Expressed Liquid Collector Or Receptor Patents (Class 100/131)
  • Patent number: 5758573
    Abstract: A paperboard carton piercing-crushing and recycle system and apparatus which includes a safety operated door which controls motor operated carton piercing and crushing rolls in order to crush paperboard cartons for disposal. The safety operated door is provided with a magnetic switch which controls two different timed electrical circuits. One circuit controls an electronic safety latch mechanism which prevents the carton disposal door from opening during operation of motor driven carton crushing rolls and one timed circuit operates the motor during the time that the electronic safety latch mechanism prevents the door from operating. When the motor circuit stops, the timer to the electronic safety latch mechanism releases the safety latch so that the door can be opened. Thus, the system is safe and will not operate if the carton disposal door is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Donald E. Keeler, Michael Sinocchi, Richard J. Connor, Fred Karsa, Wilfred A. Cote
  • Patent number: 5715747
    Abstract: A device for treating a heterogeneous mixture and more particularly for separating wax and honey in a mixture obtained following an uncapping operation. The device includes a feed hopper (18) opening onto a sleeve (12) fitted with holes (26) in which an Archimedes screw (14) is disposed and driven in rotation by a motorized system (16), solid evacuation elements (20) and liquid recovery elements (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventor: Jean Fedon
  • Patent number: 5678478
    Abstract: An apparatus for crushing spent oil filters for recovery of spent oil therefrom, which includes a frame which carries an oil filter crushing chamber, and located therebeneath the frame also carries a hydraulic actuation assembly, a vertical hydraulic ram assembly, a latch mechanism, and a safety control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Goyal Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Prakash R. Goyal, Jon W. Kline
  • Patent number: 5651307
    Abstract: A compression device adaptor for compacting discarded oil filters having a compacting member (10) which is connected to various types of compression devices, such as a hydraulic press, by way of a compactor connector (12). Formed within compacting member (10) is an interior drain channel (30) providing escape of waste oil held within an oil filter (28) upon pressure being applied by operation of a compression device. An oil filter platform (20) accommodates oil filter (28) as well as containing excess oil and providing drainage of same through a drain port (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Inventor: Kenneth N. Reny
  • Patent number: 5622103
    Abstract: A waste disposal assembly for the simultaneous disposal of a plurality of fluid filtration devices, the assembly including a main disposal housing with a disposal storage area, a fluid storage area and, a processing area having an exterior access to allow loading of a plurality of fluid filtration devices into the processing area, a lid member to cover the processing area subsequent to the loading, a compactor face to compact the plurality of fluid filtration devices within the processing area thereby squeezing fluid from the fluid filtration devices and forming a compressed waste block which is thereafter separated so as to break up the compressed waste block within the processing area, and an interior access which is to be opened to receive the broken up compressed waste block therethrough for passage into the disposal storage area which is structured to contain a substantial quantity of the broken up compressed waste blocks until appropriate disposal is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Inventors: Evelio Acosta, Lewis Goodman
  • Patent number: 5615446
    Abstract: A deck mop wringer with adjustable support stands comprising a rear support stand including a base member and at least one vertically positioned shaft. Each shaft is adjustable to a plurality of different heights. A front support stand includes a base member and at least one vertically positioned shaft. Each shaft is adjustable to a plurality of different heights. A wringer device comprises a basket and a rim. The basket has an open top, a floor and a plurality of side walls including apertures. The rim extends around the open top of the basket. The shafts of the front and rear support stands are coupled to the rim to support the basket in a suspended orientation. A wringer plate assembly includes a perforated front plate and a handle. The plate is rotatably coupled within the basket and positioned in an essentially vertical orientation. The handle is pulled by the user to ring a mop head positioned within the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Inventor: Charles E. Cetnarowski
  • Patent number: 5470471
