RU2783201C2 - Juicer for fruits and vegetables - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: household appliances.

SUBSTANCE: juicer for fruits and vegetables contains a loading tube, a juice collection chamber, and a grating disc supporting a sieve in the form of a truncated cone, while the grating disc has the first group of grating prongs and a secondary processing surface with the second group of prongs; each prong has a front edge and a rear edge, while the juice collection chamber has an inner spiral inclined guide with an outlet spout located on top, or an annular gutter with the lowest point, which leads to the outlet spout.

EFFECT: claimed invention is directed to the elimination of undesired pressure injection in a pulp collection chamber.

13 cl, 57 dwg

Description

The field of technology to which the invention belongs

The invention relates to fruit and vegetable juicers, in particular to improvements to the centrifugal type fruit and vegetable juicer.

State of the art

A fruit and vegetable juicer generally has a grating disc that is mounted horizontally. The products are pressed against the grating disc by a pusher located in the juicer's loading tube. The grater disc is supported by an assembly which also includes a truncated cone sieve. The horizontal surface of the grating disc forms the primary processing surface. Juice and pulp are ejected from the grating disc to an inclined sieve. Since the grater disc is horizontal and the disc is inclined, the mass of ejected pulp and juice impinges on the inner surface of the frustoconical sieve at an angle that is not perpendicular. In addition, the area of the grater disk located immediately below or radially outside the side walls of the loading tube, in general, has a low efficiency in separating fruit into its constituent pulp and juice components.

Since the grater disk is located near the bottom of the sieve in the form of a truncated cone, the ejected pulp and juice move along the inclined inner surface of the sieve. During this process, the rotation of the sieve causes the juice from the inside of the sieve to be ejected through the sieve into the juice collection chamber for subsequent dosing and consumption. Because some of the pulp is too large to pass through the sieve holes, it is thrown over the edge of the sieve. The rotating frustoconical screen creates an air flow that assists the ejected pulp into the pulp collection chamber. However, the airflow generated by the rotating disc and screen can create an undesirable buildup of pressure in the pulp collection chamber. The increased pressure may cause uncollected juice, which is transported with the pulp, to be ejected from the gaps associated with the pulp collection chamber, namely from the gaps between the pulp collection chamber and the lid of the device.

The present technology, described below, addresses these problems.

Disclosure of invention

The following is a description of a grater disc having primary and secondary processing surfaces. The recycled surface is at an angle to the primary refining surface and is preferably a grating surface.

A description is also given of the combination of the grater disc and the control channel, which increases the period of time during which the products are in contact with the teeth on the grater disc.

It also describes the combination of a grater disc and a recycled surface that increases the number of teeth with which products are in contact before being ejected from the grater disc.

A combination of grating wheel and control channel is also described, which allows products to be in contact with the teeth on the grating wheel more times than in conventional designs.

Some embodiments of the invention provide a closer distance between food and teeth or increased contact time or increased frequency of contact between food and teeth on a grating wheel in a centrifugal fruit and vegetable juicer.

In some embodiments, the recycling surface is truncated and the primary recycling surface is flat.

In some embodiments of the invention, the lowermost inner surface of the loading tube interacts with the recycled surface to form a control channel.

In other embodiments of the invention, the recycled surface includes cutting teeth associated with the recycled surface.

In other embodiments of the invention, the recycled surface does not include cutting teeth or grinding elements.

In some embodiments of the invention, the lid or the section of the lid associated with the pulp collection chamber is provided with an air tube or a central ventilation tube.

In other separate embodiments, the air tube or vent tube is provided with a cap. This cap may interact with the air tube or vent tube to form a tortuous path or change the direction of flow.

In some particular embodiments of the invention, the air tube or vent tube includes a tube that extends downward from the cover. In some particular embodiments of the invention, the cross-sectional shape of the vent or air tube is chosen to minimize resistance to airflow occurring outside the pulp collection chamber.

Accordingly, a combination of a grater disc having both primary and secondary surfaces and a loading tube containing a lower end surface that interacts with the secondary surface to form a control channel is provided.

Also provided is a lid having a lid portion that closes off the pulp collection chamber of the centrifugal juicer. This portion of the lid contains an internal downwardly directed vent tube.

Brief description of the drawings

For a better understanding of the invention, reference is made below to the attached drawings, in which:

In FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a centrifugal juicer;

In FIG. 2 is a partial schematic sectional view of a grater disc with recycled surface, control surface and control channel;

In FIG. 3 is a partial schematic sectional view of a grater disc with recycled surface, control surface and control channel;

In FIG. 4 is a partial schematic sectional view of a grater disc with recycled surface, control surface and control channel;

In FIG. 5 is a partial schematic sectional view of a grater disc with recycled surface, control surface and control channel;

In FIG. 6 is a partial schematic sectional view of a grater disc with recycled surface, control surface and control channel;

In FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the grater disc and sieve of the present invention;

In FIG. 8 is a top view of another embodiment of the grating disc and sieve assembly;

In FIG. 9 is a top view of another embodiment of the grating disk and sieve assembly;

In FIG. 10 is a top view of another embodiment of the grating disc and sieve assembly;

In FIG. 11 is a top view of another embodiment of the grating disc and sieve assembly;

In FIG. 12 is a top view of another embodiment of the grating disc and sieve assembly;

In FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view of a centrifugal juicer having an air tube or vent tube above the pulp collecting chamber;

In FIG. 14 is a partial sectional perspective view of a lid for a centrifugal juicer having a vent tube and a vent tube cap;

In FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the lid of a centrifugal juicer having a vent tube and a vent tube cap positioned above the pulp collection chamber;

In FIG. 16 is a top view of a centrifugal juicer with a pulp collection chamber;

In FIG. 17 is a schematic sectional view of the grater disk and the control surface;

In FIG. 18 is a schematic sectional view of a tapering control channel;

In FIG. 19 is a schematic sectional view of a grater disk and a control surface forming an upwardly directed control channel;

In FIG. 20 is a schematic sectional view of an upwardly tapering control channel;

In FIG. 21 is a schematic sectional view of the structure of an upwardly directed control channel and an inverted sieve;

