Field of the Invention

The invention relates to fruit and vegetable juicers and more

particularly to a safety feature that limits unwanted access to the inside of the feed tube of a juicer.

Background of the Invention

Fruit and vegetable juicing machines or juicers exist in various forms. Common domestic types include the high speed or centrifugal type juicer and the ones that utilise a screw-like auger sometimes referred to as a slow juicer, An example of the centrifugal type juicer can be found in the applicant's granted Australian Patent Number 684615. An example of the slow type juicer can be found in the applicant's Australian Patent Application Number 2013901411. The contents of both of the aforementioned documents are incorporated herein by reference.

Juicers of both of the aforementioned types have a feed tube. Fruits and vegetables are introduced into the feed tube and urged through the feed tube by a pusher. Having a large diameter feed tube is an advantage because it allows larger fruits and vegetables to be introduced whole, without having first to cut or break down the fruit or vegetable. However, a large diameter feed tube is susceptible to being used improperly, specifically by the introduction of a human hand into the feed tube. Objects and Summary

It is an object of the present technology to provide safety fins or safety features on a feed tube of a "slow" type fruit and vegetable juicer that limit access to the interior of the feed tube,

It is another object of the technology to provide a ring with the

aforementioned features formed on it The ring may he applied to the upper rim of a feed tube in a slow type juicer.

Accordingly, there is provided a ring that may be applied to the upper rim of a feed tube in a slow type juicer, the ring having inwardly directed fingers, the fingers having upper edges that are downwardly inclined.

It is another object of the technology to provide a feed tube for a slow type fruit and vegetable juicer, an upper rim of the feed tube having integral and inwardly directed fins, the fins having upper edges that are downwardly inclined.

In other embodiments, the aforementioned ring is provided with an inwardly extended pusher guide.

In yet other embodiments, the aforementioned feed tube is provided with an internal and inwardly directed pusher guide.

In other embodiments the feed tube of a slow type juicer has a plurality of inwardly extending safety features and one or more anti-rotation fins located in the feed tube.

In some embodiments, the above referenced features of the safety fins and one or more anti-rotation fins are combined, in a slow ty e juicer, with an augur having a grating disc. In some embodiments, the above referenced features of the safety fins and one or more anti-rotation fins are combined, in a slow type juicer, with an augur having a conical upper part with one or more cutting edges. Brief Description of the Drawing Figures

In order that the technology be better understood, reference is now made to the following drawing figures in which:

Figure i is a schematic cross-sectional view of a slo w juicer,

Figure 2 is a perspective vie of feed tube of a juicer having inwardly directed safety features and an inwardly directed pusher guide.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device depicted in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the device depicted in Figures 2 and 3. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a feed tube.

Figure 6 is an underside perspective view, partially cross-sectioned illustrating a feed tube with safety features and internal anti-rotation fin.

Figure 7 is a perspective view, partly broken away, showing a helical feed tube and augur with a conical upper portion.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the technology depicted in Figure 7. Figure 9 is a top plan view of the technology depicted in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a cross sectional view of a helical feed tube with an internal anti- otation fin.

Figure 11 is a cross sectional view of a helical feed tube with one or more internal anti- rotation fins.

Figure 12 is cross sectional view of a feed tube, illustrating a pusher that cooperates with an internal anti-rotation fin. Best Mode and. Other Embodiments

As shown in Figure 1, a juicer 100 such as a slow juicer has a vertical feed tube 101 with an entry opening 103, The upper portion of the feed tube 104 is referred to as a mouth area. The feed tube 101 ma have an internal blade, fin, ridge or knife 102 thai is used to prevent unnecessary rotation of the contents of the feed tube 101 when being acted on by a grating disc or auger (of any type) located at the bottom of the feed tube 101.

