Abstract:
A device for processing foodstuffs in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an upper part, a drive mechanism and a lower part with a working container, in which a working unit can be manually driven and made to rotate by means of the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a tractive cable drive and is operatively connected to the working unit by means of a releasable torque-coupled connection. The drive mechanism also includes a primary and secondary drive unit, which are operatively interconnected by means of a gear in such a way that a transmission ratio of between 1:1.5 and 1:4 and preferably between 1:1.8 and 1:1.9 is achieved. The primary and secondary drive units are axially parallel and dimensioned in such a way that at least one of the drive units intersects the rotational axis of the other respective drive unit. Despite the transmission ratio achieved, the dimensions of the drive mechanism can be kept small, allowing said mechanism to be housed without any problems in the upper part. The non-employment of two continuous axes, the eccentric arrangement of the drive wheel axis and the use of a drive wheel with inner gearing allow an axial wheel for indirectly driving the drive unit to be mounted on the central axis of the device in a preferred embodiment and the transmission to be achieved by the larger drive wheel, without causing the space required in the upper part next to the axial pin to increase by the diameter of the drive wheel.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Choppers for comminuting foodstuffs, in particular for chopping onions, are known for example from U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,711 or EP-B-0 345 223, which have a housing which can be inverted over the material to be comminuted and have a cutter, which is guided inside the housing and can be displaced against the force of a spring by means of an actuating mechanism with a pushbutton and a plunger. The cutter can be downwardly displaced against the force of the spring and, in the course of the subsequent upward movement, is rotated over a defined angle in relation to the housing by a guidance device in the housing. A stepping mechanism arranged between the actuating mechanism and the housing makes sure that a forced stepping of the cutter is assured. This forced stepping mechanism has been shown to be very advantageous, because it prevents the cutter from “chopping in place”. The effectiveness of the chopper is increased by this and the evenly sized distribution of the processed material is improved. The devices are widely distributed, however, they have some disadvantages. For example, for processing hard vegetables it is necessary to hit the pushbutton with great force. Fibrous vegetables, such as fennel or leeks, can be processed only poorly or not at all, and in connection with fine materials to be cut, the results are rather unsatisfactory. 
         [0002]    Devices driven by a crank drive mechanism for processing vegetables have been known for years, such as the device in U.S. Pat. No. 6,035,771, for example, in which two blades, which project at right angles in two opposite directions, are arranged on a central shaft which extends perpendicularly into a nearly circular-cylindrical container for material to be cut. The blades are each provided with a cutting edge only at the front edge, so that the crank must always be turned in a clockwise direction. The crank acts on a drive unit, which is arranged eccentrically in respect to the central shaft. The rotating movement of the crank-operated driveshaft is transmitted via a first gear wheel with teeth on the exterior to a second gear wheel of the central, cutter-supporting shaft. To achieve a higher number of revolutions of the shaft, further gearing is provided in accordance with an embodiment by means of two further drive wheels. This double gearing does not only increase costs during production, but also makes the device louder and more prone to malfunction. 
         [0003]    A small, approximately cylindrical, manually operated device is known from WO 2004/073474, which is hand-held for operation. A central shaft, arranged on the common center axis, with two blades, which project at right angles in opposite directions, is driven by means of the repeated rotation of a circular drive mechanism in relation to the coaxially arranged container with the material to be processed. Since for operating it the device must be almost completely enclosed by the hands of the user, the structural size is extremely limited. The material to be processed—for example an onion—must be cut into quarters for filling, since otherwise there is no room for it in the container for the material to be processed. For achieving a satisfactory processing result it is necessary to rotate the drive element 40 to 60 times alternatingly in opposite directions in relation to the remaining parts of the device. The rotary movement of the drive unit in respect to the container is transferred in a geared manner to the shaft with the cutters. Since the blades are provided with cutting edges on both sides, it is possible to cut in both directions by a directed reversal of the turning direction of the shaft. The device has the additional disadvantage that, when being filled with hard or fibrous materials to be processed—because of the gearing of the rotating movement—, the drive unit must be rotated with great force in respect to the container. Since the users often have wet or greasy hands, particularly when cooking, the device cannot be safely held in such a situation, or the user slides off it and cannot provide the force necessary for cutting. It is obvious to one skilled in the art that the manufacture and mounting of the planetary gear is very costly. 
