By Isolating A Fluid Constituent Patents (Class 99/495)
  • Patent number: 6269741
    Abstract: Olive or other fruit paste from which oil is to be recovered is spread upon and sandwiched between two filter mats which are in turn sandwiched between two filter plates. Filter plates have slots extending from within the plate to the outer edges. Additional layers of paste between filter mats and a filter plate between each layer may be added to form a stack which is then placed on a press. As pressure is applied, juice containing the oil to be recovered flows out of the paste, through the filter mats and out of the stack through the conduits formed by the slots in the filter plates. By providing conduits, flow length and flow resistance is dramatically reduced resulting in more efficient and faster juice extraction. Filter mats can be economically fabricated to any size or shape, have selectable flow rates to match the properties of a particular paste, can be repeatedly reused, and can be washed at the end of the season for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventor: William M. Young
  • Patent number: 6260475
    Abstract: A manually operated coffee bean press for ensuring the proper extraction of coffee. The manually operated coffee bean press includes a frame. The frame includes a base and a leg. The leg includes a first end, a second end, and a front side and a back side with a peripheral wall extending therebetween. The frame also includes a shelf comprising a plate integrally coupled to the leg. The coffee bean pressing apparatus also includes a cylinder integrally coupled to the leg. The coffee bean pressing apparatus further comprises a piston member including a shaft being positioned in the cylinder. The shaft includes a hole with a lever removably coupled to it. The lever is hingedly coupled to the leg by a hinging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventors: Clio Tegel, Warwick Smith
  • Patent number: 6260480
    Abstract: An egg cleaning kit is provided for removing contents of a raw egg from the interior of a shell so that the shell's exterior surface may be decorated. The kit includes a hole-former for producing an opening through the shell, and an injector including a nozzle that is insertable through the opening. The injector operates to introduce air into the interior at a pressure greater than ambient pressure whereby the interior becomes pressurized thereby to eject the contents of the raw egg from the shell. The egg cleaning kit may also include either a surface decoration material adapted to be applied to the exterior surface of the shell during the decorative process, a holder for engaging the shell after removal of the contents and for supporting the shell during the decorative process, or a container which includes a lid for allowing submersion of the shell in the decorative fluid. A method of treating a raw egg for decorative purposes is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Kea L. Bardeen
  • Patent number: 6244529
    Abstract: Disclosed is a manually-operated garlic grater which is very easy to use and very efficient to grate cloves of garlic. This garlic grater has a casing defining a tubular cavity having a lateral opening. A handle is removably mounted in a rotatable manner onto the casing on top of one end of the tubular cavity. A hollow grating drum is rigidly connected to the handle so as to be rotated therewith. This drum extends within the tubular cavity when the handle is mounted onto the casing and has a cylindrical wall which extends at a short distance away from the inner wall of the tubular cavity. The handle and hollow grating drum altogether form one piece. A base is removably mounted onto the casing on top of the other ends of the tubular cavity. A wiper is rigidly connected to the base. This wiper extending radially within the drum when the base is mounted on the casing and bearing against the cylindrical wall of the drum to wipe the cylindrical wall when the drum is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignees: Desing Pierre Tardif Inc., Les Entreprises Yvan Laporte Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Tardif, George Bigelow, Sr., George Bigelow, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20010003006
    Abstract: According to the invention, the pressing of juice out of bulbs, for example garlic, can be effected in a garlic presser (4), where the bulb (3) is packaged in a bag (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Publication date: June 7, 2001
    Inventor: Steen Folkjaer
  • Patent number: 6237474
    Abstract: A manually operated, two lever arm type garlic press is provided which a detachably associated cleaning plate that is stored at the front end of the one of the lever arms (preferably, the first lever arm). The cleaning plate is provided with projections on its inner surface which are adopted to engage with apertures in the floor plate of the press chamber so as to clean debris from the apertures after usage of the garlic press. During storage, the projections extend forwardly from the associated lever arm. The cleaning plate is provided with opposing side clips and with top and bottom stabilizing legs that coact together and cooperate with side portions of the associated lever arm adjacent to the front end to hold the cleaning plate relative to that lever arm. Preferably, the top stabilizing leg also functions as a lock to retain the lever arms in a closed configuration during garlic press storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: The Pampered Chef, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kevin G. Short, Leon C. Clouser, Jr., David May, Diane Subsits, Daiying Huang
