WO2019011210A1

WO2019011210A1 - Juice extraction device

Info

Publication number: WO2019011210A1
Application number: PCT/CN2018/094972
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chung Ming Chan; Kwan Kit Chan
Original assignee: Golden Choice Products Ltd
Current assignee: Golden Choice Products Ltd
Priority date: 2017-07-12
Filing date: 2018-07-09
Publication date: 2019-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 2020-01-12
Also published as: CN109247798A; CN209235695U

Abstract

A juice extraction device (100) includes: a screw (140) having a first end (147) and a second end (148); a mesh filter (130) for separating the juice from the food, the mesh filter (130) encompassing the screw (140); a housing (110) encompassing the mesh filter (130); the screw (140) having at least one spiral rib (141, 142) from the first end (147) to the second end (148), the spiral rib (141, 142) defining a plurality of spiral gaps (149) on the screw (140), and the spiral rib (141, 142) having a spiral rib lead angle (α); at least one strut (131) between the screw (140) and the mesh filter (130); wherein the screw (140) has a plurality of embedded spiral threads (143), the embedded spiral threads (143) distribute in the spiral gaps (149) such that each of the embedded spiral threads (143) having a guiding edge (145) for guiding the flow of food to fill the spiral gaps (149), and each of the embedded spiral threads (143) has a guiding thread lead angle (β) larger than the spiral rib lead angle (α).

Description

Juice Extraction Device

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to juice extraction device for extracting juice from food, such as a slow juicer, a puree maker and the like, for extracting juice from food matters. In particular, this invention relates to a juice extraction device comprising a compression screw having embedded spiral thread with extended pitch whereby the compression spacing gap can be minimize for a given mass of process food hence improves the juice extraction efficiency.

Background of the Invention

Juice extraction device is a kind of home appliance for extracting juice from food, such as fruit, herbs, leafy greens, vegetable and the like. For masticating or triturating juicers, generally known as slow juicers, the speed is relatively slow in the region of lower hundreds RPM. Such slow juicers include a juice extraction screw and a mesh filter encompassing the juice extraction screw, and a work chamber is defined between the juice extraction screw and the mesh filter. The juice extraction screw has a spiral rib running from the end to the front of the juice extraction screw, and defines a plurality of spiral gaps along the length of the juice extraction screw. Food, from which juice is to be extracted, is crushed, pressed and then pushed out of the work chamber, during which the food is pressed against the mesh filter to extract juice. The extracted juice flows through the filter openings, and is finally discharged via a juice exit of the housing.

Masticating juicers can broadly be classified into two major variants based on the mechanical alignment of the profiled screw. These two variants are: (1) the horizontal variant, where the profiled screw is aligned horizontally; and (2) the vertical variant, where the profiled screw is aligned vertically. The horizontal profiled screw typically is a helical screw in a cylindrical shape, whereas the vertical profiled screw is a slanted conical helix screw with an extended cutter blade at the top tip end. According to the moving direction of the food matters within the juice extraction screw, the vertical variant slow juicers can be further classified into slow juicers that compressed food matters are moved downward by conical helix screw (so called type D) , and slow juicers that compressed food matters are moved upward by a hollow screw (so called type U) .

Type D juicers (slanted conical helix screw) typically comprise of multiple spiral ribs that have almost the same pitch (or lead angle, the angle between the rotational axis and the rib) except the front cutting edge which primarily use is to break down the food matters into smaller pieces and not to move the food matters along. While type U juicers (hollow screw) typically is a symmetric double helix configuration with the same pitch (or lead angle) . Regardless it is U or D type vertical juicers, the crushed food matters are essentially driven by the spiral ribs and compressed against the mesh filter to extract the juice. The efficiency of juice extraction depends on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the sizes and distribution of the mesh filter openings, compression pressure, texture of the food matters, the mechanical configuration as well as design of the machine. Among all these factors, the compression pressure that derived from the compression screw presses against the mesh filter where the food juice is extracted through the filter opening has a direct impact to the extraction efficiency. And the compression pressure is inversely proportional to the gap spacing between the spiral rib cavity and the mesh filter. That is, the smaller the gap, the greater the compression pressure and better the extraction efficiency.

However, in the prior art, if the gap spacing between the spiral rib cavity and the filter is too small, the food matters would have a low moving speed, rendering the risk of choking the flow. In practice, in order to balance the moving speed and the extraction efficiency, the spiral rib cavity of the prior art will leave a relatively large gap with the filter. Therefore, a kind of compression screw is needed, which could have a spiral rib cavity leaving a small gap with the filter to ensure the extraction efficiency, while increasing the moving speed of the food matters at the same time.