In FIG. 22 is a schematic sectional view of a grater disc and inverted sieve assembly having an upwardly tapering control channel;

In FIG. 23 is a schematic sectional view of a flat recycling surface co-planar with a primary processing plane and used in conjunction with an inverted sieve;

In FIG. 24 is a schematic sectional view of a flat recycling surface co-planar with the primary processing plane and forming a tapering control channel used with an inverted screen;

In FIG. 25 is a schematic sectional view of a flat recycling surface located in the same plane as the primary processing plane and a horizontally directed control channel;

In FIG. 26 is a schematic sectional view of a tapering control channel and a flat recycling surface;

In FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a loading tube with a serrated lower end;

In FIG. 28 is a sectional view of the loading tube and grating disc where the lower end of the loading tube is toothed and placed on a toothed ring supported by the grating disc;

In FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a loading tube with a serrated lower end;

In FIG. 30 is a sectional view of the loading tube and grating wheel where the lower end of the loading tube is toothed and placed on a toothed ring which is supported by the grating wheel;

In FIG. 31(a) - the first example of the shape of the teeth;

In FIG. 31(b) - the second example of the shape of the teeth;

In FIG. 31(c) - the third example of the shape of the teeth;

In FIG. 32 is a perspective view from the underside of a loading tube having a group of cutting slots;

In FIG. 33 is a sectional view in vertical projection of a grater disk having a grooved cutting ring;

In FIG. 34 is a sectional view of a slotted loading tube installed inside a slotted cutting ring;

In FIG. 35 is a sectional view of the grater disk assembly and inverted sieve;

In FIG. 36 is a sectional view of the grater disc assembly and inverted sieve having a toothed ring in conjunction with the toothed lower end of the loading tube;

In FIG. 37 is a sectional view of the structure of the inverted sieve together with the spout located at the top;

In FIG. 38 is a sectional view of an inverted sieve assembly with a top-mounted spout;

In FIG. 39 is a sectional view of a conventional truncated cone filter screen and grating disc assembly used in conjunction with an overhead spout;

In FIG. 40 - view in vertical projection of a tooth on a grater disk;

In FIG. 41 - three-quarter side view of a tooth on a grater disk;

In FIG. 42(a) is a top view of a conventional tooth on a grater disc;

In FIG. 42(b) is a plan view of a conventional tooth on a grating wheel, which is angled relative to the radius of the grating wheel;

In FIG. 43 is a top view of a grater disk having teeth that are oriented radially inwards;

In FIG. 44 is a plan view of a grater disc having teeth that are oriented radially inward;

In FIG. 45 is a sectional view of a fruit and vegetable juicer with an inverted sieve and a spout located at the top;

In FIG. 46 is a perspective view of the juice collection chamber with an internal helical inclined guide;

In FIG. 47 is a side elevational view of the juice collecting chamber shown in FIG. 46;

In FIG. 48 is a perspective view of a juice collection chamber with a thickened side wall next to the outlet spout;

In FIG. 49 is a sectional view of the juice collecting chamber shown in FIG. 48;

In FIG. 50 is a plan view of a juice collection chamber having a tangentially directed outlet spout;

In FIG. 51 is a perspective view of the juice collecting chamber shown in FIG. fifty;

In FIG. 52 is a perspective view of a juice collection chamber having an outlet spout with a tangential inlet and a radially oriented outlet;

In FIG. 53 is a perspective view of a juice collecting chamber with a tapering outlet spout;

In FIG. 54 is a perspective view of a juice collection chamber with an oval-shaped outlet spout located tangentially;

In FIG. 55 is a plan view of a juice collecting chamber having an internal helical inclined guide and a tangential outlet spout;

In FIG. 56 is a sectional view of a centrifugal juicer for fruits and vegetables, having an additional spout;

In FIG. 57 is a perspective view of the additional spout shown in FIG. 56.

Implementation of the invention

As shown in FIG. 1, the centrifugal fruit and vegetable juicer includes a vertical loading tube 100, inside of which is a pusher 101. The working parts of the juicer are housed in a housing. The pulp ejected from the body is collected in a separate removable pulp collection chamber 112 . The fruit or vegetable enters the loading tube 100 and is pressed against the rotating grating disc 102 by a removable pusher 101. The loading tube may contain an inner plate or rib 103, as is known from many prior art examples. The loading tube 100 has a slot for receiving a plate or fin 103. The squeezed juice flows down the side walls into a juice collection chamber 140 that surrounds the disc 102.

The grater disc 102 is part of a removable assembly that includes a base 104 with connectors and a frustoconical screen 105. As will be described below, the sieve can be oriented in two different ways. The base 104 is removably mounted on a cooperating drive clutch assembly 106 that is driven by an electric motor 107. The motor 107 is controlled by a controller 108 or a microprocessor control unit or the like. The controller 108 receives instructions from the user controlled controls 119 and interacts with the graphic display 121.

A truncated cone sieve 105 separates the juice collection chamber from the free space 110 above the product under the juicer cover 111. Accordingly, the cover 111 facilitates the removal of the pulp pushed by the screen 105 into the pulp collection chamber 112. As the pulp is ejected upward and outward by the rotary screen 105, the air flow generated by the rotary screen and the cover shape 111 pushes the pulp into the pulp collection chamber 112. As will be described below, the portion 113 of the lid 111 that closes the top of the pulp collection chamber 112 comprises a vertically oriented inner tube, a vent tube, or an air tube 114.

In the example in FIG. 1, the juicer lid 111 also includes an inner frustoconical wall 130 that surrounds the lower end of the loading tube 100. The frustoconical lid wall 130 is inside the sieve 105 but does not contact the sieve 105. The frustoconical wall 130, in general, is concentric with the screen 105 and located at a distance from it, forming a gap 131 in the form of a truncated cone. Gap 131 serves to retain for a long time the juice and pulp pushed out of the grater disk 102, and thus limits their entry into the free space 110 above the product, with the exception of the toroidal hole 132 formed at the upper edge of the sieve 105 and defined by the inner surface of the sieve 105 and the outer surface of the wall 130 in the form of a truncated cone of the cover. In some embodiments, the lower edge 133 of the frustoconical wall 130 is connected to the lower end of the loading tube 100. The upper portion of the lid frustoconical wall 130 is connected to the cylindrical wall portion 134. The upper part of the cylindrical wall 134 is connected to the upper surface 135 of the cover. The manner in which the frustoconical lid wall 130 is connected to the lid or feed tube is not an essential aspect of the technology, provided that wall 130 is located within and at a sufficient distance from screen 105.