  • Patent number: 6213008
    Abstract: A multi-functional food processor comprises a processing rack, a elevated device and/or a rotary device. An appropriate tool stand is selected to fixedly attach an end of the processor rack. Then, adjust the turning knob in the elevated device such that the wedge on the push lever displaces to actuate the wedge together with the base plate displacing vertically for changing the difference of elevation between the base plate and the cutter. When a treated food touches the cutter, the slice product with desired thickness or the powder product with desired grains can be cut or ground properly. For the treated food being cut into shreds, repeat procedures of selecting the tool stand and adjust the elevated device to obtain a desired difference of elevation between the base plate and the cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventor: Huo Feng Hsia Kuan
  • Patent number: 6196122
    Abstract: A manual juicer has a base container, a grip connected to the base container, a strainer cup disposed in the base container, a pressure device disposed in the strainer cup, and a pressing handle connected to the pressing handle and the base container. The pressing handle has a saddle end. The grip has a pedestal and a bottom corrugation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Ming-Hsiung Lai
  • Patent number: 6161473
    Abstract: A rice washing apparatus which can wash rice in a short time with a high degree of efficiency, and which can prevent occurrence of fragmentation of the rice, is composed of a rice washing tank formed of a cylindrical body, having a lower part in an inverted conical shape, and formed in its lower end with a rice discharge port, a water discharge pipe connected to a side of the lower part of the rice washing tank, a hollow valve rod adapted to be moved up and down in the rice washing tank, and provided in the lower part thereof with a rice discharge valve for opening and closing the rice discharge port, a hollow rotary shaft through which the valve rod is extended, and an agitating member 10 mounted to the rotary shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventor: Kisaku Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6152025
    Abstract: A structure and method is provided for absorbing excess fat from an environment including one or more fats insolubly combined in an aqueous solution mix. The structure includes a plurality of layers, at least one of which is formed from a preferentially fat-permeable, oleophilic material having a greater affinity for fat than for the aqueous solution. Preferably, the structure includes particular structural and topographic components that effectively enhance the inherent fat-affinity of the oleophilic material. The absorption structure is easily employed by introducing it into an environment such as a soup, broth, etc., having fat residing in an aqueous solution. The structure acts to attract and absorb at least a portion of the fat which can then be extracted from the solution. A process for forming the multi-layer absorption structure is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventors: Hal J. Oien, Robert L. Larson
  • Patent number: 6131508
    Abstract: A garlic surface membrane stripper comprises a first body, a second body, a press rod, and a press structure. The first body is installed with a plurality of membrane stripping claws therewithin. The lower ends of the membrane stripping claws are formed with respective free ends, and each of the membrane stripping claw is installed with a protrusion. The membrane stripping claws encircles around a space as a chamber. The second body is installed with an assembling hole and an inlet, and the second body is connected to an upper end of the first body. The press rod is slidably matched to an assembling hole of the second body. The press structure is installed with a plurality of press pieces, and the press structure is connected to a lower end of the press rod. By aforesaid structure, a garlic surface membrane stripper is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Chuan Yu Tsai
  • Patent number: 6109170
    Abstract: A manually operated, two lever arm type garlic press is provided which a detachably associated cleaning plate that is stored at the front end of the one of the lever arms (preferably, the first lever arm). The cleaning plate is provided with projections on its inner surface which are adopted to engage with apertures in the floor plate of the press chamber so as to clean debris from the apertures after usage of the garlic press. During storage, the projections extend forwardly from the associated lever arm. The cleaning plate is provided with opposing side clips and with top and bottom stabilizing legs that coact together and cooperate with side portions of the associated lever arm adjacent to the front end to hold the cleaning plate relative to that lever arm. Preferably, the top stabilizing leg also functions as a lock to retain the lever arms in a closed configuration during garlic press storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: The Pampered Chef, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kevin G. Short, Leon C. Clouser, Jr., David May, Diane Subsits, Daiying Huang