         [0004]    A further small manual device is known from EP 1 385 409, in which a cutter-supporting shaft can be pushed directly onto a driven shaft. The shaft is provided with four radially projecting blades, which are arranged spaced apart at approximately right angles in respect to each other. Operation of the shaft takes place by means of a cord pull, wherein the winder for the cord pull is coaxially seated on the driven shaft and is therefore also arranged coaxially to the cutter-supporting shaft. When operated, the device is freely held in the one hand and the cord pull must be pulled with the other hand. Again, only a small amount of material to be processed, which must be cut into pieces prior to processing, can be filled in between the blades and under the shaft supporting the blades and projecting freely into the container for the material to be cut. If too much or too large-sized material to be processed is filled into the container for the material to be processed, blockage of the device can occur when pulling on the cord pull, because all four blades cut simultaneously. Although the lever effect is increased by selecting a winder with a large diameter, the number of revolutions which can be simultaneously achieved is reduced. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The invention is based on the object of making available a device in accordance with the species which does not have the above mentioned disadvantages. It is a further object to make available a manual drive mechanism which permits the user to easily transfer sufficient force to the cutters and simultaneously to reach a large number of revolutions, respectively a high cutting speed, in order to be able to also process increased amounts of material difficult to process, such as, for example, hard, fibrous and/or wet material to be processed, without problems. Moreover, manufacture and assembly of the device should be cost-efficient and the device should suitable to be used for further processing steps of foodstuffs, besides cutting or chopping, and should generally be simple, safe and easy to operate and clean with little effort. 
         [0006]    This object is attained by means of a device having the characteristics of claim  1 . 
         [0007]    A device for processing foodstuffs substantially consists of a top part, a drive mechanism, a lower part with a processing container, as well as a processing unit, which can be manually driven by means of the drive unit and put into a rotating motion. The drive mechanism can be operated by means of a cord pull drive, and the drive mechanism and the processing unit are in an operative connection via a releasable torque-proof connection. The drive mechanism substantially comprises a primary and a secondary drive unit, which are in an operative connection via gears in such a way that a transmission ratio, preferably of 1:1.5 to 1:4, is achieved, particularly preferred of between 1:1.8 and 1:1.9. In one embodiment, the primary and secondary drive units are arranged axis-parallel in relation to each other. It is furthermore possible that the secondary drive unit is arranged coaxially in relation to a central axis of the device, and a driveshaft of the primary drive unit eccentrically thereto. Furthermore, at least one of the drive units intersects the axis of the respectively other drive unit. In a further form of embodiment, the primary drive unit comprises, coaxially arranged, a spring housing, winder and drive wheel, and the secondary drive unit comprises, coaxially arranged, an axial journal, rotor disk and bearing bushing. In a special embodiment, the primary drive unit is in operative connection via an internal tooth arrangement of the drive wheel with a external tooth arrangement of the axial journal of the secondary drive unit. One option consists in that a bearing journal, which extends freely downward from an underside of the cover supports the primary drive unit. Furthermore, the primary drive unit can be arranged approximately horizontally in the top part and can be supported against the interior cover wall in this position. In a preferred embodiment the axial journal and the rotor disk have a central hexagonal receptacle on the underside for receiving an axially displaceable upper coupling element in torque-proof connection, which can be brought out of an upper free-wheeling position into a lower torque-proof engagement position with a lower engagement member for transmitting the rotary movement of the drive mechanism to the processing unit. In a further form of embodiment, the processing container is a substantially rotation-symmetrical vessel for receiving material to be processed, in which the drive unit is preferably arranged radially in respect to the central axis. In a preferred form of embodiment, the support element supports the primary drive unit, and partially absorbs the deflection force introduced by the swinging movement into the winder and the bearing journal. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The invention will be explained in what follows by means of drawing figures, which merely represent exemplary embodiments. Shown are in: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1 , a longitudinal sectional view along the central axis through the device in accordance with a first embodiment, in which a cutting unit is not represented in section, 
           [0010]      FIG. 2 , a sectional view through a top part of a device in accordance with  FIG. 1 , 
           [0011]      FIG. 3 , an enlarged detail of selected portions of the drive mechanism in the state installed in the top part in accordance with  FIG. 2 , 
           [0012]      FIG. 4 , an enlarged detail of selected portions of the drive mechanism in  FIG. 3  in the disassembled state, in which they are pushed apart in the axial direction, 
           [0013]      FIG. 5 , in a longitudinal sectional view a lateral view of a generator unit installed in a top part in accordance with  FIG. 1 , 
           [0014]      FIG. 6 , a view from above on a cover of a device in accordance with  FIG. 1 , 
           [0015]      FIG. 7   a , a longitudinal sectional view through a coupling with a single direction free-wheeling device between a secondary drive unit and a base, 
           [0016]      FIG. 7   b , a view from below on an upper coupling element in the direction B, in accordance with  FIG. 7   a,    