    Abstract: An anti rewet deck is provided for press rolls used to increase consistency of fibrous pulp slurry from approximately 4 percent up to about 30 to 50 percent. This is accomplished by biasing the location of the drainage holes in the roll shell to the forward edge of the drainage compartments within the roll shell. To avoid the necessity for handing of the rolls, a mechanism is provided for accomplishing the purposes of minimizing rewet at practical production rates by providing baffle plates which effectively orient the draining pattern in the desired direction. Such baffles can be permanently or removably installed once the desired handing of the rolls is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Oscar Luthi, Antoine G. Abdulmassih, Frank J. Merchel, III
  • Patent number: 5467704
    Abstract: A waste container reformer, for reforming generally disk-shaped compacted waste containers into prismatic forms, sequentially presses the sides of the waste container into a prism with a 45.degree.-90.degree.-45.degree. triangular base so that when it is placed adjacent to another reformed container, the two form a rectangular box for more efficient use of storage space. The pressure surfaces are controlled by hydraulic cylinders to provide the forces needed to reform the container. The reforming process is controlled so that one angle is formed at a time, beginning with one of the 45.degree. angles, followed by the 90.degree. angle, and then completed by forming the other 45.degree. angle. By forming one angle at a time, the load requirements of the reformer are reduced, and a consistently similar shaped reformed waste container is created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Alaron Corporation
    Inventors: Ron Mencarelli, Jeffry P. Sasko
  • Patent number: 5465660
    Abstract: A trash collection and compacting apparatus primarily intended for use onboard an aircraft comprising a stationary compactor unit and interrelated movable wheeled trolley unit, the trolley unit having a plurality of separate trash collection chambers into which trash is deposited and compacted and support rails for supporting the trolley unit on the compactor unit for the direct compaction of trash in the trolley. The trolley unit also has separable sides to facilitate removal of compacted trash, and multiple fail safe locks and latches to ensure that the sides are not inadvertently separated during trash collection and compaction. Fire doors are provided to close the chambers, and removable trash bins are disposed in each trash chamber to facilitate handling of compacted trash, the bins having separable sides for emptying the compacted trash therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Aero-Design Technology
    Inventors: Walter Conti, William R. Feemster, Jeffrey L. Felts, Antony J. Fields, Robert W. Henderson, Paul L. Howard, Kevin F. Kaub, Joel A. Lederman, Thomas M. Lee, Gilbert Martinez, Mark H. Mathews, Ravi V. Patel, Michael W. Waldrep, John H. Wetzel
  • Patent number: 5462425
    Abstract: An apparatus for mechanically separating water from coal includes a vibrating hopper, two contra-rotating cylinders, a solid collector, and a fluid collector. The hopper feeds hydrated coal or coal slurry to wells which are arranged along the surface of a first rotating cylinder. A second rotating cylinder has protrusions on its surface which are precisely placed such that when the first and second cylinders are brought in contact and rotated in contra-rotating directions, each of the wells of the first cylinder and a corresponding protrusion of the second cylinder form mating female and male dies. Coal in the female dies is pressed, and the moisture in the coal is squeezed out. The coal remaining in the dies is then delivered to the solid collector via a pusher. The distance between the cylinders may be varied through adjustable cylinder bearings or pillow blocks. Both the male and female dies may be removed and replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventors: Thomas Kuss, Donald L. Horn
  • Patent number: 5456167
    Abstract: An apparatus for sequentially removing the top, puncturing the sides, simultaneously washing the interior and exterior of a drum and crushing the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Inventors: Brent C. George, Bruce F. Rieck, Kenneth Vairin
  • Patent number: 5391069
    Abstract: A metal shavings and chips compactor for extruding oil from metal chips and shavings and compacting the metal into easily transportable pellets. A compactor cylinder contains a piston and has an opening through which an auger feeds metal chips and shavings. A gate closes an end of the cylinder. A first hydraulic drive drives the piston under low pressure to close the opening and apply a first compacting pressure on the metal to form a loosely compacted pellet in the cylinder. High pressure then operates the piston to form a compact metal pellet substantially void of interstices. A second hydraulic drive opens the gate; the piston is operated at low pressure to discharge the compact metal pellet from the chamber and oil is collected below the cylinder. The compacting pressures are achieved through mechanical advantages provided by the size of the piston to that of the first hydraulic drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Inventor: Ervin J. Bendzick
  • Patent number: 5389346
