Apparatus for extracting juice and pulp from fruit or vegetables

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for extracting juice and pulp from fruit or vegetables are inefficient, leading to suboptimal yield and issues with juice and pulp dripping from the outlet.

Innovation Solution

A rotatable cylindrical strainer with a perforated side wall and a flexible element inside, along with a motor unit and outlet spout duct with a valve, are used to enhance extraction efficiency and prevent dripping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a simple strainer is used for extraction, then the device complexity is low, but the extraction yield is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction yieldVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a cylindrical strainer with a perforated side wall that acts as a porous filtering structure. The perforations allow juice and pulp to pass through while retaining solid residues, enabling efficient extraction. This porous structure is combined with a flexible element that presses against the perforated wall to enhance the extraction yield without requiring complex mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a flexible element within the strainer that can dynamically adjust its position and pressure against the perforated side wall. This flexible component allows the system to adapt to varying loads and material properties during extraction, optimizing the contact pressure and extraction efficiency without adding complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the strainer rotates at high speed to improve extraction efficiency, then the productivity increases, but juice and pulp dripping from the outlet occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction efficiencyVSAvoidjuice and pulp dripping

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible element inside the strainer dynamically responds to the rotational motion and centrifugal forces, adjusting its position to maintain optimal contact with the perforated wall. This dynamic adaptation prevents juice and pulp from escaping through the outlet while allowing efficient extraction during rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible element acts as a movable sealing component that conformally contacts the perforated side wall. This flexible barrier prevents dripping by adapting to the rotational motion and maintaining a seal, while still allowing the strainer to rotate at high speeds for efficient extraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Productivity

If a flexible element is added inside the strainer to improve extraction, then the extraction yield increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction yieldVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The combination of the perforated side wall (porous structure) and the flexible element creates an enhanced extraction system. The porous wall provides the filtering function while the flexible element provides the pressing action, together achieving high extraction yield through a relatively simple structural addition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible element is designed to automatically adjust and maintain contact with the perforated wall during rotation without requiring external control mechanisms. It self-regulates its position based on the rotational speed and material load, reducing the need for complex control systems while maintaining high extraction yield.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

The apparatus effectively increases juice and pulp extraction yield while preventing dripping, ensuring a smooth and efficient processing of fruit or vegetables into a flowable mass.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible element located within said strainer and urged against the inside surface of said perforated side wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

a cylindrical strainer located within said receptacle and rotatable about its axis of symmetry, said cylindrical strainer having a bottom and a perforated side wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11229232B2Apparatus for extracting juice and pulp from fruit or vegetables

Publication Date: 2022.01.25 NOVIS AG

AI summary

An apparatus is provided for processing fruit or vegetables in order to obtain a flowable mass, such as juice or puree and includes a receptacle, an extraction unit for mechanically extracting juice and pulp from the fruit or vegetables, the unit being located within the receptacle for discharging the juice and pulp into the receptacle, a motor unit, drivingly connected to the extraction unit, an outlet unit for collecting flowable mass from the receptacle.