IPC分类号：
A47J19/06 | A47J19/02 | A47J43/044 | A47J43/07 | A23L2/04
国民经济行业分类号：
C3531 | C3854 | C3381
当前申请(专利权)人：
GOODNATURE PRODUCTS, INC.
原始申请(专利权)人：
GOODNATURE PRODUCTS, INC.
当前申请(专利权)人地址：
Buffalo, NY, US
发明人：
WETTLAUFER, ERIC M. | WETTLAUFER, DALE | HEYDEN, THOMAS | FRITZ, JOHN
摘要：
Various juicing devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. The juicing device has mechanical squeezers, combination blades, front trays, and/or control systems for effective pressing.
技术问题语段：
The patent text discusses the problem of traditional juicing devices and the negative impacts on quality and nutrition of the resulting juice. These devices can produce heat, aerate, and introduce particulate matter, which can lead to a decrease in quality and flavor. Additionally, some devices can have residual color and flavor, which can be time-consuming and costly to clean. The technical problem addressed by the patent is to provide a new juicing device that can produce high-quality, cold-pressed juices with minimal heat and aeration, and that can be easily and quickly cleaned.
技术功效语段：
The patent text describes a new type of juicing device that can produce high-quality, smooth, and nutritionally dense juices. The device is designed to be easy to clean, assemble, and use with a variety of foods. It uses a cold pressing method that does not require spinning or cheese grater blades, which can lead to residual color and flavor. The device can also have a disposable filter to reduce issues with residual color and flavor. Additionally, the device promotes self-filtration, which allows the food fibers to filter the juice during the pressing operation. Overall, the device addresses common issues with other juicing devices and provides an improved way to produce high-quality juices.
权利要求：
1. A juicer machine comprising:
a grinder assembly configured to grind food, the grinder assembly comprising an input chute;
a press assembly configured to press juice from the ground food, the press assembly comprising a fixed platen and a movable platen, the movable platen positioned rearward of the fixed platen; and
a basin configured to removably connect to the fixed platen such that the basin is positioned forward of the fixed platen and under the input chute.
2. The juicer machine of claim 1, wherein the basin is configured to hang from the fixed platen.
3. The juicer machine of claim 1, wherein the basin comprises a lip that connects to a top edge of the fixed platen.
4. The juicer machine of claim 1, wherein the basin removable from the fixed platen by lifting the basin off the fixed platen.
5. The juicer machine of claim 1, wherein, when the basin is connected to the fixed platen, a vertical line drawn from an end of the input chute intersects the basin.
6. A juicer machine comprising:
a frame comprising a well with a top opening;
a press chamber configured to receive a ground food, the press chamber being removable from the well through the top opening, the press chamber comprising a movable platen and a fixed wall; and
a linear actuator connected to the frame, the linear actuator comprising:
an electric motor;
a press shaft assembly comprising an internally threaded tube, the press shaft assembly having an end that is engageable with the movable platen; and
a lead screw comprising a rotatable externally threaded rod;
wherein rotation of the lead screw causes the press shaft assembly to translate the movable platen along a horizontal axis toward the fixed wall, thereby compressing the ground food in the press chamber and expelling juice.
7. The juicer machine of claim 6, wherein the electric motor comprises a stepper motor.
8. The juicer machine of claim 6, wherein the linear actuator further comprises a plurality of gears mechanically connected with the electric motor and the lead screw.
9. The juicer machine of claim 6, wherein the electric motor is positioned under the lead screw.
10. The juicer machine of claim 6, further comprising a grinder assembly configured to receive a food and to convert the food to the ground food, the grinder assembly comprising a blade disk with multiple teeth that concurrently contact the food.
11. The juicer machine of claim 6, further comprising:
an electronic sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a force applied by the linear actuator to the movable platen; and
an electronic processor configured to control the linear actuator using the signal.
12. The juicer machine of claim 11, wherein the electronic sensor comprises a strain gauge.
13. The juicer machine of claim 11, wherein an end of the lead screw is connected to a support plate of the frame, and wherein the support plate comprises the electronic sensor.
14. A juicer machine comprising:
a frame comprising a support;
a press chamber removably coupled to the frame, the press chamber configured to receive a ground food, the press chamber comprising a movable platen and a fixed wall;
a lead screw assembly fixedly connected with the support and engageable with the movable platen;
an electric motor configured to drive the lead screw assembly such that the lead screw assembly applies a pressing force to the movable platen and such that a resulting force is transmitted through the lead screw assembly to the support;
an electronic sensor connected to the support, the electronic sensor configured to detect a deflection of the support due to the resulting force and to output a signal indicative of the deflection; and
an electronic processor configured to control the lead screw assembly using the signal.
15. The juicer machine of claim 14, wherein the support comprises a plate.
16. The juicer machine of claim 14, wherein the electronic sensor comprises a strain gauge.
17. The juicer machine of claim 14, wherein the lead screw assembly is fixedly connected with the support by a castle nut.
18. A method of detecting breakage of a bag during operation of a juicer machine that includes a movable platen, a fixed platen, an actuator, a force sensor, and an electronic processor, wherein the method comprises, under the control of the electronic processor:
advancing, with the actuator, the movable platen toward the fixed platen such that a food between the movable platen and the fixed platen is compressed;
monitoring, with the force sensor, a force applied by the actuator to the movable platen during the compression of the food;
detecting a decrease discontinuity in the force; and
activating a bag-break response action.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the bag-break response action comprises stopping the advancing of the movable platen.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the bag-break response action comprises outputting an audible or visual alarm.
技术领域：
[0002]This disclosure relates to juicing devices, such as cold press juicing devices with mechanical squeezers, combination blades, front trays, and/or control systems for effective pressing.
发明内容：
[0003]Juice is a natural way to provide not only a delicious beverage but also valuable nutrition to the human body. For example, juice can provide essential minerals, vitamins, and other beneficial compounds. Because different foods produce different kinds of juice, each with a unique flavor and nutritional profile, there is a demand for juice produced from an increasingly wide assortment of foods, such as fruits, spongy greens, hard root vegetables, and others. Indeed, consumers are increasingly demanding a diverse assortment of high-quality juices.
[0004]Some juicing devices have detrimental effects on juice quality or other drawbacks. For example, some juicing devices produce juice using centrifugal force by spinning pulp against a screen. However, centrifugally spinning the pulp against a screen, and other methods that shred and press at the same time, result in heating of the juice, aerating the juice, and/or introducing significant particulates in the juice. This decreases the quality of the juice and/or misses an opportunity for self-filtration. Other juicing devices are time-consuming, complicated to assemble, and/or difficult to clean.