  • Patent number: 6092460
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for removing liquid from solid canned goods such as tuna. More specifically, the present invention is a hand held strainer device which operates in scissor-like fashion and includes opposing, hinged members with one having a can support and the other having a free floating strainer. The device further includes a quick-release, thumb activated ratchet-locking and engaging mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventor: Jeffrey Engelhardt
  • Patent number: 6089147
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for pressing a material selected from materials of vegetable and animal origin. The process includes the steps of mechanically compressing the material of vegetable or animal origin while simultaneously vibrating the material at an ultrasonic frequency. The ultrasonic frequency going through the material modifies the material's internal state so as to considerably reduce resistance offered by the material to mechanical compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Saitec s.r.l.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Rodriguez, Maurizio Cini, Cristina Cavallari, Giuseppe Motta
  • Patent number: 6068870
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating a liquid from a material in a container includes a plate configured to substantially match an inner contour of the container, the plate having an obverse surface and a reverse surface, a plurality of apertures formed by the plate, and a press element and a pull element on the obverse surface of the plate. A method of separating a liquid from a material in a container includes the steps of removing a lid from the container, inserting the apparatus into an open end of the container, manually compressing the material with the apparatus, and tilting the container to drain the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: Matthew P. Strauss
  • Patent number: 6058833
    Abstract: An automatic grater for producing vegetable and fruit paste mainly includes a grating disc and a rotational retainer screwed around a motor rotational shaft to rotate at high speed along with the rotational shaft. Vegetable and/or fruit can be fed into the grater to contact with the rapidly rotated grating disc and be grated into paste that falls in the also rapidly rotated rotational retainer. The paste is thrown by a centrifugal force to pass a side opening between a lid and the rotational retainer and be collected in a paste collector connected to the side opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventors: Kuo-I Ling, Rong-Yuan Tseng
  • Patent number: 6035771
    Abstract: A food processor has a handle (4) connected to a gear assembly (G1, G2, G3, G4) by which different rotary tools (B) connected to the end (10) of a central shaft (8) in the processor may be rotated (FIG. 3). Different sets of the gears are engaged according to the speed with which the selected tool is to be rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: William Levene Limited
    Inventors: Sebastian Conran, Joseph Patrick O'Connor
  • Patent number: 6032574
    Abstract: Re-configurable modular food processing cells (10) consisting of rapidly re-configurable functional modules (50) are easily transported to any site for appropriate reconfiguration to process harvested crop material. Each cell (10) provides a shipping container-type enclosure (20), and is therefore highly transportable. Within each modular food processing cell are a plurality of functional modules (50), each module adapted for a specific food processing function, such as cleaning, grinding or filling or labeling containers. Transitional fixtures and fittings (80) allow the output of a first functional module to be input into a second functional module. A computer control system (30), carried by each cell (10), controls the operation of each module (50) by means of control circuitry (40) and video display instructions to the module operator personnel (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventors: Darryl D. Brayton, Stephen G. Romero, Howard M. Rickard
  • Patent number: 6018883
    Abstract: A device for drying food is provided. The device includes a bowl having a bottom wall and a sidewall terminating in a top edge, a cover removably connected to the top edge of the bowl, a basket assembly including a basket and a removable lid disposed in the bowl and rotatable relative to the bowl about an axis, and a brake assembly carried by the cover and engageable with the lid for stopping rotation of the basket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: General Housewares Corp.
