Abstract: The apparatus of the invention comprises three stages. The first stage extracts soy milk from soybean go, and comprises a cylindrical pot, a cylindrical filter for receiving go held within the pot, there being an annular gap between the filter and the pot, a wire cloth disk movable within the filter, the disk having a circumferential seal for sealing between the edges of the disk and the sides of the filter, and a press assembly for urging the disk downwardly within the filter, whereby soy milk is extracted from the go, passes through the filter and into the annular gap. The soy milk is cooked in the pot. A solidifier is added while a second stage of the apparatus of the invention creates a gentle turbulence within the soy milk. After the soybean curds are formed, the third stage of the invention compresses the curds into tofu. The third stage comprises a form having openings for escape of whey which fits within the pot.

Abstract: An improved barrel extruder for extracting oil from seeds and other vegetable matter comprises a barrel screw that extends a substantial distance from the barrel downstream end and substantially through an extractor head. The extractor head is divided into three sections comprising a screen section and a port section where oil is extracted under extreme pressure and a tip section where the pulp is forced through a narrow gap to provide back pressure to the pulp in the port section. Under the extreme pressure developed in the port section, a substantial portion of the oil content of the oil seed or vegetable matter is extracted from the pulp. The extractor head is configured to permit the screen section and port section and separately the tip section to be easily exchanged for oil seeds and vegetable matter with different pulping characteristics and oil volume or percentage content.

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.

Abstract: An extractor device for extracting, filtering, measuring, and containing a subsurface portion of liquid soup, which having less fat content mixed than a surface area, from a soup pot in a single dipping application; comprising: A cylinder, container body which has a center bottom hole for liquid to flow through. A perforated filter can be attached to the bottom hole for filtering during the extraction. The upper part of the container has a support structure and a handle connected. The plugging means is interconnected with the support structure to be constantly closing the bottom hole. The opening means is made to be activated to disengage the plugging means to open the bottom hole. Whereby the container can be dipped into a soup pot and set the bottom hole and a lower portion of the container at a subsurface of the liquid soup.

Abstract: An improved juice finisher having a housing including a screen defining a central cavity with a rotating finisher worm disposed within the cavity and having a first section with a plurality of first flights, an intermediate section with a plurality of paddles, and a final section with a plurality of final flights; with the intermediate section beginning at the point the first flights terminate so juice may be more efficiently extracted from juice-carrying pulp.

Abstract: The automatic citrus fruit juicer has a fixed frame with an upper platform and a lower platform. A first drum with a vertical axis is rotatably mounted and actuated between the platforms and is crossed by holes for the passage of fruit juice. A second drum with a vertical axis is rotatable eccentrically outside the first drum and is provided with lateral pressing means for pressing its inner surface toward the outer surface of the first drum at a citrus fruit squashing region. A unit for cutting fruits into two halves is mounted above the drums at an opening of the upper platform provided to allow the fruit halves to drop between the drums so that the cut surfaces of the citrus fruits rest against the surface of the first drum. The lower platform is provided with a hole for the exit of the fruit juice and with a chute for removing the peels of the squashed fruit halves.

Abstract: A system for producing low fat ground meat is disclosed. The system comprises a specifically configured cooking vessel into which is selectively placed a fat removal apparatus. The apparatus comprises a series of tubes which are arranged and configured to remove liquified fat from the meat after cooking.

Abstract: A process to separate insoluble solid portions from soluble liquid materials of fruits with increased performance and yield using a press (7) wherein water, is first supplied to a mill for crushing the fruit. The soluble materials are then separated from the solid portions as juice in the press (7). The relationship between water feed and fruit feed can be controlled by a of microprocessor (22). An apparatus for carrying out this process is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for extracting juice or pulp from food produce. It is particularly useful in the food conserves industry for separating the juice or pulp of fruit and vegetables from the skins and seeds. A tubular strain, provided with an inlet and a discharge outlet for refuse by-products, has at its centre a shaft bearing a plurality of spatulas, each of which has an extremity set very close to a surface of the strain; each of the spatulas bears at its peripheral end a plate made of a hard material, which projects radially from the main body and delimit a free zone between the front face and the peripheral extremity of the spatula. The tubular strain exhibits holes which are of progressively or step-by-step diminishing diameter, going from the inlet to the discharge outlet, and also exhibits an annular support which surrounds the strain.

