FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001 ] The invention relates to a juicer press. In particular, the invention relates, but is not limited, to a biased juicer press, preferably in the form of a cone or dome, for juicing vegetables or fruit such as, for example, oranges.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Reference to background art herein is not to be construed as an admission that such art constitutes common general knowledge.

[0003] There are many ways of extracting juice from produce such as fruit and vegetables. One popular way that provides a high quality juice, especially from pomegranates or citrus fruits such as oranges where juice can be extracted via compression (as opposed to, for example, shredding or mastication), is by using a juice press that squeezes the juice out of the fruit against a press. Traditionally this was done by hand. Over the years a number of manual and powered machines have been developed to assist extraction, usually increasing speed, convenience and/or extraction efficiency over manual methods.

[0004] Press juicers have been developed that receive fruit (e.g. from a hopper), cut the fruit, position fruit pieces adjacent a juicing press (e.g. a convex cone), and compresses the fruit against the juicing press (e.g. by applying converging force to the juicing press and/or an opposed juicing press member) to extract juice from the fruit. This procedure can be automated, both on large and small scales. One such automated machine is described in US patent no. 5,170,699 which receives fruit, cuts it in half, locates it in semi- spherical cavities, and compresses the fruit under pressure between the semi- spherical cavities and corresponding semi-spherical protrusions. [0005] Whilst effective and capable of producing a high quality juice, they have limitations with respect to the fruit that can be processed. They are typically calibrated to receive fruit of a particular size and skin thickness. The fruit therefore needs to be graded before being juiced which increases produce costs and supply options.

[0006] With respect to skin thickness, a fixed distance between the juicing press members is predetermined to substantially match that of a typical fruit skin thickness being used at that time. This ensures maximum juice extraction, by avoiding under extraction, without excessively crushing the peel which can result in tainting the extracted juice with peel oils. Not only can a thicker skin taint the juice, but if the skin is thicker than a maximum allowed by the calibration it can result in jamming and/or damage to the machine.

[0007] Whilst some machines can be recalibrated to enable juicing of fruit with a different skin thickness this is a manual process that involves a technician adjusting the machines, typically by adding or removing spacers, which results in additional costs and downtime. It is therefore typically only undertaken when needed due to seasonal or variety changes (e.g. when changing from Navel oranges to Valencia oranges). Furthermore, it prevents frequent fruit changes and doesn’t avoid the risk of jamming or damage due to an out of specification fruit being processed (e.g. due to mis-grading or unexpected natural variation).

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is an aim of this invention to provide a juicer press assembly which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or which at least provides a useful alternative.

[0009] Other preferred objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0010] In one form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest form, there is provided a juicer press assembly for a juicing machine, the juicer press assembly comprising: a press member having a surface configured to engage with fruit; a connector configured to connect the press member to a mount of the juicing machine; and a bias member located between the connector and the press member; wherein the connector is movably coupled to the press member along a press axis and the bias member is configured to bias the press member, relative to the connector, in at least that axis.

[0011] The press member may have at least one aperture. The at least one aperture may be in the surface of the press member configured to engage with fruit. The at least one aperture may extend through the press member. The at least one aperture may extend through the press member along the press axis. The at least one aperture may be configured to allow passage of juice through the press member. The press member may have a plurality of apertures. The apertures may comprise holes. The apertures may comprise channels. The apertures may comprise slots. The slots may be arranged radially around the press member. The slots may be arranged radially around at least one of the connector and bias member.

[0012] The bias member may be a spring. The bias member may be a helical coil spring. The bias member may be an elastomeric material. The bias member may be operatively engaged at one end with a flange of the connector. The bias member may be operatively engaged at another end with an inner surface of the press member. The bias member may be located in a cavity between the connector and the press member. [0013] The press member may comprise a sleeve. The sleeve may be located inside the press member. The sleeve may be in the form of a spigot. The sleeve may be configured to receive an end portion of the connector. The sleeve may comprise a bore therethrough. The bore may be configured to allow relative movement between the sleeve and connector along a single axis. The single axis may be the press axis. The bore may be stepped. An outer surface of the sleeve may be stepped. The bore may comprise a first portion having a first inner diameter and a second portion having a second inner diameter. The first inner diameter is preferably larger than the second inner diameter.

[0014] At least a portion of the bore may comprise any non-circular cross- section. The non-circular cross-section may comprise one or more locating keys. A plurality of keys may be provided. The keys may comprise one or more notches or protrusions. The non-circular cross-sectional portion of the bore may be shaped to correspond to a complementary non-circular cross- sectional portion of the connector. The non-circular cross sections may prevent relative rotation between the sleeve and the connector.

[0015] The press member may further comprise a sealing member. The sealing member may be disc shaped. The sealing member may have a substantially cylindrical outer surface. The sealing member may have one or more grooves in its outer surface. The one or more grooves may be annular. The sealing member may comprise one or more seals. The one or more seals may be located in the one or more grooves. The one or more seals may comprise o-rings and the one or more grooves may comprise o-ring seats.

