WO2006058944A1

WO2006058944A1 - Single-use fruit-squeezing container and corresponding methods and device

Info

Publication number: WO2006058944A1
Application number: PCT/ES2005/000648
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francesc Xavier Bonada Tenas; Pablo Alcalde
Original assignee: Francesc Xavier Bonada Tenas; Pablo Alcalde
Priority date: 2004-12-02
Filing date: 2005-11-30
Publication date: 2006-06-08
Also published as: ES2229957B1; ES2229957A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a single-use fruit-squeezing container and to the corresponding device and methods. The inventive container, which comprises a base (7) and an upper opening, defines a longitudinal axis (9). The container also includes: a squeezing chamber in which the fruit (11) to be squeezed is placed, a filtering surface comprising liquid outlets (25), and a cover (1) comprising a support zone (3). According to the invention, the cover (1) can be moved along the longitudinal axis (9) by applying an external force against the support zone (3), such as to reduce the volume of the squeezing chamber. Fruit is squeezed by applying an external force on the cover (1) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (9), using a device comprising a rod and a support (35) that can support the container.

Description

CONTAINER OF ONE USE ONLY FOR THE EXPRESS OF FRUIT AND CORRESPONDING PROCEDURES AND DEVICE

DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a single-use container for squeezing fruit having a bottom and an upper opening and defining a longitudinal axis.

The invention also relates to a process for preparing a fruit juice, a method of manufacturing a container according to the invention and a device for squeezing fruit.

State of the art

There are machines and devices on the market for obtaining fruit juice, which allow the consumer to supply freshly squeezed fruit juice. This type of machines, which can be both manual and automatic, always consist of obtaining the juice through the direct contact of the piece of fruit to be squeezed with some element of the machine that presses, crushes and / or crushes the fruit . However, these types of machines have several drawbacks, in particular related to cleaning and maintenance. It is necessary to constantly eliminate waste in the form of pulp, seeds, skin and other elements that inevitably become general and, if not removed, would end up preventing the production of juice. This requires frequent manual cleaning. In addition there is the added disadvantage of the possible fermentation of the waste, with the consequent deterioration of the flavor and the quality of the juice obtained, which makes frequent manual cleaning more necessary. On the other hand, the elements of the machine in direct contact with the fruit and the juice obtained must be able to withstand a relatively corrosive environment and, simultaneously, must be made of materials suitable for the food industry.

Summary of the invention

The object of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks. This purpose is achieved by a single-use container for squeezing fruit of the type indicated at the beginning characterized in that it comprises a squeezing chamber containing fruit prepared to be squeezed, a filtering surface with liquid exit holes and a lid with a support area, where the lid is apt to be displaced along the longitudinal axis of the container by an external force applied on the support area so that the volume of the squeezing chamber is reduced.

Indeed, the container according to the invention allows the fruit to be squeezed in a clean way, since the residues generated by the process of obtaining the juice remain inside the container, which is for a single use and which, therefore , is replaced by another new container, also filled with fruit, to make a new squeeze. On the other hand, practically no part of the machine is in contact with the corrosive environment, possibly with the exception of a rod that displaces the lid. Therefore, the squeezing machine is also very simplified from the maintenance point of view. That is, the basic idea of the invention consists of a container that contains inside the fruit to be squeezed and that is simultaneously the container container of the fruit for sale and distribution, the squeezed chamber for obtaining the juice, and the waste container (pulp, nuggets, skin, etc.). In addition, the container allows to distribute the fruit already expressly prepared for its subsequent squeezing: it can be adequately cleaned, it can be peeled, pitted, chopped, it can be formed by combining different types of fruit in the same container to form mixed juices, etc. Optionally the same container can serve as a glass from which the juice can be consumed. On the other hand it facilitates the obtaining of juices that normally cannot be made in a simple way in private homes or in public places such as bars, cafes or hotels. Thus, most fruit juicers are basically citrus oriented, for example oranges. However, the container according to the invention can be filled with a wide variety of fruits, such as grapes, peaches, pears, melon, plums, etc., as well as any mixture thereof.

