Juicer module with two-part safety cover that closes under load
A juice-extraction module for a juicer consisting of a container with a discharge port, an internal sieve, an internal screw (auger) and a lid with an input chute. A rotatable safety cover with two integrated portions pivots at their junction so that placing material on the outer portion depresses it and rotates the cover to close the main input opening; intended users are household or light-commercial juicer manufacturers and end users. The patent lapsed; no legal advice is provided.
(57) What the patent covered
This write-up was generated by AI from the patent's text and may contain mistakes, so check it against the original patent before relying on it.
The main independent claim covered a juice-extraction module having: a container with a juice discharge port; a sieve inside the container; a screw (auger) inside the sieve; a lid with an input portion and a main input opening; and a rotatable safety cover mounted at that main input opening composed of two integral portions joined at a rotational center so that downward force on the second (outer) portion moves the safety cover from an open first position to a closed second position, thereby blocking the main input opening.
Distinguishing feature: The safety cover is split into a first (inner, erect) cover portion and a second (outer) cover portion joined at a local rotational center so the weight of material on the outer portion automatically rotates the whole cover toward the closed position.
Novelty 3/5. The module otherwise uses common juicer elements (container, sieve, screw/auger, lid); the claimed novelty is a specific two-part, load-actuated pivoting safety cover rather than standard single-piece feed hoppers or pushers.
Manufacturing
Injection-molded thermoplastic lid and safety-cover assembly; stamped or deep-drawn stainless-steel sieve; machined or formed stainless-steel auger; assembly with gaskets and fasteners; hand assembly for mating lid to container and fitting gasket.
Materials: ABS or other food-grade thermoplastic (lid and safety cover), Stainless steel (screw/auger and sieve), Silicone or rubber gasket (seal at lid), Stamped steel or plastic housing for container.
Manufacturability 4/5. Components are standard: one or two injection-molded plastic parts plus metal sieve and auger; requires molds for cover and lid and standard metal forming for sieve/auger; assembly is simple and primarily manual or semi-automated.
Market demand
No demand check has been run for this patent. Likely search terms: juicer feed chute safety cover, auger juicer lid with safety flap, slow juicer input hopper cover. The links in the sidebar open these searches.
Buyers: Home or small commercial juicer manufacturers, food service equipment makers.
Before manufacturing
No related continuation or divisional patents in force were found. Design patents, trademarks and unrelated patents may still cover the product.
Claim is narrow and focused on the two-part cover geometry and its rotational center; safety and food-contact regulations apply (materials, IEC/UL for appliances), and the market has many established hopper/safety designs.
About 1.5% of lapsed patents are later revived by their owners. This page is a research lead, not legal advice. Obtain a freedom-to-operate opinion before manufacturing.