An order of magnitude analysis (illustrate later) shows that the mechanical driving force derived from the spiral ribs is at least two order of magnitude larger than the gravitational pull of the food mass. The movement of food matters is dominated by the mechanical spiral rib motion regardless it is a D or U types of slow juicers. The current invention improves the juicing efficiency by spreading out the accumulated food matters within the spiral rib cavities by ways of partially diverting the food mass through an embedded spiral thread system with large pitch (or lead angle) over the compression screw stem. Such configuration will divert part of the food matters to move at a faster speed hence reducing the accumulation of food mass if otherwise move at the same speed.

Compression pressure is inversely proportional to the gap spacing between the compression screw and the mesh filter. A reduction of the accumulation of food mass implies a reduction of gap spacing is possible without the risk of backing up the flow hence an improvement of the extraction efficiency can be achieved.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, this invention provides a juice extraction device for extracting juice from food, including:

· a screw having a first end and a second end;

· a mesh filter for separating the juice from the food, the mesh filter encompassing the screw, and the screw is capable of being rotated along an axis with respect to the mesh filter;

· a housing encompassing the mesh filter;

· the screw has at least one spiral rib from the first end to the second end, the spiral rib defining a plurality of spiral gaps on the screw, and the spiral rib has a spiral rib lead angle;

· at least one strut between the screw and the mesh filter, the strut is in contact with the food in the spiral gaps;

· wherein the screw has a plurality of embedded spiral threads, the embedded spiral threads distribute in the spiral gaps such that each of the embedded spiral threads having a guiding edge for guiding the flow of food to fill the spiral gaps, and each of the embedded spiral threads has a guiding thread lead angle larger than the spiral rib lead angle.

Preferably, the embedded spiral threads cover at least part of the screw along the axis.

Preferably, the screw is divided into a first section, a second section and a third section along the axis, the first section is adjacent to the first end, the third section is adjacent to the second end, and the second section is between the first section and the third section, and the embedded spiral threads cover the first section of the screw.

Preferably, the screw is divided into a first section, a second section and a third section along the axis, the first section is adjacent to the first end, the third section is adjacent to the second end, and the second section is between the first section and the third section, the embedded spiral threads cover the second section of the screw along the axis.

Preferably, the screw is divided into a first section, a second section and a third section along the axis, the first section is adjacent to the first end, the third section is adjacent to the second end, and the second section is between the first section and the third section, the embedded spiral threads cover the third section of the screw along the axis.

Preferably, the embedded spiral threads cover the entire screw along the axis.

Brief description of the drawings

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be explained by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of an exemplary juice extraction device of the present invention;

Figure 2A shows a view of a screw of the juice extraction device of Figure 1;

Figure 2B shows a cross-section view of the screw of Figure 2A;

Figure 2C shows an enlarged detail view of embedded spiral threads of the screw of the Figure 2A;

Figure 3A shows a top view of the juice extraction device of Figure 1, in which shows assembled view of a mesh filter, a screw and a food matter cutter;

Figure 3B shows a section view of the mesh filter of Figure 3A;

Figure 3C shows an enlarged detail view of embedded spiral threads of the screw of the Figure 3A;

Figure 4A and 4B show views of traditional design hollow extraction screw with different spiral rib lead angles;

Figure 5A to 5C show views of a screw of another exemplary juice extraction device of the present invention;

Figure 6A to 6C show views of a screw of another exemplary juice extraction device of the present invention;

Figure 7A to 7C show views of a screw of another exemplary juice extraction device of the present invention;

Figure 8A to 8C show views of a screw of another exemplary juice extraction device of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

This invention is now described by way of examples with reference to the figures in the following paragraphs. Objects, features, and aspects of the present invention are disclosed in or are apparent from the following description. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention, which broader aspects are embodied in the exemplary constructions. List 1 is a list showing the parts and respective reference numerals in the figures.