Preferably the bottom has a conical outer surface, and advantageously the bottom additionally has an outer surface with lower anchoring means. Indeed, the conical bottom better resists the efforts to which the container will be subjected during the squeezing of the fruit. On the other hand, the external anchoring means allow the container to be fixed to a support of the machine responsible for exerting the compression force by means of the appropriate rod. Advantageously, the rod performs a turning movement while performing a movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis to compress the fruit, thus transmitting a pair of forces to the lid of the container that causes it to move through a helical movement. In this case the lower anchoring means also serve so that the container does not rotate around its longitudinal axis. Preferably, the lower anchoring means are radially arranged partitions that simultaneously act as reinforcing ribs. In this way, these partitions fulfill the double function of serving as lower anchoring means and further reinforcing the bottom of the container.

Advantageously, the container according to the invention is at least partially transparent. This allows to fulfill a double function, on the one hand of a technical type, in the sense that it allows an ocular inspection of its contents to detect possible problems, and on the other hand a function of a commercial type, since for the possible buyer it can be particularly attractive to see the fruit contained in the container.

Preferably, the support area comprises upper anchoring means suitable for a couple of forces to be applied in the direction of the longitudinal axis. - TO -

Indeed, as already mentioned above it is advantageous that the displacement of the lid is a helical movement. To properly transmit the torque of the rod or punch of the machine to the lid, it is convenient that the lid comprises upper anchoring means in its upper support area. Advantageously, these upper anchoring means are second radially extending partitions, preferably in the form of a cross, although another suitable alternative is to provide a cross-shaped groove in the support area. In the latter case, the rod or punch will have a tip similar to a Phillips screwdriver.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is obtained when the filtering surface is in the lid. In this case, the juice squeezed out through these holes and remains in the container, but above the lid. This allows the juice to be served through the upper opening of the container to a glass, and even allows the container itself to be used as a glass. Advantageously, the liquid outlet holes arranged in the lid are elongated and curved, forming circumference arcs. This reduces the risk that the filter is obtained by the pulp and other waste of the medium squeezed fruit.

Preferably, the lid has ribs on its inner face that reinforce it. These nerves can be radial and, eventually, of increasing height between a minimum value in the periphery of the lid (in order to reduce friction against the side walls of the container) to a maximum value in the center of the lid. Alternatively, the lid may have partitions that extend circumferentially and serve to aid in the crushing of the fruit.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention is obtained when the filtering surface is in the opposite part of the upper opening and defines the lower part of the squeezing chamber. "Opposite part" should be understood not strictly the bottom of the container, but in general the whole area of the container that is in the lower part, that is, the bottom, the section of the side walls, or both at the same time. Among other things, this solution allows for a larger filtering surface, which facilitates filtering and reduces the risk of filtering surface It is clogged by the waste of the fruit half-squeezed. Advantageously, the squeezing chamber has a cylindrical side wall and the filtering surface is in the lower part of the cylindrical side wall. In this case it is particularly interesting that the container comprises an outer side wall that encloses the cylindrical side wall, that is, that the bottom part of the container has a double wall, and that the bottom has an outlet opening. In this way the squeezed juice passes through the cylindrical side wall, which comprises the filtering surface, and flows between the cylindrical side wall and the outer side wall downwards, to exit through the outlet opening arranged at the bottom . In this way, the squeezed juice can be collected in a glass or jar arranged below the container. In this embodiment of the invention it is also particularly advantageous for the lid to have rib-shaped ribs on its inner face, which facilitates the operation of crushing and squeezing of the fruit.

The object of the invention is also a process for preparing a fruit juice characterized in that it comprises the steps of positioning a container according to the invention in a support, and [b] application of an external force in the direction of the longitudinal axis on the container lid Preferably the procedure includes, at the stage of applying a force, the simultaneous application of a moment of forces or pair of forces in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

The object of the invention is also a method of manufacturing a container according to the invention, characterized in that it comprises the steps of [a] selection and preparation of the fruit to be squeezed, [b] introduction of the fruit into the chamber of squeezed from a container according to the invention, and [c] positioned from the lid of the container.

