Patent ID: 12245714

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented inFIG.1. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described invention and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the invention disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure and claimed invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

It is to be understood that the disclosed innovations may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range, and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges, and are also encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the scope of the present disclosure. All ranges and parameters, including but not limited to percentages, parts, and ratios, disclosed herein are understood to encompass any and all sub-ranges assumed and subsumed therein, and every number between the endpoints. For example, a stated range of “1 to 10” should be considered to include any and all sub-ranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less (e.g., 1 to 6.1, or 2.3 to 9.4), and to each integer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) contained within the range. In this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. All combinations of method steps or process steps as used herein can be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified or clearly implied to the contrary by the context in which the referenced combination is made

To the extent that the terms “includes” or “including” or “have” or “having” are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A” or “B” or both “A” and “B”. When the Applicant intends to indicate “only A or B but not both” then the term “only A or B but not both” or similar structure will be employed. Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. Also, to the extent that the terms “in” or “into” are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to additionally mean “on” or “onto.” In this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Freshly squeezing juices from the fruit into a bottled beverage, such as lime and/or lemon squeezed into a beverage such as an alcoholic beverage such as a beer with an elongated bottle neck is extremely difficult and nearly impossible to do with one hand using current devices and systems.FIG.1generally shows a juicer20that is as shown preferably situated above a vessel such as a bottle10(shown) as desired. The bottle10may be any liquid containing vessel, but is typically an elongated necked alcoholic beverage bottle such as a beer bottle or could be a soda pop bottle as well. The bottle is typically a glass bottle but could also be made of a plastic material such as polyethylene terephthalate or other recyclable plastic material. PET consists of polymerized units of the monomer ethylene terephthalate, with repeating (C10H8O4) units.

As shown inFIG.1, a funnel portion includes: a lower squeezing cup34having a funnel36disposed at its lowest point; handle32; and a lower hinge portion. A narrow end of the funnel36, which is typically a hollow cylindrical shape with a flat circular or conceivably a pointed end for a smaller stream of juice into the bottle10, may be inserted into the narrow neck11of the bottle10. The neck11may have a smaller cross-sectional surface area (typically a smaller diameter) than the main body portion13, which has a larger cross-sectional surface area since the main body portion holds a majority of the liquid therein. The liquid therein may be any beverage, but is typically soda pop, water, or beer.

As shown in more detail inFIGS.2-9, The juicer20may include a base half24and a squeeze half22. Although referenced as a base “half” and a squeeze “half” the base half24and the squeeze half22are meant to reference that there are two segments that are typically about one half each of the overall assembly when engaged with one another, but it is conceivable that one or the other of the base half and the squeeze half could make up more or less than half of the overall construction volume than the other. The base half24and the squeeze half22may be hingedly coupled about a hinge pin26at a first end of the juicer20. A squeeze handle30may extend on the squeeze half22away from the hinge pin26and a base handle32may extend on the base half24away from the hinge pin26. The handle30and the handle32together act as levers to increase mechanical advantage in squeezing the fruit within the juicer. The handles are typically sized to fit an adult hand and are typically from about 2 to about 5 inches long. The handles could conceivably be longer to provide more force, but the device may be harder to use with a single hand of the user and if too short, may not provide the requisite leverage for ease of juicing. The handles30,32, are typically integrally formed with the remaining portions of the base half24and the squeeze half22that operate to actually apply force to and engage the fruit or fruit piece(s) or vegetable or vegetable pieces or both fruit and vegetables or fruit and vegetable pieces.

As shown inFIGS.3-4, the hinge42may have first and second bosses44,46on the squeeze half, optionally, first and second bosses engaged with a side of the strainer54, and a main boss48on the base half all of which have through holes50,52to contain the hinge pin26when aligned with one another and the pin is positioned therein. The through holes50,52on one of the squeeze half or the base half may be an interference fit to the hinge pin26to hold the hinge pin in place. In other embodiments, the first and second bosses may be on the base half and the main boss may be on the squeeze half. In still other embodiments, the through holes50,52are all clearance and the hinge pin26is held in place by other means such as a lock pin, a safety pin, a split pin, a cotter pin or a hitch pin clip that is placed through a hole in one or both ends of the pin to retain it in place. Any food safe fastener could conceivably be used to hold the base half24and squeeze half22in a hinged relationship with one another.

It should also be known that the hinge portion of the juicer need not have a hinge pin at all. Hinge portions, namely, the first boss44, the second boss46, and the main boss48, may be shaped and sized such that they may be removably attached in a connecting position such as at an angle greater than 90 degrees, and interfere with one another as the handles are brought together such that the base half24and the squeeze half22may not be disassembled in use, and then may be disassembled after use by re-opening past the connecting position.

Between the hinge42of the juicer20and the handle parts30,32may be the squeezing cups40,34(SeeFIG.2). Upper squeezing cup40may be surrounded by a substantially round flange38supporting the upper squeezing cup40and circumferentially positioned around the upper squeezing cup (SeeFIG.3). The upper squeezing cup has an upward facing recessed surface40aand a fruit(s) and/or vegetable(s) facing, squeezing surface40b. The concave or squeezing part/surface34bof the lower squeezing cup34faces the opposite side of the fruit being juiced. The downward facing outer surface34atypically has a corresponding shape as the concave or squeezing part/surface34b. There may be a generally triangular reinforcing ridge that interconnects the lower squeezing cup and at least a portion of the hinge42to provide greater durability for the hinge. The hinge could conceivably be a generally planar projection instead of a structure having a triangularly-shaped support55. The convex or squeezing surface40bof the upper squeezing cup40faces the fruit that is being squeezed and may include ribs to aid in squeezing the juice from the fruit being juiced. The ribs may further squeeze the fruit between longitudinal portions (i.e., in the direction of the ribs shown on the convex or squeezing surface40binFIG.4) to more efficiently separate the juice from the fruit itself. Ribs are typically used but are not necessary.

Upper squeezing cup40fits substantially within lower squeezing cup34. In other words, when the handles30,32are pressed together, the upper squeezing cup40may reach down within the interior of the lower squeezing cup34to squeeze the item being juiced, while leaving an amount of clearance for the remains of the fruit that is being squeezed like the skin or peel and the pulp. The upper squeezing cup and lower squeezing cup substantially mate with one another when squeezing. While typically generally semispherical in shape, the upper squeezing cup40and lower squeezing cup34may be other form fitting shaped such as cuboidal, a parallelotope, an orthotope, or pyramidal shaped, but such a configuration may be more difficult to clean and retrieve all of the juice therefrom. The mating relationship and having a low point on the lower squeezing cup to have gravity help pull the juice to the funnel36or other similar juice outlet that allows juice to flow directly out of the juicer into the bottle or other vessel upon being juiced and typically directly thereafter upon the force of gravity acting on the juice.

The juicer20may include a funnel portion that includes funnel36or other outlet that fits within a top opening12of the vessel10. Typically, the funnel36will have an external diameter of about two inches or less, more typically about 1¼ inch, most typically about ¾ or 11/16 inch or less (less than the diameter of the narrowest point of, for example, a CARONA® beer bottle, which is 11/16 or less in narrowest interior diameter, and sized to allow the funnel to be inserted within the topmost portion of a beer or soda bottle/liquid vessel. For example, the funnel's exterior diameter may be ⅝thinch or ½ inch to ensure it can be easily inserted into the interior volume of the portion of the bottle/vessel proximate the bottle/vessel's outlet/inlet prior to juice being squeezed. Juice from the fruit that is being squeezed between the upper squeezing cup40and the lower squeezing cup34is directed by the lower squeezing cup34into the funnel36, where it is directed by the funnel36out of an opening at the bottom of the funnel into the vessel10. Having the funnel36integral with the lower squeezing cup allows a user to use a single tool to squeeze juice into a vessel10with a small opening like a bottle without using a separate part and using a single human hand.

A strainer or colander54with a plurality of holes therein may be removably disposed between the upper squeezing cup40and the lower squeezing cup34. The strainer54may be half-spherical in shape and includes a concave surface54athat corresponds to the squeezing surface40bof the upper squeezing cup40and a convex surface54bthat fits snugly within the lower squeezing cup34. The strainer may also be a corresponding shape other than a partial spherical shape to match the shape of the lower squeezing cup and the upper squeezing cup, for example, if the concave surface54aholds the fruit while the fruit is being squeezed. The strainer54further includes holes56throughout its surface. The holes56allow the juice from the fruit through to the lower squeezing cup34and into the funnel36, while preventing the pulp and the skin or peel from the fruit from passing into the funnel36and ultimately into the user's vessel10. As shown inFIG.6, the outlet37of the funnel36has a circumferential rim39defining the outlet37and the outlet37is open with nothing within the cross-sectional area41within the circumferential rim39.

By including the colander or strainer54in the juicer20, fruits that may tend to pass a large amount of pulp when they are juiced may be used without the inconvenience of having the pulp in the user's vessel or having to use an external strainer and a funnel when a typical user is already using both hands to squeeze the fruit. Having an easily removable colander or strainer54that holds the pulp makes it easy for the user to simply remove the colander or strainer54to dump the pulp and rinse the colander or strainer54, if necessary, as well so a user can very quickly juice a second fruit right after the first without having to clean out the lower squeezing cup34and the funnel36.

In an embodiment, a bottle opener60may be attached to the end of the squeeze handle30or the base handle32for easy removal of bottle tops. In another embodiment, a triangularly shaped support55, which can be a generally planar rib, may extend from the hinge42to the lower squeezing cup34to offer strength and stability as the upper and lower squeezing cups40,34are forced together over a fruit or other element being squeezed.

In use, a user may place the juicer funnel36into the interior volume of a portion of the neck11of the vessel10, typically when the vessel10has a beverage within it that may be enhanced with the juice or that the user wants to add the juice thereto. The handle30is raised away from handle32, opening the interior of the lower squeezing cup34, either with or without the colander or strainer54. A fruit(s) and/or vegetable(s), or at least a portion thereof, is placed within the lower squeezing cup34or the colander or strainer54. The handle30is then brought back into proximity of the handle32, bringing the upper squeezing cup40into contact with the fruit or vegetable within the lower squeezing cup34or the colander or strainer54. The fruit(s) and/or vegetable(s) is squeezed between the cups40,34, and the liquid/juice within the fruit(s) and/or vegetable(s) is extracted from the fruit(s) and/or vegetable(s) and into the funnel36. The funnel36uses gravity and directs the liquid/juice that was just squeezed from the fruit or vegetable into and through the neck11of the vessel10and into the main portion13, where it mixes with the beverage within. After the juice is squeezed into the vessel, the user may place their finger or other covering over the top opening of the vessel10and swirl the vessel or otherwise agitate the liquids within the vessel to make a more homogeneous mixture of the liquid/juice and original beverage therein, such as water or beer or soda.