By Isolating A Fluid Constituent Patents (Class 99/495)
  • Patent number: 7765920
    Abstract: An air-lift dryer for processing a high-lactose aqueous fluid (HLAF), such as permeate from ultrafiltration of whey fluid, is provided. The air-lift dryer has an enclosed drying chamber with diverging interior sidewalls that define an intermediate interior space having a cross-sectional area that increases as the diverging interior sidewalls extend away from a lower portion toward an upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Relco Unisystems Corporation
    Inventor: A. Kent Keller
  • Publication number: 20100178403
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method of drying the extracted beet chips and means and equipment for carrying out the method, with emphasis especially on the reduction of the emission of organic carbon compounds during the chip drying stage and on the reduction of the primary energy consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Sudzucker Aktiengesellschaft Mannheim/Ochsenfurt
    Inventors: Mohsen Ajdari Rad, Stefan Frenzel, Azar Shahidizenouz
  • Publication number: 20100162905
    Abstract: A “fat eraser” system provides a housing for supporting and possibly enclosing a low temperature heat absorbing material and having a thermally conductive area of material in a shallow conic shape which can be brought into contact with a volume of food to enable a low temperature solidification of fat onto the thermally conductive area of material. A combination storage stand and fat scraping body includes scraping blades having an upper contour which is complementary to the shallow conic shape of the thermally conductive area of material to provide a self-centering ability to cleanly scrape and remove and collect any solidified fat from the thermally conductive area of material by rotating the thermally conductive area of material about its conical center and against the combination storage stand and fat scraping body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Pat Y. Mah, Alexander Joseph Kalogroulis, K. K. Tung, Michael Ng
  • Publication number: 20100139502
    Abstract: A strainer for use with combining beverages and cold food includes a bottom section sized for insertion into a beverage container, and a side section projecting substantially vertically from the bottom section and sized for insertion into a portion of the beverage container. At least one of the bottom and side sections is liquid permeable, and the bottom section and side section are separately or collectively capable of retaining ice pieces when the strainer is in the container. A method for retaining ice in a container capable of holding a liquid includes placing a strainer capable of retaining ice in a container capable of holding a liquid, adding ice to the container such that at least some of the ice is retained by the strainer, placing a liquid in the container, and removing the strainer from the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Daniel W. McDonald
  • Patent number: 7698997
    Abstract: An improved processing method and system for producing tomato paste and other food products affected by viscosity. Tomatoes are processed into tomato juice. The juice is provided to a decanter that separates or fractionates the juice into two portions—a thicker, more viscous cake portion and a thinner, less viscous serum portion. The serum portion is concentrated by removing a portion of water using an evaporator such as a thin film or juice evaporator. The cake portion can be concentrated if necessary with a drier. The serum and cake portions are re-combined to produce a tomato paste having improved color, texture, flavor and nutrition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorge K. Succar, Theodore G. Tishinski
  • Publication number: 20100089252
    Abstract: A food press and drainer for preparing fermented or pickled foodstuffs, where the apparatus is a cylindrical vessel and a closed bottom for containing food preparations, is presented in the present application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Kwang Suk Hong
  • Patent number: 7681495
    Abstract: A food processing device has a housing with a lid, a rotatable attachment (e.g., a basket or beater) in the housing and a drive mechanism in the lid for rotating the attachment to process food in the housing. The drive mechanism has a manual actuator and a gear train for transmitting a driving force from the actuator to rotate the attachment. The actuator lies on an outer surface of the lid and is movable along the lid surface in opposite directions between two positions to rotate the attachment in a single direction. A ratchet assembly in driving engagement with the gear train transmits a rotational drive in only a single direction. A braking mechanism for braking the attachment, includes a manual operator and two braking shoes for movement by the operator to brake the attachment by friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventors: Yiu Chung Wan, Lance Logan Hood
  • Publication number: 20100058939
