Abstract:
A kitchen slicer for cutting items to be cut, such as fruit, vegetables etc., comprising a base body to which a blade is fixed in order to cut pieces off from the item to be cut, a guide surface which is arranged offset in relation to the blade and on which the item to be cut can be moved back and forth and fed to the blade in a controlled manner, wherein the offset between the blade and the guide surface determines a cutting thickness of the pieces to be cut, an insert whose surface forms a guide surface and, as a whole, can be moved and can be fixed to the base body in different positions, in order to thus realize different cutting thicknesses, and fixing means which fix the insert relative to the base body, wherein the fixing means have at least one component which is produced separately from the base body and from the insert and is mounted such that it can move relative to the base body in order to fix and to release the insert.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a Continuation application of International patent application PCT/EP 2008/005660, filed Jul. 10, 2008 which was published in the German language and claims the priority of German patent application DE 10 2007 032 070, filed Jul. 10, 2007. The entire contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a kitchen slicer for cutting items such as fruit, vegetables, etc. The kitchen slicer according to the present invention comprises a basic body on which a blade is secured in order for pieces to be cut off from the item, a guide surface which is offset in relation to the blade and on which the item can be moved back and forth and fed in a controlled manner to the blade, the offsetting between the blade and the guide surface determining a cutting thickness of the pieces which are to be cut, an insert, the upper surface of which forms the guide surface and which can be moved as a whole and secured in different positions on the basic body in order thus to realize different cutting thicknesses, and securing means which secure the insert relative to the basic body. 
         [0003]    Such kitchen slicers are used for the defined comminution of items such as, for example, fruit, vegetables and the like. The slicer in this case is held in one hand, e.g. by a handle, and is supported, by an end located opposite the handle, on a support or a bowl. The item which is to be comminuted is moved back and forth on the guide surface and fed to the blade, which is arranged transversely or obliquely in relation to the main axis of the kitchen slicer or else is of V-shaped design. With each movement of the item over the blade, a slice is cut off from the item and drops through a slot between the blade and guide surface. The guide surface may contain additional cutting elements which serve for comminuting the item as it moves over the guide surface and therefore cut the item into strips. 
         [0004]    The guide surface is configured in some cases separately from the basic body as an interchangeable insert. In order to adjust cutting thicknesses, this insert can be secured in different positions on the basic body and exchanged for differently configured inserts, e.g. with additional cutting elements, in order thus for different cutting variants to be provided. 
         [0005]    DE 103 28 506 B4 discloses a kitchen slicer which has an interchangeable insert and in which the insert can be inserted into the basic body in different positions and different cutting-thickness settings can thus be realized, one position serving as a safeguard against injury. 
         [0006]    DE 100 54 174 B4 discloses a kitchen slicer in which the cutting thickness is realized by virtue of an interchangeable insert being offset. The insert here can form either the guide surface of the kitchen slicer. The interchangeable insert here is secured on the basic body by way of clamping means and, by virtue of the clamping means being released, can be moved into a different position, for the purpose of changing the cutting thickness, without the insert having to be removed from the basic body. The different positions of the insert are realized here by parallel offsetting by means of a parallel guide or by pivoting by means of a pivoting guide. 
         [0007]    In a particular embodiment of this kitchen slicer, the interchangeable insert can be offset parallel by guide pegs of the insert being displaced in ramp-like groove portions of the basic body. The insert here is secured in a longitudinal position in relation to the basic body by means of an elastically deflectable catch which is arranged on the basic body and engages in grooves formed in the insert. 
         [0008]    The disadvantage with such a locking catch is that it is difficult to release the bolt since the catch, owing to its function as a securing means, is of comparatively small configuration or else can be released accidentally during use if it is arranged in an easily accessible manner on the insert. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to specify a kitchen slicer in which the operation of adjusting the cutting thickness is simplified and cannot take place accidentally. 
         [0010]    According to a first aspect of the invention, this object is achieved, in the case of the slicer mentioned in the introduction, having a basic body on which a blade is secured in order for pieces to be cut off from the item, having a guide surface which is offset in relation to the blade and on which the item can be moved back and forth and fed in a controlled manner to the blade, the offsetting between the blade and the guide surface determining a cutting thickness of the pieces which are to be cut, having an insert, the upper surface of which forms the guide surface and which can be moved as a whole and secured in different positions on the basic body in order thus to realize different cutting thicknesses, and having securing means which secure the insert relative to the basic body, in that the securing means have at least one component which is produced separately from the basic body and from the insert and is mounted such that it can be moved relative to the basic body in order to secure and release the insert. 