           [0017]      FIG. 7   c , a view from above on an engagement member of a coupling in accordance with  FIG. 7   a  in a direction of view A, 
           [0018]      FIG. 8 , a sectional view through a top part in accordance with a further embodiment, 
           [0019]      FIG. 9   a , a sectional view through a support element in accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , 
           [0020]      FIG. 9   b , a view from below on the support element in accordance with  FIG. 9   a , and 
           [0021]      FIG. 9   c , a view from above on the support element in accordance with  FIG. 9   a.    
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    A first embodiment of the device  1  for processing foodstuffs in accordance with the invention is represented in axial longitudinal section in  FIG. 1 , in which a cutting unit  60  is not shown in section. The device  1  is embodied substantially rotation-symmetrical around a central shaft and has a top part  2 , which is comprised of a circular, substantially flat base  21  with a curved cover  20  placed on it. Essential parts of a drive mechanism  10  are housed between the cover  20  and the base  21 . The top part  2  can be placed in a positive and/or non-positive manner on a lower part  3  which, in the present case, comprises a circular, bowl-shaped container  30  for material to be cut. The container  30  for material to be cut is preferably made of a transparent or semi-transparent plastic material approved for foodstuffs and includes a bottom  31  with a centered, upward oriented bearing pin  33  and a lateral wall  32  with a plurality of vertical swirling ribs  34 , evenly distributed over the circumference. On its underside the cutting unit  60  is provided with a central bearing opening, by means of which it can be plugged onto the bearing pin  33  in the container  30  for material to be cut. The cutting unit  60  in accordance with the represented embodiment is substantially constituted by a cutter shaft  67  as the operative means, from which three blades  61 ,  62 ,  63 , and two deflectors  50 ,  51  protrude. A drive cam  69 , in the exemplary embodiment a cam with a hexagonal exterior, at the top of the cutting unit  60  engages a corresponding receptacle  71  of an engagement member  23  of the drive unit in positive manner, so that the torque can be transferred from the engagement member  23  of the drive mechanism  10  to the cutting unit  60 . The engagement member  23  is seated, rotatable but axially not displaceable, under low friction and sealed against the base  21 , in the center of the base  21 . In this way the cutter shaft  67  with the operative means  50 ,  51 ,  61 ,  62 ,  63  is securely seated at the top and bottom and can absorb forces introduced in the course of the operation of the operative means, in the present case into the cutters  61 ,  62 ,  63  and the deflectors  50 ,  51 , without problems, even at high numbers of revolutions, without being deflected from its axial position. 
         [0023]    In accordance with the instant invention, the rotating movement of the operative means is generated by means of a pull cord mechanism. As represented in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , with the pull cord  70  wound up, the handle  11  comes to rest in the recess  5  in the cover  20 . The pull cord  70  fastened to it is conducted under low friction through a feed-through opening  6  in the cover  20  to a winder or cord roller  12  attached to the interior of the top part  2  and is wound up thereon. A spring housing  7  is arranged concentrically in relation to the winder  12  on a bearing journal  9 , which extends downward from the cover  20 . The length of the pull cord  70  has been selected to be 400 to 750 mm, preferably 600 mm, in such a way that, with a corresponding diameter of the winder  12 , the winder  12  rotates fully circumferentially 3 to 6 times, preferably 4 to 5 times, per pull on the pull cord  70  (until it is completely unwound). A device  1  with a drive mechanism  10  with a gear is represented in the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1 to 4 , in which the driveshaft  8  is eccentrically arranged on the cover interior. 
         [0024]    The winder  12  is preferably manufactured in one piece with a spring housing  7  located above it and a hollow wheel, also called drive wheel  14 , located below it and substantially constitutes a primary drive unit  101 . The drive wheel  14 , arranged eccentrically to the central shaft  4 , is open toward the bottom and is provided with an internal tooth  15  arrangement. The internal tooth arrangement  15  is only suggested in each of  FIGS. 1  to  4 . They are in operative connection with the external tooth arrangement  16  of an axial journal  17 , which is seated concentrically in respect to the central shaft  4  on the top part  2 . The gear ratio in the exemplary embodiment represented is 1:1.8, and a gear ratio of 1:1.5 up to 1:4 has proven itself to be advantageous. 
         [0025]    The axial journal  17  is a part of a secondary drive unit  102 , comprised of the axial journal  17 , rotor disk  18  and bearing bushing  19 , and whose axis of rotation coincides with the central shaft  4  of the device  1 . The axial journal  17  is concentrically seated on a rotor disk  18 , which comprises clamping means for receiving a magnetic ring  90 . In the exemplary embodiment represented, the clamping means are comprised of a peripheral groove. An interior area of the magnetic ring  90  is clampingly held by means of a clamping ring  80  in the peripheral groove of the rotor disk  18 , so that a larger portion of the diameter of the magnetic ring freely projects outward in the radial direction. The function of the magnetic ring will be explained in greater detail later. 