    Abstract: An automatic juicer turns and pushes an upward facing juicing cone into a fruit for releasing and collecting juice. The juicer includes a base containing a motor, gear and shaft assembly which rises as a unit with the juicing cone. A fixed guide extends upward from the base and inner and outer shafts reside inside the fixed guide and are driven by the motor and gear assembly to rotate and advance the juicing cone into the fruit. The juicing cone, strainer and a bowl release and catch the juice. The outer shaft includes threads to vertically advance and retreat the outer and inner shafts when the outer shaft turns. The inner shaft rises with the outer shaft and lifts and rotates the juicing cone, thereby releasing juice from the fruit. The bowl is fixed to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Adrian Rivera
  • Publication number: 20100058938
    Abstract: An automatic juicer turns and pushes an upward facing juicing cone into a fruit for releasing and collecting juice. The juicer includes a base containing a clutch and gearing assembly connected to a motor. A center column assembly rotates and advances the juicing cone. The juicing cone, strainer, and a bowl release and catch the juice. The center column includes an outer column fixed to the base, a rotating drive shaft driven by the motor but not advancing vertically, and a driven shaft which rotates with the drive shaft and advances and retreats vertically. The bowl is fixed to the base. The strainer advances vertically with juicing cone but does not rotate. The juicing cone is attached to the driven shaft and rotates and advances vertically, thereby releasing juice from the fruit. Knife edges on the bottom of the juicing cone scrape pulp from the strainer to prevent clogging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Adrian Rivera
  • Publication number: 20100031829
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) for holding food includes a food container (12) with a bottom wall and a plurality of support ribs (20) that extend up from much of the bottom wall and form recess regions (22) between ribs for holding liquids that drip off the food. A sealing film (24) lies on the support ribs and extends over the recess regions. The sealing film has pores that allow liquid on the food to migrate downward into the recesses, while preventing the splashing of liquid up through the film onto the food.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventor: Terry Vovan
  • Patent number: 7654197
    Abstract: A hand press (1) for squeezing garlic cloves having a double lever linkage driving a ram 30 into a receiving container (2). Two handles (4,5) pivoted together at one end to operate as levers operate two crossing lever arms (6,7) which are pivoted to each other. Pressing with minimal effort takes place due to the mechanical advantage which is produced by the double lever linkage. Additional advantages of the device are that it can be manufactured with minimal edge clearance between the ram (3) linkage and the receiving container (2), a stop (71) for automatically positioning the ram (3), a return spring (8) for automatically opening the hand press (1), and an anti-adhesive coating of the discharge pins (33) on the ram (30) and the base (20) of the receiving container (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventor: Othmar Knusel
  • Publication number: 20090311396
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for removing fat floating on hot soup. A thermally conducting plate 14 having a flat underside is cooled to a temperature below that at which the flat solidifies and lowered onto the floating fat to cause the fat to congeal and adhere to its underside. The plate 14 is then raised to remove the adhering fat from the soup, and the fat adhering to the underside is scraped off by dragging the underside across a straight edge 22.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Ilan Zadik Samson
  • Patent number: 7628108
    Abstract: A juicing apparatus is provided in which a single actuating element (2) drives a multiple number, such as three, of movable peeler cups (4), against their respective paired or matched fixed peeler cups (3), in a manner such to simultaneously provide for the extraction of juice from a number of fruit (19), one in each of the matched pairs of fixed and movable peeler cups (3, 4), said matched pairs of peeler cups being subjected to substantially the same force and reciprocating action as the other. Blades (38, 39) of the fixed and movable peeler cups (3, 4) engage the peel of the fruit (19) and provide for its removal. In certain embodiments, within each fixed peeler cup (3) is a filtering device (7) comprising a sharpened end (43) that meets the fruit (19), and a plurality of slits in the wall(s) of the filtering device for passage of juice compressed from the fruit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Inventor: Carlos Mendes Neto
  • Patent number: 7621213
    Abstract: A salad spinner is disclosed, comprising an outer bowl; an inner basket receivable in the outer bowl; a lid placed over the outer bowl; a drive and brake mechanism combination comprising a rotary drive plate, a drive assembly engageable with the rotary drive plate, and a brake assembly; and a foldable handle operatively connected with the drive and brake mechanism combination, wherein the handle is allowed to be folded up to a locked position where the brake assembly interferes with the rotary drive plate to prevent spinning operation of the inner basket, and to be opened to an unlocked position where the brake assembly disengages from the rotary drive plate and manipulation of the handle in a horizontal direction enables the drive assembly to cause rotation of the driving rotation of the rotary drive plate and the inner basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: King's Flair Development Ltd.
