Abstract: A counter current extractor including an elongate housing with a screw conveyor therein and having a strainer at one end thereof to filter a liquid phase out of the counter current extractor, wherein the strainer is provided with a clearing member to prevent the strainer from remaining clogged with particulate material and wherein liquid being fed into the counter current extractor is spilled into the extractor so as to flow in a cascade over and through a solid phase in the extractor, the liquid being maintained at a desired level by a control member.

Abstract: A system for separating liquid from material, particularly from metal chips, which comprises a housing with a material inlet opening, a material discharge opening, a spiral-shaped pressure member disposed in the housing, and a plurality of openings in the housing for removing extracted liquid.

Abstract: A cleaning device of a screw press for filtrating and dehydrating garbage in which a plurality of dehydrate liquid guide grooves are circumferentially formed on an inner surface of a support cylinder which supports an outer surface of the filtration cylinder so as to permit the support cylinder to be less in contact with the filteration cylinder. Moreover, a dehydrate fluid is discharged through discharging holes, thereby improving filtration efficiency. In addition, a compression air, a pressurized water or high pressure steam is injected from the circumferential surface of a screw being rotated within the filtration cylinder to enable garbage remaining at a plurality of filtrating holes to be completely and cleanly discharged outside, thereby enhancing filtration effectiveness.

Abstract: A multi-screw press for dewatering waste materials including a plurality of fixed filtering cylinders and a plurality of revolving filtering cylinders connected to the fixed filtering cylinders are installed within a single outer casing, and a plurality of tapered screws are located within the fixed and revolving filtering cylinders. The screws and the revolving filtering cylinders are driven by a single motor, so that the waste materials within the filtering cylinders are pressed by the screws and dewatered. A pressure adjusting device is located on the outlet of the screw press and is hydraulically driven. Any residue adhering to the filtering cylinders can be effectively washed away by the use of spray tubes.

Abstract: The food preparation utensil disclosed herein facilitates both the pressing and slicing of a foodstuff such as cloves of garlic. A first handle member provides a pressing cavity having an apertured or screen-like bottom and a slicing cavity having a series of parallel blades. A second handle member is pivotally joined to the first handle member and provides first and second plunger members for pressing a foodstuff placed in the respective cavity. A cover member is attached to the first handle member between the bottoms of the two cavities and is adapted to selectively close either the pressing apertures or the blades, the side of the cover member facing the first cavity carrying a plurality of pins which can project through and clear the pressing apertures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a worm press for separating liquids from solids-liquid mixtures, in particular fibrous suspensions, more particularly under pressure, including a worm rotating inside a jacket comprising liquid passages. The worm press according to the invention is primarily characterized in that the shaft (13) of the worm (14) which is preferably of hollow construction, comprises in the axial conveying direction following onto the region which comprises at least one worm rib (14'), a smooth terminal region (13') in which the worm shaft (13) is designed as a jacket shaft, provided with a cavity (13") between a jacket (22) and a preferably hollow core (17), and that this jacket (22) comprises liquid passages, for example bores (3"), leading into the aforementioned cavity (13"), this cavity (13") being in communication with at least one liquid drainage outlet (18).

Abstract: A garlic press is disclosed with includes an enameled coating of a low friction material, preferably PTFE, on the inside surface and holes of the press chamber in a smooth, even layer, with excellent adhesion to the underlying surface, and with an integrated cleaning tool which is retained with the press at all times while the press is being used, but which can be easily and quickly separated from the press for cleaning crushed garlic clove residue from the press.

Abstract: A garlic press including elongate arms pivotally joined at one end by a releasable hinge assembly. The arms, spaced from the hinge assembly, include an apertured receptacle and a press member pivotally received therein. The hinge assembly includes hinge knuckles forming a transverse passage and a removable hinge pintle rotatably joining the knuckles. The hinge pintle has a cleaning member on one end thereof with projections insertable within the receptacle apertures for cleaning of the apertures upon removal of the pintle from the hinge knuckle passage.

