Adjustable pulp outlet for juice extractor

Abstract

Apparatus for separating the juice and pulp or residual matter of fruit or vegetable material comprises a case having a substantially conical bore. The case has a material inlet opening on the top which communicates with the wide end of the bore; a juice outlet opening (with a filter therein) on the bottom which communicates with the bore; and a residual matter outlet opening on one side which communicates with the narrow end of the bore. A motor-driven rotary member is rotatably mounted in the bore. The rotary member has a spiral cutting blade portion for cutting the material into pieces and a spiral pressing portion connected to the spiral cutting blade portion for pressing and squeezing the cut pieces to extract the juice therefrom. The rotary member cuts material entering through the inlet opening into pieces, and feeds the pieces toward the narrow end of the bore while squeezing the pieces to separate the juice and the pulp or residual matter. An automatically adjustable open and close member is arranged on the outside of the residual matter outlet opening. This member is urged by a spring to one position wherein it closes the residual matter outlet opening, and is urged by the pressure of the residual matter or pulp being discharged from the residual matter outlet opening to another position wherein it opens the residual matter outlet opening. This member ensures that the material in the bore meets sufficient resistance so that efficient juice extraction occurs.