GB2158342A - Fruit juice squeezer - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus includes: a squeezer body 1 having a reservoir means 7 for storing the fruit juice, a handle 5 rotatable with respect to the body, and mincer means comprising a perforated plate 26 fixed to the body and a cutter 33 disposed adjacent to the perforated plate and fixed to the handle for rotation therewith, and filter means 16 comprising a mesh member fixed to a perforated plate, and a scraping member 15 rotatably engaged with said mesh member and also rotated by the handles, to which a cover 6 may be fitted. In use, upward movement of fruit loading means 2 forces the fruit through the mincer means. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fruit juice squeezer The present invention relates to a fruit juice squeezer or press.

To obtain fruit juice, there has generally been used a convenient method in which the fuit is pressed on to a squeezer or press to squeeze the fruit juice from the fruit.

However, the foregoing method poses some problems such as scattering of fuit juice to the outside of the squeezer or overflowing thereof, and offers a sanitary problem, since the fruit must be hand held. In addition the fruit juice which is extracted may contain seed cases, etc. Thus, the prior art press is unsuitable for the case where it is intended to obtain seed case free fruit juice for babies in the weaning period.

The invention seeks to provide a novel fruit juice squeezer or press, which eliminates or reduces the aforesaid problems.

The invention provides a fruit juice squeezer for obtaining fruit juice from fruit by pressing and cutting, comprising: a squeezer body having a reservoir means for storing said fruit juice; a handle rotatable with respect to said body; and mincer means and filter means which are fixed to said body, and are operable by turning of said handle.

By way of example, specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a sectional view, partly longitudinally broken away, of a first embodiment of fruit juice squeezer according to the invention; Figures 2 and 3 are views illustrative of a mesh member of the squeezer; Figures 4 to 8 are views illustrative of a sliding member; Figure 9 is a view illusrative of a perforated plate; Figure 10 is a view illustrative of a cutter; Figures 11 and 12 are views illustrative of a handle; Figure 13 is a view illustrative of a screw; Figures 14 and 15 are views illustrative of a lid; Figure 16 is a sectional view, partly longitudinally broken away, of a second embodiment of fruit juice squeezer according to the invention; Figure 1 7 is an exploded perspective view of part of Fig. 16;; Figure 18 is a sectional view, partly longitudinally broken away, of a third embodiment of fruit juice squeezer according to the invention; Figures 19 to 21 are views showing a mesh member of the embodiment shown in Fig. 18; Figures 22 and 23 are views showing a sliding member; Figures 24 to 26 are views illustrative of a perforated plate; and Figures 27 and 28 are views showing a cutter.

The invention will be explained in detail with reference to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, a press or squeezer body shown generally at 1 includes a fruit loading means 2 insertable thereinto, a fruit mincer means 3 mounted therein for mincing fruit into a given size, a filter means 4 mounted therein for obtaining fruit juice from the minced fruits, a handle means 5 for fitting into the mincer means 3 and filter means 4 to put them into operation, and a covering or lid means 6 which is detachably attached to the handle means 5.

The body 1 is provided with a fruit juice reservoir means 7 and a fruit receiving means 8 in cylindrical form. The means 7 is provided in the lower periphery with a groove 9, above which inwardly projecting stopper plates 10 are formed at the predetermined intervals. The fruit loading mean 2 is designed to be insertable through the fruit receiving means 8, and includes a plate 11 adapted to receive fruits on its upper face, a packing 1 2 mounted therebelow, and sideways extensions 1 3 at its lower end, said extensions being adapted to be placed on a table, etc.

The filter means 4 comprises a mesh member 14 and a sliding member 1 5. As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, a partly cut-away sectional view, the mesh member 14 is provided on the outside with a cylindrical outer wall and on the inside with a cylindrical inner wall 1 7 which is shorter than the outer wall 1 6. The inner wall 1 7 is formed on the inside with an axial hole 1 8 into which a round step 38, to be described later, of the handle means 5 is to be loosely fitted. Between the outer wall 1 6 and the inner wall 1 7 there is interposed a filter 1 9 of such a mesh size that allows fruit juice to pass therethrough but does not permit penetration of juice extracts.

