阅读说明：本技术 用于榨汁机的壶和盖 (Pot and lid for juicer ) 是由 S·阿德洛尤 M·托马斯 S·J·麦克林 R·霍尔 于 2015-05-22 设计创作，主要内容包括：公开了用于榨汁机的壶和盖。包括：壶,其具有圆柱形上部,圆柱形上部具有上边缘和倾倒喷口；上部具有用于接收榨汁机的排放喷口的第一开口；盖,其具有适配在上部内的大致圆柱形主体部分。盖的主体部分具有竖直的倾倒通道和可与第一开口对齐的第二开口,第二开口位于盖的主体部分的侧壁上。侧壁具有携带阶梯状圆周密封件的外表面,圆周密封件具有第一圆周部分,第一圆周部分位于第二开口之上,第一圆周部分在每个末端处的末端部分向下步进至第二圆周部分,当盖在壶上在密封取向上隔离第一开口时,第二圆周部分位于第一开口之下以便将壶的内部与外部环境隔离,且当盖旋转到填充取向中时对齐第一开口和第二开口。(A jug and lid for a juicer are disclosed. The method comprises the following steps: a jug having a cylindrical upper portion with an upper rim and a pouring spout; the upper portion having a first opening for receiving a discharge spout of a juicer; a cap having a generally cylindrical body portion that fits within the upper portion. The body portion of the lid has a vertical pouring channel and a second opening alignable with the first opening, the second opening being located on a side wall of the body portion of the lid. The sidewall has an outer surface carrying a stepped circumferential seal having a first circumferential portion located above the second opening, an end portion of the first circumferential portion at each end stepping down to the second circumferential portion, the second circumferential portion being located below the first opening to isolate the interior of the jug from the external environment when the lid is on the jug in the sealing orientation isolating the first opening, and the first and second openings being aligned when the lid is rotated into the filling orientation.)

1. A jug and lid for a juicer, comprising:

a jug having a cylindrical upper portion with an upper rim and a pouring spout;

the upper portion having a first opening for receiving a discharge spout of a juicer;

a cap having a generally cylindrical body portion that fits within the upper portion;

said body portion of said cap having a vertical pouring channel and a second opening alignable with said first opening, said second opening being located on a sidewall of said body portion of said cap;

the sidewall has an outer surface carrying a stepped circumferential seal having a first circumferential portion located above the second opening, an end portion of the first circumferential portion at each end stepped down to a second circumferential portion located below the first opening to isolate the interior of the jug from the external environment when the lid is on the jug in a sealed orientation isolating the first opening and aligning the first and second openings when the lid is rotated into a filling orientation.

2. The jug and lid of claim 1, wherein:

the first and second openings each have an arcuate portion for receiving a discharge spout of a juicer.

3. The jug and lid of claim 2, wherein:

the arcuate portion is flanked by one or more relief areas.

4. The jug and lid of claim 1, wherein:

the seal is integrally molded with the body portion.

5. The jug and lid of claim 1, wherein:

the pouring channel terminates in a baffle.

6. The jug and lid of claim 1, wherein:

the lid has a transverse handle.

7. The jug and lid of claim 1, wherein:

the first and second openings further comprise vents.

8. The jug and lid of claim 5, wherein:

the baffle is parallel to the lower edge of the cover; the baffle has a notch that allows juice to be dispensed from the first opening.

9. The jug and lid of claim 1, wherein:

the seal is continuous.

10. The jug and lid of claim 1, wherein:

the body has a scalloped opening extending below a lower edge of the cover, with a portion of the scalloped opening below the edge having an arcuate shelf.

11. The jug and lid of claim 1, wherein:

the first circumferential portion of the seal is below the pouring spout when the lid is installed.

12. The jug and lid of claim 1, wherein:

the first opening includes an arc-shaped portion flanked by at least one other portion.

13. The jug and lid of claim 12, wherein:

the further portion is wider than the arcuate portion.

14. The jug and lid of claim 1, wherein:

the pouring spout projects from an upper edge of the jug.

15. A lid for a jug used with a juicer, the lid comprising:

a generally cylindrical body portion that fits within an upper portion of the jug, the upper portion having a first opening, the body portion of the lid having a vertical pouring channel and a second opening, the second opening being located on a sidewall of the body portion of the lid, the sidewall having an outer surface with a seal;

wherein the body portion and the seal are configured to fit in the upper portion in a filling orientation in which the first and second openings overlap and a sealing orientation that isolates an interior of the jug from an exterior environment.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to kettles, and in particular to sealable kettles that mate with the discharge spout of a juicer.