Abstract: A press for garlic which does not require the clove to be separated and peeled, effecting the pressing operation without orienting the clove in the press, subsequently permitting the mechanism to automatically open when pressure is released, permitting removal of the remains.Cleaning the parts is simple because of the open construction and ease of washing the parts when in open position.

Abstract: A counter-rotation twin-screw extruder for extracting a juice by squeezing vegetables and/or fruits has mutually engaging screws mounted to two mutually parallel rotary shafts which rotate in mutually opposite directions. The screws are enclosed inside a screen structure made of a curved member made of a stainless steel plate and having slits through which juice is collected.

Abstract: A spray ring is cycled back and forth along the longitudinal axis of a finisher to allow a high pressure cleaning stream of water or solvent to be directed against the surface of the finisher. A linear rodless cylinder is attached to the spray ring and is sequenced to move the spray ring, responsive to, among other possible inputs, flow measured by a flow switch or flow sensor as a control input to the device.

Abstract: The horizontal press appears as an elongated hollow structure (1) of flat profile resting on a frame (2a, b, c, d), and comprises a ram (6) reciprocated by a fluid power cylinder (5), a hopper (8) through which crushed and stemmed grapes fall into an inlet chamber (9) coinciding with the space swept by the ram, and a compression chamber (112) of tapered longitudinal section terminating in a narrow outlet (13) from which the pressed skins emerge. The top of the compression chamber consists in the flexible undersides (115) of a succession of inflatable cushions (120a . . . n) by which a downward compressive force is applied to the grapes, whilst the bottom takes the form of a continuous belt (122) fashioned from a filtering material, looped flexibly around at least two end rollers (123, 124) and supported by a frame (128) in such a way as to pass above and below a trough (125) from which the filtered juice is drawn off by conventional means.

Abstract: A screw press for dehydrating slurry and comprising an outer screen casing, a screw shaft, a slurry supplying portion, and a driving unit which rotates the outer screen casing and the screw shaft. The driving unit rotates the screw shaft in one rotational direction and the outer screen casing in the opposite rotational direction. The driving unit comprises a transmission for changing the rotational frequency of at least one of the outer screen casings or the screw shaft. It is possible to have a high dehydrating effect by rotating the outer screen casing in the opposite rotational direction of the screw shaft at a predetermined rotational frequency.

Abstract: A piston plate received within a container is provided, such that the container having an apertured container floor directs squeezed water from a chamois positioned between the piston plate and the container floor. The container is arranged for reception within a supporting plate that is further apertured, wherein an articulated linkage is arranged to project the piston plate into the container permitting periodic extraction of water from the chamois.

Abstract: A food press having an elongated body including a forward end to which a perforated cap or the like is removably attached and through which pressed foodstuffs pass, and a chamber means within the body adjacent the forward end of the press for receiving and pressing foodstuffs. A reciprocating piston is slidably fitted within the chamber means for moving and pressing foodstuffs, wherein the piston is adapted to be positioned rearwardly of the foodstuffs in the chamber means in its retracted position and against said forward end for pressing the foodstuffs through the perforations in the cap in its forward position. The press also has a rotatable handle pivotally connected to the elongated body rearwardly of the piston, and a linking member connected to the handle and to the piston. When the handle is rotated in one direction the piston is moved to it's retracted position to allow the chamber means to received foodstuffs.

Abstract: This invention is particularly useful in food processing for separating crumbs and particles of breading material which have become suspended in frying oil, so that the oil may be reused. Separation is done in a unique cylinder having a hollow piston, whose forward end has a screen and whose aft face is imperforate. The cylinder has an openable door at its forward end. Near its end door the cylinder has a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet spaced somewhat aft therefrom. When the piston is in its retracted position its screen end is positioned axially between the inlet and outlet, so that the liquid may pass through the screen. Air pressure in the portion of the cylinder aft of the piston acts against its imperforate face to drive it forward. The screen end of the piston filters and drives the liquid back to the outlet, solids are compacted against the door.

