Field of the Invention The present invention relates to method for obtaining juice and a juice squeezer comprising a plate, which plate comprises a first half part and a second half part, which first and second half parts are connected by folding means, which first and second half parts forms a mostly closed volume when the plate is folded.

Background of the Invention During the serving of particular types of foods like seafood, soups but also in drinks freshly squeezed juice is a must. However, slices of fruits to be squeezed into drinks or onto foods normally results in manually handling the fruit whereby some of the freshly pressed fruit juice to great irritation ends on the hands and/or the clothes of the person squeezing the fruit. Furthermore, the amount of juice added to the food or into the drinks is critical since to low an amount does not add the particular flavour of the fruit to the food in order to enhance the particular taste of the food, while to high an amount disguise the taste of the food. In addition, the personal taste varies, why the amount of fruit juice to be added differs from one person to another.

In order to avoid manually handling of slices of fruits different juice squeezers have been designed like the following.

NL 8800568 concerns a holding device primarily for pieces of fruit which concerns two independent parts that are coupled together and by pressing the two parts together a piece of fruit placed therein between can be drained for liquid/juices.

US 3,636,870 concerns a device for storing and dispensing fruit segments and for extracting juices there from by squeezing comprising two disk members dimensioned to have a common edge whereby each of the disk members is movable relative to the other about the common edge, a wall member fixed to one of the disk members oppo- site the common edge to form a closed wedge-shaped container, and means for releas- able latching the disk members to secure a fruit segment there between.

US 3,669,013 concerns a disposable one piece plastic container for a cut piece of citrus fruit which comprises a hinge member integrally connecting two semi-circular parts, each having a semi-circular rim around the outer semi-circular portion thereof, one of said parts having a semi-circular raised portion with walls parallel to one of said semicircular rims to enter the cut piece of fruit inside the rind, the semi-circular rim on the other semi-circular part, entering the channel formed between said parallel parts to prevent backflow of the fruit juice, and an opening in said plastic hinge member.

However, none of the described embodiments of a juice squeezer enables a person to store the fruit slice for longer time periods as well as to be able to adjust the amount of juice squeezed.

Object of the Invention

It is the object of the pending patent application to describe a juice squeezer formed of a flexible material forming a mostly closed container containing a piece of fruit, where pressure at the outside generates a controlled amount of liquid flowing through an opening, a further object of the invention is that fruit can be placed in the squeezer relative long before use because the inner volume is mostly tight, and the squeezer can be brought to a dining table and liquid from the fruit can be used without touching the fruit.

Description of the Invention

The object of the invention can be fulfilled with a juice squeezer comprising a plate, which plate comprises a first half part and a second half part, which first and second half parts are connected by folding means, which first half part comprises a first protrusion, which first protrusion follows at least a section of the rim of the first half part, which second half part comprises a second protrusion, which second protrusion follows at least a section of a rim of the second half part, which first and second protrusions is mostly parallel to each other when the plate is folded, which first and second half parts in combinations with the first and the second protrusions forms a mostly closed volume , where the second half part comprises a third protrusion, which third protrusion follows the second protrusion, where gap between second and third protrusion is generated, in which gap the first protrusions is accommodated when the plate is folded.

Hereby is achieved a mostly closed volume that can contain a slice of e.g. citrus fruit and because the volume is sealed there is no risk that juice from the fruit is sprayed in different directions. The piece of fruit can be placed in the squeezer relative long before it is to be used e.g. in restaurants, the squeezers can be filled in the kitchen hours before the fruit juices are to be used and the fruit is kept relatively fresh. Also for the guest in the restaurant, it is convenient to press the squeezer because they can control the amount of liquid dropped down on the food. This can be performed without the risk of getting liquid fruit on the fingers or on the clothes.

Also by obtaining a mostly closed volume inside the squeezer, the release of pressure after squeezing will generate a reduced pressure inside the squeezer and additional drops of juice formed in the opening will be sucked back into the squeezer. In that way, it is avoided that drops are leaving the squeezer when a person has finished the opera- tion whereby the amount of fruit juice squeezed onto the food can be highly controlled.

Forming the plate of a flexible material while the first and second protrusions and possible the third protrusion is formed of a stiffer material enables the juice squeezer to be mostly closed but with a possibility of squeezing the piece of fruit through the more flexible material of the plate.

In a preferred embodiment for the invention the folding means can be formed in or at the plate, which plate comprises a first and a second open area between the first and the second protrusion for forming a folding area.

