Juice Extraction Machine

Abstract

Improvements to a juice extraction machine, particularly a commercial-scale fruit juice extraction machine that is extremely light and compact for very easy handling and transportation, which is noteworthy for its unusual construction configuration that includes, among other items, a swing-lidded waste-bin on its front whose walls are close to the peeler cups when closed, allowing easy removal of wastes such as pith, pulp and peel when open, The invention comprises a fruit-rack sub-set (1) with a curved concave cross-section whose movement is synchronized with the axle (51) that powers the mobile peeler (2), such fruit-rack (1) being attached to the mobile peeler sub-set (2) through slots (3) and with the machine including a cross-spring (4) attached at the bottom of the feeder/dispenser pipe (5), with such cross-spring (4) having a means of activation (6) located on the fruit-rack sub-set (1); the improved machine (M) comprises a swing-lidded waste-bin (7) on its front part, with such swing-lidded waste-bin (7) having substantially semi-circular sides (8) close to the mobile (2) and fixed (2B) peelers and with the mobile peeler (2) connected to a gear-motor sub-set (31) and the fixed peeler (2B) concatenate with the filter and piston sub-set (67) assembled in the fixed peeler (2B).

Claims

1) Improvements to a juice extraction machine, more particularly a juice extraction machine (M) with a mainly metal structure containing a fixed peeler (2B) and a mobile peeler (2) rotated by a gear-motor sub-set (31) with a crank arm (41); the invention contains a flat, level support base (9), with a slot on its front for a drip tray (10), in addition to flat vertical side cowlings (11), rear vertical cowlings (12) and top cowlings (13) that form a top front surface (14) holding the operating buttons or displays, one of which is an emergency button (15), a general switch (16), an on-switch (17), an off-switch (18), and LED indicator lights (19) for peels and (19B) open: immediately above the surface (14) is a cowling (20) with a fruit funnel (21), fitted at the front with a sizer element (22) that controls the maximum and minimum sizes for fruit entering such funnel (21) consisting of a wire element that communicates with the feeder/dispenser (5) in the machine, with this funnel having an entry rim (23) and a cylindrical wire conduit (24) projecting into the machine at a slight slant that is sufficient to allow the fruit to move forward through gravity, wherein comprises a juice extraction machine (M) that consists of a fruit-rack sub-set (1) with curved cross-section whose movement is synchronized with a mobile peeler rotating axle (2), with such fruit-rack (1) being attached to the mobile peeler sub-set (2) through slots (3) and with the machine including a cross-spring (4) attached at the bottom of the feeder/dispenser pipe (5), with such cross-spring (4) having a means of activation (6) located on the fruit-rack sub-set (1); the improved machine (M) comprises a swing-lidded waste-bin (7) on its front part, with such swing-lidded waste-bin (7) having substantially semi-circular sides (8) close to the mobile peeler (2) and fixed peelers (2B) and with the mobile peeler (2) connected to a gear-motor sub-set (31) and the fixed peeler (2B) functioning with the filter and piston sub-set (67).

2) Improvements to a juice extraction machine, according to claim 1, wherein comprises a fruit-rack sub-set (1) containing a base/support (56) that consists of a smooth surface (62) with an elongated cross-section whose center (63) is lowered slightly into a V-shape that forms a concave curve (57); on the top part of the smooth surface (62) there is a rounded cut-out (63B).

3) Improvements to a juice extraction machine, according to claim 1, wherein comprises a cross-spring (4) that runs through the axial cross-section (4B) of the feeder/dispenser (5)

4) Improvements to a juice extraction machine, according to claim 1, wherein comprises semicircular sides (8) of the swing-lidded waste-bin (7) located close to the mobile peeler (2) and the fixed peeler (2B).

5) Improvements to a juice extraction machine, according to claims 1 and 4, wherein comprises a swing-lidded waste-bin (7) having a flange projecting from its transversal rim (36) with a spring-pin locking device (37) that keeps it latched in the closed position, while the front metal sheet (38) is fitted with a handle (39).

6) Improvements to a juice extraction machine, according to claims 1 and 5, wherein comprises a front metal sheet (38) surface with an inverted slant that forms a sloping surface (40) when the swing-lidded waste-bin (7) is in the open position.