Abstract: The spray ring is cycled back and forth along the longitudinal axis of the finisher to allow the high pressure cleaning stream of water or solvent to be directed against the surface of the finisher. A linear rodless cylinder is attached to the spray ring and is sequenced to move the spray ring from one end of the finisher to the other.

Abstract: A dewatering press for a mat of solid material, particularly for dewatering of fiber panels, includes upstream and downstream spaced apart stationary uprights, a press having a lower part and an upper part pressing against the mat of solid material in a pressing position of the press and a plurality of rollers mounted on the stationary uprights and guiding respectively a grate belt and lower and upper sealing belts between the uprights.

Abstract: A simple, easily cleaned press having a grate (28) in which perforations (34) are created by inside and outside grooves (30 and 32) running at angles to each other. A ram wall (36) is provided with ridges (38) which mate with the inside grooves of the grate. These grooves and ridges can be cleaned by scraping or wiping comb teeth (40 and 42) along them. The comb teeth protrude from the far ends of the two levers (16 and 14): one attached to the ram (12), the other attached to the cup (10). The two parts are joined by a detachable hinge (18 and 24), allowing the comb of one part to be engaged with the corrugations of the other.

Abstract: An improvement for an apparatus for recycling oil filters enables crushed oil filters to be removed from the compartment, in which they are crushed to remove used oil therefrom and to render them safely disposable, by a mechanical means. The improvement involves the use of a U-shaped member disposed through an opening at the base of the crushing compartment. Mechanical means pull the arms of the U-shaped member from the crushing compartment, thereby enabling the base of the U-shaped member to sweep crushed oil filters out through the opening. The crushing compartment has a door which need only be opened to introduce oil filters to be crushed.

Abstract: A food press, having an elongated body including a forward end with perforations through which pressed foodstuffs can pass, and chamber means adjacent said forward end for receiving and pressing foodstuffs. A reciprocating piston is slidably fitted within the chamber means for moving and pressing foodstuffs, wherein the piston is adapted to be positioned rearwardly of the foodstuffs in the chamber means in its retracted position and against said forward end for pressing the foodstuffs through the perforations in its forward position. The press also has a rotatable handle pivotally connected to the elongated body rearwardly of the piston, and linking means which are connected to the handle and to the piston. When the handle is rotated in one direction the piston is moved to its retracted position to allow the chamber means to receive foodstuffs. When the handle is rotated in the other direction the piston is moved to its forward position for pressing foodstuffs through the perforations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filter press comprising a substantially cylindrical vessel, a plurality of filter elements disposed in the vessel parallel to one another, and a rotor having a rotor shaft rotatably mounted in the vessel and a plurality of rotor elements fixedly connected to the rotor shaft and extending each between two adjacent filter elements, the surface of the rotor elements being adapted to be forced towards the filter elements for mechanically compressing filter cakes accumulated thereon, wherein the axis of the vessel is disposed in an upright position, the filter elements and rotor elements being formed as cylindrical wall members disposed in concentric relationship to one another with the rotor elements extending into the spaces between adjacent filter elements and being secured to a mounting structure connected to the rotor shaft, while the filter elements are supported on a carrier grid in the vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering liquid from refuse liquid-filled containers comprises an elongated compression chamber formed by a cylindrical wall having a perforated cylindrical wall portion provided with a plurality of liquid collection orifices, an annular liquid collection chamber surrounding the perforated wall portion, a first plunger and a second plunger axially movable in the compression chamber relative to the first plunger. The first and second plungers have respective first and second perforated plates mounted in spaced relationship thereon and each provided with a plurality of liquid discharge orifices. When the second plunger is moved in a direction toward the first plunger to compress the refuse containers between the first and second perforated plates and thereby cause the containers to burst and expel liquid, the liquid is discharged through the liquid discharge orifices and the liquid collection orifices, and into the liquid collection chamber.