[0005]Furthermore, some juicing devices that rely on a screen, cloth, and/or similar device can retain food particulate or juice, which leaves residual color and flavor in the juicing device. Some juicing devices can have holes, slots, crevices, corners, and/or anchor points onto which food fibers, particulates, and/or juices are retained, which can result in the same residual color and flavor issues or even health concerns. This residual flavor and/or color can be problematic as the juicing device is required to produce a variety of different juices that are expected to have a specific flavor and/or color. Accordingly, the juicing device must be cleaned to remove the residual color and/or flavor. Removing the residual color and/or flavor can take significant time as significant scrubbing, washing, and/or caustic may be needed, which can be costly and inconvenient at a busy juice bar or other setting.
[0006]Many juicing devices are not well suited for use with a variety of foods, which each bring unique demands and challenges. For example, hard root vegetables, like carrots and beets, are used in juicing and put a very high load on the juicing device, causing juicing devices to overheat, jam, and/or grind so inefficiently that little juice is extracted. Certain heterogeneous fibrous foods, like ginger or celery, contain long fibers that tend to snag on holes, slots, crevices, corners, and/or anchor points. Some juicing devices utilize a cheese grater style blade that fiber hooks onto and lays over the cutting edges of the blade holes. This can blunt the blades and inhibit the movement of food through the blade holes. Fleshy and fragile produce, such as cucumber, watermelon, and apples, can deteriorate, separate out in juice, froth, and/or introduce foam if over processed. Spongy leafy greens, like kale, can be squished down into a tough but flexible mass that will skim over teeth or blades such that the kale will continue to build up inside a juicer until the juicing device jams. Leafy greens can also have a low specific density compared to other foods. Unlike foods with higher specific densities (e.g., apples), a juicing device may be unable to use the inertia of the leafy greens to move the leafy greens around the grinder, which can inhibit proper processing of the leafy greens.
[0007]Various juicing devices are disclosed herein that address one or more of the problems detailed above, or other problems.
[0008]Certain implementations of the juicing devices disclosed herein can produce single serving juices (e.g., less than or equal to about 16 fluid ounces), larger quantities (e.g., 12-32 fluid ounces), and/or other quantities cleanly, easily, and at a high quality. The juicing devices disclosed herein can employ a cold pressing method. The resulting juice can be smooth, nutritionally dense, and close in color and flavor to the food from which the juice was extracted. The food can be cleaned, such as before being loaded into the juicing device. The food can be shredded and pressed in separate mechanisms, resulting in a high-quality juice. Food can include any consumable or food that has a consumable juice.
[0009]The juicing devices disclosed herein can employ a disposable filter, such as a screen, cloth, or similar device. The filter can be separate from (e.g., readily removable from and/or not permanently attached to) the juicing device and/or can be readily replaceable. The disposable filter can reduce or eliminate issues with residual color and/or flavor from previous pressings. The disposable filter can be single use, eliminating the need to wash and sanitize bags altogether.
[0010]Certain implementations of the juicing devices disclosed herein can enable “self-filtration” of the juice. In self-filtration, fibers of the food from which juice is being extracted form a network of fibers that act as a filter for juice passing though the network. This can provide an initial and/or additional filter compared to any filters of the juicing device itself. The juicing device of the present disclosure can be configured to promote the formation of such a network and/or to maintain the network (e.g., by substantially not disturbing the network) during processing. This can enable the network to filter juice being extracted from the food material during the pressing operation. This is in contrast to other methods, such as centrifugal spinning with a screen, which can inhibit the network from forming and/or disturb the network and thus fail to benefit from self-filtration.
[0011]The juicing devices disclosed herein can be free or substantially free of features upon which food fibers, particulates, and/or juice can be retained or stuck. For example, in some embodiments, during operation of the juicing device to process a commercially reasonable amount of ginger for at least a single serving of juice or larger quantity, substantially no ginger fibers stick to or wrap around a cutting mechanism and/or other feature of the device.
[0012]In several implementations, even when cleaning is necessary, all components of the juicing devices that contact food and/or juice are easily removable. This can facilitate transporting the components to a cleaning area, such as a sink. In certain variants, the grinder assembly, while still assembled as a sub-assembly, can be removed from the juicing device as one unit and/or transported (e.g., to a cleaning area for cleaning) separately from the rest of the juicing device. This can reduce or eliminate the need to disassemble the entire grinder assembly to its components.
[0013]In some variants, the grinder assembly can quickly and efficiently be decoupled, which can enable washing of individual pieces separately. In some embodiments, the juicing devices disclosed herein shred and press in a closed process, which can reduce the mess that is frequently created when using other juicing devices.
[0014]In some embodiments, the juicing devices disclosed herein can effectively process a wide variety of foods (such as the foods detailed above). For example, some embodiments have a grinder assembly that is configured with teeth, and/or a motor with enough speed and power, to enable the processing of large chunks of root vegetables.
[0015]In some embodiments, the juicing devices are free from holes, slots, crevices, corners, and/or anchor points in the pathway of the processed food. The juicing devices can provide a path out of the juicing device.
[0016]In some embodiments, the juicing devices are configured to grind the food material slowly enough, and/or have large enough components and/or be configured to be gentle enough, to preserve fragile produce.
[0017]In some embodiments, the juicing devices have no shoulders under which fibers and particulate can build up (e.g., in the pathway of the food in the device).
[0018]In some embodiments, the juicing devices are configured to mechanically clear an infeed or outfeed section and/or to not rely on gravity or centrifugal force to clear the infeed or outfeed.
[0019]The juicing device can include a grinder assembly, a press chamber, and/or a drip tray. The grinder assembly can be configured to receive and grind food. The grinder assembly can have a hopper to receive food for processing. The hopper can receive food through an opening that leads to an inner cavity. A cover can obstruct the opening, thereby inhibiting or preventing access to the inner cavity and/or inhibiting or preventing food from escaping through the opening. The cover can pivot up or down about a cover joint. A pusher can be used to push food down through the chute or hopper.
[0020]The hopper can be releasably coupled to the grinder housing such that a user can remove the hopper, cover, and/or a pusher quickly and conveniently. The hopper can be releasably coupled to the grinder housing with a twist-lock connection. This can be advantageous for cleaning as the user can remove the hopper to carry over to a cleaning area, such as a sink. In some embodiments, the motor unit, which can include a motor and a housing, will not drive the grinder plate unless the hopper is releasably coupled to the grinder housing, which can be detected by a magnetic switch. The grinder housing can be releasably coupled to motor unit such that a user can remove the grinder housing from the motor unit quickly and conveniently, which can be advantageous for cleaning. The grinder housing can be releasably coupled to the motor unit with a twist-lock connection. In some embodiments, the motor unit will not drive the grinder plate unless the grinder housing is releasably coupled to the motor unit, which can be detected by a magnetic or electric switch.