    Abstract: A bio-hazardous waste compactor is described which provides a negative air pressure and venting system while allowing for the filtration of the air and control of sound. The compactor contains a sealed chamber which includes a sump area in the bottom of the chamber for fluid control. Waste is weighed so that the operator knows when to remove the waste. Ultraviolet light is provided to prevent the growth of vegetative pathogenic organisms. Finally, a disposable bag to be used in connection with such a bio-hazardous waste compactor is described which has an inner porous layer, an intermediate, biocide-containing, super-absorbent polymer layer and an outer non-porous layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Inventor: Maxie L. Copeland, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5341731
    Abstract: A mobile, hydraulic-powered device for compacting the contents of containers, preferably 55 gallon drums. The compactor comprises a haulable frame having a pair of wheels, a compaction housing, two hydraulic cylinders, a hydraulic pump for operating the cylinders, a motor for operating the pump, and a complete system of operational control valves. The first hydraulic cylinder is mounted on top of the compaction housing and operates to drive a compaction plate down into a container positioned within the housing. The second hydraulic cylinder is pivotally mounted to the frame and is used to move the compaction housing between an operating position on the ground behind the frame and a transporting position up over the frame. Also, the compactor minimizes excess movement and the release of container liquids during compacting operation, which can apply a force of up to 1000 psi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Keith R. Brown
    Inventors: Bennett C. Grizzard, Jr., Keith R. Brown
  • Patent number: 5325771
    Abstract: An oil filter crushing apparatus and method utilizing a housing defining an interior space and a bottom surface, a crushing member fitted within the housing having a crushing surface and defining a slot opening through the crushing surface, a puncturer having a point and movably attached to the crushing member within the slot opening so that the puncturer is behind the crushing surface in a retracted position and at least the point of the puncturer is forward of the crushing surface in a puncturing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Inventor: Drew W. Morris
  • Patent number: 5320035
    Abstract: An improved sugar cane juice extractor has removable crushing rollers. The juice extractor preferably includes a housing with a juice extracting compartment and a closure for accessing the compartment. The closure is preferably a clear plate which permits viewing of the compartment during operation and, when removed, allows access to the compartment for removal of the crushing rollers and cleaning of the rollers and the compartment. A safety switch can be provided to prevent rotation of the rollers when the closure is displaced. A guide into the compartment is preferably provided to direct the sugar cane and any flavorings into the crushing rollers. A waste channel is provided for the exit of crushed cane pulp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Salus Corporation
    Inventors: Alfredo J. Sanchez, Rafael E. Sanchez, Jr., Charles J. Stemmann, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5320032
    Abstract: A citrus fruit squeezing machine has a section for accumulating and feeding the fruit, a section for squeezing the fruit and respective sections for conveying and collecting the juice and the peels of the squeezed fruit. The section for squeezing the fruit includes two plates disposed laterally as well as symmetrically to a cutting blade. The plates are supported in such a way as to be convergent and inclined downwards and towards the cutting blade. The cutting blade is fitted on a support plate having its lower part pivoted on the framework of the machine. The support plate is also connected with a toggle compound lever which can be manually driven or driven by a motor. The toggle compound lever moves the support plate towards the plates which are both straddled by the cutting blade when they are in the starting position. At first, the cutting blade moves toward the piece of fruit and cuts a fairly good part of it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Inventor: Antonio Cimenti
  • Patent number: 5307739
    Abstract: The press comprises a frame (1), a feed zone (3) for receiving the waste products to be treated, a press chamber (9) comprising an inlet opening (10) and an outlet opening (11) which are opposed and disposed coaxially relative to the feed zone (3), and a chamber (14) for discharging the solid phase. The press further comprises an element (15) which is transversely movable relative to the axis of the press chamber (9) between a first position for closing the outlet opening (11) and a second position for opening the outlet opening (11), and an arrangement (20) for separating leakages of the liquid phase from the solid phase in the discharge chamber (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Neyrpic Framatome Mecanique
    Inventor: Jacques Gourdol
  • Patent number: 5297479
