GB2275415A - A juicer - Google Patents

Abstract

A juicer comprises a first reamer (4), an outlet for juice positioned below the first reamer (4), and at least one larger reamer (13) detachably mountable on the first reamer (4). The reamers (4, 13) have a parabolic cone shape (8, 15) with reaming edges (9, 16). The outlet for juice is preferably a filter unit (1) comprising a filter (5) and a funnel (6). Juice may be collected in an ergonomically designed juice container (2), or directly into a glass (35) positioned below the funnel mouth (26), depending on which of the two possible designated positions of the filter unit (1) on the juice container (2) has been selected. The pressing down of a piece of fruit (14) onto the reamer(s) (4, 13) activates a motor (44), and the reamer(s) (4, 13) can rotate in either a clockwise or anticlockwise direction, depending on whether the force on the reamer(s) (4, 13) exceeds a predetermined torque limit. In addition, the magnet (45) of the magnetic rotor (not shown) is specially designed for a long life of operation. <IMAGE>

Description

A Juicer The present invention relates to a juicer and, in particular, to an electrical juicer for extracting juice from different sizes of fruit.

One of the problems with many of the prior art juicers is that they have only one integral reamer. This means that they are unable to adapt to the various sizes of different types of fruit, and as a result, are unable to efficiently juice fruit which is either too small or too large for the reamer. Other problems include cleaning of the juicer, pulp from the fruit blocking juice collection and difficulties in handling the juicer. Finally, another problem with many of the prior art juicers is that operation of the magnet in the magnetic rotor of the motor may often be shortlived due to, for example, gradual wearing down of the magnet.

An aim of the present invention is, therefore to provide a more efficient and ergonomically designed juicer, which is readily adaptable to extract juice from different sizes of fruit, may be easily handled and easily cleaned, does not become blocked with pulp from the fruit being juiced and which can be readily assembled and disassembled.

In addition, another aim of the present invention is to provide a rotor magnet with a long life of operation.

According to the present invention, there is provided a juicer which comprises a first reamer, an outlet for juice positioned below the first reamer and at least one larger reamer, detachably mountable on the first reamer.

Preferably a reamer has a parabolic cone shape.

More preferably the reamers comprise a reaming edge. This enables more efficient juicing of the fruit.

Preferably, the outlet for juice comprises a filter unit, and more preferably, the filter unit comprises a filter and a funnel.

Preferably, the filter unit is mountable on a juice container so as to, in use, selectively direct juice into or out of the juice container. This allows for juice to be collected either in the juice container or directly into a receptacle, for example, a glass.

Preferably, the first reamer, the at least one larger reamer, and, optionally, the filter, the funnel, the juice container and the base are attachable and detachable from each other. This enables quick and easy cleaning of the various parts of the juicer.

Preferably, the first reamer comprises at least one projection for preventing filter blockage by pulp during juicing.

Preferably the juice container has a gripping portion which comprises indents in the juice container.

This ergonomical design of the juice container allows easy handling of the juicer, and the indents have the advantage of occupying less space than conventional handles.

Preferably, the magnet of the magnetic rotor is uniformly enclosed in plastic. This prevents gradual wearing down of the magnet and results in a long life of operation compared to prior art rotor magnets.

In order to illustrate the features and advantages of the present invention, the present invention will be further described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1. shows perspective views of the components of a juicer in accordance with the present invention; Figures 2, 3 and 4 show perspective views of the assembled juicer of Fig. 1 illustrating the usage thereof; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the components of the housing unit of the juicer, of Fig. 1; Figure 6 shows an end view of the housing unit of the juicer of Fig. 1; Figure 7 shows a diagrammatic side view through section A-A of Figure 4; Figure 8 shows a diagrammatic side view of a section through B-B of Figure 3; Figure 9a shows a diagrammatic side view of a rotor magnet for use in the juicer of Fig. 1;; Figure 9b shows a top end view of the rotor magnet of Figure 9a; Figure 9c shows a bottom end view of the rotor magnet of Figure 9a; Fiogure 10a shows a view of a section through A-A of Figure 9a; Figure 10b shows a part section through B-B of Figure 10a.

Referring to Figure 1, a juicer according to the present invention comprises a filter unit 1, a juice container 2 and a base 3. The filter unit 1, in turn, comprises a first reamer 4, a filter 5 and a funnel 6.

The first reamer 4 comprises a circular base 6 having an aperture 58 (Figures 7 and 8) formed through the centre thereof. An octagonal platform 7 is mounted on the circular base 6 and the octagonal platform 7 supports a parabolic cone 8 having eight, evenly spaced, reaming edges 9. The octagonal platform 7 has an hexangonal hole 61 (Figures 7 and 8) formed through the centre thereof. A lower wall 10 extends from the lower edge of the circular base 6 and gaps are provided within the lower wall 10 of the circular base 6 for the provision of four evenly spaced hooks 11 which-extend from the lower edge of the circular base 6 to the same extent as the lower wall 10.In addition, a pair of opposing flat projections or stirrers 12 are located on the first reamer 4, each stirrer 12 extending from either side of the circular base 6 of the first reamer 4, parallel to the surface of the circular base 6.

One or more larger reamers 13 of various sizes are, optionally, mountable on the first reamer 4, depending on the size of the piece of fruit 14 to be juiced. Each of the one or more larger reamers 13 comprises a parabolic cone 15 fittable over the parabolic cone 8 of first reamer 4. The parabolic cone 15 of the one or more larger reamers 13 also comprises eight, evenly spaced reaming edges 16 which enable the one or more larger reamers 13 to be coupled with the reaming edges 9 of the parabolic cone 8 of the first reamer 4, so as to be moveable therewith.

The filter 5 of the filter unit 1 comprises a circular base 17 which slopes inwardly, downwardly toward a central hole 18. Numerous slits 19 are positioned radially around the inwardly, downwardly sloping base 17 and enable juice extracted from the piece of fruit 14 to filter therethrough. The circular base 17 of the filter 5 is surrounded by a lower wall 20 and an upper wall 21 which overhangs the outer surface of the lower wall 20.

A flat projection or small handle 22 is provided on the upper edge of the upper wall 21 of the filter 5. In addition, a pair of opposing flanges or locating means 59 (Figures 7 and 8) are provided on the outer surface of the upper wall 21 of the filter 5, one of the locating means 59 being positioned directly below the small handle 22 of the filter 5.

Three snap-fastening members 23 extend from the lower edge of the upper wall 21 of the filter 5 towards the lower edge of the lower wall 20 of the filter 5. One of the snap-fastening members 23 is positioned directly below the small handle 22 and forms the apex of an hypothetical isosceles triangle. The remaining two snap-fastening members 23 are positioned so as to form the ends of the base of the hypothetical isosceles triangle. Where a snapfastening member 23 is provided on the lower edge of the upper wall 21 of the filter 5, a gap is provided in the lower wall 20 of the filter 5 so as to accommodate the snap-fastening member 23.

The funnel 6 of the filter unit 1 comprises a circular base 24 surrounded by an upwardly extending wall 25. The funnel wall 25 has a funnel mouth 26 formed therein. The base 24 of the funnel 6 is inclined at about 6 to the vertical adjacent the funnel mouth 26 and is inclined at about 3 to the vertical at the remainder of the base 24.

A hole 62 (Figure 7) is formed through the centre of the base 24 of the funnel 6 and an upwardly extending short cylindrical tube 27 is provided at the centre of the base 24 over the central hole 62.

In addition, three indents 28 are provided in the outer surface of the funnel wall 25. Two of the indents 28 are positioned on either side of the funnel mouth 22 and form the ends of the base of an hypothetical isosceles triangle. The third indent 28 forms the apex of the hypothetical isosceles triangle.

