CUTTING TOOL, ESPECIALLY FOR CUTTING FLAT FOODS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cutting tool as defined in claim 1.

[0002] A knife for cutting flat food is known from AT 395 837 B. In this solution, a blade is formed integrally with a handle and a cutting edge is pivotally connected to the blade. Furthermore, a spring is provided which pushes the cutting edge away from the blade into a rest position. To cut the flat food, the cutting edge is guided under the food and the blade is positioned above the food. By pressing the blade towards the food, it is chopped up. By reducing the pressure on the blade, it is pushed away from the cutting edge, allowing the knife to be pushed further to chop up the next part of the food.

[0003] The spring of this knife is attached to both the blade and the cutting edge and rests on a bolt that connects the blade to the cutting edge. This has the disadvantage that the spring rests on the cutting edge. The thickness of the knife at this point is therefore determined by the spring, the cutting edge, and the blade located behind it. With this arrangement, the knife is therefore very thick in the cutting edge area, which allows food debris to easily get into the space between the spring and the cutting edge, leading to knife malfunction.

[0004] From the prior art of AT 519 779 A2, which deals with cutting tools with two handles, it is known to use a curved spring element to spread the two handles and thus the two blades. In this embodiment, too, the spring element rests on a blade or handle, so that the thickness is determined by the spring and the two blades arranged one behind the other.

[0005] This embodiment therefore has the same disadvantages as the knife of AT 395 837 B.

[0006] Further disadvantages that occur in both embodiments of the prior art are loud noises when cutting with the knife or the cutting tool.

[0007] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a single-grip cutting tool that is as thin as possible in the area of ​​the spring element and thus less prone to failure. Furthermore, the cutting tool should enable as quiet an operation as possible.

[0008] This object is achieved by a cutting tool, in particular a cutting tool for cutting flat foodstuffs, comprising a first cutting element and a second cutting element, which is pivotably mounted on the first cutting element about a rotation axis, wherein the first cutting element has an upper cutting edge and a handle, between which the rotation axis is arranged, and the second cutting element has a lower cutting edge and a handle-free end region, between which the rotation axis is arranged, wherein the cutting tool further comprises a spring element, which is fastened with a first end to the upper cutting edge and with a second end to the lower cutting edge and spreads the first and the second cutting element into a predetermined rest position, wherein the spring element is guided at least partially around the end region of the second cutting element,and wherein the spring element offers less resistance to a cutting movement of the undercutting edge over a first cutting area than over a second cutting area, wherein the first cutting area lies between the rest position of the second cutting element and a predetermined angle and the second cutting area lies between the predetermined angle of the second cutting element and the closed position of the second cutting element.

[0009] This solution allows the spring element to be guided in a space behind the second cutting element rather than resting on it, resulting in a reduced overall thickness of the cutting tool. Furthermore, the cutting tool is less prone to food residue getting trapped in the space between the spring element and the second cutting element, thus reducing the number of malfunctions.

[0010] A particular problem with the state of the art is that a noise usually occurs with every cut made with a conventional cutting tool. This is caused by, for example, hard bread or something similar initially being located between the upper and lower blades. As soon as the pressure applied by the cutting tool is great enough, the hard bread is broken through and the lower and upper blades are quickly pressed together, causing the two blades to approach each other at great speed. The lower blade then impacts a stop pin or other stopper, whereby any noise that occurs is also transmitted via the blades to a plate below. When cutting with the conventional cutting tool, an extremely loud noise occurs that is annoying in domestic use.To overcome this problem, according to the invention, the spring element offers less resistance to a cutting movement of the lower cutting edge over a first cutting area than over a second cutting area, wherein the first cutting area lies between the rest position of the second cutting element and a predetermined angle, and the second cutting area lies between the predetermined angle of the second cutting element and the closed position of the second cutting element. Due to the high resistance before the two cutting edges meet, the relative speed of the two cutting edges is reduced and the impact speed of the cutting edges is reduced. If the resistance is high enough, an impact of the cutting edges can even be prevented, resulting in no noise at all.