[0021]The pusher can push food down through the chute or hopper and into a grind plate. The grind plate can be housed within a grinder housing and rotated by a motor unit. The grind plate can include a lopper, raised and lowered platforms, teeth, and/or other features that are configured to cut food and/or an agitator to distribute food away from a center of the grind plate. The rotation of the grind plate can cause food to be thrown radially, relative to the axis of rotation of the grinder plate. The food can be thrown toward a grinding area. The grinding area can include a plurality of fixed teeth (such as a ring of fixed teeth formed into an inner surface of the chute or hopper or cut into a wall of the chute or hopper) and a plurality of spinning teeth (such as on a lower portion of the grinder plate) for grinding. The ground food can fall into the grinder housing. In some embodiments, the grinder does not have a lopper and/or lower teeth on the blade. Certain variants of the grinder do not have a grind ring in the hopper. In some implementations, substantially all or all of the cutting is done by small barbs and/or low loppers created by recesses. Some implementations have no fixed teeth for grinding the food. Some implementations include one, two, three, four, or more fixed teeth for grinding the food.
[0022]The grinder assembly can be configured to deliver ground food to the press chamber (e.g., directly). The grinder housing can have a food exit ramp through which ground food can exit the grinder housing and enter the press chamber via an opening. In various embodiments, the grinder assembly can be rotated to different positions about the grinder assembly joint or hinge. For example, the grinder assembly can be rotated upward to a first position relative to the press chamber (e.g., to a position in which the exit ramp is spaced apart from the press chamber). As another example, the grinder assembly can be rotated downward to a second position relative to the press chamber (e.g., to a position in which the exit ramp is aligned and/or in engagement with the press chamber). The grinder assembly can be rotated by hand and/or with a motor.
[0023]The press chamber can be configured to press the ground food to extract juice. The press chamber can be supported by one or more (e.g., a pair of) front arms of a frame such that the press chamber is positioned over the drip tray. The opening can be covered by hopper support flanges and/or grinder housing support flange when the grinder assembly is rotated to the second position. In some implementations, the motor unit will not operate if the grinder assembly is not in the second position (e.g., the hopper support flanges and/or grinder housing support flange are not closing the opening), which can be detected by a magnetic or electric switch.
[0024]The ground food can pass through the opening into a press box. A disposable filter, such as a single-use bag, can be placed through the opening and into the press box. Food exiting the grinder housing can be directed into the disposable filter. The disposable filter can inhibit or prevent particulate from being included in the finished juice for drinking.
[0025]A moveable platen can be positioned in the press box and used to press the ground food to extract juices. The moveable platen can move toward a front wall of the press box, a front comb, and/or a fixed platen. The front comb can be positioned between the movable platen and the fixed platen. In some embodiments, the fixed platen can be coupled to the pair of front arms. The arms and/or fixed platen can be configured to inhibit or prevent movement of the press box as the moveable platen moves toward the front wall of the press box, front comb, and/or fixed platen.
[0026]Fluid extracted by compression within the press chamber can flow down to the drip tray. The extracted fluid can be collected by a vessel placed on the drip tray. The drip tray can collect spilled fluid or food to enable a user to conveniently and quickly clean after use. The drip tray can be removably secured between one or more (e.g., a pair of) fixed front legs of the frame such that the drip tray can be removed and carried to a cleaning area without requiring movement of the entire juicing device.
[0027]As mentioned above, the frame can support the various features and components of the juicing device, such as the press chamber. The frame can include front legs, back legs, front arms, and back arms that extend away from a central support. The frame can support a housing that can house electronics, motors, and/or other components used to operate the juicing device.
[0028]The juicing device can include a user interface that can enable a user to control the juicing device. The user interface can include a plurality of input devices, such as buttons, switches, electronic screens, or otherwise. The user interface can include a shred button, a press button, and a stop button. The shred button can cause the motor unit to drive, which can in turn cause a grinder plate to rotate. In some implementations, the shred button can cause the motor unit to drive at a single speed, such as a single speed that is configured to process a variety of foods. The press button can cause the press chamber to press the food to extract juice. For example, a shaft (e.g., a rod), can extend to push or move the movable platen toward the front wall of the press box, front comb, and/or fixed platen to press ground food. The stop button can stop operation of the device, such as by stopping the juicing device from driving the motor unit and/or stopping the shaft from moving movable platen. In various embodiments, in response to a user pushing the shred button, the juicing device will operate automatically to grind the food, move the ground food from the grinder to the press box, press the ground food in the press box, and collect the extracted juice.
[0029]In various embodiments, all the components of the juicing device that contact food or juice can be quickly and easily disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled between juicing operations with negligible carryover of flavor and color between juicing. For example, in some embodiments, the disassembling, cleaning, and reassembling can be accomplished in less than about 2 minutes, about 1 minute, about 30 seconds, or otherwise. The various components of the juicing device can be manufactured using a variety of techniques. For example, certain components can be made by injection molding, additive manufacturing (e.g., 3D printing), machining, and/or other manufacturing processes. The various components described herein can be made from a variety of materials, which can at least include polymers, such as plastic (e.g., polypropylene, high density polyethylene, etc.), metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.), and/or metal alloys.
[0030]In some embodiments, a juicer machine is disclosed herein. The juicer machine may include a grinder assembly that can grind food. The grinder assembly can include a hopper, a motor, and/or a blade unit. The blade unit can be rotatable by the motor about an axis of rotation. The blade unit can include a front and a rear. The front of the blade unit can include a first platform. The first platform can be generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The front of the blade unit can include a second platform. The second platform can be generally parallel to the first platform. The second platform can be non-planar with the first platform. The front of the blade unit can include an edge extending between the first platform and the second platform. The front of the blade unit can include a plurality of teeth extending from the first platform. The juicer machine can include a press assembly that can receive the ground food from the grinder assembly and press juice from the ground food.
[0031]In some embodiments, at the blade unit can be liquid impermeable.
[0032]In some embodiments, the front of the blade unit may include a plurality of the first platform and a plurality of the second platform. Each of the first platforms can be bordered by at least two of the second platforms.
[0033]In some embodiments, the edge may be generally parallel to the axis of rotation.
[0034]In some embodiments, the second platform can be recessed, in a direction along the axis of rotation, relative to the first platform.
[0035]In some embodiments, each of the first and second platforms may be shaped as approximately a sector of a circle.
[0036]In some embodiments, the front of the blade unit can be metal and the rear of the blade unit can be plastic.
