GB2376649A

GB2376649A - Rinsing and drying of centrifugal juice extractors

Info

Publication number: GB2376649A
Application number: GB0115122A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Hartshorn
Original assignee: GOODWIN HARTSHORN Ltd
Current assignee: GOODWIN HARTSHORN Ltd
Priority date: 2001-06-21
Filing date: 2001-06-21
Publication date: 2002-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 2021-06-21
Also published as: GB2376649B; GB0115122D0

Abstract

A self-rinsing and drying centrifugal juicer extractor is adapted such that after use, fluid can be introduced into the empty centrifuge basket. Upon rotation of the basket, the fluid flows over the basket rinsing it. Impeller blades 3 are situated on the sidewall 2 of the basket causing water, then air to be drawn through the basket when it spins.

Description

Rinsing and Drying of Centrifugal Juice Extractors This invention relates to rinsing and drying centrifugal juice extractors.

Centrifugal juice extractors are well known devices, which extract juice from appropriate solid material, including a variety of fruits and vegetables. The process involves first turning the solid material into pulp and then spinning this pulp at such a speed that the juice is caused to be separated from the fibrous material. The most important features of the juice extractor for the purposes of this patent application are the device that separates the juice from the pulp (the centrifugal basket), the lid (incorporating the feed chute) the juice collecting body and the cutter plate. The basket device is so shaped that it contains pulp on its inside surface whilst rotating, but the surface against which the pulp is held is porous and so allows juice to pass through the surface under centrifugal force. The lid prevents pulp from escaping out of the juicer, and incorporates the feed chute, which guides material onto the cutter plate. The cutter plate transforms the solid material into pulp when spinning. The collecting body surrounds the basket, and collects juice that is emitted by the basket, channelling it into an appropriate receptacle.

After the juice extractor has been used to extract juice from pulp a residue of pulp and fluids may be left behind, which requires rinsing. Once rinsed, the internal surfaces are wet and so it is beneficial to dry them.

According to the present invention, once the bulk of the pulp has been removed from the juice extractor, the device is switched on again and water is introduced to the juice extractor. The water is caused to be sprayed around the internal surfaces of the juicer, and so rinses them.

During the process air is drawn over components within the juice extractor-taking water off the same internal surfaces. A means of achieving the objective of drying the juicer is to shape the centrifugal basket, such that when the device rotates, air is drawn through the porous walls of the basket. In addition, the lower extremity of the feed chute is flush with the underside of the lid, which differs from lid forms found in common juice extractors of this type, for which the feed chute is re-entrant. This altered geometry allows rinsing water and drying air to be channelled over the underside of the lid. To allow for the altered feed chute geometry, the cutter plate has also been raised from the normal position on the base of the rotating basket, toward the feed chute. The air has the effect of drawing fluids off components within the juice extractor, including the lid, cutter plate, basket and collecting body. The two processes help to remove the burden of washing and drying the juice extractor.

A specific embodiment of the idea will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which :- Figure 1 shows in perspective the centrifugal basket.

Figure 2 shows in cross-section a schematic diagram of the assembled lid, basket, cutter plate and collecting body.

Referring to the drawing the basket comprises a base 1 which is made of solid material, a sidewall 2 which is made of a perforated material (in this case a stainless steel mesh) and impeller blades 3. When the device is caused to rotate, the impeller blades draw air out from the centre of the component.

The basket 5 fits into the fixed collecting body 6 and has the cutter mount 7 fitted concentrically on top of its base 10. The cutter plate 9 forms the uppermost surface of the cutter mount. The lid 4 is attached to the juice collecting body, and covers the basket and cutter plate during use. The feed chute is flush with the underside of the lid (see 8).

Claims

Claims 1. A juice extractor that draws air through components that have come into contact with juice.
2. A juice extractor, in which the juice extractor itself sprays water over its internal surfaces, when water is poured into the device in an appropriate way.
3. A juice extractor described in 1, with a rotating component shaped so that when It rotates air is drawn through the juice extractor.
4. A juice extractor described in 1 and 2, with the lowest extremity of the feed chute flush with the underside of the lid.
5. A juice extractor described in 1 and 2, with the cutter plate raised up from the base of the basket towards the feed chute.