The outer wall 1 6 is provided at the lower end face with a semi-circular projection 20, while the inner wall 1 7 is formed at its lower end with a projection 21, by which the sliding member 1 5 is rotatably supported.

As illustrated in the plan view of Fig. 4, the partly cut-away side view of Fig. 5, the bottom view of Fig. 6, the side view of Fig. 7 and the enlarged view of Fig. 8 in which the region A in Fig. 5 is shown, the sliding member 1 5 is formed in the center with a circular inner wall hole 22 into which the inner wall 1 7 is to be fitted. That member 1 5 is also provided therein with a hexagonal hole 23 adapted to communicate with the hole 22.

The holes 22 and 23 are provided on their outsides with tapering-off sliding pieces 24, each of a substantially conical shape. An annular projection 25 is fitted into the inner wall hole 22, and is adapted to engage with the projection 21 of the inner wall 17, whereby the sliding member 1 5 is rotatably supported by the mesh member 14. Into the hexagonal hole 23, there is fitted a hexagonal step 39 of the handle 5 to be described later.

The mincer means 3 comprises a perforated plate 26 and a cutter 27. As illustrated in the plan view of Fig. 9, the perforated plate 26 is provided in the central portion with an axial opening 28 of the round form, into which a screw is to be loosely fitted in the manner to be described later, and with a number of holes 29, each having a diameter such that flesh overflows therethrough, say, 3 to 6 mm.

The mincer means 3 is provided with round holes 30 in the vicinity of the outer portion, within which the projections 20 of the mesh member 14 are engaged to secure the mesh member 14 to the perforated plate 26. Further, the perforated plate 26 is provided on the outside with projecting pieces 31 in the arcuated form at given intervals, which are engaged within the groove 9 in the squeezer body 1 to secure the perforated plate 26 to the squeezer body 1 by the stopper pieces 10. As illustrated in the plan view of Fig. 10, the cutter 27 is formed therein with a tapped hole 32, within which a screw 37 is to be engaged in the manner as described later, and includes cutting blades 33 which rotate below the perforated plate 26 to cut off flesh.

As illustrated in the side view of Fig. 11 and the bottom view of Fig. 12, the handle 5 includes a rotary shaft 34 and a crank 35 in one united body, as well as a knob 36 rotatably mounted on the crank 35 and a screw 37 fitted under pressure into the rotary shaft 34. The rotary shaft 34 is provided at the lower portion with a round step portion 38 and a hexagonal step portion 39, said round step 38 being designed to be loosely fitted into the axial hole 1 8 in the mesh member 14 so as to keep the mesh member 14 from rotating, even when the rotary shaft 34 rotates. The hexagonal step portion 39 is also designed to be fitted into the hexagonal hole 23 in the sliding member 15, whereby the sliding member 1 5 is rotated together with the rotation of the rotary shaft 34.The rotary shaft 34 is formed with a tapped hole 40 of the round form in the axial direction, said hole being open at the bottom face. A screw 37 is fitted under pressure into the tapped hole 40. As illustrated in the enlarged front view of Fig. 13, the screw 37 is comprised of a knurled portion 41, a round shaft 42 having a diameter larger than that of the perforated plate 26, and an externally threaded portion 43. The knurled portion 41 is inserted under pressure into the tapped hole 40, so that the screw 37 is fixed to the rotary shaft 34 for rotation therewith. The round shaft 42 is loosely fitted into the axial hole 28 in the perforated plate 26, so that, even when the screw 37 rotates, the perforated plate 26 is prevented from rotating.The externally threaded protion 43 is in threaded engagement within the tapped hole 32 in the cutter 27, and the cutter 27 is designed to be rotated with the screw 37, while the handle 5 is mounted on the squeezer body 1 through the perforated plate 26. It is noted that the rotary shaft 34 is provided on the upper end face with a round recess 44 into which the projection 51 of the lid is to be fitted.

