Abstract: An elongated screen assembly, which in various forms, is useful as a scallop in a reactor, or as an underdrain for a gravity filter system, has a cross-section in a direction normal to its axis which is at least twice as wide as it is high. A method is also disclosed for manufacturing the screen assembly by pressing the opposed sides of a wrapped wire cylindrical screen assembly between a pair of plates which have radii of curvature which are different from each other and greater than the radius of curvature of the cylindrical screen assembly.

Abstract: A filter press has at least one support wall and at least one filter element adjacent the wall and in turn having an outer peripheral frame secured to the wall, a generally planar central panel within the frame and having a back face turned toward and forming a compartment with the wall and a front face turned away from the wall, and a deformable connecting web between the panel and the outer periphery and extending at an acute angle to the plane of the panel. The web and frame form a V-shaped groove having a pair of flanks. A filter cloth overlies the front face and a fluid under pressure can be forced into the compartment to press the panel forward and deform the web such that its flanks meet. The web is formed with thickened ridges extending generally parallel to the adjacent frame.

Abstract: A tire baler for baling tires having tire alignment walls located about the perimeter of the tire baling compartment which can be displaced radially outwardly to accommodate radial expansion of the stack of tires when the tires are compressed to form a bale. Pressure pads are adjustably mounted on the compression head so as to be movable radially with respect to the compression axis to maintain compression contact with tires of different diameters.

Abstract: A refuse compactor device has a container housing having an open top end for holding a trash bag in which the bag mouth is in registration with and folded over the open top end of the container for receiving trash to be compacted. The compactor device further includes a compactor plate received within the container housing for manual movement from the open top end of the housing toward the bottom end of the housing to compress refuse material in the trash bag. The housing has ventilation apertures in its side wall and bottom to allow air trapped between the bag and the side walls of the housing to be expelled from the container. The compactor plate also has ventilation apertures to allow air included in the refuse to be expelled from the container as the plate is moved into the trash bag and housing. The compactor plate further has an opening to receive therethrough the mouth end of the bag for convenient closing of the bag mouth.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved apparatus particularly adapted for removing fluid from overlapping sheets of material, said apparatus comprising an inverted T-bar adapted for applying stationary pressure to overlapping sheets disposed beneath said T-bar, and at least two roller assemblies, said roller assemblies each including a lower pressure roller and an upper drive roller, said drive roller being in frictional contact with both said pressure roller and a superstrate positioned above said drive roller, at least one roller assembly being positioned on each side of said T-bar such that said pressure roller and said drive roller are substantially parallel thereto, and said roller assemblies being adapted to apply a moving pressure through said pressure rollers to overlapping sheets diposed beneath said roller assemblies.

Abstract: Epoxy tooling which inherently expands and contracts with temperature changes for making parts of metal or plastic has elongated rods extending through guide tubes within the tooling and compression washers or plates on opposite sides thereof. These compression devices for strengthening the tool can be selectively adjusted toward and away from one another using nuts threaded on the rods for varying the compression load on the tooling in accordance with varying tool operating loads, working temperatures and amounts of expansion or contraction. Epoxy tools for molding plastics are heated and expanded to a working temperature and then compressively loaded in selected areas prior to molding operations to prevent tool stress cracking or epoxy tools for metal stamping are compressively loaded and supported in selected areas of high tensile stress and operated at room temperatures for high load metal stamping without fracture.

Abstract: An electrically actuated can crushing apparatus having a housing, a reversible motor mounted within the housing, a threaded shaft coupled for rotation with the output shaft of the motor, and an arm threadingly engaged to the threaded shaft. An antirotation device prohibits the arm from rotation thus permitting the arm to move upwardly and downwardly, dependent upon the direction of rotation of the threaded shaft. An uppermost pressure plate is secured to the arm at an angle skewed to the longitudial axis of the vertically disposed threaded shaft. The housing supports a lowermost pressure plate which is affixed in a horizontal plane and is adapted with an upwardly directed protrusion to accommodate the depression usually found in the base of cans to be crushed. Upon the actuation of the motor, the uppermost pressure plate, which is constantly maintained at a slight angular relationship with the longitudinal axis of the threaded shaft, approaches the lowermost pressure plate.

