By Isolating A Fluid Constituent Patents (Class 99/495)
  • Patent number: 5320031
    Abstract: A food processing utensil for straining the liquid from food packed in a liquid and for storage of the food product once the liquid is drained therefrom and the method for using the utensil are disclosed. The plastic utensil includes a cylindrical container open at the top and bottom; a set of lids comprising a top lid and a bottom lid which can be press fit onto the container to seal the container; a strainer releasably engageable with either the top or bottom opening of the container wherein the strainer has an end wall further having perforations for the passage of liquid, and a sleeve for releasably engaging an open can, such as a can of tuna fish, for collecting the drained liquid; and, a plunger slidably receivable into the container for contacting the food in the container. A lid is snapped onto an open end of the container and a food product with associated liquid is introduced therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Inventor: Patrick T. Whitney
  • Patent number: 5317962
    Abstract: The apparatus provides for evacuation of the egg yoke and egg white from an egg through one hole in the egg shell. An egg with one hole in the egg shell is positioned on the apparatus. The one hole in the egg shell is positioned over a hollow tube which extends into the egg. The hollow tube aligns an egg collection opening in an egg seal with the egg collection passageway and supplies air at atmospheric pressure into the egg. When the interior of a bottle has a pressure below atmospheric pressure from a vacuum cleaner the egg yoke and egg white flow into the bottle. In a second embodiment, the apparatus provides for both evacuation and flushing of an egg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Inventor: Bert Phillips
  • Patent number: 5317964
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises a base unit, a rotatable shaft extending vertically from the base unit, a means for rotating the shaft, and a rotatable cylindrical basket capable of holding fried foods. The basket comprises an horizontally disposed circular bottom piece and a vertically disposed cylindrical piece of porous material being attached at its lower open end to the outer edge of the circular bottom piece to form the vertical wall of the basket. The basket is vertically connectible to and removable from the rotatable shaft. The apparatus further comprises a means for coupling the rotatable shaft to the rotatable basket so that the axis of the shaft is aligned with the axis of the basket. The apparatus also comprises a solid vertical wall surrounding the porous vertical wall of the rotatable basket. The solid vertical wall has an annular channel on the inside of its lower edge so that it has a substantially J-shaped cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Inventor: Malcolm J. Prudhomme
  • Patent number: 5303640
    Abstract: A food press having an elongated body including a forward end to which a perforated cap or the like is removably attached and through which pressed foodstuffs pass, and a chamber means within the body adjacent the forward end of the press for receiving and pressing foodstuffs. A reciprocating piston is slidably fitted within the chamber means for moving and pressing foodstuffs, wherein the piston is adapted to be positioned rearwardly of the foodstuffs in the chamber means in its retracted position and against said forward end for pressing the foodstuffs through the perforations in the cap in its forward position. The press also has a rotatable handle pivotally connected to the elongated body rearwardly of the piston, and a linking member connected to the handle and to the piston. When the handle is rotated in one direction the piston is moved to it's retracted position to allow the chamber means to received foodstuffs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Better Mousetraps, Inc.
