Juice extractor with integrated cup bridge and juice manifold

Abstract

A juice extractor includes an extractor frame, at least one inner side panel that divides the interior into a product material area and a drive mechanism cavity. An orifice beam includes an end extending through a beam opening in the inner side panel. An orifice tube is carried by the orifice beam and received within a strainer tube, which is mounted to receive juice and pulp as extractor cups engage together. A drive mechanism is positioned within the drive mechanism cavity and reciprocates the orifice beam to move the orifice tube within the strainer tube. A seal at the orifice beam and the beam opening prevents juice and peel from entering the drive mechanism cavity during extractor operation.

1 - 29 . (canceled)  
     
     
         30 . A juice extractor comprising: 
 an extractor frame;    at least one moveable extractor cup mounted for movement within the extractor frame; and    an integrated cup bridge and juice manifold member mounted within the extractor frame and removable as a single unit, and comprising    a front wall configured as a sloped surface to allow product material to flow away during extractor operation,    a rear wall,    side end walls; and    a bottom wall, wherein the front wall, rear wall, side end walls and bottom wall define a juice manifold cavity;    at least one extractor cup fixed on the front wall the receives the at least one moveable extractor cup into engagement therewith for compressing fruit such that juice is received within the juice manifold cavity during juice extractor operation; and    and a juice outlet formed within the juice manifold cavity through which juice collected during extractor operation is discharged.    
     
     
         31 . The juice extractor according to  claim 30 , wherein said front wall includes a rear edge engaging the rear wall and is sloped downward from the rear wall to allow product material to pass downward along the front wall during extractor operation.  
     
     
         32 . The juice extractor according to  claim 31 , and further comprising an L-bracket positioned within said juice manifold cavity and engaging the front and rear walls and defining at least one fluid delivery conduit.  
     
     
         33 . The juice extractor according to  claim 30 , and further comprising at least one extractor cup mount formed on the front wall and a strainer tube support cone positioned thereat.  
     
     
         34 . The juice extractor according to  claim 30 , and further comprising a first fluid delivery conduit extending inside said integrated cup bridge and juice manifold member through which fluid passes for use with oil recovery during extractor operation.  
     
     
         35 . The juice extractor according to  claim 34 , and further comprising an outlet positioned on the front wall and communicating with the first fluid delivery conduit to pass fluid on the front wall for recovering oil during extractor operation.  
     
     
         36 . The juice extractor according to  claim 34 , and further comprising a second fluid delivery conduit extending inside the integrated cup bridge and juice manifold member through which fluid passes to be discharged for cleaning.  
     
     
         37 . The juice extractor according to  claim 36 , and further comprising a fluid outlet positioned on the front wall and communicating with the second delivery conduit to pass fluid on the front wall for cleaning.  
     
     
         38 . The juice extractor according to  claim 30 , wherein said juice outlet is positioned at a side of the extractor frame.  
     
     
         39 . The juice extractor according to  claim 30 , and further comprising opposing inner side panels extending vertically within the extractor frame and dividing the interior of the extractor frame into a medial product material area and opposing drive mechanism cavities extending between each inner side panel, wherein the integrated cup bridge and juice manifold member extends between the inner side panels.  
     
     
         40 . A juice extractor comprising: 
 an extractor frame;    a cup support member mounted for movement within the extractor frame;    a plurality of extractor cups supported by the cup support member;    a drive mechanism engaging the cup support member for reciprocating the cup support member; and    an integrated cup bridge and juice manifold member mounted within the extractor frame and removable as a single unit and including a plurality of extractor cups mounted thereon for receiving the extractor cups supported by the cup support member into engagement for compressing fruit, said integrated cup bridge and juice manifold member comprising,    a front wall configured as a sloped surface to allow product material to flow away during extractor operation,    a rear wall,    side end walls, and    a bottom wall, wherein the front wall, rear wall, side end walls and bottom wall define a juice manifold cavity;    wherein said extractor cups are mounted on the front wall; and    a juice outlet formed within the juice manifold cavity through which juice collected during extractor operation is discharged.    
     
     
         41 . The juice extractor according to  claim 40 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises a camshaft mounted within the extractor frame, and including a drive cam engaging the cup support member for driving the extractor cups supported thereby into engagement with the extractor cups mounted on the cup bridge.  
     
     
         42 . The juice extractor according to  claim 40 , wherein said front wall includes a rear edge engaging the rear wall and is sloped downward from the rear wall to allow product material to pass downward along the front wall during extractor operation.  
     
     
         43 . The juice extractor according to  claim 42 , and further comprising an L-bracket positioned within said juice manifold cavity and engaging the front and rear walls and defining at least one fluid delivery conduit.  
     
     
         44 . The juice extractor according to  claim 40 , and further comprising at least one extractor cup mount formed on the front wall and a strainer tube support cone positioned thereat.  
     
     
         45 . The juice extractor according to  claim 40 , and further comprising a first fluid delivery conduit extending inside said integrated cup bridge and juice manifold member through which fluid passes for use with oil recovery during extractor operation.  
     
     
         46 . The juice extractor according to  claim 45 , and further comprising an outlet positioned on the front wall and communicating with the first fluid delivery conduit to pass fluid on the front wall for recovering oil during extractor operation.  
     
     
         47 . The juice extractor according to  claim 40 , and further comprising a second fluid delivery conduit extending inside the integrated cup bridge and juice manifold member through which fluid passes to be discharged for cleaning.  
     
     
         48 . The juice extractor according to  claim 47 , and further comprising a fluid outlet positioned on the front wall and communicating with the second delivery conduit to pass fluid on the front wall for cleaning.  
     
     
         49 . The juice extractor according to  claim 40 , wherein said juice outlet is positioned at a side of the extractor frame.  
     
     
         50 . The juice extractor according to  claim 40 , and further comprising opposing inner side panels extending vertically within the extractor frame and dividing the interior of the extractor frame into a medial product material area and opposing drive mechanism cavities extending between each inner side panel wherein the integrated cup bridge and juice manifold member extend between the inner side panels.