pin 510 are each biased toward the cam 482 to be in contact with a cam surface 524 that defines an outer circumference of the cam 482.

[0099] The cam surface 524 defines a first cam lock 530 and a second cam lock 532 that are configured to receive the first lock pin 504 and the second lock pin 510, respectively, when the threaded handle 484 is disposed in the maximum position. When the first cam lock 530 receives the first lock pin 504, the first lock pin 504 is moved out of the first carriage lock 512, thereby unlocking the knife block 200' from the carriage 192' at the first lock pin 504. When the second cam lock 532 receives the second lock pin 510, the second lock pin 510 is moved out of the second carriage lock 514, thereby unlocking the knife block 200' from the carriage 192' at the second lock pin 510.

[0100] With this configuration, the cam lock mechanism 472 unlocks the knife block 200' from the carriage 192' when the threaded handle 484 is disposed in the maximum position, at which time the slice thickness of the food slicer 100 is set to zero. Further, the cam lock mechanism 472 locks the knife block 200' onto the carriage 192' when the threaded handle 484 is not disposed in the maximum position, and at which time the slice thickness of the food slicer 100 is set to non-zero.

[0101] Figure 17 and 18 An alternative embodiment of the chopper 100 is shown. In this embodiment, the chopper 100 is similar to the chopper 100 of Figures 1-13 Figure 17 and 18 In the embodiment of the chopper 100, elements similar to those of the chopper 100 of Figures 1-13 are designated by the same reference numerals but with the addition of a prime suffix (’). Figure 17 and 18 An embodiment of the chopper 100 is shown that includes a platform lock mechanism 534 configured to lock the knife block 200’ to the carriage 192’ based on the height of the platform 120’ relative to the carriage 192’.

[0102] In this regard, as shown in Figure 17 , the carriage 192’ defines an open bottom portion 540 configured to receive the knife block housing 204’. The knife block housing 204’ defines an open top portion 542 configured to engage with the open bottom portion 540 of the carriage 192’ to connect the knife block housing 204’ to the carriage 192’ in sliding relation, as shown in Figure 18 The platform lock mechanism 534 includes a first platform lock 544 and a second platform lock 550 extending from the open bottom portion 540.

[0103] Referring to Figure 18 , the first platform lock 544 and the second platform lock 550 are protrusions formed integrally with the carriage 192’ and extend from the carriage 192’ toward the platform 120’ when the carriage 192’ is assembled with the knife block 200’. The platform lock mechanism 534 includes a platform hook 552 that is a protrusion extending from the platform 120’ toward the first platform lock 544 and the second platform lock 550. The platform hook 552 is configured to selectively engage with the first platform lock 544 and the second platform lock 550 to lock the knife block 200’ to the carriage 192’.

[0104] ​Platform hook 552 can be integrally formed with platform 120' and moves with platform 120' as the offset of the cutting edge 374' of blade 202' relative to the leading edge 380' of platform 120' is adjusted. When platform 120' is lowered toward carriage 192' from a position corresponding to zero or minimum offset of the cutting edge 374' of blade 202' relative to the leading edge 380' of platform 120' (i.e., zero or minimum slicing thickness of cutter 100), platform hook 552 engages first platform lock 544 and second platform lock 550, thereby preventing sliding movement between carriage 192' and knife holder 200'. In this way, first platform lock 544 and second platform lock 550 are configured to engage with platform hook 552 to lock knife holder 200' onto carriage 192'.

[0105] When the platform 120' is set at a position where the offset of the cutting edge 374' corresponding to the blade 202' relative to the leading edge 380' of the platform 120' is zero or reaches a minimum (i.e., zero or minimum slicing thickness of the cutter 100), the platform hook 552 is configured to slide over the first platform lock 544 and the second platform lock 550 as the knife case 204' slides. In this way, when the cutter 100 is set to zero slicing thickness, the knife case 200' is unlocked and removed from the carriage 192' by sliding the knife case 204' from the carriage 192'.