As shown in FIG. 2, the grating wheel 102 has a primary processing surface 201. The primary processing surface is generally round and flat. This surface contains a group of sharp cutting teeth 202, well known in this field. The grating disk of the present technology also includes a recycled cutting or grating surface 203 . The primary cutting surface 201 has a working radius 204 that is approximately the same as the inner radius of the loading tube 100. The secondary processing surface 203 is located radially outside the primary processing surface 201. The recycling surface 203 may have no teeth, but optionally includes a second set of grating teeth 205 on top. In some embodiments, the recycling surface 203 slopes downward from the horizontal virgin surface and forms a frustoconical recycling surface or a beveled recycling surface. In some embodiments, the angle formed by the recycling surface is radially (as shown in FIG. 2) perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the filter or screen 105.

In a conventional juicer, juice and pulp are ejected from the gap between the grating disc and the loading tube in a generally horizontal direction 201. To further optimize the juicing process, the recycling surface 203 is combined with the control surface 206 to form a control channel 207. The control channel 207 is potentially can create a number of beneficial effects on the juicing process. It can help keep juice and food in contact with the grating disc for an extended period of time. It can also bring the food into contact with the teeth on the grating wheel more times or more frequently. Both the regulating surface and the regulating channel contribute to a longer and tighter contact between the products and the teeth on the grater disc. The control channel can also change the direction of the flow of product and juice particles that are ejected from the grater disc 102. The control surface 206 is truncated in shape and, in some embodiments, is generally parallel to the recycling surface 203 (at a predetermined radius). The recycling surface 203 and control surface 206 together form a frustoconical control channel 207 that directs the pulp and juice in a direction 208 that may be generally perpendicular to the screen 105. Throwing the pulp and juice perpendicular to the screen 105 potentially increases the efficiency of the squeezing process. juice through a better use of the kinetic energy of the ejected pulp and juice. Throwing the juice in a perpendicular direction or a substantially perpendicular direction allows more energy to move the juice through the sieve 105 into the collection chamber. The control channel can also have a beneficial effect on the speed of the ejected material, the duration of its contact with the grating teeth, and other consumption characteristics.

In the example in FIG. 2, the control surface 206 is formed on the bottom side separately from the formed ring 218, which is attached to the outer side wall of the loading tube 100. It will be appreciated that the control surface 206 may be integrally formed with the bottom of the loading tube 100. Examples of construction of the control surface shown in FIG. 3 - 6.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control surface 206 is integral with the lower end of the loading tube 100 and extends over part or all of the recycling surface 203. In this example, the control surface 206 defines the underside of a flange or extension 301 that extends radially outward and downward from the outer surface 302 of the loading tube 100.

As shown in FIG. 4, if the loading tube 100 is thick enough at the bottom end, the control surface 206 can be formed by providing a bevel on the lowest end surface of the loading tube 100. If the loading tube 100 is thick enough, the flange or extension 301 is not required.

As shown in FIG. 5, the lowermost outer edge 501 of the loading tube may have a bevel. This has the effect of potentially reducing the effective length of the control surface 206. However, this may result in additional clearance between the bottom edge of the loading tube 100 and the screen 105.

As shown in FIG. 6, the interaction of the recycling surface 203 and the control surface 206 results in a narrow frusto-conical control channel or passageway 601 that leads from the primary processing surface 201 to the screen 105. As suggested above, this channel directs the pulp and juice 602 to the screen 105 in direction 603, which may be generally perpendicular to the screen. In addition, since the channel or passage 601 is narrow and partially blocked by the teeth 604, the flow rate of the pulp and juice 602 may be slow, turbulent or reduced. This allows the teeth 604 and the passage to work on or process the pulp in the passage for more time before being ejected from the passage 601.

As shown in FIG. 7, primary processing surface 102 is generally cylindrical and flat. The central portion of the primary processing surface 102 contains a pair of knives or blades for removing the core of the fruit. In this example, the primary processing surface 102 is formed with sharpened teeth 202 in a group containing 12 separate rows 702. Each row 702 terminates at or near the outer diameter 703 of the primary processing surface 102. The recycling surface lies radially outside the nominal diameter 703 of the primary recycling surface 102 . The recycling surface 203 slopes downward and includes a second group of grating teeth 604. In this example, the second group contains 12 rows of teeth 604. Each row in this example contains three teeth. Each row 704 is offset in angular orientation from one of the rows 702 of the first group. The innermost tooth 705 in row 704 is adjacent to the outer diameter 703 of primary processing surface 102. The outermost barb 706 in row 704 abuts the outer diameter of the recycling surface 203 and thus abuts or is adjacent to the screen 105.

As shown in FIG. 8, the recycled surface 203 does not need to have teeth or grating or other features. Sharing the recycling surface 203 with control surfaces of the kind described with reference to FIGS. 2 - 6, allows you to change the direction and optimally slow down the flow of juice and pulp coming out of the surface 201 of the primary processing.

As shown in FIG. 9, the teeth 901 on the recycling surface 203 may be arranged in evenly spaced rows. The teeth 901 in each row are located at the same radius. In this example, the number of rows of teeth on the recycling surface 203 is the same as the number of rows of teeth on the primary recycling surface 201.

As shown in FIG. 10, the rows of teeth 1000 on the recycling surface 203 may be aligned or substantially aligned with the rows of teeth 1001 on the primary recycling surface 201.

As shown in FIG. 11, the teeth 1101 on the recycling surface 203 may be arranged in rows 1102 that are staggered or at an angle relative to the radius of the virgin recycling surface 201. In this example, there are more slanted rows of teeth 1102 than there are linear rows of teeth on the primary processing surface 201.

