Abstract:
The present invention relates to a multi-purpose juicer, which includes a frame assembly, a base assembly, and a drive assembly. The frame assembly includes a frame body, a head assembly fixed on the base assembly, and a function element. A terminal of the frame body matches with the head assembly to form an operation cavity for containing the function element. Another terminal thereof matches with the drive assembly such that the drive assembly drives the function element to operate in the operation cavity. The drive assembly can directly drive the function element to rotate it in the operation cavity. The function element may be altered according to different needs; however, other elements need not to be altered, thus the whole structure thereof is simple.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE 
     The present application claims the benefit of CN 201120228392.9 filed on Jun. 29, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a multi-purpose juicer, and more particularly to a multi-purpose juicer having a suction cup base to fix a frame thereof, wherein the multi-purpose juicer includes a hand-actuated juicing device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Juicers are used as a tool for juicing the vegetable and/or fruit. Currently, juicers are divided into two categories: hand-actuated juicers and power-driven juicers. Each of these two types of juicers juice the vegetable and/or fruit by one of the two following methods. In the first method, vegetables and/or fruits are pressed on the juicer by hand, thus the juice flows down and passes through a filter to separate the pomace from the juice. This method is disadvantageous because it is only suited for vegetables or fruits whose juice can be extracted by crushing the ascoma thereof. In the second method, the juicer requires placing the sarcocarp without the pericarp into the churning blades of the juicer to juice the fruits. This method is also disadvantageous because it requires an additional process to separate the pomace from the juice. Accordingly, a single juicer cannot be used to juice different vegetables and/or fruits. 
     To solve the above disadvantages, hand-actuated multi-purpose juicers have been developed for juicing different vegetables and/or fruits. A typical multi-purpose juicer includes a base assembly, a drive assembly having a hand grip, a frame assembly, and a function/juicing assembly. The juice vegetables and/or fruits, the hand grip of the drive assembly is churned back and forth to drive a threaded rod of the frame and juicing assemblies to rotate, such that the pressed vegetables and/or fruits are juiced by the blades of the juicing assembly. However, these multi-purpose juicers are complex, and have many different parts that can break; therefore, they are not very reliable. Furthermore, because of their complexity, it is difficult to replace the damaged parts or determine the cause of error. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides a multi-purpose juicer with a simple structure that is reliable and can easily determine the cause of error. 
     The present invention provides a multi-purpose juicer that includes a frame assembly, a base assembly arranged under the frame assembly, and a drive assembly arranged at a side of the frame assembly. 
     The present invention provides that the frame assembly includes a frame body, a head assembly fixed on the base assembly, and a function element, wherein the frame body includes (i) a bottom that matches with the base assembly, (ii) a first end that matches with the head assembly to form an operation cavity configured for receiving the function element, (iii) a second end that matches with the drive assembly, and wherein the drive assembly drives the function element to operate in the operation cavity. 
     The present invention provides that the frame body includes a lateral cylinder-shaped transferring zone and a feeding zone arranged on the transferring zone. 
     The present invention provides that wherein the transferring zone comprises a transferring cavity that is in communication with the feeding zone, wherein the head assembly includes a processing cavity, and wherein the combination of the transferring cavity and the processing cavity form the operation cavity. 
     The present invention provides that lateral guiding ribs are formed on an inner wall of the transferring cavity. 
     The present invention provides that the head assembly includes a head body cooperating with the frame body to form the operation cavity, a jam nut configured to fix the head body at a terminal of the frame body, and a seal gasket arranged between the head body and frame body. 
     The present invention provides that the processing cavity includes plug holes on its walls and wherein a plurality of locating fasteners are arranged between the head body and the frame body to position the plug holes at a lowest location of the processing cavity. 
     The present invention provides that the head body further includes a guide plate arranged under the plug holes. 
     The present invention provides that the function element includes a locating terminal cooperating with the head body and a driving terminal cooperating with the drive assembly, a locating central hole is arranged in the head body and rotatably cooperates with the locating terminal of the function element, and a drive-connecting arranged in the frame body and rotatably cooperates with the driving terminal of the function element. 
     The present invention provides that the function element further includes a demountable juicing threaded rod comprising a rotation shaft rotatably arranged in the operation cavity, and a spiral wale arranged on a surface of the rotation shaft. 
     The present invention provides that the spiral wale includes an outer convex and wherein a portion of the outer convex includes a tooth-shaped surface that corresponds to the transferring zone of the frame body. 
     The present invention provides that the tooth-shaped surface includes a top that is arranged in the outer convex surface of the spiral wale. 
     The present invention provides that the rotation shaft includes a spiral outthrust group that is arranged on its surface and in an interval with the spiral wale. 
     The present invention provides that the head assembly further includes a humidity regulator arranged on the head body, and wherein the humidity regulator is configured to adjust a location of the function element in an axial direction in relation to the head body. 
     The present invention provides that the drive assembly is arranged at a side of the frame body and comprises a rotatable supporter fixed on the frame body and a handle group, wherein the handle group is rotatably arranged in the rotatable supporter and is connected to a driving terminal of the function element. 
     The present invention has many following advantages. The frame assembly comprises the frame body, the head assembly and the function element, and the function element is rotatably arranged in the operation cavity between the head assembly and the frame body, such that the drive assembly can directly drive the function element to rotate in the operation cavity. The function element may be altered according to different needs, and others thereof need not to be altered. Thus the whole of the juicer is simple. Furthermore, the present invention can replace different function elements according to different needs, to perform multi purposes for juicing different vegetables and/or fruits. The function element may be a juicing threaded rod. Therefore, the present invention can use different threaded rods with different size according to different needs, or replace different threaded rods according to different-type vegetable and/or fruit. 
     Additional features and advantages of various embodiments will be set forth, in part, in the description that follows, and will, in part, be apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of various embodiments. The objectives and other advantages of various embodiments will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the description herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded schematic view of a multi-purpose juicer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial sectional view of a head assembly of the multi-purpose juicer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a structure schematic view of a juicing threaded rod of the multi-purpose juicer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3   a  is a partial sectional view of  FIG. 3  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded schematic view of a drive assembly of the multi-purpose juice in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial structure schematic view of a tooth-shaped surface of the multi-purpose juicer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is a partial sectional view of a combination of frame body and head assembly of the multi-purpose juicer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are intended to provide an explanation of various embodiments of the present teachings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention will now be described more specifically with reference to the following embodiments. It is to be noted that the following descriptions of preferred embodiments of this invention are presented herein for purpose of illustration and description only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed. 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded schematic view of a multi-purpose juicer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the multi-purpose juicer of the present invention can include a frame assembly  100 , a base assembly  200 , and a drive assembly  300 . The frame assembly  100  can be fixed on the base assembly  200  and the drive assembly  300  is arranged at a side of the frame assembly  100 . The drive assembly  300  is capable of driving the frame assembly  100  and processing the material and the base assembly  200  is configured to stabilize/secure the multi-purpose juicer and prevent the frame assembly  100  from wobbling when processing the material. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the frame assembly  100  can include a frame body  110 , a head assembly  120  secured on the frame body  110 , and a function element arranged in an operation cavity that is formed within or between the frame body  110  and the head assembly  120  (preferably a head body of the head assembly  120 ). The bottom portion of the frame body  110  can be aligned with or matched with the base assembly  200 , a first end/terminal of the frame body  110  can be aligned with or matched with the head assembly  120 , and a second end/terminal of the frame body  110  can be aligned with or matched with the drive assembly  300 . In detail, the frame body  110  can include a transferring zone  111  and a feeding zone  112 . The transferring zone  111  can be lateral and cylinder-shaped. The feeding zone  112  can be vertical and funnel-shaped. Additionally, the feeding zone  112  can be arranged on the transferring zone  111 . A first end/terminal of the cylinder-shaped transferring zone  111  can be connected with the head assembly  120 , having processing cavity  126  (shown in  FIG. 2 ), such that the combination of the two forms the operation cavity. As stated above, the operation cavity can include the function element that is responsible for juicing or meat-mincing operation. A second end/terminal of the transferring zone  111  can be connected with the drive assembly  300  that drives the function element. The transferring zone  111  of the frame body  110  can include a drive-connecting hole  113 . Preferably, the drive-connecting hole  113  is positioned such that the function element can pass through the drive-connecting hole  113  and connect with the drive assembly  300 . The feeding zone  112  can include a feeding open  114  that is in communication with a transferring cavity  115  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) that is within the transferring zone  111 . The combination of the transferring cavity  115  and the processing cavity  126  form the operation cavity that is capable of receiving/containing the function element. 
     To conveniently guide the material, lateral guiding ribs  116  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) may be formed on walls of the transferring cavity  115 . Preferably, the lateral guiding ribs  116  are parallel to a direction of the material being transferred. 
       FIG. 2  is a partial sectional view of the head assembly  120  of the multi-purpose juicer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the head assembly  120  can include a head body  121 , a jam nut  122 , a seal gasket  123 , a humidity regulator  124 , and a guide plate  125 . The head body  121  can include the processing cavity  126 . As stated above, the combination of the processing cavity  126  and the transferring cavity  115  of the frame body form the operation cavity. In detail, the head body  121  can include a cone-shaped processing zone  121   a  and a connection zone  121   b , which are aligned or matched with the transferring zone  111  of the frame body  110 . The connection zone  121   b  and the transferring zone  111  of the frame body  110  are secured or connected together by the jam nut  122 . In one exemplary embodiment, the processing cavity  126  is divided into two portions. These two portions includes a cone-shaped cavity  126   a  arranged in the processing zone  121   a  and a connection cavity  126   b  arranged in the connection zone  121   b . The cone-shaped cavity  126   a  and the connection cavity  126   b  are aligned with or matched with the transferring cavity  115  of the frame body  110 . The connection cavity  126   b  can include lateral guiding ribs  127   a  that are formed on its walls. The number and shape of the lateral guiding ribs  127   a  can be the same as the number of the lateral guiding ribs formed on the walls of the transferring cavity  115  of the frame body  110 . Preferably, the lateral guiding ribs  116  of the transferring cavity  115  and the lateral guiding ribs  127   a  of the connection cavity are consecutive. This arrangement allows the material to smoothly enter the processing cavity  126  from the transferring cavity  115 . Additionally, the cone-shaped cavity  126   a  of the processing zone can include spiral guiding ribs  127   b . The number of the spiral guiding ribs  127   b  can be the same as the number of the lateral guiding ribs  127   a.    
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the processing zone  121   a  of the head body  121  can include a locating central hole  121   c . The locating central hole  121   c  can be arranged in a top portion of the cone-shaped cavity. Preferably, the locating central hole  121   c  is aligned with or matched with a locating terminal  131   b  of the function element such that the locating terminal  131   b  can be rotated. The locating central hole  121   c  of the head body  121  and the drive-connecting hole  113  of the frame body  110  can be rotatably cooperate with the function element that is rotatably located in the operation cavity. 
     The walls of the processing cavity  126  of the head body  121  can also include plug holes  121   d  to conveniently outflow the processed juice or minced meat. To ensure that the plug holes  121   d  are arranged in the lowest location of the processing cavity  126 , locating fasteners  128  are arranged on the head assembly  120  between the head body  121  and the frame body  110 , 
     A seal gasket  123  can be positioned between the head body  121  and the frame body  110  to prevent the juice from leaking at this connection. Preferably, seal gasket  123  is compressed when the jam nut  122  securely connects the head body  121  with the frame body  110 , more preferably jam nut  122  fixes the head body at a terminal/end of the frame body. 
     To collect and guide the juice or minced meat flowed from the plug holes  121   d , a guide plate  125  can be arranged under the plug holes  121   d  of the head body  121 . The guide plate  125  may be fixed on an outer wall of the head body  121  under the plug holes  121   d  via a fastener structure. The guide plate  125  can be oblique, such that the juice or minced meat can flow into a collecting container along the guide plate  125 . 
     In the multi-purpose juicer of the present invention, the function element is configured for transferring and squeezing the material in the processing cavity  126 . Different function elements with different functions and standards can be used depending on the need of a user. For example, a juicing threaded rod can be configured for performing the juicing function as the function element.  FIG. 3  illustrates a structure schematic view of a juicing threaded rod of the multi-purpose juicer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and  FIG. 3   a  is a half sectional view of  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 3   a , in one exemplary embodiment, the juicing threaded rod  130  can be a demountable juicing threaded rod and can include a driving terminal  131   a , a locating terminal  131   b , a rotation shaft  131  arranged in the operation cavity, and a spiral wale  132  arranged on a surface of the rotation shaft  131 . The driving terminal  131   a  of the rotation shaft  131  can pass through the drive-connecting hole  113  of the frame body  110  to cooperate with the drive assembly  300 . The locating terminal  131   b  of the rotation shaft  131  can be rotatably arranged in the locating central hole  121   c  of the head body. The locating terminal  131   b  can include a shape that matches with the shape of the processing zone  121   a  of the head body  121 , and it is preferably cone-shaped. Preferably, the spiral wale  132  extends from the driving terminal  131   a  to the locating terminal  131   b  of the rotation shaft. Of courses, a plurality of spiral wales which are spaced in a same distance from each other can be formed on the surface of the rotation shaft  131 . 
