Patent Description:
Handheld food cutting devices such as mandolines are manually operated by a user to produce cut or sliced food items. A conventional mandoline typically includes a frame having a ramp surface and a cutting blade mounted thereon. The user grips the frame with one hand and uses the other hand to slide a food item along the ramp surface until it comes into contact with the cutting blade. The cutting blade then cuts or slices the food item, with the cut or sliced food item falling onto a surface below the mandoline. This sliding movement is repeated back and forth along the ramp surface until the desired number of cut or sliced food is obtained.

The distance between the ramp surface and blade may be varied to obtain cuts or slices of different thicknesses. The blade arrangement may also be modified to obtain different types of cuts or slices, such as juliennes, waffle cuts, or crinkle cuts.

A disadvantage of such conventional mandolines is that the blade is typically exposed and therefore provides easy access to a user's finger. This presents a safety risk for the user. e.g. from accidental cuts to the finger during handling of the mandoline. Additionally, the manual operation of conventional mandolines can be tiresome for the user due to the repeated sliding movement that is required to obtain multiple cuts or slices. Another example of a known food cutting device is shown in document <CIT>. This device relates to a food chopping appliance comprising a frame defining a working chamber including a chopping zone; a cover including a feed tube into which foods are inserted; a chopping tool that performs a rectilinear reciprocating movement; and operating means for operating the chopping tool, comprising a transmission system having a coupling member driving a driving member of the chopping tool. The working chamber houses a removable intermediate container forming a slide inside which the moving chopping tool can move in translation; the slide has two side edges connected by a base equipped with a slit for the passage of the coupling member and/or the driving member and, in the chopping zone, a chute opening for the chopped food. This food cutting device, however, is not portable since it is mains powered.

It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages, or at least provide a useful alternative.

There is disclosed herein a handheld motorised food cutting device according to claim <NUM>.

Preferably, the processing direction is inclined to said surface by an angle of between <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees.

Preferably, the angle is between <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees.

Preferably, the angle is about <NUM> degrees.

Preferably, the body has an outlet passage extending from the blade, whereby cut food passes from the blade along the outlet passage to an outlet opening in an outlet direction.

Preferably, said outlet direction is transverse of the processing direction.

Preferably, the outlet direction is at an angle of between <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees of said processing direction.

Preferably, the outlet direction is at an angle of about <NUM> degrees of said processing direction.

Preferably, the blade is moveably mounted in the blade carrier.

Preferably, the blade is moveable with respect to the blade cartridge along the processing direction.

Preferably, the device further includes an ejector member mounted to the blade carrier to aid in ejecting or removing cut food items.

Preferably, the drive assembly includes a motor having an output shaft connected to a yoke plate, the output shaft being rotatably driven to drive rotation of the yoke plate, and rotation of the yoke plate drives the movement of the blade assembly along the cutting path.

Preferably, the device further includes at least one switch to enable operation of the drive assembly, the switch being positioned at a predetermined distance from the surface of the body that abuts the palm.

Preferably, the device further includes a tilt orientation sensor operatively associated with the drive assembly.

Preferably, the device further includes a support stand mounted to the body.

Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

In <FIG> of the accompanying drawings, there is schematically depicted a handheld motorised food cutting device <NUM>. The handheld motorised food cutting device <NUM> includes a body <NUM> having an inlet passage <NUM> extending inwardly of the body <NUM> from an inlet opening <NUM> through which a food item (not shown) to be processed is inserted. The inlet passage <NUM> is adapted to allow the food item to move along the inlet passage <NUM> in a processing direction <NUM>. The movement of the food item along the inlet passage <NUM> may be aided by a pusher <NUM> (as best shown in <FIG>). In the depicted embodiments, the inlet passage <NUM> is defined by a feed tube <NUM> having a generally rectangular cross-section with rounded corners, and the pusher <NUM> has a corresponding cross-sectional shape to facilitate insertion into the feed tube <NUM>. The feed tube <NUM> extends away from a first surface <NUM> of the body <NUM> such that the inlet opening <NUM> is spaced apart by a distance <NUM> from a first surface <NUM>. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments (not shown), the inlet passage <NUM> may alternatively define an opening in the body <NUM>, such that the inlet opening <NUM> is located generally on the same plane as the first surface <NUM> of the body <NUM>.