Forming the squeezer of a flexible plastic material, gives the benefit that the folding can be formed in the material in an area between the first and second open area where there are no protrusions for making the construction stiff. In this way, the folding area is generated simply by keeping a distance between first and second protrusion. Thereby, it is achieved that a folding area is automatically generated between the first and second open area. By using a folding area, the stress of the material by folding is reduced so that lifetime of a squeezer is increased.

The folding area can comprise at least one opening for forming a liquid outlet. By forming an opening in the folding area an effective outlet can be achieved in order to control where the liquid will leave the squeezer. By controlling the outlet through which all liquids leaves through the opening and the person who uses the squeezer con- trols the volume of juice distributed to the food. Releasing the pressure of the squeezer will generate a reduced pressure inside the squeezer and drops that are formed in the opening will be sucked back into the squeezer.

More openings can be arranged in each juice squeezer; however, the number and size of openings are to be in equilibrium with the maintenance of a mostly closed volume.

Arranging more openings can provide a nozzle effect and provide a more equal and quicker distribution of the juice to the food. Furthermore, the size of the openings can be varied. As an example a single large opening can be used for juice squeezers where a large amount of juice is to be added at once like to a drink, while multiple smaller openings can be added to a juice squeezer for finer amounts of juice to be distributed to the top of food.

The first and the second protrusions towards said folding area i.e. towards said first and second open area can be rounded. Hereby it can be achieved that folding of the two halves will be performed around the rounded ends of the protrusions. Thereby the rounded ends of the first and second protrusions are in line with the folding of the folding area and sharp edges at the end of the protrusions are avoided. Furthermore, the rounded ends fits to mostly seal the folding area whereby the volume of the juice squeezer is further closed.

The juice squeezer can further comprise at least one flange connected to the said first half plate and a second flange connected to the said second protrusion between which first and second flange a locking mechanism is formed for locking the juice squeezer in its closed position. The at least two flanges can be used to close the squeezer and a possible lock mechanism at the flanges enables the locking of the squeezer. Thus, the slice of fruit can be arranged in this juice squeezer in a kitchen long before the squeezer is going to be used. By locking the piece of fruit is secured inside the squeezer and the squeezer does not need to be opened before it has to be emptied.

After locking, the flanges can be used as tools in order to hold the juice squeezer during use. Advantageously, the flanges are arranged in a position which tilts the juice squeezer during use whereby the juice is easily emptied from the squeezer. However, the flanges can be arranged at any position since the outlet of juice from the squeezer can be performed manually by tilting the hand.

In a possible embodiment of the invention the folding area can be composed of a different material than said plate. Hereby it can be achieved that a soft and flexible material can be used in the folding area, whereby the rest of the plate can be made of a more stiff material. The juice squeezer or parts hereof can be made of material such as polyethylene, preferably low density polyethylene.

In a preferred embodiment the squeezer is formed of a mostly circular plate of plastic. The circular form has its background in e.g. a slice of citrus fruit which is also circular. An almost circular plate is changed into a half-circle during folding of the juice squeezer and thus, slices of citrus fruit divided into halves can beneficially be arranged into the juice squeezer. The diameter is selected so that a slice of a citrus fruit will fit into the squeezer. By a correct dimension of a squeezer, it is possible to form that ef- fectively by molding in a relative simple and effective molding tool.

The pending application also concerns a method for obtaining juice where a piece of fruit is arranged in a juice squeezer comprising the steps of a) placing a piece of fruit on said plate; b) bending said plate at said folding means to form said folded plate, whereby said first protrusion of said first half plate engages along said second protrusion of said second half plate; c) squeezing said folded plate at said outside surface of said plate to obtain juice from said piece of fruit and pouring said juice from said folded plate through said at least one opening of said plate; d) ending to squeeze said folded plate.

Hereby is achieved a highly effective method for using e.g. citrus fruit in the form of freshly pressed drops in a kitchen or at a dining table. The squeezer can be loaded in a kitchen long before it has to be used because the squeezer has a closed volume when it is loaded. Therefore, the kitchen staff could prepare a number of squeezers, place them into a refrigerator and cool them down and wait until it has to be served. At the table a person could activate the squeezer without touching the fruit itself, press the squeezer and controlling the amount of liquid by the pressure and when finished pressing liquid drops on the food, releasing the pressure the liquid will be sucked back into the squeezer. The described juice squeezer thus enables a more hygienic treatment of slices of fruit and hereby enables a single slice of fruit to be used by more persons since only the squeezer and not the slice of fruit itself is touched. In addition, the same slice of fruit can be used multiple times over more days until no more juice can be obtained, since the juice squeezer can be placed in the refrigerator when not used.