    Abstract: An improved oil filter crusher, includes a cylinder positioned over a movable platform. Upon initiation of operation of the crusher, the platform moves upwardly toward a base member of the cylinder to crush the oil filter and discharge oil therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Lisle Corporation
    Inventor: Joel A. Negus
  • Patent number: 5277109
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Custom Metalcraft, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles A. Muench
  • Patent number: 5275097
    Abstract: A press assembly (10) for squeezing liquid from layers of liquid containing materials. The press assembly utilizes a plurality of open top filter bag assemblies (102), each filter bag assembly being disposed between adjacent press racks (86), the press racks being mounted on parallel horizontally extending rods (52) for sliding movement thereon, the rods in turn being supported between spaced apart platens (42, 54). When the press racks are moved towards one another to squeeze juice from the liquid containing material which is disposed within the filter bag assemblies, the juice will flow into a collector (176) mounted below the press racks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Inventor: Dale E. Wettlaufer
  • Patent number: 5263408
    Abstract: Food press of the kind comprising pressing means adapted to operate on the food(s) to be pressed comprising at least one grid (12) and at least one plate (13) between which the food(s) (42) must be disposed, characterized in that hydraulic operating means (15) are associated with said pressing means and adapted to move the grid and the plate towards each other so that they exert pressure on the food(s), the hydraulic operating means (15) comprising at least one single-acting piston-and-cylinder actuator (24) operated by a hydraulic pump (25) adapted to operate in compression and in suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Somatic
    Inventors: Michel Blanchet, Daniel Mario
  • Patent number: 5257576
    Abstract: The apparatus is for crushing used automotive oil filters, and for squeezing out and collecting the dirty oil. The used filter is placed on the platen of a piston, which is actuated directly by pneumatic pressure. The piston has an area of 400 sq cm, giving a crush force of 3 to 4 tonnes. There are no other moving parts associated with the movement of the piston. The piston platen is set in a chamber with a window for receiving the filter, and a door closes off the chamber during crushing. A pneumatic trip valve is actuated by the act of closing the door, to pressurize the piston. The piston is guided in bearings, comprising strips of anti-friction material set in the cylinder walls, which rub on the same surface as the pneumatic seal. The piston is very heavy and returns under its own weight when pressure is released. The seal/bearing surface of the piston is well lubricated by being splashed with oil from the crushed filter. Grooves in the platen direct jetting oil away from the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Sensitive Environmental Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Pearce, John M. Willoughby
  • Patent number: 5236136
    Abstract: A system and method for recycling used oil filters by shredding the filters to facilitate separation of the metal and nonmetal filter components and to release free oil trapped inside the filters, separating the metal and nonmetal filter components using combined magnetic and gravitational means, compressing the nonmetal filter components, and recovering the oil therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Michael W. McCarty
    Inventors: Michael W. McCarty, James M. Taylor, Lloyd A. Baillie
  • Patent number: 5218902
    Abstract: A can crusher apparatus having an end wall plate and a relatively movable press plate selectively directed onto the end wall plate to crush can members therebetween. The end wall plate having longitudinally aligned recesses contained therewithin cooperative with press plate recesses to position can members to be crushed therebetween. A modification of the invention includes vacuum manifold structure to eliminate residual fluids from within can members to be crushed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Inventor: Wayne J. Triola
  • Patent number: 5207152
    Abstract: A compact juice machine (10) of simplified design, the individual elements being simplified to a bare minimum in an easily cleanable package. The machine includes a frame having spaced apart side walls (14, 16) which support front and intermediate rigid platen walls (18, 20) and an upper wall (22) to the rear of the intermediate wall. A press chamber (24) is defined by the forward portion of the side walls and the platen walls. A shredder assembly (36) including a rotatable disk (44) is mounted above the upper wall and a drive motor (48) is mounted below the upper wall, the drive motor having a drive shaft (54) coupled to the shredder disk. A hopper (34) is mounted on the upper wall above the shredder disk. A press chamber cover (38) extends over the press chamber, the cover being provided with a discharge chute (112, 114, 116) on its lower surface to direct shredded material from the shredder disk to the press chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Inventor: Dale E. Wettlaufer
  • Patent number: 5199348
    Abstract: Machine for extracting juice from citrus fruit in which the fruit are squeezed between a fixed plate (41) and a movable plate (42) mutually convergent at their lower part. At the beginning of every operative cycle, the fruit (6) is introduced between the plates from their upper part. During the first half of the operating cycle, the movable plate (42) approaches the fixed plate (41) by the action of a crank (31-32-34) - connecting rod (35) unit controlled by a motor reducer (30). The approaching movement of the movable plate (42) causes the squeezing of the fruit (6). The squeezed juice falls into the hopper (22) and, then, into the container (8). Afterwards, the movable plate (42) goes away from the fixed plate (41) and the squeezing residual product (6A) comes off said plates (41,42), it falls on the inclined grill (23) and it slides from the grill into the drawer (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Inventor: Antonio Cimenti
  • Patent number: 5184548
    Abstract: An apparatus to include a top plate and base plate, with a press plate reciprocatably mounted between the top plate and base plate to crush and deform various containers for disposal and recycling. The use of pivotal link members operative through an actuator rod directed medially of the link members at junctions thereof is directed for rotation to effect reciprocation of the press plate. The invention is arranged to further include drain apertures directed through the base plate. A modified aspect of the invention includes a capture plate positioned between the press plate and base plate and spring biased toward the top plate to secure cans therebetween. An underlying drawer is arranged to receive fluid from the cans, with a pesticide delivery and dispensing container arranged and mounted to the drawer for dispensing a pesticide and fungicide fluid into the drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Inventor: Scott R. Figi
  • Patent number: 5182988
    Abstract: Apparatus for crushing and severely reducing the overall dimensions of used fluid filters before they are discarded includes a housing assembly having a base portion, a head portion, and side wall portions joining the base portion to the head portion. First and second cylindrical sleeves positioned within the housing substantially completely enclose each filter during the crushing operation. During the crushing operation, each filter rests on the base portion and a hydraulically operated ram assembly forces a piston against the filter and crushes the filter between the base portion and the piston. The side walls portions and the first cylindrical sleeve restrict lateral movement of the piston and filter during the crushing operation. A considerable amount of used fluid is re-claimed from the filters as a result of the crushing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John Styfhoorn
  • Patent number: 5167799
    Abstract: An apparatus for simulating the operation of a full-scale belt filter press consists of a support base, a filter belt and a press belt each anchored at one end to the support base and passing over a static curved pressure face and a winch for exerting a pulling force on the press belt against the static curved press face to remove water from a sample of slurry on or within the belts. An improvement in the method of removing liquid from a slurry with a belt filter press also is disclosed which consists of pulling the pair of belts containing a slurry against a static curved pressure face to force liquid out of the slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Michigan Biotechnology Institute
    Inventors: Blaine F. Severin, Daniel J. Wagner, Hans E. Grethlein, Robert F. Hickey
  • Patent number: 5167184
    Abstract: A compacting and selecting machine for solid refuse such as containers and similar includes a loading hopper provided with a detector and guide of objects, a crushing press at the end of the hopper, a lateral conveyor belt to which the object leaving the press is directed by a lateral ejector, the conveyor belt being located over a magnetic plate for the retention of ferrous or similar objects, and at least two collecting bins for the selected objects, one of these bins being for non-ferrous materials and the other for ferrous materials selected by the magnetic plate, the machine cycle being carried out with the aid of auxiliary control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Inventor: Dante Rebecchi
  • Patent number: 5146848
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Inventor: Henri Dufour
  • Patent number: 5136934
    Abstract: A compactor for automotive oil filters is illustrated wherein an upright hydraulic cylinder D is its lower end upon a vertical housing A open on one side for reception of an oil filter and for removal thereof after compaction with a central passageway F in a lower support C for relieving air pressure generated during compression and compaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Inventor: Barney D. Darby, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5125331
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Inventor: Kevin L. Wood