Abstract: A juice extractor comprising a grinding chamber provided with a pair of helical gears for crushing juice material and a compression chamber disposed beneath and communicated with the grinding chamber and provided with a pair of rotating spiral screws. The spiral ridges of the spiral screws have cut-outs which engage with annular ribs formed on the interior surface of the compression chamber so that the residue produced by the helical gears of the grinding chamber is pressed against the annular ribs by the curved surfaces of the spiral ridges of the rotating spiral screws, thus further squeezing out juice from the residue.

Abstract: An implement for separating the liquid medium from the solid contents of canned foodstuffs, e.g., canned tunafish, having two arms pivotally connected by a hinge, e.g., a pivot pin, one arm ending in a compression plate and the other arm ending in a can receptacle, one or both arms being bent to allow substantial alignment of the compression plate and can receptacle, is described. The opposite ends of both arms are handles; and the compression plate is sized so as to fit into the can containing foodstuffs and allow liquid to escape therefrom when the contents are compressed. The thickness of the compression plate is also sized so that a portion protrudes from the top of the can after the contents thereof have been compressed, so that it can be used to strike a solid surface, generating a further compressive force.

Abstract: A fat/stock separator comprising a colander, a transparent hopper vessel with a trap, a support base and a flow valve mounted to and connected through the wall of the hopper vessel to the trap for draining fluid from the hopper vessel. The colander in a preferred embodiment is sufficiently large to accept the stock and meat parts produced from cooking a large portion of meat or fowl, such as a complete turkey. The oil and fat contained within the stock separates and floats to the top after standing for a period of time. It is then possible to draw off through the flow valve fat free stock from beneath the layer of oil. The contours of the trap and the transparency of the hopper vessel facilitate determining accurately where the fat free stock ends, thereby making it possible to draw off fat free stock, whether there is a large or a small amount of liquid in the hopper vessel.

Abstract: A device for fat removal from cooked meat product that employs a draining apparatus in a cooking vessel or container. The draining apparatus includes a draining slot array, a draining box, a draining tube and a controller element. Fat and excess liquids, which are liberated during cooking, are drained out of the container through the draining slots, and into the draining box and draining tubes.

Abstract: A salad spinner comprising a bowl, a colander adapted to nest within the bowl, and a lid for the bowl and colander. Drive means are associated with the lid for rotating the colander relative to the bowl. The drive means include a handle having one end for manual engagement with the opposite end of the handle being pivotably mounted to the lid. A drive gear is positioned at the opposite end of the handle, and a turret is positioned on the underside of the lid. The turret is rotatably attached to the lid and a pinion gear is provided in driving engagement with the turret. This pinion gear meshes with the drive gear whereby movement of the handle transmits movement to the turret through the pinion gear. Drive tabs are carried by the turret for engaging the colander to impart spinning movement to the colander in response to movement of the handle.

Abstract: A food preparation assembly is disclosed which includes a carving board unit including a carving platform having a substantially planar carving surface with a collection channel defined therein extending about the periphery of the carving surface to collect drippings for separation into fat and juice, and a cutting board unit including an upper cutting surface and a lower undersurface. At least two parallel flanges depend from the undersurface of the cutting board unit which are dimensioned and configured to engage the collection channel in the carving platform to stabilize the cutting board unit during utilization.

Abstract: A juicing device having a rotating disk with a plurality of protrusions is used to pierce and squeeze the juice from a fruit. The disk is rotated within an enclosure having an access port on top and a conduit near the bottom for diverting the juice into a container or glass. The enclosure provides a set of the protrusions as well so that as the fruit propelled between the disk and the sidewall, the juicing action is efficient.

Abstract: In order to remove liquid fats that collect on the surface of hot soups or stews during cooking, a long handled ladle with a shallow cylindrical cup is provided. The bottom of the cup is modified into the shape of a truncated cone open at both ends, with the large lower end of the cone opening into the underside of the cup and with the small upper end of the cone opening into the reservoir for collected fat of the ladle. The sides of the ladle are higher than the small end of the cone to prevent overflow. The large end of the cone can be covered with a removable, coarse screen to separate floating particulate matter from the fat to be separated and to prevent the device from becoming clogged by particulate matter during use.

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

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

Abstract: In the device disclosed, a foodstuff is placed in a carrier which can be rotated eccentrically around and over the face of a blade providing a circular cutting track by means of a plunger which is slidable within the carrier and can be gripped by a user to rotate the carrier while exerting pressure on a foodstuff contained in the carrier thereby to work the foodstuff against the cutting track.

Abstract: An improved centrifugal fat extraction apparatus for removing surface liquid from food which comprises a housing assembly having mounted at its bottom a self-centering drive assembly having a shaft extending vertically from the self-centering drive assembly within the housing assembly, a rotatable spindle mounted onto the shaft, a means for rotating the spindle at a variable speed between 750 and 1200 rpm for approximately a 45 second time span, and a rotatable cylindrical slotted basket capable of holding foods. The self-centering drive assembly prevents undesirable vibration from being imparted to the housing assembly as the result of eccentric loading of the foods into the slotted basket.

Abstract: This invention generally provides a process and apparatus for the separation of oil or fat from food particles, carbohydrate matrices and crumbs in a continuous process, and for the reuse and/or recycling of the separated oil or fat. This invention more particularly provides an apparatus and a process in which the crumbs are mixed with hot water and agitated for a predetermined time, after which the agitated mixture is introduced into a non-turbulent container where the oil/fat, the water and the crumbs are allowed to stratify. Upon stratification, a high quality oil/fat separates and rises based on its relative buoyancy and can then be removed and reused. The water and the crumbs also separate by stratification and can also be similarly removed.

Abstract: A manually operable device for metering air through a valve system for drawing into, retaining and evacuating material from a chamber having a first air passageway operatively connected to the chamber and exposed to the atmosphere for transporting the material, a second air passageway operatively connected to the chamber, an oscillating air source for moving air within the second air passageway and a valve mechanism operatively connected to the second air passageway which when in a first position upon actuation of the oscillating air source moves air creating a partial vacuum within the chamber causing material to be drawn into the chamber, and when in a second position upon actuation of the oscillating air source causes air to be introduced under positive pressure into the chamber evacuating the material from the chamber into the first conveying mechanism and a third air passageway coupled to the valve assembly which allows the second air passageway to vent to the environment.

Abstract: Latching elements are positioned to interface with removable components of a single head juice extractor. The latching elements are spring clips for holding an upper cup, a lower cup and an orifice tube in place during machine operation. The latching elements are designed to restrain the orifice tube of the juice extractor in situations where initial installation of the parts are imprecise.

Abstract: A counterflow single-screw extractor includes a screw conveyor having a helical scroll formed from arcuate flight sections each having a plurality of elongated slots extending away from the direction of screw rotation and permitting the flow of effluent through the product and the flights in a manner controlled by the size, number, and orientation of the slots. The slots permit efficient extraction using relatively little extraction medium and at the same time permit a single-screw extractor to be used without having to periodically reverse the direction of screw rotation to unclog the slots and by the pitch of the screw conveyor. The inventive arrangement permits the use of a multi-section extractor employing different extraction media and/or different extraction media wash rates in different sections of the extractor.

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

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

Abstract: A lemon slice squeezer comprising a body portion supported upon a pedestal which may be placed on a table or the like. The body portion includes an open upper end which is adapted to receive a semi-circular lemon slice therein. An elongated and arcuate lemon squeezing handle having one end is pivotally secured to the body portion at the forward end and is adapted to be moved downwardly into the body portion to squeeze the lemon slice therein. The body portion may then be tipped to pour the lemon juice therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of pasteurization of cubed food products, such as fruit or tomato, and in particular discloses a process and device for controlling flow rate of a drainage phase of liquid separating from food chunks, which phase takes place after pasteurization and before storing of the product in sterile bags. A sterile gas such as nitrogen is introduced into a tank containing liquid removed from the food cubes, and a ratio of difference in pressure between the gas and a pressure in a discharge conduit for the food product is continually controlled. When changes in ratio between the pressure differences occur, gas is introduced into the tank or discharged therefrom, as appropriate.

Abstract: An extraction tower for the extraction of slices includes an outer tower casing having an inside wall and a bottom region; arresters disposed along the inside wall; a sieve disposed in the bottom region; a tubular shaft centrally disposed in the casing and having a toothed rim at a top end thereof and conveyor vanes disposed over its length; a bearing which holds a bottom end of the tubular shaft; a rotary drive including a plurality of drive units which are distributed around a periphery of the tubular shaft and which are connected to the tower casing, each of the drive units including a drive pinion which engages the toothed rim; a plain bearing; a guide for guiding the bottom end in the bottom region near the sieve, the guide including a central journal which is disposed in the plain bearing as far as the sieve extends and wherein a clearance exists between the plain bearing and the central journal.

Abstract: A juicer or a juice extractor having a vertically-arranged grinding chamber and compression chamber. The material to be ground into juice is first ground in the grinding chamber and then compressed in the compression chamber by a pair of Archimedes' screws; and in this case, the direction of movement of the material in the compression chamber is designed so as to be opposite to that in the grinding chamber.

Abstract: A method for dejuicing grapes uses a dejuicer comprises a closed tank provided with a dejuicer grid and an inflatable membrane in the tank which is pressurized to force juice out of the harvested grapes through the grid. A conveyor in the tank remove the dejuicer grapes from the tank. Harvested grapes are placed in said tank and the juice is allowed to flow naturally. The inflatable membrane mounted in the tank is then pressurized to force out further juice through the grid and the juice is collected from the tank. The membrane is then depressurized and the tank is emptied by actuating the conveyor.

Abstract: A device for removing excess grease and juices from a cooked hamburger. The device includes a container having a bottom and sidewall which extends upwardly to define a container cavity, the periphery of the sidewall defining a rim. A handle is coupled to the sidewall remote from the container cavity. A cover having a top and integral sidewall extends downwardly to define a cover cavity, the periphery of the sidewall defining a rim. A handle is coupled to the sidewall remote from the cover cavity, and a hole is disposed through the top wall. A coupling component is for coupling the cover to the container. A draining plate having a plurality of draining holes therethrough is adapted to rest on the rim of the container between the cover cavity and container cavity when the container is coupled to the cover. A pressing component is disposed through the hole of the container and located within the cover cavity and is used to press a cooked hamburger against the surface of the draining plate.

Abstract: Apparatus for extraction of edible oils from finely divided oleagenous vegetable matter by flowing solvent vapor through a continuously moving horizontal bed of the vegetable matter at a temperature not greater than about 210.degree. F., to form a miscella of solvent and extracted oil, separating a portion of the miscella from the marc, and blowing a gas through a continuously moving horizontal bed of the marc and remaining miscella to separate additional miscella. The flow of gas through the bed cools the bed to provide cooling for heat exchanger water to be used in the process.

Abstract: A can liquid extractor for removing liquid from a pre-opened cylindrical can containing solids packed in a liquid medium, comprising a can support base having engaging elements which retain the can and lid in place, an inverting apparatus which allows a can to be inverted while retaining the can and its lid in place, and a compression apparatus comprising a handle, pivotable compression arm, and ram assembly for exerting force upon the lid and can held in static relation, whereby water is expelled from the can interior around the edge of the lid.

Abstract: A juice extractor includes a main body equipped with a motor, a gear box having a first shaft and a second shaft to which torque of the motor is transmitted, a housing having a flange connecting surface at the front of the main body, and a pair of squeezing rollers accommodated by the housing and connected to the second shaft so as to receive torque therefrom. First and second clutch gears are alternatively connected to the first and second shafts by a clutching fork extending into the gear box. A connecting gear is connected to the clutch gears. A threaded portion extending to the front of the gear box from the connecting gear is received in a threaded hole in the housing to enable the housing to be separated from the main body.

Abstract: A manually operable device for metering air through a valve system for drawing into, retaining and evacuating material from a chamber having a first conveying mechanism operatively connected to the chamber and exposed to the atmosphere for transporting the material, a second air conveying mechanism operatively connected to the chamber, a manually operable device for moving air within the second conveying mechanism and a valve mechanism operatively connected to the second conveying mechanism which when in a first position upon actuation of the manually operable mechanism moves air creating a partial vacuum within the chamber causing material to be drawn into the chamber, and when in a second position upon actuation of the manually operable mechanism causes air to be introduced under positive pressure into the chamber evacuating the material from the chamber into the first conveying mechanism.

Abstract: An automatic process in which after the press is filled and before starting a normal pressing cycle the flow rate of liquids is measured continuously without applying any pressing pressure. The tank is then rotated and the minimum and maximum values of the flow rates are determined and then compared respectively with predetermined values. Based upon this comparison and as a function of the results of the comparisons there is performed a preliminary pressurized draining of the materials to be pressed while at the same time the orifices for evacuation of the liquids are checked for possible clogging. These operations are repeated until the results of the comparisons no longer warrant a pressurized preliminary draining and subsequently initiating the normal pressing cycle.

Abstract: A juice extraction process control system includes provisions to determine the load on the processing line and adjust processor speed and availability of juice extraction hardware responsive to the through put load of the juice extraction process facility.