Background

Fruit and vegetable juicers are well known. Fruit and vegetable juicers typically have a discharge nozzle or the like through which the fruit or vegetable juice is discharged. Some juicers are provided with a cooperating collection jug. The jug typically has a filling opening to receive the spout of the juicer and a separate opening or spout associated with the pouring lip. Air from the discharge spout of the juicer blows across the top of the juice contained within the jug and can have a tendency to: the juice foam, spray or mist is blown adjacent the dispensing spout of the jug and is thus expelled from the jug as the jug is filled.

It is also known that fruit and vegetable juices will remain fresher when their exposure to air is limited. The oxygen-depleted juice slows the degradation of the juice by oxidation. Thus, the juice can be stored for a longer period of time without significant changes in color and taste in the sealed container. Conventional jugs are not sealed, particularly those used in conjunction with fruit and vegetable juicers.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present technology to provide a jug for cooperation with a fruit and vegetable juicer. A single opening in the side wall of the jug provides an inlet for the nozzle of the juicer and also provides a pour opening for the jug.

It is another object of the present technology to provide a jug for fruit and vegetable juicers that restricts juice foam and spray from exiting the jug.

It is another object of the present technology to provide a jug for fruit and vegetable juicers that is sealable from the atmosphere once the jug is removed from engagement with the fruit and vegetable juicers.

It is a further object of the present technology to provide a jug and lid combination that provides one lid orientation for both filling and pouring and a second orientation that isolates the interior of the jug from the external environment.

It is also an object of the present technology to provide a flow guide that can be used with a nozzle of a juicer. The flow guide has features that provide internal turbulence and thus slow the flow of juice through the guide.

In another aspect of the present technique, a nozzle for a juicer is provided with a slot on its underside to minimize pooling and consequent dripping.

In another embodiment, it is an object of the present technology to provide a juicer with a juice collection chamber that includes an inwardly directed rim and an optional drop rim on an upper portion thereof to prevent unwanted waste from being ejected.

Drawings

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a jug and its lid;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the jug and lid of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another cross-sectional view of the jug and lid of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is another cross-sectional view of the jug and lid of FIG. 1 shown with a juice extractor having a discharge nozzle;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the jug and lid showing a baffle for the foam incorporated in the lid;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the cover and baffle depicted in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cover;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a jug adapted to cooperate with the lid shown in FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d are perspective views of the jug and lid in two orientations for filling and fully sealing;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a juicer nozzle and an elastomeric flow guide;

figure 11 is a lower plan view of the juicer nozzle;

fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a juice collection chamber and a frusto-conical screen.

Detailed Description

As shown in figure 1, a jug 10 for a fruit and vegetable juicer comprises a reservoir 11 in which a single opening 12 in the side wall is formed. In this example, the opening 12 has a pouring lip or spout 13. The reservoir 11 has an upper mouth or opening 14 that receives a rotating cap 15. The lid 15 has an upper flange 16 which limits the downward travel of the lid into the opening 14. When the flange 16 is fully inserted, the lowest edge 17 of the side wall of the lid is below the lowest point of the opening 12 of the reservoir. The side wall 15 of the cap has a nozzle that receives an opening 18. the opening 18 can be aligned for registration with the opening 12 of the reservoir by inserting the cap and rotating the cap 19 appropriately. The outer surface of the side wall 15 of the lid carries or houses a polymeric seal 20. The seal 20 surrounds the side wall 15 near the lower edge 17 and below the opening 18, except in the area below the opening 18 of the lid. In the area below the opening 18, the seal 20 rises above the highest part of the opening 18. In this example, the seal 20 has two vertical legs 21, 22 which are continuous with an edge-surrounding portion 23 of the seal 20 and a curved portion 24 which passes over the opening 18 and under the projecting flange 16. When inserted into the reservoir 11, the seal 20 contacts and seals against the inner surface 25 of the jug. The lid may have a lateral handle 26, for example on the upper surface, to facilitate handling and rotation of the lid.

As shown in fig. 2, the cap may be inserted into the reservoir 11 such that the opening 18 of the cap is aligned or registered with the opening 12 of the reservoir. The jug may have a handle 28. Fig. 2 also shows one of a pair of vertical baffles 27 located internally to the sides of the opening 18 of the lid. The baffle 27 prevents excessive discharge of the spray, mist and foam from the interior of the jug. Other baffle arrangements are known and the one shown is only an example.

As shown in fig. 3, the nozzle 30 of the juice extractor is adapted to pass through the opening 12 of the reservoir and the opening 18 of the lid. The cross-sectional area of both the opening 12 of the reservoir and the opening 18 of the lid is greater than the cross-sectional area of the nozzle 30, preferably greater than at least 25%. In this example, the nozzle 30 of the juicer is circular, while the openings of the reservoir and the lid are oval, at least a portion of which preferably conforms to the shape of the nozzle of the juicer. This creates a vent opening 31, which vent opening 31 is above the transverse midline 32 of the juicer's spout 30 when the jug is inserted. The vent opening portion 31 allows air from within the jug to be vented to the atmosphere. By way of example, parallel or side flaps 33, 34 are also shown, which are fixed to the inside walls and the inside of the top surface of the lid.

As shown in fig. 4, a juice extractor 40 having a juice collection chamber 41 discharges juice through a nozzle 42. In this example, the nozzle is of cylindrical configuration with a radius intended to match the radius of the lower portion of the openings 12, 18. A nozzle 42 projects through the openings 18, 12 and discharges juice 43 into the interior 44 of the reservoir. As the reservoir fills and air rises and circulates within the reservoir, the air can escape the reservoir 44 through the space 31 above the nozzle 42 created by the lid and reservoir openings 18, 12. However, when the nozzle is withdrawn and the cap 45 of the reservoir is rotated in either direction 46, the circumferential seal 23 will isolate the contents of the reservoir from the atmosphere.

As shown in fig. 5, it can be seen that the lower rim and most of the lid seal 51 is located below the pouring spout 52 of the jug. In order to position the baffle for inhibiting the flow of juice foam 53 from the spout, it is therefore advantageous to position the juice baffle 54 within the lid 55. In this example, the baffle is generally parallel to the lower edge 50, extending partially across the interior of the lid and having an opening or recess 55 that allows juice 56 to be dispensed 57 through the lid opening 58 and the jug opening 59.

As shown in fig. 6, the cover has a retaining feature, such as ears or tabs 61, for removably retaining the foam deck 62. In this example, the baffle includes a sidewall 63 that conforms to an inner surface 64 of the cover. When the baffle is installed, the arcuate side walls 63 are interrupted by notches 65 that align or register with openings 66 of the cover. The opening, notch or indentation 55 extends away from the notch 65 to facilitate pouring of the juice 57 without excessive foaming. The ends 67, 68 of the side walls 63 of the baffle are interconnected in this example by an inner edge 69 of the baffle which forms a weir (weir) for aerated or frothed juice, as shown in figure 5. The notch and recess 65 fits below the lower edge 71 of the side dam 70 so as not to interfere with it. It should be appreciated that the foam baffles 62 may be installed into the cover in any number of ways, and the shape of the baffles is not limited to the particular example depicted in FIG. 6.

As shown in FIG. 7, the spin cap or lid 72 is particularly adapted to mate with the jug 80 shown in FIG. 8. The lid 72 has a generally cylindrical body portion 73 adapted to rotate snugly within the jug. The body portion 73 features a recess, opening or scalloped opening 74 that mates with a spout 81 of the jug. The portion of the lid sidewall that establishes the scalloped opening or opening 74 may have a portion 75 extending below the lower edge 76 of the lid 72, the extending portion 75 having an outwardly directed arcuate shelf 77 that acts as a pouring stop. The body portion 73 also features a through opening 78 so that the spout of the juicer can pass through both the jug and the lid, as will be explained. An optional circumferential edge 79 is formed around an upper portion of the body portion 73 and overhangs the body portion 73. An elongated handle 170 or other feature is provided on the upper surface of the lid so that the lid can be easily rotated once inserted into the jug 80.

