Background of the Invention

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a fruits tool, and more particularly relates to a durian opening device.

Description of Related Arts

Durian is the fruit of an evergreen tree belongs to the family of Malvaceae. The durian fruit is in oval shape. Durian has hard woody husk which is covered with spiky thorns. The innermost part of the durian composed of several fused carpel. The chamber in each carpel holds several brown seeds covered with pulp. The pulp is pale yellow, sticky and with a soft and sweet taste. Durian is a fruit with great economic value.

It is difficult to open the durian with bare hands to extract the pulp as durian husk is hard and covered with spiky thorns. Therefore, a knife or special durian opener tool is used to open the durian. However, there are always safety concerns arise when a person lack of experience use knife to open durian. Moreover, the special durian opener tools in the existing market are having complex structure, bulky, heavy and require large force; thus they are only suited for commercial usage but not tailored for household usage.

China utility model application No. 20171 1415765.5 disclosed a durian opener tool. Said durian opener comprises a splitting component, a support component and a base. The overall structure of said durian opener tool is complex with poor portability. The external curved and oblique handles of the splitting component are difficult to grasp and hold; and thus user need to exert great force to open the durian. Furthermore, the splitting component comprises handles with rectangular and flat-shape. This design requires a solid material with strong rigidity; otherwise, the handles would bend due to the materials problem and thus shortened the lifetime of said durian opener tool. However, coupled with complex structure and the use of solid materials, said durian opener becomes extremely heavy, poor portability wherein user require large force to open durian and thus causing small strength user face difficulty to open durian. Therefore, said durian opener only limited to commercial usage. In addition, said durian opener tool also adopts a multiple segments connection method, which requires great force to join the multiple segments to open durian. Some more, a large number of connection structures can cause the tool to be easily damaged, thereby may fail to achieve long-term use.

Accordingly, it can be seen in the prior arts that there exists a need to provide an improved durian opening device to overcome the deficiency found in the existing durian opener. The new improved durian opening device in the present invention is easy to be operated with minimal force required, having simple and sturdy structure with good portability and ergonomically designed which is suitable and safe to be used by the general public.

Summary of Invention

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a durian opening device which is easy to be operated with minimal force required.

It is also an objective of the present invention to provide a durian opening device having simple and sturdy structure with good portability.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a durian opening device with ergonomically design which is suitable and safe to be used by the general public.

Accordingly, these objectives may be achieved by following the teachings of the present invention. The present invention relates to a durian opening device comprising a pair of handles and a pair of blades; the pair of handles comprises a left handle and a right handle; the left handle and the right handle are connected by a rotating means; wherein the rotating means comprises a bolt and a nut; characterized in that: each of the left handle and the right handle comprises a first handle with arc shaped and a vertical second handle; wherein the front end of the second handle are connected to the rotating means and the rear end of the second handle are connected to the front end of the first handle; wherein the rear end of the first handle is free end; and the pair of blades are fixed parallel to the second handle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The features of the invention will be more readily understood and appreciated from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the durian opening device.

Fig. 2 shows another perspective view of the durian opening device.

Fig. 3 shows a front view of the durian opening device.

Fig. 4 shows the working principle diagram of the durian opening device.

Detailed Description of the Invention

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for claims. It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words "include," "including," and "includes" mean including, but not limited to. Further, the words "a" or "an" mean "at least one” and the word "plurality" means one or more, unless otherwise mentioned. Where the abbreviations or technical terms are used, these indicate the commonly accepted meanings as known in the technical field. For ease of reference, common reference numerals will be used throughout the figures when referring to the same or similar features common to the figures. The present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 -4.

The present invention relates to a durian opening device (100), comprising:

a pair of handles and a pair of blades (101 );

the pair of handles comprises a left handle (102) and a right handle

(103);

the left handle (102) and the right handle (103) are connected by a rotating means (104);

wherein the rotating means (104) comprises a bolt (105) and a nut

(106);

characterized in that:

each of the left handle (102) and the right handle (103) comprises a first handle (107, 108) with arc shaped and a vertical second handle (109, 1 10);

wherein the front end of the second handle (109, 1 10) are connected to the rotating means (104) and the rear end of the second handle (109, 1 10) are connected to the front end of the first handle (107, 108);

wherein the rear end of the first handle (107, 108) are free end; and the pair of blades (101 ) are parallel fixed to the second handle (109,