Abstract: For applying a covering to glass fibre insulation batts, the batts are deposited in succession into a vertically elongate batt stacking space to form a stack of the batts, and upper and lower compression plates each having a concave compression surface the shape of which compression surfaces correspond at least substantially to the shapes of convex upper and lower surfaces of the package, are displaced vertically by an amount sufficient to compress the stack between the upper and lower compression surfaces with a compression ratio of 6:1 to 11:1. A covering of flexible sheet material is then provided around the compressed stack to maintain the stack in a compressed state. The concave compression surfaces make possible a higher compression of the batts than was possible with the flat compression plates used in the prior art, without damaging the batts and therefore while allowing satisfactory recovery of the batts when released from their compressed state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating biodegradable solid urban waste materials and selecting those non biodegradable components for recycling comprises a tunnel (1) made of steel defining an inner room or ambient of parallelepiped shape, having a rear hinge door (4) associated with adjustable counterbalance weight (5). Near the door (4) blade kneading devices (6) can be installed. In the last portion of the bottom wall of the tunnel (1) holes (7) are arranged, positioned just over a channel (3) connected to a recovering tank (22) of the percolate. At the other front end of the tunnel a moving wall (9) is mounted, capable of being moved to and fro along two rails (10) by means of hydraulic jacks (12). In the center of the wall (9) a hydraulic cylinder (31, 31a, 31b) is anchored, the piston rod (31a) which enters into the iner chamber of the tunnel (1) for compressing the waste mass. Near the upper wall (32) of the tunnel (1), there is a circulating forced air pre-chamber (13) having a grating structure.

Abstract: Presented is a can crushing device which may be manually operated by employing a foot-operated piston to impose a compressive force on the end of a can contained within a cylindrical cavity. A handle is provided on the device to stabilize the device and provide a support by which the operator may balance himself during use.

Abstract: Composite, unbreakable plates for filter-presses are formed by the firm assembly of, in succession for each plate, a first thin frame 1 collecting the filtrates, a grooved resilient membrane 4 to squeeze the cake, a second thin frame 3 forming a chamber for the fluid inflating the membranes, a second similar membrane, and a third thin frame similar to the first frame. The filtration composite plate cooperates with a frame or is a recess plate which is spaced for unloading of the cakes collected. Each plate or frame has a small jack operating between small extensions at the top of the frames or on top of the plates for separating the plates.

Abstract: A composite caul plate includes a replaceable insert plate bearing a wood-grain pattern. The insert plate is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to mount to the caul plate. The insert plate is secured in position by means of rib elements having formations for retaining the insert plate against a base plate.

Abstract: A trash compactor has a reciprocable platen with a pivotable outer leaf. An electric motor rotates with a telescoping drive-screw mechanism which reciprocably drives the platen in its compaction and retraction strokes. A toggle linkage mechanism automatically pivots the outer leaf to an upwardly inclined orientation from a coplanar relationship with the platen in response to upward and downward reciprocable movement of the platen by the drive-screw.

Abstract: An apparatus is for crushing at least one of a plurality of metal cans having a predetermined diameter and a predetermined length less than about twice the predetermined diameter. The apparatus includes a pair of cylindrical rollers mounted for rotation in opposite directions about parallel horizontal axes with a predetermined distance therebetween. Each of the rollers has a predetermined roller diameter greater than four times the predetermined diameter of the can. An array of extensions on the cylindrical surface of each of the rollers extends a predetermined height from the cylindrical surface and is separated from adjacent extensions on the cylindrical surface to cause the extensions of the array to cover less than ten percent of the cylindrical surface to allow general alignment of and positioning of the metal cans therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved can draining implement including two handles pivotably attached together. One handle has a can supporting plate which faces a plunger on the other handle. The plunger has an angled face designed to cause liquid being drained from the can to flow to one side. Furthermore, the plunger has embedded therein a magnet designed to hold the lid of the can after draining has been accomplished.

Abstract: A soot reservoir for an exhaust gas scrubbing system for an internal combustion engine has a housing, having an inlet for introducing a soot-laden carrier flow diverted from the exhaust gas flow and an outlet for the escape of the scrubbed carrier flow, a soot filter disposed between the inlet and outlet for retaining soot particles, and a removable collecting container for receiving the trapped soot. To attain a large storage capacity of the collecting container, a number of compacting balls are placed loosely in it. Hopping and rolling movements of the balls caused by the motion of the vehicle driven by the engine produce a considerable increase in the settled apparent density of the soot deposited in the collecting container. With the same collecting container volume, about 10 times as much soot can be held, when compared with conventional soot reservoirs.