    Inventor: Sui Wah Wong
  • Publication number: 20090277335
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for providing a pressed beverage using a press and lid system. In one aspect, a beverage material is pressed to the bottom of a beverage container by means of a press ring including a filter. The walls of the beverage container exert a force on the press ring, folding flaps (perimeter portions) that are attached to the press ring by means of a flexible attachment member. Any beverage material or other debris that is not collected by the filter in the press ring is collected by a filter in the lid. Other variations and features consistent with the present invention exist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventor: Jeff Brian Baccetti
  • Patent number: 7607387
    Abstract: A system for directing cooking liquids away from cooking foodstuff in a frying pan is disclosed. The system includes a frying pan supporting structure and a shield. The frying pan supporting structure includes a bottom side for placement on a heating element and a top side upon which said frying pan rests. The bottom side and the top side are angled with respect to each other. The liquid, typically in the form of oil or grease in flowing form, substantially collects under the shield which prevents the splattering and splashing of oil and hot grease on the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Inventor: Edmund A. Stanczak
  • Publication number: 20090246339
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for the production of a crystal slurry during the crystallization step of fractionation processes of edible oils and fats and related oil derivatives. The crystallization process for edible oil and fats is carried out in a crystallizer with stationary heat exchange elements, wherein the contents of said crystallizer are made to move along said heat exchange elements in an oscillatory manner without the use of an internal agitator. The crystallizer for edible oil and fats with stationary heat exchange elements is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: N.V. Desmet Ballestra Engineering S.A.
    Inventors: Marc Kellens, Marc Hendrix, Gijs Calliauw
  • Patent number: 7591221
    Abstract: A salad shaker for selectively mixing a salad product with the dressing. In a storage/transportation position, salad stuffed in a bowl having a lid does not contact the dressing sealed in a container having a cover with a handle. In a mixing portion, the cover is removed from outside the shaker to release the dressing into the bowl for preparing the serving when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Founder Plastics Inc.
    Inventor: Chor Joseph Ho
  • Publication number: 20090229478
    Abstract: A fruit/vegetable juice spinning filter includes a container, a strainer basket, and a cover. The container internally defines a chamber and is provided with a bottom opening and a juice outlet. The strainer basket is disposed in the chamber of the container to define a filtered juice receiving space between the container and the strainer basket. The strainer basket has a spinning shaft downward extended through the bottom opening of the container to associate with an external rotary drive source. The cover closes a top of the container and the strainer basket. When an amount of primarily extracted and pulp-containing fruit/vegetable juice is poured into the strainer basket, and the spinning shaft and accordingly the strainer basket are driven by the external rotary drive source to spin, the primarily extracted juice in the strainer basket is centrifugally separated from the pulp to produce almost pulp-free juice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventor: TE-SHENG WU
  • Publication number: 20090229479
    Abstract: Colanders are perforated utensil, basically used for draining foods. The Dip and Drain Canister Colander is used for washing and draining vegetables and fruits fresh or frozen. It has a rectangular shape with medium holes throughout the entire colander, that allows water to flow inside and outward when dipping and draining. The canister colander has a clamp on lid to confine vegetables and fruits as needed when washing vegetables and fruits. The lid clamps inside the top of the canister colander. The rectangular shaped canister colander is a four sided figure, with opposite sides, that are parallel and equal. It also has a pull device which is a handle that is attached to the upper back section of the canister colander, to hold with hand when maneuvering. The canister colander can be maneuvered in several ways. Using the lid is very crucial to get a thorough washing, when carrying out the different kinds of maneuvers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventor: Dorothy Jean Nelson
  • Patent number: 7587974
    Abstract: A food processor appliance includes various types of adaptors for permitting both liquid and solid food ingredients to be separately or concurrently fed into the appliance for processing therein, or for adapting the appliance particularly for processing long, slim food articles, such as carrots, cucumbers, etc. Another described feature is particularly useful for juicer-type appliances, and includes a base for supporting a juice-receiver receptacle, which base includes a retractable tray for catching drippings when the receptacle is not in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: AAC Trade Ltd.