[0106] Figure 19 and 20 It shows Figures 1-13 An alternative embodiment of the vegetable cutter 100. In Figure 19 and 20 In the embodiments, with Figures 1-13 Similar elements to the vegetable cutter 100 are indicated by the same reference numerals, but with an apostrophe suffix ('). Figure 19 and 20 An embodiment of the vegetable cutter 100 is shown, wherein the left carriage lock 260' and the right carriage lock 262' are configured to slide between a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0107] like Figure 19 and 20 As shown, the feed chute 102 includes a left arm 554 and a right arm 562, the left arm defining a left arm ramp 560 inclined toward the left carriage lock 260', and the right arm defining a right arm ramp 564 inclined toward the right carriage lock 262'. The left arm 554 and the right arm 562 are configured to engage with the left carriage lock 260' and the right carriage lock 262' when the feed chute 102 is inserted into the housing 104.

[0108] The left carriage lock 260' defines a left carriage lock ramp 570 that is configured to engage with the left arm ramp 560. The left carriage lock ramp 570 is complementary to and slopes away from the left arm ramp 560 such that, as the feed chute 102 is inserted into the housing 104, the left carriage lock 260' slides away from the carriage 192' in a transverse direction that is perpendicular to the sliding direction 194 and the insertion direction of the feed chute 102. In this way, the left arm 554 is configured to drive the locking end 272' of the left carriage lock 260' away from the carriage 192', thereby unlocking the carriage 192' from the housing 104 at the left carriage lock 260'.

[0109] The right carriage lock 262' defines a right carriage lock ramp 572 that is configured to engage with the right arm ramp 564. The right carriage lock ramp 572 is mirrored across the carriage 192' in the transverse direction from the left carriage lock ramp 570. The right carriage lock ramp 572 is complementary to and slopes away from the right arm ramp 564 such that, as the feed chute 102 is inserted into the housing 104, the right carriage lock 262' slides away from the carriage 192' in the transverse direction. In this way, the right arm 562 is configured to drive the locking end 272' of the right carriage lock 262' away from the carriage 192', thereby unlocking the carriage 192' from the housing 104 at the right carriage lock 262'.

[0110] Reference is made to Figure 20 The left carriage lock 260' is mounted to the housing 104 by a left spring 574, and the right carriage lock 262' is mounted to the housing 104 by a right spring 580. The left spring 574 biases the locking end 272' of the left carriage lock 260' toward the carriage 192' and biases the left carriage lock ramp 570 into engagement with the left arm 554. The right spring 580 biases the locking end 272' of the right carriage lock 262' toward the carriage 192' and biases the right carriage lock ramp 572 into engagement with the right arm 562. In this way, the left carriage lock 260' and the right carriage lock 262' are biased toward a locked position and are configured to be driven toward an unlocked position by the feed chute 102 being inserted into the housing 104.

[0111] Figures 21-26 Further details of the chopper 100 depicted in Figures 1-13 are shown. Figure 21 and Figure 22 The feed chute 102, the housing 104, the container 110, the food pusher 114, and the carriage 192 are depicted in a stored state. As Figure 21 shown, the container 110 is shaped to nest with the housing 104 and the carriage 192 in the stored state, with the feed chute 102 and the food pusher 114 stored in the container 110.

[0112] More specifically, the housing 104 and the carriage 192 assembled together fit over the container rim 582 at the top side 584 of the container 110. The container rim 582 at the front end 590 of the container 110 fits between the housing 104 and the carriage 192. At the rear end 592 of the container 110, the container rim 582 extends under and through the housing 104 and the carriage 192. With this configuration, the rear end 592 of the container 110 accommodates the handle 300 in the storage state.

[0113] In the storage state, the leg 130 is disposed at a first position about the front end 590 of the container 110. The housing 104 includes a right leg joint 594 extending from the right side housing 282, and the leg 130 is secured in pivotal connection with the housing 104 via the right leg joint 594.

[0114] Referring to Figure 22 , the housing 104 includes a side edge protrusion 600 complementary to a rim notch 602 (shown in Figure 23 ) defined in the container rim 582 for retaining the housing 104 and the container 110 in the storage state. The side edge protrusion 600 and the rim notch 602 are interfitting snap features that releasably engage the housing 104 and the container 110 in the storage state. The side edge protrusion 600 and the rim notch 602 are disposed about the periphery of the container 110 at the container rim 582, including the front end 590 and the rear end 592, with the container rim 582 aligned with the housing 104.

[0115] Figure 23 The feed chute 102, the housing 104, the container 110, the food propeller 114, and the carriage 192 are depicted in a use state with the leg 130 engaged with the bottom side 604 of the container 110. The leg 130 is configured to pivot about the right leg joint 594 relative to the housing 104 between a first position corresponding to the storage state depicted in Figure 21 and 22 and a second position corresponding to the use state depicted in Figure 23 and 24 .

[0116] Referring to Figure 23 and 24 , the container 110 defines a recess 610 in the bottom side 604. The recess 610 is configured to releasably engage the leg 130 in the second position, thereby retaining the container 110 under the housing 104 when in the use state. As Figure 24As shown, the recess 610 is defined by an angled ledge 612 and is configured to receive the leg 130 in a close-fitting manner, such that the leg 130 snaps onto the angled ledge 612. With this configuration, the container 110 and the leg 130 are configured to provide a reliable positive interface to the user assembling the housing 104 and the container 110 in use.

[0117] like Figure 25 and 26 As shown, the right outer shell 282 and the outrigger 130 cooperate to limit the movement of the outrigger 130 around the right outrigger joint 594 to a range of motion between a first position and a second position. In this regard, a right protrusion 614 extending from the right outer shell 282 is configured to be received in a right outrigger detent 620 when the outrigger 130 is in the second position. The right outrigger detent 620 is configured to releasably engage the right protrusion 614 when the outrigger 130 pivots from the first position to the second position. The outrigger 130 also includes a right outrigger wall 622 extending from the outrigger 130 toward the right outer shell 282 and configured to abut the right protrusion 614 when the outrigger 130 is in the first position, thereby preventing further movement of the outrigger 130 from the second position beyond the first position. In this way, the right support wall 622 is configured to prevent the support leg 130 from moving from the second position to a position beyond the first position, thus keeping the support leg 130 in the first position.

[0118] The housing 104 includes a left outrigger connector 624 and a left protrusion 630 extending from the left housing 350', a left outrigger brake 632 defined in the outrigger 130, and a left outrigger wall 634 extending from the outrigger 130 toward the left housing 350. The left outrigger connector 624, the left protrusion 630, the left outrigger brake 632, and the left outrigger wall 634 have similar features to the right outrigger connector 594, the right protrusion 614, the right outrigger brake 620, and the right outrigger wall 622 and function in a similar manner to limit the movement of the outrigger 130 around the left outrigger connector 624 to a range of motion between a first position and a second position.

[0119] It should be understood that the various embodiments disclosed above, as well as other features and functions, or their alternatives or variations, can be combined into many other different systems or applications as needed. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can subsequently make various substitutions, modifications, variations, or improvements not currently foreseen or anticipated herein, which are also intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vegetable cutter, comprising: shell; A carriage that is connected to the housing and can slide relative to the housing; A blade, which is connected to the carriage, such that the carriage and the blade move together relative to the housing; A feed trough, which can be connected to the outer casing; as well as A carriage lock, which is connected to the housing and is operable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein in the locked position the carriage is prevented from sliding relative to the housing, and in the unlocked position the carriage is movable relative to the housing, wherein when the guide chute is connected to the housing, the guide chute contacts the carriage lock to move the carriage lock toward the unlocked position.

2. The vegetable cutter of claim 1, wherein the carriage lock includes a toggle end configured to engage with the guide channel and actuate the carriage lock toward the unlocked position when the guide channel is connected to the housing. The carriage lock includes a locking end extending from the toggle end and configured to engage with the carriage when the carriage lock is in the locked position. The vegetable cutter also includes a spring connected to the carriage lock and the housing, wherein the spring biases the carriage lock toward the locked position.