Abstract: A compactor comprising a frame with a fluid operated, double acting ram mounted on the frame. A compactor plate is slidably mounted in the frame to be reciprocable by the ram. A back plate is positioned at an end of the frame remote from the ram. A container receives material to be compacted. The container is mounted adjacent the back plate. The container is open ended and has a top, sides and a base. The base is hingedly attached to one side. The compactor plate can be received in the container so that material in the container can be compacted by the plate. A housing in the container top allows lifting of the container for unloading of compacted material by hinging downwardly of the base. This housing comprises a plurality of open mouthed compartments arranged in a circle and extending upwardly outwardly to receive a grapple of a lifting crane for lifting the container.

Abstract: An embroidery frame press plunger head and method is presented which includes a pretension member which allows greater efficiency and uniformity in framing cloth for embroidering or for other purposes. The pretension member is affixed to and extends below the hoop retainer to initiate contact with the cloth or other material to hold it tightly against a work table prior to the sandwiching action of the first and second embroidery hoops. The pretension member consists of an annular shape or other configuration which will hold the cloth securely against the work table.

Abstract: A filter press comprises a plurality of membrane filter plates each comprising a base plate and an elastic membrane on at least one side of the base plate. The base plate has a circumferential raised plane edge portion surrounding a recess with a step-form recessed circumferential surface between the raised edge portion and the recess and a groove in the recessed circumferential surface and the raised edge portion. The membrane has a reinforced edge poriton of angular cross section with a first web lying on said recessed circumferential surface of the base plate and having a bevelled edge engaging the shoulder between the recessed circumferential surface and the raised edge portion and a second web received in the groove to provide a seal between the membrane and the base plate. The outer surface of the first web is recessed below the plane of the raised edge portion of the base plate.

Abstract: A system for moving skips to and from a press in a scrap charging zone including at least one skip charging station and a station to press the scrap within the skip. The skip is borne by an independent support with legs in the charging station and is supported on a cradle in the press station. Containment housings are located laterally on a skip in diametrically opposite positions. A skup full of scrap is lifted from its support with legs by a trolley device and taken by such device from the skip charging station or from a parking station for skips and placed on a cradle comprised in cooperation with a press for the pressing of scrap.

Abstract: There is disclosed a filtering method comprising using a filter-press-type device in the chambers whereof filtering means divide a compartment for material to be filtered from a filtrate-collecting compartment, compressing the possibly-washed material to be filtered by reducing the volume of the compartments for material to be filtered, discharging washing solute and filtrate which have passed through the filtering means, and dismantling said filter-press. The method makes use of filter means which are resistant and undistortable under the method conditions, and retains the filtering means in a relative position to the filtering chamber axis which is identical during all the filtering steps.

Abstract: A filtration device provided with two rigid surfaces and two or more pneumatic supports disposed therebetween; one pneumatic support is mounted on each of the rigid surfaces. Two or more flexible tubular filtration elements are disposed in one or more rows between the pneumatic supports; in each row, the flexible tubular filtration elements are in parallel alignment.

Abstract: A system for the pressing of scrap in skips which charge furnaces in steel works, whereby a skip (12) is borne on a support with legs (15) by means of a vehicle with a vertically moveable platform (16) and is then rested on a press cradle (17), the press (11) comprising hooks for engaging with support pins (13) included on the skip (12) so as to support the skip itself (12) momentarily below the press (11).

Abstract: Paper towel dispensing and soiled towel stowing equipment includes a receptacle (24) for used towels, a dispenser containing a supply of paper towels and tamping means (44) for compressing used towel material in the receptacle (24). The tamping means 44 is biased into an uppermost position where it urges towel engaging means (47) into engagement with the paper towels. The towel engaging means (47) disengages the towels when the tamping means is depressed by means of a pedal (42) to compress the contents of the receptacle (24). Thus, the availability of the towel material is restricted unless the user depresses the pedal (42) to compress the soiled towels.