[0037]In some embodiments, at least a portion of the edge and the teeth can be visible from the perspective of a user looking down an inlet chute of the hopper.
[0038]In some embodiments, a center of gravity of the blade unit may be positioned on the axis of rotation.
[0039]In some embodiments, a blade unit for cutting multiple types of produce is disclosed herein. The blade unit can include a front. The front can include a first cutter that can be adapted to cut a first type of produce. The front can include a second cutter that can be adapted to cut a second type of produce. The blade unit can include a rear. The rear can include a central connection port. The blade unit can be liquid impermeable. The blade unit can be adapted to rotate about a central axial axis.
[0040]In some embodiments, the first cutter can include a raised platform and a plurality of teeth. The second cutter can include a recessed platform and an edge.
[0041]In some embodiments, the first cutter can include a first row of teeth and a second row of teeth. The first and second rows of teeth can be disposed at an acute angle relative to each other.
[0042]In some embodiments, the second cutter can include a recessed sector of a circle and an edge.
[0043]In some embodiments, the blade unit can include a circular outer periphery.
[0044]In some embodiments, a center of gravity of the blade unit can be positioned on the central axial axis.
[0045]In some embodiments, the blade unit can include fasteners that couple the front and the rear.
[0046]In some embodiments, the blade unit can include a gasket between the front and the rear.
[0047]In some embodiments, the front of the blade unit can be metal. The rear of the blade unit can be plastic.
[0048]In some embodiments, a juicer machine can include the blade unit.
[0049]In some embodiments, a juicer machine is disclosed herein. The juicer machine can include a grinder assembly that can grind food. The grinder assembly can include an input chute. The juicer machine can include a press assembly that can press juice from the ground food. The press assembly can include a fixed platen and a movable platen. The movable platen can be positioned rearward of the fixed platen. The juicer machine can include a basin that can removably connect to the fixed platen such that the basin is positioned forward of the fixed platen and under the input chute.
[0050]In some embodiments, the basin can hang from the fixed platen.
[0051]In some embodiments, the basin can include a lip that connects to a top edge of the fixed platen.
[0052]In some embodiments, the basin can be removable from the fixed platen by lifting the basin off the fixed platen.
[0053]In some embodiments, when the basin is connected to the fixed platen, a vertical line drawn from an end of the input chute intersects the basin.
[0054]In some embodiments, a juicer machine is disclosed herein. The juicer machine can include a frame that can have a well with a top opening. The juicer machine can include a press chamber that can receive a ground food. The press chamber can be removable from the well through the top opening. The press chamber can include a movable platen and a fixed wall. The juicer machine can include a linear actuator connected to the frame. The linear actuator can include an electric motor. The linear actuator can include a press shaft assembly that can have an internally threaded tube. The press shaft assembly can have an end that is engageable with the movable platen. The linear actuator can include a lead screw that can have a rotatable externally threaded rod. A rotation of the lead screw can cause the press shaft assembly to translate the movable platen along a horizontal axis toward the fixed wall, thereby compressing the ground food in the press chamber and expelling juice.
[0055]In some embodiments, the electric motor comprises a stepper motor.
[0056]In some embodiments, the linear actuator can include a plurality of gears mechanically connected with the electric motor and the lead screw.
[0057]In some embodiments, the electric motor may be positioned under the lead screw.
[0058]In some embodiments, the juicer machine may include a grinder assembly that can receive a food and convert the food to the ground food. The grinder assembly can include a blade disk with multiple teeth that can concurrently contact the food.
[0059]In some embodiments, the juicer machine may include an electronic sensor that can output a signal indicative of a force applied by the linear actuator to the movable platen. The juicer machine can include an electronic processor that can control the linear actuator using the signal.
[0060]In some embodiments, the electronic sensor can include a strain gauge.
[0061]In some embodiments, an end of the lead screw can be connected to a support plate of the frame. The support plate can include the electronic sensor.
[0062]In some embodiments, a juicer machine is disclosed herein. The juicer machine may include a frame having a support. The juicer machine may include a press chamber that can be removably coupled to the frame. The press chamber can receive a ground food. The press chamber can include a movable platen and a fixed wall. The juicer machine may include a lead screw assembly that can be fixedly connected with the support and engageable with the movable platen. The juicer machine may include an electric motor that can drive the lead screw assembly such that the lead screw assembly applies a pressing force to the movable platen and such that a resulting force is transmitted through the lead screw assembly to the support. The juicer machine may include an electronic sensor connected to the support. The electronic sensor can detect a deflection of the support due to the resulting force and to output a signal indicative of the deflection. The juicer machine may include an electronic processor that can control the lead screw assembly using the signal.
[0063]In some embodiments, the support can include a plate.
[0064]In some embodiments, the electronic sensor can include a strain gauge.
[0065]In some embodiments, the lead screw assembly can be fixedly connected with the support by a castle nut.
[0066]In some embodiments, a method of operating a juicer machine that can include a movable platen, a fixed platen, a linear actuator, an electronic sensor, and/or an electronic processor is disclosed herein. The method can be under the control of the electronic processor. The method can include advancing, with the linear actuator, the movable platen toward the fixed platen at a first speed. The method can include detecting, with the electronic sensor, a threshold amount of force applied by the linear actuator to the movable platen. The method can include, in response to the detection of the threshold amount of force, advancing, with the linear actuator, the movable platen toward the fixed platen at a second speed, the second speed being less than the first speed.
[0067]In some embodiments, a method of detecting breakage of a bag during operation of a juicer machine that includes a movable platen, a fixed platen, an actuator, a force sensor, and/or an electronic processor is disclosed herein. The method can be under the control of the electronic processor. The method can include advancing, with the actuator, the movable platen toward the fixed platen such that a food between the movable platen and the fixed platen is compressed. The method can include monitoring, with the force sensor, a force applied by the actuator to the movable platen during the compression of the food. The method can include detecting a decrease discontinuity in the force. The method can include activating a bag-break response action.
[0068]In some embodiments, the bag-break response action may include stopping the advancing of the movable platen.
[0069]In some embodiments, the bag-break response action can include outputting an audible or visual alarm.
[0070]Neither the preceding summary nor the following detailed description purports to limit or define the scope of protection. The scope of protection is defined by the claims.
具体实施方式：
[0109]Although certain embodiments and examples are described below, this disclosure extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments and/or uses and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, it is intended that the scope of this disclosure should not be limited by any particular embodiments described below.
A. Juicing Device Overview—FIGS. 1A-1C
[0110]Various embodiments and configurations of a juicing device 100 are disclosed herein. FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate an example of the juicing device 100, which can also be referred to as a juicer device, juicer machine, and juicing machine. The juicing device 100 can process food to extract juices. Food can include any consumable or food that has a consumable juice. The juicing device 100 can include a grinder assembly 102, a press chamber assembly 112, and/or a drip tray 129.