The body <NUM> is adapted to be gripped in a user's hand so that the device <NUM> is supported by the hand. In the depicted embodiments, the body <NUM> includes a second surface <NUM> that opposes the first surface <NUM>. The second surface <NUM> is adapted to abut a palm of the user's hand, allowing fingers of the user's hand to extend at least partly about the body <NUM> so that the body <NUM> is gripped. For example, the user's fingers may extend generally along the processing direction <NUM> and at least partly about the body <NUM> during use, such that the processing direction is generally horizontal. It will be appreciated that the device <NUM> may be lifted and supported by one hand, thus allowing the other hand to insert the food items into the inlet passage <NUM>. The second surface <NUM> is generally transverse of the processing direction <NUM>. Accordingly, it will be understood that when the second surface <NUM> abuts the user's palm, the second surface <NUM> is generally parallel to a direction of extension of the user's forearm, such that the user's forearm extends in a direction that is generally transverse of the processing direction <NUM>. It is envisaged that the second surface <NUM> is inclined to the processing direction by an angle <NUM> (as best shown in <FIG>) of between <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees. In embodiments, the angle <NUM> is between <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees, and preferably about <NUM> degrees. Referring to <FIG>, the body <NUM> has a longitudinal length X extending generally transverse of said processing direction <NUM>, a width Y generally transverse of said processing direction <NUM> and said longitudinal length X, and a depth Z transverse of said longitudinal length Z and width Y. The surface <NUM> generally has the width Y so that the body <NUM> fits in the user's hand so that the device <NUM> can be lifted and supported by the user's hand in use.

It will be appreciated that the surface that is to be gripped by the user is not limited to the second surface <NUM> of the body <NUM>. For example, it is envisaged that in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the body <NUM> may include a base portion having the inlet passage <NUM> and a handle portion extending from the base portion. Preferably, the handle portion extends from the base portion in the processing direction <NUM>. The handle portion includes a surface that is to be gripped by the user (i.e. in a similar manner to gripping the handle of a mug).

It is envisaged that the body <NUM> may include a handle or strap (not shown) extending over the second surface, for example, to secure the position of the user's hand with respect to the device <NUM> and to support the user's grip on the device <NUM>. The handle or strap may be flexible or rigid, and adjustable in size (e.g. by way of a belt and buckle or hook and loop mechanism) to accommodate different hand sizes. It will be appreciated that the handle or strap may have an anti-microbial coating to allow for ease of cleaning and/or to provide resistance against undesirable growth of bacteria or other organisms from repeated handling.

The body <NUM> also includes an outlet passage <NUM> extending along an outlet direction <NUM> that is generally transverse of the processing direction <NUM>. It is envisaged that the outlet direction <NUM> is at an angle <NUM> (as best shown in <FIG>) of between <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees of the processing direction <NUM>. In embodiments, the angle <NUM> is between <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees, and preferably about 90degrees. The body <NUM> also includes an outlet opening <NUM> through which the cut food items exit from the device <NUM>.

The device <NUM> further includes a blade assembly <NUM> moveably mounted in the body <NUM>. In preferred forms, the blade assembly <NUM> is slidably mounted in the body <NUM>. The blade assembly <NUM> is adapted for reciprocating movement along a cutting path. In the depicted embodiments, the cutting path extends along a cutting direction <NUM> that is generally transverse of the processing direction <NUM> and generally parallel to the outlet direction <NUM>. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the cutting direction <NUM> is also at an angle <NUM> (as best shown in <FIG>) of between <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees of the processing direction <NUM>. In embodiments, the angle <NUM> is between <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees, and preferably about <NUM> degrees. The blade assembly <NUM> is exposed to the inlet passage <NUM> so as to engage the food item that is moved along the processing direction <NUM>.

As best shown in <FIG>, the blade assembly <NUM> includes a blade carrier <NUM> adapted to hold a blade <NUM> to cut the food items. In preferred forms, the blade <NUM> is also slidably mounted to the body <NUM>, and both the blade <NUM> and the body <NUM> are slidably moveable along the processing direction <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the blade <NUM> and the body <NUM> may be configured to move simultaneously to reduce the likelihood of cut food items being jammed in the device <NUM> when the blade assembly <NUM> is moved back and forth along the cutting path.