    Inventors: Ira Gaber, Cooper C. Woodring
  • Patent number: 5297476
    Abstract: A fat skimmer for separating an unwanted fat liquid from a wanted liquid is provided which consists of a transparent cone shaped jug for storing the unwanted fat liquid and the wanted liquid that is to be separated. The jug has a tapered exhaust conduit formed at a central bottom end through which the wanted liquid will pass by force of gravity. A valve is within the conduit for selectively permitting passage of the wanted liquid through the conduit into a vessel which is positioned below the conduit, while the unwanted fat liquid is retained within the jug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Inventors: Charles D. Garland, George Spector
  • Patent number: 5297477
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a tube for inserting into an egg having one hole in the shell. The tube extends into the shell through the egg yoke and egg white until one end contacts the inside surface of the shell opposite the hole. The tube is connected to a squeeze bulb air supply. A chute is positioned below the hole around the tube. When the squeeze bulb is squeezed air is supplied to exit the one end inside the shell. The air causes the content of the egg yoke and egg white to flow out the hole around the tube into the chute. In the alternative embodiment the end of the tube is formed with an air relief to facilitate air flow into the shell when the end of the tube is in contact with the inside surface of the shell. The empty egg shell is then used for "Egg Art".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Inventor: Bert Phillips
  • Patent number: 5295432
    Abstract: A hand utensil for draining liquid from canned foods, or for removing can lids after opening and of the type have a receiver base unit (30) with a fixed handle (36) which contains a pass through shaft (32, 34) containing a spring (18) in which the T shaped plunger handle (10) passes through when compressed causing the magnetized plate (22) to place pressure on a lid of an opened can, and when uncompressed the T shaped plunger handle (10) will return to its original position causing the can lid to be removed from the can attached to the magnetized plate (22). The utensil is made of an inflexible material so that it is strong enough to safely provide the required pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Inventors: Patricia M. Keville, Thomas J. Murphy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5289762
    Abstract: The apparatus provides for evacuation of the egg yoke and egg white from an egg through one hole in the egg shell. An egg with one hole in the egg shell is positioned on the apparatus. The one hole in the egg shell is positioned over a hollow tube which extends into the egg. The hollow tube aligns an egg collection opening in an egg seal with the egg collection passageway and supplies air at atmospheric pressure into the egg. When the interior of a bottle has a pressure below atmospheric pressure from a vacuum cleaner the egg yoke and egg white flow into the bottle. In a second embodiment, the apparatus provides for both evacuation and flushing of an egg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Inventor: Bert Phillips
  • Patent number: 5272968
    Abstract: A hand utensil for draining liquid from canned foods, or for removing can lids after opening and of the type having a base (20) with a grip (26) which contains a pass through hole (22) containing a spring (19) in which the T shaped handle (10) passes through when compressed causing the magnetic plate (30) to place pressure on a lid of an opened can, and when uncompressed the T shaped handle (10) will return to its original position causing the can lid to be removed from the can attached to the magnetic plate (30). The utensil is made of an inflexible material so that it is strong enough to safely provide the required pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Inventors: Patricia M. Keville, Thomas J. Murphy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5272969
    Abstract: A canned material compressing and liquid extracting device includes a pair of elongated lower and upper handles and a hinge pivotally attaching adjacent respective one ends of the handles together permitting the handles to be moved toward and away from each other between a closed position and an opened position. The device also includes a land portion mounted on the lower handle for seating a container which has an open top end and encloses a material to be compressed and a piston member pivotally mounted to the upper handle for insertion into the open top end of the container so as to overlie a severed lid of the container for applying a force on the severed lid sufficient to compress the material in the container and extract liquid therefrom as the upper and lower handles are moved relative to one another from the opened position toward the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Inventor: Brian McDonald
  • Patent number: 5263409
    Abstract: There are disclosed two types of apparatus using membrane extractions of citrus juice bittering agents, both using extraction fluids. In one type, a membrane contactor facilitates contact between bittering agents present in a citrus juice feed and a hydrophobic bittering agents extraction fluid; a second membrane contactor may be used to extract bittering agents from the hydrophobic extraction fluid by use of a basic stripping fluid on the permeate side. In a second type, an immobilized liquid membrane containing hydrophobic extraction fluid supported within the pores of a microporous hydrophobic polymeric membrane is used to facilitate transport of bittering agents across the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Bend Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul van Eikeren, Daniel J. Brose
  • Patent number: 5263408
    Abstract: Food press of the kind comprising pressing means adapted to operate on the food(s) to be pressed comprising at least one grid (12) and at least one plate (13) between which the food(s) (42) must be disposed, characterized in that hydraulic operating means (15) are associated with said pressing means and adapted to move the grid and the plate towards each other so that they exert pressure on the food(s), the hydraulic operating means (15) comprising at least one single-acting piston-and-cylinder actuator (24) operated by a hydraulic pump (25) adapted to operate in compression and in suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Somatic
    Inventors: Michel Blanchet, Daniel Mario
  • Patent number: 5249516
    Abstract: A machine for preparing fruit juice has a storage compartment in which the fruit is rack mounted, the machine having a transfer mechanism for removing groups of whole fruit from the storage racks, and then feeding the fruits sequentially to a cutting and juicing mechanism, that mechanism including a stationary blade and a pusher mechanism, for pushing an individual fruit past the blade to divide it into halves, subsequent to which the respective halves are processed in a juice extractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Zumatu, S. A.