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 membrane filter plate for a filter press with a one-piece, plastic carrier plate, at least one membrane arranged on one side of the carrier plate and provided with spacing bosses for the engagement of a filter cloth and a sealing rim surrounding the carrier plate and the membrane and connecting the same in substantially fluid-tight manner. The sealing surface of the sealing rim parallel to the carrier plate median plane being arranged on the side having the membrane or on either side of the carrier plate. At least one support boss is provided in the central region of the carrier plate. The end face of the support boss parallel to the carrier plate median plane being substantially aligned with the sealing surface of the sealing rim parallel to said median plane and provided laterally with a rotationally symmetrical transition surface facing the membrane which slopes in the direction of the carrier plate median plane.

Abstract: A vertical baler comprises a piston having two brackets attached to the rear thereof, the brackets extending through slots between panels in the rear wall of the baler. Chains are attached to the floor of the baler near the front thereof, pass through the slots in the rear wall of the baler, and are attached to a horizontal bar. The bar has two legs extending downwardly therefrom, the legs having slots in the ends thereof. The rear wall of the baler has a pair of dog members pivotally attached thereto. When it is desired to remove a bale from the baler, the door of the baler is opened, the horizontal bar is manually placed onto the brackets extending from the rear of the piston, and the piston is raised. As the piston raises, it lifts up the chains and throws the bale out of the baler. The dog members present no resistance to the upward movement of the horizontal member, since they pivot upwardly out of the way of the horizontal member.

Abstract: The press wall is provided for a filter element of a filter press comprising a plurality of filter elements clamped together edgewise forming filter chambers for the suspension to be filtered. A filter element carries on one or both sides a press wall is attached edgewise with it which is movable by a pressurizing medium into the filter chamber. Each press wall has a plurality of sectional projections overlayed with a filter cloth on their wall surfaces directed toward the filter chamber which form a drainage system under the filter cloth. The press wall has an edge adjacent an edge region facilitating its connection to the filter element and a wall strip extending along this edge region. The wall strip is bendable at least to the extent of the displacement of the press wall under pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which facilitates rapid insertion, removal and exchange of a fixture in situations where it must be securely attached to a support surface before or after removal from such surface. The fixture has a plurality of studs extending outwardly therefrom which guide the fixture tool through channels in a support surface and into placement in respective slots of T-slot clamps which are moved by fluid pressure to the open position, the fixture transferred, and the fluid pressure released to effect clamping. The present invention can be used in a high production manufacturing system such as a press or molding operation and is particularly useful in thermoforming operations.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for pressing a stack of signatures including a first pressing member mounted on a bracket upwardly and downwardly movable by drive means for pressing the stack of signatures over an intermediate upper surface area thereof, a pivotally movable second pressing member connected at its one end to each end of the first pressing member for pressing the signature stack over the remaining upper surface area at each end thereof, an arm for pivotally moving the second pressing member and air cylinder-plunger means for driving the arm, the apparatus being characterized in that the cylinder-plunger means is disposed above the first pressing member and attached to the bracket, the plunger of the cylinder-plunger means being directed downward and having a lateral support member, the arm having one end pivoted to the support member and the other end to a base portion of the second pressing member.

Abstract: A mold press comprising a force equalizer independent of the mold platens. The force equalizer consists of a pair of plates defining a cavity therebetween. The cavity is filled with a force distributing material, such as hydraulic fluid. An opening is provided through the force equalizer to provide the extruder access to the mold plates. This opening is surrounded by a floating seal which permits movement of the equalizer plates with respect to the seal. The cavity is designed to extend beyond the chase footprint areas by an amount dictated by the size and relation of the footprint areas to one another.

Abstract: A trash compactor which is hydraulically actuated and which has a compactor blade which can be moved the full length of a truck body with a telescoping cylinder with one actuation of the cylinder and wherein one end of the cylinder is connected by a bracket to the rear end of the body of the truck and the other end of the cylinder extends into a nose portion of the compactor blade where it is attached with a bracket. A relatively low pressure hydraulic system actuates the compactor blade and a release valve limits the maximum pressure to which the system is subjected.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a laminated plate material by compression forming, in which material for lamination is sandwiched between two pressure plates, and a layer of fluid pressure medium is sandwiched between said material for lamination and one of said pressure plates and is pressurized so as to pressurize said material for lamination. Thereby, the pressure is well distributed over the superficies of the material for lamination, thus ensuring a good and uniform product. A device is also disclosed for performing the method.