    Inventor: Paul Mulhauser
  • Patent number: 6000321
    Abstract: A rice washing apparatus comprising a rice washing apparatus body including a rice washing vessel portion and a carryout portion formed on an upper outer periphery of the rice washing vessel portion and a lid adapted to cover an upper opening portion of the carryout portion, the rice washing vessel portion including a nozzle port formed in a central area of a bottom portion thereof, a stream guide tube vertically supported at a central area within the rice washing vessel portion immediately above the nozzle port and between the nozzle portion and the lid with a space, and a drainage hole opening at an area in the vicinity of the nozzle port, the carryout portion including an outlet port, and switch means disposed between the lid and the rice washing apparatus body and adapted to selectively switch between a rice washing position for tightly closing the rice washing vessel portion and a carrying out position where the rice washing vessel portion is in communication with the carryout portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha International Chemical
    Inventor: Norio Maruyama
  • Patent number: 6001221
    Abstract: Apparatus for condensing moisture from an air stream. The condenser includes concentric cylinders having a common wall. The outer cylinder contains a cooling material, such as water, and upon contact therewith, the air stream is cooled and moisture contained therein is condensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Big Beans Holding Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuyoshi Kuboyama
  • Patent number: 5997919
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coagulating a coextruded collagen gel on a sausage strand by removing residual brine from the strand after coagulation by passing the elongated sausage strand through an aperture of a flexible diaphragm having a diameter equal to that of the strand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Townsend Engineering Company
    Inventors: Jaap Kobussen, Mart Kobussen, Jos Kobussen, Vincent Louis Basile, II
  • Patent number: 5996485
    Abstract: A juice extractor includes upper and lower cups for supporting the exterior of a fruit and separating the peel therefrom. A strainer tube is mounted to receive the juice and pulp of the fruit. An orifice tube is moveable within the strainer tube. A mounting assembly is positioned on the orifice tube. A drive mechanism engages the mounting assembly for reciprocating the orifice tube within the strainer tube. An alignment bearing is interposed between the mounting assembly and the orifice tube and allows pivotal movement of the orifice tube relative to the mounting assembly to account for any mechanical misalignment. At least one mounting ring is interposed between the alignment bearing and the mounting assembly. The mounting ring is preferably formed from a glass impregnated polyester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Michael L. Suter, D. Scott Jackson
  • Patent number: 5992311
    Abstract: A juice extractor includes a mechanism for supporting the exterior of a fruit and separating the peel therefrom, such as upper and lower cups having cutters to cut plugs. A strainer tube is mounted to receive juice and pulp of the fruit. An orifice tube has upper and lower ends and the upper end is moveable within the strainer tube. A reciprocating drive mechanism engages the orifice tube and reciprocates the orifice tube within the strainer tube for generating pressure within the strainer tube to separate juice and pulp within the strainer tube, collect the core material and discharge core out of the lower end of the orifice tube. A valve assembly is positioned at the lower end of the orifice tube. The valve assembly includes a piston having a shaft moveable into an extended position within the orifice tube, and a retracted position where core can be discharged from the lower end of the orifice tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Michael L. Suter, John A. Freer, Guillermo T. Segredo
  • Patent number: 5992309
    Abstract: A device for drying food includes a bowl having a bottom wall and a sidewall terminating in a top edge, a cover removably connected to the top edge of the bowl and a perforated basket disposed in the bowl and rotatable relative thereto coaxially therewith, and a drive assembly coupled to the basket for effecting rotation thereof. The drive assembly includes a linearly reciprocating handle structure with a screw shaft engageable with a nut coupled to the basket for converting the reciprocating movement of the handle structure to rotary motion of the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: General Housewares Corp.
