Cordless citrus juicer
By designing a housing and battery-powered system for the closed drive motor in a citrus juicer, the problem of plug-in in the prior art is solved, and a cordless and portable juicer is realized, which improves the convenience of use.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411613916.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-11-13
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-13
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-13
AI Technical Summary
The existing citrus juicer needs to be plugged into the mains power before it can be used, which limits its effectiveness and convenience.
A cordless citrus juicer is designed, using a housing with a closed drive motor, with a built-in battery receiving cavity, which is electrically connected to multiple terminals through the battery, providing battery power, so that it can be used without plugging.
The portability and convenience of citrus juicers are realized, and users can place and operate in any convenient location, reducing their dependence on power sockets.
Smart Images

Figure CN119969810A_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0002] This application claims priority and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 598,224, filed on November 13, 2023, entitled “Cordless Citrus Juicer,” under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field
[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to citrus juicers, and more particularly to an electric citrus juice extracting apparatus. Background Art
[0004] Existing products for juicing citrus fruits can have several form factors and corresponding operating modes. In one implementation, a citrus juicer can be in the form of a press that is shaped to press the interior of the fruit against the peel so that juice sacs are ruptured therein for extraction. In some applications, the press can be included as a working tool within an electric juicing device, wherein the press is driven in a rotational motion by a motor within a base of the device. Typically, such devices include a reservoir for collecting the squeezed juice, such reservoir being either open (i.e., a throughput juicer) or closed, such that the container must be positioned near the device, or the device must be tilted to be emptied after the juicing operation or when full. In addition, such devices must be plugged into mains power to be used, thereby limiting their utility. Summary of the invention
[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a citrus juicer includes a base unit including a housing enclosing a drive motor. The housing defines a battery receiving cavity along a portion thereof, and a plurality of terminals are exposed in the battery receiving cavity. The citrus juicer also includes a reservoir assembly and a juice extraction device, the reservoir assembly being mountable on the base unit and enclosing the liquid receiving cavity, the juice extraction device being rotatably mounted at least partially within the reservoir assembly and configured to be driven by the motor when the reservoir assembly is mounted on the base. A battery can be mounted in the battery receiving cavity in electrical connection with the plurality of terminals, such that the base unit is configured to operably power the drive motor using the battery.
[0006] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a citrus juicer includes a base unit including a housing enclosing a drive motor. The housing defines a battery receiving cavity along a portion thereof, and a plurality of terminals are exposed in the battery receiving cavity. The citrus juicer also includes a reservoir assembly and a juice extraction device, the reservoir assembly being mountable on the base unit and enclosing the liquid receiving cavity, the juice extraction device being rotatably mounted at least partially within the reservoir assembly and configured to be driven by the motor when the reservoir assembly is mounted on the base. The battery is releasably mountable in the battery receiving cavity by moving the battery into the battery receiving cavity in a radial direction relative to the base unit. Installation of the battery in the battery receiving cavity connects the battery to the plurality of electrical terminals to power the motor.
[0007] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a citrus juicer includes a base unit including a housing enclosing a drive motor. The housing defines a battery receiving cavity along a portion thereof, and a plurality of terminals are exposed in the battery receiving cavity. The citrus juicer also includes a reservoir assembly and a juice extraction device, the reservoir assembly being mountable on the base unit and enclosing the liquid receiving cavity, the juice extraction device being rotatably mounted at least partially within the reservoir assembly and configured to be driven by the motor when the reservoir assembly is mounted on the base. A controller is configured to operate the motor, including by driving a rotational operation of the juice extraction device in alternating opposite directions to cause an oscillating rotation of the juice extraction device.
[0008] These and other features, advantages and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by referring to the following description, claims and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] In the attached picture:
[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a citrus juicer according to the present disclosure;
[0011] Figure 2 It is the exploded assembly diagram of the citrus juicer;
[0012] Figure 3 is a side view detail of a spout and valve arrangement associated with a citrus juicer;
[0013] Figure 4 is in open state Figure 3 side elevation detail of the nozzle and valve arrangement;
[0014] Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a citrus juicer; and
[0015] Figure 6 is a top view of a citrus juicer;
[0016] Figure 7is a perspective view of a variation of a citrus juicer according to another aspect of the present disclosure;
[0017] Figure 8 is a side view of a valve mechanism associated with a citrus juicer in a first operating state;
[0018] Fig. 9 is a front cross-sectional view of the valve mechanism in a first operating state;
[0019] Fig.10 is a side view of a valve mechanism associated with a citrus juicer in a second operating state; and
[0020] Fig.11 is a front cross-sectional view of the valve mechanism in a second operating state.