    Inventors: Eli Cohen, Ann Grant
  • Publication number: 20090211460
    Abstract: A bowl and basket assembly kit is disclosed as including an upper basket part (202), a middle basket part (204) and a lower basket part (206) linked with one another and engageable with one another in a way to form a perforated basket (200), an upper bowl part (102), a middle bowl part (104) and a lower bowl part (106) releasably engageable with one another to form a bowl (100) for receiving the perforated basket (200), and an upper locking ring (110) and a lower locking ring (112) which are swivellable about a longitudinal axis (L-L) of the bowl (100), wherein when the upper bowl part (102), middle bowl part (104) and lower bowl part (106) are engaged with one another, each of the locking rings (110, 112) is swivellable between a respective first position in which relative movement between the bowl parts (102, 104, 106) is allowed and a respective second position in which relative movement between the bowl parts (102, 104, 106) is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Kwok Kuen SO, Abel Yiu Chung WAN
  • Publication number: 20090193981
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for pressing a food item into a plurality of sliced configurations. The apparatus may include a top handle device, a bottom handle device, a wheel or basket and a plunger. The top handle device may be connected to the wheel so that the top handle device rotates with respect to the wheel. The plunger may be fixed to the top handle device. The wheel may be fixed to the bottom handle device. The wheel may have a plurality of sections into which a portion of the plunger can be inserted in order to press a food item into a sliced configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventor: Nicholas Webb
  • Publication number: 20090114104
    Abstract: A drying device having a bowl, a basket with a plurality of perforations, a cover assembly, and a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes: a driving mechanism mechanically coupled to a rotatable lid that is configured to mate with a rotatable basket, and a handle pivotally attached to the cover assembly. The handle is configured to actuate the driving mechanism upon rotation of the handle about an axis from a first position to a second position. The drying device may also include a locking mechanism and/or a braking mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Ravi Kumar Sawhney, Kurt Gregory Botsai, John Mark Vernon, Christopher Glupker, Simon Risley, Sanjay Choudhuri, Jason Alan Dimas Rico, Patrice Gerber
  • Publication number: 20090107347
    Abstract: A tool for breaking and opening comprises first and second complementary concave egg-receiving container members pivoted to one another at a first axis, and first and second concave egg-confining members each pivoted to one of the complementary concave egg-receiving container members at a respective axis parallel to the first axis. Egg-piercing points are formed on mating edges of the egg-receiving container members. In order to break and open an egg, the egg-receiving container members are first operated such that their mating edges are juxtaposed to one another, such that an egg-receiving cavity is formed therebetween. An egg is then placed in this cavity, and the egg-confining members are pivoted so as to confine the egg in the cavity. The tool and egg therein are then rapped sharply against a hard surface, such that the shell of the egg is pierced by the egg-piercing points, defining a separation line extending substantially circumferentially around the shell of the egg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Saviour Vassallo
  • Publication number: 20090092722
    Abstract: A juice extractor for extracting juice from comestibles such as fruit and vegetables includes at least one wall delimiting a cavity for receiving the comestible and that has a longitudinal axis. At least a part of the wall of the cavity is moveable transversely towards the longitudinal axis so as to apply a compressive force to the comestible in a substantially radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis. This results in good juice extraction while reducing the risk of the skin of the comestible splitting for a variety of comestible sizes. The risk of contamination by zest or peel oil is therefore reduced. The juice extractor is suitable for domestic use and requires no preparation of the comestibles prior to the juice extraction process being carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Geoffrey Michael BURLINGTON, Roy Edward POULTON