In the example in FIG. 12, there are three rows of teeth on the recycling surface 203 for each row of teeth on the primary recycling surface 201. In this example, the rows are oriented radially about the center of the primary processing surface 201.

As shown in FIG. 13, the centrifugal fruit and vegetable juicer 300 has a transparent resin lid 1301, which in this example includes an integral loading tube 1302 with it. to collect the pulp. The high speed of the grating disk and sieve creates an airflow under the lid 1301. As such, the airflow 1303 moves under the action of the rotating sieve towards the pulp collection chamber 112. This air flow allows the pulp to be directed towards the pulp collection chamber 112 and eventually into this chamber. In this example, the cover 1301 includes an internal vent tube, an exhaust tube, a tube or tube 1304 for air. In this example, the vent tube 1304 is located above or approximately above the vertical center line 1305 of the pulp collection chamber 112. The vent tube 1304 extends from the surface of the lid 1301 down and to the bottom 1306 of the pulp chamber 112. In this example, the vent tube 1304 is hollow and has a bottom opening 1307 that is below the level of the top edge 1308 of the sieve 105. By having the bottom opening 1307 below the edge 1308 of the sieve 105, it is less likely that pulp can be blown into the vent tube 1304 and thus can be thrown into the air stream that exits the vent 1304.

As shown in FIG. 14, the cover 1301 has an opening on the top surface that leads into the interior of the vent tube 1304. Below the opening 1401, an annular shelf 1402 is provided for receiving a bottom flange 1403 of the vent tube cap 1404. The vent tube cap 1404 has a top surface 1405 that is preferably flush with, or only slightly above or below, the top surface of the lid 1301. The top surface 1405 of the vent tube cap 1404 is supported by a peripheral flange 1403 whose lower edge rests on the shelf 1402. In preferred embodiments, the cap 1404 ventilation tube also includes a plug 1406, which is lowered into the neck or in the inner section 1407 of the ventilation tube. The plug 1406 may include a series of vertical ribs 1408 that maintain a space or gap between the outer surface of the plug 1406 and the inner surface of the vent.

As shown in FIG. 15, the airflow 1501 associated with the movement of the screen 105 enters the free space 1502 above the pulp collection chamber 112 and flows around the vent tube 1304. The airflow 1501 and gravity will cause the pulp and juice to settle in the pulp collection chamber 112. In general, only the moving air 1503 will enter the bottom opening 1307 of the vent tube 1304. However, some juice may be entrained in the air stream, and some small pulp particles may also be carried by the air stream 1503 up and into the central passage of the vent tube 1304. To avoid excessive vent 1304 vent cap can be used to create a tortuous path or change the direction of flow. In this example, the upward airflow through the vent 1304 passes along the vertical ribs 1408 and into the gap between the plug 1304 and the inner wall of the neck 1407. The upward airflow 1504 impinges on the underside 1505 of the top surface 1506 of the vent cap. The annular groove between the lip 1508 of the lid and the outer side of the plug deflects and directs the airflow in the other direction past the lower edge 1509 of the lip 1508, whereby it can exit into the gap 1510 between the lip 1508 and the opening 1401 in the lid in which this lip is located. The vent tube plug may have a ring 511, a handle, or a boss to remove the plug from the vent tube.

As shown in FIG. 16, the location and cross-sectional shape of the lid vent tube 1601 can be optimized for airflow 1602 from the area surrounding the rotary screen 105. In the example of FIG. 16, the vent tube 1601 is located in the cover 1603 centrally in the pulp collection chamber 1604, but in such a way that it does not unduly obstruct the mass of air flow. In addition, the surface 1605 of the vent tube facing airflow 1602 is preferably minimized and thus smaller than the surface 1606 facing away from airflow 1602. FIG. 16 shows a sectional view of a vent tube having a major transverse axis 1607. In this embodiment, axis 1607 is oriented so that it is generally parallel to airflow 1602 entering the pulp collection chamber.

As indicated above, the recycling surface may be flat and even, or alternatively may have grating teeth, grinding elements, or other elements to help grind and convey food towards the juicer screen. In addition, the recycled surface can advantageously be combined with a control surface to form a control channel. The control channel can be used to lengthen the flow path between the primary processing surface and the sieve and to change the direction, flow or other characteristics of the food flow after it has run off the primary processing surface. Other examples are shown in Fig. 17 - 26.

As shown in FIG. 17, the frustoconical recycled surface 1701 may be completely or partially free of grating teeth. In this example, the recycling surface 1701 of the grating wheel is combined with an interacting control surface 1702 that surrounds the lower end of the loading tube 1703. The combination of the recycling surface 1701 and the control surface 1702 forms a frustoconical control channel 1704 that leads from the outer edge 1705 of the surface 1706 primary processing to a sieve 1707 in the form of a truncated cone. In this example, the sieve 1707 is attached to the grating disk and forms part of the grating disk assembly 1708. Thus, the products 1709 exiting the control channel 1704 will hit the screen 1707 at a 90 degree angle, or in any case more perpendicular than in existing juicers where the products exit the primary processing surface 1706 in a horizontal direction. In this example, the juice 1710 will pass through the screen and the pulp 1711 will be transported up and out and eventually ejected past the top edge of the rotating screen 1707.

As shown in FIG. 18, the frustoconical recycling surface 1801 need not be parallel to the frustoconical control surface 1802. In the example in FIG. 18, the control channel 1803 is tapered and has a wide inlet adjacent to the outer edge 1804 of the primary processing surface 1805 and a narrow outlet 1806 adjacent to the screen 1807.

As shown in FIG. 19, the control channel 1901 may have parallel sidewalls pointing upwards. Thus, the outlet 1902 of the control channel 1901 is located above the inlet 1903 of the control channel 1901. In this example, the recycling surface 1904 is inclined upward and has grating teeth 1905. The control surface 1906, surrounding the lower end of the loading tube, is inclined upward at an angle that, in general , parallel to the corner of the surface 1904 recycling.

In the example in FIG. 20, both the recycling surface 2001 and the control surface 2002 are directed or tilted upward relative to the horizontal primary recycling surface 2003. Although both the control surface 2002 and the recycling surface 2001 point upwards and away from the horizontal, the control channel 2004 is tapering. Thus, the 2005 inlet to the control channel is wider than the 2006 outlet.

In some centrifugal juicers, the filter screen is positioned so that it tapers from the smallest diameter at the top to the largest diameter at the bottom. In this type of juicers, having an "inverted" sieve, the pulp is transported down and out along the inner surface of the sieve and is ejected below the level of the grater disk. As an example of this type of juicer, we can mention the Phillips HR1873 Juicer. The technology described above for the recycling surface, the control surface, and the control channel is shown in FIG. 21 to 24 applicable to this type of grating disc and sieve design.

As shown in FIG. 21, the upward channel 2100 is directed approximately perpendicular to the downward discharge screen 2101. As shown in FIG. 21, the inverted screen 2101 has a small diameter at the top 2102 and a large diameter at the bottom end 2103. The screen 2101 is rigidly attached to the grating wheel 2104 by a flange or supports 2105 or the like. In this example, the recycling surface 2106 and control surface 2107 are generally parallel and directed upwards at the screen 2101. Grinding teeth 2108 are optionally placed on the recycling surface 2106.

As shown in FIG. 22, the upwardly directed control channel 2201 may be tapered. The upward slope of the recycling surface 2202 of the control surface 2203 is provided by a narrow outlet 2204 and a wide inlet 2205 into the control channel 2201. The recycling surface 2202 is shown with grating teeth 2206, but it should be appreciated that the grating teeth 2206 are optional. Holes 2207 may be provided in the supports or flanges to attach the sieve 2208 to the grating disc 2104.

As shown in FIG. 23, the control channel 2300 may be directed horizontally. In the example in FIG. 23, the recycling surface 2301 is horizontal and is in the same plane as the primary recycling surface 2302. In this example, the control surface 2303 is generally parallel to the recycling surface 2301. Thus, food products ejected from the outlet 2305 of the control channel 2300 are directed approximately horizontally to the inverted sieve 2306.

In the example shown in FIG. 24, the recycling surface 2401 is flat and in the same plane as the virgin processing surface 2402, and the control surface 2403 slopes downward to form a frustoconical surface that surrounds the lower end of the loading tube 2404. This results in a tapered channel 2405, with the outlet of the regulating channel 2406 is narrower than the inlet 2407.

Description regarding the flat recycling surface shown in FIG. 23 and 24 refers to the conventional grater and sieve of FIG. 25 and 26. As shown in FIG. 25, in a conventional design, the frustoconical sieve has a largest diameter of 2501 at the top edge. As shown in the figure, the surface 2501 recycling is flat and is in the same plane with the surface 2502 primary processing. The control surface 2503 is generally parallel to the recycling surface 2501. Thus, the control channel 2504 is horizontal and does not narrow. In the example in FIG. 26, the control surface 2601 slopes downward and forms a constriction in the control channel 2602. Because the control surface 2601 is sloped downward and the recycling surface 2603 is flat, the resulting control channel is tapered and has a narrow outlet 2604 and a wide inlet 2605.

As shown in FIG. 27-31, the lower end 2700 of the loading tube 201 may be formed with a group of spaced apart elements, referred to as teeth 2702. In the example of FIG. 27, these teeth are undulating and comprise alternating convex and concave portions 2703, 2704. Preferably, the locking element, plate or rib 2705, should have a bottom edge 2706 coinciding with the lowest portion of the convex portion of the circumferentially arranged teeth. This provides maximum structural support for the locking element 2705 and allows it to be placed as low as possible in the loading tube. As shown in FIG. 28, the serrated portion 2700 of the loading tube 2701 is housed within a serrated cutting ring 2801 that is integral with the grating disc and sieve assembly 2802. In preferred embodiments, the serrated cutting ring 2801 extends upward from the grating wheel 2803 and is sized to freely rotate adjacent (eg, 1-1.5 mm) the serrated bottom end of the loading tube 2700. During rotation of the grating wheel assembly 2802 and screens pulp and juice pass through the teeth 2700, 2801 and are processed, cut or softened by the action of the rotating ring 2801 relative to the fixed teeth of the loading tube 2700. rings 2801.

As shown in FIG. 29-31, the teeth 2901 may be square, rectangular or straight, undulating or sawtooth. As shown in FIG. 30, the teeth at the bottom of the loading tube 3001 are similar in size and shape to the teeth on the rotating gear ring 3002. The area on the grating wheel 3003 may be free of grating teeth or other features to provide proper vertical clearance for the bottom edge of the loading tube teeth 2901, 3001.

As shown in FIG. 31(a), (b) and (c), the teeth may have a number of different shapes. In FIG. 31(a), the teeth are sawtooth teeth 3101 having truncated tops 3102. The leading edge 3103 and trailing edge 3104 of an individual tooth may be formed at different angles. As shown in FIG. 31(b), the teeth 3105 have sides 3106 of equal angles and length, and in this example they have a truncated top 3107 to form a truncated pyramid shape. As shown in FIG. 31(c), each barb has one side edge 3110 that is straight and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the loading tube, and another side edge 3111 that is concave and forms an alternative sawtooth design.

As shown in FIG. 32, a set of through holes or slots 3200 at the lower end of the loading tube 3201 can be used in the same way as the above-described teeth, for example, with reference to FIG. 27-31. In this example, the through holes 3200 are elongated, with each having rounded top and bottom ends 3202, 3203. Otherwise, the equidistant holes 3200 may include a continuous portion 3204 in the region of the locking rib 3205. The set of through holes 3200 may be used in conjunction with a toothed ring or perforated ring 3300 as shown in FIG. 33. The perforated cutting ring 3300 includes a vertical cylindrical wall 3301 in which a series of through holes 3302 are formed that are similar in size and shape to the through holes at the lower end of the loading tube. In this example, the through holes 3302 are elongated and have parallel sides and rounded top and bottom edges 3303, 3304. In some embodiments, the angular distances between the holes 3302 in the ring 3300 are the same as the distances between the holes at the lower end of the loading tube 3200. As shown in FIG. 34, the lower end of the loading tube shown in FIG. 32 may be inserted inside the perforated ring 3300 shown in FIG. 33. As described above, rotation of the perforated ring 3300 relative to the fixed lower end of the loading tube creates a cutting action in the gap between the loading tube and the ring. It should be appreciated that although in the examples of FIG. 32-34 show a conventional truncated cone sieve, the same design can be used for an inverted truncated cone sieve.

