FOOD PREPARATION APPLIANCE, TOOL AND LID FOR SUCH APPLIANCE
The food preparation apparatus addresses residue clogging by using a fixed residue recovery tool with an upward ramp and collection tray, ensuring continuous juice extraction and efficient residue management.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ROBOT COUPE SNC
- Filing Date
- 2021-09-01
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-12
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: FOOD PREPARATION APPARATUS, TOOL AND LID FOR SUCH APPARATUS Technical field of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a food preparation apparatus, a tool and a lid for such an apparatus.
[0002] It applies, in particular, to the field of domestic, professional or commercial catering equipment. State of the art
[0003] An electric centrifuge or an electric citrus press allows the juice to be extracted from whole or cut fruits by means of a rotating tool driven by an electric motor, for example a cone or a grater.
[0004] The juice thus produced then passes through a filter to remove solid residues such as large pieces of pulp, seeds, or the internal walls of the fruit being processed. In professional machines, this filter is most often rotating to extract the juice by centrifugation. This significantly increases the yield compared to simple fixed filters found, for example, on the most basic citrus juicers, where only gravity plays a role. This rotating filter can be integrated into the tool, the whole assembly then forming a basket.
[0005] In the case of machines without a residue evacuation system, the rotating filters adopt a cylindrical shape with vertical walls. The disadvantage is that the residue remains trapped in the basket, the efficiency then gradually decreasing as it clogs the filter, the machine eventually having to be stopped regularly to empty the basket, otherwise it will overflow, causing losses and splashing.
[0006] To remedy this, many professional machines include a continuous residue removal system, thanks to a rotating filter with a very flared conical shape and sloping walls. The residue retained by the filter then rises along it under the effect of centrifugal force, until it overflows and falls, for example, into a residue collection bin.
[0007] However, some applications see their yield greatly reduced by this device, in which the juice produced will also tend to rise up the filter instead of passing through, to finally be discharged with the residues.
[0008] These applications therefore require the use of a filter with more gently inclined or even vertical walls, incompatible with the continuous waste removal system described above. Presentation of the invention
[0009] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these drawbacks.
[0010] To this end, the present invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a device for food preparation, intended for the production of fruit and / or vegetable juices from whole or chopped fruits and / or vegetables, which includes: - a rotating electric motor mechanically connected to at least one basket having an internal volume into which the fruits and / or vegetables are placed and equipped with juice drainage openings, this basket rotating, in one direction of rotation, around an axis of rotation, - a lower surface for receiving the juice flowing through the basket's drainage openings and - a fixed residue recovery tool comprising a ramp positioned, permanently during the operation of the device, near the internal surface of the basket, the ramp having, in the direction of rotation of the basket, an upward inclination towards a superior surface of the internal volume of the basket opposite the lower surface, so that the residues carried by the basket to the ramp go up the ramp to exit the internal volume of the basket.
[0011] Thanks to these features, fruit or vegetable residue does not accumulate on the surface of the basket, thus preventing clogging of the juice drainage openings. The device of the invention can therefore operate continuously, extracting juice from numerous fruits or vegetables. Because the tool remains permanently in the device during operation, there is no interruption in this process, and a very large quantity of fruits or vegetables can be processed without having to stop the operation to empty the basket, as is the case with devices lacking residue removal systems.
[0012] In embodiments, the basket includes at least one surface for carrying the residues exiting the ramp outside the internal volume of the basket.
[0013] Thus, the fruit or vegetable residues that have gone up the ramp under the effect of the rotation of the basket are carried by the drive surface and can be collected.
[0014] In embodiments, the basket has, on the periphery of its upper face, a collar for carrying the residues, guiding them out of the internal volume of the basket.
[0015] Thus, the fruit or vegetable residues which have risen the ramp under the effect of the rotation of the basket are carried by the collar and, by the action of the centrifugal force, are then ejected to be collected.
[0016] In embodiments, the device further comprises a residue collection tray whose opening is positioned outside the internal volume of the basket and near the upper surface of the basket.
[0017] Thus, the collection bin gathers the fruit or vegetable residues that have traveled up the ramp and been carried along by a conveying surface or collar. This collection bin allows for further processing of these residues, for example, for recycling or disposal.
[0018] In embodiments, the device further comprises a cover supporting the fixed residue recovery tool by positioning the ramp opposite the internal surface of the basket at a predetermined distance, the cover having a fruit and / or vegetable introduction chute opening into the internal volume of the basket, as well as surfaces for guiding the residue towards the mouth of the collection tray.
[0019] Thus, the tool is supported by the cover, which eliminates the need for a separate fixed support. Disassembly and subsequent cleaning of the cover, the tool, and the guide surfaces can therefore be carried out jointly and simultaneously.
[0020] In embodiments, the device further comprises a movable pusher in the feed chute of the lid, this pusher having an external shape corresponding to the shape of an internal wall of the chute, and a means of blocking a rotation of the pusher with respect to an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the basket.
[0021] Thus, the pusher is blocked from rotation by means of blocking a rotation around an axis of the chute, and takes charge of the torque necessary for the processing of the fruit or vegetable, preventing it from starting to rotate with the basket.
[0022] In embodiments, the chute includes a wall supporting the residue recovery tool.
[0023] Thus, the residue recovery tool is incorporated into the lid.
[0024] In embodiments, the chute comprises a cylindrical or conical wall, this wall opening into the internal volume of the basket, in which there is at least one plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the basket and passing through the internal volume of the basket, the intersection of which with this wall is non-circular.
[0025] Thus, the pusher is blocked from rotating by the chute, and takes over the torque necessary for processing the fruit or vegetable, preventing it from rotating with the basket.
[0026] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a tool for recovering residues from the extraction of fruit and / or vegetable juice from an apparatus which is the subject of the present invention.
[0027] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a cover for a device which is the subject of the present invention.
[0028] The advantages, purposes and special characteristics of this recovery tool and this cover being similar to those of the device which is the subject of the invention, they are not recalled here. Brief description of the figures
[0029] Other advantages, purposes and particular features of the invention will become apparent from the following non-limiting description of at least one particular embodiment of the device that is the subject of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0030] [Fig. 1] represents, schematically, partially, and in vertical section view, a first embodiment of the apparatus which is the subject of the invention,
[0031] [Fig.2] represents, schematically, partially, and in vertical section view perpendicular to the section of [Fig.1], the device illustrated in [Fig.1],
[0032] [Fig.3] schematically represents, partially, and in top view, the apparatus illustrated in figures 1 and 2,
[0033] [Fig.4] represents, schematically, partially, in perspective view, a second particular embodiment of the device that is the subject of the invention,
[0034] [Fig.5] is a partial exploded perspective view of the device illustrated in [Fig.3],
[0035] [Fig.6] is a perspective view from below of a lid that is the subject of the invention and
[0036] [Fig.7] schematically represents the removal of residues from a ramp of a lid via a basket collar. Description of the implementation methods
[0037] The present description is given by way of non-limiting grammar, each feature of an embodiment being able to be advantageously combined with any other feature of any other embodiment.
[0038] It is noted from the outset that figures 1 to 3 and 7 are not to scale but that figures 4 to 6 are each to scale and that the scales of these figures 4 to 6 may be different.
[0039] Throughout this description, "internal" or "central" refers to anything close to or oriented towards an axis 25 of the device, and "external" refers to anything far from or oriented in the opposite direction to this axis. "Top" or "upper" refers to anything at the top in the figures, these figures corresponding to the device's operating configuration, with gravity acting downwards in these figures. "Bottom" or "lower" refers to anything at the bottom in these figures. Heights are defined from bottom to top in these figures.
[0040] Figures 1 to 3 show a food preparation apparatus 20, which makes fruit and / or vegetable juices from whole or chopped fruit and / or vegetables.