         [0026]    A cylindrical bearing bushing  19  projects downward from the underside of the rotor disk  18  and is provided with a lower flange  190  extending around the outside. The secondary drive unit  102  is seated with the bearing bushing  19  on a shaft cylinder  191  of the base  21 . A plurality of hold-down devices  192 , distributed over the exterior circumference of the bearing bushing  19  and screwed together with the base  21 , extends behind the flange  190  and assures that the secondary drive unit  102  cannot be released in the axial direction from the shaft cylinder  191 , but without hampering its rotatability. As represented in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a bearing sleeve  193  is pressed, or glued, onto the shaft cylinder  191  and provides more stability to the structure and minimizes wear. Highly stressed areas of the driveshaft  8  and of the bearing opening of the base  21  of the top part  2  are provided with corresponding bearing sleeves in the same way. 
         [0027]    It can be clearly seen from the plan views in  FIGS. 1 to 4  that the drive units  101 ,  102  do not have a common continuous shaft. The rotating shafts of the two substantial rotationally movable parts of the drive mechanism  10 , the primary drive unit  101 , comprising the spring housing  7 , winder  12 , and drive wheel  14 , and of the secondary drive unit  102 , comprising the axial journal  17 , rotor disk  18  and bearing bushing  19 , are arranged, spaced apart in an axis-parallel manner from each other, on the cover  12 , or respectively the base  21 . Since the axial journal  17  with the external tooth arrangement protrudes into the drive wheel  14  with the internal tooth arrangement, it is necessary for the shafts  4  and  8 , on which the drive units  101 ,  102  have been seated in a rotationally movable manner, to be designed appropriately rugged in order to be able to absorb the forces introduced into the cord pull during hard pulling and to pass them on. The bearing journal  9 , which is arranged on the cover and supports the winder  12 , must be designed with sufficient ruggedness to assure that the engagement of the cooperating tooth arrangements  15 ,  16  of the drive wheel  14  and axial journal  17  is not released during pulling. The exploded view of the two drive units  101 ,  102  in  FIG. 4  explains the position of the two shafts  4  and  8  and the dimensioning of the two gear portions, the drive wheel  14  with the internal tooth arrangement and the axial journal  17  with the matching external tooth arrangement. The gear in accordance with the invention can also be realized by other force transmitting means, for example wheels and rollers with a frictional connection. 
         [0028]    A basic advantage of the device in accordance with the invention lies in that gearing from the drive wheel  14  to the axial journal  17  takes place without a change in the rotational direction. A further substantial advantage lies in that in spite of the achieved gearing the structural size of the drive mechanism  10  can be kept small, so that the drive mechanism  10  can be housed without problems in the top part  2 . Making do without two continuous shafts, the eccentric arrangement of the driveshaft  8  and the use of the internal tooth arrangement of the drive wheel  14  make it possible to place the secondary drive unit  102  on the central shaft  4  of the device, and to simultaneously achieve the gearing by means of the larger drive wheel  14  without increasing the space required in the top part  2  laterally of the axial journal  17  by the diameter of the drive wheel  14 . 
         [0029]    In the exemplary embodiment represented, the bearing journal  9  is only fastened at an upper end at an underside of the cover and extends freely downward. Preferably the bearing journal  9  is constructed stepped in two parts, so that the spring housing  7  is seated around a thicker exterior hollow cylinder  81 , and the winder  12  rotates around an interior hollow cylinder  82 , which projects further downward from the concentric exterior hollow cylinder  81 . A washer  27  closes off the spring housing  82 , in which the restoring spring  72 , not represented in detail, is located, toward the top. At its periphery, the washer  27  is supported at several locations directly,  84 , or by means of several support elements  83 , on the inside of the cover  20  and is maintained in a horizontal position in this way. From  FIG. 3  it becomes clear that the primary drive unit  101  is plugged onto the hollow cylinders  81 ,  82  and is securely maintained by means of a plug  75  on the bearing journal  9  in a rotatably movable manner, but secure against axial displacement. 
         [0030]    Function of the restoring spring  72  in connection with a cord pull mechanism is generally known and need not be further explained. The winder  12  is put into rotation by pulling on the cord pull, and the spring  72  is prestressed in the operating direction in the course of the rotation operation until the pull cord  70  is completely unwound, preferably after 3 to 6 revolutions of the winder  12 . In the course of the rotation operation, the rotary movement of the winder  12  is transmitted in the same direction of rotation to the axial journal  17 , and thereby of the secondary drive unit  102 . The axial journal  17  and the rotor disk  18  have a central receptacle  71  on the underside for an upper coupling element  22 . A receptacle  71 , open at the bottom, is designed to be hexagonal in the exemplary embodiment represented, so that it can receive the upper coupling element  22  represented in  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  in a torque-proof connection and axially displaceable. In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the upper coupling element  22  is in an upper release position, in which its tooth arrangement on the underside does not engage the corresponding tooth arrangement of a lower coupling element, also called engagement member  23 . The upper coupling element  22  is prestressed against the engagement member  23  by means of a compression spring  74 , so that in the course of rotation in the operating direction the torque of the upper coupling element  22  can be transmitted to the engagement member  23  by means of the