The crank 35 in the U-shaped form which is open at the lower end, and is provided on the side upper portion with a projection 45 which extends from one end to a position corresponding to the periphery of the reservoir means 7. The crank 35 is also provided at the other end with a knob shaft 46 on which the knob 36 is rotatably mounted by engagement of its associated projections 47 and 48.

As shown in the plan view of Fig. 14 and the side view of Fig. 15, the lid 6 is formed with an inverted, shallow portion 49 in the bowl form, which is designed to cover substantially the upper face of the reservoir means 7. The lower end of the outer periphery of the bowl-like portion 49 is located above the upper end of the outer periphery of the reservoir means 7 at a slight interval. A crank-accommodating portion 50 is in the Ushaped form which is open at the lower portion, and extends from the central portion to the outside of the lid 6. That portion 50 is also provided with a projection 51 on the inner wall of the upper portion thereof. The crank 35 is fitted into the crank-accommodating portion 50 with fitting of the projection 51 into the recess 44, whereby the lid 6 is fixedly placed on the handle 5.

In assembling such a fruit juice press, the inner wall 1 7 of the mesh member 14 is inserted into the hole in the inner wall 22 of the sliding member with the projection 21 being engaged with the projection 25, so that the sliding member 1 5 is rotatably mounted on the mesh member 14. Then, after the perforated plate 26 is set in the groove 9 in the press body 1, it is turned into a position below the the stopper pieces 10, so that the perforated plate 26 is held on the press body 1. The mesh member 14 and the sliding member 1 5 constructed as one united body are placed on the perforated plate 26 held on the press body 1, and the projection 20 of the mesh member 14 is fixedly fitted into the hole 30 in the perforated plate 26. In this state, the rotary shaft 34 having the screw 37 fitted thereinto is then inserted through the axial hole 18, the hexagonal hole 23 and the axial hole 28, and the threaded portion 43 projecting from the perforated plate 26 is threadedly engaged within tapped hole 32 of the cutter 27. In this manner, the mesh member 14, the sliding member 15, the perforated plate 26, the cutter 27 and the handle 5 are integrally held in the press body into a fruit juice press.

Reference will now be made to the method for pressing or squeezing fruit juice. First of all, the lid 6 is pressed to the handle 5 from above, and the crank 35 is fitted under pressure into the crank-accommodating portion 50 to secure the lid 6 to the handle 5. Then, fruit such as orange is placed on the plate 11 in the fruit-receiving means for accommodation 8, and the handle 5 is turned, while pressing the squeezer body 1 to the fruit loading means 2. Thereupon, flesh is pressed out of the holes 29, and is cut off by means of the cutter 27, whereby the fruit juice is separated from the seedcase. The fuirt juice passes through the mesh member 14, and is stored in the reservoir 7. A portion of the fruit juice ruuning out of the reservoir 7 is designed to strike upon the bowl-like portion 49 of the lid 6 which rotates in unison with the handle 5 and covers the reservoir 7.The seedcase is hindered by the mesh member 14, and is removed from the fruit juice. At this time, since the sliding member 1 5 is slid on the surface of the mesh member 14 by turning of the handle 5, a portion of the seedcase remaining on the surface of the mesh member 14 is removed, thereby the prevent the mesh member 14 from being clogged.

The second embodiment of the present invention will now be explained in further detail with reference to Figs. 1 6 and 1 7.

Fig. 1 6 is a sectional view, partly longitudinally cut-out, of the second embodiment of the fruit juice squeezer according to the present invention, and Fig. 1 7 is an exploded perspective view of part of the present invention. In these figures, reference numeral 61 stands for a grating, 62 a filter fabric, 63 a bar, 64 a cylindrical member, 65 a perforated plate, 66 a cutter, and 67 indicates a nut.

The grating 61, the filter fabric 62 and the bar 63 constitute a filter means. The grating 61 is in the form of a disk-like plate, which is provided in the surface with a number of small holes, out of which fruit juice flows. The grating is also provided in the center with an opening, through the the shaft of a handle 68 passes, and is formed on the outer periphery with projecting pieces 611. The said projecting pieces 611 are fitted into a groove 691 in the inside of a squeezer body 69, and the grating is then turned for fitting into the body 69. Thus, even when the the handle 69 is turned, the grating is prevented from rotating and disengaging the body 69.

There is the filter fabric 62 below the grating 61. The filter fabric 62 is most suitably formed of gauze, but use may be made of other fabrics, unwoven fabrics, etc.

This filter fabric filters off solid matters contained in the juice pressed out of fruit. Below the filter fabric 62, there is the bar 63, which is formed in the center with a rectangular hole. The rectangular shift of the handle 68 is fitted into this hole, so that, when the handle is turned, the bar 63 is slid on the lower surface of the filter fabric 62. Since the filter means is constructed as mentioned above, solid matters deposited onto the lower surface of the filter fabric are removed by turning of the handle, thereby preventing clogging of the filter fabric. It is noted that the filter means is received in the cylindrical member 64.

A mincer means is comprised of the perforated plate 65 and the cutter 66. The perforated plate is in the form of a disk-like plate, which is formed in the surface with a number of holes, each having a size such that flesh overflows therethrough. Further, the perforated plate is provided in the center with a hole through which the shaft of the handle 68 passes, and is on the outer periphery with projecting pieces 651. These projecting pieces 651 are fitted into a groove 691 in the inside of the press body 69, and the perforated plate is turned for fitting into the body 69, so that, even when the handle is turned, the perforated plate is prevented from truning and disengaging the body 69. Below the perforated plate 65, there is the cutter 66, which is formed in the center with a rectangular hole.

Since the rectangular shaft of the handle 68 is fitted into that hole, turning of the handle causes that the cutter 66 is slid on the lower surface of the perforated plate 65 to cut off a portion of the flesh of fruit pressed out of the holes in the perforated plate. Since the cutting means is constructed as mentioned above, there is an effect that the flesh of fruits is cut off and squeezed by turning off the handle, so that it is easy to obtain fruit juice.

The fruit juice squeezer of the second embodiment according to the present invention is constructed as mentioned in the foregoing, and is used in the following manner. The perforated plate 65 is fitted into the body 69 by fitting the projecting pieces 651 of the former into the grooved 691 in the latter.

Next, the cylindrical member 64 is placed on the perforated plate, and the bar 63 is placed in that member 64. The filter fabric 62 is placed on the bar 63, and the projecting pieces 611 of the grating 61 are fitted into the groove 691 in the inside of the body 69.

The handle 68 then passes through the grating, the filter fabric, the bar and the perforated plate, and the cutter is inserted into the handle from below the perforated plate.

Finally, the grating, the filter fabric, the bar, the cylindrical member, the perforated plate and the cutter are clamped together by means of the nut 67.

Fruit such as orange is placed between the loading means 67 and the body 69. While pressing the loading means to the body, the handle is turned, so that the flesh is pressed out of the holes in the perforated plate 65, and is cut off by means of the cutter 66.

Thus, the fruit juice and the seedcase move into the cylindrical member 64 in a separated state. Then, the furit juice moves upwardly through the filter fabric 62 and the grating 61. The seedcase is hindered by the filter fabric 62, and is removed from the fruit juice.

Since the bar 63 is slid on the surface of the filter fabric by turning of the handle, a portion of the seedcase remaining on the surface of the filter fabric is removed, thereby to prevent clogging of the filter fabric.

The third embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to Figs. 18 to 28 inclusive. In these figures, reference numeral 71 stands for a mesh member, 72 a sliding member, 73 a handle, 74 a perforated plate, 75 a cutter, 76 a body, 77 a lid, and 78 indicates a loading means.

A filter means is comprised of a mesh member 71 and a sliding member 72. Fig.

1 9 is a bottom view of the mesh member, Fig. 20 is an end view which is sectioned along the line B-B of Fig. 19, and Fig. 21 is an enlarged view of of a portion by C in Fig.

20. The mesh member 71 is provided in the surface with a number of small holes out of which fruit juice flows, in the centre with a hole through which the shaft of the handle 73 passes, and on the inside of the peripheral lower end with projecting pieces 711. The sliding member 72 is then held by these projecting pieces. The sliding member 72 is fitted into the mesh member from below, while the mesh member or the sliding member is slightly deformed. To this end, the mesh member or the sliding member is formed of elastic plastics such as, for example, nylon or polypropylene. The filter portion of the mesh member is reinforced by a rib. The mesh member is also provided in the bottom of the peripheral edge with a recess 712, into which a protrustion 742 of the perforated plate 74 is fitted, so that, even when the handle 73 is turned, the mesh member is prevented from turning.

Fig. 22 is a plan view of the sliding member, and Fig. 23 is a view sectioned along the line D-D of Fig. 22. The sliding member 72 is provided in the center with a hole into which the shaft of the handle 73 is fitted.

Protrusions 721 of the sliding member 72 are fitted into recesses 731 in the shaft of the handle 73. Hence, turning of the handle causes turning of the sliding member 72. It is noted that the sliding member may include one or more arms.

The sliding member 72 is designed to be loosely fitted into the mesh member 71, and is rotatable below the mesh member 71.

Since the sliding member 72 and the mesh member 71 are constructed in one united body, the number of parts involved is reduced thus making the mounting or dismantling of thereof convenient.

The sliding member 72 is arranged such that, when the handle is turned, it is slid on the lower surface of the mesh emmber 71.

Thus, it is possible to remove solid matters deposited onto the lower surface of the mesh member by turning of the handle, thus preventing clogging of the mesh member. A mincer means is comprised of the perforated plate 74 and the cutter 75. Fig. 24 is a plan view of the perforated plate 74, Fig. 25 is a view sectioned along the line E-E of Fig. 24, and Fig. 26 is an enlarged view of a portion by F in Fig. 25. The perforated plate 74 is provided in the surface with a number of holes, each having a diameter such that the flesh of fruit overflows therethrough, say, 3 mm to 6 mm, and in the center with a hole for passing the shaft of the handle 73. The perforated plate 74 is provided on the inside of the peripheral lower end with a projecting piece 741. This projecting piece serves to hold the cutter 75 inserted in place.The cutter 75 is fitted from below the perforated plate 74, while the perforated plate or the cutter is slightly deformed. To this ends, the perforated plate or the cutter is formed of elastic plastic such as, for instance, nylon or polypropylene.

The perforated plate 74 is provided at the lower portion of the peripheral edge with a projecting piece 742, which is fitted into a recess 71 2 in the bottom surface of the peripheral edge of the mesh member. The perforated plate is provided on the outer periphery with projecting pieces 743, which are fitted into a groove 761 formed in the inside of the squeezer body 76, so that, even when the handle is turned, the perforated plate 74 is kept from rotating.

The cutter 75 is disposed below the perforated plate 74. Fig. 27 is a plan view of the cutter, and Fig. 28 is a view sectioned along the the liner G-G of Fig. 27. The cutter 75 is provided on both edges with cutting blades, and in the center with an opening, into which a screw is inserted to fix the handle 73 in place. The screw and a portion of the handle to in engagement therewith are formed of a metal, so that they can stand up to use for a longer period of time. A rib is disposed on the lower surface of the cutter 75. The said rib makes the cutter 75 tough, and renders mounting and dismantling easy. It is noted that the cutter may include two or more arms.

When the handle is turned, the cutter 75 is slid on the lower surface of the perforated plate to cut off a portion of flesh protruding from the holes in the perforated plate. The cutter 7'5 is designed to be loosely fitted into the perforated plate 74, and is rotatable below the perforated plate 74. Since the cutter 75 and the perforated plate 74 are constructed in one united body, the number of parts involved is reduced, thus making the mounting or removal thereof convenient.

Since the mincer means is constructed as mentioned in the foregoing, the flesh of fruit charged into the holes in the perforated plate is cut off and pressed by means of the cutter by turning of the handle, so that it is easy to obtain fruit fuice.

The fruit juice squeezer of the third embodiment of the present invention is constructed as mentioned in the foregoing, and is used in the following manner. The sliding member 72 is fitted into the the mesh member 71, and the cutter 75 is fitted into the perforated plate 74. Next, the projection 743 of the plate 74 is fitted into the groove 761 in the body 76.