As shown in FIG. 35, the frustoconical inverted screen 3500 includes an upper filter frame ring 3501 whose inner edge 3502 defines a circular opening to receive the lower end of the loading tube. The inverted screen 3500 also includes a bottom filter frame ring 3503 having a hard edge 3504. The perforated screen 3505 extends between the upper filter frame ring 3501 and the lower filter frame ring 3503. The top of the sieve 3505 and the top ring 3501 of the filter frame rise above the grating disk 3506 and are connected to it by a cylindrical frame 3507, optionally with vertical supports 3508. Through holes 3509 between the supports 3508 allow the juice and pulp to be ejected in the direction of the sieve 3505.

As shown in FIG. 36, the bottom end of the loading tube 3601 extends beyond the top ring 3501 of the filter frame. The teeth or slots 3602 at the lower end of the loading tube rest on a toothed or slotted ring 3603 which is part of the grating disc and sieve assembly.

As shown in FIG. 37 and 38, an inverted truncated-cone sieve assembly 3700 with or without features such as a recycling surface 3701, a control channel 3702, or the aforementioned notched or grooved ring 3801 design can be combined in a centrifugal juicer with a collecting chamber 3703. juice having tapered sidewalls 3704 or sidewalls 3704 in the shape of a truncated cone. In the examples in FIG. 37 and 38, the frustoconical side walls 3704 of the juice collecting chamber 3703 form an annular chute 3705. A juice outlet spout 3706 is formed on the top portion of the frustoconical wall 3704 of the juice collecting chamber 3703. The airflow within the juice collecting chamber 3703 resulting from the rotation of the grating disc and sieve assembly 3700 drives the contents of the juice collecting chamber 3703 in an upward direction along the frustoconical wall of the chamber 3704. Thus, juice reaching the upper edge 3703 of the frustoconical wall 3704 of the juice collecting chamber 3703 will flow into and be dispensed from the spout 3706. Using the air flow within the juice collection chamber 3703 to lift the juice against gravity into the elevated spout 3706 allows a tall vessel to be placed under the spout 3706. In this way, more juice is collected than would otherwise be expected.

As shown in FIG. 39, a conventional frustoconical screen 3901 can also be combined with a juice collecting chamber 3902 having a tapered sidewall 3903 or a frustoconical sidewall 3903. As shown in FIG. 37 and 38, the outlet spout 3904 is adjacent to the upper edge 3905 of the side wall 3903 of the juice collecting chamber, thereby providing an increased ability to collect juice. In the example in FIG. 39, spout 3904 is located approximately at the same level as the top edge of frustoconical screen 3901.

As shown in FIG. 40 and 41, the individual teeth 4000 on the grating wheel 4001 are formed by cutting a tool 4002 into the top surface 4003 of the wheel 4001. The cutting of the tool into the wheel creates the effect of lifting the tooth 4000. The tool 4002 also creates a notch 4004 in the wheel. The recess portion 4005 creates a recess in the front surface 4006 of the tooth 4000. The recess also forms a pocket 4007 below and in front of the front surface 4006 of the tooth. As shown in FIG. 41, the end of the tooth 4000 includes an outer edge 4009, an inner edge 4006, and a tooth tip 4008 therebetween.

Each tooth has a longitudinal axis 3100 that passes through the top 4008 of the tooth. The longitudinal axis is directed tangentially to the circle of rotation of the tooth, as shown in FIG. 42(a). However, favorable results in terms of juicing efficiency and separation of unwanted dietary fibers, etc. can be obtained by tilting or rotating the longitudinal axis of the teeth to either side of the tangent. As shown in FIG. 42(b), the longitudinal axis 4100 is rotated clockwise (when looking at the tooth from above). The tooth in Fig. 42(a) is regarded as facing outward, i.e. the front recess 4005 of the tooth faces more towards the outer edge of the disc than a conventional tangentially oriented tooth. The inwardly facing teeth are shown in Fig. 43, with the longitudinal axis inclined such that the front recesses face the center of rotation of the disc more than conventional tangentially oriented teeth.

In a typical orientation, the inner and outer edges are in contact with the product being juiced at approximately the same time. With regard to the outward-facing tooth, the inner edge 4006 comes into contact slightly before the outer edge 4009. Thus, the inner edge is considered as the leading edge of the outward-facing tooth, and the outer edge is considered as the trailing edge of the tooth.

With regard to the inward-facing tooth, the outer edge 4009 comes into contact slightly before the inner edge 4006. Thus, the outer edge of the inward-facing tooth is considered as the leading edge, and the inner edge is considered as the trailing edge of the tooth.

As shown in FIG. 43, individual teeth 4300 on either of the virgin or recycled surfaces 4301, 4302, or both of these surfaces together may be oriented inward, i.e. facing radially inward toward the center of rotation of the 4304 grating wheel. It will be appreciated that reorientation of the teeth inward or outward is best utilized by having all the teeth on the 4304 grating wheel similarly orientated. or all teeth on a grater disk having teeth. The manner in which the individual prongs are formed is regarded as conventional in contrast to the manner in which the prongs are oriented so that they face inward or outward.

As shown in FIG. 44, the flat grating wheel 4401 has inwardly facing cutting teeth 4402. In this example, the teeth are arranged in 12 main linear and generally radial rows 4403. Each row continues from the innermost tooth 4404, which is adjacent to the central corer knife 4405 , to the outer tooth 4406, which is adjacent to the perimeter 4407 of the outer surface of the disc. In addition, in this example, a pair of intermediate teeth 4408 are provided between adjacent main rows 4402. The above 12 intermediate pairs are adjacent to the aforementioned perimeter 4407.