         [0011]    Furthermore, according to a second aspect of the invention, the above object is achieved, in the case of the slicer mentioned in the introduction, having a basic body on which a blade is secured in order for pieces to be cut off from the item, having a guide surface which is offset in relation to the blade and on which the item can be moved back and forth and fed in a controlled manner to the blade, the offsetting between the blade and the guide surface determining a cutting thickness of the pieces which are to be cut, having an insert, the upper surface of which forms the guide surface and which can be moved as a whole and secured in different positions on the basic body in order thus to realize different cutting thicknesses, and having securing means which secure the insert relative to the basic body, in that the basic body has an opening through which the securing means can be actuated. 
         [0012]    Furthermore, according to a third aspect of the invention, the above object is achieved, in the case of the slicer mentioned in the introduction, having a basic body on which a blade is secured in order for pieces to be cut off from the item, having a guide surface which is offset in relation to the blade and on which the item can be moved back and forth and fed in a controlled manner to the blade, the offsetting between the blade and the guide surface determining a cutting thickness of the pieces which are to be cut, having an insert, the upper surface of which forms the guide surface and which can be moved as a whole and secured in different positions on the basic body in order thus to realize different cutting thicknesses, and having securing means which secure the insert relative to the basic body, in that the securing means have a lever and a separate actuating element, it being possible for the actuating element to be brought into engagement with the lever in order to secure or release the insert. 
         [0013]    Since the securing means have at least one component which is produced separately from the basic body and from the insert, it is possible for this component to be configured in any desired form and to be mounted such that it can be moved in any desired manner, in which case it is possible to realize a mechanically optimum form irrespective of the production process of the basic body or of the insert. Moreover, this separately produced component may consist of any desired material, irrespective of the material of the basic body or of the insert. 
         [0014]    Furthermore, the securing means can be actuated particularly easily, and thus also released easily during use, through the opening, wherein the securing means are safeguarded, at the same time, against being released accidentally during use. 
         [0015]    Furthermore, actuating means configured separately from the securing means are particularly straightforward to produce and easy to fit. 
         [0016]    The first, the second and the third aspects of the invention can be ideally combined. 
         [0017]    The object is achieved in full in this way. 
         [0018]    It is preferred here if the opening is formed on a longitudinal side of the basic body, on a portion adjacent to the insert. 
         [0019]    This arrangement of the opening relative to the insert allows the securing means to be of compact construction. 
         [0020]    In a preferred embodiment, the lever is mounted such that it can be rotated about an axis of rotation. 
         [0021]    The lever is thus particularly easy to move and, accordingly, the insert can be released with little force being applied. 
         [0022]    It is preferred here if the actuating element is mounted such that it can be moved in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation. 
         [0023]    Engagement between the actuating element and the lever can thus be realized particularly straightforwardly. 
         [0024]    In a preferred embodiment, the securing means have an actuating portion via which the securing means can be actuated. 
         [0025]    This actuating portion allows the securing means to be actuated particularly conveniently since the actuating portion can be adapted in shape and size, irrespective of the functioning of the securing means, to, for example, an average fingertip. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment of the invention, the actuating portion is at least partially enclosed by the opening. 
         [0027]    If the actuating portion is only partially enclosed by the opening, the securing means can be fitted particularly easily into the basic body. 
         [0028]    In an alternative embodiment, the actuating portion is fully enclosed by the opening. 
         [0029]    The actuating portion is thus safeguarded from all sides against being actuated accidentally, and the securing means are therefore safeguarded against being released accidentally during use. 
         [0030]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the separately produced component has a two-sided lever. 
         [0031]    This embodiment makes it possible to realize the securing means with a particularly straightforward mechanism, since a two-sided lever can easily be mounted in a rotatable manner. 
         [0032]    In a preferred configuration, the two-sided lever is mounted such that it can be rotated about an axis arranged perpendicularly to the guide surface. 
         [0033]    This configuration makes it possible for the two-sided lever to be arranged in a particularly space-saving manner in a design-specific elongate side part of the basic body, since a longitudinal axis of the two-sided lever thus runs parallel to the side parts of the basic body. 
         [0034]    In a preferred configuration, the two-sided lever can be inserted into the basic body from a side which is directed away from the guide surface. 
         [0035]    This configuration allows this separate component to be fitted with a low level of outlay since the basic body may be designed to be open, for example, on this side directed away from the guide surface and there is no need for any cover to be fitted once the two-sided lever has been fitted. 