1 10).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rear end of the first handle (107, 108) is extended to form a parallel grip (1 1 1 ).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first handle (107, 108) and the second handle (109, 1 10) form an individual handle. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the distance between free end of the first handle (107) of the left handle (102) and the free end of the first handle (108) of the right handle (103) is 15-50cm.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the arc shape of the first handle (107, 108) comprises outward curved arc.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blades (101 ) are flat and extended with sharp ends.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the range of the ratio for the length and width of the flat blades (101 ) is in 1 :1 to 1 :2.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flat blades (101 ) and the surrounding of the blades (101 ) comprises reinforcing ribs.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blades (101 ) are fixed to the second handle (109) and positioned below the rotating means (104); wherein the distance between the blades (101 ) and the rotating means (104) is half or less than half of the length of the second handle (109, 1 10).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the left handle (102) and the right handle (103) comprises hollow tubular steel.

Below is an example of the durian opening device (100) from which the advantages of the present invention may be more readily understood. It is to be understood that the following example is for illustrative purpose only and should not be construed to limit the present invention in any way.

Examples

Referring to Figure 1 -3, the left handle (102) and the right handle (103) are connected by the rotating means (104) for opening and closing in large angle, which is convenient to use. Preferably, the durian opening device (100) comprises first handle (107, 108) with arc shaped and vertical second handle (109, 1 10). The arc shaped handle (107, 108) is easy to grasp; while the vertical handle (109, 1 10) is for ensuring the pair of blades (101 ) to penetrate into the husk simultaneously. In addition, the combination of arc shaped and vertical handles can increase the horizontal and vertical distance of the force point and the rotating means (104) for reducing and saving the force being applied when the power is equal to the resistance torque. The blades (101 ) are positioned in the middle or front end of the second handle (109, 1 10) for reducing the resistance arm. The total amount of resistance torque is reduced when the resistance of durian remain unchanged, this can reduce the force being applied and facilitate opening of durian.

Preferably, the rear end of the first handle (107, 108) is extended to form a parallel grip (1 1 1 ) wherein the ends of the first handle (107, 108) for the left handle (102) and the right handle (103) are further extended to form a straight grip, this causing the end of the left handle (102) and right handle (103) form the parallel grip (1 1 1 ). Furthermore, the grip (1 1 1 ) of the handles is coated with plastics material to cover the sharp end for safety and artistic purpose. Therefore, the handles of the durian opening device (100) in the present invention is easy to grasp and exert force; also, the structure is more humanized and ergonomic in comparison with the oblique handles in the existing durian opener tools. The above parallel solution is only an optimal solution of the present invention, it should be noted the extension of the rear end of the first handle (107,108) is not limited to be in a complete parallel.

Preferably, the first handle (107, 108) and the second handle (109, 1 10) form an individual handle; wherein the first handle (107) and second handle (109) on the left form the individual left handle (102); the first handle (108) and second handle (1 10) on the right form the individual right handle (103). Said individual left handle (102) and individual right handle (103) can be rotated individually via the rotating means (104). Meanwhile, each of the individual handle comprises the combination of arc shaped and vertical shaped for ensuring implementation of force-saving structure. Preferably, the distance between free end of the first handle (107) of the left handle (102) and the free end of the first handle (108) of the right handle (103) is 15-50cm. This is because it will be difficult for users to exert force if the distance between the free ends of the handles is too small; while larger distance will lead to inconvenience use. Hence, 15-50cm is the optimum distance.

Preferably, the arc shape of the first handle (107, 108) comprises outward curved arc wherein the arc shape of the handles are symmetrically projecting outward. Compared with the vertical or internal curved handle in the existing durian open tools, the handles with outward curved arc in the present invention is easier for users to grasp and exert force; and most importantly to increase the length of the power arm. According to the lever principle and torque calculation, F _ne t/Fresistance = Fresisting arm/Fpower arm. Since the resistance of the durian remain unchanged; thus, increasing the distance of the power arm helps to reduce the use of force, thereby achieving force-saving effect. When using arc shaped handle to open durian will generate power in the direction where the handles outward curved; and said power generates a horizontal component and a vertical component. Meanwhile, the arc shaped structure can significantly increase the horizontal distance, •-horizontal and vertical distance, Uenicai between the force point and the rotating means (104). The horizontal distance and vertical distance between the blades (101 ) and the connecting means (104) are known as dhohzontai and d _ve rticai _> respectively. Consequently, L _horizontai is greater than d _h0 rizontal· erticai is greater than dverticai - Hence, the first handle (107,108) with outward curved arc can generate a great power arm in horizontal and vertical direction.

Preferably, the blades (101 ) are flat with extended downward sharp ends. The sharp end is easy to pierce the durian husk; while the flat blades (101 ) will be embedded into the pierced husk and act as a supporting force for stretching the durian to open.

Preferably, the range of ratio for the length and width of the blades (101 ) is 1 :1 to1 :2. However, the dimension ratio of the blades (101 ) can be adjusted according to the size of the top part of the durian. Due to the mechanical structure of the blades (101 ) as well as large resistance force received when opening the durian; steel is preferred as a blades (101 ) material due to its rigidity; and the optimal dimension ratio can ensure the blades (101 ) to embed into the durian husk; also to prevent the deformation problem for prolonging the lifetime of the device (100).

Preferably, the flat blades (101 ) and the surrounding of the blades (101 ) comprise reinforcing ribs. Said reinforcing ribs further strengthen the structure of the flat blades (101 ), reduce deformation and enhance bending resistance of the blades (101 ).

Preferably, the blades (101 ) are fixed to the second handle (109) and positioned below the rotating means (104), wherein the distance between the blades (101 ) and the rotating means (104) is half or less than half of the length of the second handle (109, 1 10). This can reduces the distance between the blades (101 ) and the rotating means (104); thereby reduces the resistance arm. Therefore, only small force is required for opening durian as the resistance of the durian remain unchanged. The blades (101 ) can be positioned closer to the rotating means (104) if the strength of the blades (101 ) is strong enough. This is because the closer the distance between the blades (101 ) and the rotating means (104), the lesser the force is required. Compared with the existing durian opener tools, the durian opening device (100) in the present invention can achieve force-saving effect. Hence, it is suitable to be used by general public including woman, children and senior citizen.

Preferably, the left handle (102) and right handle (103) comprises hollow tubular steel. The steel material is providing sufficient strength to the handles. The hollow structure ensures light weight and portability of the device (100). The tubular shaped handle is easier to grasp, exert force and distribute the forces evenly. This can maximize the endurance of the materials and thus variety of materials can be employed for the handles. Firstly, remove the peduncle from the top of the durian. Secondly, press the durian opening device (100) until the blades (101 ) penetrate through the top of the durian. Lastly, hold the left handle (102) and the right handle (103) and stretch the handles outwards. This step will create apposite thrust on the blades (101 ) which can force the durian to open. The durian opening device (100) is not limited to only open the durian husk, but also can be used to open the carpel in the innermost part of the durian.

As shown in Figure 4, when stretching handles outwards, the resultant force acting on the free end of the left handle (102) is known as F _ne t; while the resistance force acting on the left blade (101 ) inside the durian is known as F _res istance· This forms a lever structure and the connecting means (104) act as fulcrum. F _ne t generate vertical force, Fi and horizontal force, F ₂ ; the perpendicular distance between F _ne t and the rotating means (104) is L-i and the horizontal distance is d-i. For F _res istance acting on the left blade (101 ), the perpendicular distance between F _res istance and the rotating means (104) is L ₂ and the horizontal distance is d ₂ . According to the lever principle and torque calculation, the equation is F _res istance/ Fi = d-i/ d ₂ assuming Fresistance is remain unchanged, di is larger than d ₂ and thus F-i is relatively small. Meanwhile, the equation is F _res istance/ F ₂ = Li / L ₂ assuming F _res istance is remain unchanged, Li is larger than L ₂ and thus F ₂ is relatively small. The theory as described above is applied to the right handle (103) as well. Therefore, the arc-shaped handle is to increase L-i and di between F _ne t and the rotating means (104); thereby increase the distance between F-i _, F2 and F _res istance to achieve force-saving effect and produce user-friendly device (100).

Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, also shown in the appended figures, it will be apparent for those skilled in the art that many variations and modifications can be done within the scope of the invention as described in the specification and defined in the following claims. Description of the reference numerals used in the accompanying drawings according to the present invention: