BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a citrus juicer. A particular application lies in preparing juice from fruits or vegetables, e.g. in a restaurant or in a home context.

Manual citrus juicers are known that include a frustoconical portion against which a portion of the fruit can be pressed in order to extract juice therefrom.

Nevertheless, such devices require large efforts on the part of the user, while also being messy, in particular because of splashes of juice; as a result, using them also requires the user to spend considerable time, both in operations before using them such as cutting up fruit, and also in operations after using them, such as cleaning the device and the surroundings in which it was used.

Citrus juicers that are partially automatic are also known, thereby enabling the efforts required from the user to be limited.

Such a citrus juicer is proposed in particular in Document WO 2009/044103, which describes a citrus juicer comprising:an enclosure having a wall defining a cavity for a fruit, and an opening formed in the wall for inserting the fruit into the cavity; anda cannula extending through the wall of the enclosure, the cannula having a first portion arranged inside the cavity in order to be engaged inside the fruit, and a second portion arranged outside the cavity, the cannula also having a through opening extending between the first and second portions.

The wall includes a floor configured to be moved towards a ceiling through which the cannula extends. Once a fruit has been placed in the cavity, the floor is moved towards the ceiling while the cannula is moved vertically downwards, so that the fruit is engaged on the first portion of the cannula in order to extract juice.

Although such a device limits the efforts deployed by the user, it does not enable all of the juice contained in the fruit to be extracted. In addition, it is particularly complex to fabricate, specifically because of the synchronized movements of the floor and of the cannula through the ceiling, such that it is not completely satisfactory.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure has the object, among others, of resolving the above-described shortcomings of citrus juicers known in the prior art by proposing a citrus juicer that makes extracting the fluid contained in produce for pressing easy, quick, and effective.

This object is achieved by the fact that embodiments of the disclosure provide a citrus juicer having a cavity for fluid-containing produce for pressing, the citrus juicer further comprising:an extensible membrane arranged in the cavity and extending over all or part of the wall so as to surround the produce for pressing arranged inside the cavity; andinflation means configured to inflate the extensible membrane so as to compress the produce for pressing engaged on the first portion of the cannula in order to extract the fluid out from the cavity via the internal duct of the cannula;a lid shaped to close the opening so as to close the cavity, the lid being movable between an open position in which the enclosure is open and a closed position in which the opening is closed by the lid; andan ejector device for discharging the pressed produce out from the cavity.

The presence of the extensible membrane thus makes it possible to compress the produce for pressing in a manner that is simple and effective in order to extract the fluid out from the cavity. The inflation means are configured in particular to adapt the volume of the extensible membrane to the dimensions and to the strength of the produce for pressing, while also serving to exert effective and well-controlled pressure on the produce for pressing. In particular, the volume of the extensible membrane may be adapted so as to avoid tearing the outside surface of the produce for pressing, such as the skin of an orange, since such a tear runs the risk of changing the taste of the fluid that is extracted therefrom through the cannula.

In addition, since the fluid is extracted directly out from the cavity, the inside volume of the cavity is not soiled by the fluid, thereby considerably reducing the need for cleaning operations.

Since the wall of the enclosure does not have portions that are movable relative to one another, unlike citrus juicers made in the prior art, fabrication of the citrus juicer is simplified, its cost is reduced, and its maintenance made easier. In addition, its overall size is limited compared with partially-automatic citrus juicers known in the prior art, such as the above-mentioned citrus juicer, so that it is particularly suited for home use.

The cannula is also provided with one or more orifices enabling the fluid from the produce for pressing to flow in the internal duct.

The presence of the lid makes it possible to keep the produce for pressing effectively and securely inside the cavity in order to facilitate extracting its fluid out from the cavity. By contributing to compressing the produce for pressing, the lid also participates in the effectiveness with which its fluid is extracted.

In addition, the lid makes it possible to limit any splashes that might soil the surroundings where the citrus juicer of the present disclosure is located.

Advantageously, the lid also has the function of pushing the produce for pressing so that it becomes engaged on the cannula. It can be understood that this pushing takes place as the lid moves from its open position to its closed position.

Advantageously, the citrus juicer includes a motor-driven device for moving the lid between its open position and its closed position, so as to facilitate introducing the produce for pressing into the enclosure.

Furthermore, the advantage of the ejector device is to make it easier to remove the pressed produce after the fluid has been extracted.

The ejector device is preferably motor-driven.

The citrus juicer further includes control means for controlling the movement of the lid and of the ejector device.

Advantageously, the wall comprises a peripheral partition and a bottom, the cannula extending through the bottom.

By this provision, fluid is extracted out from the produce for pressing easily by gravity. In addition, the design of the citrus juicer of the present disclosure is further simplified.

Blocking means could be provided on the inside surface of the lid, i.e. on the surface of the lid that faces towards the cavity when the lid covers the opening, which blocking means could be configured to co-operate with the produce for pressing so as to keep it in the cavity, in particular while the extensible membrane is being inflated.

By way of non-limiting example, said blocking means may be of a shape that is configured to co-operate with the shape of the produce for pressing.

Preferably, the cavity is substantially cylindrical in shape. In another variant, the cavity may be substantially spherical in shape.

The shape of the cavity is thus particularly well adapted to produce for pressing that is spherical or cylindrical in shape, such as oranges, lemons, grapefruit, or any other fruit or vegetable.

Advantageously, the cannula presents a longitudinal direction and the lid is movable along the longitudinal direction of the cannula. This longitudinal direction is parallel to the axis of the enclosure when the enclosure is cylindrical.

Advantageously, the extensible membrane comprises a body of substantially cylindrical shape configured to surround the produce for pressing when it is arranged inside the cavity.

The shape of the body of the extensible membrane is also particularly well adapted to produce for pressing that is cylindrical or spherical in shape, and contributes to the ease and the effectiveness with which fluid is extracted therefrom.

Advantageously, the extensible membrane, when inflated, presents a section that is not constant, being shaped to match the shape of the produce for pressing.

By matching closely the shape of the produce for pressing, the extensible membrane enables the fluid to be extracted effectively without degrading the produce, and in particular without running the risk of puncturing its skin.

Preferably, the wall includes a peripheral partition and the extensible membrane comprises an inflatable portion extending over all or part of the peripheral partition.

The presence of the inflatable portion contributes to the effectiveness with which the produce for pressing is compressed, and consequently to the effectiveness with which its fluid is extracted. Furthermore, since it is arranged over all or part of the peripheral partition, it does not compromise co-operation between the produce and the cannula that extends, by way of non-limiting example, from the bottom of the wall, nor does it compromise introducing the produce for pressing through the opening formed in the wall.

In an optional embodiment, the extensible membrane comprises at least two inflatable portions configured to extend over two distinct portions of the peripheral partition of the wall.

The presence of two distinct portions further improves the matching of the extensible membrane to the dimensions of the produce for pressing. In addition, assuming that the two portions are not in fluid flow communication with each other, and in the event of one of the two portions failing, e.g. as a result of being perforated, the operation of the citrus juicer of the present disclosure is not compromised.

Advantageously, the citrus juicer further includes fluid admission means for admitting a fluid such as water in order to introduce said fluid into the cavity.

Introducing a fluid such as water into the cavity serves to facilitate cleaning operations after the citrus juicer has been used.

In an optional embodiment, the same fluid is used initially for inflating the extensible membrane so as to extract the fluid contained in the produce for pressing, and subsequently for participating in cleaning the cavity. By means of this provision, the environmental impact of the citrus juicer of the present disclosure is reduced significantly, as is its operating cost.

Advantageously, the citrus juicer further includes an ultrasound emitter device configured to emit ultrasound into the fluid contained in the cavity so as to clean said cavity.

The presence of the device serves to further improve and facilitate operations of cleaning the citrus juicer, and more particularly its cavity.

The use of fluid admission means for admitting fluid into the cavity, possibly combined with the ultrasound emitter device, thus makes the citrus juicer particularly suitable for commercial use or in the context of a canteen, where hygiene constraints are particularly strict.

Advantageously, the cannula presents a longitudinal axis, the citrus juicer further including rotation means configured to cause the cannula to turn about its longitudinal axis.

Turning the cannula about its longitudinal axis contributes to making the extraction of fluid from the produce for pressing even easier and more effective. When extracting juice from a fruit, it serves to facilitate introducing the first portion of the cannula into the flesh of the fruit and to cut up that flesh so as to facilitate extracting the juice.

Preferably, the first portion of the cannula has an outside surface, the cannula further including a projection extending on the outside surface of the first portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the projection is substantially helical in shape.

The presence of the projection and its shape contribute once more to making the extraction of fluid from the fruit for pressing easier and more effective.

Advantageously, the ejector device includes a movable base that is movable along the longitudinal axis of the cannula. The longitudinal axis of the cannula is preferably parallel to the axis of the enclosure when the enclosure is cylindrical.