  • Patent number: 7487721
    Abstract: A juice extractor includes first and second opposing cups relatively movable to compress a fruit therebetween, a strainer tube associated with the first cup, and an orifice tube being movable within the strainer tube and having a pressure-applying end surface for urging juice through the strainer tube. The pressure-applying end surface may have a first surface portion with an angle greater than about 130°, and more preferably about 145° to 160°, such as about 150°, for example. The orifice tube may carry a restrictor tube within an internal bore of the orifice tube in some embodiments. The restrictor tube may have a pressure-applying end surface with a similar angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Inventors: João Roberto Amador, Hélio Brandão, Jr., André Vicente Ricco Lucato
  • Patent number: 7484457
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing grease from meat includes a mesh basket for holding the partially cooked meat, a pressure plate for exerting a sustained force on the meat within the mesh basket, one or more spacers for placing on top of the pressure plate, a container for holding the mesh basket with the one or more spacers partially extending beyond an opening in the container and a lid that can be pressed onto the container, sealing the opening and placing sustained force on the spacers, thereby placing sustained force on the pressure plate, thereby compressing the partially cooked meat and extracting grease and excess liquids from the meat through the mesh basket and into the bottom of the container. A handle is provided to hold the container so as to pour out the grease and excess liquids through a flow conducting member, perhaps a spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Inventor: Michael W. Henderson
  • Patent number: 7469631
    Abstract: Device for cleaning the filter pipes used to extract fruit juice, consisting of a cylindrically shaped tube (1) that runs telescopically through the inside of the filter pipe (2), and some circumferential openings (3) have been made at one end of this interior tube (1) through which previously injected pressurized air is expelled along its entire length. The interior tube (1) includes an air inlet (5) that has been provided at one end, and this air inlet (5) is connected to a surrounding chamber (6) with the same configuration as the interior tube (1) and in turn is connected to the openings (3) that this tube has at its other end for cleaning the filter pipe (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Food Machinery Española, S.A.
    Inventor: Juan Antonio Sanchez De Leon Rodriguez Roda
  • Publication number: 20080282908
    Abstract: A method and device are configured to remove or reduce the quantity of one or more contaminants from a beverage, such as an alcoholic beverage. A contaminant removing material may be formed into an object or be associated with an object for contact with a beverage. The invention has particular applicability to removing or reducing the sulfite content of an alcoholic beverage and may change other properties of the beverage, such as its color. The contaminant removing material may be associated with a pour spout. The spout may also include one or more air inlets, an aeration mesh or both to aerate a beverage as it is poured. In addition, the pour spout may include one or more magnets to remove contaminants and change other properties of the beverage, such as its taste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Joseph W. Cole, Elia Rocco Tarantino
  • Patent number: 7448315
    Abstract: A device for drying food is disclosed in an embodiment as a container including a bowl having a side wall terminating at a top edge defining an opening and a cover substantially covering the opening; a basket assembly disposed in the bowl and rotatable relative to the container about an axis at a variable rate of rotation, the basket assembly including a basket having a side wall terminating at a top edge; and a lid, the lid being releasably coupled to the basket and the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventors: Paul Mulhauser, Rebecca Taylor
  • Publication number: 20080241325
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for removing liquid, and more particularly a salt solution, from the surface of a food strand, such as for instance a sausage strand, during displacement of the food strand. The invention also relates to a method for removing liquid from the surface of a food strand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: STORK TOWNSEND B.V.