7) Improvements to a juice extraction machine, according to claim 1, wherein comprises a gear-motor sub-set (31) on the back of the machine, which is in turn attached to the sheet metal sections base a fixed to the structure (27) of the metal base (9) and the rectangular sheeting sections structure (26).

8) Improvements to a juice extraction machine, according to claims 1 and 7, wherein comprises a crank arm (41) projecting from the upper end of the gear-motor sub-set (31) whose pivoting end (42) is connected to an axle (43) with a pulley (45) that in turn runs through a guide (44) across the machine, with such guide (44) having grooves at the opposite ends to hold the opposing cylindrical axles (46) running through the side metal sheet guides (47) and with the guide (44) supported on the front edges (47B) of the structural part of the machine, with such metal sheet side guides (47) having rectangular dips (48) where the spiral springs work (49) with plastic stoppers (50), whose extended linear movements are limited by the rectangular dips (48); attached to the guide (44) are the opposing parallel pins (51) of the mobile peeler (2), with the opposing parallel axles (51) being fully attached to the guide (44) and running through the structure of the machine on bushings (52) incorporated into the structural metal sheet (53), with such opposing parallel axles (51) extending to the opposite sides of the mobile peeler (2), where they are attached to the diamond-shaped base (53B).

9) Improvements to a juice extraction machine, according to claims 1 and 8, wherein comprises a substantially diamond-shaped base (53B) with opposing vertices along the length of the diamond shape with holes (54) through which the above-mentioned axles run (51): with such base providing the vertical housings (55) that hold the slots (3) of the fruit-rack sub-set (1), with the latter comprising a base/support (56) that is curved (57) with a radius is larger than that of the fruit (F) that it will hold, with substantially C-shaped arms (58) projecting from its rear on opposite sides with internal reinforcement elements (59) whose tips are fitted with substantially U-shaped supports that hold the axles with pulleys (60) activating the spiral cross-spring (4).

10) Improvements to a juice extraction machine, according to claims 1 and 9, wherein comprises substantially C-shaped arms (58) with the pulleys (60) alongside the mobile peeler sub-set (2), working with the cross-spring (4) that runs through the axial cross-section (4B) of the feeder/dispenser (5), with such cross-spring (4) supported by the parallel pulleys (61) attached to the sides of the machine casing in the region above the base/support (56).

11) Improvements to a juice extraction machine, according to claim 1, wherein comprises a filter (64) mounted on the front part of the machine (M), communicating with the inner part of the fixed peeler (2B) and with the S-shaped pipe (65) that releases the liquid juice through the activation device (66), forming the filter and piston sub-set (67).

12) Improvements to a juice extraction machine, according to claims 1 and 11, wherein comprises a filter and piston sub-set (67) assembled inside the fixed peeler (2B) and the machine (M), consisting of a cross-blade (68) attached to the axles (46) and with a removable front lid (69).

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The details of the construction and operation of the invention are set forth below, with the appended drawings disclosing a preferred construction for the machine, which may be altered provided that the scope of the invention is maintained. The Figures are:

[0021] FIG. 1: Front perspective view of the machine;

[0022] FIG. 2: Rear perspective view of the machine;

[0023] FIG. 3: Front view of the machine;

[0024] FIG. 4: Side view of the machine;

[0025] FIG. 5: Bottom front perspective view of the machine;

[0026] FIG. 6: Longitudinal cross-section perspective view of the machine;

[0027] FIG. 7: Top perspective view of the machine without the cowling, showing the peelers moving towards each other;

[0028] FIG. 8: Top perspective view of the machine without the cowling, showing the peelers starting to engage with each other;

[0029] FIG. 9: Top perspective view of the machine without the cowling, showing the peelers fully engaged with each other;

[0030] FIG. 10: Perspective view of the machine with the fruit-rack sub-set in the open position;

[0031] FIG. 11: Perspective view of the fruit-rack;

[0032] FIG. 12: Side view of the fruit-rack;

[0033] FIG. 13: Top view of the fruit-rack;

[0034] FIG. 14: Front view of the fruit-rack;

[0035] FIG. 15: Rear view of the fruit-rack;

[0036] FIG. 16: Perspective view of the swing-lidded waste-bin separated from the machine, in the closed use position;

[0037] FIG. 17: Side view of the swing-lidded waste-bin separated from the machine, in the open use position.