     When the drive assembly  300  drives the juicing threaded rod  130  to rotate in the operation cavity, the spiral wale  132  generates a thrust force that moves the material towards the head body  121 , such that the material slips towards the processing cavity  126  of the head assembly. When the material reaches the processing zone  121   a  of the head body  121 , the spiral wale  132 , which is arranged on the cone-shaped surface of the locating terminal  131   b  of the rotation shaft, and the walls of the processing cavity  126  of the head body cooperate together to squeeze and juice the material. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the outer side surface of the spiral wale  132  can include a tooth-shaped surface  133 . It is best that the tooth-shaped surface  133  is arranged on a portion of the spiral wale  132  corresponding to the transferring zone  111  of the frame body, to increase the speed of breaking the material. Preferably, a plurality of tooth-shaped surfaces  133  may be formed on the outer side surface of the spiral wale  132 . 
       FIG. 5  is a partial structure schematic view of a tooth-shaped surface of the multi-purpose juicer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the top of each tooth of the tooth-shaped surface  133  is arranged at an outer convex surface of the spiral wale  132  (i.e., a plurality of grooves  133   a  are formed in the spiral wale  132  to form teeth  133   b . Accordingly, the top/apex  133   c  of each tooth is formed by the outer convex surface of the spiral wale  132 . In one example, given that the spiral wale  132  rotates in the operation cavity along with the rotation shaft, the top  133   c  of each tooth of the tooth-shaped surface may be abraded. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, a spiral outthrust group  134  is added on the surface of the shaft  131 . The outthrust group  134  can be arranged at an interval of the spiral wale  132  to further increase the speed of breaking the material. In detail, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the spiral outthrust group  134  includes a plurality of outthrusts  134   a . Each of the plurality of outthrusts  134   a  can be protruded outwards along a radial direction of the rotation shaft. Preferably, each of the outthrusts  134   a  is shaped similar to a triangular pyramid. The plurality of outthrusts  134   a  can be arranged together in sequence to form a spiral. Preferably, the space between the spiral outthrust group  134  and the spiral wale  132  is equal (i.e., the spiral line on which the plurality of outthrusts  134   a  are arranged, is spaced from an up portion and an adjacent low portion of the spiral wale  132  with the same distance). Preferably, the spiral outthrust group  134  is arranged on a portion of the rotation shaft  131  that corresponds to the feeding zone  112  of the frame body  110 . This arrangement allows the material entered from the feeding zone  112  to be squeezed by the spiral outthrust group  134  to break into small particles before being transferred to the head body  121  by the spiral wale  132  of the rotation shaft. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the head assembly  120  further includes a humidity regulator  124  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) arranged on the head body  121 . The humidity regulator  124  may adjust the location of the function element in an axial direction in relation to the head body  121 . In detail, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the humidity regulator  124  is arranged at an outer end/terminal of the head body  121  and corresponds to the locating central hole  121   c . The humidity regulator  124  may be a regulating nut  124   a  whose threads cooperate with the head body  121 . When the locating terminal  131   b  of the juicing threaded rod is inserts into the locating central hole  121   c  of the head body, the locating terminal  131   b  is positioned axially by the regulating nut  124   a . Adjusting the regulating nut  124   a  in relation to the head body  121 , can result in adjusting the axial location of the juicing threaded rod  130  in relation to the head body  121 . The adjustment of the axial location of the juicing threaded rod  130  adjusts the interval between the zone-shaped surface of the locating terminal  131   b  of the juicing threaded rod and the wall of the inner zone-shaped cavity of the head body  121 . This in turn controls the degree the material being squeezed to perform the humidity controlling function. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the drive assembly  300  is arranged at a side of the frame body  110 , for driving the function element in the operation cavity.  FIG. 4  is an exploded schematic view of a drive assembly of the multi-purpose juice in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In detail, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the drive assembly  300  includes a rotatable supporter  310  and a handle group  320 . The rotatable supporter  310  can include two gaskets  311  fixed on the drive-connecting hole  113  of the frame body. Additionally, the rotatable supporter  310  can include a connection block  312  having a driving hole  312   a  formed thereon. The connection block  312  can be fixed on the gaskets  311 . The handle group  320  includes an insert-driving hole  312   a , a rocker  321  connected with the function element, and a handle housing  322  configured for containing the rocker  321 . A counter-bored hole  135  is formed in the driving terminal  131   a  of the function element in which the rocker  321  is inserted. Preferably, the shape of the counter-bored hole  135  matches with an inserting terminal/end of the rocker  321 , such as a cross-shaped hole, so that the rocker  321  can drive the function element to rotate. Preferably, the rocker  321  is fixed in the handle housing  322 . The handle housing  322  can be matched/aligned with the shape of the rocker  321  and be conveniently held by hands of a user to conveniently operate the device. 
     While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.