    Inventor: Adrianus Johannes Maria Reijers
  • Publication number: 20080236408
    Abstract: A churn for processing food products, comprising a rotating drum with an opening for loading and unloading the products, further comprising a hatch provided with elements for detachable coupling to the opening of the drum and comprising ports adapted to allow the outflow of water deposited on the bottom of the drum, elements being provided which are adapted to arrange themselves selectively in a position for opening and closing the ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Giovanni Bolzacchini
  • Publication number: 20080223226
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for processing system foodstuff are shown and described. Food processing systems can hold and prepare food for consumption. The disclosed embodiments provide a drive mechanism that utilizes a contoured surface between a ratchet wheel and a drive mechanism that rotates the ratchet wheel to move the ratchet wheel toward and in engagement with a drive wheel for initiating rotation of the drive wheel and to disengage the ratchet wheel from the drive wheel to allow the drive wheel to rotate freely. The drive wheel is configured to couple to a processing component of the processing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: Chef'n Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Holcomb, Adam A. Jossem
  • Patent number: 7422120
    Abstract: The present invention provides a colander serving bowl having an outer shell with an open bottom, a movable sealing plate with upwardly extending support arms that ride on inclined surfaces on the rim of the outer shell, and a perforated inner shell supported on the sealing place. The sealing plate is movable between a lowered sealing position where the plate seals the open bottom of the outer shell, and a raised draining position where the plate is spaced above the open bottom to allow draining through the open bottom. As the support arms are moved, the support surfaces of the arms move from the lower end to the upper end of the inclined surfaces of the rim, thus moving the sealing plate from the sealing position to the draining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Inventor: Brian Fried
  • Patent number: 7421945
    Abstract: A fruit juice extractor may include a load sensitive coupler coupling a drive motor to a drive shaft during normal operation, and decoupling the drive motor from the drive shaft when the fruit feed members become jammed. The extractor may also include a decoupling detector for detecting decoupling of the load sensitive coupler. The load sensitive coupler may include a rotatable drive hub rotatably carried by a drive shaft and connected to a drive motor, a fixed hub fixed to the drive shaft adjacent the rotatable drive hub, and a shear pin extending between the rotatable drive hub and the fixed hub. The shear pin may couple the rotatable drive hub and the fixed hub together during normal operation and shear to decouple the rotatable drive hub from the fixed hub when the fruit feed members become jammed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: John Bean Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory W. Schrader, Michael L. Suter
  • Publication number: 20080210103
    Abstract: A food processing device, e.g. a salad spinner, has a housing with a lid, a basket supported in the housing for rotation, and a drive mechanism supported by the lid for rotating the basket to spin water from salad in the housing. The drive mechanism has a crank handle and a drive transmission system coupling the handle to the basket to transmit a rotational driving force from the handle to rotate the basket. The drive transmission system has a first rotary gear arranged to receive the rotational driving force from the handle and a second rotary gear in driving engagement with the first gear for receiving the rotational driving force from the first gear to rotate the basket. The first and second gears have corresponding serial formations, e.g., recesses and protrusions, of respective circular cross-sections that are inter-engageable, one in the other, for transmission of the driving force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Yiu Chung Wan, Lance Logan Hood
  • Publication number: 20080196601
    Abstract: The present patent refers to the invention and further development of the oil expeller machine, especially edible and personal use oils, such as those extracted from fruits, grains, flowers and others, seeking to obtain the separation of the solids and the oils that efficiently make it. The objective of the new expeller is to use an expelling tube that does not require assembly nor disassembly of its components, once it is made unique as a whole. The other objective is to supply an oil expeller that is able to keep up the quality of the continuous oil expelling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Jose Guilherme Scott
  • Patent number: 7395753
