JUICE EXTRACTOR

Abstract

A fruit and vegetable juice extractor for extracting juice includes a grating disc rotatable about a substantially vertical axis. A frustoconically shaped filter is attached to the outer periphery of the grating disc and projects upwardly and outwardly thereof. A food chute is arranged above the grating disc and the filter. The food chute includes a rib extending at least partially in the axial direction and projecting radially inwardly. A food pusher is insertable into the food chute.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment which is presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front left side perspective view of a juice extractor in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional perspective view of the juice extractor shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the upper half of the juice extractor shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom right side perspective view of the juice extractor shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an upper left side perspective view of the juice extractor shown in FIG. 1, having the pusher removed from within a food chute; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of a pusher of the juice extractor of FIG. 1.

Claims

1. A fruit and vegetable juice extractor comprising: a grating disc rotatable about a substantially vertical axis;a frustoconically shaped filter attached to the outer periphery of the grating disc, the filter projecting upwardly and outwardly from the grating disc;a food chute arranged above the grating disc and the filter, the food chute including a rib extending at least partially in the axial direction and projecting radially inwardly; anda food pusher insertable into the food chute.

2. The fruit and vegetable juice extractor of claim 1, wherein the food chute has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the grating disc and the axial center of the food chute is generally in registry with the axial center of the grating disc.

3. The fruit and vegetable juice extractor of claim 1, wherein the food pusher includes a slot extending in the axial direction and projecting radially inwardly for accommodating the rib, the slot being in sliding engagement with the rib when the food pusher is inserted into the food chute.

4. The fruit and vegetable juice extractor of claim 1, wherein the food pusher includes a plurality of protrusions extending axially from an end thereof.

5. A fruit and vegetable juice extractor comprising: a motor housing;an upper housing mounted to the top of the motor housing, the upper housing having a generally hollow interior and an open top, the upper housing including a spout extending generally downwardly and fluidly communicating with the hollow interior;a pulp container proximate to the motor housing, the pulp container having an open top;a lid covering the open top of the pulp container and substantially covering the open top of the upper housing;a food chute extending through the lid for allowing access to the interior of the upper housing; andat least one pivot arm pivotably attached to the motor housing, the pivot arm having an axis of rotation generally tangent to the outer periphery of the upper housing, the distal end of the pivot arm being in removable engagement with the lid such that the lid is held onto the upper housing when the pivot arm is engaged with the lid.

6. The fruit and vegetable juice extractor of claim 5, wherein the at least one pivot arm includes a pair of diametrically opposed pivot arms.

7. The fruit and vegetable juice extractor of claim 6, wherein the upper housing includes a pair of slots extending in the axial direction and projecting radially inwardly each slot being sized and shaped to receive a portion of one of the pivot arms.

8. The fruit and vegetable juice extractor of claim 7, wherein the pivot arms are shaped to conform to the outer contour and to be flush with the outer surface of the motor housing and the upper housing when engaged with the lid.

9. The fruit and vegetable juice extractor of claim 5, wherein the pulp container includes a graspable handle

10. The fruit and vegetable juice extractor of claim 9, wherein the graspable handle comprises a pair of grooves extending in the axial direction and projecting radially inwardly, the grooves being spaced apart from one another.

11. The fruit and vegetable juice extractor of claim 5, further comprising a grating disc having a rotational direction rotatable about a substantially vertical axis within the upper housing, the grating disc having an upper side provided with a pair of cutters and a plurality of toothed blades, the cutters being generally centrally located on the grating disc and each including a cutting edge that faces in the rotation direction, each of the toothed blades having a semicircular seat section extending slopingly and upwardly to form a triangular tip facing in the rotation direction, the grating disc having one or more recessed bores; anda frustoconically shaped filter attached to the outer periphery of the grating disc with one or more fasteners secured within the recessed bores, the filter projecting upwardly and outwardly from the grating disc.