Patent Publication Number: US-2022225753-A1

Title: Juicer brush and cleaning method and juicer incorporating removable juicer brush

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 63/139,002, filed Jan. 19, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to brushes for cleaning juicers, methods for cleaning a juicer using a brush, and juicers incorporating removable juicer brushes. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Juicers are generally difficult to clean. As one example, a typical centrifugal juicer utilizes a spinning blade to cut or shred fruits and vegetables into small pieces, which then transition to a chamber where centrifugal force separates the juice from the pulp by compressing the fruit against a perforated or mesh basket. 
     Fruits and vegetables are provided to the spinning blade by a chute, which is typically substantially cylindrical, and may be forced against the blade using a plunger configured to fit into the chute. Once the produce being juiced has been cut or shredded to a point where it is sufficiently small to fit through an opening, such as a space between the chute and the blade, it transfers to a mesh segment of the basket where it is strained using centrifugal force. 
     While this approach may quickly and easily strain fruit juice from pulp, the mesh of the basket quickly collects pulp and other fruit waste, and therefore requires frequent cleaning. Such cleaning may be required after every use, for example, and the blade and basket assembly may be difficult to disassemble for cleaning and may be an awkward shape to clean. 
     There is a need for a brush that can efficiently clean a blade and mesh basket of a juicer, as well as for juicers incorporating such a brush and for a method for cleaning a juicer using such a brush. 
     SUMMARY 
     In order to efficiently clean a blade and mesh basket of a juicer, a brush may be provided. 
     Accordingly, a brush may have a brush body having a horizontal base component and a first outer brushing surface angled relative to the horizontal base component. The horizontal base component extends laterally from the first outer brushing surface, and a groove is provided in an upper surface of the brush body, the groove arranged perpendicular to the horizontal base component. The groove is located at a transition between the horizontal base component and the first outer brushing surface. A plurality of bristles extend from the first outer brushing surface. 
     In some embodiments, the groove forms an arc, and the first outer brushing surface defines a segment of a surface of a truncated cone. The truncated cone and the arc are then centered about an identical central axis. 
     In some such embodiments, a second outer brushing surface may be provided opposite the horizontal base component from the first outer brushing surface. The secondary outer brushing surface defines a second segment of the surface of the truncated cone. 
     In some such embodiments, a secondary groove is provided perpendicular to the horizontal base component and located at a transition between the horizontal base component and the secondary outer brushing surface. The secondary groove forms an arc centered about the central axis. A notch may then be provided extending from the groove or the secondary groove in the direction of the horizontal base component. 
     In some embodiments with only a single groove a notch may similarly be provided extending from the groove in the direction of the horizontal base component. 
     In some embodiments, a plurality of bristles may extend from a bottom surface of the horizontal base component. 
     In some embodiments, a secondary horizontal base surface is provided above a lower surface of the horizontal base component and adjacent the first outer brushing surface. A plurality of bristles may then be provided extending from the secondary horizontal base surface. 
     In some embodiments, bristles may extend from the first outer brushing surface in a direction perpendicular to the first outer brushing surface. In other embodiments, the bristles may extend from the first outer brushing surface in a direction parallel to the groove. 
     Also provided is a juicer having a brush for cleaning a blade and mesh basket. Such a juicer includes a bowl having a substantially circular flat bottom and mesh walls defining a truncated cone extending from the flat bottom. The juicer also has a blade located at the flat bottom of the bowl, a substantially cylindrical vertical chute terminating above the blade, and a removable brush. 
     The brush has a brush body having a horizontal base component and a first outer brushing surface angled relative to the horizontal base component. The horizontal base component extends laterally from the first outer brushing surface and has a slope angle substantially identical to a slope angle of the mesh walls. 
     The brush may then have a groove in an upper surface of the brush body, with the groove arranged perpendicular to the horizontal base component and forming an arc of a circle having a circumference substantially identical to that of an end of the vertical chute. The end of the vertical chute then mates with the arc. 
     The groove is located at a transition between the horizontal base component and the first outer brushing surface. 
     A plurality of bristles are then provided extending from the first outer brushing surface, and during use, either with or without the brush, the bowl rotates relative to the vertical chute. 