    Abstract: A comestible product press comprising a first handle having first and second ends; a second handle having first and second ends, wherein the first and second handles are hingedly connected to one another at their first ends; a first protrusion on the first handle, the first protrusion extending toward the second handle when the first and second handles are positioned to define an acute angle therebetween; a second protrusion on the second handle, the second protrusion extending away from the first handle when the first and second handles are positioned to define an acute angle therebetween; and an intermediate member connected to at least one of the first and second handles, wherein the intermediate member substantially fills the space between the first and second protrusions when the first and second handles are brought together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: AMCO Houseworks, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher M. Dorion
  • Publication number: 20080131568
    Abstract: An apparatus for easily removing excess moisture from blocks of tofu. The apparatus is constructed of a sturdy plastic material and is substantially box or rectangular shaped. It is designed to be approximately the size of a block of commercially available tofu. The container which holds the tofu has perforations on the bottom which permits the extracted moisture to drain out and away from the unit. The container with the tofu features four feet on the corners with a drain tray to capture the extracted moisture. There is a flat member that sits on the top of the tofu and an inner top lid that has a spring attached to it. The inner top lid engages a pair of arm like projections and the spring engages another tray that sits on the top of the tofu so that as the spring exerts pressure on the flat member on the tofu water is removed from the tofu.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: Marie B. Kraft
  • Publication number: 20080116252
    Abstract: A storage box capable of separating food from soup comprises a water proof hollow box made of a paper cardboard for storing wet food. The paper cardboard is a further comprises a substrate layer provided with a protective insulating layer for preventing the infiltration of water and germs. There is further a water filtering layer on predetermined location on a surface of the protective insulating layer, whereby the food and the soup can be separated when the carton box is torn properly. It can also added with a tearing piece adjacent to the water filtering layer, whereby the filtering layer will automatically eject soup from the box through when the tearing piece is torn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventor: Yi-Chen Chou
  • Publication number: 20080092755
    Abstract: A juice extractor may include a drive housing and a drive shaft extending outwardly therefrom to a juice extraction area. The juice extractor may further include a shaft seal that, in turn, includes a seal housing and at least one positioning ring contained within the seal housing and surrounding a corresponding drive shaft. The seal may also include at least one sealing ring contained within the seal housing adjacent the at least one positioning ring and surrounding the corresponding drive shaft. The at least one positioning ring may be radially spaced from the corresponding drive shaft when the corresponding drive shaft is aligned along the seal axis, and the at least one sealing ring may sealingly engage the corresponding drive shaft and be radially spaced from adjacent portions of the seal housing when the corresponding drive shaft is aligned along the seal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Suter, Scott Jackson
  • Publication number: 20080078296
    Abstract: A kitchen utensil, such as a salad spinner (10), is disclosed as including a bowl (12) and a suction base mechanism (14) for resting on a support surface (50), in which when the suction base mechanism (14) rests on the surface (50), the bowl (12) is swivelable relative to the suction base mechanism (14) between a first position in which the space (S1 between the suction base mechanism (14) and the surface (50) is of a first volume and a second position in which the space (S2) between the suction base mechanism (14) and the surface (50) is of a second volume which is larger than the first volume to releasably secure said salad spinner (10) to the surface (50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventor: Abel Yiu Chung WAN
  • Patent number: 7337712
    Abstract: A vessel for separating and collecting excess oil from deep fried foods disposed therein before the deep fried foods are sauted. A colander is rotatably mounted in a pot and holds the fried foods. A gear train operatively connects a motor to the colander. The motor is operatively connected to, and rotates, the colander to centrifugally force the excess oil from the deep fried foods out therefrom and collect in the pot. A handle is replaceably attached to the pot by apparatus that utilizes the weight of the handle to prevent the handle from detaching from the pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Inventors: Franklin Wang, Rosaline K. Wang