Abstract: An extractor includes a cage which is delimited in the bottom part by a rotating perforated circular platen (1) surmounted by two vertical fixed perforated panels (6) on whose upper edge a cover (7) rests. The cover includes one or more hinged panels, and between which two thrust platens (8 and 9) slide. The thrust platens are displaced by cylinders (10 and 11). The rotating perforated circular platen (1) and the recovery tank (12) are each equipped with a trap (13 and 15). The traps are arranged in vertical alignment with one another and forming, in the open position, a hopper for discharging the residues towards a removal device (14). The process mainly consists in rotating the perforated circular platen (1) during charging and then through 90.degree. between two pressing phases so as to press the cake in two perpendicular directions. Typically, the apparatus is used for pressing grapes.

Abstract: A stationary chamber is located below an apron on which garbage and other refuse is dumped from collection trucks. An opening in the apron is aligned with an opening in the top of the chamber. The discharge end of the chamber is closed by a gate which slants rearward at an angle of 15.degree. to the vertical against which the refuse is compacted. The gate may be raised when the chamber is to be discharged. Reciprocating within the chamber is a platen having its upper portion slanted forward at about an angle of 42.degree.. The platen is driven by a multi-stage hydraulic ram. Loads of about 15 cu. yds. are dumped into the chamber opening by a bulldozer. The bulldozer operator by a radio control causes the platen to move forward, compacting the first load to about one-half the original volume of the loose material. When the ram pressure reaches a predetermined pressure, the platen is automatically retracted. The operation is repeated until a predetermined weight has been received and compacted.

Abstract: A self-compacting refuse container has a receptacle for refuse, having a top opening. There is a lid adjacent the opening sized to slidably fit within the opening. A hinge connects the lid to the receptacle and permits hinged movement of the lid into the opening or out of the opening. There is a power source for forcibly moving the lid about the hinge into the top opening to compact refuse within the receptacle. Preferably, the container has a release mechanism for releasing the power source to permit hinged movement of the lid away from the opening for emptying refuse from the receptacle.

Abstract: A flanged, dish shaped rectangular pressure responsive diaphragm is made from non-stretchable flat sheet stock in which the corners are formed with a tapering loop of excess material, and pleat folds take up the excess flange material to allow a tab portion to lie flat across the corner. Spacer strips and pieces are added to provide a uniform flange thickness.

Abstract: Two locking clamp-bars are slidingly accommodated in two parallel T-slots of an upper plate and in T-slots of upper grippers of a press. Each locking clamp-bar has two T-pieces. Upon rising of a lower plate, acting as the press ram, together with the set of tools, the T-pieces of locking clamp-bars are in a first position, in which they can enter recesses in further T-slots in an upper part of the set of tools or in an upper auxiliary plate. By means of a drive device, the T-pieces are pushed into a second position, in which they snap into the further T-slots. In this press, a non-destructive removal of tools is ensured in the event of a defective chucking mechanism.

Abstract: A mold closing assembly having two platen supporting bodies or turrets mounted on a base to pivot in a generally horizontal plane about two vertical pivot axes. At least one platen reciprocates linearly to clamp the mold sections together, and a tie bar extends above the two turrets between the pivot points. Preferably the mold closing assembly has a modular construction.

Abstract: An apparatus for crushing multi cavity medication cards wherein each cavity serves as a receptacle containing individual doses of medication such as, for example, pills or tablets. The apparatus includes a frame with a reciprocally movable platen and changeable medication card support plates mounted below the movable platen. Dependent upon the configuration of the card to be crushed, a crusher plate is attached to the platen having protrusions formed thereon to engage each of the cavities of the card. The card support plate may be of a substantially solid construction for crushing pills contained within each cavity of the card, or may be apertured so as to permit expulsion of the medication from the card as the card is crushed.

Abstract: A manually-operated device specifically for crushing cans, such as aluminum cans, includes a relatively heavy tramping element which is connected to an elongated handle, whereby when the tramping element is held over a can and driven downward, the can is crushed.The tramping element may include either a groove or rib for venting air that may become compressed in the can as the can is crushed.

