Patent ID: 12213583

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.1and2shows perspective views of a brush100in accordance with this disclosure.FIG.3shows a sectioned perspective view of a juicer300in accordance with this disclosure.FIG.4shows a sectioned perspective view of the juicer300ofFIG.3with the brush100ofFIG.1.

FIG.1shows a brush100for cleaning a juicer300. Typically, the brush100shown is removable from a juicer300being 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.5shows a sectioned view of the juicer300ofFIG.3and the brush100ofFIG.1used in a cleaning method, discussed in more detail below.

As shown, the brush100has a brush body110having a horizontal base component120and a first outer brushing surface130angled relative to the horizontal base component. The horizontal base component120extends laterally from the first outer brushing surface130.

As shown, the brush100also includes multiple bristles160extending from the first outer brushing surface130. In some embodiments, additional bristles170extend from a bottom surface180of the horizontal base component120.

The brush100also has a groove140in an upper surface150of the brush body110, the groove arranged perpendicular to the horizontal base component120. The groove140is typically located at a transition between the horizontal base component120and the first outer brushing surface130.

Typically, the groove140forms an arc, as shown. Similarly, the first outer brushing surface130also 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 surface130and the arc of the groove140are centered about an identical central axis500,1000most clearly visible inFIGS.5and10B.

FIG.3shows a juicer300for use with the brush100ofFIG.1,FIG.4shows the juicer300with the brush incorporated, andFIG.5shows the juicer300during a cleaning cycle. As shown, the juicer300has a bowl310having a substantially circular flat bottom320and mesh walls330defining a truncated cone extending from the flat bottom.

The juicer300further includes a blade340located at the flat bottom320of the bowl310. A substantially cylindrical vertical chute350extends downward into the bowl310and terminates above the blade340, leaving a small gap355between an end360of the vertical chute350and the flat bottom320of the bowl.

During use, the blade340rotates with the bowl310, thereby chopping any produce that is inserted into the vertical chute350. Once the produce has been chopped sufficiently finely, it passes through the small gap355between the end360of the vertical chute350and the flat bottom320of the still rotating bowl310and is pressed against the conical mesh walls330by centrifugal force of the rotation, thereby straining fruit juice through the mesh walls.

During a cleaning routine, the juicer300is opened and the removable brush100is inserted. During insertion, the groove140of the removable brush100is mated with the end360of the vertical chute350. The arc of the groove140typically corresponds to the circumference of the end360of the vertical chute350such that the components are mated by simply inserting the end of the vertical chute into the groove.

The juicer300is then closed with the brush100fitted to the end360of the vertical chute350. As shown, and as discussed above, the first outer brushing surface130is angled relative to the horizontal base120and defines a segment of a truncated cone. A slope angle of the first outer brushing surface130is substantially identical to a slope angle of the mesh walls330of the bowl310. When inserted into the juicer300and mated with the vertical chute350, the truncated cone of the first outer brushing surface130and the truncated cone of the mesh walls330of the bowl310share the single central axis500of the vertical chute350.

The juicer300further includes a plunger370. During typical use of the juicer300, the plunger may be used to force produce down the vertical chute350such that it is forced against the blade340. During the cleaning routine noted above, the plunger370may be used as a reservoir for water, or some other fluid, which is then poured into the vertical chute350while rotating the bowl310relative to the vertical chute. As such, the brush100cleans the bowl310while the fluid poured in lubricates the cleaning process. In some embodiments, the plunger370is provided with a lid380such that the plunger is closed during standard use of the juicer300. In such embodiments, the lid380is removed so that the plunger370can be used as a reservoir.

FIG.6shows an upper perspective view of a second embodiment of a brush600in accordance with this disclosure.FIG.7shows a lower perspective view of the brush600ofFIG.6.FIGS.8and9show side and top views of the brush600ofFIG.6. To the extent that the brush600ofFIG.6has components identical to those of the brush100ofFIG.1, the embodiments use the same reference numerals.

FIG.10Ashows a sectioned side view of a blender1010with the brush600ofFIG.6.FIG.10Bshows a sectioned top view of the blender1010with the brush600ofFIG.10A.FIG.10Cshows a lower perspective view of a portion of the blender1010ofFIG.10Aincluding a vertical chute1020.

As shown, the brush600may have a brush body610further comprising a secondary outer brushing surface630opposite the horizontal base component120from the first outer brushing surface130. The secondary outer brushing surface630would typically define a second segment of the surface of the same truncated cone as that of the first outer brushing surface130. It is noted that in some embodiments, such as that shown inFIG.6, the secondary brushing surface630does not contain bristles and functions primarily for stabilizing the brush600during use. In other embodiments, such as those shown inFIGS.11and16, the secondary brushing surface630contains bristles and brushes the bowl of the juicer300,1000during use. It is further noted that in the embodiments ofFIGS.6,11, and16, bristles are not shown, but openings620for bristles are provided. In use, bristles would typically be provided in some or all of the openings for bristles.

Further, the brush600may include a secondary groove640in the upper surface150of and perpendicular to the horizontal base component120and located at a transition between the horizontal base component and the secondary outer brushing surface630. Accordingly, the secondary groove640is opposite the horizontal base component120from the first outer brushing surface130. The secondary groove640may form an arc centered about the central axis1000, and may thereby form an arc of the same circle as that of the first groove140.

In some embodiments, the brush100,600further comprises a notch660extending from one or both of the grooves140,640in the direction of the horizontal base component. This notch660may interface with a protrusion1030extending from a circular end1040of the vertical chute1020. As such, the circular end1040of the vertical chute1020may mate with the grooves140,640of the brush100,600, and the notch660may mate with the protrusion1030. During use, the brush100,600is held stationary relative to the vertical chute1020and a bowl of the juicer1010, and the interface of the notch660and the protrusion1030prevents the brush100,600from rotating relative to the vertical chute1020.

It is noted that the embodiment shown provides a notch660extending from the secondary groove640and a protrusion1030extending from the circular end1040of the vertical chute1020. However, it is understood that the notch660may be provided in the first groove140in addition to or in place of the secondary groove640. Similarly, the locating mechanism may be modified such that, for example, a notch is provided in the circular end1040of the vertical chute, and a discontinuity is provided in one or both of the grooves140,640in order to mate with the notch.

FIG.11shows an upper perspective view of a third embodiment of a brush1100in accordance with this disclosure.FIG.12shows a lower perspective view of the brush1100ofFIG.11.FIG.13shows a side view of the brush1100ofFIG.11.FIG.14shows a top view andFIG.15shows a bottom view of the brush1100ofFIG.11.

The brush ofFIG.11is similar to that shown above inFIG.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 surface180of the horizontal base component120.

Further, as shown, the secondary outer brushing surface630may be provided with openings for bristles1110similar to those, and in addition to those620, provided on the first brushing surface130.

Further, while the bristles160shown inFIG.1and the openings for bristles shown inFIG.6are shown as perpendicular to the surface130of the first outer brushing surface130, the bristle openings620,1110of the brush1100ofFIG.11is instead angled relative the first and second outer brushing surfaces130,630. The openings620,1110of the brush1100are instead parallel to the grooves140,640in the brush1100so that they face straight downward during use.

FIG.16shows an upper perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a brush1600in accordance with this disclosure.FIG.17shows a lower perspective view of the brush1600ofFIG.16.FIG.18shows a side view of the brush1600ofFIG.16.FIG.19shows a bottom view of the brush1600ofFIG.16.

As noted above with respect to the brush1100ofFIG.11, the brush1600is also similar to the other embodiments shown, but provides a few distinct features. As shown, the brush1600provides a secondary horizontal base surface1610. Such a base surface is above the lower surface180of the horizontal base component120of the brush body610and may be adjacent the first or secondary outer brushing surface130,630.

In addition to incorporating bristles160, or bristle openings620, into the first or second outer brushing surface130,630, the secondary horizontal base surface1610may be provided with additional bristles or bristle openings1620. As shown, the secondary horizontal base surface1610may form a step between the lower surface180and the first or secondary outer brushing surface130,630.

During use, the brush100,600,1100,1600is used by first removing a cover from a juicer chamber of the juicer300,1010. The juicer cover includes the substantially cylindrical vertical chute350,1020and the juicer chamber includes the bowl310with the substantially circular flat bottom320and mesh walls330defining a truncated cone.

The brush100,600,1100,1600to be used is then provided, with the brush taking the form discussed above. One or both of the groove140and the secondary groove640are then mated to the vertical chute350,1020by locating an end360,1040of the vertical chute at least partially within the corresponding groove or grooves. In embodiments including a notch660, the notch is aligned with a protrusion1030of the end360,1040of the vertical chute350,1020when the end is being located within the groove140,640.

The vertical chute350,1020may then be located so that it shares a vertical axis500,1000with the mesh walls330of the bowl310. This may be by fixing the juicer cover relative to the juicer chamber in order to reassembly the juicer300,1010.

Once the juicer300,1010is fully assembled with the brush100,600,1100,1600properly inserted, a cleaning routine may be executed during which the bowl310is rotated relative to the vertical chute350,1020and the brush. Typically, during this part of the process, a fluid, such as water is poured into the vertical chute350,1020in 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.