         [0036]    In a further configuration, the two-sided lever is mounted in a rotatable manner by means of a peg secured on the basic body. 
         [0037]    This configuration makes it possible to dispense with high-outlay mechanisms for mounting the two-sided lever, since such a peg performs all the necessary functions for mounting such a lever. 
         [0038]    In an alternative embodiment, the separately produced component has a slide which is mounted such that it can be moved transversely to an adjusting direction of the insert. 
         [0039]    This embodiment allows the securing means to be realized in a particularly compact manner, as a result of which a more compact construction of the kitchen slicer as a whole is possible. This embodiment is particularly compact since it is possible to dispense with a lever arm. 
         [0040]    In a further alternative embodiment, the securing means have a one-sided lever. 
         [0041]    The advantage with a one-sided lever is that the latter is easy to produce and it can be made, possibly by injecting molding, as part of the basic body. 
         [0042]    In a preferred configuration, the one-sided lever is mounted such that it can be moved relative to the basic body by means of a film hinge. 
         [0043]    This configuration makes it possible to realize particularly cost-effective mounting for the one-sided lever since it can be produced, for example by injecting molding, together with the basic body. 
         [0044]    In a particular configuration, the one-sided lever is connected integrally to the basic body. 
         [0045]    This configuration of the one-sided lever makes it possible to dispense with the step of fitting the one-sided lever, since it is part of the basic body. 
         [0046]    In a general embodiment, the securing means secure the insert in a form-fitting or force-fitting manner. 
         [0047]    The insert can thus be secured particularly reliably on the basic body. 
         [0048]    In a preferred configuration, the securing means are assigned an elastic element such that, in a non-loaded state, the securing means secure the insert relative to the basic body. 
         [0049]    The insert is thus always secured relative to the basic body during use, without any additional force being applied by the user, as a result of which it is particularly convenient to use. 
         [0050]    In a particular embodiment, the insert can be secured in a stepwise manner relative to the basic body. 
         [0051]    This embodiment allows preferred cutting thicknesses to be selected in a direct and reproducible manner, since the insert can be secured only in certain positions. 
         [0052]    In a preferred embodiment, the securing means have a catch, or latching nose or a bolt, and grooves, wherein the insert is secured in the different positions by virtue of the catch (of the bolt) engaging in a respective one of the grooves. 
         [0053]    This mechanism allows the insert to be secured or released relative to the basic body with only a low level of force being applied, since the insert is secured by form fitting of the catch in one of the grooves, and all that is required in order to release the insert is for the form fit to be released. 
         [0054]    In a preferred configuration, the catch and the grooves have such a profile that, by virtue of the insert being subjected to the action of force, the insert can be displaced with latching action in a first direction and locks in a direction which is counter to the first direction. 
         [0055]    It is thus also possible for the insert to be displaced in the first direction during use without the actuating portion being actuated, in order for the cutting thickness to be changed quickly. 
         [0056]    In one configuration, the grooves have a sawtooth profile. 
         [0057]    This sawtooth profile makes it possible to realize the insert such that it can be moved particularly easily with latching action in one direction. 
         [0058]    In an alternative embodiment, the insert can be adjusted in a stepless manner relative to the basic body. 
         [0059]    This embodiment allows individual cutting thicknesses to be selected freely. 
         [0060]    A particular configuration provides ramp guides on which sliding elements slide such that a displacement of the insert in the direction of the blade gives rise, at the same time, to the insert being offset perpendicularly thereto. 
         [0061]    This configuration allows the insert to be displaced very conveniently relative to the basic body since, by virtue of the insert being subjected to the action of force in the direction of the blade, the cutting thickness changes. Since the kitchen slicer is usually held by a user at an end at which the insert is arranged, this force can be applied very easily, for example, by the thumb. 
         [0062]    In a particular configuration, the ramp guide and the sliding elements interact such that the insert can be offset essentially parallel relative to the guide surface. 
         [0063]    It is thus always equally easy to guide the item for cutting over the blade for different cutting thicknesses, since the item is always guided at an optimum angle over the blade. 
         [0064]    The ramp guides are preferably at an angle of between 10° and 60° in relation to the guide surface. 
         [0065]    This configuration allows the insert always to be displaced easily relative to the basic body, since the sliding elements do not skew in relation to the ramp guides and/or are not of self-locking design. 
         [0066]    In a preferred configuration, the insert is of interchangeable design. 
         [0067]    This makes it possible to realize further cutting variations, e.g. perpendicularly to the blade. 