  • Patent number: 5124126
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the disposal of solid and liquid medical waste that is to be ultimately autoclaved prior to final disposal, to be used in conjunction with existing equipment already present in medical facilities. The device provides an apparatus capable of collecting solid medical waste while permitting the exit of liquid medical waste. An outer shell includes removable porous holding apparatus inserted therein for holding and compacting solid waste for subsequent autoclaving, while simultaneously permitting the exit of liquid waste into a separate collection vessel for subsequent autoclaving. Alternatively, a porous inner shell is placed within an outer shell to define a drainage chamber, for draining liquid waste separated from the solid waste that is introduced into the inner chamber, so that the liquid medical waste may be externally collected for autoclaving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Inventor: Gerard A. Ripp
  • Patent number: 5109763
    Abstract: An improved oil filter crusher unit is provided for use in recovering used motor oil from an oil filter of the type used in automotive vehicles and for reducing the volumetric size of an oil filter prior to disposal with other trash in a landfill or the like. The crusher unit includes a crushing piston assembly having a pneumatic piston connected via a bearingless piston shaft to a filter crushing head. An air circuit system provides pressurized air to the piston assembly to advance the crushing head into engagement with an oil filter disposed within a crushing chamber. A control lever on the outside of the unit mechanically interlocks with a safety door to prevent access to the crushing chamber during unit operation. In addition, the geometry of the crushing head incorporates one or more protrusions which initiate filter crushing by crimping localized areas of the filter and thereby weaken the filter so that crushing can be accomplished with relatively low peak crush forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: G. A. Morris Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn A. Morris, Leland M. Perkins
  • Patent number: 5103721
    Abstract: A household recycling appliance for recycling aluminum cans. The appliance has a housing containing a vertical crushing chamber with a frontal opening into which an empty aluminum can is to be inserted. The bottom plate of the crushing chamber, serving as a plunger or piston, is advanced upwardly by a motor and bell crank assembly to crush the can against the fixed top plate. As the bottom plate recedes, a spring-operated lever ejects the crushed can rearwardly via a conduit into a can storage receptacle which is sized to hold a selective number of crushed cans. Any residual fluid draining from the crushed can is collected in a fluid storage receptacle located below the can storage receptacle. The can and fluid storage receptacles are removable for transferring the crushed cans and disposing of the fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Sjoberg Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert S. Chou, Donald J. Massaro, Frank M. Balbas
  • Patent number: 5097757
    Abstract: A machine for extracting juice from citrus fruit, in particular oranges, includes an inclined chute conveying the fruits to be squeezed against a step, a spoon that raises the fruit resting on the step, and two squeezing plates below the step. The plates include a front plate and a back plate, the front plate being pivoted at its upper part and urged by a spring toward the back plate. The back plate is connected to a connecting rod and crank driven by a speed reducer by which the back plate is slid longitudinally horizontally toward and away from the front plate. As the two plates converge, the fruit interposed therebetween is squeezed by the back plate. Juice thus extracted from the fruit drips into an underlying hopper and from there is collected in a container. Afterwards, as the back plate moves away from the front plate, the residue of the previously squeezed fuit falls down on an inclined grill disposed over the hopper and is collected in a collecting drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventor: Cimenti Antonio
  • Patent number: 5081921
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of pressing fruit, in particular grapes, in a rotary cylindrical drum containing at least one flexible membrane supplied with a fluid under pressure in order to press fruit against the wall of the drum, and also to a pneumatic press for implementing the method. The pneumatic press of the invention is of the type comprising a rotary cylindrical drum (7) containing at least one flexible membrane (9, 35) and is characterized by the fact that said drum (7) is closed at one end (7), with a loading duct (19) opening out into the drum (7) in the vicinity of its closed end, the end of the drum opposite to its closed end (7) being at least partially open, said drum (7) including means (16) for recovering juice. The invention is particularly applicable to pressing grapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Etablissements Gregoire S.A.