Reference numeral	Part name
100	Juice extraction device
110	Housing
111	Housing body
112	Residue container

120	Frame
130	Mesh filter
131	Strut
132	Strengthening part
133	Ridge
140	Juice extraction screw
141	First spiral rib
142	Second spiral rib
143	Embedded spiral threads
144	Axis
145	Guiding edge
146	Food cutter
147	First end
148	Second end
149	Spiral gaps
150	Upper assembly of the juice extraction device
151	Push rod
152	Housing lid
153	Residue exit
154	Switch of the residue exit
161	First section
162	Second section
163	Third section
171	Silicon seal ring
172	Silicon seal ring

List 1

An exemplary juice extraction device 100 of this invention is shown in Figure 1. Juice extraction device 100 is in the so-called vertical configuration, which comprises an upper assembly 150, a hollow juice extraction screw 140 rotatable about axis 144, a mesh filter 130 encompassing the juice extraction screw 140, a frame 120 to support mesh filter 130 and juice extraction screw 140, and a housing 110 accommodating all of the above components. Upper assembly 150 includes a push rod 151, a housing lid 152, a residue exit 153 and a switch 154 of residue exit 153. Housing 110 includes a housing body 111 and a juice exit (not shown) . Preferably, housing 110 includes a residue container 112.

As shown in Figures 2A and 3A, juice extraction screw 140 includes a first spiral rib 141 from first end 147 to second end 148, a second spiral rib 142 from the middle of juice extraction screw 140 to second end 148, first spiral rib 141 and second spiral rib 142 defining a plurality of spiral gaps 149 on juice extraction screw 140, and first spiral rib 141 and second spiral rib 142 both have a same spiral rib lead angle α, and juice extraction screw 140 also includes a food cutter 146 therein.

As shown in Figure 3A, four struts 131 are configured between juice extraction screw 140 and mesh filter 130, and struts 131 are in contact with the food in spiral gaps 149 for pushing food forward. The number of the struts is variable, while the bigger juice extraction screw 140 can have more the struts.

Figures 4A and 4B shown views of traditional design hollow extraction screw in the vertical variant with different spiral rib lead angles. In figures 4A and 4B, reference points A respect to the two hollow screws of different spiral rib lead angles α’and α”where α”>α’, and after rotating a given angle, reference point A will move up to B’and B”respectively. The vertical displacements of A to B’and B”are C’and C”, respectively, where C”> C’ . The extraction screw in Figure 4B could be more effective than the extraction screw in Figure 4A, as the upward moving distance of food from the first end to the second end in Figure 4B is larger than the one in Figure 4A. In other words, for a given angle of rotation, the upward movement is greater for a larger lead angle than that of the smaller one.

It is desirable to do an order of magnitude analysis that the adverse effect of the gravitational pull derived from a large lead angle is minimal as the gravitational force is small compared with that of the driving force generated from the spiral rib.

For a typical slow juicer,

P (Power) ～ 200W

Diameter of the screw (D) ～ 10 cm

RPM ～ 60 (= 2 π radian/sec)

Power = Tω

where P is the power in Watt, T is the torque in Nm, ω is angular velocity is in radian/sec

Substituting P and ω, giving

T = 100 /π Nm

and

T = F x D

where F is the driving force of the spiral rib implying F = 100 / (π x 0.1 ) N ～ 320 N

When F acts on food matters, it will be resolved into F’ that is perpendicular to the spiral rib, and F”that is parallel to the spiral rib, wherein F’affects the resistance. Lead angle is the angle between the helix and a plane of rotation. F”increases as the lead angle increases. For a typical juicing process, the mass accumulated within the working spiral cavity ～ 250 gm which is corresponds to ～ 2.5 N, at least two order of magnitude smaller than the driving force. That is, the accumulated mass of the food matter is small compared with the mechanical driving force of the compression screw, regardless whether the food matters moving upward against gravity or downward by gravity.

It is apparent that adaption of the embedded spiral threads with a larger leading angle than that of the hollow compression screw spiral rib will partially fast track a portion of food matters within the spiral rib cavity at a higher speed. It is therefore by deploying embedded spiral threads to the traditional compression screw will disperse or thin out the accumulative given mass of food matters within the spiral rib cavity whereby a smaller spacing gap between the compression screw and the mesh filter is possible for that specific given mass.

As shown in Figure 2A, juice extraction screw 140 includes a plurality of embedded spiral threads 143, and embedded spiral threads 143 are within spiral gaps 149 such that each of embedded spiral threads 143 has a guiding edge 145 for guiding the flow of food to fill spiral gaps 149, and each of embedded spiral threads 143 has a guiding spiral thread lead angle β larger than spiral rib lead angle α and preferably smaller than angle between axis and the plane of rotation, thereby the angle between guiding edge 145 and first spiral rib 141 or second spiral rib 142 is big enough to avoid food accumulation. With the guide of guiding edge 145 of embedded spiral threads 143, part of the flow of food could be distributed more evenly spread and thin out over a larger surface area on the surface of juice extraction screw 140 between spiral gaps 149. In figure 2A, the starting point of spiral rib lead angle α and embedded spiral thread lead angle β locates at the cross section at reference point A, wherein reference point A can be selected at any point on first spiral rib 141 or second spiral rib 142.