3. The vegetable cutter of claim 2, wherein the carriage lock is pivotally fixed to the housing, the pivot restricting the carriage lock to a pivotal connection with the housing, and The toggle end and the locking end extend from the pivot in opposite directions, such that the toggle end and the locking end are configured to travel in opposite directions when pivoting about the pivot.

4. The vegetable cutter according to claim 2, wherein the outer shell defines a hole, the toggle end is disposed in the hole, and the guide groove is connected to the outer shell when inserted into the hole, and the guide groove also engages with the toggle end when inserted into the hole.

5. The vegetable cutter according to claim 1, wherein the outer shell defines a hole, The feed channel connects to the outer casing when inserted into the hole. The carriage lock is a first carriage lock, and the vegetable cutter also includes a second carriage lock, the second carriage lock being connected to the housing and operable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the carriage is prevented from sliding relative to the housing, and in the unlocked position, the carriage is movable relative to the housing. When the guide channel is inserted into the hole and connected to the housing, the guide channel contacts the first carriage lock and the second carriage lock, causing the first carriage lock and the second carriage lock to move toward the unlocked position, and When the first carriage lock and the second carriage lock are in the locked position, the first carriage lock and the second carriage lock extend across the opposite sides of the hole.

6. The vegetable cutter according to claim 1, wherein the outer shell defines a hole, The feed channel connects to the housing when inserted into the hole, and The guide channel is formed by a wall having an outer surface complementary to the hole, such that when the guide channel is inserted into the hole, the guide channel is prevented from rotating relative to the housing about the direction in which the guide channel is inserted into the housing.

7. The vegetable cutter according to claim 6, further comprising: A platform that can be connected to the carriage; as well as A locking mechanism, which is connected to the housing, comprises: A protrusion configured to engage with the guide groove, locking the guide groove connected to the housing such that the guide groove remains in contact with the carriage lock when inserted into the hole; A locking spring, which, when the guide channel is inserted into the hole, biases the protrusion toward engaging with the guide channel. A button is configured to disengage the protrusion from the guide channel, wherein pressing the button perpendicular to the platform causes the protrusion to disengage from the guide channel, thereby unlocking the guide channel from the housing.

8. The vegetable cutter of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to retain the blade in the carriage using a cover, and the blade can be removed from the carriage without obstruction by the housing and the cover.

9. A vegetable cutter, comprising: shell; A carriage that is connected to the housing and can slide relative to the housing; A blade holder comprising a blade and a platform connectable to the carriage, wherein, when connected, the carriage and the blade holder move together relative to the housing; A blade adjustment mechanism operably connected to at least one of the blade and the platform to adjust the offset of the cutting edge of the blade relative to the front edge of the platform, wherein the actuation range of the blade adjustment mechanism is between a first operating position and a second operating position, and when the blade adjustment mechanism is in the first operating position, the blade adjustment mechanism prevents the blade holder from being removed from the housing.

10. The vegetable cutter of claim 9, further comprising a lid configured to cooperate with the housing to retain the knife holder in the carriage, wherein the lid is operable between a closed position and an open position, in which the lid prevents the carriage from being removed from the housing, and in which the knife holder is removable from the housing in the open position.

11. The vegetable cutter of claim 10, wherein the lid defines a lid opening, and the blade adjustment mechanism includes a control lever extending from the carriage through the lid opening, such that the control lever is movable between a first operating position and a second operating position when the lid is in the closed position. When the control lever is in the first position, the blade adjustment mechanism prevents the cover from moving from the closed position toward the open position.

12. The vegetable cutter according to claim 11, wherein the shape of the cover opening is designed such that, along the range of movement of the control lever between the first operating position and the second operating position, a narrow portion and a wide portion are provided, wherein the narrow portion is provided at the first operating position and the wide portion is provided at the second operating position. When the control lever is in the first operating position, the narrow portion of the cover opening extends along the control lever, such that the control lever prevents the cover from moving from the closed position toward the open position, and When the control lever is in the second operating position, the wide portion of the cover opening is spaced apart from the control lever, such that the control lever does not obstruct the movement of the cover between the closed position and the open position.