[0016] The sealing member may comprise a recess configured to receive an end of the connector. The recess may be located at one side of the sealing member. The sealing member may comprise a hole. The hole of the sealing member may extend from the recess to the other side of the sealing member. The hole is preferably configured to receive a locating pin therein. The sealing member may comprise a boss. The boss preferably extends from a side of the sealing member opposite the recess. The boss may be substantially cylindrical. The hole may extend through the boss. The sealing member may be made of a rigid material, preferably metal. In a preferred form, the sealing member is an insert made of brass.

[0017] The connector may comprise an elongate body. The connector may comprise a flange at one end. The connector may comprise a non circular cross-sectional portion. The non-circular cross-sectional portion may be at an opposite end from the flange. The non-circular cross-sectional portion may comprise protrusions and/or recesses. The non-circular cross- sectional portion may comprise keyways that correspond to a locating key of the sleeve. The non-circular cross-sectional portion may correspond substantially with the non-circular cross-sectional portion of the bore of the sleeve. The connector may be substantially cylindrical. The connector may comprise an opening. The opening may extend through the connector. The opening may extend along a longitudinal axis of the connector. The opening may be configured to receive a locating pin.

[0018] The press member may comprise a semi-spherical body. The press member may comprise a substantially hemispherical body. The surface of the press member configured to engage with fruit may be convex. The surface of the press member configured to engage with fruit may be a rounded generally semi-spherical shaped surface. The press member may be in the form of a cone or dome, more preferably a rounded or ball shaped cone or dome. The press member may be shaped to be inserted into a flesh portion of the fruit. The press member may have an outer diameter of between 60 and 120mm, preferably of between 70 and 100mm, even more preferably of between 80mm to 95mm, still more preferably of between 85 and 90mm, and in a preferred form of around 88mm. Although this is a preferred size, it should be appreciated that other sized press members may be utilised or, depending upon the shape and size of the fruit to be juiced, desirable. [0019] The connector may be coupled to the press member to allow movement along the press axis of up to 4mm and 16mm, preferably of up to 5mm to 12mm, more preferably of up to 6mm to 8mm, and in a preferred form of around 7mm.

[0020] In another form, there is provided a juicing machine comprising: a hopper; a juicer press assembly, as hereinbefore described configured to receive produce from the hopper; an actuator configured to compress the produce against the juicer press assembly; and an outlet configured to receive and deliver juice from the produce compressed against the juicer press assembly.

[0021 ] The actuator may be configured to provide up to around 150kg to 300kg of pressure, preferably around 200kg to 275kg of pressure, and in a preferred form of up to around 250kg of pressure.

[0022] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0024] Figure 1 is a side view of a juicer press assembly for a juicing machine;

[0025] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the juicer press assembly taken along plane ‘B’ of figure 1 ;

[0026] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the juicer press assembly;

[0027] Figure 4 is a perspective view of one side of a sealing member; [0028] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the other side of the sealing member of figure 4;

[0029] Figure 6 is a perspective view of one side of a sleeve;

[0030] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the other side of the sleeve of figure 6;

[0031 ] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a connector; and

[0032] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the juicer press assembly when assembled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 illustrates a juicer press assembly 10 for a juicing machine comprising a press member, in the form of a semi-spherical juicing dome or cone 120, and a connector 140 configured to connect the cone 120 to a mount of the juicing machine (not shown). The connection to the mount may comprise, for example, a threaded engagement or other suitable mechanism such as a clip with optional spacers.

[0034] The cone 120 has a hollow to receive at least a portion of the connector 140 and a plurality of spaced apart apertures 122. The spaced apart apertures 122 of the illustrated cone 120 are in the form of slots arranged radially around the connector 140. The slots 122 are sized and shaped to allow passage of liquid, such as juice from a piece of fruit being pressed against the cone 120, to pass through the cone 120. In use, clearing members of the juicer may pass through the slots to remove solids such as, for example, fruit pulp.

[0035] Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the press assembly 10, taken along plane ‘B-B’ shown in figure 1 . The cross-sectional view of figure 2 illustrates internal components in greater detail, including the connector 140, a sealing member 160, and a sleeve 180. Figure 3 illustrates the press assembly 10 in an exploded view in which each of these components can be seen more clearly. The exploded view of figure 3 also illustrates a biasing member 200 in the form of a helical coil spring. With reference to figure 2, the biasing member 200 (which is not shown in figure 2 for clarity) is located in a cavity 202 formed between the connector 140 and the press member 120.

[0036] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the sealing member 160 in greater detail. As can be seen, the sealing member is generally disc shaped with a cylindrical outer surface 162 having a pair of parallel annular grooves 164 therein. The grooves 164 are configured to accommodate sealing member (not shown) such as o-rings. The sealing member 160 has a recess 166, configured to receive an end of the connector 140, and a boss 168 on an opposite side to the recess 16.

[0037] A hole 170 extends through the sealing member 160, extending from the recess 166, through the boss 168, to the opposite side of the sealing member 160 to that of the recess 166. The hole 170 may be tapped and can preferably receive the end of a locating pin 220. The sealing member 160 is preferably an insert made of a rigid material, preferably a metallic material such as, in a preferred form, brass. In a preferred form, the sealing member 160 has an outer diameter of around 20mm, the boss 168 has an outer diameter of around 10mm, the recess has an inner diameter of around 16mm, and the hole 170 is an M4 tapped hole.