    Inventor: James Gregoire
  • Patent number: 5060564
    Abstract: A press, in an automotive service facility to extract oil from a used automotive oil filter, mounted by brackets on a waste disposal band over an opening in the top of the barrel. An access door to the press having a cam acting on a press control knob to prevent operation of the press when the door is open. A hydraulic cylinder in the press and a plate under the cylinder and oil filters being deposited on the plate and being pressed to extract oil by the hydraulic cylinder lifting the plate against the bottom of the cylinder. The press being powered by low pressure air in the service facility which is converted to high pressure hydraulic pressure by a multiple stroke pumping system that includes a larger diameter air piston, in an air cylinder, attached to a smaller diameter hydraulic piston. An on-off control shaft manually shifted by manual operation of the press control knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Inventors: Charles G. Buford, Thomas J. Dawson
  • Patent number: 5048413
    Abstract: A platform is supported on uprights on a base and extends over the top of an open top waste receptacle arranged to be supported on the base. A can crushing compartment is supported on the platform and has a powered plunger arranged to crush cans in the compartment to a reduced size. The compartment in which the cans are crushed has a bottom opening which is of restricted size whereby to maintain cans in the compartment prior to crushing but which allows cans to fall by gravity into the waste receptacle after being crushed. Sealing structure is provided between the platform and the waste receptacle and also between a cover on the crushing compartment. Venting inlets and outlets are provided on the platform that admit fresh air and that carry away fumes from the waste receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Inventor: Fred J. Deiters
  • Patent number: 5035174
    Abstract: Improved apparatus for extracting juice is disclosed. The apparatus disclosed provide a novel safety switch arranged such that the apparatus may be operated only when fully closed, thereby precluding injury to the operator or damage due to objects being placed in the path of the downwardly descending squeezer. In a preferred embodiment the juice extraction cycle is carried out automatically by means of limit switches, once the safety switch enables the motor. Embodiments are disclosed wherein the limit switches which govern the extraction cycle operate by determining the amount of pressure placed on an object, the level of pressure being adjustable, thus allowing the complete and efficient squeezing of objects of different sizes and firmness. Also disclosed are embodiments incorporating a feeder tube and actuation device whereby the juice extraction apparatus is automatically fed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: The John S. Seal, Jr., Revocable Trust
    Inventor: John S. Seal, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5031524
    Abstract: A fruit and vegetable juice press assembly. The assembly includes a frame (12) which supports a press drive (166, 172, 174) and a food processor drive (120). A removable housing (14) is mounted over the drives, the removable housing including two spaced apart housing portions (76, 78). A platen (170), a press bag (18), and a press bag support (218-248) are located in the pressing chamber between the housing portions. A portion (168) of the press drive extends through an aperture in the sidewall (78.41) of one of the two housing portions, the platen being removably secured to the portion (168). A process (16) is removably secured to the top of the other housing portion (76). The processor includes a grater, an impeller, and a two part or clam-shell discharge chute (100, 106) which, during operation of the grater (84) and impeller (86-90), causes grated pulp material to be discharged into the press bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Inventor: Dale E. Wettlaufer
  • Patent number: 5030360
    Abstract: A receptacle for use in compacting liquid-laden asbestos-containing material to separate the liquids therefrom, the receptacle being adapted to be compacted within a compactor, wherein the receptacle is liquid permeable and capable of retaining a substantial portion of the asbestos-containing material when compacted within the compactor so that a quantity of the liquids are separated from the asbestos-containing material and expelled from the receptacle when the receptacle is compacted within the compactor. A method for separating liquids from liquid-laden asbestos-containing material comprising collecting liquid-laden asbestos-containing material in a liquid permeable receptacle capable of retaining a substantial portion of the asbestos-containing material when the receptacle is compacted, and then compacting the receptacle so that a quantity of the liquids are separated from the asbestos-containing material and expelled from the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Inventors: Murray Grainger, Willy C. Dittmar
  • Patent number: 4941404