[0111]The grinder assembly 102 can be configured to receive and grind food. The grinder assembly 102 can have a hopper 106 to receive food for processing. The hopper 106 can receive food through an input chute 150 to direct food to a blade unit to grind the food material. A pusher 110 can be inserted into the input chute 150 to push food through the input chute 150 toward the blade unit. The hopper 106 can include a splash guard 108. The splash guard 108 can be biased to move to a position to block an opening into the input chute 150 when the pusher 110 is removed, which can inhibit or prevent food material from exiting the opening of the input chute 150 and splashing a user.
[0112]The hopper 106 can be releasably coupled to a motor unit 104 such that the user can quickly and conveniently remove the hopper 106. The hopper 106 can be releasably coupled to the motor unit 104 with a quick-disconnect mechanism, such as a twist-lock connection or other mechanism that does not require the use of a separate tool (e.g., a screwdriver) to operate. This can be advantageous for cleaning as the user can remove the hopper 106 to carry over to a cleaning area, such as a sink. In some embodiments, the motor unit 104 will not drive the blade unit to grind the food unless the hopper 106 is coupled to the motor unit 104, which can be detected with a sensor such as a magnetic switch, light gate, and/or others.
[0113]The food that enters the input chute 150 of the hopper 106 can flow toward a blade unit. For example, as illustrated, the input chute 150 can be angled downward so that food is drawn toward the blade unit by gravity. The blade unit can be disposed inside a base 152 of the hopper 106 and rotated by the motor unit 104. The rotation of the blade unit can grind the food material. The blade unit can be liquid impermeable (e.g., does not include through holes that extend between front and rear sides of the blade unit and/or does not allow liquid to pass through the blade unit between the front and rear sides of the blade unit). In various embodiments, the ground food material, due to the rotation of the blade unit, can be thrown radially outward (e.g., relative to an axis of rotation of the blade unit) and/or does not pass through the blade unit. The thrown ground food material can be directed into a blade housing. In some implementations, the ground food material moves from the front side to rear side of the blade unit by passing around a circumferential edge of the blade unit. The blade unit can include one or more flanges that sweep the ground food material toward and/or out of an exit ramp of the blade housing and into a press chamber assembly 112.
[0114]The grinder assembly 102 can be placed in (e.g., rotated to) different positions. For example, in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the grinder assembly 102 is shown rotated downward in a first position relative to the press chamber assembly 112 (e.g., to a position in which the exit ramp of the blade housing is aligned and/or in engagement with an entrance or other features of the press chamber assembly 112). In the first position, a support stand 132 of the hopper 106 can at least partially rest on a press chamber 114 of the press chamber assembly 112.
[0115]In FIG. 1C, the grinder assembly 102 is shown rotated upward in a second position relative to the press chamber assembly 112 (e.g., to a position in which the exit ramp of the blade housing is spaced apart from the entrance or other features of the press chamber assembly 112). The grinder assembly 102 can rotate about a pivot 101, which can include rotating relative to the housing 124 of the juicing device 100. With the grinder assembly 102 in the second position, the user can more easily access the components of the press chamber assembly 112, such as to lift the press chamber 114 out of the remainder of the juicer machine 100. In some embodiments, the motor unit 104 will not drive the blade unit unless the grinder assembly 102 is rotated downward to the first position. The grinder assembly 102 can be rotated to different positions by hand and/or with a motor.
[0116]The press chamber assembly 112 can receive the ground food material from the blade unit. The press chamber assembly 112 can press the ground food material to extract juice. The press chamber assembly 112 can be supported by a frame of the juicing device 100. For example, the press chamber assembly 112 can be supported by frame arms 120 and a fixed platen 118 coupled to the frame arms 120 such that the press chamber assembly 112 is positioned over the drip tray 129. The fixed platen 118 can be coupled with and extend between the frame arms 120. The juicing device 100 can include a housing 124 to house internal components of the juicing device 100. A space (e.g., well) between the housing 124, frame arms 120, and fixed platen 118 can receive the press chamber assembly 112. In some embodiments, risers 122 (e.g., spacers and/or brackets) can be disposed on the frame arms 120 such that the press chamber assembly 112 is supported at a higher position.
[0117]The press chamber assembly 112 can include a press chamber 114, which can also be referred to as a press box. The press chamber 114 can include handles 290 that sit on the frame arms 120, which can include the risers 122, to suspend the press chamber 114 in the well of the juicing device 100, under the exit ramp of the blade housing, and/or over the drip tray 129. The handles 290 of the press chamber 114 can support the press chamber assembly 112 on the frame arms 120 between the housing 124 and the fixed platen 118.
[0118]The press chamber assembly 112 can include a moveable platen 116 that is disposed in the press chamber 114. When performing a press cycle to extract juice from ground food material, the juicing device 100 can extend a press shaft to advance the moveable platen 116. A linear actuator can be used to move the press shaft. In various embodiments, the linear actuator comprises a lead screw, which can include a threaded rod threadably mated with a threaded tube. One of the threaded rod and tube can be rotationally fixed in the juicer machine 100, and the other of the threaded rod and tube can translate within the juicer machine 100, which can be used to move the movable platen. The ground food material can be pressed (e.g., squeezed) between the moveable platen 116 and a front wall of the press chamber 114. The fixed platen 118 can inhibit the press chamber 114 from moving despite forces being applied to the press chamber 114 by the moveable platen 116.
[0119]The press chamber assembly 112 can include a flow directing device, such as a comb insert 138. The comb insert 138 can include grooves and/or channels to direct juice toward an outlet of the press chamber assembly 112. The comb insert 138 can include a front portion disposed adjacent the front wall of the press chamber 114. During pressing, the moveable platen 116 can advance toward the front wall of the press chamber 114 and the front portion of the comb insert 138.
[0120]As shown in FIG. 1C, the press chamber assembly 112 can include an interior 136, such as inside the press chamber 114. The interior 136 can receive the ground food material form the grinder assembly 102. The interior 136 can be disposed between walls of the press chamber 114 and the moveable platen 116. Ground food material can be directed from the grinder assembly 102 and into the interior 136 to be pressed between the moveable platen 116 and the walls of the press chamber 114 to extract juice. For example, the moveable platen 116 can advance toward a front wall of the press chamber 114, comb insert 138, and/or fixed platen 118 to press ground food material. In some embodiments, a disposable filter, such as a disposable filter bag (e.g., a filter paper bag), can be disposed in the interior 136. The disposable filter can inhibit or prevent particulate from being included in the finished juice for drinking, can facilitate clean-up, etc.
[0121]Extracted juice can flow down and out of the press chamber 114 toward the drip tray 129. A vessel, such as a container, can be positioned on the drip tray 129 to collect the extracted juice flowing out of the press chamber 114. The drip tray 129 can collect spilled fluid or food to enable a user to conveniently and quickly clean after use. The drip tray 129 can be removably secured between one or more (e.g., a pair of) frame legs 126 such that the drip tray 129 can be removed and carried to a cleaning area without requiring movement of the entire juicing device 100.
[0122]As discussed in more detail below, the press shaft can advance the moveable platen 116 at different speeds, such as based on the position of the press shaft and/or forces on the press shaft. For example, the press shaft can advance more quickly at the beginning of a press cycle (e.g., when the press shaft is near the beginning of its extension) and then advance more slowly toward the end of a press cycle (e.g., when the press shaft is approaching full extension). This can advantageously reduce press time and/or take advantage of the phenomenon that many foods are initially relatively easy to press and become more difficult to press as the food becomes more compressed. In some implementations, the press shaft can advance more quickly when forces on the press shaft are relatively lower at the beginning of a press cycle and then advance more slowly when the forces on the press shaft are relatively higher at the end of a press cycle.
[0123]In some embodiments, the juicing device 100 can incorporate a multi-stage press cycle. For example, the press cycle can include at least four stages based on the position of the press shaft. For the first stage, the press shaft can advance at a first speed from a beginning or fully retracted position to a first extension position. For the second stage, the press shaft can advance at a second speed, slower than the first speed, from the first extension position to a second extension position. For the third stage, the press shaft can advance at a third speed, slower than the second speed, from the second extension position to a third extension position. For the fourth stage, the press shaft can advance at a fourth speed, slower than the third speed, from the third extension position to an ending or fully extended position. Various embodiments include more or fewer stages, such as two, three, five, etc.
[0124]During the press cycle, the juicing device 100 can monitor the forces applied on the press shaft. If the forces applied on the press shaft exceed a limit (e.g., a threshold), the juicing device 100 can pause or slow advancement of the press shaft until forces applied to the press shaft decrease to at or below the limit or another amount. In some implementations, in response to the forces applied to the press shaft having decreased to at or below the limit or another amount, the press shaft can proceed to advance at a reduced speed, which can be less than the first, second, third, and/or fourth speed. The press shaft can advance to an end or full extension at the reduced speed.
[0125]The juicing device 100 can include a user interface 130 that can enable a user to control the juicing device 100. The user interface 130 can include a plurality of input devices, such as buttons, switches, electronic screens (e.g., touch screens), or otherwise. The user interface 130 can at least include a grind button, press button, and a stop button. The grind button, when pressed, can cause the motor unit 104 to drive to rotate the blade unit as described in more detail herein. The press button, when pressed, can start a press cycle, which can include advancing the press shaft to move the moveable platen 116 toward the front wall of the press chamber 114, comb insert 138, and/or fixed platen 118 to press ground food material to extract juice. The juicing devices described herein can extract a variety of juice quantities, which can at least include a single serving (e.g., less than or equal to about 16 fluid ounces) or larger quantities (e.g., 12-32 fluid ounces) depending on the amount of food (e.g., produce) and/or type of food processed.
[0126]In some embodiments, the user interface 130 can include a rapid press user input, such as a button. The rapid press user input can initiate a rapid press program and/or cycle such that the press shaft can advance more rapidly than during a normal press program and/or cycle. In some implementations, the rapid press user input comprises the press button. For example, the press button can be held to initiate and/or continue a rapid press cycle. The stop button, when pressed, can stop the motor unit 104 from rotating the blade unit and/or stop the advancement of the press shaft. In some embodiments, the user interface 130 can include a touch screen that enables a user to input the type and/or quantity of food material being processed such that the juicing device 100 can customize the grind (e.g., speed of rotation of the blade unit) and/or press cycle (e.g., speed of advancement of the press shaft).
[0127]The juicing device 100 can include features to detect a press operation abnormality. For example, the juicing device 100 can include an overflow guard 128. The overflow guard 128 can detect if ground food material in the interior 136 of the press chamber assembly 112 is overflowing (e.g., flowing out the top of the press chamber 114). The overflow guard 128 can be positioned over an opening into the interior 136 of the press chamber assembly 112. The overflow guard 128 can be rotatably coupled to the hopper 106, such as the support stand 132 of the hopper 106. In various embodiments, overflowing food material pushes up against the overflow guard 128 to cause the overflow guard 128 to rotate upwardly. The upward rotation of the overflow guard 128 can be detected by an electronic sensor, such as a magnetic switch. A signal from the sensor can indicate that the press chamber 114 is overflowing. In response, the juicing device 100 can visually and/or audibly indicate to the user that the press chamber 114 is overflowing, stop the motor unit 104 from rotating the blade unit, and/or stop the press shaft from advancing. In some embodiments, the signal from the sensor is received by an electronic processor, which can stop the motor in response. In certain variants, the overflow sensor (e.g., switch) is hardwired into a safety circuit for the motor, such that triggering of the overflow sensor automatically generates an audible or visual alert for the user, terminates power to the grind motor and/or drive motor, and/or executes other actions.
[0128]In various embodiments, all the components of the juicing device that contact food or juice can be quickly and easily disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled between juicing operations with negligible carryover of flavor and color between juicing. For example, in some embodiments, the disassembling, cleaning, and reassembling can be accomplished in less than about 2 minutes, about 1 minute, about 30 seconds, or otherwise. The various components of the juicing device can be manufactured using a variety of techniques. For example, certain components can be made by injection molding, additive manufacturing (e.g., 3D printing), machining, and/or other manufacturing processes. The various components described herein can be made from a variety of materials, which can at least include polymers, such as plastic (e.g., polypropylene, high density polyethylene, etc.), metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.), and/or metal alloys.
B. Grinder Assembly Overview—FIG. 1D
[0129]FIG. 1D shows an exploded view of the juicing device 100 to illustrate features of the grinder assembly 102. As described above, the grinder assembly 102 can at least include a hopper 106, blade unit 144, blade housing 142, and motor unit 104.