    Inventors: Paul J. Mulhauser, Erika Elmuts, Elizabeth Erin O'Halloran, Mario M. Protano, Jonathan C. Roche, Clinton N. Tate
  • Patent number: 5970861
    Abstract: A juice extractor includes a mechanism such as upper and lower cups for supporting the exterior of a fruit and separating the peel therefrom. A strainer tube is mounted to receive juice and pulp of the fruit. An orifice tube is movable within the strainer tube. A mounting assembly is positioned on the orifice tube. A reciprocating drive mechanism engages the mounting assembly for reciprocating the orifice tube into and out of the strainer tube. A release member cooperates with the orifice tube and the mounting assembly to permit release and relative movement of the mounting assembly relative to the orifice tube responsive to the orifice tube becoming lodged within the strainer tube to prevent damage to other portions of the juice extractor. A release member comprises a ring received on the orifice tube and formed of a material that shears when excessive pressure is applied as when the orifice tube becomes lodged within the strainer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Michael L. Suter, David N. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5970860
    Abstract: A food processor includes a food processing unit and a separate base for holding the food processing unit in position for operation. The food process unit and base have respective portions for releasable inter-connection. The base includes a bottom suction member for releasable attachment by suction onto a support surface and an internal locking member movable between a first position stretching the suction member and locking the food processing unit connected to the base and a second position for releasing the suction member and the food processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Chung Lun Yip
  • Patent number: 5960709
    Abstract: A food processor includes a lid having an opening for receiving food, a container below the lid and having an opening provided with a metal ring, a food cutting disc for use at the opening and provided with a number of metal parts for contact with the metal ring, and a handle for rotating the cutting disc to cut the food received. The metal ring and parts are provided for contact with each other to resist wear-and-tear through relative rotation between the cutting disc and the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventor: Chung Lun Yip
  • Patent number: 5927185
    Abstract: A tool for egg boiling is provided which includes a handle (2) and a concave liquid draining element located at the one end of the handle for supporting an egg. The tool shaft is provided with a resilient tongue (23), one end of which is fixed to the shaft, and a free end of which carries a spike (24) with an orientation which is perpendicular relative to the tongue for picking a hole in the shell of the egg (7). The shaft forms a guide (21) in order to center, at least in one dimension in the plane of the tongue, the egg in relation to the spike. The guiding establishes a predetermined distance between the end of the egg and the spike of the tongue when the tongue is in a non-loaded condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Sverker Arnberg
  • Patent number: 5924357
    Abstract: A fruit and vegetable juice extractor includes a motor base, a rotary disk rotatably mounted on the top of the motor base, a housing secured on the top of the motor base and containing a socket defined in the bottom thereof for receiving the rotary disk therein, a funnel-shaped strainer hood rotatably mounted in the housing and having a bottom wall secured to the rotary disk to rotate therewith, and a tapered wall containing a plurality of meshes formed therein, and a cutter disk rotatably mounted in the housing and secured to the bottom wall of the strainer hood to rotate therewith. A cover is mounted to the top of the housing and includes a feed tube having a first end portion extending outward from the cover, and a second end portion extending inward from the cover and located adjacent to the cutter disk, and a baffle device formed in the cover and located adjacent to the cutter disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Inventor: Ming-Sung Chen
  • Patent number: 5906154
    Abstract: Juice extractor, is disclosed, for crushing fruits or leaves, or root of green vegetable for extracting green juice, wherein, considering the incomplete juice extraction of the related art juice extractor, the present invention is provided with thread end portions and vacant portions at a rear portion of a screw for enhancing a crushing effect, and a fore end portion with reduced diameter at a fore end thereof, to which fore end a juice extracting member having detachable extracting net member and mounting member is coupled for secondary extraction, that improves a juice extraction efficiency, whereby further improving a pressing effect of the raw material for extracting juice, which provides a better yield, allowing an easy removal of remnants accumulated inside of the juice extracting components, to maintain the extractor clean, reducing a ratio of elasticity degradation caused by a prolonged use, and using in making noodle, as an alternative use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Dong-A Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong Kyu Yoon, Yun Ja Kang
  • Patent number: 5904090