[0021] The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The presently illustrated embodiments reside primarily in the combination of method steps and apparatus components associated with a citrus juicer. Therefore, where appropriate, apparatus components and method steps are represented by conventional symbols in the drawings, and only those specific details relevant to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure are shown so as not to obscure the present disclosure with details that would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. In addition, like reference numerals in the specification and drawings represent like elements.
[0023] For the purpose of this description, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "rear", "front", "vertical", "horizontal" and their derivatives shall be used in the same manner as described herein. Figure 1 The disclosure herein is related to the disclosure of orientation. Unless otherwise specified, the term "front" shall refer to the surface of the element that is closer to the intended observer, and the term "rear" shall refer to the surface of the element that is away from the intended observer. However, it should be understood that the disclosure may take various alternative orientations unless expressly stated to the contrary. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes shown in the drawings and described in the following description are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Therefore, unless the claims expressly state otherwise, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting.
[0024] The terms "comprises," "includes," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements includes not only those elements, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element followed by "comprises..." does not, without more limitations, preclude the presence of more of the same element in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element.
[0025] Ordinal modifiers (i.e., "first," "second," etc.) may be used to distinguish various structures of the disclosed articles in various contexts, but such ordinals are not necessarily intended to apply to such elements outside the specific context in which they are used, and in various aspects, different elements of the same class of elements may be identified with the same context-specific ordinal number. In such cases, the otherwise specific names of the elements are used to clarify the overall relationship between such elements. Ordinals are not used to specify the position of elements, nor do they exclude additional or intervening non-sequential elements, nor do they indicate the importance or ranking of an element within a particular class.
[0026] For purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" (and all its forms) generally refers to the connection of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such connection may be fixed or removable in nature. Such connection may be achieved by the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate components that are integrally formed as a single unit with each other or with the two components. Unless otherwise specified, such connection may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature.
[0027] For purposes of this disclosure, the terms "about," "approximately," or "substantially" are intended to indicate that the value of a parameter is close to the value or position described. However, minor differences may prevent these values or positions from being exactly as described. Therefore, unless otherwise stated, differences of up to ten percent (10%) of a given value are reasonable differences from the ideal goal of being exactly as described. In many cases, a significant difference can be a difference greater than ten percent (10%), except where a person of ordinary skill in the art would normally understand otherwise based on the context in which such terms are used.
[0028] Reference Figures 1 to 6 , reference numeral 10 generally designates a citrus juicer. The citrus juicer 10 includes a base unit 12 including a housing 14 ( Figure 5 The housing 14 defines a battery receiving cavity 18 along a portion thereof, a plurality of terminals 20 ( Figure 2) is exposed in the battery receiving cavity 18. The citrus juicer 10 also includes a reservoir assembly 22 that can be mounted on the base unit 12 and encloses the liquid receiving cavity 24, and a juice extraction device 26 that is rotatably mounted at least partially within the liquid receiving cavity 24 and is configured to be driven by the motor 16 when the reservoir assembly 22 is mounted on the base 12. A battery 28 can be mounted in the battery receiving cavity 18 in electrical connection with the plurality of terminals 20, so that the base unit 12 is configured to operably power the drive motor 16 using the battery 28.