[0130]The hopper 106 can include an input chute 150 that can receive and hold food material to be ground. The hopper 106 can include a base 152, which can also be referred to as a housing portion. The base 152 of the hopper 106 can be coupled to the motor unit 104. For example, the base 152 of the hopper 106 can engage (e.g., hook onto, couple, etc.) with cleats 151 (e.g., protrusions, projections, etc.) of the motor unit 104 to couple the hopper 106 with the motor unit 104. In some embodiments, the base 152 of the hopper 106 can be twisted on the motor unit 104 to engage with and disengage from the cleats 151. In some embodiments, the motor unit 104 cannot drive rotation of the blade unit 144 unless the hopper 106 is coupled with the motor unit 104. The coupling of the hopper 106 with the motor unit 104 can be detected with an electronic sensor, such as a magnetic switch, light gate, and/or other mechanism.
[0131]The blade unit 144 can be disposed in the blade housing 142. Both the blade unit 144 and the blade housing 142 can be housed in the base 152 of the hopper 106. The motor unit 104 can include a drive tip 140 that can extend through an opening 146 of the blade housing 142 to engage with the blade unit 144 such that rotation of the drive tip 140 drives rotation of the blade unit 144. The blade unit 144 can engage with the drive tip 140 such that the blade unit 144 is retained on the drive tip 140 when the drive tip 140 is rotating and can be decoupled from the drive tip 140 when the motor unit 104 is not rotating the drive tip 140.
[0132]In use, the pusher 110 can be removed from the input chute 150. With the pusher 110 removed, the splash guard 108 can rotate down to cover the opening into the input chute 150. In various embodiments, such movement of the splash guard 108 occurs automatically, such as due to the bias of a spring acting on the splash guard 108. Food material, such as produce (e.g., vegetables, fruit, nuts, etc.) can be placed through the opening in the input chute 150. The rotational biasing force of the splash guard 108 can be small enough such that the weight of food material placed in the input chute 150 can be sufficient to overcome the biasing force of the splash guard 108 such that the splash guard 108 rotates up to permit the food material to flow down the input chute 150 and toward the blade unit 144. If the weight of the food material is not sufficient to overcome the biasing force of the splash guard 108, the user can push the food past the splash guard 108 and toward the blade unit 144. Additionally, if food material gets stuck in the input chute 150, the user can push the food material toward the blade unit 144 for grinding.
[0133]The blade unit 144 can rotate to grind the food material. As described, the blade unit 144 can be housed in the blade housing 142. The drive tip 140 of the motor unit 104 can extend through the opening 146 of the blade housing 142 to engage with the blade unit 144 such that rotation of the drive tip 140 rotates the blade unit 144. The blade unit 144 can be liquid impermeable. When assembled, the blade unit 144 can lack holes, gaps, and/or other features that would allow liquid to flow through the blade unit 144. The blade unit 144 can include raised and lowered platforms that provide edges for cutting. The blade unit 144 can include teeth, such as barbs, that cut food material.
[0134]The spinning of the blade unit 144 can direct ground food material radially outward (e.g., fling, throw, or flow) to move around the blade unit 144 and into the blade housing 142. The ground food material can flow out of the blade housing 142 through an exit ramp 198. The blade unit 144 can include one or more flanges 234, which can also be referred to as wipers, that can push (e.g., wipe) ground food material in the blade housing 142 to the exit ramp 198. The ground food material can flow out of the exit ramp 198 and into the interior 136 of the press chamber 114 positioned in the well 123 of the juicing device 100.
C. Hopper—FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B
[0135]FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B illustrate an example of the hopper 106. FIG. 2 shows the hopper 106 with the pusher 110 disposed in the input chute 150. FIGS. 3A and 3B show the hopper 106 without the pusher 110 disposed in the input chute 150.
[0136]The hopper 106 can include an input chute 150 that can receive and direct food material toward the base 152 of the hopper 106. The input chute 150 can include a splash guard 108 disposed proximate an opening of the input chute 150. The splash guard 108 can be biased, such as with a spring (e.g., torsion spring) to block the input chute 150, but with the pusher 110 disposed in the input chute 150, the splash guard 108 can be rotated upward, as shown in FIG. 2. The input chute 150 can include an aperture 148 into which the splash guard 108 can be received when the pusher 110 is placed in the input chute 150 or, in some embodiments, food material is flowing through the input chute 150. In some implementations, when the splash guard 108 is received in the aperture 148, the splash guard 108 does not protrude into the inner passageway of the input chute 150.
[0137]As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, without the pusher 110 in the input chute 150, the splash guard 108 can be rotated down to block the opening of the input chute 150 to inhibit or prevent food material from flowing back out of the opening of the input chute 150. For example, in some instances, food juices can spray out of the input chute 150 when the blade unit 144 is grinding food. Beneficially, with the splash guard 108 rotated down to block the input chute 150, the spray of food juices out of the input chute 150 can be impeded. The splash guard 108 can be rotatably coupled to the input chute 150.
[0138]The splash guard 108 can include a flange 154, which can also be called a panel, to block the input chute 150. The flange 154 can have a size and shape that substantially corresponds to the size and shape of the inner periphery of the input chute 150. The aperture 148 can include a size and shape that substantially corresponds to the size and shape of the flange 154.
[0139]As shown in FIG. 3B, the inner periphery of the input chute 150 can be substantially D shaped. For example, the inner periphery can include a bowl portion 170 and stem portion 168 connecting opposing sides of the bowl portion 170. The stem 168 can be curved toward the bowl 170. The junction between the bowl 170 and stem 168 can include curves 172. The bowl 170 of the D shaped input chute 150 can facilitate the flow of material down the input chute 150 and toward the blade unit 144 in the base 152. The D shape of the input chute 150 can help material to not get stuck and/or logged in the input chute 150. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, in some embodiments, a bottom of the input chute 150 is concave and/or a top of the input chute 150 is convex. The bottom and top can have the same or different radii of concavity or convexity.
[0140]The base 152 of the hopper 106 can include an outer wall 158. The outer wall 158 can form a substantially circular outer periphery of the base 152. The base 152 can include an internal wall 156 spaced radially inward of the outer wall 158 to provide a channel 160 between the outer wall 158 and the internal wall 156. The base 152 can include an interior 162, which can be disposed within a periphery formed by the internal wall 156. The interior 162 can house the blade unit 144 and blade housing 142 once assembled. The base 152 can include a gap 164, which can be a gap 164 in the outer wall 158 and internal wall 156, through which the exit ramp 198 of the blade housing 142 can extend.