[0041] The apparatus 20 comprises, in its lower part, a rotating electric motor 21 which is connected by a mechanical linkage 31, i.e., a shaft 31, to a basket 22. The basket 22 has an internal volume 23 into which the fruits and / or vegetables are placed. The basket 22 is provided with juice drainage openings 24. This basket 22 rotates, in one direction of rotation, around a rotation axis 25. The apparatus 20 also comprises a lower surface 26 for receiving the juice flowing through the drainage openings 24 of the basket 22.
[0042] The apparatus 20 further includes a fixed tool 27 for recovering fruit or vegetable residues. The tool 27 has a ramp 28 positioned, permanently during the operation of the apparatus 20, near an internal surface 29 of the basket 22. Viewed from above, in [Fig. 3], the direction of rotation of the basket is counterclockwise, as indicated by the dashed arrow 34.
[0043] The ramp 28 has, in the direction of rotation of the basket 22, an upward inclination towards a surface 30 above the internal volume 23 of the basket 22. Consequently, the residues carried by the basket 22 to the ramp 28 travel up the ramp 28 to exit the internal volume 23 of the basket 22. The path of the residues on the ramp 28 is represented by the dashed arrow 33.
[0044] It is noted that the upper surface 30 is defined as the opening of the basket 22 located in the highest plane.
[0045] A drain 32 allows the juice to flow from the juice receiving surface 26 to a juice outlet outside the device 20 or to a juice reservoir (not shown).
[0046] The section in which [Fig. 1] is implemented is section A - A illustrated in [Fig. 3]. The section in which [Fig. 2] is implemented is section B - B illustrated in [Fig. 3].
[0047] Figures 4 to 7 show a food preparation apparatus 40, which makes fruit and / or vegetable juices from whole or chopped fruit and / or vegetables.
[0048] The apparatus 40 comprises, in its lower part, a rotating electric motor (not shown) which is connected by a mechanical linkage (not shown) to a basket 42. The basket 42 has an internal volume 43 into which the fruits and / or vegetables are placed. The basket 42 is provided with juice drainage openings (not shown). This basket 42 rotates, in one direction of rotation, around a rotation axis 25. The apparatus 40 also comprises a lower surface 46 for receiving the juice flowing through the drainage openings of the basket 42.
[0049] The apparatus 40 further includes a fixed tool 47 for recovering fruit or vegetable residues. The tool 47 includes a ramp 48 positioned, permanently during the operation of the apparatus 40, near an internal surface 49 of the basket 42. Top view, the direction of rotation of the basket is counter-clockwise, also called trigonometric direction as represented by arrow 54.
[0050] The ramp 48 has, in the direction of rotation of the basket 42, an upward inclination towards a surface 50 above the internal volume 43 of the basket 42. As a result, the residues carried by the basket 42 up to the ramp 48 go up the ramp 48 along the path symbolized by the arrow 53, to exit the internal volume 43 of the basket 42, along the path symbolized by the arrow 64.
[0051] It is noted that the upper surface 50 is defined as the opening of the basket 42 located in the highest plane.
[0052] A drain 52 allows the juice to flow from the juice receiving surface 46 to a juice outlet 55 outside the device 50 or to a juice reservoir (not shown).
[0053] In addition to these elements, which have the characteristics of the corresponding elements illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, a pressing cone 56 and a lid 57 are shown in Figures 4 to 7. The pressing cone 56 is integral with the basket 42. For example, a single piece comprises the basket 42 and the pressing cone 56. The pressing cone 56 receives the fruit or vegetable, typically half a citrus fruit, which is subjected to a downward force. Due to the rotation of the pressing cone 56, some of the juice contained in the fruit or vegetable is extracted. The lid 57 has a central chute 59 for introducing fruits and / or vegetables, which opens into the internal volume 43 of the basket 42. The fruit or vegetable to be pressed is pushed through the chute 59 towards the pressing cone 56. A pusher 60, held by hand or mounted on a lever (not shown), allows the pressing force to be applied to the fruit or vegetable.
[0054] In the embodiment illustrated in figures 4 to 7, the basket 42 has at least one training surface 61 for the residues exiting the ramp 48 outside the internal volume 43 of the basket 42, following the path symbolized by the arrow 64.