[0011] In the aforementioned embodiment, the spring element can be designed accordingly, e.g., curved, to achieve the variable resistance. However, it is particularly preferred for the spring element to be spaced apart from the end region in the first intersection area and to rest against the end region in the second intersection area. This allows for a particularly simple embodiment to enable the variable resistance.

[0012] It is preferred if the spring element is guided around the entire end region and, for example, rests on the undercut only in the area of ​​a spring element attachment point or not at all. In this solution, the spring element is guided behind the end region, particularly in the area of ​​the handle, next to the rotation axis, so that the spring is accommodated behind the end region in this area.

[0013] To further reduce the occurrence of unwanted noise, the spring element can be attached to the upper cutting edge in such a way that the lower cutting edge rests against the spring element when the second cutting element is in the closed position. In this embodiment, the spring element prevents the lower cutting edge from directly striking a bolt or the like. Even if the spring element is made of metal, it acts as additional damping. A particularly simple implementation of this embodiment can be achieved if the spring element is attached to the upper cutting edge with a bolt and the spring element is located between the lower cutting edge and the bolt when the second cutting element is in the closed position.

[0014] To prevent the spring element from slipping from the end region, two alternative embodiments can be provided. In the first preferred embodiment, the end region of the second cutting element has a bevel, by means of which the spring element is held at the end region. In the second preferred embodiment, the end region of the second cutting element has a groove, by means of which the spring element is held at the end region. These two embodiments allow the spring element to be secured without additional aids such as clamps and are therefore extremely error-resistant.

[0015] The lower cutting edge preferably has a nose at the end facing away from the rotation axis, which particularly preferably protrudes beyond the upper cutting edge when the second cutting element is in the closed position. Should food residue get between the two cutting edges and prevent the cutting tool from opening, the nose can be used to separate the two cutting edges without having to manually separate them.

[0016] Since the cutting tool is primarily intended for cutting food, it is recommended that the underblade be up to 12 cm long. Larger underblades are not suitable for household use.

[0017] Advantageous and non-limiting embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows a cutting tool according to the invention with an open undercut. Figure 2shows the cutting tool of Figure 1 in a top view. Figure 3 shows the cutting tool of Figure 1 , with the lower cutting edge at a predetermined angle to the upper cutting edge. Figure 4 shows the cutting tool of Figure 1 with closed undercut. Figure 5 shows a diagram in which the opening angle of the undercut is plotted on the abscissa and a required spring force on the ordinate. Figure 6 shows the end area of ​​the cutting tool of Figure 1 in a first variant. Figure 7 shows the end area of ​​the cutting tool of Figure 1 in a second variant.

[0018] Figure 1shows a cutting tool 1, which is used in particular for cutting flat food items. However, it should be noted that the invention is not limited to this application. In particular, the cutting tool 1 can also be used for cutting paper, cardboard, paperboard, metal, or the like, for which purpose the cutting tool 1 can also be made of other materials and / or in other dimensions.

[0019] Out of Figure 1 It can be seen that the cutting tool 1 comprises a first cutting element 2 and a second cutting element 3. The first cutting element 2 consists of an upper cutting edge 4 and a handle 5. The second cutting element 3 consists of a lower cutting edge 6 and a handleless end region 7. The upper cutting edge 4 and the lower cutting edge 6 form an angle α r and each have a cutting edge facing the other cutting edge 4, 5.

[0020] The second cutting element 3 is pivotally mounted on the first cutting element 2 about a rotation axis A, see Figure 2 . The bearing can be provided, for example, by a screw 8 which is guided through the first cutting element 2 and the second cutting element 3 and is fixed, for example, on the side facing away from the screw head by means of a nut 9. However, the type of bearing can be chosen arbitrarily. The axis of rotation A is arranged between the upper cutting edge 4 and the handle 5 or between the lower cutting edge 6 and the end region 7. As a dividing line between the lower cutting edge 6 and the end region 7, a line can be used, for example, which runs through the axis of rotation A and is essentially normal to the cutting edge of the lower cutting edge 6. If the cutting edge is curved or bent, a center line of the cutting edge can be used.

