Variable cut dicer-slicer

摘要

963,395. Dicing and slicing vegetables and the like. FEATURE PRODUCTS Inc. Oct. 21, 1960 [Oct. 21, 1959; June 6, 1960], No. 36275/60. Heading A4C. A variable cut dicer-slicer comprising two juxtaposed cutting elements each having a plurality of parallel pre-stressed, e.g. stainless clock spring steel, blades of substantially uniform cross-section one cutting element being rotatable relative to the other. As shown, the foodstuff is pushed through the cutting elements by a head portion mounted on guides 22 sliding between rails 31 mounted in a base, movement being limited by pins 25 and 26 in the base which engage grooves 24 and 28 respectively in the guides. Coil springs 29 in grooves 28 bias portion 19 upwardly. Carried on a shoulder 38 on the base are a lower ring 16 located by lugs 39 and slots 40 and an upper ring 15 with a slip ring rib 37 on its lower surface sliding on ring 16 and ribs 23 on its upper surface. A spring loaded ball engages recesses 45 in the periphery of ring 15 to hold it in various positions relative to ring 16. Rings 15 and 16 each have a series of slots 49 to receive the convolutions of continuous blades 50 whose deformed ends 56 are held by metal wedges 55 in slots 54. Alternatively one, two or three separate blades may be used in each ring. Projections 59 on portion 19 have edges parallel to the blades in their various positions and push the food through the cutters. Damage to projections 59 due to incorrect positioning of ring 15 is prevented since the head 19 can only complete its stroke if a projection 18 on ring 15 is aligned with one of a series of pockets 17 on portion 19. If a potato is pushed through the cutter assembly with the blades parallel Fig. 10 and then turned through 90 degrees and passed through the cutter assembly with the blades perpendicular, Fig. 9, a completely diced potato is produced. In a modification, Fig. 17, the cutter rings may be provided on a movable portion carried by a single guide sliding in a post 84, forming part of the base on which the food stuff is placed. In a further modification, the base may have an opening 117 to accommodate dishes which receive the cut food stuffs, the solid head 119 being carried on guides 122 sliding in the base. A locking assembly 130 to hold the head 119 in lowered position comprises a handle 131 having an interior shaft portion 132 with a roughened tapered face 133 which engages on notch 134 in one of the guides 122.