    Abstract: A salad spinner having a base which receives a basket for rotation therein. A cover mounts to the base and includes a drive plate with engages the basket to drive same. The basket includes an upper edge spaced closely to the base for stability. The basket further includes one or more access depressions permitting a user to insert a finger between the basket and base. The drive plate includes one or more drive projections which abut against the access depressions, permitting these access depressions to also be used as a portion of the drive train. The cover may be inverted to an inoperative position for reduced storage space, and a storage cap may be secured to the base to store the salad spinner, of simply the contents of the base, free from contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Stig Lillelund, Jakob Heiberg, Mikael Koch, Robert H.C.M. Daenen, Johan M.J.K. Mortier
  • Patent number: 5902481
    Abstract: A strainer device for assisting in draining packing liquid from opened tuna fish cans, as well as from opened cans of produce such as vegetables, fruit, and beans, the device including a molded plastic short hollow cylinder open at the top end and closed at the bottom end with a perforated bottom wall, the strainer body sized to be slidably fit into an opened tuna fish can. A pair of flange ears at the top enable the bottom each to be pushed into the tuna to force the liquid out through the bottom wall perforations as well as a series of slots around the perimeter. The bottom wall bulges down to be convexly shaped, aiding in moving the liquid out through the slots and also allows an inverted open can of produce to drain through the perforations as the strainer is resting on a supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Inventor: Clinton L. Schwietert
  • Patent number: 5894791
    Abstract: A material mixture is separated into components of different flowability using a perforated drum mounted in a housing and supported by a detachable mounted portion. The drum is partially wrapped by a presser belt with is pressed against the drum by an adjustable pressure roller. The housing is formed as a parallelepiped-shaped shaft with a dividing wall to separate the drive section from the service section. The presser belt is guided to form an angle of 20.degree. to 30.degree. with respect to the drum and the drum is driven to have a peripheral speed of two to six percent higher than that of the presser roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud. Baader GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Rose, Klaus Ziebell
  • Patent number: 5873302
    Abstract: A pulp wash system in which recovery of juice and sugar solids is enhanced by the provision of an in-line static mixer disposed in the line between a pump supplying pulp to a finisher and the finisher. A plurality of pulp inlet pumps and finishers may be connected in series. Further, in using a series of finishers, the liquid introduced into each finisher except for the last finisher comes from the liquid output from a subsequent or further downstream finisher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Guillermo T. Segredo
  • Patent number: 5865109
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for relatively rotatable components such as a salad spinner comprising a bowl, a colander adapted to rest within the bowl, a lid for the bowl and colander, and a drive mechanism associated with the lid and operatively connected to the colander for rotating the colander relative to the bowl. The drive mechanism includes a handle and a drive gear associated with the handle rotatably attaching the turret to the lid, a pinion gear in driving engagement with the turret, and a clutch interposed between the pinion gear and the turret. The pinion gear meshes with the drive gear whereby movement of the handle in one direction engages the clutch to transmit movement to the turret for spinning of the colander in one direction. Movement of the handle in the opposite direction disengages the clutch. The clutch comprises a clutch housing and a clutch assembly receivable within the clutch housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Wilton Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff W. Bull
  • Patent number: 5852965
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing soybean milk and curd, which includes an upper body assembly including a retention cup, in which a drive unit adapted to drive a rotating shaft carrying a soybean milling blade, and a control unit are contained, and a cover provided with an electrical connecting adapter. The apparatus also includes a cylindrical lower body having an open upper end closable by the upper body assembly, the cylindrical lower body serving to collect therein soybean milk leached from soybeans being milled, and a dreg barrel assembly including a dreg barrel body adapted to contain soybeans, to be milled, therein, and provided with a sieve serving to allow soybean milk to be discharged from the dreg barrel body while preventing bean-curd dregs from being discharged from the dreg barrel body, and a cap covering an upper end of the dreg barrel body. A heater is disposed in the lower body outside the dreg barrel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Inventor: Hong-Bae Kim
  • Patent number: 5802964
