Movable Cannula Citrus Press for Gravity Fruit Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing citrus presses require significant user effort and time, are messy, and have long cycle times, making them unsuitable for collective catering spaces due to inefficient fruit removal processes.
Innovation Solution
A citrus press with a displacement device that moves the cannula relative to the enclosure for quick fruit removal, allowing the squeezed fruit to exit through a lower opening via gravity, and includes motorized actuators for efficient operation and juice extraction, along with a pivotable channel for juice collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cannula is fixed relative to the enclosure, then the fruit can be pierced and juice extracted, but the cycle time is too long for collective catering spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula is made movable relative to the enclosure through a displacement device that translates it between an active position (extending into the enclosure to fit the fruit) and a release position (disposed below the enclosure). This dynamic configuration allows rapid fruit removal by gravity while maintaining effective juice extraction when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula is pre-positioned in the active configuration before the fruit is introduced, and the displacement device is ready to quickly transition it to the release position. This preliminary preparation enables the fruit to be removed rapidly through gravity without requiring manual intervention during the extraction cycle.
2Ease of operation
If manual citrus presses are used, then the device structure is simple, but significant user effort and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical squeezing action is replaced by an automated membrane inflation system. The membrane is inflated to compress the fruit and extract juice automatically, eliminating the need for significant user effort while maintaining effective extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
A membrane inflation device uses pneumatic pressure to inflate the membrane, which then compresses the fruit to extract juice. This pneumatic system replaces manual mechanical force with controlled gas pressure, reducing user effort while achieving the same extraction function.
3Productivity
If the fruit is removed by pushing it towards a receptacle, then the fruit can be emptied, but the process is time-consuming and messy
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of pushing the fruit forward into a receptacle, the cannula is inverted by moving it to a release position below the enclosure. This allows the fruit to exit naturally through gravity in reverse direction, eliminating the need for forceful pushing that causes juice splashing and time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula is positioned at the same level or below the enclosure during fruit removal, creating a gravity-driven flow path. This equipotential positioning allows the fruit to move naturally without requiring additional force, preventing juice splashes and speeding up the removal process.
4Loss of time
If the cannula remains in the enclosure during fruit removal, then the structure is simple, but the cannula carries the squeezed fruit and slows down the process
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula is made dynamically movable through a translation mechanism that moves it between an active position (inside the enclosure for fruit fitting) and a release position (below the enclosure for fruit removal). This dynamic repositioning prevents the cannula from carrying the squeezed fruit and enables rapid removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula is separated from the enclosure structure, allowing independent movement. This segmentation enables the cannula to be translated to the release position while the enclosure remains stationary, facilitating quick fruit removal without the cannula carrying the squeezed fruit.
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 citrus press significantly reduces cycle time and user effort by allowing quick and mess-free fruit removal through gravity, optimizing juice extraction, and simplifying the process for high-volume use in catering environments.
Implementation Method 1
an inflation device configured to inflate the extensible membrane, so as to compress the fruit to be squeezed fitted onto the cannula in order to extract the fluid therefrom
Implementation Method 2
the removal out of the enclosure is carried out simply and quickly by deflating the membrane, the squeezed fruit then leaves the enclosure under the action of gravity
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a citrus press comprising an enclosure for receiving fruit to be squeezed, an extensible and inflatable membrane to compress the fruit fitted onto the cannula in order to extract the fluid therefrom, and a cannula including an inner duct connecting a perforation to an outlet orifice for the removal of fluid from the cannula. The citrus press further includes a displacement device for moving the cannula in translation relative to the enclosure, between an active position in which the cannula extends into the enclosure to fit the fruit and a release position in which the cannula is under the enclosure to allow the release of the squeezed fruit through a lower opening of the enclosure.