Description of the Drawing

Figure 1 illustrates top view of an open juice squeezer,

Figure 2 illustrates a folded juice squeezer,

Figure 3 illustrates a cross-section of a folded juice squeezer,

Figure 4 illustrates a three-dimensional view of an open juice squeezer, Figure 5 illustrates a side-view of an open juice squeezer.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Figure 1 shows a juice squeezer 2 seen from the top, which juice squeezer 2 is made of a mostly circular plate 4 and which plate 4 comprises a first protrusion 6, which protru- sion 6 follows the outer circular rim of the plate 4. Furthermore, the plate 4 comprises a second protrusion 8 that follows the upper edge of the plate. Further is indicated a third protrusion 10 that is following the second protrusion 8 whereby a gab 9 is formed between the second protrusion 8 and the third protrusion 10. The area of the plate between the first and the second protrusion that is let open is forming a folding area 12. In this folding area, an opening 14 is indicated, which is the drain hole. The plate 4 comprises a flange 16 and the first protrusion 6 comprises a second flange 18. The first flange 16 comprises a lock mechanism 20 which when the squeezer is closed cooperates with an opening 22 placed in the second flange 18. The first flange 16 and the second flange 18 are arranged not at the middle of the first 6 and second protrusion 8 but slightly to one of the sides, whereby the juice squeezer 2 by folding automatically is tilted to allow the juice to exit the opening 14.

In operation, a slice of a piece of citrus fruit can be placed at the plate 4 and the juice squeezer can be folded because the plate 4 is weak in the area 12, between the first protrusion 6 and the second protrusion 8. Thereby, a folding area 12 is automatically generated. Folding the squeezer 2 totally will place the first protrusion 6 in the gab 9 between the second protrusion 8 and the third protrusion 10. The gab 9 is dimensioned so that an accommodation of the first protrusion 6 is achieved. The lock 20 placed in the flange 16 will perform a locking in the opening 22. Then the squeezer is prepared/ready for use.

Using the squeezer 2 a person sitting at the table only needs to press the squeezer 2 and drops of liquid will be formed and flowing through the opening 14 in the squeezer 2. In operation, the amount of liquid could be controlled by the pressure that is exerted on the squeezer 2 and the direction and the placement of the liquid can be controlled by moving the squeezer 2 over the food. The juice squeezer 2 can be produced of different materials. All soft plastic materials that are accepted for food contact can be used.

Figure 2 illustrates a juice squeezer 24 of the embodiment as illustrated in figure 1 , where the juice squeezer has been folded. The plate 4 is folded around the folding means 12, which are an integrated part of the plate 4. In addition, the opening 14 is arranged in the folding means 12. The plate 4 is folded by arranging the second protrusion inside the second protrusion 8 and the two flanges 16, 18 are locked by the lock mechanism 20, 22. The first protrusion and second protrusion 8 comprise rounded ends 28, which during folding of the juice squeezer 24 is arranged in line with the folding means 12 and hereby helps to induce further closure of the juice squeezer 24.

Figure 3 illustrates a cross-section of the folded juice squeezer 24 along the line A-A. The plate 4 with the integrated folding means 12 are illustrated along with the first protrusion 8, second protrusion 6 and third protrusion 10. Figure 3 illustrates how the first protrusion 8 fits in the gap between the second protrusion 6 and the third protrusion 10 when the juice squeezer is folded whereby the volume of the juice squeezer is mostly sealed.

Figure 4 illustrates a three-dimensional view of an open juice squeezer 2 as described in Figure 1. The juice squeezer 2 comprises a plate 4 with an opening 14, a first protru- sion 8, a second protrusion 6, and a third protrusion 10. The juice squeezer 2 further comprises two flanges 16, 18 with a locking mechanism 20, 22. When the juice squeezer 2 is folded, the lock mechanism 20 is arranged in the opening 22 of the second flange 18.

Figure 5 illustrates a side view of an open juice squeezer 2 with the plate 4 and the folding means 12. The first protrusion 8 and the second protrusion 6 comprise a rounded ends 28 towards the folding means 12, which during folding of the juice squeezer 2 are arranged in order for the volume to be even more closed. The first flange 16 is arranged on the plate 4 or in the same level as the plate 4. The lock mecha- nism 20 is attached to the first flange 16. The second flange 18 is arranged on the second protrusion 6. Preferably, the second flange 18 is arranged at a given distance 30 from the top of the second protrusion 6 which is identical to the width 32 of the first flange 16. Hereby, the first protrusion 8 and the second protrusion 6 overlap almost completely during folding of the juice squeezer 2, which further contribute to obtaining a mo stly clo sed volume .