    Abstract: A fruit juice extraction apparatus for processing citrus fruit in general, without manual contact, comprising a tubular chassis having mounted thereon an extraction box affixed to a gearmotor for actuating an crank and rod assembly which dislocates one concave hemisphere against another concave hemisphere, thereby pressing fruit released by a trigger positioned on an opening in a tray in which one of the concave hemispheres has a central pin and on the other a perforating tube for the extraction of the juice, the solid residues of the fruit being released into a receptacle and the liquid passing through a filter, then falling into a reservoir which has outlet ports therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Carlos Neto Mendes
  • Patent number: 5799570
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus for the extraction of oil from fried food products, especially thin food products, such as snack products, in which the food product is not damaged and which enables an especially homogeneous distribution of the seasonings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Zweifel Pomy Chips AG
    Inventors: Priscilla Albisser, Guido Bohler, Alfred Meister, Manfred Wockel
  • Patent number: 5791237
    Abstract: A garlic press is described which utilizes a unique grater plate comprising a plurality of spaced apart drain holes and a plurality of conical projections. A corresponding press plate contains numerous recesses to receive the projections to facilitate the pressing of the garlic by penetrating the skin of the garlic clove. The garlic press may use a clean-out tool which includes a plurality of clean-out pins for engaging the drain holes in the grater plate. The tool can be stored by clipping it to one of the handles of the press when not in use. The pins of the clean out tool are a fixed length between three in four times of thickness of the grater plate. Alternatively, the clean out tool can be affixed to the press unit opposite the press plate with the top presser unit rotated about 270 degrees from a closed position to a fully open position, allowing the clean out pins to enter through the drain holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Faye Fong Chen
    Inventor: Jeremy H. Gibson
  • Patent number: 5778769
    Abstract: A new rice rinsing system for cleaning natural grown rice without having to get hands wet. The inventive device includes a cylindrical water bowl having an open upper end, a closed lower end and a cylindrical side wall therebetween. A cylindrical shaft extends upwardly from the closed lower end. A cylindrical rice holder is provided having an open upper end, a closed lower end and a cylindrical side wall therebetween. The closed lower end and the cylindrical side wall of the rice holder are perforated. A hollow cylindrical sleeve extends upwardly from the closed lower end of the rice holder. The cylindrical sleeve has an open lower end for receiving the cylindrical shaft of the water bowl therein when the rice holder is positioned within the water bowl. A water bowl lid is dimensioned for covering the open upper end of the water bowl. The water bowl lid has a centrally disposed aperture therethrough with a cylindrical collar extending upwardly therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Inventor: Albert A. Dodson
  • Patent number: 5771791
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multipurpose juice extractor having a closed lower chamber for collecting residue of ground material in a compartment next to another compartment for grinding material. Juice extracted from the ground material flows via a juice outlet into a juice collector. The juice collector is provided with built-in electric heating means and can be directly heated on the juice extractor to cook the juice collected therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Inventors: Kuo-I Ling, Rong-Yuan Tseng
  • Patent number: 5771792
    Abstract: A fruit cleaning device includes a lid and a bowl. The lid comprises a barrel shaped handle with a plurality of small apertures formed on the lid within the handle. The bowl comprises a plurality of blades extending along the inner wall thereof and a plurality of scrapers along the bottom surface bulging upwardly therefrom. Upon the lid and the bowl are closed, an enclosure is formed which is able to receive fruits and water therein. By shaking the device, the fruit will roll on the blades and scrapers that will scratch off any foreign objects attached on the fruits. The water is later drained from the small apertures, and fruit are cleaned thoroughly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Inventor: Tsung-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 5761993
    Abstract: A juice-extractor also serving as a grinder suitable for extracting juice from water-containing materials, such as vegetables, fruits, soybeans, and for grinding dry material into powder, such as coffee beans, green beans, nuts. In addition to elements similar to that of a juice-extractor, such as the funnel, the top cover, the lower grinding disc, the meshes-containing filter, the residue collector, the juice flow guider, and the base, the grinder also includes a bag made of air-pervious fabric and a rotational retainer having a closed side wall. When the juice-extractor is to serve as a grinder to grind a dry material into powder, the air-pervious bag is used to replace the residue collector and the rotaional retainer is used to replace the meshes-containing filter, so that powder produced from the grinding can be directly sent into the bag instead of the juice flow guider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventors: Kuo-I Ling, Rong-Yuan Tseng
  • Patent number: 5752434