[0055] In this embodiment, the basket 42 has, on the periphery of its upper face, a collar 62 for carrying the residues, guiding them out of the internal volume of the basket 42, following the path symbolized by the arrow 69.
[0056] As illustrated in [Fig.7], when the residues go up the ramp 48 following the path symbolized by the arrow 53, they approach the lower surface 63 of the cover 57 and are pushed outwards along the path symbolized by the arrow 64. They then reach the drive collar 62 and, when passing over the drive surface 61, are carried along this collar 62.
[0057] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 to 7, the cover 57 supports the fixed residue recovery tool 47 by positioning the ramp 48 opposite the internal surface 49 of the basket 42 at a predetermined distance, for example included, for the The walls are substantially vertical, between zero and ten millimeters thick, and for the lower wall, between one and twenty millimeters thick. The lid 57 has surfaces 66 for guiding residues towards the opening 65 of a residue collection bin 58. This opening 65 is positioned outside the internal volume 43 of the basket 42 and near the upper surface of the basket 42.
[0058] Due to centrifugal force, when these residues carried by the collar 62 arrive at the opening of the collection tray 58, they are ejected into this collection tray 58, following the path symbolized by the arrow 70.
[0059] As illustrated in Figures 4 and 6, the chute 59 for inserting the cover 57 has a cylindrical or conical wall 68, this wall being positioned within the internal volume 43 of the basket 42 and supporting the residue recovery tool 47. In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 to 7, there is at least one plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation 25 of the basket 42 and passing through the internal volume 43 of the basket 42, the intersection of which with this wall is non-circular. Furthermore, the pusher 60 has an external shape complementary to the cylindrical or conical wall 68 of the chute 59 for inserting the cover 57.
[0060] In other words, the device 40 includes a fixed cover 57 equipped with a scraper ramp 48, which scrapes the inner edge of the rotating filter, or basket 42. This ramp 48 is inclined so that the residues, naturally carried along by the rotation of the basket 42, rise along this ramp 48 until they are captured by rotating blades 61 fixed to the upper part of the basket 42. The fixed cover 57 has an opening 67 through which the residues are then expelled by centrifugal force, to fall back into the collection tray 58 located at the rear of the device 40.
[0061] Other explanations and variants of the embodiment of the apparatus and the cover which are the subject of the invention are given below.
[0062] In alternative embodiments, a locking means (not shown), for example a lever, prevents any rotation of the pusher 60 relative to an axis parallel to the axis 25 of rotation of the basket 42. The pusher being locked in rotation by this locking means, it takes on the torque necessary for processing the fruit or vegetable, preventing it from starting to rotate with the basket 42.
[0063] It should be noted that the ramp, 28 or 48, does not need to extend beyond the internal volume for the technical effect to be achieved. Indeed, the primary role of this ramp, 28 or 48, is to detach the residues from the surfaces of the internal volume and bring these residues to the surface until they are picked up by drive means, for example blades, which may extend beyond the internal volume 23 or 43 if the residues do not extend beyond it on their own.
[0064] The distance between the lateral edge of the ramp and the substantially vertical inner surface of the basket is reduced as much as possible to maximize the scraping effect of this surface of the basket.
[0065] It is noted that each surface for carrying the residues exiting the ramp outside the internal volume of the basket can take different forms, for example blades, handles or protruding surfaces.
Claims
Demands
1. Food preparation apparatus (20, 40) intended for making fruit and / or vegetable juice from whole or chopped fruit and / or vegetables, comprising: - a rotating electric motor (21) mechanically connected to at least one basket (22, 42), a rotating filter allowing the extraction of juice by centrifugation, this basket having an internal volume (23, 43) into which the fruit and / or vegetables are introduced and provided with juice outlets (24), this basket rotating, in a direction of rotation, around an axis of rotation (25) and - a lower surface (26, 46) for receiving the juice flowing through the outlets of the basket;characterized in that it further comprises: - a fixed residue recovery tool (27, 47) comprising a ramp (28, 48) positioned permanently during the operation of the apparatus near the internal surface (29, 49) of the basket, the ramp having, in the direction of rotation of the basket, an upward inclination towards a superior surface (30, 50) of the internal volume of the basket opposite the inferior surface, so that the residues carried by the basket to the ramp go up the ramp to exit the internal volume of the basket.;
2. Apparatus (20, 40) according to claim 1, wherein the basket (22, 42) has at least one drive surface (61) for the residues exiting the ramp outside the internal volume of the basket.
3. Apparatus (20, 40) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the basket (22, 42) has, on the periphery of its upper face (30, 50), a collar (62) for carrying the residues, guiding them out of the internal volume (23, 43) of the basket.
4. Apparatus (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a residue collection bin (58) whose mouth (65) is positioned outside the internal volume (43) of the basket (42) and near the upper surface (50) of the basket.
5. Apparatus (40) according to claim 4, further comprising a cover (57) supporting the fixed residue recovery tool (47) by positioning the ramp (48) opposite the inner surface (49) of the basket (42) at a predetermined distance, the cover having a fruit and / or vegetable introduction chute (59) opening into the internal volume of the basket, as well as the surfaces (66) for guiding the residues towards the mouth (65) of the collection bin (58).
6. Device (40) according to claim 5, which further comprises a pusher (60) movable in the chute (59) for introducing the cover (57), this pusher having an external shape corresponding to the shape of an internal wall (68) of the chute (59), and a means for blocking a rotation of the pusher with respect to an axis parallel to the axis of rotation (25) of the basket (22, 42).
7. Apparatus (40) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the chute (59) has a wall (68) supporting the residue recovery tool (47).
8. Apparatus (40) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the chute (59) comprises a cylindrical or conical wall (68), this wall opening into the internal volume of the basket (42), in which there is at least one plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation (25) of the basket and passing through the internal volume (43) of the basket, the intersection of which with this wall is non-circular.
9. Apparatus (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the basket (42) is integral with a pressing cone (56).
10. Apparatus (40) according to claim 9, in which a single mechanical part comprises the basket (42) and the pressing cone (56).
11. Tool (27, 47) for recovering residues from fruit and / or vegetable juice extraction configured to be inserted into a food preparation apparatus (20, 40) intended for making fruit and / or vegetable juices from whole or chopped fruit and / or vegetables, apparatus comprising a rotating electric motor (21) mechanically connected to at least one basket (22, 42), rotating filter allowing juice extraction by centrifugation, this basket having an internal volume (23, 43) into which the fruit and / or vegetables are introduced and provided with juice outlets (24), this basket rotating, in a direction of rotation, around an axis of rotation (25);tool characterized in that it comprises a ramp (28, 48) positioned, permanently during the operation of the device, near the internal surface (29, 49) of the basket, ramp having, in the direction of rotation of the basket, an upward inclination towards an upper surface (30, 50) of the internal volume of the basket opposite to the lower surface, so that the residues carried by the basket; up the ramp they go back up the ramp to exit the internal volume of the basket.
12. Lid (57) configured for use on a food preparation apparatus (40) intended for making fruit and / or vegetable juice from whole or chopped fruit and / or vegetables, apparatus comprising a rotating electric motor (21) mechanically connected to at least one basket (22, 42), rotating filter enabling juice extraction by centrifugation, this basket having an internal volume (23, 43) into which the fruit and / or vegetables are introduced and provided with juice outlets (24), this basket rotating, in a direction of rotation, around an axis of rotation (25);lid characterized in that it supports a fixed residue recovery tool (47) which includes a ramp (48), the lid positioning the ramp (48) opposite the internal surface (49) of the basket (42) at a predetermined distance, close to the internal surface (49) of the basket, the ramp having, in the direction of rotation of the basket, an upward inclination towards an upper surface (30, 50) of the internal volume of the basket opposite the lower surface, so that the residues carried by the basket to the ramp go up the ramp to exit the internal volume of the basket; the lid having a chute (59) for introducing fruits and / or vegetables opening into the internal volume of the basket, and surfaces (66) for guiding the residues towards the opening (65) of a collection tray (58) of the apparatus.