[0038] Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a sleeve 180, in the form of a spigot, shaped correspondingly to an inner socket 124 of the cone 120. The sleeve has a bore 182 extending therethrough configured to receive an end portion of the connector 140 and to allow relatively movement between the sleeve 180 and connector 140 along a longitudinal axis of the connector 140.

[0039] The bore 182 is stepped, having an inner step 184 which reduces the inner diameter of the bore 182 from a first inner diameter 186 to a second inner diameter 188. The outer surface of the sleeve 180 is also stepped, having an outer step 192 which reduces the outer diameter of the sleeve 180 from a first outer diameter 194 to a second outer diameter 196. In a preferred form, the sleeve 180 has a first inner diameter of around 24mm, a second inner diameter of around 16mm, a first outer diameter of around 28mm, and a second outer diameter of around 20mm.

[0040] The bore 182 of the sleeve 180 has a portion with a non-circular cross-section defined by locating keys 190. In the illustrated embodiment three protruding locating keys 190 spaced apart equally are provided, but it should be appreciated that differing numbers and shapes of keys may be provided. In alternative forms, a non-circular cross-section can be achieved by using a non-circular shape such as, for example, a triangle or square shape. As can be seen in figure 2 (and appreciated from figure 8 described hereinafter) the locating keys of the sleeve 180 create a non-circular cross- section portion that corresponds substantially with a non-circular cross- sectional portion of the connector 140.

[0041] Figure 8 illustrates a connector 140 having a substantially cylindrical elongate body 142 with a flange 144 at one end. At the opposite end, the connector 140 has as non-circular cross-sectional portion 146 formed by a plurality of keyways 148. In the illustrated form there are three keyways defining a generally trefoil shaped non-circular cross-sectional end of the connector 140. The keyways 148 are sized and shaped to receive locating keys 190 of the sleeve 180 as shown in figure 2. The keyways 148 have a greater length, along the longitudinal/press axis, than the locating keys 190 to enable the locating keys 190 to slide inside the keyways 148 as the connector 140 moves along the press axis relative to the press member 120, sealing member 160, and sleeve 180.

[0042] The connector 140 has an opening 150 extending through the connector. As can be seen in figure 2, the opening 150 is stepped, going from a first inner diameter to a second inner diameter that is smaller than the first. In a preferred form, the first inner diameter is M10 tapped with an inner diameter of around 8.5mm. [0043] Figure 9 illustrates the juicer press assembly 10 when assembled with the connector 140 received within the cone 120. In this configuration, the biasing member 200 operatively biases the connector 140 and cone 120 to enable relative movement along the press axis as produce is compressed against the cone 120. The biasing member 200 extends between, and abuts against, flange 140 of connector 140 and inner step 184 of bore 182 of the sleeve 180 to provide a biasing effect between the connector 140 and the cone 120 (via sleeve 180).

[0044] In use, portions of produce, typically a fruit such as an orange half, are located on the cone 120. This may be by way of a concave press member in the form of a ‘cup’ that retains and guides the piece of fruit onto the cone 120. The juicer then compresses the fruit against the cone 120, typically by lowering the concave press member and applying pressure to the fruit against the cone 120. As the fruit is compressed, juice is extracted and passes through slots 122 in the cone 120 to an outlet arranged to receive the juice therefrom and deliver it from the juice press assembly to a container such as a drinking vessel or bottle, for example.

[0045] As the pressure exerted on the fruit between the cone 120 and press member increases, the fruit compresses and eventually the biased cone 120 may move along the press axis. The bias force is preferably selected such that it resists movement of the press member during the relatively easy juice extraction but allows a limited amount of movement, around 7mm has been found to be suitable, as the force increases to the point that the skin or peel of the fruit may be being compressed. This movement of the cone 120 along the press axis effectively provides a variable distance between the cone 120 and the maximum displacement of the press member to accommodate for a greater variety of fruit characteristics such as peel thickness.

[0046] Advantageously, the juicer press assembly 10 allows high quality extraction of fruit juices, particularly for citrus fruit such as oranges, whilst significantly increasing a skin thickness tolerance by allowing biased movement of the cone 120 along the press axis during use. This can both improve the flavour of the juice, by not extracting peel oils, and reduce the likelihood of the juicing machine jamming due to the skin of a fruit being too thick for the current calibration of the machine. This also allows for a greater variety of fruit grades to be used through the machine which can reduce the number of times it needs to be recalibrated as well as allowing ungraded or more coarsely graded fruit to be used which can significantly reduce operating and produce costs.

[0047] In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order. Where the context permits, reference to an integer or a component or step (or the like) is not to be interpreted as being limited to only one of that integer, component, or step, but rather could be one or more of that integer, component, or step etc.

[0048] The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.

[0049] As used herein, an element or operation recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural elements or operations, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. [0050] In this specification, the terms ‘comprises’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’, or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.