    Abstract: A screw press comprises a housing having a spray casing and a screen casing arranged within the spray casing and forming an annular space therebetween, at least one press spindle located within the screen casing and forming a pressing space therebetween, the at least one press spindle having a plurality of wing members and at least one axial zone free of the wing members, and at least one dewatering member which is supported by the housing and located in the at least one axial zone in the pressing space between the spindle body and the screen casing, the at least one dewatering member being hollow and provided with a plurality of perforations and also having an outlet which opens into the annular space between the screen casing and the spray casing, the at least one dewatering member being arranged at a radial distance from the spindle and the screen casing, and at least one carrier holding the at least one dewatering member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Salzgitter Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Kurt Tegtmeyer
  • Patent number: 4927085
    Abstract: A specialized crusher has an upright compartment sized to receive an individual oil filter resting on a grate at the bottom. A crusher plate above the filter is guided for vertical sliding movement in the compartment and is moved up and down by a hydraulic jack. Downward movement of the crusher plate collapses the oil filter casing to compact condition and oil contained in it passes through the bottom grate into a spout leading to a receptacle. When a desired pressure has been reached, the jack automatically lifts the crusher plate and the collapsed casing can be removed for salvaging. All components of the apparatus are incorporated in a compact cabinet which can have a bottom drawer for the oil receptacle and a bin in which the collapsed casings can be collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Inventor: Gordon D. Oberg
  • Patent number: 4782667
    Abstract: There is provided an ice discharge section in an auger type ice making machine wherein an evaporator connected to a refrigerating system is sealingly wound along the outer periphery of a cylindrical refrigerating casing and the thin ice formed upon the inner wall surface of the refrigerating casing is scrapped off by an auger rotatably supported within the interior of the refrigerating casing so as to transfer the resulting ice flakes upwardly so that the compressed ice obtained by compressing these ice flakes by an extruding head may be discharged into an ice storage chamber via an ice discharge passage provided at the top of the refrigerating casing, characterized in that an ice transfer passage disposed within the interior of the ice storage chamber is connected to an opening of the ice discharge passage, an ice transfer passage having a drainage portion is disposed in the area immediately downstream of the opening and has an upwardly inclined surface continuing after the drainage portion, and a water coll
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: Hoshizaki Electric Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Kito, Susumu Tatematsu
  • Patent number: 4771684
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method of expressing fluent liquid (e.g. juice) from source material comprise subjecting inner and outer surfaces of pressure application means (1) to a pressure differential constituted by applying suction (7,8) to both the source material and the inner surface of the pressure application means while the outer surface of the pressure application means is acted upon by free pressure of the earth's atmosphere, such that the inner surface of the pressure application means transmits to the source material at least a portion of the pressure differential, and fluent liquid is expressed from the source material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Inventors: John E. Cecil, Rachel K. Cecil
  • Patent number: 4771686
    Abstract: Apparatus for crushing waste containers such as cans, oil filters, and the like. The apparatus includes a platform having a drain leading to a reservoir below the platform; a vertical support frame secured to the platform and having two spaced apart vertical columns joined together, near the top thereof, by a horizontal member; a hydraulic ram mounted on said horizontal member, a ram head secured to the lower end of the hydraulic ram adapted for downward and upward movement; and a compartment for receiving waste containers. The base of the compartment is secured to the platform and the sidewalls thereof are secured to the vertical support frame. The compartment has an opening for introducing a waste container onto the platform and removing the container after crushing and a piercing device for puncturing containers placed in the compartment. A hydraulic pump mounted on the platform and connected to the hydraulic ram causes upward and downward movement of the ram head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Inventor: John F. Triantos, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4672006
    Abstract: A system is described for processing an entire tree into wood fiber material for molding the constituent wood elements into custom molded wood products. A delimber removes limbs and leaves from the trunk, a debarker removes bark from the trunk of the delimbed tree, and a splitter separating sequence is constructed and arranged for separating the debarked trunk into elongate pieces of substantially equal cross-sectional area. A graduated roller mill having a sequence of pairs of compressor rollers with the rollers of each pair spaced successively closer together receives the elongate pieces of wood and extrudes and delivers thin sheets of wood at the output end. Liquid squeezed from the wood sheets is collected and separated into resins and water. A shredder shreds and fragments the wood sheet wood fibers into a loosely bonded mat of substantially separate striated wood fibers. The mat is cut or chopped into wood fibers of substantially uniform length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Inventor: David W. McGraw