  • Patent number: 7337715
    Abstract: A juice extractor may include a juice extraction assembly, and at least one pressure-actuated spray nozzle having an inlet to be connected to a controllable fluid pressure source and a spray outlet directed toward the juice extraction assembly and moving between a retracted off position and an extended spray position based upon fluid pressure. The extractor may also include at least one fluid delivery conduit having an inlet to be connected to a controllable source of pressurized fluid, and an outlet. The at least one pressure-actuated spray nozzle may be positioned adjacent extractor cups, such as on their mounting bridge, and have an inlet connected in fluid communication with the outlet of the at least one fluid delivery conduit. The pressure-actuated nozzles may be used for cleaning and/or recycle water. In the retracted position, the pressure-actuated spray nozzles are better able to shed peel and other debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Suter, Mark R. Jackson, Jose Marcelo Carvalho, Gregory W. Schrader, Kevin G. Socha
  • Patent number: 7328655
    Abstract: A juice extractor includes at least one pair of extractor cups being relatively moveable for compressing fruit therebetween. A drive mechanism engages at least one of the extractor cups and includes a drive cam that drives the extractor cup into engagement with the other extractor cup. The drive mechanism includes a return cam for disengaging the extractor cup from the other extractor cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Luiz Fernando da Cruz Baptista
  • Patent number: 7325329
    Abstract: A salad spin-drier with a bowl of glass or ceramic so that part of the water collection bowl, which until now has been purely functional, may be simultaneously used as a serving bowl for the salad. The salad bowl as is standard apart from the bowl has a lid in which a drive mechanism having a rotary drive plate with a cord drum and a pull cord may be set into rotational movement by a pull grip. The rotary drive plate with tabs engages into suitable ribs on the spin-drier basket. The spin-drier basket has a bearing recess which rests on a bearing cam. The bearing cam is separated from the bowl centrally on a plate. The bowl has a planar inner base on which the plate rests, and by way of an abutment edge limiting the plane base one achieves a central mounting of the plate. For the simplified removal of the plate these may have suitable openings easier gripping. A rubber-elastic rest is on the underside of the plate and serves as scratch-protection and slip-protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: MOHA Moderne Haushaltwaren AG
    Inventor: Bruno Herren
  • Patent number: 7305918
    Abstract: A juice extractor includes an extractor frame and extractor cups relatively moveable for compressing fruit therebetween. A camshaft is mounted for rotation within the extractor frame. A drive cam is mounted on the camshaft and operatively engages an extractor cup for driving the extractor cup into engagement with the respective other extractor cup during extractor operation. A counterweight is operatively engaged with the camshaft and provides balance to the juice extractor during extractor operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Luiz Fernando da Cruz Baptista, Francisco Celso Brocchetto
  • Patent number: 7305919
    Abstract: A juice extractor includes extractor cups relatively moveable within a product material area that compress fruit therebetween. A strainer tube is mounted to receive juice and pulp and discharge juice therefrom. A juice manifold is positioned to collect the juice discharged from the strainer tube when an orifice tube moves therein. The juice manifold has an outlet positioned at a side of the extractor frame removed from the product material area to prevent build-up of peel and related byproducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory W. Schrader
  • Patent number: 7305920
    Abstract: A juice extractor includes an extractor frame, at least one inner side panel that divides the interior into a product material area and a drive mechanism cavity. An orifice beam includes an end extending through a beam opening in the inner side panel. An orifice tube is carried by the orifice beam and received within a strainer tube, which is mounted to receive juice and pulp as extractor cups engage together. A drive mechanism is positioned within the drive mechanism cavity and reciprocates the orifice beam to move the orifice tube within the strainer tube. A seal at the orifice beam and the beam opening prevents juice and peel from entering the drive mechanism cavity during extractor operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonio Cunha, Gilmar da Silva Sena, Jose Luiz Comanini, Jose Marcelo Carvalho, Gregory W. Schrader, Andre V. R. Lucato