Abstract: The invented device includes a chamber in which articles to be crushed are placed, a bulkhead at one end of the chamber, a plunger operating in the chamber to compress articles against the bulkhead, a collection area adjacent to the chamber for collecting liquid extracted from the articles and also for collecting the articles after they have been crushed, and a plate that sweeps any liquid and the articles from the collection area into appropriate receptacles.

Abstract: A double screen belt press for dewatering mixtures of fibrous material suspensions has a wedge compression zone comprising rolls and perforated plates supporting generally upper and lower screen belts. For dewatering mixtures of fibrous material suspensions having a high dry solids content, at least one sealed material feed empties into the wedge compression zone with a high pressure. A generally vertically gravity tower with an outlet port is provided to feed material into the entrance of the wedge compression zone above the lower screen belt and in front of the front roll supporting the upper screen belt. The outlet port area of the material feed is sealed on at least the side facing the lower screen belt and optionally on the side facing the upper screen belt and on the other side of the material feed facing away from the wedge compression zone between the material feed and the lower screen belt.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for dewatering a substance which is to be dewatered such as sludge wherein the substance to be dewatered is pressed between a pair of rollers (11, 212) or plate-shaped press members (331) each having its press surface formed from a rigid porous material (6, C, 331) having water absorption and retention properties based on the capillary action; water squeezed from the substance by pressing is permeated into the rigid porous material due to water absorption based on the capillary action or water pressure and the permeated water is retained by virtue of the water retention properties based on the capillary action, thereby dewatering the substance; and the water retained by the rigid porous material is discharged by sending pressurized air to regenerate the capillary tubes.

Abstract: An easily-cleaned press and grater combination, which can press, extrude and grate material. It also serves to collect and hold material. It opens to release the material and to expose all surfaces for cleaning. It comprises a first cup (12) with a first lever (16) attached to one side. Opposite the lever, the wall of the cup is formed by a first grate (26). This is held on by two hinge pins. The first hinge pin (38) is held at the bottom of the cup. The second hinge pin (20) snaps into the rim of the cup. A second cup (10) nests in the first cup. It is similar to the first, but has a solid wall (18) instead of a grate. The second cup also has a lever (14). A second grate (26) is interchangeable with the first. It shares the second hinge pin with it. The second grate snaps over a cavity (54) on the second cup into a recess (34). Exclusive of the grate and levers, the nesting surfaces of the two cups are concentric about the second hinge.

Abstract: A diaphragm press comprises a cylindrical vessel (7) rotating about its longitudinal axis and divided into two diametrically opposing parts by a flexible diaphragm (8). A series of perforated longitudinal channels (10) is fixed to a part of the inner surface of the vessel and connected at one end to an external manifold (12) for collecting the juice. At their other end, the channels (10) are connected to at least one further manifold (15) which is connected to a pumping unit (99) for feeding water under pressure by way of valves (160). The flexible diaphragm (8) is of such dimensions as to perfectly mate with the wall to which the channels (10) are connected and with the channels themselves so as to perfectly close the holes (100) of these channels (10) when the diaphragm is thrust from its rear by the pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A filtration method includes steps of feeding liquid to be filtered into a filter medium between a fixed plate and a movable plate; and reducing capacity of a filter chamber formed by the medium by moving the movable plate in a direction in which the movable plate presses the fixed plate through the medium so as to perform expressing filtration of the liquid and to produce cake. The reducing step comprises alternately repeating at least one time an expressing pressure-increasing process for increasing pressure in the liquid in the medium by a specified increment in the filtration of the liquid, and an expressing pressure-maintaining process for maintaining the pressure constant during a specified period, so that the filtration is performed under a specified pressure corresponding to a desired water content of the cake to produce the cake. A filter press for employing the method has the filter medium arranged between the fixed plate and the movable plate capable of moving toward and away from the fixed plate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for squeezing citrus fruits, which comprises an ejector formed by a circular grille whose radial arms are slidably engaged in slots made in an ogive-shaped body to allow lowering of the grille, whose return is effected by a helical spring interposed between the base of the body and the arms.