positive connection between the meshing teeth of both coupling elements. Since in the exemplary embodiment represented only a revolution in the operating direction is desired, the coupling is provided with a one-directional free-wheeling device in the restoring direction, i.e. opposite the operating direction. As is known from other ratchet mechanisms, the teeth are inclined in opposite directions in respect to each other, so that the upper coupling element  22  can be pushed against the spring force of the spring  74  into the upper release position in the course of the restoring rotation of the cord pull, and the cutting unit  60  is stopped during the winding of the cord pull. In the course of the next pull on the handle  11 , the upper coupling element  22  is rotated again into the operating position and again engages the engagement member  23 , so that the latter can continue the rotating movement in the operating position. By means of the torque-derived connection, in the present case by means of the internal and external hexagonal device, between the reception opening on the underside of the engagement member  23  and the drive cam  69  on the top of the cutter shaft  67 , the rotating movement is transmitted from the axial journal  17  of the secondary drive unit  102  to the cutting unit  60  in a 1:1 manner. 
         [0031]    The base  21  of the top part  2  has a central circular opening, in which the substantially cylindrical engagement member  23  is rotatably seated in a well-fitting manner. Since the reception opening of the engagement member  23  is embodied as a blind hole, and the base does not otherwise include any openings, the areas of the top part  2  coming into contact with foodstuffs to be processed can be very thoroughly cleaned. In the peripheral area the base  21  is sealingly connected all around with the cover  20 , so that food remnants or water are prevented from being able to penetrate into the interior space of the top part  2 . 
         [0032]    In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the base  21  is provided with a lateral wall  28  extending around the periphery, which has an exterior contour permitting the placement in a positively or non-positively connected manner on the container  30  for material to be cut. The clearance between the underside of the engagement member  23  and the bottom of the container  30  for material to be cut substantially corresponds to the height of the cutting unit  60  without its drive cam  69  at the top. Upper and lower seating of the cutting unit  60  is respectively embodied to be positively connected, or protected in such a way that no material to be cut can penetrate and become lodged. As indicated in  FIG. 1 , a slip-protection device  35  made of soft rubber or a silicone material has been applied to the underside of the container bottom  31 . The vertical swirling ribs  34 , evenly distributed over the circumference of the inner container wall, extend from the bottom  31  of the container as far as almost to the rotation height of the upper deflector wing  56 . The function of the swirling ribs  34  in connection with cutting of peeling of vegetables or fruit is known and need not be further explained here. 
         [0033]    The cutting unit  60  in the embodiment represented in  FIG. 1  comprises cutters  61 ,  62 ,  63 , or respectively blades  611 ,  621 ,  631  which are radially pivotable in respect to each other, such as extensively disclosed in CH Patent Application 00730/06. The respective devices are preferably devices for cutting vegetables, herbs and/or fruit and comprise at least two blades  611 ,  621 , which are radially arranged on a common cutter shaft  64 , at least one of which can be radially pivoted in relation to the other over a limited distance around the cutter shaft  64  from a position of rest into an operating position. On the one hand, for filling the container  30  for material to be cut, this pivotable mobility of the blades  621 ,  631  permits the placement of the blades  611 ,  621 ,  631 , which are preferably arranged axially on top of each other and spaced apart, into a mutual radial position of rest, so that almost the entire container volume is available and can be filled. 
         [0034]    On the other hand, because of the pivotable mobility of the blades  621 ,  631  on the cutter shaft  64 , the initial force requirement is considerably reduced in the starting phase, because not all blades  611 ,  621 ,  631  must cut simultaneous. 
         [0035]    The basic principle of the novel drive can be transferred by one skilled in the art to a multitude of further devices, without deviating from the basic principle of the invention. Not only devices with one stationary and one or several blades can be produced, which are arranged pivotably movable on a cutter shaft, in which the blades are all preferable spaced apart from each other in the axial direction, but in further preferred embodiments it is also possible to arrange more than one blade on one blade holder, wherein these can again be positioned in the same angular position or offset from each other on the same angled holder. The geometry of the blades and their angle of attack at the blade holder will also be varied and optimized for the respective use. Since the cutting unit  60  of the devices in accordance with the invention can be very easily changed, it has been shown to be advantageous to offer different cutting or operating units. Besides the already described cutting units  60  for cutting vegetables and fruit, those with very narrow thin blades for cutting herbs and those with solid blades and serrated cutting edges for chopping ice are offered. 
         [0036]    All components of the device which come into contact with the foodstuffs to be processed, except for the blades, and also the essential parts of the drive mechanism, are made from plastics, such as SAN (styrene acrylonitrile), POM (polyoxymethylene) and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), by an extrusion process. 