In the depicted embodiments, the blade <NUM> is generally flat and extends along a direction generally parallel to the cutting direction <NUM>. Accordingly, in this form, the blade <NUM> would produce cuts with a uniform thickness. It will be appreciated that direction of extension of the blade <NUM> may be adjusted so as to vary the thickness or the angle of the cut to the food item. In the depicted embodiments, the blade <NUM> has a single leading (i.e. cutting) edge that points in the cutting direction <NUM> so as to engage and cut the food item that is inserted through the inlet passage <NUM>. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the blade <NUM> may have two cutting edges pointing in the cutting direction <NUM> and away from the cutting direction <NUM>, such that the reciprocating movement of the blade assembly <NUM> along the cutting path may allow the blade <NUM> the cut the food item in opposing directions. In other embodiments (not shown), the blade <NUM> may have a serrated, corrugated or curved form, or alternatively be in the form of a julienne blade or grater blade so as to produce different types of cuts or slices to the food item. The blade assembly <NUM> may also be provided with an auxiliary blade set that works in addition to the blade <NUM> to produce different types of cuts or slices to the food item, as will be described in further detail below. It will be understood that cut food items pass from the blade <NUM> along the outlet passage <NUM> to the outlet opening <NUM> in the outlet direction <NUM>.

The blade assembly <NUM> further includes a blade cartridge <NUM> having a support surface <NUM> for engaging and supporting the food item that is inserted into the inlet passage <NUM>. The blade cartridge <NUM> includes a plurality of interconnected members <NUM>. In a preferred form, each member <NUM> is connected to an adjacent member by way of an articulated link <NUM> so as to enable flexibility and curvilinear movement of the blade cartridge <NUM> (e.g. as best shown in <FIG>). The resulting curvature of the blade cartridge <NUM> may at least minimise the amount of space required in the device <NUM> to accommodate movement of the blade carrier <NUM> in the cutting direction <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the blade cartridge <NUM> as a whole and/or each individual member <NUM> of the blade cartridge <NUM> may be overmoulded with a suitable food-grade material such as silicone or a thermo-plastic elastomer to allow for ease of cleaning. The blade cartridge <NUM> as a whole and/or each individual member <NUM> of the blade cartridge <NUM> may additionally or alternatively have an anti-microbial coating to allow for ease of cleaning and/or to provide resistance against undesirable growth of bacteria or other micro-organisms.

As mentioned above, and as best shown in <FIG>, the blade <NUM> (which is slidably mounted to the body <NUM>) may be slidably moveable within the blade carrier <NUM> along the processing direction <NUM>. Accordingly, both the blade <NUM> and the body <NUM> may be moveable with respect to the blade cartridge <NUM>, and in particular with respect to the support surface <NUM> of the blade cartridge. This may at least allow the distance between the blade <NUM> and the food support surface <NUM> to be varied and adjusted according to a desired thickness of the cut food item. It is envisaged that the adjustment of the relative movement between the blade <NUM> and the food support surface <NUM> may be driven by an associated rotary switch or knob (not shown) positioned on the body <NUM>. In the depicted embodiments, the blade carrier <NUM> includes a pair of channels <NUM> to guide the sliding movement of the blade <NUM> along the processing direction <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the blade carrier <NUM> may include a guard <NUM> to prevent access to the blade <NUM> and/or the blade cartridge <NUM> by a user's finger.

As best shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the device <NUM> further includes a drive assembly <NUM> to drive the blade assembly <NUM> along the cutting direction <NUM>. In the depicted embodiments, the drive assembly <NUM> is disposed within a housing <NUM> that extends from the body <NUM>. The drive assembly <NUM> is operable by way of a portable power source, such as rechargeable batteries 51a, also located in the housing <NUM>. This allows the device <NUM> to be a handheld device that is truly portable by eliminating the need to have a cumbersome power cable extending from the device <NUM>, particularly during use of the device <NUM>. It is envisaged that the batteries 51a may be rechargeable by way of induction charging means, whereby the device <NUM> may be docked to a corresponding induction charging dock (not shown) for ease of charging.

The drive assembly <NUM> includes a motor <NUM> having an output shaft <NUM>. The output shaft <NUM> has a rotation axis <NUM> that is generally parallel to the processing direction <NUM>. The output shaft <NUM> is connected to a yoke plate <NUM>, which is connected to and operatively associated with the blade assembly <NUM>. The output shaft <NUM> is rotatably driven at a motor speed about the rotation axis <NUM> by the motor <NUM> to drive a corresponding rotation of the yoke plate <NUM> about the rotation axis <NUM> in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. As will be understood by a person skilled in the art, by way of a scotch yoke mechanism, rotation of the yoke plate <NUM> about the rotation axis <NUM> in turn drives the movement of the blade assembly <NUM> along the cutting direction <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the yoke plate <NUM> may include a protrusion <NUM> to act as a counter balance and reduce vibration (e.g. from the movement of the blade cartridge <NUM>) in the yoke plate <NUM> as it rotates about the shaft axis <NUM>. It is envisaged that the yoke plate <NUM> may include one or more stop members (not shown), e.g. in the form of rubber stoppers, so as to prevent the yoke plate <NUM> from travelling further than a predetermined distance, and to also prevent the yoke plate <NUM> from bumping against adjacent components of the device <NUM>. It will be appreciated the that any of the adjacent components of the device <NUM> may additionally or alternatively include one or more stop members to provide a similar functionality. It will be appreciated that the motor <NUM> may be driven through a gearbox to achieve the desired motor speed and torque required for cutting the food items. The motor <NUM> may also have a variable speed such the user may adjust the desired speed for cutting the food items to suit their requirements and/or the type of food being cut. It is envisaged that the gearbox may have adjustable gear stages so that the torque and speed may be varied, e.g. a higher torque/lower speed for particularly dense foods or thick cuts.

As best shown in <FIG>, the device <NUM> may include a stand <NUM> that is slidably mounted to the body <NUM>. The stand <NUM> includes an end portion <NUM> to be rested against a surface (e.g. kitchen benchtop) above which the device <NUM> is being operated. It will be appreciated that the end portion <NUM> may be formed from a non-slip and/or shock absorbent material to prevent the device <NUM> from slipping off the surface. The stand <NUM> may at least provide support for the device <NUM> on the surface so that the user does not have to hold the device <NUM> in the air, which may aid in reducing the likelihood of fatigue in the user's hand or arm from prolonged use of the device <NUM>.

The device <NUM> includes at least one switch <NUM> (see <FIG>, for example) which is actuatable to enable and disable operation of the drive assembly <NUM>. In the depicted embodiments, the at least one switch <NUM> is in the form of a button located on a side surface <NUM> of the body <NUM>. The at least one switch <NUM> may alternatively or additionally be provided on an opposing side surface of the body <NUM> to accommodate a left and/or right-handed user. It will be appreciated that the at least one switch <NUM> is positioned at a predetermined distance from the second surface <NUM> of the body <NUM>, i.e. the surface that abuts the palm of the user. This predetermined distance would preferably accommodate an average span of an adult's hand, e.g. an average distance from an adult's thumb to a central portion of the adult's palm. It is envisaged that an average span on an adult's hand from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little (i.e. fifth) finger when the hand is outstretched may range from between <NUM> to <NUM>. An average span on an adult's hand from the tip of the thumb to the central portion of the palm may range from between <NUM> to <NUM>. The positioning of the at least one switch <NUM> at this predetermined distance may at least provide a safety feature to prevent a child from operating the device <NUM>. Additionally, the device <NUM> may include one or more safety switches (not shown) operatively associated with a processor (not shown) and the drive assembly <NUM>. The safety switches may be configured to detect the presence of the user's hand at one or more predetermined locations on the body <NUM>. It is envisaged that the predetermined locations on the body <NUM> would be no less than the average adult hand span (e.g. the distance between the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger. As such, the safety switches are configured to detect when an adult user has a full grip on the body <NUM>. The drive assembly <NUM> would thus only be permitted to operate if the safety switches detect the user's hand at the one or more predetermined locations and sends a corresponding signal to the processor. The safety switch may be in the form of a mechanical switch, a mechanical sensor, an optical sensor, or proximity sensor, for example.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the device <NUM> may further include an ejector member <NUM> that is mounted to the blade carrier <NUM>. The ejector member <NUM> is parallel to the surface <NUM> of the blade cartridge <NUM>. The ejector member <NUM> aids in ejecting or removing cut food items from the surface <NUM> by abutting and thereby pushing the cut food items towards the outlet passage <NUM> along the outlet direction <NUM> when the blade assembly <NUM> is driven in the cutting direction <NUM>.

Returning to <FIG>, the device <NUM> also includes a cover member <NUM> which is mounted to the body <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the cover member <NUM> may either be separately or integrally formed with the body <NUM>. In the depicted embodiments, the second surface <NUM> (i.e. the surface that abuts the user's palm) is provided on the cover member <NUM>. The cover member <NUM> may be detachable to facilitate the insertion or removal of the blade cartridge <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the cover member <NUM> may have a curved interior to facilitate the curvature of the blade cartridge <NUM>. The combination of the curved interior of the cover member <NUM> and the curvability (i.e. flexible nature) of the blade cartridge <NUM> may at least minimise the amount of space required in the device <NUM> to accommodate movement of the blade carrier <NUM> in the cutting direction <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the curved arrangement of the cover member <NUM> and the blade cartridge <NUM> may at least reduce the overall length of the device <NUM> by between <NUM> to <NUM>. It is envisaged that the device <NUM> may further include a cleaning brush disposed within the cover member <NUM> (or anywhere within the interior of the body <NUM>) to facilitate ease of cleaning of the blade cartridge <NUM>.

As noted above, and with particular reference to <FIG>, the blade assembly <NUM> may further include an auxiliary blade set <NUM> rotatably mounted to the blade carrier <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, the auxiliary blade set <NUM> includes a central portion <NUM> having a longitudinal axis <NUM>, which is generally transverse to the cutting direction <NUM>. The central portion <NUM> includes at least one auxiliary blade portion <NUM> which may be a julienne blade or any other form of serrated blade having cutting edges that are extend in a direction transverse to the cutting direction <NUM>. Accordingly, the auxiliary blade portion <NUM> may be used to create different types of cuts or slices to the food item e.g. julienne slices, other forms of thin or thick cuts. The auxiliary blade portion <NUM> may also be in the form of any other suitable type of blade, such as a grater blade. The central portion <NUM> is rotatable about the longitudinal axis <NUM> to allow user selection of the desired auxiliary blade portion <NUM> that is to be exposed to the inlet passage <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the user selection of the desired blade portion <NUM> may be facilitated by actuating an associated auxiliary rotary knob or dial (not shown) located on the body <NUM> of the device <NUM>.

In embodiments, the device <NUM> may include a tilt orientation sensor (not shown) operatively associated with the processor and the drive assembly <NUM>. The tilt orientation sensor may be configured detect an upright, or use position, of the device <NUM>. This upright or use position is defined by the cutting direction <NUM> and the outlet direction <NUM> being generally vertical, and the processing direction <NUM> being generally horizontal. As a user's forearm would typically be extended in a horizontal direction to hold the device <NUM> (i.e. in a similar manner to holding a drink bottle), this upright or use position may at least facilitate a stable and natural grip for the user on the device <NUM>.

It will further be appreciated that the various components of the device <NUM> as a whole may be hermetically sealed to prevent water ingress to the interior of the device <NUM>. Accordingly, the device <NUM> may be rinsed under a tap to allow for ease of cleaning after use.

The operation of the device <NUM> will now be described.

The user grips the device <NUM> at the second surface <NUM> (i.e. the surface of the body <NUM>) such that the second surface <NUM> abuts the user's palm. This position allows the user's fingers to extend at least partly about the body <NUM> so that the body <NUM> is gripped. The device <NUM> is then oriented by the user so that it is in a generally upright position (i.e. whereby cutting direction <NUM> and the outlet direction <NUM> are generally vertical, and the processing direction <NUM> is generally horizontal). In this upright (i.e. in use) position, the user's forearm extends generally parallel to the second surface <NUM>, and the user's palm is generally transverse to the processing direction <NUM>. Preferably, the user's palm would be positioned such that the processing direction <NUM> is substantially aligned with the centerpoint of the user's palm. In this way, any force acting in the processing direction <NUM> would be normal to the centerpoint of the user's palm to maximise the stability of the user's grip on the device <NUM> during operation. It will be appreciated that the load distribution is substantially vertical during operation of the device <NUM>, such that the majority of the load is carried by the user's arm and places less strain on the user's wrist. This may at least aid in reducing the likelihood of user fatigue from prolonged use of the device <NUM>.

The device <NUM> is then powered on by the user by activating the at least one switch <NUM>. In preferred forms, the safety switches and the tilt orientation sensor detect the presence of the user's hand at predetermined locations and the upright (in use) orientation of the device <NUM>, respectively. Operation of the drive assembly <NUM> is then enabled to drive the blade assembly <NUM> for reciprocating movement along the cutting direction <NUM>. The user may adjust the cut thickness of the food item by rotating the associated rotary switch or knob to vary the distance between the blade <NUM> and the support surface <NUM> of the blade cartridge <NUM>. The user may also rotate the associated auxiliary knob or dial to select the desired auxiliary blade portion <NUM> that is to be exposed to the passage <NUM> (i.e. to select the cut type). Once the user has made the above adjustments, they can then insert a food item into the inlet passage <NUM> via the inlet opening <NUM> of the body <NUM>. The food item travels along the inlet passage <NUM> along the processing direction <NUM> until the food item engages the blade cartridge <NUM> of the blade assembly <NUM>, which is being driven back and forth along the cutting path. The food item is then cut by the blade <NUM> and/or the auxiliary blade portion <NUM> to produce cut food items of the desired thickness and type. The cut food items then travel via the outlet passage <NUM> in the outlet direction <NUM> and exits the device <NUM> at the outlet opening <NUM>.

In <FIG>, there is schematically depicted an example of an operation logic of the device <NUM> as described above. At step <NUM>, a power button (i.e. the at least one switch <NUM>) is activated to apply power to the device <NUM>. At step 122a, the tilt orientation sensor detects the orientation of the device <NUM>. If the device <NUM> is not in the upright or in use position, the tilt orientation sensor sends a signal to the associated processor to hold the operation of the drive assembly <NUM> at step 124a. If the device <NUM> is in the upright or in use position, the tilt orientation sensor sends a signal to the associated processor to enable operation of the drive assembly <NUM> at step <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the device <NUM> may include safety switches which detect the presence of the user's hand at predetermined locations on the body <NUM> at step 122b. If the safety switches do not detect the presence of the user's hand at the predetermined locations, the safety switches send a signal to the associated processor to hold the operation of the drive assembly <NUM> at step 124b. If the safety switches detect the presence of the user's hand at the predetermined locations, the safety switches send a signal to the associated processor to enable operation of the drive assembly <NUM> at step <NUM>. The operation of the drive assembly <NUM> is then disabled when the user deactivates the power button at step <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A portable handheld motorised food cutting device (<NUM>) operable using a portable power source comprising:
a body (<NUM>) to be gripped in a user's hand so that the device is supported by the hand, the body (<NUM>) having a passage (<NUM>) extending inwardly of the body from an inlet opening (<NUM>) through which a food item to be processed is inserted for movement along the passage (<NUM>) in a processing direction (<NUM>);
a blade assembly (<NUM>) moveably mounted in the body (<NUM>) for reciprocating movement along a cutting path that is transverse of said processing direction (<NUM>), with the blade assembly (<NUM>) being exposed to the passage (<NUM>) so as to be engaged by the food item moved in said processing direction (<NUM>); wherein the blade assembly (<NUM>) includes a blade carrier (<NUM>) adapted to hold a blade (<NUM>) and a blade cartridge (<NUM>) having a support surface (<NUM>) for the food item;
a drive assembly (<NUM>) to drive said blade assembly (<NUM>) along said cutting path, wherein the body (<NUM>) provides a surface (<NUM>) to abut to a palm of said hand, with fingers of the hand extending at least partly about said body (<NUM>) so that the body (<NUM>) is gripped;
wherein said processing direction (<NUM>) is transverse of said surface (<NUM>); and
wherein the blade cartridge (<NUM>) includes a plurality of articulated links (<NUM>) to enable curvilinear movement of the blade cartridge (<NUM>) to minimise the amount of space required in the device (<NUM>) to accommodate movement of the blade carrier (<NUM>) in the cutting direction (<NUM>)