[0141]The base 152 can include one or more catches 165, which can also be referred to as a hooks or wedge catches. The catches 165 can engage with the cleats 151 of the motor unit 104 to couple the hopper 106 and motor unit 104 together. The catches 165 can include wedges 166 and stops 167, which can also be referred to as protrusions. The stops 167 can be disposed proximate ends of the wedge 166. To couple the hopper 106 and motor unit 104 together, the hopper 106 can positioned against the motor unit 104 and rotated in a first direction such that the wedges 166 hit the cleats 151 of the motor unit 104. The wedges 166 can include an angled surface such that the catches 165 slide under the cleats 151 upon impact. The user can continue to rotate the hopper 106, allowing the wedges 166 to slide under the cleats 151, until the cleats 151 hit the stops 167 to inhibit or prevent further rotation of the hopper 106 to secure the hopper 106 to the motor unit 104. To decouple the hopper 106 and the motor unit 104, the user can rotate the hopper 106 in a second direction, opposite the first direction, such that the stops 167 move away from the cleats 151 and the wedges 166 slide out from under the cleats 151 so that the hopper 106 can be removed.
[0142]As mentioned above, the hopper 106 can include a support stand 132. The support stand 132 can rest on a shelf of the press chamber 114 with the grinder assembly 102 rotated downward. In some variants, the motor unit 104 will not drive rotation of the blade unit 144 if the grinder assembly 102 is not rotated downward, which can include the support stand 132 resting on the shelf of the press chamber 114. The support stand 132 can include a pivot mount 133 to couple with the overflow guard 128.
D. Pusher—FIGS. 4A-4C
[0143]FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate an example of the pusher 110. The pusher 110 can be inserted into the input chute 150 to push food material down the input chute 150 of the hopper 106 toward the blade unit 144. FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the pusher 110 without a grip handle 175. FIG. 4C illustrates the pusher 110 with the handle 175.
[0144]As illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the pusher 110 can include a first end 174 and a second end 176. The first end 174 can remain outside the input chute 150 when the pusher 110 is inserted into the input chute 150. The first end 174 can include a lip 178. The lip 178 can include a periphery that is larger than the opening into the input chute 150 to inhibit or prevent the first end 174 from being inserted into the input chute 150 and/or to limit the amount that the pusher 110 can be inserted into the input chute 150. As shown in FIG. 4B, the pusher 110 can include an outer periphery that corresponds to the inner periphery of the input chute 150 such that the outer periphery of the pusher 110 can scrape the walls of the inner periphery of the input chute 150 of food material. The periphery of the pusher 110 can be substantially D shaped. For example, similar to the inner periphery of the input chute 150, the pusher 110 can include a bowl portion 180 and a stem portion 182. The stem 182 can extend between the ends of the bowl 180. The stem 182 can be curved toward the bowl 180. Curves 184 can be disposed at the junction between the stem 182 and the bowl 180. The distance between the lip 178 and the second end 176 can correspond to a length of the input chute 150 such that, when the pusher 110 is disposed in the input chute 150, the second end 176 is at an end of the input chute 150 and proximate the blade unit 144. As shown in FIG. 4A, the pusher 110 can be hollow, which can decrease weight, cost, and material usage.
[0145]As shown in FIG. 4C, the pusher 110 can include a grip handle 175, which can also be referred to as a handle or ergonomic handle. The grip handle 175 can be disposed on the first end 174 to facilitate ease of handling. The handle 175 can block access into the hollow interior of the pusher 110. The handle 175 can be made of a polymer, such as a soft polymer material.
E. Overflow Guard—FIGS. 5A-5C
[0146]FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate an example of the overflow guard 128. As previously described, the overflow guard 128 can be positioned over the opening into the interior 136 of the press chamber 114. If ground food material being pressed by the press chamber assembly 112 starts to push out of the top of the press chamber 114, the overflow guard 128 can be pushed upward (e.g., rotated upward). The displacement of the overflow guard 128 can be detected be an electronic sensor, such as a magnetic switch or light gate, to signal to the juicing device 100 that the press chamber 114 is overflowing.
[0147]The overflow guard 128 can include pivot mounts 188 to facilitate rotatably coupling to the hopper 106. For example, the pivot mounts 188 can be coupled to the pivot mounts 133 of the support stand 132 of the hopper 106, which can include coupling with a pin or rod.
[0148]The overflow guard 128 can include a panel 194. The panel 194 can cover a portion of the opening into the interior 136 of the press chamber 114, as shown in FIG. 5B, such that ground food material pushing out of the press chamber 114 pushes against the panel 194. The panel 194 can include a recess 192, which can also be referred to as a cutout or gap. The recess 192 can permit ground food material exiting the exit ramp 198 of the blade housing 142 to enter into the interior 136 of the press chamber 114. As the overflowing ground food material pushes against the panel 194, the overflow guard 128 can rotate upward, as seen in FIG. 5C. The overflow guard 128 can rotate relative to the support stand 132 of the hopper 106.
[0149]The overflow guard 128 can include hooks 186, which can also be referred to as catches or arms. The hooks 186 can extend vertically from the panel 194. The hooks 186 can hook onto the support stand 132 of the hopper 106 to inhibit or prevent the overflow guard 128 from overly rotating downward. For example, as the grinder assembly 102 is rotated upward to the second position, the hooks 186 can hang onto the support stand 132 to inhibit or prevent the overflow guard 128 from rotating downward. In some embodiments, the overflow guard 128 is inhibited or prevented from rotating down into the interior 136 of the press chamber 114. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, during a juicing operation, the hooks 186 can contact the support stand 132 and/or a bottom of the overflow guard 128 can rest on a portion of the press chamber assembly 112 and/or the panel 194.
[0150]The overflow guard 128 can include a position indicator, such as a proximity sensor. For example, in some embodiments, the overflow guard 128 can include a magnet 190. With the overflow guard 128 rotated downward as shown in FIG. 5B, the magnet 190 can be disposed proximate a balanced magnetic switch, which can be in the motor unit 104, to hold the switch closed to complete an electrical circuit. When the overflow guard 128 is rotated upward as shown in FIG. 5C, the magnet 190 can be moved away from the balanced magnetic switch such that the magnet 190 does not hold the switch closed and the electrical circuit is not complete. The incomplete electrical circuit can indicate to the juicing device 100 that an overflow is occurring. In response, the juicing device can 100 generate an audible and/or visual alert for the user, stop the motor unit 104, and/or cease advancing the press shaft, and/or execute other actions.
F. Blade Housing—FIGS. 6A-6C
[0151]FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a blade housing 142. As described herein, the blade housing 142 can house the blade unit 144. The blade unit 144 can be disposed in the blade housing 142 and engage with the drive tip 140 of the motor unit 104 through the opening 146 in the blade housing 142.
[0152]The blade housing 142 can include an outer wall 200. The outer wall 200 can form an outer periphery of the blade housing 142, which can be generally circular. The blade housing 142 can include an inner wall 202. The inner wall 202 can be disposed radially inward relative to the outer wall 200. The inner wall 202 can form a periphery of the opening 146. The inner wall 202 can have an axial length that is shorter than that of the outer w