[0021] In order to achieve a simple cutting operation, the cutting tool 1 comprises a spring element 10, which is attached with a first end 11 to the upper cutting edge 4 and with a second end 12 to the lower cutting edge 6. The spring element 10 is designed, for example, as a bent wire and spreads the first and second cutting elements 2, 3 into the Figure 1 shown rest position, ie the spring element 10 exerts a force on the lower cutting edge 6 so that it is pushed away from the upper cutting edge 4.

[0022] In order to cut food or similar, the cutting tool 1 is gripped at the handle 5 and placed with the lower cutting edge 6 on a base B. The food to be cut is then placed between the upper cutting edge 4 and the lower cutting edge 6 and a force F is applied to the first cutting element 2 so that the lower cutting edge 6 moves towards the upper cutting edge 4 due to the resistance of the base B against the spring force.

[0023] The attachment of the first end 11 of the spring element 10 to the upper cutting edge 4 can be carried out in one embodiment by a bolt 13 being mounted on the upper cutting edge 4, for example by being screwed into it. The first end 11 of the spring element 10 can be wound around the bolt 13, as shown in Figure 1 The second end 12 of the spring element 10 can be hooked into a hole in the lower cutting edge 6, as shown. However, it can also be provided that both the first end 12 and the second end 12 are wrapped around a bolt or hooked into a hole.

[0024] By applying pressure to the lower cutting edge 6 in the direction of the upper cutting edge 4, the lower cutting edge 6 can be pivoted relative to the upper cutting edge 4 from the rest position into a closed position. Figure 1represents the lower cutting edge 6 in the rest position, i.e., in the maximum deflection position. In this position, the upper cutting edge 4 and the lower cutting edge 6 form an angle of α r . In the example shown, α r = 40°.

[0025] Figure 3 shows the lower cutting edge 6 in an intermediate position, after it has been pushed from the rest position toward the closed position. In this intermediate position, the upper cutting edge 4 and the lower cutting edge 6 form an angle of α z. In the example shown, α z = 10°.

[0026] Figure 4The lower cutting edge 6 finally shows a closed position, having been pressed together from the rest position against the spring force. In this closed position, there is usually no remaining gap between the cutting edges of the upper cutting edge 4 and the lower cutting edge 6, resulting in an angle of α 0 = 0°. Depending on the design, however, this angle α 0 can also deviate from 0° in order to leave a small residual opening between the cutting edges.

[0027] The rest position of Figure 1 is given or limited by the fact that the end region 7 of the second cutting element 3 rests against the spring element 10 at a position P1, see Figure 1 Alternatively, the second cutting element 3 could also be located directly on the bolt 13 or a separate stop device could be provided which specifies the end position of the second cutting element 3.

[0028] The closed position of Figure 4 is given or limited by the fact that the lower cutting edge 6 of the second cutting element 3 rests against the spring element 10 at a position P2, see Figure 4 As a result, the lower blade 6 does not directly impact the bolt 13 when the lower blade 6 is quickly folded into the closed position, which would result in loud noises. Depending on the design, however, it could also be provided that the lower blade 6 still rests on the bolt 13 or a separate, preferably non-metallic, stopper in the closed position.

[0029] In order to make the cutting tool 1 as compact as possible, the spring element 10 is guided at least partially around the end region 7 of the second cutting element 3. Preferably, the spring element 10 is guided around the entire end region 7, so that the spring element 10 does not rest at all on that broad side of the end region 7 of the second cutting element 3 which is facing away from the upper cutting edge 4. As shown in Figure 1As shown, the spring element 10 rests only in that partial area T on the broad side of the lower cutting edge 6 of the second cutting element 3, where the second end 12 of the spring element 10 is attached to the lower cutting edge 6. As an alternative to the illustrated embodiment, the second end 12 of the spring element 10 can also be attached to that broad side of the lower cutting edge 6 that faces the upper cutting edge 4, so that the cutting tool 1 can be designed even more compactly. Thus, it can preferably also be provided that the spring element 10 does not rest at all on that broad side of the second cutting element 3 that faces away from the upper cutting edge 4.

[0030] The spring element 10 can also be designed such that the spring element 10 offers less resistance to a cutting movement of the lower cutting edge 6 over a first cutting area than over a second cutting area. The first cutting area is defined as the cutting area that lies between the rest position ( Figure 1 ) of the second cutting element 3 and a predetermined angle α z which is Figure 3 The second cutting area is defined as the cutting area that lies between the rest position and the predetermined angle α z ( Figure 3 ) and the closed position with angle α 0 ( Figure 4 ) lies.

[0031] Figure 5shows the cutting behavior of such a spring element 10 in a diagram. The angle between the upper cutting edge 4 and the lower cutting edge 6 is plotted on the abscissa, and a corresponding spring resistance in kg is plotted on the ordinate. It can be seen that the force required to move the lower cutting edge 6 by a certain degree in the direction of the upper cutting edge 4 is lower in the first cutting area between the rest position α r and the predetermined angle α z than in the second cutting area between the predetermined angle α z and the closed position α 0 .

[0032] In order to achieve the behavior of the variable resistance, it is preferred if the spring element 10 is spaced from the end region 7 in the first cutting area, ie is spaced from the end region 7, and in the second cutting area it rests against the end region 7. This behavior is evident from the Figures 1 , 3 and 4 visible: In the rest position of Figure 1the spring element 10 is not in contact with the end region 7, whereby the lower cutting edge 6 can be easily pressed towards the upper cutting edge 4. As soon as the intermediate position of Figure 3 is reached, the spring element 10 is in contact with the end region 7, whereby an additional resistance is present, which makes it difficult to push the lower cutting edge 6 towards the upper cutting edge 4. This additional resistance is present until the lower cutting edge 6 reaches the closed position of Figure 4 The increased resistance before the closed position primarily serves to suppress unwanted noise. The increased resistance preferably occurs after 50% to 90%, preferably essentially 70%, of the cutting path from the rest position to the closed position has been reached, i.e., preferably α z = 0.3 * α r .

[0033] Alternatively, the spring element 10 can be shaped accordingly to achieve a variable resistance without requiring interaction with the end region 7, for example if the spring element 10 has a variable cross-section and / or a corresponding curvature,

[0034] As spring element 10, a bent wire is preferably used which has a diameter which is smaller than the thickness of the second cutting element 3, as shown in Figure 2 is shown. As a result, the spring element 10 can be guided around the end region 7 of the second cutting element 3 in such a way that it does not protrude beyond that broad side of the second cutting element 3 which is applied to the first cutting element 2.

[0035] To prevent the spring element 10 from slipping from the end area 7 when cutting with the cutting tool 1, measures as in Figures 6 and 7 shown.

[0036] In the embodiment of Figure 6The end region 7 is provided with a bevel 14, so that the end region 7 is tapered in the direction of the first cutting element 2. As a result, the spring element 10 remains at the end region 7 even when the lower cutting edge 6 is pressed towards the upper cutting edge 4 and thus the spring element 10 is pressed against the end region 7. Alternatively, the end region 7 can be provided with a groove 15 extending along the circumference of the end region 7, as shown in Figure 7 is shown. If the spring element 10 is pressed to the end area, it is securely received in the groove 15 and does not jump off the end area 7.

[0037] The material of the cutting tool 1 can be selected depending on the intended use. For example, metal, in particular stainless steel, or even ceramic is used as the material for the first and second cutting elements 2, 3, so that hygiene standards can be maintained for the cutting tool 1, especially when it is used for cutting food. The handle 5 of the first cutting element 2 can also be provided with two wooden or plastic components 16 ( Figures 1 to 4 ) to provide an ergonomic handle. Alternatively, the handle 5 could be enclosed in a tubular sheath.

[0038] The dimensions of the cutting tool 1 can also be freely selected. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the first cutting element 2 is 22 cm, with the lengths of the upper cutting edge 4 and the lower cutting edge 6 each being 7.5 cm, and the thicknesses of the first and second cutting elements 2, 3 each being 2 mm. In general, it is preferred if the length of the first cutting element 2 is between 10 cm and 30 cm, the lengths of the upper cutting edge 4 and the lower cutting edge 6 are each between 4 cm and 12 cm, and the thicknesses of the first and second cutting elements 2, 3 are each between 1 mm and 3 mm.

[0039] Furthermore, the lower blade 6 can have a nose 17, which firstly helps to insert food to be cut between the lower blade 6 and the upper blade 4. If the nose 17 also protrudes beyond the upper blade 4 in the closed position of the lower blade 6, as shown in Figure 4As shown, the nose 17 can be used as an aid to relieve jamming in the closed position. For this purpose, the cutting tool 1 can be reversed so that a force can be exerted on the nose 17 to release the lower cutting edge 6 from the upper cutting edge 4.

[0040] In the Figures 1 , 3 and 4 Curved blades 4, 6 or curved cutting edges of the blades 4, 6 are shown. This shape allows particularly thick or multi-layered objects to be cut. In particular, the curved shape enables particularly efficient cutting of food. In other embodiments, the blades 4, 6 or the cutting edges of the blades 4, 6 can also be straight. This enables, in particular, the cutting of thin objects such as paper, fabrics or foils. It is therefore understood that the

[0041] The invention is not limited to a specific shape of the cutting edges 4, 6 or the cutting edges.

[0042] The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Cutting tool (1), in particular for cutting flat foodstuffs, comprising a first cutting element (2) and a second cutting element (3), which is mounted on the first cutting element (2) so as to be pivotable about an axis of rotation (A), wherein the first cutting element (2) has an upper cutting edge (4) and a handle (5), between which the axis of rotation (A) is arranged, and the second cutting element (3) has a lower cutting edge (6) and an end region (7) without a handle, between which the axis of rotation (A) is arranged, wherein the cutting tool (1) further comprises a spring element (10) which is fastened with a first end (11) to the upper cutting edge (4) and with a second end (12) to the lower cutting edge (6) and spreads the first cutting element (2) and the second cutting element (3) into a predetermined rest position, characterised in that the spring element (10) is guided at least partially around the end region (7) of the second cutting element (3), wherein the spring element (10) provides less resistance to a cutting movement of the lower cutting edge (6) via a first cutting region than via a second cutting region, wherein the first cutting region lies between the rest position of the second cutting element (3) and a predetermined angle and the second cutting region lies between the predetermined angle of the second cutting element (3) and the closed position of the second cutting element (3).

2. The cutting tool (1) according to claim 1, wherein the spring element (10) is guided around the entire end region (7).

3. The cutting tool (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spring element (10) is spaced apart from the end region (7) in the first cutting region and bears against the end region (7) in the second cutting region.

4. The cutting tool (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the spring element (10) is fastened to the upper cutting edge (4) in such a way that the lower cutting edge (6) rests against the spring element (10) in the closed position of the second cutting element (3).

5. The cutting tool (1) according to claim 4, wherein the spring element (10) is fastened to the upper cutting edge (4) by means of a bolt (13) and the spring element (10) is located between the lower cutting edge (6) and the bolt (13) in the closed position of the second cutting element (3).

6. The cutting tool (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the end region (7) of the second cutting element (3) has a beveled edge (14), by means of which the spring element (10) is held at the end region (7).

7. The cutting tool (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the end region (7) of the second cutting element (3) has a groove (15) by means of which the spring element (10) is held at the end region (7).

8. The cutting tool (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the lower cutting edge (6) has a nose (17) at the end facing away from the axis of rotation (A), which nose preferably projects beyond the upper cutting edge (4) in the closed position of the second cutting element (3).

9. The cutting tool (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the lower cutting edge (6) has a length of up to 12 cm.