    Inventor: Angel F. Pastor
  • Patent number: 5247878
    Abstract: A disposable device for absorbing and removing liquid lipids, primarily molten fats and oils, from the surface of an aqueous food mixture. The device comprising a multitude of capillary passages separated by partitions of a pellicular material possessing both hydrophobic and lipophilic properties. The capillary passages and partitions extend vertically through the device between its upper and lower faces. When exposed to the surface of an aqueous food mixture, the device selectively absorbs liquid lipids but does not absorb appreciable quantities of water or other ingredients present in the food mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Inventor: William H. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5244275
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an electrically powered food processing apparatus for processing and preparing any type of food, receiving in a housing (1) an electric motor (8) rotating a processing tool located in a working vessel for processing the food material. The electric motor (8) is supplied with cooling air by means of a motor-driven impeller (38) rotatably arranged in the housing (1), and the electric motor (8) and the impeller (38) are disposed in an air duct (4) providing at its one end an air inlet (45) and at its other end an air outlet (46). To obtain a food processor of a construction as compact as possible, yet with a high motor output rating, while at the same time motor noise is reduced, the impeller (38) is driven by an additional electrically powered impeller motor (30) arranged in the housing (1) separate from the electric motor (8), and the impeller motor (30) is not connected to the supply until a predeterminable power input of the electric motor (8) is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alfred Bauer, Georg Borger, Karl-Heinz Kamprath
  • Patent number: 5241901
    Abstract: A device is described relating to separating mixed substances of differing flowabilities, in particular for the purpose of processing foodstuffs. The processing takes place in a device by which an elastic presser belt is pressed onto the periphery of a hollow separating drum with a perforated wall, so that the substance to be processed consisting of the previously mentioned composition and located between the presser belt and the hollow separating drum is separated into a phase of easily and a phase of less easily flowable components. The present concept provides for the use of two presser belt systems, which are operative one in series with and downstream of the other and influence a hollow separating drum, thus offering the possibility of using presser belts of different softness as well as, in the case of offset arrangement of the presser belt systems, use of varying perforations in the respectively associated circumferential areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud. Baader GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Helmut Kunig
  • Patent number: 5214998
    Abstract: A food material which is hermetically accommodated in a heating unit is heated and a generated aroma component is delivered by a carrier gas supply unit together with a carrier gas through connection pipe to an aroma component dissolving and capturing unit including a hermetically sealed container in which an aroma dissolving solution is stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: Nagaoka Perfumery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Saburo Konoeda, Hiroki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5207152
    Abstract: A compact juice machine (10) of simplified design, the individual elements being simplified to a bare minimum in an easily cleanable package. The machine includes a frame having spaced apart side walls (14, 16) which support front and intermediate rigid platen walls (18, 20) and an upper wall (22) to the rear of the intermediate wall. A press chamber (24) is defined by the forward portion of the side walls and the platen walls. A shredder assembly (36) including a rotatable disk (44) is mounted above the upper wall and a drive motor (48) is mounted below the upper wall, the drive motor having a drive shaft (54) coupled to the shredder disk. A hopper (34) is mounted on the upper wall above the shredder disk. A press chamber cover (38) extends over the press chamber, the cover being provided with a discharge chute (112, 114, 116) on its lower surface to direct shredded material from the shredder disk to the press chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Inventor: Dale E. Wettlaufer
  • Patent number: 5207154
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for the control and the adjustment of a press during a juice extraction operating having at least one pressure increase sequence and measuring and comparing to a predetermined value the rate or the amount of liquid extracted before, during or after the pressing, or the partially pressed materials to be pressed remaining in the press after the pressing, and then using the resulting value of the difference of the rates or the amounts of extracted liquid and the value of the expected rates or amounts or the amount of materials to be pressed remaining in the press, if applicable, partially pressed, to begin, continue, interrupt, modify or complete the process of extracting the juice. The process is at least partially programmed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Constructions Meca-Metalliques Chalonnaises S.A.