As shown in Figure 2 a vertical feed tube 101 may have formed integrally with it (or otlienvise as will be explained) inwardly directed safety features 201. In this example, the safety features 201 are inwardly directed fins, fingers, ridges or extensions. The safety fins 201 having radiused chamfered or pointed upper edges 202, Thus, the fins 201 allow fruits and vegetables to he pushed past them while limiting access to the interior of the feed tube 101, for example, by human hands or other objects that are either too large or too hard to pass the impediment created by the fins 20.1. In the example of Figure 2, there are four fins 201 spaced equally around the internal surface of the eed tube adjacent to the upper mouth opening 203. The number of radially inward directed fins 201 may be- two or more in number. The fins 201 may be moulded integrally with the feed tube as suggested by Figure 2 or formed integrally with a separate ring that is applied to the upper rim of the feed tube, as suggested, by Figure 2. In an embodiment where the fins are carried by a separate ring and later ap plied to the mouth area of the feed tube 101, the ring 204 may be provided with a clip or other mechanical feature 205 that locks on to a cooperating feature formed on an exterior surface of the feed tube 101. As suggested by Figure 2, the upper surfaces or upper edges of the safety fins 201 slopes downward and are thus inclined from the horizontal. Figure 2 shows a horizontal line 206 that crosses the vertical plane of the fin 207, and located just above it. The upper edge or surface 208 of each of the safety fins 201, 207 are downwardly inclined 209 with respect to the horizontal 206. Thus, the radially inward parts of each fin 201 are lower than more radially outward parts of the upper edge 208 of each fin. This

inclination of the upper edges of the fm allows for a larger fruit such as an apple to rest comfortably on and be centred by the fins, without failing off, until such time as the fruit is pressed past the fins.

As shown in Figure 3. safety fins 201 of the kind discussed with reference to Figure 2 may be formed integrally with the feed tube, and about an internal eireun ferenee of the feed tube that is adjacent to the upper mouth opening 203.

As suggested by Figures 2 and 4, the interior of the ring on which the safety fins are formed, or alternately an interior surface of the feed tube may be provided with an inwardly directed pusher alignment feature 210. In these examples, the alignment features 210 is a protrusion with sides of equal length that cooperates with one or more slots or grooves formed on an external surface of the pusher that works with the feed tube. The cooperation between the alignment feature 210 and the cooperating slot in the feed tube ensure t at the correct orientation is maintained between the feed tube and the pusher, if required.

As shown in Figure 5, a pusher 500 is provided with a circumferential array of vertical grooves or slots 501. These grooves or slots 501 align with and cooperate with the safety fins 502 that are located at the upper end of the feed tu e 503. In some embodiments of the invention, the feed tube also has an in tenia! anti-rotat on fin, knife or blade 504, The alignment feature 210 depicted in Figures 2 and 4 may be eliminated by ensuring that the anti- rotation feature 504 is verti cally aligned with one of the safety fins 505 and by ensuring that each of the vertical grooves or slots 501 is deep enough to receive each of the safety fins 502, 505 and the anti -rotation feature 504. In this way, the feed tube 500 may be inserted in any orientation and will clear each of the safety fins 502, 505 and the anti-rotation feature 504.

As shown in Figure 6, a feed tube 600 of a fruit and vegetable juicer is provided with safety features 601 of the kind disclosed previously with reference to Figures 2-5. Each safety feature or fin 601 is received by a vertical slot 602 in a feed tube 603. The feed tube 600 also has an internal anti- ro ation knife o fin 604, In this example, the knife of fi 604 is larger than the safety features 601 in that it extends further in a radial direction toward the centre of the feed tube. In order to accommodate the larger anti-rotation fin 604, each of the vertical grooves 602 i s provid ed with, an enlargem ent 605 at its lower end. The enlargement is configured to receive within it _s the entirety of the anti-rotation, fi 604. When the feed tu be 603 is fully inserted in the feed tube 600, anyone of the enlargements 605 can receive the atiti- rotation fin 604. In the example of Figure 6, each of the enlargements 605 has a slanted upper edge 606 that is about the same angle as the upper edge 607 of the anti-rotation fm 604. In this example, the lower most opening or receiving slot 60S of each groove 602 is wider than the thickness of the anti- rotation fin 604 and may be tapered from a narrowest part 609 near the centre of the feed tube to a widest part 610 adjacent to the outer surface of the feed tube. The lower edges of the receiving slot 605 ma be rounded, to better pass over tbe anti-rotation fin 604 when the fed tube is inserted. This arrangement allows the pusher 603 to be inserted into the feed tube 600 in a number of orientations, particularly, a number of orientations equal to the number of safety features 601,

As shown in Figures 7-12 a slow or augur based fruit and vegetable juicer 700 may have a helical feed tube 701. A helical feed tube 701 has a straight, cylindrical upper portion 702 that leads to a helical or curved lower portion 703, The lower opening 704 of the feed tube 702 terminates immediately adjacent to, for example, an augur or grating disc. In the example of Figures 7-9, the augur 705 has an upper portion 706 shaped like a truncated cone and a lower portion 707 generally having variable pitch processin threads 708. In some embodiments, the conical upper part 706 may be rotated independently and at a di fferent speed to the lo wer part 707. In other embodiments, then upper and lower part 706, 707 are formed as an integral unit and rotate together.

The upper part 706 is in the form of a cone or truncated cone. In this example, the upper part 709 is flat and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 710 of the feed tube 702. An upper end of a shaft 711 that supports the upper part 706 may be restrained by a bearing 712 that is fitted to the lid 713 of the juicer 700 or otherwise. The upper part 706 may have one or more cutting edges 713 that extend from the top to the bottom of the upper part 706. Each cutting edge 713 is associated with a tapered groove 714, thus actin to break down foods passing through the upper part 706 on the way to the lower part 707.

As shown in Figure 8, the lid 801 conforms to the shape of the upper part 706 and has integrally formed in it, the entirety of the feed tube 701, 703. As suggested by Figures 7-9, the upper end or mouth area of the feed tube 702 may incorporate an integral or separately applied array 71.5 of inwardl projecting safety features 716. The array 715 may be in the form of a ring 717. The ring preferably fits within the feed tube 702 and has an upper flange 718 that defines the uppermost, surface of the feed tube. The inwardl directed safety features in tills example comprise blade-like projections in the mouth area, each having a downward sloping upper edge 719.

As shown in Figure 9, the feed tube may have affixed to it, along an internal surface, an anti-rotation knife, blade or fin 901, The upper extent of the feed tube 702 or the arra 715 may also include an inwardly projecting feed tube alignment feature 902. The alignment feature 902 cooperates with a longitudinal groove in the pusher associated with the device.

As shown n Figure io, the feed tube 701 has an internal anti-rotation fin 1000 having a downward sloping upper edge 1001. In this example, the upper extent of th fin 1002 is located approximately mid-way along the length of the cylindrical part 702 of the feed tube. The fin 1000 terminates at a lowermost poin 1003 of the interior of the feed tube. The fin 1000 has a vertical edge 1004 that exten ds from the lowest part of the edge .1:001 to th e point where the fin terminates at the bottom of the feed tube 1003, The attachment between the fin 1000 and the feed tube 701 comprises a curved interface 1005, In the example of Figure .1.0, the augur 1006 is associated with a rotating grating disc 1007, However, it would be understood that the augur 1006 may be provided with a conical upper portion 706 as shown in Figure 7.

As shown in Figure 11 , the internal anti-rotation tin 1100 ma be located exclusively along the length of the cylindrical portion 702 of the feed tube 701. In the example of Figure 11 , the fin iioo is depicted on an interior surface; of the feed tube opposite the lower opening iioi that leads to the augur or its conical upper end 706, 707, In other embodiments, the anti- rotation fra 1102 may be located above the lower opening 110.1. The feed tube may incorporate two or more internal anti-rotation fins ποο, 1102.

As shown in Figure 12, a feed tube 1200 may incorporate vertical grooves 1201 for accommodating the inwardl projecting safety features 716 as well as the alignment feature 902. In the exampl of Figure 12, the pusher 1200 also has one or more vertical grooves 1202 for accommodating the one or more internal anti-rotation fins 1203, The fin accommodating groove or grooves 1202 need not extend the full length of the feed tube 1200, Because the feed tube 1200 descends below the top 1204 of the upper and conical portion 706 of the augur, a lower extent of the pusher lias a recess or scallop 1205 thai' allows the augur to rotate without interfering with the feed tube 1200. The lower extent of the feed tube may also be chamfered, bevelled or radiused 1206 to better allow the lower end 1207 of the feed tu be 1200 to enter th e curved or h elical portion 703 of the feed tube.

Although the 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,

As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not. intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" or "example" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases 'in one embodiment" or "in an example" in various places throughout this specification are not necessaril all referring to the same embodiment or example, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments,

Similarly it. should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplar}^ embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted, as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Any claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are mean to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed

embodiments can be used in any combination. Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and farther modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention.

While the present invention has been disclosed with reference to particular details of construction, these should he understood as having been provided by way of example and not as limitations, to the scope or spirit of the invention.