The container according to the invention is a container containing the fruit inside and serving as a single-use squeeze chamber (that is, it is not reusable). However, it requires a machine or device capable of moving the lid inwards so that fruit squeezing takes place. By Io therefore, another object of the invention is a device for squeezing fruit characterized in that it comprises a rod suitable for carrying out a compression force and for being applied on the support area of a container according to the invention, and a support suitable for hold the bowl The device for the squeezing is, therefore, of great simplicity, with few moving parts and simple to clean and maintain. Preferably the rod comprises a head that has upper anchoring means corresponding to the upper anchoring means of the container lid. It is also advantageous that the support has lower anchoring means corresponding to the lower anchoring means of the container.

In the case that the container has an outlet opening in its bottom, as in the case of one of the preferred embodiments described above, then it is convenient that the support has a passage opening that allows the passage of the liquid from the Ia outlet opening, and that the device has a space below the outlet opening suitable to accommodate a conventional vessel, a jug or the like.

In principle, the container according to the invention (as well as the corresponding squeezing device) can be of any size, however it is particularly interesting that it is of reduced size, so that it can be manually manipulated and so that the juice obtained is in a such amount that can be consumed immediately. Thus, the volume of the container is advantageously such that it contains the amount of fruit suitable to obtain a maximum of 5 liters of juice. This size may be of fruit interest for establishments such as hotels, where there is a relatively high consumption of juices (for example, orange juice during breakfast hours). The amount of fruit needed to obtain 5 liters of juice will vary from one fruit to another, but it can be determined by a person skilled in the art in a simple way for each type of fruit determined. Approximately it can be assumed that it will be necessary to provide a maximum volume of the container of about 10 liters. These volumes are maximum volumes in the sense that if they are larger they are already complex to manipulate manually. Another preferred size of the container is that which allows Get about a liter of juice. This volume is a volume that can be of interest in a large number of applications, both in hotels, restaurants and bars and at the domestic level, for families, etc. Finally, another size of great interest is that which allows obtaining a volume of juice less than or equal to 0.33 liters (and particularly less than or equal to 0.20 liters), which corresponds approximately to the volume consumed by a person. In this case the container is an individual container, and allows obtaining the necessary juice for each person at the precise moment in which he wishes to consume it.

Brief description of the drawings

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention can be seen from the following description, in which, without any limitation, preferred embodiments of the invention are mentioned, mentioning the accompanying drawings. The figures show:

Fig. 1, a side elevational view, partially sectioned, of a first embodiment of a container according to the invention, together with the rod and lower anchoring means of a device for squeezing fruit according to Ia invention.

Fig. 2A, a view of a cross section of the lid of the container of Fig. 1.

Fig. 2B ₁ a top plan view of the lid of Fig. 2A.

Fig. 3, a view of a cross section of the container of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4, a schematic sequence of the manufacturing and manufacturing process of a fruit juice according to the invention with the container of Fig. 1

Fig. 5A, a bottom plan view of the container of Fig. 5B. Fig. 5B, a side elevational view, partially sectioned of a second embodiment of a container according to the invention.

Fig. 5C, a top plan view of the container of Fig. 5B.

Fig. 6A, a bottom plan view of the lid of Fig. 6B.

Fig. 6B, a side elevational view, partially sectioned, of a second embodiment of a cover according to the invention.

Fig. 6C, a top plan view of the lid of Fig. 6B.

Fig. 7A, a bottom plan view of the container of Fig. 7B.

Fig. 7B, a side elevational view, partially sectioned of a third embodiment of a container according to the invention, without the outer side surface.

Fig. 7C, a top plan view of the container of Fig. 7B.

Fig. 8A, a bottom plan view of the outer side surface of the container of Fig. 7B.

Fig. 8B, a side elevational view, partially sectioned, of the outer lateral surface of the container of Fig. 7B,

Fig. 8C ₁ a top plan view of the outer side surface of the container of Figure 7B.

Fig. 9A, a bottom plan view of the lid of Fig. 9B. Fig. 9B, a side elevational view, partially sectioned, of a third embodiment of a lid according to the invention, suitable for the container of Fig. 7B.

Fig. 9C, a top plan view of the lid of Fig. 9B.

Fig. 10, a partial cross section of the container of Fig. 7B, complete.

Fig. 11, a partial cross section of the container of Fig. 10 including fruit pieces.

Fig. 12, a schematic sequence of the manufacturing and manufacturing process of a fruit juice according to the invention with the container of Fig. 11.

Detailed description of some embodiments of the invention

Figures 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the invention. The container according to the invention has a lid 1 disposed in the upper opening of the container, which has a support area 3 on which a rod 5 of the machine or device for squeezing fruit according to the invention will exert pressure. . The lid 1 is suitable for being moved along the side wall of the container towards the bottom 7 thereof along the longitudinal axis 9 of the container. As has been argued above, the rod 5 may impede a pure translation movement to the lid 1 or a helical movement thereto. In the case of printing a pure translation movement, the side wall of the container can be cylindrical or prismatic, in principle with any cross section. However, it is preferably of circular cross-section, since in this case the rod 5 can subject the lid 1 to a helical displacement, it is even possible the existence of two families of devices or machines squeezed on the market, one of they that only perform a pure translation movement and the other that performs a simultaneous translation and rotation movement. Inside the container is the fruit 11. The container is placed on lower anchoring means 13 provided in the device for squeezing fruit, which are complementary to its own lower anchoring means 15. The lower anchoring means 15 of the The container consists of partitions 17 arranged radially which, simultaneously, act as reinforcing ribs. The bottom 7 is conical.

The support area 3 of the lid 1 also has upper anchoring means 19 complementary to the upper anchoring means 21 of the handle rod 5 that can transmit a pair of forces from the rod 5 to the lid 1, thus achieving perform the helical movement. The upper anchoring means 19 of the cover 1 are second partitions 23 that extend radially in the form of a cross.

The lid 1 has liquid outlet holes 25 so that the lid 1 defines a filtering surface through which the squeezed juice will come out, which will thus be contained in the upper part of the container. From there it can be served in a jar, glass or similar, or the container itself can be used as a glass. The inner face of the lid 1 also has reinforcing ribs.

In Fig. 4 the whole process according to the invention is schematically shown. In the first place, the fruit 11 is introduced inside the container and the lid 1 is placed closing the container. The lid 1 may have a removable outer sheet that seals the container in a sealed manner for later transport and distribution. When it is desired to make a juice, the container is positioned in the lower anchoring means 13 of the fruit squeezing device and the rod 5 is lowered until it comes into contact with the support area 3 of the lid 1. From there, the rod 5 subjects the lid 1 to a displacement (preferably simultaneous with a turn or a helical movement) which causes the squeezing of the fruit 11 and the exit of the juice through the liquid outlet orifices 25 arranged in the lid 1. At the end of the squeezing stage the pulp remains and other debris will remain inside the container, between the lid 1 and the bottom 7. The juice is above the lid 1 and ready for later consumption. In Figs. 5 and 6 another embodiment of the invention is shown, which is a variant of the container shown in Figs. 1 to 4. In the present solution both the inner face of the lid 1 and the inner face of the bottom 7 have ribs 27 in the form of an arc of circumference whose objective is to facilitate the slicing and squeezing of the fruit 11 arranged inside the container. Other differences are that the liquid outlet orifices 25 are round and that the upper anchoring means 19 arranged in the support area 3 of the lid 1 are a cross-shaped groove.