    Inventor: Jean Bonnet
  • Patent number: 5199349
    Abstract: A skimmer/separator ladle comprises a handle of an elongated configuration and a bowl of a cup-shaped configuration defining an upper rim. The handle and the bowl are connected together and the handle extends upwardly from the bowl at the upper rim of the bowl. In order to render it possible to carry out any skimming/separation operation, the bowl has an outwardly protruding tongue arranged at a first rim section of the bowl, which tongue is located below the upper rim of the bowl, and further one or more through-going holes which are provided in the bowl and arranged at a second rim section of the bowl, which one or more through-going holes are located below the upper rim of the bowl and further located above the tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Scanintra ApS
    Inventor: Hans Hansen
  • Patent number: 5199348
    Abstract: Machine for extracting juice from citrus fruit in which the fruit are squeezed between a fixed plate (41) and a movable plate (42) mutually convergent at their lower part. At the beginning of every operative cycle, the fruit (6) is introduced between the plates from their upper part. During the first half of the operating cycle, the movable plate (42) approaches the fixed plate (41) by the action of a crank (31-32-34) - connecting rod (35) unit controlled by a motor reducer (30). The approaching movement of the movable plate (42) causes the squeezing of the fruit (6). The squeezed juice falls into the hopper (22) and, then, into the container (8). Afterwards, the movable plate (42) goes away from the fixed plate (41) and the squeezing residual product (6A) comes off said plates (41,42), it falls on the inclined grill (23) and it slides from the grill into the drawer (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Inventor: Antonio Cimenti
  • Patent number: 5193446
    Abstract: The spray ring is cycled back and forth along the longitudinal axis of the finisher to allow the 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 from one end of the finisher to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Olusczak, Michael L. Suter
  • Patent number: 5184544
    Abstract: A device for cleaning rice or vegetable such as beans in a tank containing cleaning water is provided. The cleaning water is manually agitated. A removable basket having a perforated bottom is rotatably positioned in the tank. An agitator static with respect to the tank is removably positioned in the basket. Filter screens are mounted to the perforated bottom of the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Chien-Jen Wang
    Inventor: Lin H. Ling
  • Patent number: 5182984
    Abstract: A pressing apparatus for citrus fruit including upright blades extending radially outwardly from a vertical axis to define V-shaped segments therebetween, the upper edges of the blades being sloped downwardly toward the axis to centrally support a piece of fruit. A press is vertically reciprocated between an upper feed position allowing fruit to be located on the blades and a lower pressing position a selected spacing above the peel ejectors. Peel ejectors within each of the V-shaped segments are pivotally supported for movement between (1) a horizontal ready position when the press is moved to the pressing position and (2) an ejecting position sloped downwardly away from the axis when the press is moved toward the feed position. A feed assembly cyclically feeds fruit to the blades through a chute, and includes a cylindrical enclosure open on one side to the chute and a feed drum supported for rotation about a horizontal axis within the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Hollymatic Corporation
    Inventor: Richard C. Wagner
  • Patent number: 5170697
    Abstract: A consecutive extraction device for extracting an extract of an effective ingredient of malt, malted rice or malted soybean is provided. An extract of the effective ingredient of malt, malted rice or malted soybean in the liquid state and a process for using the extract of the effective ingredient to improve the quality of food are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Inventor: Nobuyoshi Kuboyama
  • Patent number: 5168800
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliminating fat from a formed ground meat product while maintaining desireable texture and other eating qualities, comprising the steps of placing the product on a support member configured to promote the flow of fat away from the product; bringing the product to a temperature at which a substantial proportion of the fat contained in the meat is liquified; and compressing the product against the support member only after the product has reached the temperature at which a substantial portion of the fat contained in the meat is liquified, by applying a rolling pressure which repeatedly traverses the product in a plane parallel to the support member for a period and at a pressure level sufficient to exude a substantial portion of the liquified fat from the product. During at least part of the time when rolling pressure is applied, a non-fat liquid is supplied to the top surface of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Geoffrey Margolis
    Inventor: Geoffrey Margolis