In Figures 2A to 2C, embedded spiral threads 143 cover entire juice extraction screw 140 along axis 144.

As shown in Figure 3A, strut 131 is unified the mesh filter 130. In this embodiment, strut 131 can also reinforce mesh filer 130. In other embodiments, strut 131 also can be a separated part from mesh filter 130.

Further, as shown in Figure 3A, mesh filter 130 has a strengthening part 132 to strengthening mesh filter 130. Preferably, strengthening part 132 is a non porous part. With strengthening part 132, mesh filter 130 could have higher durability. Preferably, mesh filter 130 has at least one ridge 133, and ridge 133 is in contact with food in spiral gaps 149 to assist strut 131 for pushing food forward. More preferably, ridge 133 is configured on strengthening part 132, so that ridge 133 would not influence the permeability of mesh filter 130.

It is possible to configure embedded spiral threads 143 cover part of juice extraction screw 140. It is noted that, juice extraction screw 140 could be divided into two or more sections. In this embodiment, juice extraction screw could be divided into three sections arbitrarily. In Figures 5A to 8C, juice extraction screw 140 is divided into a first section 161, a second section 162 and a third section 163 along axis 144, first section 161 is adjacent to first end 147, third section 163 is adjacent to second end 148, and second section 162 is between first section 161 and third section 162. In Figures 5A to 5C, embedded spiral threads 143 cover first section 161 of juice extraction screw 140. In Figures 6A to 6C, embedded spiral threads 143 cover third section 163 of juice extraction screw 140. In Figures 7A to 7C, embedded spiral threads 143 cover first section 161 and third section 163 of juice extraction screw 140. In Figures 8A to 8C, embedded spiral threads 143 cover first section 161 and second section 162 of juice extraction screw 140. In other embodiment, embedded spiral threads 143 cover second section 162 of juice extraction screw 140. In other embodiment, embedded spiral threads 143 cover second section 162 and third section 163 of juice extraction screw 140.

The current invention makes use of U type of masticating juicers as an illustration to show the basic principle of how the embedded spiral threads work. It is understood that as shown in the order of magnitude analysis, this invention applies to all masticating juicers irrespective it is a horizontal or vertical variants where compression pressure is a dominating factor influence the extraction efficiency.

While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail by the examples, it is apparent that modifications and adaptations of the present invention will occur to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention shall not be interpreted to be restricted by the examples or figures only. It is to be expressly understood, however, that such modifications and adaptations are within the scope of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims. For instance, individual features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on another embodiment in any combination desired to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

A juice extraction device for extracting juice from food, including:

· a screw having a first end and a second end;

· a mesh filter for separating the juice from the food, the mesh filter encompassing the screw, and the screw is capable of being rotated along an axis with respect to the mesh filter;

· a housing encompassing the mesh filter;

· the screw has at least one spiral rib from the first end to the second end, the spiral rib defining a plurality of spiral gaps on the screw, and the spiral rib has a spiral rib lead angle;

· at least one strut between the screw and the mesh filter, the strut is in contact with the food in the spiral gaps;

· wherein the screw has a plurality of embedded spiral threads, the embedded spiral threads distribute in the spiral gaps such that each of the embedded spiral threads having a guiding edge for guiding the flow of food to fill the spiral gaps, and each of the embedded spiral threads has a guiding thread lead angle larger than the spiral rib lead angle.
The juice extraction device of claim 1,

wherein the embedded spiral threads cover at least part of the screw along the axis.
The juice extraction device of claim 2,

wherein the screw is divided into a first section, a second section and a third section along the axis, the first section is adjacent to the first end, the third section is adjacent to the second end, and the second section is between the first section and the third section, and the embedded spiral threads cover the first section of the screw.
The juice extraction device of claim 2,

wherein the screw is divided into a first section, a second section and a third section along the axis, the first section is adjacent to the first end, the third section is adjacent to the second end, and the second section is between the first section and the third section, the embedded spiral threads cover the second section of the screw along the axis.
The juice extraction device of claim 2,

wherein the screw is divided into a first section, a second section and a third section along the axis, the first section is adjacent to the first end, the third section is adjacent to the second end, and the second section is between the first section and the third section, the embedded spiral threads cover the third section of the screw along the axis.
The juice extraction device of claim 1,

wherein the embedded spiral threads cover the entire screw along the axis.