         [0068]    Of course, the abovementioned features, and those which are yet to be explained hereinbelow, can be used not just in the given combination, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the framework of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0069]    Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail in the following description and are illustrated in the drawing, in which: 
           [0070]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective illustration of an embodiment of the kitchen slicer according to the invention with securing means; 
           [0071]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic view of part of the basic body of an embodiment of the kitchen slicer according to the invention with a two-sided lever; 
           [0072]      FIG. 3  shows a sectional view of the basic body and of the insert of a second embodiment of the kitchen slicer according to the invention, with a slide; 
           [0073]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic view of part of the basic body and of the insert of a further embodiment of the kitchen slicer according to the invention; 
           [0074]      FIG. 5  shows a schematic sectional view of the kitchen slicer for the purpose of explaining ramp guides; 
           [0075]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective illustration of an embodiment of the insert of the kitchen slicer according to the invention; 
           [0076]      FIG. 7  shows a schematic view of part of the basic body of an embodiment of the kitchen slicer according to the invention with a separate actuating element; and 
           [0077]      FIG. 8  shows a schematic sectional view of the basic body and of the insert along line A-A in  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0078]    In  FIG. 1 , a first embodiment of the kitchen slicer according to the invention is designated in general terms by  10 . 
         [0079]    The kitchen slicer  10  has a basic body  12  on which a V-shaped blade  14  is secured. The blade  14  may be designed, as in this embodiment, as a V blade, although it is also possible for the blade  14  to be a rectilinear blade arranged obliquely or perpendicularly in relation to a main axis of the basic body  12 . 
         [0080]    A guide surface  16  is arranged opposite the blade  14 . The guide surface  16  is formed by an insert  18 . The kitchen slicer  10  also has securing means  19 , which are arranged both on the basic body  12  and on the insert  18 . The securing means  19  have a catch  20 , grooves  22  and an actuating portion  23 . 
         [0081]    By means of the guide surface  16  of the insert  18 , the item for cutting is fed in a controlled manner to the blade  14 , a constant cutting thickness being obtained thereby. The item here is pressed onto the guide surface  16  and pushed over the blade  14 , the cut item being removed through a gap between the blade  14  and the insert  18 , the upper surface of which forms the guide surface. The cutting thickness is determined by offsetting between the guide surface  16  and the blade  14 . This offsetting can be changed by different positions of the insert  18  relative to the basic body  12 , and this therefore allows the cutting thickness to be varied. In order to be able to realize these different positions of the insert  18  relative to the basic body  12 , the insert  18  is mounted such that it can be moved relative to the basic body  12 . In order that the insert  18  is not moved along, during use, with the item for cutting, it can be secured relative to the basic body  12  by way of securing means  19 . The securing means  19  have the catch  20  which engages in the grooves  22 , formed on the insert  18 , and thus secures the insert  18  relative to the basic body  12 . The catch  20  is connected to the actuating portion  23 . The actuating portion  23  is connected to the catch  20  such that actuation of the actuating portion releases the catch  20  from the grooves  22  and the insert  18  can thus be changed in position relative to the basic body  12 . 
         [0082]      FIG. 2  illustrates, schematically, a view of part of the basic body  12  of the kitchen slicer  10  in a first embodiment, with a two-sided lever as the securing means  19 . 
         [0083]    The illustration in  FIG. 2  shows the basic body  12  with the insert  18  from the side which is directed away from the guide surface  16 . The insert  18  has the grooves  22 , in which the catch  20  engages. The catch  20  is connected to a two-sided lever  24 , which has a fastening hole  25 . The two-sided lever  24  is mounted such that it can be rotated relative to the basic body  12 , this being done by the fastening hole  25  being plugged onto a peg  26  which is secured on the basic body  12 . The two-sided lever  24  has, at one end, the catch  20  and, at an end located opposite the catch  20 , the actuating portion  23 . The latter can be actuated through an opening  28  which is formed in the basic body  12 . The two-sided lever  24  is connected to an elastic element  30 , which has a free end supported on the basic body  12 . 
         [0084]    The insert  18  is secured relative to the basic body  12  in that the catch  20 , which is connected to the basic body  12  via the two-sided lever  24 , the fastening hole  25  and the peg  26 , engages in one of the grooves  22 . The elastic element  30  here is prestressed between the two-sided lever  24  and the basic body  12  such that the catch  20  engages in one of the grooves  22  without any force being applied externally, and secures the insert  18  relative to the basic body  12 . Since the two-sided lever  24  is mounted such that it can be rotated relative to the basic body  12  by means of the fastening hole  25  and the peg  26 , the catch  20  can be deflected laterally by virtue of the actuating portion  23  being subjected to the action of force, in which case the catch  20  and the grooves  22  are disengaged from one another. In this state, the insert  18  can be offset as desired relative to the basic body  12 . 
         [0085]    In a particular embodiment, the peg  26  may be connected integrally to the basic body  12 . It is also conceivable for the peg  26  to be produced together with the basic body  12  by injecting molding. The embodiment which is illustrated in  FIG. 2  illustrates the basic body  12  as a hollow body which is designed to be open on a side which is directed away from the guide surface, in which case the separately produced two-sided lever  24  can easily be introduced into the basic body  12  and fitted by virtue of being plugged onto the peg  26  by way of the fastening hole  25 . It is particularly advantageous here for the fitting of the two-sided lever  24  if, as is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the opening  28  in the basic body  12  only partially encloses the actuating portion  23 . 
         [0086]    In this embodiment, the elastic element  30  is designed and arranged such that it forces the catch  20  into one of the grooves  22 , without any force being applied externally, and thus secures the insert  18  relative to the basic body  12 . It is thus the case, during use of the kitchen slicer  10 , that the insert  18  is always secured in relation to the basic body  12  as long as the actuating element  23  is not actuated. 
         [0087]    In this embodiment, the elastic element  30  is designed as a tongue which is curved in an S-shaped manner, one end being secured on the two-sided lever  24  and the free end being supported on an inner side of the basic body  12 . The elastic element  30  may be formed from a material which differs from the material of the two-sided lever  24 , or else it may be connected integrally to the two-sided lever  24 . It is conceivable here for the elastic element  30  to be designed with a film hinge. A metallic leaf spring or a metallic helical spring can likewise be used as elastic element  30 . 
         [0088]    In this embodiment, the grooves  22  have a sawtooth profile, the catch  20  having a corresponding negative profile. It is thus possible, by virtue of the insert  18  in this embodiment being subjected to the action of force, for the insert  18  to be moved in the direction of the blade  14  without the actuating portion  23  being actuated. By virtue of the insert  18  being subjected to the action of force, the catch  20  is released from one of the grooves  22  and latches in again in another of the grooves  22 . The sawtooth profile of the grooves  22  means that the insert  18  cannot be moved in the opposite direction. 
         [0089]    As an alternative, the grooves  22  are designed such that latching displacement is not possible. 
         [0090]      FIG. 3  illustrates a schematic sectional illustration of a second embodiment of the securing means of the kitchen slicer according to the invention, with a slide. 
         [0091]    In this embodiment, the securing means  19  have a slide  32  which is mounted such that it can be moved axially in a through-passage  33  in the basic body  12 . The slide  32  is connected to an actuating portion  34  which can be actuated through the opening  28 . The slide  32  is assigned an elastic element  35  which is supported both on the actuating portion  34  and on the basic body  12 . The slide  32  is connected to a catch  36  which engages in grooves  38  which are formed on the insert  18 . The grooves  38  in this embodiment, due to the functioning of the slide  32 , are formed preferably on an inner side of the insert  18 , which is directed away from the basic body. 
         [0092]    The elastic element  35 , which in this particular embodiment is designed as a helical spring, is arranged, and prestressed, between the slide  32  and the basic body  12  such that, without the actuating portion  34  being subjected to the action of external force, the catch  36  engages with the grooves  38 . By virtue of the actuating portion  34  being subjected to the action of force in the axial direction, the elastic element  35  is compressed and the catch  36  and the grooves  38  are disengaged from one another. In this state, the insert  18  can be offset relative to the basic body  12 . If the actuating portion  34  is no longer subjected to the action of external force, the elastic element  35  forces the slide  32  into a starting position and brings the catch  36  and the grooves  38  into engagement, as a result of which the insert  18  is secured relative to the basic body  12 . In a particular embodiment which has not been illustrated, the elastic element  35  may also be configured as a leaf spring. 
         [0093]      FIG. 4  illustrates, schematically, a third embodiment of the kitchen slicer according to the invention, with a one-sided lever. 
         [0094]    The insert  18  is secured on the basic body  12  by means of a one-sided lever  40 . The one-sided lever  40  is connected to the basic body  12  by way of a fixed end  42 . A film hinge  43  is formed at the fixed end  42 , and the one-sided lever  40  can therefore be moved elastically relative to the basic body  12 . The one-sided lever  40  has a free end  44  located opposite the fixed end  42 . Between the fixed end  42  and the free end  44 , the one-sided lever  40  has an actuating portion  46 , which can be actuated through the opening  28  in the basic body  12 . Arranged at the free end  44  of the one-sided lever  40  is a catch  48  which engages in the grooves  38  on the insert  18  and thus secures the insert  18  relative to the basic body  12 . The grooves  38  are formed preferably on that side of the insert which is directed away from the basic body  12 . 