The first reamer 4 is attached to the filter 5 by means of the four evenly spaced hooks 11 which engage around the edge of the hole 18 in the centre of the filter base 17. When attached to the filter 5, the base of the first reamer 4 rests on the filter base 17 adjacent the edge of the central hole 18 and the pair of opposing stirrers 12 rest immediately above the level of the slits 19 in the sloping base 17 of the filter 5. The first reamer 4 is easily attachable and detachable from the filter 5, and is fully rotatable on the filter 5.

The filter 5 is, in turn, attached to the funnel 6 by means of the three snap-fastening members 23 which interact with the three correspondingly positioned indents 28 on the outer surface of the funnel wall 25.

When the filter 5 is attached to the funnel 6, the short cylindrical tube 27 on the base 24 of the funnel 6 extends through the central hole 18 in the circular base 17 of the filter 5 and through the central aperture 58 in the base 6 of the first reamer 4 (see Figures 7 and 8). In addition, the lower wall 20 of the filter 5 is located on the inner surface of the funnel wall 25 and the lower edge of the upper wall 21 of the filter 5 abuts the upper edge of the funnel wall 25. The small handle 22 on the filter 5 is positioned directly opposite the funnel mouth 26.

The juice container 2 comprises a circular base 29 surrounded by an upwardly extending first wall 30. A second wall 31 is supported on the first wall 30. The second wall 31 has a diameter slightly greater than the first wall 30 and the second wall 31 overhangs the outer surface of the first wall 30, thereby forming, on its inner surface side, a rim 32 around the circumference of the juice container 2 between the lower edge of the second wall 31 and the upper edge of the first wall 30. A mouth or pourer 33 is formed in the second wall 31 and in the upper portion of the first wall 30, for easy pouring of juice collected in the juice container 2. On the opposite side of the juice container 2 to the juice container mouth 33, an aperture 34 is formed in the upper portion of the first wall 30, immediately below the second wall 31.The inner rim 32 of the juice container 2 thus extends around the entire circumference of the inner surface of the juice container 2, except for the two opposing regions where the juice container mouth 33 and the aperture 34 are formed.

A slot 60 is provided in the second wall 31 of the juice container 2, immediately above the aperture 34.

The filter unit 1 is supported on the juice container 2 with the bottom edge of the funnel 6 resting on the inner rim 32 of the juice container 2. The filter unit 1 is readily mountable on and dismountable from the juice container 2.

The filter unit 1 is mountable on the juice container 2 in either one of two designated positions, as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Figure 3, when the filter unit 1 is mounted on the juice container 2 in a first designated position, the funnel mouth 26 is received through the aperture 34 in the juice container 2 so as to direct juice extracted from the piece of fruit 14 outside the juice container 2. In this position, juice may be collected directly into a receptacle, or glass 35.

Referring to Figure 4, when the filter unit 1 is mounted in the second designated position, the funnel mouth 26 is positioned within the larger mouth 33 of the juice container 2. In this position, juice extracted from the piece of fruit 14 may be collected in the juice container 2.

As shown in Figure 2, the filter unit 1 may simply be lifted out of the juice container 2, turned 1800 from one designated position to the other designated position, and then remounted on the juice container 2 in the other designated position.

The filter unit 1 is held in position in the first designated position by means of the pair of opposing flanges or locating means 59 on the outer surface of the upper wall 21 of the filter 5. When the filter unit 1 is in the first designated position, as shown in Figure 3, the locating means 59 provided on the upper wall 21 of the filter 5 on the opposite side to the small handle 22 is received by, and engages with, the correspondingly shaped and sized slot 60 provided in the second wall 31 of the juice container 2, immediately above the aperture 34 (see Figure 8). When the filter unit 1 is in the second designated position, as shown in Figure 4, the locating means 59 provided on the upper wall 21 of the filter 5 immediately below the small handle 22 is received by, and engages with, the slot 60 in the second wall 31 of the juice container 2 (see Figure 7).Engagement of one or other of the locating means 59 with the slot 60, in the second wall 31 of the juice container 2, thus, correctly positions the filter unit 1 on the juice container 2 in either one of the two designated positions.

The juice container 2 is ergonomically designed for easy handling and efficient collection of juice extracted from the piece of fruit 14. The juice container 2 has a handle or gripping portion 36, as shown in Figure 1, which comprises two first indents 37. The two first indents 37 are provided longitudinally in the first wall 30 of the juice container 2, one either side of the aperture 34. The first indents 37 are of a size such that the thumb and fingers of a user (not shown) may be inserted therein for gripping the juice container 2.

A recess 38 is also provided longitudinally in the first wall 30 of the juice container 2, immediately below the aperture 34 and between the two first indents 37. The recess 38, as shown in Figure 3, allows positioning of a receptacle or glass 35 in close proximity to the juice container 2 so that, when the filter unit 1 is in the first designated position as shown in Figures 3 and 8, the glass or receptacle 35 may be positioned directly below the funnel mouth 26 for collection of juice extracted from the piece of fruit 14.

The base 3 of the juicer comprises a housing 39 having a substantially circular upper portion 40 easily mountable on and detachable from a substantially circular lower portion 41. A substantially square box portion 42 is formed integrally with and extends upwardly from the substantially circular upper portion 40.

An hexagonal shaft 43 extends vertically from the upper surface of the box portion 42. The housing 39 encases a motor 44, as shown in Figure 5, 7 and 8 and the hexagonal shaft 43 is resiliently movable on the box portion 42 of the housing 39 to actuate the motor 44.

The motor 44 comprises a motor stator and a magnetic rotor (not shown). The motor 44 is of a conventional type and a detailed description thereof will not, therefore, be given. However, the configuration of the rotor magnet 45 of the magnetic rotor (not shown) is specially designed in order that the magnetic core 46 of the rotor magnet 45 may be uniformly enclosed by plastic ribs 47. In order to manufacture a rotor magnet 45 of this type, the magnetic core 46 of the rotor magnet 45 is ground to a form having an octagonal section with four round edges and four straight edges, and is then placed in a mould cavity (not shown) where the ground magnetic core 46 is encased in plastic 47.Five locator pins (not shown) on the side of the mould cavity (not shown) locate the axial position of the rotor magnet 45 and the plastic 47 is moulded around the ground magnetic core 46 so that the locator pins (not shown) form five holes 48 at one end of the plastic casing 47. These holes enable the rotor magnet 45 to be mounted on the rotor (not shown) of the motor 44 and the uniform plastic casing or ribs 47 help to prevent the rotor magnet 45 from being worn down with use.

The circular base 29 of the juice container 2 has a second indent 49 formed therein. The second indent 49 corresponds in shape to the box portion 42 and the hexagonal shaft 43 of the base 3. The second indent 49 in the circular base 29 of the juice container 2 is slightly larger than the box portion 42 and hexagonal shaft 43 and the second indent 49 is, therefore, fittable over the box portion 42 and hexagonal shaft 43. The juice container 2 is easily mountable on and dismountable from the base 3.

In the assembled juicer, the hexagonal shaft 43 passes through the second indent 49 of the juice container 2 and then passes through the short cylindrical tube 27 in the centre of the funnel 6. The cylindrical tube 27 of the funnel 6 in turn, passes through the hole 18 in the centre of the filter 5 and then through the central aperture 58 in the centre of the base 6 of the first reamer 4 (see Figures 7 and 8). The hexagonal shaft 43 is fully rotatable within the second indent 49 of the juice container 2 and within the cylindrical tube 27 of the funnel 6, but fits firmly within the hexagonal hole 61 provided in the centre of the octagonal platform 7 of the first reamer 4. Rotation of the hexagonal shaft 43, thus, causes the first reamer 4, and any larger reamer 13 coupled to the first reamer 4, to rotate.

The juicer of the present invention may, optionally, further comprise as part of the base 3, a cord storage compartment 50 positioned below the lower portion 41 of the housing 39. Such a cord storage compartment 50 has an elliptical opening 51 on the lower surface 52 of the cord storage compartment 50 and may be used for storage of a power cord 53 and plug 54, as shown in Figure 6. In addition, four small circular feet 55 may be provided on the lower surface 52 of the cord storage compartment 50 in order to help prevent slipping of the juicer when assembled and being used on a surface.

A transparent dust cover 56 may also be provided for mounting over the filter unit 1 in order to keep any juice collected from the piece of fruit 14 and stored in the juice container 2 fresh and to prevent dust, or the like, from entering the juicer. The dust cover 56 fits over the first reamer 4, or any larger reamer 13 coupled to the first reamer 4.

The juicer, according to the present invention, may be operated as follows. A piece of fruit 14 to be juiced is cut in half, and held, flesh downward, on the first reamer 4, or on any larger reamer 13 coupled to the first reamer 4. The size of the reamer 4, or larger reamer 13 to be used depends on the size of the fruit 14 to be juiced.

Pressing down of the piece of fruit 14 on the first reamer 4, or on any larger reamer 13 coupled to the first reamer 4, causes the hexagonal shaft 43 on the base 3 of the juicer to move downwards and actuate the motor 44. The output torque of the motor 44 is magnified by a train of gears 57 (Figures 5, 7 and 8) and is then transmitted to the hexagonal shaft 43. The output torque of the motor 44 causes the hexagonal shaft 43 and, therefore, the first reamer 4, and any larger reamer 13 coupled to the first reamer 4, to rotate. The motor 44 can rotate in either a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction and the first direction of rotation of the motor 44 depends on whether a positive or negative sinewave of electricity is supplied to the motor 44.If the force on the first reamer 4, or on any larger reamer 13 coupled to the first reamer 4, is then increased to exceed a predetermined torque limit, the motor 44 will rotate in the opposite direction. Thus, if the piece of fruit 14 is pressed down harder on the reamer 4, or any larger reamer 13 coupled to the first reamer 4, the reamers 4, 13 are not stopped from rotating but will, instead, rotate in the opposite direction.

As the reamers 4, 13 rotate, the reaming edges 9 or 16, respectively, abrade the flesh of the piece of fruit 14, thereby causing juices to be squeezed out of the piece of fruit 14. The juice runs down the sides of the parabolic cone 8 or 15 of the reamer 4 or 13, respectively and into the filter 5.

The extracted juices then filter through the slits 19 in the inwardly sloping base 17 of the filter 5 and any pulp from the piece of fruit 14 which may collect in the filter 5, is cleared from the slits 19 by movement of the stirrers 12 as the first reamer 4 rotates. Juice can, thus, filter freely through the filter 5 into the funnel 6, down the sloping base 24 of the funnel 6 into the funnel mouth 26 and then via the funnel mouth 26 into either a receptacle such as a glass 35 (when the filter unit 1 is in the first designated position) or into the juice container 2 (when the filter unit 1 is in the second designated position).

If the juice is collected in the juice container 2, the filter unit 1 may be easily lifted out of the juice container 2 and the juice container 2 may simply be gripped by the gripping portion 36 so as to lift the juice container 2 off the base 3 and the juice may then be poured from the juice container 2 through the juice container mouth 33 into any desired receptacle.

Because the various components of the juicer are all easily attachable and detachable from each other, the juicer may be easily cleaned for subsequent use.

Claims (36)

1. A juicer which comprises a first reamer, an outlet for juice positioned below the first r.eamer, and at least one larger reamer detachably mountable on the first reamer.

2. A juicer according to Claim 1, wherein a reamer has a parabolic cone shape.

3. A juicer according to Claims 1 or 2 wherein at least the first reamer comprises a reaming edge and a larger reamer may be coupled to the first reamer via the reaming edge.

4. A juicer according to Claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the outlet for juice comprises a filter unit.

5. A juicer according to Claim 4, wherein the filter unit comprises a filter and a funnel.

6. A juicer according to Claim 5, wherein the first reamer is attachable to the filter and is freely rotatable on the filter.

7. A juicer according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the juicer further comprises a juice container.

8. A juicer according to Claim 7, when dependent upon Claims 5 or 6, wherein the filter comprises locating means for positioning the filter on a rim of the juice container.

9. A juicer according to Claim 7 when dependent on Claims 5 or 6, or according to Claim 8, wherein the filter unit is mountable on the juice container in at least one designated position.

10. A juicer according to Claim 7 when dependent on Claims 5 or 6 or 8 or according to Claim 9, wherein the filter unit is mountable on the juice container so as to, in use, selectively direct juice into or out of the juice container.

11. A juicer according to any one of Claims 7 to 10, wherein the juice container comprises a gripping portion to be gripped.

12. A juicer according to Claim 11, wherein the gripping portion comprises indents in the juice container.

13. A juicer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the juicer further comprises a base.

14. A juicer according to Claim 13, wherein the base comprises a shaft, which is receivable in a correspondingly shaped hole in the first reamer.

15. A juicer according to Claim 14, wherein the shaft is polygonal.

16. A juicer according to any one of Claims 13 to 15, wherein the base further comprises a motor.

17. A juicer according to Claim 16, wherein the motor comprises a motor stator and a magnetic rotor, and wherein the output torque of the motor is magnified by a train of gears, and is transmitted to the shaft on the base, which shaft in use, causes the first reamer to rotate.

18. A juicer, according to Claim 17, wherein, in use, the output torque of the motor is transmitted, via the shaft in the first reamer, to any reamer coupled to the first reamer.

19. A juicer according to Claim 17 or 18, wherein the magnet of the magnetic motor is uniformly enclosed in plastic.

20. A juicer according to any one of Claims 16 to 19, when dependent on Claims 14 or 15, wherein a force on the first reamer, or on any reamer coupled to the first reamer, causes the shaft to move downwards and activate the motor.

21. A juicer according to any one of Claims 16 to 20, when dependent on Claims 14 or 15, wherein the motor rotation is reversible in response to a force on the first reamer, or any reamer coupled to the first reamer, exceeding a pre-determined torque limit.

22. A juicer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first reamer comprises at least one projection for preventing filter blockage by pulp during juicing.

23. A juicer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first reamer, the at least one larger reamer and, optionally, the filter, the funnel, the juice container and the base are attachable and detachable from each other.

24. A juicer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a cord storage compartment is provided on the housing unit.

25. A juicer which comprises a juice container and a filter unit, wherein the filter unit is mountable on the juice container in at least two designated positions.

26. A juicer according to Claim 25, wherein the filter unit is mountable on the juice container so as to, in use, selectively direct juice into or out of the juice container.

27. A juicer which comprises a juicer container and a gripping portion to be gripped wherein the gripping portion comprises indents in the juice container.

28. A juicer which comprises a magnetic motor wherein the magnet of the magnetic motor is uniformly enclosed in plastic.

29. A juicer which comprises a first reamer and a base, wherein the base comprises a shaft receivable in a correspondingly shaped hole in the first reamer and a motor, and wherein force of the first reamer causes the shaft to move and activate the motor.

30. A juicer according to Claim 29, wherein the shaft is polygonal.

31. A juicer according to Claims 29 or 30, wherein the motor comprises a motor stator and a magnetic rotor, and wherein the output torque of the motor is magnified by a train of gears and is transmitted to the shaft which shaft, in use, causes the first reamer to rotate.

32. A juicer which comprises a reamer and a motor, wherein rotation of the motor is reversible in response to a force at the first reamer exceeding a predetermined torque limit.

33. A juicer which comprises a first reamer, a filter and at least one projection on the first reamer for preventing filter blockage by pulp during the juicing.

34. A juicer according to Claim 33, wherein the reamer is attachable to the filter and is freely rotatable on the filter.

35. A juicer substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

36. Any novel feature or combination of features described herein.