     In some embodiments, the first outer brushing surface defines a segment of a surface of a truncated cone. The truncated cone of the first outer brushing surface, the truncated cone of the mesh walls of the bowl, and the circumference of the end of the vertical chute are then centered about a single central axis when the removable brush is mated with the vertical chute. 
     In some such embodiments, the removable brush further comprises a secondary outer brushing surface opposite the horizontal base component from the first outer brushing surface. The secondary outer brushing surface then defines a second segment of the surface of the truncated cone of the first outer brushing surface. 
     In some such embodiments, the brush further comprises a secondary groove perpendicular to the horizontal base component and located at the transition between the horizontal base component and the secondary outer brushing surface. The secondary groove then forms an arc centered about the single central axis and mates with the end of the vertical chute. 
     In some embodiments, the brush further comprises a notch extending from the groove towards the horizontal base component. The end of the vertical chute may then comprise a protrusion extending from the circumference of the end of the vertical chute. The protrusion then mates with the notch when the brush is mated with the end of the vertical chute. 
     In some embodiments, the brush further comprises a plurality of bristles extending from a bottom surface of the horizontal base component. 
     In some embodiments, a secondary horizontal base surface is provided above a lower surface of the horizontal base component and adjacent the first outer brushing surface. A plurality of bristles may then be provided extending from the secondary horizontal base surface. 
     In some embodiments, bristles may extend from the first outer brushing surface in a direction perpendicular to the first outer brushing surface. In other embodiments, the bristles may extend from the first outer brushing surface in a direction parallel to the groove. 
     Also provided is a method for cleaning a juicer. Such a method may include removing a juicer cover from a juicer chamber. The juicer cover may comprise a substantially cylindrical vertical chute and the juicer chamber may comprise a bowl having a substantially circular flat bottom and mesh walls defining a truncated cone extending from the flat bottom. 
     A removable brush may then be provided, where the removable brush has a brush body having a horizontal base component and a first outer brushing surface angled relative to the horizontal base component. The removable brush also has a groove in an upper surface of the brush body, the groove arranged perpendicular to the horizontal base component and forming an arc of a circle having a circumference substantially identical to that of an end of the vertical chute. 
     The removable brush may also have a notch extending from the groove towards the horizontal base component. The method may then include mating the groove to the vertical chute by locating the end of the vertical chute at least partially within the groove and aligning the notch with a protrusion from the circumference of the end of the vertical chute. 
     The vertical chute is then located such that it shares a vertical axis with the mesh walls of the bowl, and the juicer cover is fixed relative to the juicer chamber. The method then further includes pouring a fluid into the vertical chute while rotating the bowl relative to the vertical chute. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a lower perspective view of a brush in accordance with this disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  shows an upper perspective view of the brush of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  shows a sectioned perspective view of a juicer in accordance with this disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  shows a sectioned perspective view of the juicer of  FIG. 3  with the brush of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  shows a sectioned view of the juicer of  FIG. 3  and the brush of  FIG. 1  used in a cleaning method. 
         FIG. 6  shows an upper perspective view of a second embodiment of a brush in accordance with this disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  shows a lower perspective view of the brush of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  shows a side view of the brush of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 9  shows a top view of the brush of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 10A  shows a sectioned side view of a blender with the brush of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 10B  shows a sectioned top view of the blender with the brush assembly of  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 10C  shows a lower perspective view of a portion of the blender including a vertical chute. 
         FIG. 11  shows an upper perspective view of a third embodiment of a brush in accordance with this disclosure. 
         FIG. 12  shows a lower perspective view of the brush of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  shows a side view of the brush of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 14  shows a top view of the brush of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 15  shows a bottom view of the brush of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 16  shows an upper perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a brush in accordance with this disclosure. 
         FIG. 17  shows a lower perspective view of the brush of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 18  shows a side view of the brush of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 19  shows a bottom view of the brush of  FIG. 16 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present disclosure is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the disclosure are illustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the disclosure expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the disclosure being defined by the claims appended hereto. 
