Device for storing and feeding of raw materials of fruit and/or vegetables

{
  "publication_number": "US8939276B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Device for storing and feeding of raw materials of fruit and/or vegetables",
  "abstract": "Disclosed is a device for storing and feeding of raw materials during production of fruit- and/or vegetable-juice, which device includes a number of storage and feed units for fruit/vegetables and/or pieces of fruit/vegetables, and a bottom element. Disclosed features are that the storage and feed units are situated on a support disc, that each of the storage and feed units is allocated an outlet aperture in the support disc, that a feed disc is situated below the support disc, that the feed disc is rotatably supported by the bottom element and is provided with a feed aperture, and that the feed disc is rotatable relative to the support disc so that the feed aperture can be brought central to any desired outlet aperture, and a unit for conveying to a juice machine the fruit/vegetables and/or pieces of fruit/vegetables fed.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A device for storing and feeding of raw materials of fruit and/or vegetables for further processing of these raw materials, such that the device comprises a number of storage and feed units (40, 47 / 51; 55; 70) for fruit/vegetables and/or pieces of fruit/vegetables, and a bottom element (5), the storage and feed units (40, 47 / 51; 55; 70) are situated on a support disc (30), each of the storage and feed units (40, 47 / 51; 55; 70) is allocated an outlet aperture (31) in the support disc (30), and a feed disc (25) is situated below the support disc (30), wherein the feed disc (25) is arranged for rotation relative to the bottom element (5) and is provided with a feed aperture (29), that the feed disc (25) is rotatable relative to the support disc (30) making it possible for the feed aperture (29) to be brought central to any desired outlet aperture (31), with means (10, 11, 18) for conveying to a machine (JM) for further processing the fruit/vegetables and/or pieces of fruit/vegetables fed, that at least some of the storage and feed units (40; 70) comprise a cylinder (32; 71) which has in it an insert (34; 72) comprising a spiral plane (38; 76), that the insert (34; 72) comprises a further plane (39; 74) situated close to one end of the insert, and that the respective lower edges (41, 42) of the spiral plane (38; 76) and the further plane (39; 74) are situated on opposite sides of a discharge aperture (35) which is accommodated in the bottom of the cylinder (32; 71).",
    "2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the feed disc (25) is rotated by means of an electric motor (27) and an output shaft (28) from the electric motor (27).",
    "3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the feed disc (25) is provided with a number of bearing rollers (26) distributed along its circumference.",
    "4. A device according to claim 3, wherein at least some of the storage and feed units (47; 51; 70) comprise a cylinder (33 A; 33 B; 33 C) accommodating an insert which defines an at least partly conical space (45; 50; 54) which is open at both of its ends.",
    "5. A device according to claim 2, wherein the means for conveying to a machine (JM) for further processing the fruit/vegetables and/or pieces of fruit/vegetables fed take the form of a channel (18) situated below a bottom aperture (17) of the bottom element (5), and pressure medium cylinders (10, 11) which move relative to the channel (18) the fruit/vegetables and/or pieces of fruit/vegetables fed.",
    "6. A device according to claim 2, wherein the angle (a) formed by the respective edges (41, 42; 78, 79) of the spiral plane (38; 76) and the further plane (39; 74), which edges are situated at one end of the insert (34; 72), is obtuse.",
    "7. A device according to claim 2, wherein at least some of the storage and feed units (47; 51; 70) comprise a cylinder (33 A; 33 B; 33 C) accommodating an insert which defines an at least partly conical space (45; 50; 54) which is open at both of its ends.",
    "8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the feed disc (25) is provided with a number of bearing rollers (26) distributed along its circumference.",
    "9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the means for conveying to a machine (JM) for further processing the fruit/vegetables and/or pieces of fruit/vegetables fed take the form of a channel (18) situated below a bottom aperture (17) of the bottom element (5), and pressure medium cylinders (10, 11) which move relative to the channel (18) the fruit/vegetables and/or pieces of fruit/vegetables fed.",
    "10. A device according to claim 8, wherein the angle (a) formed by the respective edges (41, 42; 78, 79) of the spiral plane (38; 76) and the further plane (39; 74), which edges are situated at one end of the insert (34; 72), is obtuse.",
    "11. A device according to claim 8, wherein at least some of the storage and feed units (47; 51; 70) comprise a cylinder (33 A; 33 B; 33 C) accommodating an insert which defines an at least partly conical space (45; 50; 54) which is open at both of its ends.",
    "12. A device according to claim 1 wherein the means for conveying to a machine (JM) for further processing the fruit/vegetables and/or pieces of fruit/vegetables fed take the form of a channel (18) situated below a bottom aperture (17) of the bottom element (5), and pressure medium cylinders (10, 11) which move relative to the channel (18) the fruit/vegetables and/or pieces of fruit/vegetables fed.",
    "13. A device according to claim 12, wherein a guide (22) which cooperates with an inlet aperture of a juice machine (JM) situated below the channel (18) is itself situated close to an aperture of the channel (18).",
    "14. A device according to claim 12, wherein the angle (a) formed by the respective edges (41, 42; 78, 79) of the spiral plane (38; 76) and the further plane (39; 74), which edges are situated at one end of the insert (34; 72), is obtuse.",
    "15. A device according to claim 12, wherein at least some of the storage and feed units (47; 51; 70) comprise a cylinder (33 A; 33 B; 33 C) accommodating an insert which defines an at least partly conical space (45; 50; 54) which is open at both of its ends.",
    "16. A device according to claim 1 wherein the angle (α) formed by the respective edges (41, 42; 78, 79) of the spiral plane (38; 76) and the further plane (39; 74), which edges are situated at one end of the insert (34; 72), is obtuse.",
    "17. A device according to claim 16, wherein at least some of the storage and feed units (47; 51; 70) comprise a cylinder (33 A; 33 B; 33 C) accommodating an insert which defines an at least partly conical space (45; 50; 54) which is open at both of its ends.",
    "18. A device according to claim 1 wherein at least some of the storage and feed units (47; 51; 70) comprise a cylinder (33 A; 33 B; 33 C) accommodating an insert which defines an at least partly conical space (45; 50; 54) which is open at both of its ends.",
    "19. A device according to claim 18, wherein the space (45) is conical all the way between the ends of the cylinder (33 A).",
    "20. A device according to claim 18, wherein the space (50; 54) comprises a cylindrical portion (52; 56)."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention refers to a device for storing and feeding of raw materials of fruit and/or vegetables for further processing of these raw materials, which device comprises a number of storage and feed units for fruit/vegetables and/or pieces of fruit/vegetables, and a bottom element.\n\nIn an apparatus known from EP 2024944 for producing fruit juice or vegetable juice, pieces of fruit or vegetables are stored in containers which are provided with an only schematically depicted feed mechanism. The pieces of fruit or vegetables are brought together in a mixer in which preparation of juice takes place. The juice is led from the mixer to a glass.\n\nA primary object of the present invention is to propose a device of the kind defined in the introduction such that the storage and feeding of fruit or vegetables take place in a way which causes no damage to the fruit/vegetables. Another object of the present invention is to afford a large measure of flexibility as regards mixing of fruit and vegetables in the raw materials which leave the device. A further object of the present invention is to ensure that many different kinds of vegetables and fruit may be used with the device according to the present invention. Yet a further object of the present invention is to ensure that the raw materials are cooled and therefore undergo hygienic treatment. At least the primary object of the present invention is achieved by the features indicated in the independent claim. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.",
  "cpc": [
    "B65G 47/18",
    "A23L 2/02",
    "A23N 1/00",
    "B65G 1/045",
    "B65G 1/137"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A23L 2/02",
    "A23N 1/00",
    "B65G 15/00",
    "B65G 47/18"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "POURSHAKOUR SHAHRAM"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "POURSHAKOUR SHAHRAM"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2012-03-08",
  "publication_date": "2015-01-27",
  "grant_date": "2015-01-27",
  "priority_date": "2011-03-10",
  "application_number": "US-201214004226-A",
  "family_id": "46798438",
  "citations": [
    "EP0509950A1",
    "EP2024944A2",
    "FR2486365A1",
    "US1729886A",
    "US2278013A",
    "US2545159A",
    "US4360204A",
    "US4974505A",
    "US5544572A",
    "US5743176A",
    "US6240832B1",
    "US6941855B2",
    "US8146778B2"
  ]
}