As shown in fig. 7 and 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, the outer surface of the sidewall of the cap features a continuous seal or bead 171. The seal 171 bears against the inside diameter of the jug 80 and isolates the contents within the interior from the atmosphere outside the jug. The seal 171 may be integral with the body portion. The arcuate vertical pouring channel 172 and the through opening 78 are located below a portion 173 of the continuous seal 172. This first partially circumferential portion 173 of the seal has a vertical sealing portion 174 at each end. The lower ends 175 of the two vertical portions 174 are interconnected by a second circumferential portion 176, which second circumferential portion 176 effectively steps downwardly from the first portion 173. The height of the step is defined by the length of the vertical portion 174. The second part 176 is located (when mounted in the jug) below both the spout 81 of the jug and the lowermost part of the spout receiving area 82, as shown in figure 8. In the preferred embodiment, the downwardly stepped circumferential portion of the seal 176 is diametrically opposed to the pouring channel 172.

As shown in FIG. 8, a jug particularly adapted to cooperate with the lid shown in FIG. 7 includes a container having and opposite spout 81, and optional handle 83. The container has an upper mouth opening 84 that receives the lid 72. The inner side wall 85 is configured to sealingly engage the cover 72 and its seal 171. In this example, the upper edge 84 descends vertically to define a notch 86. The indentation has an arcuate lower portion 82 configured to be located against or in contact with the underside of a discharge spout of a juicer, particularly a juicer having a raised nozzle. The term "raised spout" refers to a spout of a centrifugal juicer in which centrifugal force imparted by the rotating airflow within the filter and the juicing compartment acts to urge juice up and above the floor of the juicing compartment to a spout that would otherwise be inoperative if only gravity were able to push juice out of the juicing compartment. The arc portion 82 is provided with a portion 87 wider than the arc portion 82 on either side or both sides.

When the jug 80 and lid 72 are assembled, the combination will have a filling orientation such that the lid opening 78 is in operative registration with the jug notch 86, as shown in fig. 9 a. Because these features are registered and because the shape of the lid opening 78 conforms to the shape of the notch 86, the juicer discharge spout may be inserted through the lid opening 78 into the interior of the jug 90. In a preferred embodiment, the underside or lower surface of the spout is preferably in closer contact with the arcuate region 82 as previously described. In this orientation, the first portion 173 of the seal passes over the spout but does not contact the inner side wall of the container due to the presence of the outwardly bulging spout 81. Considering figures 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d and 10, it will be appreciated that the substantially cylindrical discharge spout 100 of the juicer occupies only a portion of the total cross-sectional area of the opening formed by the overlapping notch 86 and lid opening 78. The cross-sectional areas of the notches and openings 86, 78 provide a passageway through which air can escape from the container even when the jug is filled from the spout. The rotating frusto-cylindrical sieve in a centrifugal juicer generates a large amount of airflow that accompanies the juice exiting the spout. In the filling orientation, when the spout 81 and the indentation and the openings 86, 78 are so aligned, the overpressure inside the container interior is released through the opened spout 81 and the gap and the openings 86, 78. The discharge spout of the juicer only occupies a portion of the opening 78. In this example, the filling orientation depicted in fig. 9a is also a pouring orientation. As previously mentioned, the lid seal does not interfere with the operation of the pouring spout 81 in this orientation, and thus the jug and lid can be withdrawn from the juice extractor's discharge spout and used to pour the contents of the jug without further rotation of the lid.

As shown in fig. 9b, the lid may be rotated 91 (even when inside the jug) to achieve the fully sealed orientation shown in fig. 9c and 9 d. In the fully sealed orientation, the lid seal 171 passes under both the spout 81 and the lowermost portion of the arcuate portion 82. The first sealing portion 173, which is an arc of a circle, contacts the inner sidewall of the pot and thus isolates the pouring channel of the lid from the atmosphere outside the pot. In the fully sealed orientation, air is effectively prevented from entering the interior of the jug. By isolating the interior from the atmosphere, the life or shelf life of fresh juice in the jug is extended.