         [0095]    Since a film hinge  43  is formed at the fixed end  42 , the one-sided lever  40  can be deflected laterally, by virtue of the actuating portion  46  being subjected to the action of force, out of a rest position, in which the catch  48  engages in the grooves  38 . This lateral deflection of the one-sided lever  40  disengages the catch  48  and the grooves  38  from one another, and the insert  18  can therefore be moved relative to the basic body  12 . When the actuating element  46  is no longer subjected to the action of force, the film hinge, or restoring means (not illustrated), moves the one-sided lever  40  resiliently back into the rest position, and the catch  48  therefore engages again in one of the grooves  38  and secures the insert  18  relative to the basic body  12 . 
         [0096]    The one-sided lever  40  may be produced in a single piece with the basic body  12  or secured on the basic body  12  as a separately produced component. 
         [0097]    Instead of the film hinge  43  and of the restoring means (not illustrated), it is also conceivable to provide a separate elastic component or a separate elastic portion which connects the one-sided lever  40  to the basic body  12 . 
         [0098]      FIG. 5  illustrates, schematically, the kitchen slicer  10  according to the invention in a sectional illustration along a main axis of the basic body  12 . This illustration serves to explain the offsetting of the insert  18  in relation to the blade  14 . Of course, elements providing for ergonomic handling (such as a handle) may be present, and edges which are illustrated in angular fashion in the figures may be rounded in practice. 
         [0099]    The kitchen slicer  10  illustrated in  FIG. 5  with the basic body  12  and the blade  14 , which is secured on the basic body  12 , shows the insert  18 ,  18 ′ in two different positions. Ramp guides  50 ,  52  are formed in the basic body  12  and, by means of these guides, the insert  18  is mounted such that it can be moved on the basic body  12  via sliding elements  54 ,  56 . The ramp guides  50 ,  52  are two or more axially spaced-apart parallel guides which may be designed as shoulders or grooves in the basic body  12 . The sliding elements  54 ,  56  are elements on the insert  18  which engage in the ramp guides  50 ,  52 , or butt against the same, and thus mount the insert  18  such that it can be moved in relation to the basic body  12 . In a preferred configuration, the insert  18  can be offset upward relative to the basic body  12 , with the aid of the ramp guides  50 ,  52  and the sliding elements  54 ,  56 , to such an extent that a top side of the insert  18 , on an end side directed toward the blade  14 , is positioned above the blade. This position is shown in  FIG. 5  by solid lines. This position of the insert  18  serves as a safety position and safeguards against accidental contact with the blade  14 . 
         [0100]    An example of an operating position for cutting items with a certain cutting thickness  57 ′ is illustrated in  FIG. 5  by dashed lines. The cutting thickness  57 ′ arises from the offsetting in height between the blade  14  and the guide surface  16 ′. In this illustration, the insert  18 ,  18 ′ is offset parallel relative to the basic body  12  along an oblique line A. This offsetting of the insert  18 ,  18 ′ along the line A is governed by the positioning and configuration of the ramp guides  50 ,  52  and of the sliding elements  54 ,  56 . These mean that it is possible for the insert  18 ′ to be moved out of the operating position into another position, e.g. into the illustrated safety position of the insert  18 ,  18 ′, by virtue of being displaced in the direction of the blade  14 . As a result of the specific embodiment of the ramp guides  50 ,  52  and of the sliding elements  54 ,  56 , the displacement of the insert  18 ,  18 ′ in the direction of the blade  14  inevitably gives rise to vertical offsetting in relation thereto. 
         [0101]    By virtue of this method of mounting the insert  18 ,  18 ′ relative to the basic body  12 , the insert  18 ,  18 ′, by being fixed in a longitudinal direction of the basic body  12 , is also secured in a direction perpendicular thereto. 
         [0102]    It is conceivable for the ramp guides  50 ,  52  to be formed as channels, grooves, edges or raised strips on the basic body  12  or the insert  18 . The sliding elements  54 ,  56  may be formed as edges, pegs, grooves or channels on the insert  18  or the basic body  12 . It is usually the case that two to four pairs, each comprising a respective one of the ramp guides  50 ,  52  and a respective one of the sliding elements  54 ,  56 , are provided on each side of the insert  18 . 