[0029] As will be appreciated, the use of the battery 28 to power the drive motor 16 allows the citrus juicer 10 described herein to be operated without having to plug the citrus juicer 10 into an external power source (e.g., a wall outlet, etc.), and results in the disclosed characterization of the citrus juicer 10 as being "cordless." In this manner, the citrus juicer 10 may be placed and operated in any convenient location along the counter space provided within a kitchen, regardless of the proximity of such location to an electrical outlet or available electrical outlets. Figure 2 As shown, the battery 28 is removably coupled with the housing 14 of the base 12 within the depicted battery receiving cavity 18 so that a selected battery 28 of a potentially plurality of available compatible batteries 28 can be selected and attached to the citrus juicer 10 by way of electrical connection facilitated by connection of the terminals of the battery 28 with the terminals 20 of the citrus juicer 10 exposed within the battery receiving cavity 18 to power its operation. In this manner, the battery 28 can be removed from the citrus juicer 10 for use with another compatible kitchen appliance (e.g., a hand mixer, hand blender, countertop blender, or food processor), or replaced with a rechargeable battery 28, such as when the current battery 28 has been depleted. In this manner, a depleted battery can be recharged using a compatible charger having mechanical components similar to the battery receiving cavity 18 and terminals 20 shown in conjunction with the citrus juicer 10 of the present invention. An example of such a charger is described in co-pending, commonly assigned U.S. provisional patent application having attorney docket number SUB-15280F-US-PSP [2] filed concurrently with the present application, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0030] A battery 28 and corresponding electronic circuitry 30 (eg, a battery 28 for controlling the operation of the citrus juicer 10, including the operation of the drive motor 16) are provided. Figure 5) can be configured according to an architecture that utilizes voltages in the range of approximately 10-12V, and in one implementation, 12V, wherein it is understood that the actual voltages provided and utilized may vary within a range about the described desired operating voltages according to factors generally understood in the art. Generally, such voltages may be sufficient for operating the citrus juicer 10 at acceptable operating speeds and with acceptable torques for generally acceptable use of the citrus juicer 10, including operating the motor 16, which is generally understood to be a direct current (DC) motor and in one aspect is understood to be a brushless DC motor. Additional aspects of the battery-powered electrical operation of the citrus juicer 10 are further described below.
[0031] Reference Figures 1 to 6 , certain features of the disclosed citrus juicer 10 can increase the usability or overall performance of the device in a manner that does not necessarily rely on the use of the above-described battery 28 to exhibit such an effect. In one aspect, the citrus juicer 10 may include a plug-in interface between the reservoir assembly 22 and the base unit 12. Generally, the base 12 is configured to rest on a countertop surface, with the reservoir assembly 22 supported on the base 12. A motor 16 housed in the base 12 rotates a drive shaft 34 extending from the center of an upper protrusion 36 on an upper surface 32 of the base 12. The reservoir assembly 22 can be mounted on the base 12 by receiving the protrusion 36 within a lower cavity 38 defined on the reservoir assembly 22. As Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the protrusion 36 can define at least one alignment tab 40 extending outwardly along the upper surface 32 of the base 12 away from the drive shaft 34. In this regard, the reservoir assembly 22 can include a bowl body 42 defining the lower cavity 38 of the reservoir assembly 22, and the bowl body 42 can define at least one recess 44 corresponding to the alignment tab 40 for when the reservoir assembly 22 is moved substantially vertically toward the base unit 12 through the bowl body 42 (e.g., from a position similar to Figure 2 The location shown to Figure 1 When the bowl 42 is mounted on the base unit 12 in the position shown in the figure, the alignment tab 40 is received in the recess 44. In one aspect, the current arrangement used to couple the reservoir assembly 22 to the base 12 can be characterized as a plug-in connection. In particular, the arrangement allows the bowl 42 to couple with the base 12 when it is lowered into place over the protrusion 36, without requiring any twisting to engage a coupling that may be associated with, for example, a threaded or bayonet-style attachment.
[0032] exist Figure 2In the illustrated arrangement, for example, the base 12 includes two tabs 40 extending outwardly from the protrusion 36, and the bowl 42 includes two corresponding recesses 44 that align with the tabs 40. In one example, the tabs 40 can be of different sizes and / or shapes (or in asymmetrical relative positions) so that the bowl 42 can only be oriented in one orientation (e.g., Figure 1 The reservoir assembly 22 is assembled to the base 12 in an orientation. This arrangement helps prevent rotation of the reservoir assembly 22 relative to the base unit 12, including under the torque of the motor 16 transmitted by the drive shaft 34, which is further discussed below.
[0033] In addition, the bowl body 42 defines the above-mentioned liquid receiving cavity 24 and includes a lower wall 46. The lower cavity 38 of the reservoir assembly 22 can be defined within the lower wall 46 so as to extend inwardly from the lower wall 46. In this regard, the cavity 38 can be inserted relative to the side wall 48 of the bowl body 42, and the side wall 48 extends upward from the lower wall 46 to further define the liquid receiving cavity 24. In this arrangement, the protrusion 36, which can be generally circular in shape in addition to the tab 40, can be fitted within the cavity 38 in a manner that is generally in close contact with the cavity 38, so that the bowl body 42 is generally positioned relative to the base 12 so that the lower wall 46 rests on the upper surface 32. As shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, the side wall 48 may extend downwardly beyond the lower wall 46 to visually engage the base 12 such that the inwardly disposed lower cavity 38 is at least partially obscured.
[0034] like Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, a stop feature 50 may be defined between the recess 44 and the protrusion 36, which stop feature 50 may be configured to be engaged when the reservoir assembly 22 is moved to the installed position ( Figure 1 ), the user feedback comprising the protrusion 36 being received into the recess 44. In the present example, at least one alignment tab 40 may include a spring biased ball 52 that may conformably engage with a corresponding cavity 54 in the aligned recess 44 to provide a snap fit between the bowl 42 and the base unit 12, which may particularly increase the retention of such fit. In another aspect, the detent mechanism 50 may be used as an interlock configured to prevent activation of the motor 16 in the absence of the bowl 42 on the base 12, but in the present example, the detent mechanism 50 is included simply for feedback and / or retention. In various examples, a similar detent mechanism 50 may be included between each tab 40 and the recess 44, but some arrangements may include only one detent mechanism 50.
[0035] The bowl 42 is sized to hold the juice output from the fruit (including larger fruits such as grapefruit or multiple oranges, lemons, etc.) for dispensing when juicing is complete. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the reservoir assembly 22 includes a dispensing spout 25, which can be integrally formed with the bowl 42, for example. In the example shown, the flap valve 56 is hingedly or otherwise rotatably coupled to the dispensing spout 25 and / or the adjacent bowl 42, and can be biased toward a closed position above the spout 25 ( Figure 3 In this arrangement, the user can press the opening lever 58 on the flap valve 56 to open the valve 56 ( Figure 4 ) and distribute the collected juice from the liquid receiving chamber 24. In one aspect, the valve 56 can have a bistable biasing arrangement, wherein once the valve 56 is moved to the fully open position ( Figure 4 ), valve 56 remains open until closed by the user. It is noteworthy that the height of base 12 positions spout 25 at a height configured to accommodate relatively tall containers (such as mixing bowls, large glasses, etc.).
[0036] Return to reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 In addition to the bowl 42, the reservoir assembly 22 may also include a filter 60 (also referred to as a screen) removably disposed in the bowl 42. In this manner, the bowl 42 may define an internal support 62 through which the drive shaft 34 extends. The internal support 62 may define a flange 64 that at least partially supports the filter 60 within the top of the bowl 42. The filter 60 is configured to capture pulp, seeds, and other solid matter while allowing the extracted juice to collect in the liquid receiving chamber 24. In this arrangement, the juice extraction device 26 is in the form of a press 26 that is centrally mounted within the bowl 42 and the filter 60. In one aspect, the press 26 is rotationally located above an upper portion of the internal support 62. The press 26 is connected to the drive shaft 34 through the internal support 62 and, therefore, the filter 60, such that rotation of the drive shaft 34 causes rotation of the press 26 to extract juice from the fruit that is squeezed into engagement therewith. As shown, the squeezer 26 may include a plurality of ribs 66 that intersect in a tip 68 and are configured to aid in extracting juice from the citrus fruit.
[0037] In operation, the juicer 10 is configured to release the juicer 26 when the juice extraction device 26 is depressed at a force above a predetermined threshold (i.e., by being depressed downward by an engaged cut citrus fruit, such as Figure 5 When the motor 16 is rotated to a predetermined degree (as shown in FIG. 1 ), the operation of causing the rotation of the juice extraction device 26 is initiated. More specifically, the juice extraction device 26 can move into the liquid receiving chamber 24 in the downward direction D against the upward spring bias. As described above, such movement of the juice extraction device 26 in the downward direction D can operate the switch 67, which is configured to initiate the operation of the motor 16 to drive the juice extraction device 26.