A third embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 7 to 12. In this case the container has a lid 1 without liquid outlet holes 25, which are arranged in the opposite part of the upper opening of the container, specifically in the lower part of the cylindrical side wall 29. Externally to this cylindrical side wall 29 there is an outer side wall 31 that wraps around and comprising an outlet opening 33 at its bottom. In this way, the juice squeezed through the cylindrical side wall 29 flows through the intermediate space between the cylindrical side wall 29 and the outer side wall 31 until it exits through the outlet opening 33. In this specific embodiment both the inner face of the bottom 7 and the inner face of the lid 1 have ribs 27 in the form of an arc of circumference that serve mainly to facilitate the cutting and squeezing of the fruit 11. In addition, the lid 1 has a cross groove in its support zone 3.

Figure 12 shows again the sequence of the process according to the invention, with a container such as that shown in Figures 7 to 11. As differences with respect to the procedure shown in Figure 4, it is worth noting the fact that the support 35 of the device for the fruit squeeze it also has a hole that faces the outlet opening 33 of the container, under which a glass is placed in which the squeezed juice will be collected.

Claims

1.- Single-use container for squeezing fruit, which has a bottom (7) and an upper opening and defines a longitudinal axis (9), characterized in that it comprises a squeezing chamber containing fruit (11) prepared for to be squeezed out, a filtering surface with liquid outlet holes (25) and a cover (1) with a support area (3), where said cover (1) is suitable for being moved along said longitudinal axis (9) by an external force applied on said support zone (3) so that the volume of said squeeze chamber is reduced.

2. A container according to claim 1, characterized in that said bottom (7) has a conical outer surface.

3. A container according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said bottom (7) has an outer surface with lower anchoring means (15).

4. Container according to claim 3, characterized in that said lower anchoring means (15) are radially arranged partitions (17) that simultaneously act as reinforcing ribs.

5. Container according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is at least partially transparent.

6. Container according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said support area (3) comprises upper anchoring means (19) suitable for a pair of forces to be applied in the direction of said longitudinal axis (9) .

7. Container according to claim 6, characterized in that said upper anchoring means (19) are second partitions (23) that extend radially, preferably in the form of a cross.

8. Container according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said filtering surface is in said lid (1).

9. Container according to claim 8, characterized in that said lid (1) has radial ribs on its inner face.

10. Container according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that said liquid outlet orifices (25) are elongated and curved, forming circumferential sands.

11. Container according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said filtering surface is in the opposite part of said upper opening and defines the lower part of said squeezing chamber.

12. Container according to claim 11, characterized in that said squeezing chamber has a cylindrical side wall (29) and said filtering surface is in the lower part of said cylindrical side wall (29).

13. Container according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises an outer side wall (31) that surrounds said cylindrical side wall (29), and that it comprises an outlet opening (33) in said bottom (7).

14. Container according to any of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that said lid (1) has ribs (27) in the form of an arc of circumference in its inner face.

15. Process for preparing a fruit juice characterized in that it comprises the steps of positioning a container according to any of claims 1 to 14 on a support, and [b] applying an external force in the direction of said longitudinal axis (9 ) on said cover (1).

16, - Method according to claim 15, characterized in that in said step of applying a force a couple of forces are applied simultaneously in the direction of said longitudinal axis (9).

17. Method of manufacturing a container according to any of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it comprises the steps of [a] selection and preparation of the fruit (11) to be squeezed, [b] introduction of said fruit (11) into The squeezing chamber of a container according to any of claims 1 to 15, and [c] positioning of the lid (1).

18. Device for squeezing fruit characterized in that it comprises a rod suitable for carrying out a compression force and for being applied on the support area (3) of a container according to any of claims 1 to 14, and a support (35 ) suitable for supporting said container.

19. Device according to claim 18, characterized in that said rod comprises a head having upper anchoring means (21) corresponding to the upper anchoring means (19) of the lid (1) of said container.

20. Device according to one of claims 18 or 19, characterized in that said support (35) has lower anchoring means (13) corresponding to the lower anchoring means (13) of said container.

21. Device according to any of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that said support has a passage opening that allows the passage of liquid from said outlet opening (33), and that said device has a space below said outlet opening (33) suitable to accommodate a conventional vessel.