     This disclosure describes the best mode or modes of practicing the disclosure as presently contemplated. This description is not intended to be understood in a limiting sense, but provides an example of the disclosure presented solely for illustrative purposes by reference to the accompanying drawings to advise one of ordinary skill in the art of the advantages and construction of the disclosure. In the various views of the drawings, like reference characters designate like or similar parts. 
     It is important to note that the embodiments disclosed are only examples of the many advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in the specification of the present application do not necessarily limit any of the various claimed disclosures. Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features but not to others. In general, unless otherwise indicated, singular elements may be in plural and vice versa with no loss of generality. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  shows perspective views of a brush  100  in accordance with this disclosure.  FIG. 3  shows a sectioned perspective view of a juicer  300  in accordance with this disclosure.  FIG. 4  shows a sectioned perspective view of the juicer  300  of  FIG. 3  with the brush  100  of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 1  shows a brush  100  for cleaning a juicer  300 . Typically, the brush  100  shown is removable from a juicer  300  being cleaned, such that during use as a juicer, the brush is not present, and the brush is then inserted for use in a cleaning method.  FIG. 5  shows a sectioned view of the juicer  300  of  FIG. 3  and the brush  100  of  FIG. 1  used in a cleaning method, discussed in more detail below. 
     As shown, the brush  100  has a brush body  110  having a horizontal base component  120  and a first outer brushing surface  130  angled relative to the horizontal base component. The horizontal base component  120  extends laterally from the first outer brushing surface  130 . 
     As shown, the brush  100  also includes multiple bristles  160  extending from the first outer brushing surface  130 . In some embodiments, additional bristles  170  extend from a bottom surface  180  of the horizontal base component  120 . 
     The brush  100  also has a groove  140  in an upper surface  150  of the brush body  110 , the groove arranged perpendicular to the horizontal base component  120 . The groove  140  is typically located at a transition between the horizontal base component  120  and the first outer brushing surface  130 . 
     Typically, the groove  140  forms an arc, as shown. Similarly, the first outer brushing surface  130  also forms an arc, when viewed from above or below, and therein defines a segment of a surface of a truncated cone. The truncated cone of the first outer brushing surface  130  and the arc of the groove  140  are centered about an identical central axis  500 ,  1000  most clearly visible in  FIGS. 5 and 10B . 
       FIG. 3  shows a juicer  300  for use with the brush  100  of  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 4  shows the juicer  300  with the brush incorporated, and  FIG. 5  shows the juicer  300  during a cleaning cycle. As shown, the juicer  300  has a bowl  310  having a substantially circular flat bottom  320  and mesh walls  330  defining a truncated cone extending from the flat bottom. 
     The juicer  300  further includes a blade  340  located at the flat bottom  320  of the bowl  310 . A substantially cylindrical vertical chute  350  extends downward into the bowl  310  and terminates above the blade  340 , leaving a small gap  355  between an end  360  of the vertical chute  350  and the flat bottom  320  of the bowl. 
     During use, the blade  340  rotates with the bowl  310 , thereby chopping any produce that is inserted into the vertical chute  350 . Once the produce has been chopped sufficiently finely, it passes through the small gap  355  between the end  360  of the vertical chute  350  and the flat bottom  320  of the still rotating bowl  310  and is pressed against the conical mesh walls  330  by centrifugal force of the rotation, thereby straining fruit juice through the mesh walls. 
     During a cleaning routine, the juicer  300  is opened and the removable brush  100  is inserted. During insertion, the groove  140  of the removable brush  100  is mated with the end  360  of the vertical chute  350 . The arc of the groove  140  typically corresponds to the circumference of the end  360  of the vertical chute  350  such that the components are mated by simply inserting the end of the vertical chute into the groove. 
     The juicer  300  is then closed with the brush  100  fitted to the end  360  of the vertical chute  350 . As shown, and as discussed above, the first outer brushing surface  130  is angled relative to the horizontal base  120  and defines a segment of a truncated cone. A slope angle of the first outer brushing surface  130  is substantially identical to a slope angle of the mesh walls  330  of the bowl  310 . When inserted into the juicer  300  and mated with the vertical chute  350 , the truncated cone of the first outer brushing surface  130  and the truncated cone of the mesh walls  330  of the bowl  310  share the single central axis  500  of the vertical chute  350 . 