         [0037]    Those parts which come into contact with the foodstuffs to be processed in particular, are here approved for use with foodstuffs. 
         [0038]    In preferred embodiments of the devices  1  in accordance with the instant invention, the diameter of the container  30  for the material to be cut lies between 120 and 140 mm at a height of 70 to 90 mm. Since the processing means of the preferred devices in accordance with the instant invention can be arranged in a space-saving manner in a common position of rest, and the lower deflector  50 , arranged closely above the bottom, hardly takes up space, the usable free interior space of the container  30  for the material to be cut is only restricted by the central cutter shaft  67 . In connection with the small, manually operated devices it is therefore already possible to insert whole onions, kohlrabi or fennel tubers. The fact that this large material to be cut can actually be processed by only a few pulls on the cord pull represents a further substantial advantage of the instant invention. Namely the pivotably-movable seating of at least one cutter blade  62 ,  63  results in the amount of force required at the start of each cutting movement, i.e. at the start of the pulling movement, being considerably reduced. When the cutting unit  60  is first operated after the container  30  for material to be cut has been filled by pulling on the handle  11 , the lowermost blade  611 , which is stationarily arranged on the blade holder  612  and the cutter shaft  67 , cuts as soon as it encounters the material to be cut. The second blade  621 , pivotably seated at a higher level, also encounters the material to be cut, but because of the inertia of the material to be cut in relation to the cutter shaft  67 , it is pivoted out of its position of rest as far as into the operating position. In this phase the second blade  621  does not change its position in regard to the container  30  for the material to be cut and only starts to rotate once the operating position has been reached, i.e. as soon as the first stationary blade  611  has performed a 120° rotation in the container  30  for the material to be cut. As soon as the operating position has been reached, stops prevent the further pivoting of the movable cutter  62 , and the blade  621  is suddenly put into motion and cuts the material to be cut resting against it, again aided by its inertia. Analogously, the second movable blade  631  only cuts when it has reached its end position after a pivot movement of 240°. In the starting phase, i.e. when pulling the pull cord  70  for the first time, the initial force requirement for this is considerably reduced, since not all blades  611 ,  621 ,  631  need to be cutting at the same time. Therefore the present invention is preferably employed with an above described cutting unit  60 , since both act synergistically together, however, it is not limited to this. 
         [0039]    In place of blades, finger-shaped processing means are employed for peeling onions and/or garlic, such as are known from devices in accordance with the species. Processing units for cutting and for squeezing are combined with each other in one unit for processing of soft or pre-cooked vegetables and/or fruit, in particular for preparing food for small children and babies. 
         [0040]    The devices in accordance with the invention can be employed in many ways in the kitchen or household with further inserts which are arranged in the lower part  3  in place of the cutting unit  60  and can be put into rotation by means of the drive mechanism  10 , for example a basket for centrifuging herbs, an S-shaped mixing arm, or a beater for frothing milk. 
         [0041]    The container  30  for material to be cut which, in embodiments described up to now, had been shown to be substantially rotationally round and with its diameter slightly tapering downward, can also be simply exchanged and adapted to the respective purpose of use. A container  30  for the material to be processed and containing the finished processed material can be closed off by a separate cover and stored. To this end the cutting unit  60  or other processing insert is removed. With a second container  30  for material to be cut, the device in accordance with the invention is again ready for use. 
         [0042]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, not only is an operating means mechanically driven with every pull on the pull cord  70 , but electrical current is additionally generated. It was represented in  FIGS. 1 to 4  and already described above, that a rotor disk  18  is arranged below the axial journal  17 . The rotor disk  18 , which is considerably larger in diameter than the axial journal  17 , has a peripheral magnetic ring  90  which, as represented in section in  FIG. 5 , drives a generator  45  in a contact-free manner. The generator  45  provides an electronic unit  47  with electrical current. Preferably the electronic unit  47  together with the generator  45  is arranged on a base plate  46 , which can be rapidly and simply mounted on the bottom  29  of the base  21 . Three illuminating means, particularly preferred in the form of LEDs, which are in operative connection with the display unit  40  via optical light guides, not represented in the drawing figure, are also arranged on the base plate  46 . Use of the optical light guides permits the placement of the LEDs directly on the base plate  46  instead of in the display unit  40  in the cover  20 , which considerably lowers the manufacturing costs. Electrical lines from the generator  45  to the display unit  40  in the cover  20  are omitted. 