Abstract: Discloses transportable liquid clarifying and screw conveyor/compactor liquid-solid separator apparatus which includes a pressureable clarifier vessel portably mounted on a base with a top and sides converging to the bottom of the vessel for attachment to a sludge disposal apparatus. A sludge inlet enters the top of the vessel and extends to near the bottom of the vessel. An effluent discharge flow control valve is connected through a conduit in the top of the vessel to provide a designated back pressure within the vessel while controlling the discharge flow of effluent liquid from the vessel. The sludge disposal apparatus includes an elongated screw conveyor/compactor mounted at an angle and extending upwardly from the vessel bottom. The compactor housing is tapered to compact the sludge as the screw conveyor carries the sludge to a liquid extraction section. The liquid extraction section has a screen tapered to further compact the slurry while extracting liquid being forced out of the slurry.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus includes a tapered conveying cylinder, a rotating filtration cylinder disposed around the tapered conveying cylinder, a pair of spaced-apart driving members movably supported to the rotating filtration cylinder for freely changing a size of a treatment zone between the tapered conveying cylinder and rotating filtration cylinder and one or more steam injection pipes disposed above the rotating filtration cylinder. The solid waste product in the treatment zone is heated and cleaned away by spraying the surface of the cylinder with hot steam through nozzles of the injection pipes, and freely changing the size of the treatment zone on demand.

Abstract: A press particularly useful as a garlic press that includes a two-piece bowl having a plurality of holes through one surface thereof (e.g. the bottom surface). The bowl is preferably hinged along one side wall so that the bowl can be opened into two separate portions connected at the hinge. Each portion of the bowl includes a plurality of grooves on the contacting edges of the two portions. An arm is connected on the side of each bowl opposite the hinge, and when the two arms are brought together, the bottom surface of the bowl is unified with the grooves forming the openings in the bottom surface. A plunger depressed over the garlic minces the garlic or other pressable article placed in the bowl. Then the bowl may be opened about the hinge so as to permit the sidwall of the openings to be exposed for easy cleaning.

Abstract: A continuous device and process for extracting liquid from mash, sludge or pulp bearing slurries. The device comprises a pair of parallel opposed and counter rotating rolls each consisting of a base roll member having circumferentially disposed grid member consisting of a multiplicity of upright standing leaves which interbolt to form a grid which encases the entire surface of the roll member. Raw material for deliquification is spread over the grid and compressed by an inflatable, reciprocating platen to express liquid through the grid into underlying collection channels. The rolls are then rotated toward each other to express additional liquid and produce a substantially dry material. The liquid collected in the collection channels is withdrawn by applying a negative pressure through orifices located at the axial extent of the rolls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for automatically cleaning extrusion screens in finishing machines of a type having a generally cylindrical perforated screen arranged in a housing, juice or the like laden with solids being introduced into the interior of the screen and urged against the screen by a screw element, paddle assembly, or the like to cause the juice to flow through the screen with the solids being retained on the screen. The cleaning method and apparatus comprise a cleaning unit with a plurality of spray nozzles arranged about the screen, the cleaning unit being moved back and forth along the screen by a reversing motor additionally controlled by suitable limit switches. The method and apparatus of the invention are preferably adapted for causing relatively increased cleaning action adjacent a solids outlet end of the screen to better remove larger amounts of juice solids or pomace deposited on that portion of the screen.

Abstract: The hand-operated press for treating vegetables or fruit comprises two levers, which are connected by an articulated joint and in at least part of their length constitute handles. The material to be treated is forced through at least two holding chambers, one or more of which may be provided on one or each lever. Each holding chamber provided on one lever has associated with it a ram provided on the other lever. As the handles are forced toward each other, each ram enters the associated holding chamber and forces the material to be treated through openings in the bottom defining the holding chamber. The holding chambers are provided with different openings, which may be square or elongated so that the hand-operated press may be used to disintegrate the fruit or vegetables into disc-shaped or prismatic pieces as the fruit or vegetable is forced through the openings.