Abstract: Compactor apparatus comprises a conveyor for supplying articles to a hopper positioned alongside the upper end of a compression chamber in which a platen powered by a hydraulic cylinder is adapted to be reciprocated. The hopper is mounted at one end of a beam balance, the displacement of the other end of which measures the weight of a charge in the hopper. When the presence of a specified charge in the hopper is sensed, the conveyor is disabled, the hopper and hydraulic cylinder with the platen in the retracted position are swung laterally to bring the hopper over the compression chamber to dump the contained articles into the chamber. The hopper and cylinder are then returned to their initial positions, the cylinder is actuated to cause the platen to compress the dumped articles, and the conveyor is again enabled to supply articles to the hopper.

Abstract: This invention relates to improvements in refuse bins incorporating compacting means for domestic use, wherein the compacting plate comprises two upwardly oriented tabs which are placed in housings in the lid to be slidably associated with a control member. Catches facing opposite each other and borne by said tabs come into slides in the control member embedded in a groove in the lid. In this way, by subjecting the control member to a translation, it may, at the end of a stroke, be pivoted with respect to the catches in order to orient it vertically with a view to vertically actuating the compacting plate.

Abstract: A can compactor in which there is relative movement between a cam and a can, in a direction generally tangential to the can. Such relative movement progressively collapses the can sides, following which the can ends are bent over further than they were bent as the result of the can-side collapsing.

Abstract: An improved trash receptacle is provided according to this invention. The invention is particularly directed to trash containers of the type having a top assembly having a frame and a pivoting door which encloses a central opening of the frame. The improvement comprises a pivot means for the door including a pivot member and a socket which enable the door to be retained in its normal position by gravity, but which permits the door to be easily detached from the frame to enable it to be inserted into the trash container to compress material therein. Once the user has completed the compaction step, the door is re-engaged with the frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a double piston and alternating action press apparatus. The device according to the present invention is constituted by the combination of a rapid advance feed piston and a second telescopic piston having a slow and stepwise advance. The device is adapted to exert an adjustable pressure on various products and more particularly, grapes, to extract the juice without grinding the grapes and seeds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bucket for compactable products comprising a compaction member mobile in rotation about an axis rigidly connected to the bucket bottom and situated in the lower portion of the compaction member. According to the invention, the compaction member has a shape such that it bears against at least a portion of the wall of the bucket substantially parallel to one direction and is articulated at its other end about an axis situated in the bucket bottom, off-set toward the center of the bucket and substantially parallel to that one direction, its upper end comprising at least a coupling with a pulling and/or pushing member possibly independent of the bucket. The invention is applicable to buckets, notably so-called "multi-buckets", in order to increase their transportation capacity in the case of compactable products.

Abstract: Module builder having a generally rectangular framework with an open top side and with spaced apart side walls and spaced apart front and rear walls. The rear wall is formed by a door movable between open and closed positions. A carriage is mounted on the framework for movement longitudinally of the framework between the front and rear walls. A motor is provided for causing movement of said carriage between the front and rear walls. A tramper mechanism is carried by the carriage and has a tramper foot. A hydraulic actuator is provided for moving said tramper foot vertically within said framework for forming a module of material which is dumped into the framework. Wheels are mounted on opposite sides of said framework to permit the module builder to be transported from one location to another. The side walls have upwardly and outwardly flared portions so that imaginery vertical lines depending from the outer upper margins of the side walls clear the wheels on the sides of the rectangular framework.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for more effectively squeezing moisture from wood chips and/or other "green" biomass materials. A press comprising a generally closed chamber having a laterally movable base at the lower end thereof, and a piston or ram conforming in shape to the cross-section of the chamber is adapted to periodically receive a charge of biomass material to be dehydrated. The ram is forced against the biomass material with suffcient force to compress the biomass and to crush the matrix in which moisture is contained within the material with the face of the ram being configured to cause a preferential flow of moisture from the center of the mass outwardly to the grooved walls of the chamber. Thus, the moisture is effectively squeezed from the biomass and flows through the grooves formed in the walls of the chamber to a collecting receptacle and is not drawn back into the mass by capillary action when the force is removed from the ram.

Abstract: A nutcracker having a horizontal base and a horizontal lower cracking plate removably positioned on the base. An upper cracking plate is horizontally disposed above the lower cracking plate and slidably engaged on an upper frame for supporting the upper cracking plate above the lower cracking plate and allowing vertical and horizontal movement of the upper cracking plate relative to the base and lower cracking plate.