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

Abstract: A juice extractor for extracting juice from raw juice containing materials includes a raw material supply hopper of a housing engaged with a main body. The juice extractor includes a pair of squeezing rollers engaged with each other and mounted in the housing. Each of the rollers includes a helical gear and a screw at its leading end portion. A filter surrounds the leading end portions of the squeezing rollers and a discharge section plate is mounted at the leading end portion of the housing and has a discharge pressure adjusting device. Ring gears made of synthetic resins are mounted at both sides of the helical gear of one of the squeezing rollers whereby an interval between the helical gears of squeezing rollers is maintained. Grooves are formed at both sides of the threads of the helical gears of each of the squeezing rollers at a location beneath the raw juice material supply hopper.

Abstract: A hand press which includes a first lever arm having adjacent one end thereof a hollow receptacle having one end opened, the other end covered by a perforated screen, and a second lever arm pivotally mounted at the one end of the first lever arm. A piston is fixededly positioned on the second arm for insertion into the open end of the receptacle, the receptacle typically being shaped as a toroidal segment having its axis of elongation conforming to an arc having a mean radius of curvature defined by the distance between the pivot point and the center of the face of the piston. The periphery of the piston face is provided with a ring to insure a tight sliding fit of the piston in the receptacle.

Abstract: A hand press for squeezing liquid from contents of a can wherein the can is positionable on a base and with one hand a pair of handles are grasped and squeezed together to push a platen against a severed can end and squeeze out the liquid while the can is held by that one grasping hand over an appropriate drainage receiver such as a sink.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of fruit and vegetable juice and puree extractors in general. More precisely, it relates to a rotary-type extractor having at least two refinement stages arranged vertically and coaxially and being activated by a single, common motorization.

Abstract: A diaphragm (1) in a press vessel of a press intended for separating liquid and solid materials consists of two semicircular diaphragm parts (2) facing the front walls of the press vessel and of a diaphragm part (8) connected with these parts (2) on both sides and approximately corresponding to half the outer vessel wall. The diaphragm parts (2, 8) are formed from fabric (3, 13) with plastic coating on both sides and, semicircular diaphragm parts (2) are divided into segments. At least one of the thread systems forming a fabric (3) is aligned to a radial center bisector of each segment.

Abstract: A grape dejuicer comprises a closed tank provided with a dejuicer grid and a membrane in the tank which is pressurized to force juice out of the harvested grapes through the grid. Conveyor means in the tank remove the dejuicer grapes from the tank. Harvested grapes are placed in said tank and the juice is allowed to flow naturally. The membrane is then pressurized to force out further juice through the grid. The membrane is then depressurized and the tank is emptied by actuating the conveyor means.

Abstract: A juice press for extracting the juice from a non-citrus fruit or vegetable uses a pair of cups into which a press plunger is cycled to the fruit to be processed to be compressed and extruded through an orifice tube wherein a significant volume of juice will be pressed.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting the juice from whole fruit having a rind comprising axially aligned, spaced-apart piston and pressing head arranged to move reciprocally toward and away from each other, for loading a fruit therebetween, at least one perforated coring knife slidingly received in the pressing head for advancing into the fruit in preparation of collecting the extracted juice separate from the rind, and including an elastomeric head positioned over the front portion of the piston, defined by a circular concave portion centered over the piston and extending forward about its circumferencial edge an upstanding rim, and a skirt portion extending from the rim rearward along the outside of the piston to a terminal edge, wherein a ram, slidingly carried in the piston is hydraulically driven to advance beyond the piston to avert the center portion of the elastomeric head against the fruit during compression of the fruit between the ram and the pressing head, the improvement comprising at least one groove for

Abstract: A citrus fruit squeezing machine has a section for accumulating and feeding the fruit, a section for squeezing the fruit and respective sections for conveying and collecting the juice and the peels of the squeezed fruit. The section for squeezing the fruit includes two plates disposed laterally as well as symmetrically to a cutting blade. The plates are supported in such a way as to be convergent and inclined downwards and towards the cutting blade. The cutting blade is fitted on a support plate having its lower part pivoted on the framework of the machine. The support plate is also connected with a toggle compound lever which can be manually driven or driven by a motor. The toggle compound lever moves the support plate towards the plates which are both straddled by the cutting blade when they are in the starting position. At first, the cutting blade moves toward the piece of fruit and cuts a fairly good part of it.

Abstract: Extraction, especially of firm fruit such as cranberries, with improved yields of high quality, low tannin juices by using an improved countercurrent extractor employing longitudinal members positioned between adjacent flights and reinfusion of decharacterized, extracted fruit pieces with infusion syrups, such as juices from fruits other than that extracted, to produce a fruit food product of various flavors having a desired level of inherent soluble fruit component, without the need to bleed off spent syrup as a byproduct.