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a form system for tofu production, comprising: a bottom plate; a frame, surrounding the bottom plane; a form grid, further comprising: a border, having a plurality of holes, surrounding an area, which is relatively wide at the top side and relatively narrow at the bottom side, a plurality of V-shaped longitudinal ridges, having two ends connected with the border and open to the bottom side, and a plurality of V-shaped transverse ridges, having two ends connected with the border and open to the bottom side, such that the form grid is divided into a plurality of fields, which are relatively wide at the top side and relatively narrow at the bottom side; a gauze cloth; and a top plate; wherein, for producing tofu, the frame is placed on the bottom plate, the bottom side of the form grid is placed on the bottom plate, the gauze cloth is laid from the top side on the form grid, covering the fields, tofu raw material is poured into the fields, the top plate is laid on the tofu raw ma
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Inventor: Feng-Shian Kuan
  • Patent number: 5732616
    Abstract: A hand-operated device for separating moist, fatty ground meat while said meat is being cooked on a heated cooking surface. Said device includes an elongated handle having a distal blade attachment end and a proximal free end. Four non-metallic separating blades are provided with each having substantially parallel front and rear surfaces bounded by an inner side edge, an outer side edge, a top edge and a bottom edge. Said bottom edge is in said form of an angled surface. Said four blades are integrated at their inner side edges oriented at about right angles to each other to form an X or cross pattern. Each blade has a critical minimum thickness of at least 5/16 inch thick between said blade front and rear surfaces to ensure separation of said moist, fatty ground meat as said blade passes entirely through said meat, and to prevent reagglomeration of said separated moist, fatty ground meat as said blade is removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Inventor: Dick D. Bryan
  • Patent number: 5720218
    Abstract: A fruit juice extraction apparatus for processing citrus fruit in general, without manual contact, comprising a tubular chassis having mounted thereon an extraction box affixed to a gearmotor for actuating an crank and rod assembly which dislocates one concave hemisphere against another concave hemisphere, thereby pressing fruit released by a trigger positioned on an opening in a tray in which one of the concave hemispheres has a central pin and on the other a perforating tube for the extraction of the juice, the solid residues of the fruit being released into a receptacle and the liquid passing through a filter, then falling into a reservoir which has outlet ports therein, each of the concave hemispheres having its concave surface defined by a plurality of spaced-apart radial blades of at least two different lengths and depending from a base mounted to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Carlos Neto Mendes
  • Patent number: 5720219
    Abstract: A fruit juice extraction apparatus for processing citrus fruit in general, without manual contact, comprising a tubular chassis having mounted thereon an extraction box affixed to a gearmotor for actuating a sliding assembly which dislocates one concave hemisphere against another concave hemisphere, thereby pressing fruit released by a trigger positioned on an opening in a tray in which one of the concave hemispheres has a fruit peeler and on the other a perforating tube for the extraction of the juice, the solid residues of the fruit being released into a receptacle and the liquid passing through a filter, then falling into a reservoir which has outlet ports therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Carlos Neto Mendes
  • Patent number: 5706721
    Abstract: A food can drainer for a can containing a solid foodstuff and packing fluid is a foraminous sheet sized to fit an end of the can when the can is open at that end, with holes in the sheet sized to retain the foodstuff in the can, yet allow flow of the packing fluid when the can is tipped to decant the fluid. For typical cylindrical cans such as tuna or salmon, the drainer is a perforated disc sized to fit snugly in the can so that, when the can is inverted, packing fluid flows out of the holes in the disc and manual pressure can be exerted to squeeze out excess fluid. The holes are positioned so that the packing fluid forms a stream in the approximate center of the drainer. The drainer can be installed in the can during or after canning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventor: Hamilton E. Homes
  • Patent number: 5704281
    Abstract: A washing container using water and a rotatable brush for washing various granular food, and is especially applicable for medium and small size granular fruits. It is comprised of: a receiving barrel, a rotatable brush and an upper cover. Food is put in from a throw-in port and falls down in the receiving barrel filed with water, and the rotatable brush is rotated. The food to be cleaned is brushed and washed. Air containing ozone or ozone/anion is generated in a base of the receiving barrel and is injected into the receiving barrel to form bubbles to eliminate dirt and pesticide on the surfaces of the food, so as to keep the freshness of the food and to also clean the food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Inventor: Huo-Tu Huang