The mesh member 71 and the sliding member 72 are placed on the perforated plate 74, and the shaft of the handle 73 is fitted into the recess 721 of the sliding member 72 after setting the mesh member 71, the sliding member 72 and the perforated plate 74 respectively through the hole at center. Then, the screw of fitted into the recess 721 of the sliding member 72. Then, the screw of the cutter 75 is engaged with the screw of the handle 7 for clamping. Since the mesh member is kept by a collar 732 of the handle 73, the handle 73, the mesh member 71, the sliding member 72, the perforated plate 74, the cutter 75 and the body 76 are formed in one united body. The lid 77 is fitted into the handle 73.

Fruit such as orange is placed between the loading means 78 and the body 76. While pressing the loading means to the body, the handle is turned, so that flesh is pressed out of the holes in the perforated plate 74, and is cut off by means of the cutter 75. Thus, the fruit juice and the seedcase are separated from each other. Then, the fruit juice moves upwardly through the mesh member 71. The seedcase is hindered by the mesh member 71, and is removed from the fruit juice. Since the sliding membr 72 is slid on the surface of the mesh member 71 by turning of the handle, a portion of the seedcase remaining on the mesh member is removed, thereby preventing clogging of the mesh member 71.

Since the fruit juice squeezer or press of the present invention is constructed and used in the manner as described above, it is possible to store the obtained fruit juice as such. This is because the reservoir means is covered with the lid, when pressing the fruit juice, thus eliminating the possibilities of scattering or overflowing of the fruit juice, or allowing dust to enter the fruit juice. In addition, since it is possible to obtain only fruit juice from fruit with easiness, the squeezer or press of the present invention can sanitarily be employed.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment.

Claims (8)

1. A fruit juice squeezer for obtaining fruit juice from fruit by pressing and cutting, comprising: a squeezer body having a reservoir means for storing said fruit juice; a handle rotatable with respect to said body; and mincer means and filter means which are fixed to said body, and are operable by turning of said handle.

2. A squeezer as claimed in claim 1, in which said mincer means includes a perforated plate fixed to said body and a cutter disposed adjacent to said perforated plate and fixed to said handle.

3. A squeezer as claimed in claim 1, in which said filter means includes a mesh member fixed to a perforated plate, and a sliding member rotatable engaged with said mesh member and fixedly fitted into said handle.

4. A squeezer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which further includes a lid detachably placed on said handle and adapted to cover substantially the entire surface of said reservoir.

5. A squeezer as claimed in claim 1, which includes a filter means comprising a grating, a filter fabric, and a bar, and a mincer means comprising a perforated plate and a cutter, said grating and said perforated plate being fixed to said body, and said cutter and said bar being fitted into the shaft of said handle.

6. A squeezer as claimed in claim 1, which includes a filter means comprising a mesh member and a sliding member, and a mincer means comprising a perforated plate and a cutter, said mesh member being fitted into said perforated plate which is fitted into said body, said cutter and said sliding member being fixedly fitted into the shaft of said handle, said mesh member being provided on the inside of the peripheral lower end with a projection by which said fitted sliding member is held, and said perforated plate being provided on the inside of the peripheral lower end with a projection, by which said fitted cutter is held in place.

7. A fruit juice squeezer including a squeezer body, a handle rotatable with respect to said body, a filter means comprising a mesh member and a sliding member, and a mincer means comprising a disk-like perforated plate and a cutter, in which: said mesh member is loosely fitted onto the rotary shaft of said handle, and being provided on the end of the cylindrical outer wall with a projection which is engaged within an opening in said perforated plate so that said mesh member is fixed to said perforated plate, såid perforated plate being loosely fitted onto a screw fitted under pressure into the end of the rotary shaft of said handle, and being provided on the outer periphery with a projection which is engaged within an opening in said body, so that said perforated plate is fixed to said body, and said cutter being in threaded engagement with said screw.

8. A fruit juice squeezer constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 1 to 15, or Figs. 16 and 17, or Figs. 1 8 to 28, of the accompanying drawings.