Abstract: The garlic squeezer comprises a first rectilinear arm, pivoted at one end to one end of a second rectilinear or straight arm: on the first arm there is formed, at an intermediate position, an open seat, provided with a perforated bottom, and on the second arm there is formed, at a position corresponding to the open seat, a smooth surface ridge, capable of being inserted into the seat and opposite to a ridge provided with tooth members which may be inserted, from the bottom, into the perforations formed in the bottom of the seat, upon rotating the two arms about the pivot axis.

Abstract: A filter press separates a raw liquid into a filtrate and a filter residue. The filter press includes a plurality of filter residue separating members each composed of a pair of confronting members between which a slit passage for passing a filter cloth is formed, and each provided between a pair of spaced support frames fixed to a lower portion of each filter plate, while a wedge-like edge portion is formed at the upper edge of one of the confronting members of the filter residue separating member for smoothly separating the filter residue from the filter cloth without any damage to the surface of the filter cloth.

Abstract: A device for compacting and dewatering moist refuse comprises a tube and a piston reciprocable therein. Varying consistency of the refuse matter will require a varying resistance to the compacting action of the piston. A throttling device within the tube comprises a number of plates which are swingable about an axis arranged perpendicularly to the tube, and are actuable so as to occupy a position practically level with the wall of the tube, or to a position in which they extend into the tube, respectively. The piston is operated by a double acting hydraulic ram, and the plates are operated by a further hydraulic ram. Both rams are connected to a source of pressure fluid, and are interconnected so the power stroke end of the further ram communicates with the return flow end of the piston ram, and vice versa. Two oppositely directed non-return valves are fitted in parallel in the conduit connecting the power stroke end of the further ram with the return flow end of the piston ram.

Abstract: A plate-type filter press having a cleaning truck movable in the direction of movement of the slidable filter plates embodies a drive and a pusher adapted to be brought into engagement with the filter plates. The cleaning truck has a releasable brake and the pusher is extensible by the drive in the direction of movement of the filter plates.

Abstract: The upper ends of filter cloths attached to two adjacent filter plates are connected to a filter medium hanger suspended from suspension arms pivotally mounted on one of the filter plates in the upper regions on opposite sides thereof. Arm rests for supporting the suspension arms are provided on the other filter plate in the upper regions on opposite sides thereof. When the filter plates are moved from their closed state for filtration to their opened state upon completion of filtration, the suspension arms, tilting as supported by the arm rests, are caused to vibrate, thereby accelerating the stripping of the cake which has accumulated on the filter cloths connected to the filter medium hanger.

Abstract: A tube pressure filter including an inner compartment having an inlet which comprises a substantially annular aperture extending around the lower end of the inner tubular body and debouching into the inner compartment. The substantially annular aperture is constructed and disposed so that, in use, feed material debouching therefrom has an upward component of velocity and is in communication with an ante-chamber into which a mixture to be pressure filtered can be introduced under pressure through a feed conduit, the feed conduit containing or co-operating with a non-return valve so as to prevent the flow back along the feed conduit of feed material to be pressure filtered which is under high pressure.

Abstract: In an agricultural bag loading apparatus (10) having an output chamber tunnel (32), the improvement comprising a tunnel cleanout mechanism. The tunnel cleanout plate (82) is pivotally mounted on the output chamber tunnel (32) and is pivoted from a retracted position to an extended position by means of dual hydraulic cylinders (88). Compressed silage and material entrapped within the tunnel (32) is extracted by pivotal movement of the tunnel cleanout plate (82) from the retracted position, where the plate (82) does not interfere with the loading operation, to the extended position.