13. The vegetable cutter of claim 12, wherein the lid is configured to pivot relative to the housing between the closed position and the open position, and includes a lip projecting outward from the housing for a user to pull to pivot the lid from the closed position toward the open position, and When the control lever is in the first operating position, at the narrow portion the control lever prevents the cover from pivoting from the closed position toward the open position.

14. The vegetable cutter of claim 9, wherein the second operating position of the blade adjustment mechanism corresponds to the minimum offset between the cutting edge of the blade and the front edge of the platform.

15. A vegetable cutter, comprising: shell; The platform can be connected to the outer shell; A blade that can be connected to the housing, wherein when connected, the platform and the blade move together relative to the housing; A feed trough, which can be connected to the outer shell and is configured to hold food against the platform; A ridge is provided along the outer surface of the feed channel; A locking mechanism, which is connected to the housing, comprises: A protrusion configured to engage with the ridge, thereby locking the feed channel connected to the housing; A locking spring, which biases the protrusion toward engaging with the ridge, and A button is provided for disengaging the protrusion from the ridge, wherein pressing the button perpendicular to the platform causes the protrusion to disengage from the ridge, thereby unlocking the feed channel from the housing.

16. The vegetable cutter of claim 15, further comprising a carriage lock connected to the housing and operable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein in the locked position the carriage is prevented from sliding relative to the housing, and in the unlocked position the carriage is movable relative to the housing, wherein when the feed chute is locked to the housing by the locking mechanism, the feed chute contacts the carriage lock to move the carriage lock toward the unlocked position.

17. The vegetable cutter of claim 16, wherein the housing defines a hole, the protrusion and the slide lock are disposed within the hole, and when inserted into the hole, the guide groove is connected to the housing, and when inserted into the hole, the guide groove engages with the protrusion and the slide lock.

18. The vegetable cutter of claim 15, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a base fixed to the inner side of the housing. The button, the locking spring, and the protrusion are supported on the base, and The button extends from the base and passes through the housing from the inside.

19. The vegetable cutter of claim 18, wherein the protrusion forms an inclined surface that extends from the base and is configured to engage the ridge when the feed channel is connected to the housing.

20. The vegetable cutter of claim 18, wherein the button is supported on the base via an axis and is configured to pivot about the axis toward the platform when the button is pressed by a user.

21. The vegetable cutter of claim 18, wherein the button is operably connected to the protrusion via a sliding link, the sliding link being configured to slide along the base with the protrusion to lock and unlock the feed channel from the housing, and When the feed trough is connected to the housing, the locking spring biases the sliding link and the protrusion from the base toward the feed trough.

22. A vegetable cutter, comprising: shell; A carriage that is connected to the housing and can slide relative to the housing; A blade, which is connected to the carriage, such that the carriage and the blade move together relative to the housing; A feed trough, which can be connected to the outer casing; as well as A container that catches food slices falling from the feed trough and the outer shell due to gravity, wherein the container is shaped to nest with the outer shell and the carriage in the storage state.

23. The vegetable cutter of claim 22, wherein the container is included on the top side of the container edge. The assembled outer shell and the carriage are fitted above the edge of the container in the storage state, and In the storage state, at the front end of the container, the edge of the container is located between the outer shell and the carriage.

24. The vegetable cutter of claim 23, wherein in the stored state, the edge of the container is located between the outer shell and the carriage along opposite sidewalls of the container, and At the rear end of the container, between the opposite sidewalls, the edge of the container extends below and across the outer shell and the carriage.

25. The vegetable cutter of claim 22, wherein the container is shaped to store the feed trough in the storage state.

26. The vegetable cutter of claim 22, wherein the container is included on the top side of the container edge. The assembled outer shell and the carriage are fitted above the edge of the container in the storage state, and The outer casing and the edge include interlocking snap-fit ​​features that releasably engage the outer casing and the container in the storage state.

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