         [0043]    The electronic unit  47  and display unit  40  are components of a cutting degree indicator, which makes it easy even for untrained users to obtain cut material of an ideal degree of cutting. The display unit  40  can be well seen by the user, such as is represented in  FIG. 6 , for example. The cutting degree indicator, in particular its display unit  40 , is very simply constructed and can be intuitively understood by the user without further instruction. Accordingly, in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 6  a display unit  40 , supplied by three light emitting diodes (LEDs) has been inserted into the cover  20 , easily visible for the user. The three LED&#39;s have for example been selected in the colors green, yellow and red, and are arranged in a line next to each other. For detecting the number of revolutions of the processing unit, for example the cutting unit  60  and therefore of the blades  611 ,  621  and  631 , the number of revolutions of the rotor wheel  18  is detected by the electronic device and stored intermediately. As soon as the intermediately stored value exceeds a preselected value (for example five revolutions), the green LED of the display is illuminated or blinks. It is indicated to the user by this that, although the material to be cut has been evenly comminuted, it is still rather coarse. The cutting unit  60  is further rotated by further pulls on the cord pull and, after exceeding a further predetermined number of revolutions, the display changes from green to yellow, and signals the user that now the material to be cut is present in a finely cut manner and, after a defined number of further pulls, the display changes into the red range. In this way the user is provided with the information that the material to be cut is now present in a very finely comminuted way and further processing would only result in finely pureed cut material. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the display respectively changes at an even number of cord pulls (over the full length of the pull cord  70 ). 
         [0044]    After the desired degree of fineness has been reached, the user stops and the cord  70  is rewound by means of the pre-wound restoring spring  72  until the handle  11  comes to rest again in the position of rest provided on the cover  20 . The top part  2  can be removed from the container  60  for the material to be cut, and the finished material can be removed or stored in the container. 
         [0045]    In the course of extensive tests it has been shown to be extremely advantageous for achieving a homogeneous cutting result to attach deflectors  50 ,  51  below and/or above the blades  611 ,  621 ,  631 , which cause the material to be cut to be flung again and again within the range of the cutter blades. 
         [0046]    In a sectional view,  FIG. 8  shows a further embodiment of a top part  2 ′ having an additional support element  200 . This support element  200  prevents a deflection of the bearing journal  9 ′, as well as of the interior and exterior hollow cylinder  82 ′,  81 ′ when a lateral force is introduced via the handle  11 ′ and winder  12 ′ into the primary drive unit  101 ′ and therefore into the hollow wheel/drive wheel  14 ′. The support element is positioned in such a way that it projects away approximately radially from the hollow wheel/drive wheel  14 ′ in the direction toward the feed-through opening  6 ′ and therefore extends approximately parallel with the cord between the winder  12 ′ and the feed-through opening  6 ′. The support element  200  is fastened on one or several mounting elements  210  with one or several holding means in the upper part  2 ′. The mounting element  210  is preferably formed on the cover  20 ′. Preferably the holding means is a screw, it is alternatively possible to fix the support element  200  in place by gluing, welding or snapping it in, for example. The support element  200  is preferably designed in such a way that on one side it supports the hollow wheel/drive wheel  14 ′ on a sliding surface  201  and constitutes a sliding bearing together with it. The other side of the support element  200  can rest against the cover  20 ′ with a support edge  202 , which is preferably formed to correspond to the contour of the cover  20 ′, and it constitutes a further abutment for the support element  200  in addition to the mounting element  210 . 
         [0047]    The support element  200  in accordance with the embodiment in  FIG. 8  is shown in detail in  FIGS. 9   a  to  9   c . The support element  200  can be fastened through the two fastening holes  203  on the appropriate mounting elements  210 , for example by means of screws. However, it is also conceivable that a different number of fastening holes is formed, and/or that alternative fastening methods are employed. Optionally, depressions  204  are provided on the underside of the support element  200 , which permit, on the one hand, a reduction of the material required and, on the other hand, cause a structural reinforcement of the support element  200  by means of ribs formed between the depressions  204 . The side of the support element  200  facing the hollow wheel/drive wheel  14 ′, the so-called sliding surface  201 , preferably has the same radius as the hollow wheel/drive wheel  14 ′ itself. Alternatively, the sliding surface  201  is divided into at least two separate segments, so that the hollow wheel/drive wheel  14 ′ only rests on individual points or sliding surface sections on the support element  200 . A material which has a low coefficient of friction is preferably employed for producing the support element  200 , for example a fluoropolymer such as PTFE is used. Alternatively, a multi-part support element  200  can be employed, in which only the sliding surface  201  consists of a material with a low coefficient of friction, or the support element can be provided with a coating. The side of the support element  200  located opposite the sliding surface  201 , the support edge  202 , is preferably embodied in such a way that it rests flat on the cover  20 ′ and corresponds to the cover contour. In a further embodiment, the support element  200  can have positioning aids  205  for simplifying mounting which, with corresponding positioning receptacles, fit positioning receivers of the mounting element  201 . 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 List of Reference Numerals 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                  1 
                 Device 
               