As shown in FIG. 45, the centrifugal juicer 4500 has a grater disk 4501 which is attached to and supported by the upper rim 4502 of the frustoconical inverted sieve 4503. The sieve 4503 is surrounded by a fixed ring 4504 to collect the juice. In this example, the juice collecting ring 4504 comprises a generally cylindrical lower section 4505 and an upper or tapering portion 4506. The lower edge 4507 of the juice collecting ring is adjacent to the lowermost edge 4508 of the sieve. The annular gap 4509 between the sieve and the juice collection ring allows the pulp to fall into the interior 4510 of the pulp collection chamber 4510. The juice that is ejected through the sieve is transported up the sloped walls 4506 of the upper section by the speed of the ejected juice, together with the air movement created by the rotation of the grater disc and sieve. The squeezed juice moves over the upper edge 4512 of the juice collecting ring and flows into an annular trough 4513 which surrounds the upper edge of the juice collecting ring. In this example, the chute 4513 has an inclined bottom 4514 with the top point 4515 of the bottom of the chute diametrically opposed to the juicer's dispensing spout 4516. Thus, the juice that is collected in the trough 4513 will flow to and from the spout 4516. In this example, the bottom point of the inner side 4517 spout is aligned with the lowest part 4518 of the gutter. In this example, the juice collection ring and the annular trough are formed in one piece. The lowermost inner surface 4517 of the spout is located vertically above the grater disk and closer to the upper edge 4512 of the juice collection ring than to the bottom edge 4507.

As shown in FIG. 46, the juice collecting chamber 4600 is in the shape of a bowl that includes at the top a spout 4601 adjacent to the upper edge 4602 of the juice collecting chamber 4600. grating disc located inside the juice collecting chamber to the motor located below the juice collecting chamber. The area at the base of the collar 4603 defines the bottom 4605 of the juice collection chamber. A helical ramp 4606 extends from the bottom 4605 to the top spout 4601. The wall thickness of the juice collecting chamber around the spout is increased and the ramp 4606 could extend inside the spout 4601 in a direction 4607 that is transverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 4608 of the spout 4601. wall thickness provides an inlet or support for the flow entering the spout in the form of approximately a half-cylinder 4609 having a length corresponding to approximately the wall thickness 461 in the region of the spout 4608.

As shown in FIG. 47, the effective radius of the ramp 4606 (measured from the center line of rotation of the grater disc 4701) can be increased by forming a boss 4702 in the side wall of the juice collecting chamber. Increasing the working radius of the helical ramp 4606 helps to reduce the speed of the juice before it enters the spout 4601.

As shown in FIG. 48 and 49, the juice collecting chamber 4800 may have a side wall that increases in thickness on both sides of the top spout 4801. In this example, side wall thickness increase on both sides 4802, 4803 of the top spout 4801 (4902 in FIG. 49) provides several benefits. Firstly, the width of the helical ramp 4804 is increased, in particular in the area of the spout 4801. Secondly, the width of the semi-cylindrical inlet 4805 inside the spout 4801 is increased. should be closer to the truncated cone sieve 4902 than other interior surfaces 4903 of the juice collecting chamber. By locating areas of the inner surface 4904 (which are adjacent to the spout 4801) that should be located adjacent to the outer surface of the sieve 4902, recirculation is limited. After surviving, the juice will generally only make one full rotation on the inside of the juice collection chamber before being forced out of the spout by the helical ramp 4804. FIG. 49 also shows that the juice chamber has on its underside a mounting ring 4905 with one or more downwardly facing vertical projections 4906 which facilitate the installation of the juice chamber into a juicer, as is well known in the art.

In FIG. 51 shows a juice collecting chamber 5000 having an upwardly tangentially oriented spout 5001. In this example, the longitudinal axis 5002 of the spout is tangent to a circle 5003 which describes the path of the juice circulating within the juice collecting chamber. This results in an elliptical or oval inlet 5004 having a larger total inlet area than the radially extending nozzles shown, for example, in FIG. 1, 46, and 48. In preferred embodiments, the spout 5001 is inclined downward with respect to the horizontal, and in particular with respect to the horizontal plane in which the edge 5101 of the juice collection chamber lies. In this example, the nose is essentially cylindrical, although it can be tapered in either of two directions. It should be appreciated that the tangentially oriented spout 5001 shown in FIG. 50 may have a longitudinal axis 5005 offset laterally but considered to be tangent to the shape of the juice collection chamber and the flow of liquid within that chamber.

As shown in FIG. 52, the juice collection chamber 5200 may include an outlet spout 5201 having an inlet 5202 and a main portion 5203 that are tangential to the direction of flow, and may also include a bend 5204 that allows a radially directed inlet 5205 to be obtained. In this example, the spout ends at a circular outlet 5205 which is perpendicular to a radius 5206 extending towards the center of the juice collecting chamber. Accordingly, the spout has an inlet portion which is tangential and an outlet portion which is radial. Spout 5203 preferably slopes downward for ease of dispensing.

As shown in FIG. 53, the juice collecting chamber 5300 has an upwardly oriented, tangentially tapered spout 5301. This spout tapers from a maximum area at the tangential inlet 5302 to a minimum area at the outlet 5303. It is believed that narrowing the spout to a small area causes increase in pressure and turbulence in the discharged air stream. This makes it relatively difficult to release air without unduly disturbing the release of liquid from the inside of the juice collecting chamber. As a result, the finished juice juice will have less foam at a high intensity of juicing. In this example, outlet 5303 is circular, but may have other shapes.

In the example in FIG. 54, the juice collecting chamber 5400 includes an upwardly oriented, tangentially oriented outlet spout 5401 that has an oval or elliptical cross section and an oval or elliptical outlet 5402. In this example, the shape of the outlet 5402 is substantially constant across the sectional area, and along the longitudinal axis 5404 of the outlet 5401 shows the protrusion of the inlet 5403. The increased cross-sectional area of the outlet 5402 provides less pressure inside the spout, allowing the juice to more easily exit the juice collection chamber.