     The juicer  300  further includes a plunger  370 . During typical use of the juicer  300 , the plunger may be used to force produce down the vertical chute  350  such that it is forced against the blade  340 . During the cleaning routine noted above, the plunger  370  may be used as a reservoir for water, or some other fluid, which is then poured into the vertical chute  350  while rotating the bowl  310  relative to the vertical chute. As such, the brush  100  cleans the bowl  310  while the fluid poured in lubricates the cleaning process. In some embodiments, the plunger  370  is provided with a lid  380  such that the plunger is closed during standard use of the juicer  300 . In such embodiments, the lid  380  is removed so that the plunger  370  can be used as a reservoir. 
       FIG. 6  shows an upper perspective view of a second embodiment of a brush  600  in accordance with this disclosure.  FIG. 7  shows a lower perspective view of the brush  600  of  FIG. 6 .  FIGS. 8 and 9  show side and top views of the brush  600  of  FIG. 6 . To the extent that the brush  600  of  FIG. 6  has components identical to those of the brush  100  of  FIG. 1 , the embodiments use the same reference numerals. 
       FIG. 10A  shows a sectioned side view of a blender  1010  with the brush  600  of  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 10B  shows a sectioned top view of the blender  1010  with the brush  600  of  FIG. 10A .  FIG. 10C  shows a lower perspective view of a portion of the blender  1010  of  FIG. 10A  including a vertical chute  1020 . 
     As shown, the brush  600  may have a brush body  610  further comprising a secondary outer brushing surface  630  opposite the horizontal base component  120  from the first outer brushing surface  130 . The secondary outer brushing surface  630  would typically define a second segment of the surface of the same truncated cone as that of the first outer brushing surface  130 . It is noted that in some embodiments, such as that shown in  FIG. 6 , the secondary brushing surface  630  does not contain bristles and functions primarily for stabilizing the brush  600  during use. In other embodiments, such as those shown in  FIGS. 11 and 16 , the secondary brushing surface  630  contains bristles and brushes the bowl of the juicer  300 ,  1000  during use. It is further noted that in the embodiments of  FIGS. 6, 11, and 16 , bristles are not shown, but openings  620  for bristles are provided. In use, bristles would typically be provided in some or all of the openings for bristles. 
     Further, the brush  600  may include a secondary groove  640  in the upper surface  150  of and perpendicular to the horizontal base component  120  and located at a transition between the horizontal base component and the secondary outer brushing surface  630 . Accordingly, the secondary groove  640  is opposite the horizontal base component  120  from the first outer brushing surface  130 . The secondary groove  640  may form an arc centered about the central axis  1000 , and may thereby form an arc of the same circle as that of the first groove  140 . 
     In some embodiments, the brush  100 ,  600  further comprises a notch  660  extending from one or both of the grooves  140 ,  640  in the direction of the horizontal base component. This notch  660  may interface with a protrusion  1030  extending from a circular end  1040  of the vertical chute  1020 . As such, the circular end  1040  of the vertical chute  1020  may mate with the grooves  140 ,  640  of the brush  100 ,  600 , and the notch  660  may mate with the protrusion  1030 . During use, the brush  100 ,  600  is held stationary relative to the vertical chute  1020  and a bowl of the juicer  1010 , and the interface of the notch  660  and the protrusion  1030  prevents the brush  100 ,  600  from rotating relative to the vertical chute  1020 . 
     It is noted that the embodiment shown provides a notch  660  extending from the secondary groove  640  and a protrusion  1030  extending from the circular end  1040  of the vertical chute  1020 . However, it is understood that the notch  660  may be provided in the first groove  140  in addition to or in place of the secondary groove  640 . Similarly, the locating mechanism may be modified such that, for example, a notch is provided in the circular end  1040  of the vertical chute, and a discontinuity is provided in one or both of the grooves  140 ,  640  in order to mate with the notch. 
       FIG. 11  shows an upper perspective view of a third embodiment of a brush  1100  in accordance with this disclosure.  FIG. 12  shows a lower perspective view of the brush  1100  of  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 13  shows a side view of the brush  1100  of  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 14  shows a top view and  FIG. 15  shows a bottom view of the brush  1100  of  FIG. 11 . 
     The brush of  FIG. 11  is similar to that shown above in  FIG. 6 , and is labeled using identical reference numerals for parallel features. As shown, the embodiment shown differs from those discussed above in that no bristles or bristle openings are provided on the bottom surface  180  of the horizontal base component  120 . 
     Further, as shown, the secondary outer brushing surface  630  may be provided with openings for bristles  1110  similar to those, and in addition to those  620 , provided on the first brushing surface  130 . 
     Further, while the bristles  160  shown in  FIG. 1  and the openings for bristles shown in  FIG. 6  are shown as perpendicular to the surface  130  of the first outer brushing surface  130 , the bristle openings  620 ,  1110  of the brush  1100  of  FIG. 11  is instead angled relative the first and second outer brushing surfaces  130 ,  630 . The openings  620 ,  1110  of the brush  1100  are instead parallel to the grooves  140 ,  640  in the brush  1100  so that they face straight downward during use. 
       FIG. 16  shows an upper perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a brush  1600  in accordance with this disclosure.  FIG. 17  shows a lower perspective view of the brush  1600  of  FIG. 16 .  FIG. 18  shows a side view of the brush  1600  of  FIG. 16 .  FIG. 19  shows a bottom view of the brush  1600  of  FIG. 16 . 
     As noted above with respect to the brush  1100  of  FIG. 11 , the brush  1600  is also similar to the other embodiments shown, but provides a few distinct features. As shown, the brush  1600  provides a secondary horizontal base surface  1610 . Such a base surface is above the lower surface  180  of the horizontal base component  120  of the brush body  610  and may be adjacent the first or secondary outer brushing surface  130 ,  630 . 
     In addition to incorporating bristles  160 , or bristle openings  620 , into the first or second outer brushing surface  130 ,  630 , the secondary horizontal base surface  1610  may be provided with additional bristles or bristle openings  1620 . As shown, the secondary horizontal base surface  1610  may form a step between the lower surface  180  and the first or secondary outer brushing surface  130 ,  630 . 
     During use, the brush  100 ,  600 ,  1100 ,  1600  is used by first removing a cover from a juicer chamber of the juicer  300 ,  1010 . The juicer cover includes the substantially cylindrical vertical chute  350 ,  1020  and the juicer chamber includes the bowl  310  with the substantially circular flat bottom  320  and mesh walls  330  defining a truncated cone. 
     The brush  100 ,  600 ,  1100 ,  1600  to be used is then provided, with the brush taking the form discussed above. One or both of the groove  140  and the secondary groove  640  are then mated to the vertical chute  350 ,  1020  by locating an end  360 ,  1040  of the vertical chute at least partially within the corresponding groove or grooves. In embodiments including a notch  660 , the notch is aligned with a protrusion  1030  of the end  360 ,  1040  of the vertical chute  350 ,  1020  when the end is being located within the groove  140 ,  640 . 
     The vertical chute  350 ,  1020  may then be located so that it shares a vertical axis  500 ,  1000  with the mesh walls  330  of the bowl  310 . This may be by fixing the juicer cover relative to the juicer chamber in order to reassembly the juicer  300 ,  1010 . 
     Once the juicer  300 ,  1010  is fully assembled with the brush  100 ,  600 ,  1100 ,  1600  properly inserted, a cleaning routine may be executed during which the bowl  310  is rotated relative to the vertical chute  350 ,  1020  and the brush. Typically, during this part of the process, a fluid, such as water is poured into the vertical chute  350 ,  1020  in order to lubricate the cleaning process. 
     While the present disclosure has been described at some length and with some particularity with respect to the several described embodiments, it is not intended that it should be limited to any such particulars or embodiments or any particular embodiment, but it is to be construed with references to the appended claims so as to provide the broadest possible interpretation of such claims in view of the prior art and, therefore, to effectively encompass the intended scope of the disclosure. 
     All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the disclosure and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the disclosure, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure.