Device for pressing a segment of citrus fruit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing citrus juicers often suffer from inefficiencies and hygiene issues due to manual pressing, leading to juice spillage and suboptimal juice collection.
Innovation Solution
A device with a receiving element and a pressing element that allows for translational movement along a defined axis, featuring angled cutting lines and guided support structures to enhance juice retention and collection, while facilitating easy cleaning and one-handed operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual pressing is used in existing citrus juicers, then the device is simple to operate, but juice spillage occurs and hygiene is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing element is divided into multiple pressing surfaces (first pressing surface and second pressing surface) that can independently contact different regions of the citrus segment. This segmentation allows for controlled pressing action that prevents juice spillage while maintaining ease of manual operation. The receiving element is also segmented with a receiving chamber that specifically positions the citrus segment to ensure hygienic juice collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing element acts as an intermediary between the user's manual force and the citrus segment. It translates manual pressure into controlled compression while directing juice flow into the receiving chamber. This intermediary mechanism ensures that manual operation remains simple while achieving reliable juice retention and hygiene through the structured interaction between pressing and receiving elements.
2Device complexity
If the pressing element is fixed, then the structure is simple, but juice collection efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing element is designed to be movable relative to the receiving element along a pressing axis, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one. This movement capability allows the pressing element to apply controlled compression force to the citrus segment, significantly improving juice extraction efficiency. The dynamic design maintains relative structural simplicity while enabling efficient juice collection through the pressing motion.
3Ease of manufacture
If the receiving surface is parallel to the pressing axis, then manufacturing is easier, but juice collection and retention are improved
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving surface is designed with an asymmetric orientation relative to the pressing axis, forming a specific angle that optimizes juice flow direction. This asymmetric design improves juice retention by directing collected juice toward the spout while maintaining ease of manufacture through simple angular geometry. The asymmetric configuration ensures that juice does not spill back during pressing while keeping the manufacturing process straightforward.
4Productivity
If the pressing element extends fully within the receiving chamber, then pressing effectiveness is maximized, but cleaning access is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing element is designed as a separate, removable component that can be detached from the receiving element. This segmentation allows the pressing element to extend fully within the receiving chamber during operation for maximum pressing effectiveness, while also enabling easy removal for cleaning. The modular design ensures that both pressing effectiveness and cleaning accessibility are optimized without compromise.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Improves juice yield and reduces spillage by securely holding citrus segments during pressing, allowing for efficient and hygienic juice extraction.
Implementation Method 1
The pressing element (26) is configured to press the citrus fruit segment by means of the receiving element (10) and a movement of the pressing element (26) in a pressing direction (4)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
A device (100) for pressing a segment (200) of a citrus fruit, for example a slice (200), comprising: a receiving element (10) with a receiving chamber (12) which is bounded by a circumferential wall (14) and a receiving surface (16), wherein the receiving chamber (12) has an insertion opening (18); a pressing element (26) which can be arranged on the receiving element (10) such that it extends at least partially within the receiving chamber (12) and is translationally movable along a pressing axis (2) relative to the receiving element (10); wherein the pressing axis (2) lies in a first plane (20) defined by the insertion opening (18) and the receiving surface (16) defines a second plane (22) which has a line of intersection (24) with the first plane (20).