GB2249037A

GB2249037A - Food processor

Info

Publication number: GB2249037A
Application number: GB9020969A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lee Kwok Kay
Original assignee: Main Power Electrical Factory Ltd
Current assignee: Main Power Electrical Factory Ltd
Priority date: 1990-09-26
Filing date: 1990-09-26
Publication date: 1992-04-29
Also published as: GB9020969D0

Abstract

A food processor, especially a fruit juicer, comprises a container 32 for receiving juice, a filter 34 located across the top of the container and a motor-powered extractor 12 rotatably supported above the filter. Two deflectors 38, 40 rotate with the extractor and sweep collected pulp across the filter surface into a recessed container 36 provided in the filter 34. Container 32 resembles a jug and stands on a separate base 28 enclosing the motor 22. The motor starts when a piece of fruit is pushed down on extractor 12 to close contacts 24, 26. <IMAGE>

Description

APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING JUICE This invention relates to apparatus for extracting juice, for example from fruit or vegetables.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for extracting juice comprising an extractor; a strainer for separating solid matter.

from juice extracted by the extractor; a container; and means for depositing the separated solid matter in the container.

According to the invention in a second aspect there is provided a juicer comprising a container for juice, a filter located across an opening of the container for retaining pulp, an extractor rotatably supported above the filter, the extractor being provided with at least one deflector which is rotatable with the extractor to sweep across the filter so as to collect the pulp in a pulp container provided in the filter and at least partially in the path of the deflector.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perpective view of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of figure 1 taken across the centre line A thereof.

Figure 3A is an underneath view of the extractor of the embodiment of figures 1 and 2 with figure 3B being a sectional view in the plane B-B of figure 3A.

With reference to the figures, a juicer, generally designated 10, being an embodiment of the invention, is shown.

The juicer 10 comprises a juice extracting means including a cone-shaped extractor 12 which is connected through a shaft 14, gears 16, 18 and a motor shaft 20 to a motor 22 for rotation. The gear wheel 16, shaft 14 and extractor 12 are biased to the position shown in figure 2 by means of a resilient electrical contact 24. A further electrical contact 26 is disposed in line with shaft 14 below the resilient contact 24. Contacts 24, 26 together form an electrical switch which when closed connects the motor to an electrical supply. When a user pushes a piece of fruit onto the extractor 12, the contact 24 is depressed into contact with contact 26, thus closing the switch and actuating the motor which in turn will rotate the extractor 12.

The motor, gearing and switch are mounted on a base 23 and enclosed within a casing 28, 30. Extractor 12 is disposed above a juice collecting container 32 in the form of a jug which rests on the casing 28 as shown in figure 2. A cap 34 is provided for covering the container when not in use. The container 32 collects juice extracted by operation of the extractor 12. Operation of the extractor 12 also causes pulp to be extracted and a strainer 34 is disposed over the juice receiving opening of the container 32 to filter the juice.

The extractor 12 and strainer 34 are further provided with means for collecting the pulp at the time the juice is extracted. In this respect, the extractor 12 is provided with first and second radially extended deflectors 38, 40 which are arranged, in use, to lie just above the straining surface 42 of the strainer 34. The strainer 34 is further provided with a recessed container 36 which is disposed partially in the path of the deflectors 38, 40.

In use, when the juicer is actuated by a user pushing a piece of fruit, for example, onto the extractor 12, the extractor rotates extracting juice and pulp from the fruit. The juice runs through the strainer 34 into container 32, with the pulp being left on the straining surface 42 of the strainer 34. As the extractor 12 rotates, the deflectors 38, 40 sweep over the straining surface 42 thus collecting the separated pulp and depositing the pulp in the pulp container 36.

The embodiment of the invention described above is not to be construed as limitative. For example, although the invention has been shown applied to a juicer, it may be applied to any other food processing apparatus which extracts and separates liquid from solid.

Furthermore, although the deflectors 38, 40 have been shown as radially extending, they may be of any shape which allows the pulp to be collected and deposited in the container 34. In a preferred alternative form, the deflectors 38, 40 have a slanted leading edge as shown in phantom lines 38a, 40a in figure 3A to force the pulp in an outward direction towards the radial position of the pulp container 36.

Claims

1. Apparatus for extracting juice comprising: an extractor; a strainer for separating solid matter from juice extracted by the extractor; a container; and means for depositing the separated solid matter in the container.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the container is formed in the strainer.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the depositing means comprises means for sweeping a solid matter collecting surface of the strainer.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the extractor is rotatably mounted and the sweeping means comprises at least one member which is rotatable with the extractor.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the or each member has a slanted leading edge.

6. A juicer comprises a container for juice, a filter located across an opening of the container for retaining fruit pulp, an extractor rotatably supported above the filter, the extractor being provided with at least one deflector which is rotatable with the extractor to move across the filter so as to collect the pulp in a container provided in the filter and at least partially in the path of the deflector.

7. Apparatus for extracting juice substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.