As shown in fig. 10, the juice extractor has a spout 100, in some examples, located in an upper portion of a juice extraction chamber 101. To minimize spillage associated with draining juice into an open-topped container such as a cup or glass, an elastomeric flow guide 102 is provided. In this example, the cross-sectional area of the flow guide 102 is generally circular and includes a nozzle or spout attachment portion 103 that conforms to the shape of the nozzle and a discharge conduit 104 formed at an angle to the attachment portion 103 and generally directed such that its discharge opening 105 discharges 106 vertically downward (at least internally). This does not require a direct downward or exactly vertical discharge. It is important for the flow guide 102 to maintain sealing engagement with the nozzle to prevent unwanted dripping. Thus, the attachment portion 103 is sealed along its length and the outer surface 107 of the nozzle 100. Further, the attachment portion has an inner circumferential groove 108 therein that receives a preferably tapered tip 109 of the nozzle 100 and seals against the entire inner circumferential band 110 adjacent the tip 109. Thus, the attachment portion comprises a thickened region 111 to accommodate the circumferential indentation 108. A thin inner membrane, such as a semi-circular membrane 112, extends across the inner diameter of the flow guide, preferably in the region of the circumferential gap 108. The restrictor membrane 112 occupies the upper portion of the internal flow path of the flow guide including the air restrictor baffle that creates the pressure differential, then creates turbulence and slows the flow of juice through the flow guide 102. The change in direction of the airflow as it passes between the attachment portion 103 and the discharge passage 104 contributes to turbulence within the flow guide, thereby promoting slower, more regular flow characteristics in the discharge. The discharge opening 105 is preferably surrounded by a chamfered edge 113, said chamfered edge 113 reducing the amount of foam that may form and adhere to the lower part of the flow guide. This prevents unwanted dripping when the juice-receiving container has been removed from under the discharge opening 105. The attachment portion 103 may feature circumferential recesses, other recesses, or protruding features 114, 115 to aid in manual attachment and removal of the flow guide from the spout 100.

As shown in fig. 11, the discharge spout 116 of the juicer is generally cylindrical, although the thickness of the sidewall thereof may gradually decrease. The jets are typically arranged to be slightly angled downwardly to facilitate flow therethrough. Spout 116 has a lower surface 117. In a preferred embodiment, the lower surface may be provided with an open-ended slot 118. In this example, the slot has a rounded terminal end 119 and is slightly progressively wider towards the discharge opening 120 of the spout. The slot or notch prevents juice from collecting at the bottom of the spout and mitigates unwanted dripping from the nozzle. The slot cooperates with the chamfered terminal edge 121 of the nozzle to reduce the frontal surface area and further mitigate dripping.

As shown in fig. 12, the juicing chamber 122 of a centrifugal juicer includes a frusto-conical sieve and grating disk 123. The chamber 122 has a bowl-shaped sidewall with a diameter at the top that is larger than the diameter at the bottom. As the sieve 123 rotates, the juice and pulp 124 produced by the grating features 125 is forced against the inside of the sieve. Due to the angle of the sieve, the pulp solids are ejected through the upper edge 126. The liquid juice 127 passes through the screen and is driven 128 upward by centrifugal force and air flow within the juice collection chamber. The upward flow 128 is contained and redirected through a circumferential edge portion 129 of the juice collection chamber. In this example, the edge portion 129 includes a first or horizontal or transverse circumferential portion 130 and a lowered circumferential edge 131. The descending edge 131 is spaced from the inner side wall 132 of the juice collecting portion and may be parallel to the side wall of the frusto-conical sieve. The rim 131 descends into the interior of the juice collection chamber. In this way, the juice is redirected downwardly and away from the highest region of the juice collection chamber. This increases the throughput discharged from the nozzle by reducing the amount of juice that is inherently wasted being inadvertently discharged from the juice collection chamber. In the preferred embodiment, the horizontal portion 130 is located below the edge of the frusto-conical shaped screen 123 when it is installed in the juice collection chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the juicing chamber has sidewalls that curve upwardly and outwardly. In a preferred embodiment, the falling edge extends downwardly and inwardly (which results in less downward pressure than the vertical side wall and the falling edge is most effective/necessary in this arrangement). In a preferred embodiment, the falling edge extends substantially parallel to the screen side wall. The rim portion may be a removable attachment to the juice extracting chamber, or the rim portion may be manufactured and fixed, glued or welded to the juice collecting chamber.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it should be clear to a person skilled in the art that the invention can be implemented in many other forms.

Unless otherwise specified, as used herein, the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an example" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an example" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present disclosure.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the foregoing description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. However, the disclosure of such methods is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that: the invention as claimed requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. The claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Moreover, although some embodiments described herein include some features included and other not included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments may be used in any combination.

Thus, while there has been described what is believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention.

Although the present invention has been disclosed with reference to specific details of construction, these should be understood as having been provided by way of example and not as limitations to the scope or spirit of the invention.