Rotating Strainer and Flexible Scraper for Higher Juice Yield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fruit and vegetable juice extraction apparatuses have inefficiencies in yield due to manual operation of scrapers and reliance on centrifugal force, which can lead to maloperation and require supervision.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a flexible element within the strainer urged against the perforated side wall and a motor unit to rotate the cylindrical strainer, along with a citrus mill with protrusions for enhanced juice and pulp extraction, allowing for automated operation and improved yield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual scrapers are used to scrape pulp from the strainer wall, then the apparatus can be simple in structure, but the operation is subject to maloperation and requires supervision
Solution Approach 1:
The scraper is designed to be automatically actuated by the centrifugal force generated during rotation, eliminating the need for manual operation. The scraper member is resiliently mounted and is thrown outward by centrifugal force to scrape the strainer wall automatically, making the system self-servicing and eliminating maloperation risks
Solution Approach 2:
The scraper transitions from a static manual tool to a dynamic automatically actuated component. The resilient mounting allows the scraper to move outward under centrifugal force during rotation and return to its initial position when rotation stops, enabling automatic adaptation to the rotational state of the strainer
2Device complexity
If manual scraping is used, then the device structure remains simple, but productivity is reduced due to required supervision and manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The scraper automatically scrapes the strainer wall during rotation without requiring manual intervention or supervision, enabling continuous operation and improving productivity. The system performs the scraping function autonomously based on the rotational motion already present in the system
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic scraper enables continuous operation of the apparatus without interruption for manual scraping. The scraper acts continuously during rotation, ensuring that pulp is constantly removed from the strainer wall, maintaining extraction efficiency throughout the operation cycle
3Device complexity
If centrifugal force is used to hurl pulp against the strainer wall, then the extraction process is simplified, but the yield is insufficient due to incomplete juice extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the centrifugal force-based extraction process with an automatic scraping mechanism in a single integrated system. The scraper member works in conjunction with the centrifugal force to both hurl the pulp against the wall and scrape it off, creating a synergistic effect that improves yield without complicating the overall process
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 solution enhances juice and pulp extraction efficiency by automating the process, reducing manual intervention and improving yield through the use of a flexible element and motor-driven citrus mill, resulting in a more reliable and efficient extraction of flowable masses like juice or puree.
Implementation Method 1
In operation the pulp is hurled outwardly by the centrifugal force against the wall of the strainer
Implementation Method 2
a flexible element located within said strainer and urged against the inside surface of said perforated side wall
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus (1; 1') for processing fruit or vegetables in order to obtain a flowable mass, such as juice or puree, comprising: a receptacle (2); an extraction unit (3, 8; 3, 5) for mechanically extracting juice and pulp from said fruit or vegetables, said unit (3, 8; 3, 5) being located within said receptacle for discharging said juice and pulp into said receptacle (2); a motor unit (4) drivingly connected to said extraction unit (3, 8; 3, 5); an outlet unit (7) for collecting flowable mass from said receptacle (2). According to a first aspect, the extraction unit comprises a cylindrical strainer (3) located within said receptacle (2) and rotatable about its axis of symmetry (X3) by said motor unit (4); a flexible element (8) located within said strainer (3) and urged against the inside surface of said perforated side wall (3b). According to a second aspect, the extraction unit comprises a strainer (3), preferably having a cylindrical shape, located within said receptacle (2) and rotatable about a strainer axis (X3) by said motor unit (4); a citrus mill (5) rotatable about a citrus mill axis (X5) by said motor unit (4), said citrus mill (5) being located within said strainer (3). According to a third aspect, the outlet unit comprises a spout duct (10) associated to an opening (9) at the bottom (2a) of said receptacle (2); and a valve element (11) for opening and closing said opening (2a); said spout duct (10) and said valve element (11) being coupled to each other and said spout duct (10) being pivotable between a first position and a second position where said spout duct (10) forms a downward slope and upward slope, respectively, from its inner duct portion (10a) to its outer duct portion (10b) and where said valve element (11) is in its opened position and closed position, respectively.