[0038] FIG. 18: Front view of the machine with partial cross-sections near the dispenser/feeder sub-set, fruit-rack and swing-lidded waste-bin in the open position;

[0039] FIG. 19: Front view of the machine with partial cross-sections near the dispenser/feeder sub-set, fruit-rack and swing-lidded waste-bin in the closed position;

[0040] FIG. 20: Partial top side cross-section view of the machine with the upper cowling closed and the mobile peeler in the first stage starting position;

[0041] FIG. 21: Partial top side cross-section view of the machine with the upper cowling closed and the mobile peeler in the third stage, removing the peel from the fruit and almost simultaneously extracting its juice;

[0042] FIG. 22: Top front perspective view of the structural cowling and hinges of the machine;

[0043] FIG. 23: Rear perspective view of the structural cowling and hinges of the machine, with details of the filter and piston sub-set and a cross-section view of the swing-lidded waste-bin.

[0044] The IMPROVEMENTS TO A JUICE EXTRACTION MACHINE addressed by this application for a patent of Invention are improvements to a juice extraction machine (M), comprising a fruit-rack sub-set (1) with a curved cross-section whose movement is synchronized with the mobile peeler rotating axle (2), with such fruit-rack (1) being attached to the mobile peeler sub-set (2) through slots (3), with the machine including a cross-spring (4) attached at the bottom of the feeder/dispenser pipe (5), with such cross-spring (4) having a means of activation (51) located on the fruit-rack sub-set (1); the improved machine (M) comprises a swing-lidded waste-bin (7) in front, with such swing-lidded waste-bin (7) having substantially semi-circular sides (8) close to the mobile (2) and fixed peelers (2B) that are aligned with each other, with the latter being concatenate with the filter and piston sub-set (67) mounted inside the fixed peeler (2B) (FIGS. 6, 7 and 18).

[0045] In a preferred and compact construction, the machine (M) presents a flat and level support base (9) that is rectangular in the version presented here, whose bottom front part holds a drip tray (10), as well as flat vertical side-cowlings (11), rear vertical cowlings (12), top cowlings (13) that form a top front surface (14) holding the operating buttons or displays, one of which is an emergency button (15), a general switch (16), an on-switch (17), an off-switch (18), and LED indicator lights (19) for peels (19B) and open (FIGS. 1, 2 and 5).

[0046] Just above the surface (14) is a cowling (20) with a fruit funnel (21), fitted at the front with a sizer element (22) that controls the maximum and minimum sizes for fruit entering such funnel (21), consisting of a wire element that communicates with the feeder/dispenser (5) in the machine, with this funnel having an inflow rim (23) and a cylindrical wire conduit (24) projecting into the machine at a slight slant that is sufficient to allow the fruit to move forward through gravity. The electro-electronic part of the machine is a commonplace solution not addressed by this protection, with the components listed for clarification purposes and allowing a person skilled in the matter to reproduce the product, with a market solution (FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 6, 18, 19, 20 and 21).

[0047] The rear part of the top cowling (20) has a linking mechanism (25) that moves it into the open or closed position, as the inside consists of a metal structure made from rectangular sheeting sections (26) on the sides that are supported on the bottom metal frame (27) of the support base (9), with the latter holding the sheet metal sections (28), with the rear sections (29) being pierced (30) in order to provide a means of ventilation for the gear-motor sub-set (31) that powers the mobile peeler (2) and fruit-rack (1), while the front section is a solid metal sheet (32) with curved edges (33) attached to the sheet metal structure (26), such solid metal sheet (32) topped by a thin metal sheet with front slots (34), above which are the pivot points (35) of the swing-lidded waste-bin (7) whose sides are approximately semicircular (8), with such waste-bin having a flange projecting from its transversal rim (36) with a spring-pin locking device (37) that keeps it latched in the closed position, while the front metal sheet (38) is fitted with a handle (39) made from plastic or some similar material (FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 18, 19 and 23).

[0048] The front metal sheet (38) has a convex (inverted slant) surface whereby when the swing-lidded waste-bin (7) is in the open position, it forms a sloping surface (40) that allows easier waste removal and cleaning (FIGS. 10, 17, 18 and 19).

[0049] In the rear part of the machine is the gear-motor sub-set (31), which is in turn attached to the sheet metal sections base affixed to the structure (27) of the metal base (9) and the rectangular metal sheet sections structure (26), being held thereto by screws or other conventional means of attachment (FIGS. 6 and 7).

[0050] Projecting from the top end of the gear-motor sub-set (31) is a crank arm (41) whose pivoting end (42) is connected to an axle (43) with a pulley (45) that in turn runs through a guide (44) across the machine, with such guide (44) having grooves at the opposite ends to hold he opposing cylindrical axles (46) running through the metal sheet side guides (47) and with the guide (44) supported on the front edges (47B) of the structural part of the machine, with such metal sheet side guides (47) having rectangular dips (48) where the spiral springs work (49) with plastic stoppers (50), whose extended linear movements are limited by the rectangular dips (48), thus defining the maximum movement of the above-mentioned plastic stoppers (50), through converting the rotating movement of the crank arm (41) into the linear movement of the guide (44). The opposing parallel axles (51) of the mobile peeler (2) are attached to the guide (44), with such opposing parallel axles (51) being fully attached to the guide (44) and running through the structure of the machine on bushings (52) incorporated into the structural metal sheet (53), and with such opposing parallel axles (51) extending to the opposite sides of the mobile peeler (2), where they are attached to the diamond-shaped base (53B) in order to endow the latter with alternating linear to-and-fro movements (FIGS. 8, 9, 18 and 19).

[0051] This substantially diamond-shaped base (53B) has opposing vertices along the length of the diamond with holes (54) through which the above-mentioned axles run (51); with such base providing the vertical housings (55) that hold the slots (3) of the fruit-rack sub-set (1), with the latter comprising a base/support (56) with a concave curve (57) whose radius is larger than that of the fruit (F) that it will hold, with substantially C-shaped arms (58) projecting on both opposite sides from the rear part of such fruit-rack, with internal reinforcement elements (59) whose tips are fitted with substantially U-shaped supports that hold axles with pulleys (60) activating the spiral cross-spring (4) that releases or holds the fruit (F) during the operating stages of the machine (M) (FIGS. 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15).

[0052] When moved in a linear direction, the substantially C-shaped arms (58) with the pulleys (60), alongside the mobile peeler sub-set (2) reach the cross-spring (4) that runs through the axial cross-section (4B) of the feeder/dispenser (5), with such cross-spring (4) supported by the parallel pulleys (61) attached to the sides of the machine casing, releasing the fruit (F) that drops by gravity on to the cradle base/support (56); such cradle base/support (56) consists of a smooth surface (62) with an elongated cross-section whose center (63) is lowered slightly into a V-shape that forms a curve (57) preventing damage to the fruit (F) and allowing it to slip down easily; on the top part of the smooth surface (62) is a rounded cut-out (63B) whose linear movement either holds the fruit back or releases it into the next stage (FIGS. 11, 20 and 21).

[0053] The filter (64) mounted on the front part of the machine (M) communicates with the inner part of the fixed peeler (2B) and the S-shaped pipe (65) in order to release liquid through the activation device (66). The filter and piston sub-set (67) is attached to the machine (M) by a cross-blade (68) affixed to the axles (46) by conventional means and with a front lid (69) that may be removed when necessary (FIGS. 6, 18 and 19).

[0054] According to the invention, with this new machine (M) the fruit (F) runs through three stages, all synchronized by the movement of the mobile peeler (2). In the first stage, the fruit (F) lies on a cross-spring (4) in the feeder/dispenser (5); in the second stage, the fruit (F) falls on to the fruit-rack (1) through the contact action in the activation device releasing the cross-spring (4) during the linear movement of the mobile peeler (2) towards the fixed peeler (2B), being kept above the mobile peeler (2) by the action of the cross-spring (4); in the third stage, the fruit (F) falls between the fixed (2B) and mobile peelers (2) that extract the juice. With each new cycle and with the feeder/dispenser (5) full, one fruit (F) drops at each stage.

[0055] Most of the components used in the construction of the machine (M) are metal, using stainless steels almost exclusively and conventional manufacturing means such as welds and screws, among others. The other non-metal components are normally food-grade polymers, with the means of processing being analogously compatible with market technologies.