               
                   
                  2, 2′ 
                 Top part 
               
               
                   
                  3 
                 Lower part 
               
               
                   
                  4 
                 Central shaft 
               
               
                   
                  5 
                 Recess for handle 
               
               
                   
                  6, 6′ 
                 Feed-through opening 
               
               
                   
                  7 
                 Spring housing 
               
               
                   
                  8 
                 Driveshaft 
               
               
                   
                  9, 9′ 
                 Bearing journal 
               
               
                   
                  10 
                 Drive mechanism 
               
               
                   
                 101, 101′ 
                 Primary drive unit 
               
               
                   
                 102 
                 Secondary drive unit 
               
               
                   
                  11, 11′ 
                 Handle 
               
               
                   
                  12, 12′ 
                 Winder/cord roll 
               
               
                   
                  14, 14′ 
                 Hollow wheel/drive wheel 
               
               
                   
                  15 
                 Internal tooth arrangement 
               
               
                   
                  16 
                 External tooth arrangement 
               
               
                   
                  17 
                 Axial journal 
               
               
                   
                  18 
                 Rotor disk 
               
               
                   
                  19 
                 Bearing bushing 
               
               
                   
                  20, 20′ 
                 Cover 
               
               
                   
                  21 
                 Base 
               
               
                   
                  22 
                 Upper coupling element 
               
               
                   
                  23 
                 Engagement member 
               
               
                   
                  27 
                 Bearing washer 
               
               
                   
                  28 
                 Lateral wall base 
               
               
                   
                  29 
                 Bottom base 
               
               
                   
                  30 
                 Processing container 
               
               
                   
                  31 
                 Bottom 
               
               
                   
                  32 
                 Lateral wall 
               
               
                   
                  33 
                 Bearing journal 
               
               
                   
                  34 
                 Swirling rib 
               
               
                   
                  35 
                 Slip protection device 
               
               
                   
                  40 
                 Display unit 
               
               
                   
                  45 
                 Generator 
               
               
                   
                  46 
                 Base plate 
               
               
                   
                  47 
                 Electronic unit 
               
               
                   
                  50 
                 Lower deflector 
               
               
                   
                  51 
                 Upper deflector 
               
               
                   
                  56 
                 Deflector wing 
               
               
                   
                  60 
                 Cutting unit 
               
               
                   
                  61 
                 First cutter 
               
               
                   
                 611 
                 First blade 
               
               
                   
                 612 
                 Second blade 
               
               
                   
                  62 
                 Second cutter, first movable cutter 
               
               
                   
                 621 
                 First blade holder 
               
               
                   
                 622 
                 Second blade holder 
               
               
                   
                  63 
                 Third cutter 
               
               
                   
                 631 
                 Third blade 
               
               
                   
                 632 
                 Third blade holder 
               
               
                   
                  64 
                 Cutter axis 
               
               
                   
                  67 
                 Cutter shaft 
               
               
                   
                  69 
                 Drive cam 
               
               
                   
                  70 
                 Pull cord 
               
               
                   
                  71 
                 Receptacle 
               
               
                   
                  72 
                 Restoring spring 
               
               
                   
                  74 
                 Compression spring 
               
               
                   
                  75 
                 Plug 
               
               
                   
                  80 
                 Clamping ring 
               
               
                   
                  81, 81′ 
                 Exterior hollow cylinder 
               
               
                   
                  82, 82′ 
                 Interior hollow cylinder 
               
               
                   
                  83 
                 Support elements 
               
               
                   
                  84 
                 Support 
               
               
                   
                  90 
                 Magnetic ring 
               
               
                   
                 190 
                 Flange 
               
               
                   
                 191 
                 Shaft cylinder 
               
               
                   
                 192 
                 Hold-down device 
               
               
                   
                 193 
                 Bearing sleeve 
               
               
                   
                 200 
                 Support element 
               
               
                   
                 201 
                 Sliding surface 
               
               
                   
                 202 
                 Support edge 
               
               
                   
                 203 
                 Fastening hole 
               
               
                   
                 204 
                 Depression 
               
               
                   
                 205 
                 Positioning aid 
               
               
                   
                 210 
                 Mounting element