         [0103]      FIG. 6  illustrates, in perspective, an embodiment of the insert  18  of the kitchen slicer  10  according to the invention. 
         [0104]    The insert  18  illustrated forms the guide surface  16 . The insert  18  has, on a side edge, the sliding elements  54 ,  56 , which in this embodiment are in the form of raised round pegs. Also on a side edge, the insert  18  has the grooves  22 , with the aid of which the insert  18  is secured in different positions relative to the basic body  12 . A ramp wedge  58  is arranged on an underside of the insert  18 , the underside being directed away from the guide surface  16 . The ramp wedge  58 , in this embodiment, is designed as a flat triangular element which is arranged orthogonally to the guide surface  16  and parallel to a main axis of the insert  18 . 
         [0105]    Since the grooves  22  are arranged on an outer side of the side edges of the insert, this embodiment of the insert  18 , due to the functioning of the two-sided lever  24 , is used preferably together with just the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0106]    The sliding elements  54 ,  56  serve for mounting the insert  18  on the basic body  12 . Depending on the configuration of the ramp guides  50 ,  52  on the basic body  12 , the insert  18  can be offset parallel relative to the basic body  12 . The grooves  22  serve to secure the insert  18  in different positions. The ramp wedge  58  serves as a further support for the insert  18  in relation to the basic body  12 . The ramp wedge  58  is configured such that, in any position which the insert  18  can assume in relation to the basic body  12 , it butts against the basic body  12 . 
         [0107]      FIG. 7  illustrates, schematically from beneath, a view of part of the basic body  12  of the kitchen slicer  10  of a third embodiment, with a separate actuating element  60 . 
         [0108]    The third embodiment, which is illustrated in  FIG. 7 , is similar to the embodiment from  FIG. 2  and corresponds to the latter in respect of construction and functioning, the same elements being indicated by the same designations. Certain differences between the embodiments will be explained hereinbelow. 
         [0109]    The securing means  19  have a two-sided lever  62  which is mounted on the peg  26 , by means of the fastening hole  25 , such that it can be rotated on the basic body  12 . The two-sided lever  62  has the elastic element  30 , as a result of which the catch  20  is forced into one of the grooves  22  of the insert  18  and thus secures the insert  18  relative to the basic body  12 . The two-sided lever  62  has an actuating portion  64  at an actuating end  66 , which is located opposite the catch  20 . 
         [0110]    Formed on the basic body  12  is a shoulder  68 , on which the actuating element  60  is secured. The actuating element  60 , in this embodiment, can be actuated from the top side. The shoulder  68  contains an opening  70  through which an actuating pin  72  of the actuating element  60  projects. The shoulder  68  also has two mounting holes  74 ,  76 , through which a respective mounting pin  78 ,  80  of the actuating element  60  is guided. 
         [0111]    The actuating element  60  is mounted in the mounting holes  74 ,  76  by means of the mounting pins  78 ,  80  such that the actuating element can be moved in a direction parallel to an axis of rotation  81 , about which the two-sided lever  62  is mounted in a rotatable manner. That is to say, the actuating element is mounted such that it can be moved perpendicularly to the guide surface  16 . The mounting pins  79 ,  80 , together with the mounting holes  74 ,  76 , form slide bearings. The actuating pin  72  and the mounting pins  78 ,  80  are preferably connected integrally to the actuating element  60 . As a result of the movement of the actuating element  60 , the actuating pin  72  is brought into engagement with the actuating portion  64  of the two-sided lever  62  and the actuating portion  64  is deflected in the direction of the insert  18 . The catch  20  is thus moved away from the insert  18 , and the catch  20  and the groove  22  are therefore disengaged from one another. 
         [0112]      FIG. 8  illustrates a sectional view of the third embodiment of the kitchen slicer according to the invention along line A-A in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0113]    The actuating element  60  has an actuating portion  82 . The actuating element  60  also has the actuating pin  72  and the mounting pins  78 ,  80 , of which only the mounting pin  78  is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The actuating element  60  is secured on the basic body  12  such that the actuating portion  82  forms more or less a planar portion with the adjacent basic body  12 . The actuating element  60  has, on a lateral portion, a cover panel  84 , which has a bottom end butting against the basic body  12  and is offset laterally in relation to the basic body  12 . The basic body  12  has the shoulder  68 , in which are formed the mounting holes  74 ,  76 , of which only the mounting hole  74  is shown in this illustration. The mounting pin  78  is guided through the mounting hole  74 . The mounting pin  78  has, at a bottom end, a radially projecting periphery  86 , which engages on the shoulder  68  behind a periphery of the mounting hole  74 . The periphery  86  forms a stop on the shoulder  68 . A spring  88  is arranged on the mounting pin  78 , between the actuating portion  82  and the shoulder  68 . The mounting pins  78 ,  80  are preferably of identical design. 
         [0114]    The shoulder  68  has the opening  70 . The actuating pin  72  is guided through the opening  70 . The actuating pin  72  has an actuating portion  90  at a bottom end. The actuating portion  90  is formed obliquely relative to a longitudinal direction of the actuating pin  72  and/or relative to the movement direction of the actuating element  60 . The actuating portion  90  butts against the actuating portion  64  of the two-sided lever  62 . The actuating portion  64  of the two-sided lever  62  is preferably inclined, to be precise parallel to the actuating portion  90  of the actuating pin  72 . In a variant of this embodiment, at least one of the actuating portions  64 ,  90  may be curved. 
         [0115]    By virtue of the mounting pins  78 ,  80  being mounted in the mounting holes  74 ,  76 , the actuating element  60  is mounted such that it can be moved perpendicularly to the guide surface  16 . The spring  88  is supported on the actuating portion  82  and the shoulder  68  and forces the actuating element  60  away from the shoulder  68 . The periphery  86  of the mounting pin  78 , this periphery engaging behind the periphery of the mounting hole  74 , forms a stop and prevents the mounting pin  78  from being forced out of the mounting hole  74 . The spring  88  moves the actuating element  60  into an upper position without any force being applied externally. In this upper position, the actuating portion  90  of the actuating pin  72  butts against the actuating portion  64  of the two-sided lever  62  without the two-sided lever  62  being subjected to force and/or without the catch  20  being moved out of the groove  22 . 
         [0116]    If the actuating portion  82  of the actuating element  60  is subjected to force from above in the direction of an arrow  92 , that is to say in the direction parallel to the axis of rotation  81 , the actuating portion  90  of the actuating pin  72  presses against the actuating portion  64  of the two-sided lever  62 . Since the actuating portion  90  is arranged obliquely in relation to the direction of the arrow  92  and/or obliquely in relation to the movement direction of the actuating pin  72 , the actuating portion  90  subjects the actuating portion  64  of the two-sided lever  62  to force orthogonally to the direction of the arrow  92 . The direction of this resultant force is indicated by an arrow  94 . The actuating end  66  of the two-sided lever  62  is thus moved in the direction of the insert  18 . This has the same effect as the actuation of the actuating portion  23  in the first embodiment, which is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0117]    The spring  88  causes the actuating element  60  to be moved back into the upper position following the application of force. The cover panel  84  means that the basic body is closed laterally in any position of the actuating element. 
         [0118]    It may be advantageous if the actuating pin  72  is supported in the opening  70  in the shoulder  68  or the basic body  12  by way of a side which is located opposite the actuating portion  90 . This gives the actuating pin  72  more stability when force is being applied. 
         [0119]    Of course, all the embodiments illustrated may be combined with one another. The following combinations should be mentioned explicitly. 
         [0120]    It is conceivable for the two-sided lever  62  to be designed as a one-sided lever which is mounted in a rotatable manner on the peg  26 . Such a lever is supported on the basic body  20  by means of the elastic element  30 . For the purpose of actuating this lever, it is conceivable for the actuating pin  72  to act on that end of the lever which is directed toward the catch  20  and to move this lever away from the insert  18  by virtue of the actuating portion  82  being actuated. 
         [0121]    Furthermore, it is also possible to combine a one-sided lever, as is illustrated in  FIG. 4 , with the separate actuating element  60 . It would be possible here for the actuating portion  90  of the actuating pin  72  to act on the free end  44  of the one-sided lever  40 . It is also conceivable here for the groove  38  and the catch  48 , illustrated in  FIG. 4 , to be formed the other way round, that is to say as is illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 7 . Actuation of the actuating portion  82  then causes the actuating pin  72  to move the free end  44  such that the catch  42 ;  48  and the groove  22 ;  38  are disengaged from one another. 
         [0122]    It would also be conceivable to combine the actuating element  60  with the slide  32  of the second embodiment, as is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In this case, the catch  36  and the grooves  38  could also be arranged the other way round, as is illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 7 . In such a combination, the slide  32  is moved by an elastic element such that the catch  36  and the grooves  38  are brought into engagement. The actuating pin  72  of the actuating element  60  acts on the slide  32  such that, by virtue of the actuating portion  82  being actuated, the catch  36  and the grooves  38  are disengaged from one another.