As shown in FIG. 55, the juice collecting chamber 5500 may combine a tangentially oriented spout 5501 with a helical ramp 5502 of the kind shown in FIG. 46 - 49. In this example, the helical ramp 5502 extends from the bottom of the bottommost portion of the inner side 5503 of the juice collection chamber to the inlet 5504 of the spout 5501. Essentially, the juice conveyed along the helical ramp 5502 will flow into the spout 5501 in a longitudinal direction. direction, and not in the transverse direction, as shown, for example, in Fig. 46 and 48.

As shown in FIG. 56 and 57, an additional spout 5601 can be removably mounted on the outlet spout 5600. The additional spout 5601 is preferably formed from an elastomeric polymer and can be attached to or removed from the juice collection chamber spout 5600 without the use of a tool. In particular, when the speed of squeezed juice and air at the outlet is high, the additional spout 5601 creates turbulence in the air flow and reduces the speed of the juice at the outlet, as well as changes its direction. As shown in FIG. 56, the additional spout 5601 is generally L-shaped with a downward outlet 5602, which is most convenient for pouring juice into the glass 5603.

As shown in FIG. 57, the accessory spout 5601 includes an inlet insert portion 5602 that is surrounded by an outer cuff 5602. An annular groove 5604 is formed between the cuff 5603 and the inlet insert 5602. In this embodiment, the outer wall 5605 of the groove includes a series of longitudinal ribs 5606. The groove 5604 is placed over the end of the chamber nose. to collect juice, and the ribs 5606 provide extra grip and friction to better hold the extra spout on the juicer's main spout 5600. In this example, the maximum cross-sectional area of the inlet insert 5602 is partially occupied by baffle 5607. The baffle occupies approximately the top half of the maximum accessible cross-section of the opening of the insert, thereby forming a generally semi-circular bottom opening 5608 through which juice can flow into and out of the accessory spout. from the outlet 5609. The change in direction caused by the bend 5610 in the shape of the spout and the flow path reduces the velocity of the juice at the outlet. Reducing the surface area of the outlet with baffle 5607 also reduces the rate at which juice is discharged from the spout. In preferred embodiments, the longitudinal axis 5611 of the lower portion of the additional spout is vertical and the outlet 5609 is perpendicular to the axis 5611. This provides a generally vertical juice outlet. The vertical juice outlet is particularly useful when the user dispenses the squeezed juice into a glass, cup or mug with an open top.

It will be appreciated that in the above examples of a juice collection chamber including helical or helical ramps, instead of the ramp, one or more grooves in the inner surface of the juice collection chamber may be used. All or part of the inner surface of the juice collection chamber may also be coated to provide a non-tacky surface, such as a fluoropolymer (PTFE) or silicone or sol-gel coating if the juice collection chamber is metal.

While the present invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

In this context, unless otherwise indicated, the use of ordinal numbers "first", "second", "third", etc. to describe a general subject means only references to various examples of similar items and does not mean that the items described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in a classification, or in any other respect.

Reference throughout the description to "an embodiment" or "example" means that a particular element, structure, or feature described with reference to an embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the expressions "in an embodiment" or "in an example" in various places throughout the present description need not refer to the same embodiment or example, but such a case is possible. In addition, specific elements, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art from the present disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

Likewise, it should be appreciated that in the above description of illustrative embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in one embodiment, drawing or description for the purpose of simplifying the description and better understanding of one or more different aspects of the invention. However, this mode of description should not be construed as depicting the invention, since the claimed invention provides for more features than are expressly stated in each claim. Preferably, as can be seen from the following claims, aspects of the invention are not reflected in all the distinctive features of a particular embodiment described above. Claims following the Detailed Description are expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, each claim being a standalone claim and representing a separate embodiment of the present invention.

Furthermore, while some of the embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, it is contemplated that combinations of features of the various embodiments fall within the scope of the invention and form the various embodiments as intended. be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the claims below, any of the claimed embodiments may be used in any combination.

Thus, while preferred embodiments of the present invention are believed to have been described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other and subsequent modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended that all such changes and modifications should be within the scope of the present invention.

While the present invention has been described with reference to specific structural elements, these elements are presented by way of example and not limitation on the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims (21)

1. Device for squeezing juice from fruits and vegetables, containing: a juice collection chamber having an annular side wall; a loading tube communicating with the juice collection chamber; a grating disk located below the loading tube and between the loading tube and the juice collection chamber; a truncated cone-shaped sieve located between the grater disk and the juice collection chamber, the truncated cone-shaped sieve being located such that it tapers from the smallest diameter at the bottom edge to the largest diameter at the top edge; and spout for discharging juice from the juice collecting chamber, wherein the juice discharging spout is located on the side wall adjacent to the juice collecting chamber and vertically above the grating disc, so that in response to the rotation of the grating disc, the juice is forced through the sieve and hits against the side wall, going up and out and into the juice spout. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the annular sidewall is an upwardly and outwardly inclined frustoconical sidewall, and wherein the juice spout is located near the upper edge of the frustoconical sidewall. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pulp collection chamber below the frustoconical screen, wherein an annular gap exists between the frustoconical screen and the lower section of the side wall to allow the pulp to fall into the pulp collection chamber. 4. The apparatus of claim. 3, wherein the lower section of the side wall surrounding the gap has a cylindrical section. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the juice spout includes an annular chute surrounding an upper edge of the side wall. 6. The device according to claim 5, in which the chute has an inclined bottom with the upper point of the bottom of the chute diametrically opposed to the juice spout. 7. The apparatus of claim. 1, wherein the lowermost inner surface of the juice spout is located vertically closer to the upper edge of the side wall than to the lower edge. 8. Apparatus according to claim. 1, in which the grating disk is attached to the upper rim of the sieve in the form of a truncated cone and is supported by this rim. 9. The device according to claim 1, in which: the grating disc has a primary processing surface having a working radius that is the same as the inner radius of the loading tube, and a secondary processing surface that is located radially outside the primary processing surface; the lower end of the loading tube forms a control surface; and the recycling surface and the control surface form a control channel. 10. The device according to claim. 9, in which the control channel has the shape of a truncated cone. 11. The device according to claim 10, in which the control channel is directed perpendicular to the sieve. 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the control surface extends radially outward from the outer surface of the loading tube. 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the control surface extends radially outward and downward.

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