Abstract: A screw press for pressing liquid from fibrous slurries, such as paper pulp, sludge, sedimentation and like material, in which the material is fed into the press at one end of a press screw arranged within a cylindrical strainer drum and rotatable about its longitudinal axis, and fed out of the press through a discharge zone located at the other end of said screw. The core of the screw has a successively increasing diameter along the major part of its length such that the space defined between the core and the wall of the drum gradually decreases in the feed direction. According to the invention the drum is arranged to rotate at a speed which differs from the speed of rotation of the screw. The speed of rotation of the drum is so selected that there is obtained, as the result of the centrifugal force, an effective draining through the drum of free liquid present in the slurry and liquid pressed from said slurry due to the action of the press-screw.

Abstract: A filter press provided with a spray cleansing device of the kind described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,107,042 granted Aug. 15, 1978 to wash filter plates of the press disposed in a stack on horizontal guides in which the spray device comprises a support frame which moves along the stack of plates on the horizontal guides. Two branch conduits of the device are fitted with nozzles and surround a plate being washed to spray wash the plate simultaneously from both sides. The specific improvement in the present invention comprises a novel spray water catch basin which has a width more than twice the spacing between the branch conduits. Movable segments on both sides of the catch basin are provided which may be pivoted about a perpendicular axis to adapt the catch basin to many locations along the filter press.

Abstract: The dewatering system includes a first endless filter belt movable along its length through an upper run, then through an arc about a dewatering drum, and then through a lower return run in a sinuous path about a plurality of rollers. A flowable aqueous material or slurry, such as sludge, is deposited on the upper surface of the belt as it moves along its upper run. A subatmospheric pressure is applied to the lower surface of the upper run of the first belt to induce the liquid to drain from the sludge. A second endless filter belt is movable into sandwiched relationship with the first belt about the sludge and moves with the first belt about the dewatering drum and about the plurality of rollers in the sinuous path of the return run.

Abstract: A citrus fruit press, a rotary squeezing cone on an axially displaceable driving shaft, a switch and operator therefor aligned with the displaceable shaft, a motor operated by the switch and driving the shaft, a strainer beneath the cone, a delay means acting on the switch to assure one complete revolution of the cone, a spiral wiper on the cone and strainer alternately rotated thereby when the cone is depressed and held stationary by a stop when the cone assumes its upper position, and alternately a second cone, wiper and switch.

Abstract: A press is provided comprising a supporting framework, a tubular screen mounted upon the framework and a drum having tapered i.e. conical ends journaled for rotation coaxially within the screen and spaced a short distance from the inside surface of the screen. One or more scraping blades is attached to the drum in position to scrape the inside surface of the screen as a motor turns the drum. A moist elastic food product is introduced into the space between the screen and the drum and subjected to pressure during operation causing the moisture to be pressed through the screen. The press can be used for increasing the solids content of hydrated vital wheat gluten from about 22 percent to about 30 percent.

Abstract: A hand press for a vegetable, herb, spice or fruit, such as garlic, comprises two doublearmed levers having arms of unequal length. The shorter arms constitute a pressing member and a sieve member. The longer arms constitute handles. A pinned plate is provided, which is set with pins, which protrude from the plate and are arranged in the same pattern as the holes in the sieve member. The pins are adapted to enter the holes of the sieve member when the pressing operation has been terminated and the pressing member has been removed from the sieve member.

Abstract: A filter-dewatering-expression apparatus. Rotating helical blades of a screw conveyor compress and squeeze liquid from the sludge within structure which permits the liquid to escape therefrom, and discharge the dewatered solids out the end. The filter-dewatering medium which is held rigid by a frame may be a series of hoops or rings, separated and closely-spaced, or may be a continuous wire, semicircular in cross section, closely wound into a coil, or may be a perforated screen. An imperforate filtrate collection housing surrounds this medium, and a vacuum pump is connected to the filtrate housing. A coil-spring wiping or cleaning blade may be held on the outside edge of the helical blade of the screw conveyor for continuous contact with the inside surface of the filter-dewatering medium, cleaning solids therefrom.