[0038] like Figure 6 As shown, during operation, the juicer 10 can continuously reverse the rotational direction R1 and R2 of the juice extraction appliance 26. This arrangement is facilitated by using a DC motor 16 powered by the above-mentioned battery 28. In one aspect, the above-mentioned electronic circuit 30 can include a controller in the form of a microprocessor or the like, which can include programming to operate the citrus juicer 10, including based on the state of the above-mentioned switch 66. In various aspects, the programming can include firmware or software specifically adapted to operate the motor 16 via the current received from the battery 28. In one example, the programming can be adapted to start the operation of the motor 16 when the switch 66 is pressed, and to reverse the operating direction R1, R2 of the motor 16 at predetermined intervals during operation (e.g., as long as the switch 66 remains in the pressed state) to cause oscillating rotation of the juice extraction appliance 26. In one example, the motor 16 can reverse after rotating 360° in each direction (or after a time interval of, for example, between 2 seconds and 5 seconds). In addition, after each successive deactivation and reactivation of the juicer 10 by the switch 66, the direction R1, R2 can be opposite to the previous direction.
[0039] return Figure 2 , the battery receiving cavity 18 can be configured to receive the battery 28 in a releasably retainable arrangement by the battery 28 being moved into the battery receiving cavity 18 in a radial direction relative to the base unit 12. In the example shown, the battery receiving cavity 18 is positioned above the bottom surface 71 of the base unit 12. Figure 2 As further shown, the battery 28 is adapted to be in a snap-fit arrangement with the battery receiving cavity 18, wherein the battery 28 is moved toward the battery receiving cavity 18 in a lateral direction L and pressed into engagement therewith. In this arrangement, the terminals 20 of the battery receiving cavity 18 engage with the aligned battery terminals to electrically connect with the battery 28 when the battery 28 is fully received in the battery receiving cavity 18. As shown, the battery 28 may include spring-loaded tabs 70 that are urged outwardly so that they may be moved inwardly by initial engagement with corresponding notches 72 in the battery receiving cavity 18, and then moved outwardly behind the notches 72 when the battery 28 is fully received in the battery receiving cavity 18 to be fixedly held thereby. When the battery 28 is to be removed, a button 74 associated with the tabs 70 may be pressed to move the tabs 70 inwardly, thereby releasing them from the notches 72. As further shown, when used with the citrus juicer 10, the battery 28 is positioned with its charge level indicator light 76 pointing upward for visibility.
[0040] Go to Figures 8 to 11, (where like features are shown with like reference numerals as used above increased by 100 and where all features are substantially similar unless otherwise discussed herein) shows an alternative arrangement of valve 156 wherein, as described above, bowl 142 defines a valve housing 178 extending from bowl 142 adjacent a lower portion of liquid receiving chamber 124. A fluid outlet in the form of a downwardly angled dispensing spout 125 communicates with a sidewall 180 of valve housing 178 to define a fluid flow path from liquid receiving chamber 124. Valve body 159 is rotatably coupled within valve housing 178 and is movable to Figure 8 and Fig. 9 When in the closed position, the valve body 159 (a portion of the valve body 159) extends above the intersection of the fluid outlet 125 and the valve housing 178 so as to contact the inner surface of the side wall 180 in the area around the intersection, thereby closing the flow path to the dispensing spout 125. In this arrangement, the closure of the fluid flow path retains the liquid L in the liquid receiving chamber 124. The valve body 159 can also be moved to Fig.10 and Fig.11 The dispensing position shown, in which the intersection of the valve housing 178 and the dispensing spout 125 is not covered by the valve body 159. In this position, the fluid flow path out of the liquid receiving chamber 124 is open, so that any liquid L collected therein can be dispensed. In this arrangement, the valve body 159 can be at least partially enclosed by the knob 158, and the valve body 159 can be coupled to the knob 158 (in one aspect, including by being integrally formed therewith). The knob 158 can be used to manipulate the position of the valve body 159 to selectively open and close the fluid flow path out of the liquid receiving chamber 124. In one aspect, the arrangement of the valve body 159 within the valve housing 178 can be characterized as a butterfly valve, which can be moved between an open position and a closed position by a user rotating the knob 158 so that the valve moves through a "quarter turn" motion (i.e., 90° or less, including in either direction from a zero or closed position), and the knob 158 can include a ridge 182 or other indicator of its position. In an alternative arrangement, the position of the valve body 159 may be controlled by a lever or other similar structure.
[0041] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the described disclosure and other components of construction are not limited to any particular material. Unless otherwise specified herein, other exemplary embodiments of the invention disclosed herein may be formed from a variety of materials.
[0042] It is also important to note that the structure and arrangement of the elements of the present disclosure shown in the exemplary embodiments are only illustrative. Although only several embodiments of the present invention are described in detail in the present disclosure, it will be easily understood by those skilled in the art who read the present disclosure that many modifications (e.g., changes in the size, size, structure, shape and ratio, parameter value, installation arrangement, use of materials, color, orientation, etc. of various elements) can be made without substantially departing from the novel teaching and advantages of the narrated subject. For example, the element represented as being formed as a whole can be composed of multiple parts, or the element represented as multiple parts can be formed as a whole, the operation of the interface can be reversed or otherwise changed, the length or width of the structure and / or member or connector or other elements of the system can be changed, and the nature or quantity of the adjustment position provided between the elements can be changed. It should be noted that the elements and / or components of the system can be composed of any of a variety of materials providing sufficient strength or durability, with any of a variety of colors, textures and combinations. Therefore, all these modifications should be included within the scope of the present invention. Without departing from the spirit of the present invention, other replacements, modifications, changes and omissions can be made to the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments.
[0043] It should be understood that any process described or any step in the process described can be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as limiting.
Claims
1. A citrus juicer, comprising: a base unit including a housing enclosing a drive motor, the housing defining a battery receiving cavity along a portion thereof, a plurality of terminals exposed in the battery receiving cavity; a reservoir assembly mountable on the base unit and enclosing the liquid receiving chamber; a juice extraction appliance rotatably mounted at least partially within the reservoir assembly and configured to be driven by the motor when the reservoir assembly is mounted on the base; and A battery is mountable in the battery receiving cavity in electrical connection with the plurality of terminals, wherein the base unit is configured to operably power the drive motor using the battery.
2. The citrus juicer of claim 1, wherein the housing of the base unit defines: an upper surface from which a drive shaft of the base unit extends and passes through the housing to connect with the motor; and A protrusion extends upwardly from the upper surface and surrounds the drive shaft, wherein the reservoir assembly is mountable on the base unit by receiving the protrusion within a lower cavity defined on the reservoir assembly.
3. The citrus juicer according to claim 2, wherein: The projection defines an alignment tab extending outwardly along the upper surface of the housing away from the drive motor; and The reservoir assembly includes a bowl body defining the lower cavity of the reservoir assembly, the bowl body defining a recess corresponding to the alignment tab for receiving the alignment tab in the recess when the reservoir assembly is mounted on the base unit by substantially vertical movement of the bowl body toward the base unit.
4. The citrus juicer of claim 3, wherein a stop feature is defined between the recess and the protrusion, the stop feature being configured to provide user feedback when the reservoir assembly is moved into the installed position on the base unit, the user feedback comprising the protrusion being received into the recess.
5. The citrus juicer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The reservoir assembly includes a bowl and a filter removably disposed in the bowl; and The bowl defines an internal support through which a drive shaft operably associated with the motor extends, the internal support defining a flange that at least partially supports the filter within a top portion of the bowl.
6. The citrus juicer of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the battery receiving cavity is configured to receive the battery in a releasably retainable arrangement by movement of the battery into the battery receiving cavity in a radial direction relative to the base unit.
7. The citrus juicer according to claim 1, wherein: The juice extraction device is movable in a downward direction into the liquid receiving chamber against an upward spring bias; and Movement of the juice extraction appliance in the downward direction operates a switch configured to initiate operation of the motor to drive the juice extraction appliance.
8. The citrus juicer of claim 7, wherein the switch is connected to a controller configured to control operation of the motor, including initiating operation of the motor, and configured to reverse the operating direction of the motor at predetermined intervals during operation to cause oscillatory rotation of the juice extraction appliance.
9. The citrus juicer of claim 7 or 8, wherein the switch is connected to a controller configured to control operation of the motor, including activating operation of the juicing appliance in alternating opposite directions when activated successively by downward movement of the juicing appliance.
10. The citrus juicer of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reservoir assembly comprises: a bowl body, the bowl body defining at least a lower portion of the liquid receiving chamber, the bowl body defining a fluid outlet, the fluid outlet configured to allow liquid to flow out of the liquid receiving chamber; as well as A flap valve is hingedly connected to the bowl body and can be rotated to a sealing position in which a portion of the flap valve is disposed above the fluid outlet, and can also be rotated to a dispensing position in which the fluid outlet is opened to allow liquid to flow out of the liquid receiving chamber.
11. The citrus juicer of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reservoir assembly comprises: a bowl body defining at least a lower portion of the liquid receiving chamber, the bowl body defining a valve housing and a fluid outlet, the valve housing extending from the bowl body adjacent the lower portion of the liquid receiving chamber, the fluid outlet communicating with a sidewall of the valve housing to allow liquid to flow out of the liquid receiving chamber; as well as A valve body is rotatably coupled within the valve housing and is movable between a closed position in which a portion of the valve body extends above an intersection of the fluid outlet and the valve housing and a dispensing position in which the intersection is not covered by the valve body.
12. A citrus juicer, comprising: a base unit including a housing enclosing a drive motor, the housing defining a battery receiving cavity along a portion thereof, a plurality of terminals exposed in the battery receiving cavity; a reservoir assembly mountable on the base unit and enclosing the liquid receiving chamber; a juice extraction appliance rotatably mounted at least partially within the reservoir assembly and configured to be driven by the motor when the reservoir assembly is mounted on the base; and A battery is releasably mountable in the battery receiving cavity by movement of the battery into the battery receiving cavity in a radial direction relative to the base unit, wherein mounting of the battery in the battery receiving cavity connects the battery with a plurality of electrical terminals to power the motor.
13. The citrus juicer of claim 12, wherein the housing of the base unit defines: an upper surface from which a drive shaft of the base unit extends and passes through the housing to connect with the motor; and A protrusion extends upwardly from the upper surface and surrounds the drive shaft, wherein the reservoir assembly is mountable on the base unit by receiving the protrusion within a lower cavity defined on the reservoir assembly.
14. The citrus juicer of claim 12 or 13, wherein the reservoir assembly comprises: a bowl body, the bowl body defining at least a lower portion of the liquid receiving chamber, the bowl body defining a fluid outlet, the fluid outlet configured to allow liquid to flow out of the liquid receiving chamber; as well as A flap valve is hingedly connected to the bowl body and can be rotated to a sealing position in which a portion of the flap valve is disposed above the fluid outlet, and can also be rotated to a dispensing position in which the fluid outlet is opened to allow liquid to flow out of the liquid receiving chamber.
15. The citrus juicer of claim 12 or 13, wherein the reservoir assembly comprises: a bowl body defining at least a lower portion of the liquid receiving chamber, the bowl body defining a valve housing and a fluid outlet, the valve housing extending from the bowl body adjacent the lower portion of the liquid receiving chamber, the fluid outlet communicating with a sidewall of the valve housing to allow liquid to flow out of the liquid receiving chamber; as well as A valve body is rotatably coupled within the valve housing and is movable between a closed position in which a portion of the valve body extends above an intersection of the fluid outlet and the valve housing and a dispensing position in which the intersection is not covered by the valve body.
16. A citrus juicer, comprising: a base unit including a housing enclosing a drive motor, the housing defining a battery receiving cavity along a portion thereof, a plurality of terminals exposed in the battery receiving cavity; a reservoir assembly mountable on the base unit and enclosing the liquid receiving chamber; a juice extraction appliance rotatably mounted at least partially within the reservoir assembly and configured to be driven by the motor when the reservoir assembly is mounted on a base; as well as A controller is configured to operate the motor, including by driving a rotational operation of the juice extraction appliance in alternating opposite directions to cause oscillatory rotation of the juice extraction appliance.
17. The citrus juicer of claim 16, wherein: The juice extraction device is movable in a downward direction into the liquid receiving chamber against an upward spring bias; Movement of the juice extraction appliance in the downward direction operates a switch in electrical communication with the controller to initiate operation of the motor to drive the juice extraction appliance.
18. The citrus juicer of claim 17, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the motor including activating operation of the juicing appliance in alternating opposite directions upon successive activation of the switch by downward movement of the juicing appliance.
19. The citrus juicer of any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the motor, including initiating operation of the motor, and to reverse the direction of operation of the motor at predetermined intervals during operation.
20. The citrus juicer of claim 16, wherein: the battery receiving cavity being configured for releasably mounting the battery therein by movement of the battery into the battery receiving cavity in a radial direction relative to the base unit; and Installation of the battery within the battery receiving cavity connects the battery to a plurality of electrical terminals to power the drive motor.