Preferably, the movable base comprises an annular tray arranged to surround the cannula. It can be understood that the tray includes a central hole through which the cannula passes when the tray moves along the longitudinal axis of the cannula. One advantage is to be able to push the pressed produce effectively towards the opening of the enclosure in order to discharge it out from the enclosure.

Advantageously, the citrus juicer of the disclosure further includes a mover device for moving the lid together with the movable base of the ejector device in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cannula.

An advantage is to automate discharging the pressed produce out from the cavity, with opening of the lid being accompanied by the movement of the movable base. Furthermore, this configuration makes it possible to automate introducing the produce for pressing into the enclosure and then closing it. For this purpose, closure of the lid is accompanied by the movable base moving towards the bottom of the cylinder.

It can thus be understood that the ejector device is located between the bottom of the enclosure and the lid.

Advantageously, the mover device is configured so that the movable base is arranged at the bottom of the cavity when the lid is in the closed position, while the movable base is arranged at or above the opening when the lid is in the open position.

Advantageously, the citrus juicer of the disclosure further includes a discharge outlet for discharging the pressed produce and a discharge device for discharging the pressed produce to the discharge outlet after it has been pressed.

Preferably, the citrus juicer further includes a removable container for receiving the pressed produce, and the discharge outlet communicates with said container.

An advantage is to automate ejecting the pressed produce out from the enclosure and discharging it to the container.

Advantageously, the discharge device comprises an arm arranged to pivot between a first position and a second position.

Preferably, the discharge device includes a motor-driven mover member to cause the arm to pivot between its first and second positions.

Preferably, the discharge device further comprises an abutment configured to block the discharge outlet when the arm is in the first position, said abutment being retracted when the arm is in the second position.

It can be understood that the abutment serves to ensure that the produce for pressing introduced by the user into the citrus juicer becomes correctly positioned on the ejector device without dropping into the container.

Advantageously, the cannula extends axially outside the enclosure beyond the opening.

Under such circumstances, the lid preferably includes a setback shaped to receive the first portion of the cannula when the lid is in the closed position.

An advantage is to maximize the area of the wall of the cannula that is in contact with the flesh of the produce for pressing.

In order to facilitate penetration of the cannula into the produce for pressing, the top end of the first portion of the cannula is bullet-shaped.

Advantageously, the ejector device presents a reception position for receiving produce for pressing introduced into the citrus juicer, at least a portion of the ejector device, e.g. the tray, being arranged outside the enclosure when the ejector device is in the reception position.

When the user introduces the produce for pressing into the citrus juicer, the ejector device is in a reception position so as to receive and carry the produce for pressing. The ejector device accompanies the movement of the produce for pressing towards the enclosure while the lid is closing. As it closes, the lid pushes the produce for pressing, thereby engaging the produce for pressing on the cannula.

Advantageously, the citrus juicer of the disclosure further comprises a pivoting introduction device for introducing the produce for pressing into the body of the citrus juicer.

Preferably, the introduction device comprises a hopper that pivots about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cannula.

Embodiments of the disclosure also provide a citrus juicer comprising:an enclosure having a wall defining a cavity fluid-containing produce for pressing, and an opening formed in the wall in order to introduce the produce for pressing into the cavity, the cavity being cylindrical and presenting an axis;a lid shaped to close the opening, so as to close the cavity;a cannula extending through the wall of the enclosure, the cannula having a first portion arranged inside the cavity and configured to be engaged in the produce for pressing, and a second portion arranged outside the cavity, the cannula further including an internal duct extending between the first and second portions, the cannula having a longitudinal axis that is parallel to the axis of the cavity; andan extensible membrane arranged inside the cavity and extending over all or part of the wall in such a manner as to surround the produce for pressing when it is arranged inside the cavity, and inflation means configured to inflate the extensible membrane so as to compress the produce for pressing engaged on the cannula in order to extract the fluid out from the cavity via the internal duct of the cannula.

Preferably, the longitudinal axis of the cannula substantially coincides with the axis of the cavity.

The method of pressing out fruit juice by means of a citrus juicer of the present disclosure is as follows:introducing the fruit into the cavity through the opening;engaging the fruit on the first portion of the cannula; andactuating the inflation means for inflating the extensible membrane so as to compress the fruit in order to extract juice from the fruit via the internal duct in the cannula.

The operation consisting in pressing fruit by means of a citrus juicer according to embodiments of the present disclosure is thus particularly easy and effective, and does not require significant effort on the part of the user.