  • Patent number: 5165335
    Abstract: A simple, easily cleaned press having a grate (28) in which perforations (34) are created by inside and outside grooves (30 and 32) running at angles to each other. A ram wall (36) is provided with ridges (38) which mate with the inside grooves of the grate. These grooves and ridges can be cleaned by scraping or wiping comb teeth (40 and 42) along them. The comb teeth protrude from the far ends of the two levers (16 and 14): one attached to the ram (12), the other attached to the cup (10). The two parts are joined by a detachable hinge (18 and 24), allowing the comb of one part to be engaged with the corrugations of the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Inventor: Stephan Bianchi
  • Patent number: 5163362
    Abstract: A food press, having an elongated body including a forward end with perforations through which pressed foodstuffs can pass, and chamber means adjacent said forward end for receiving and pressing foodstuffs. A reciprocating piston is slidably fitted within the chamber means for moving and pressing foodstuffs, wherein the piston is adapted to be positioned rearwardly of the foodstuffs in the chamber means in its retracted position and against said forward end for pressing the foodstuffs through the perforations in its forward position. The press also has a rotatable handle pivotally connected to the elongated body rearwardly of the piston, and linking means which are connected to the handle and to the piston. When the handle is rotated in one direction the piston is moved to its retracted position to allow the chamber means to receive foodstuffs. When the handle is rotated in the other direction the piston is moved to its forward position for pressing foodstuffs through the perforations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Better Mousetraps, Inc.
    Inventors: Ira Gaber, Cooper C. Woodring
  • Patent number: 5160633
    Abstract: A frontal separator method and apparatus for separating particles from fluids, such as microorganisms from juice, and for providing a sample of juice having a concentrated number of microorganisms therein for ease of detection thereof, comprising a hollow, rotatable, perforated, cylindrical rotor mounted inside of a spaced-apart outer case with an annular separation chamber therebetween. The fluid with particles to be separated therefrom is fed into the separation chamber, the fluid flows through the holes in the rotor and exits through an outlet port while the particles exit from a waste port of the separation chamber. The outer casing preferably also rotates with the rotor, and the holes, which have a diameter substantially greater than that of the particles, are preferably at an angle to a radius of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Ing-Tsann Hong, Ernest C. Fitch
  • Patent number: 5158014
    Abstract: An apparatus for the apportioning and dispensing of fibrous goods, particularly of sauerkraut, is disclosed. The apparatus for the dispensing of fibrous goods which are first mixed with a liquid ensures a precise maintaining of a certain weight of the goods which are drained by the apparatus. According to the invention, it is suggested to provide sieve walls in the form of travelling sieve belts between which a progressively drained strand of fibrous goods is formed. The strand can then be cut into portions. The new apparatus may be used for the apportioning of sauerkraut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Rich, Hengstenberg GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Eckart Hengstenberg
  • Patent number: 5156872
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting juice from raw juice containing material is disclosed. The apparatus includes a supporting housing, a pair of meshing helical gears (2,3) for crushing the raw juice containing material to initially extract juice therefrom and with each helical gear terminating in a tapered screw. A sieve (4) is operatively positioned around the helical gears and each of the tapered screws with the sieve being branched (47,48) with each branch housing at least a portion of one of the tapered screws, respectively. Each branch of the sieve has a terminal end with a discharge outlet formed thereat to enable each of the screws to further extract juice from the crushed raw juice containing material by compressingly moving the crushed juice containing material along one of the branch portions of the sieve and toward one of the discharge outlets formed in the sieve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Inventor: Moon H. Lee
  • Patent number: 5156084
    Abstract: A food processor comprises a work bowl with a central support axle extending from the bottom thereof part way to the top opening thereof and a cover having a crank handle rotatably fixed on an outer surface thereof to drive a gear train disposed in an interior formed inside the cover which in turn drives a spindle extending from an inner surface thereof into the work bowl. The food processor further comprises a drainer basket which is supported on the central support axle and rotated by the spindle to drain vegetables and/or fruits disposed therein when the crank handle is manually rotated, a slicer member having a plurality of slicing blades radially disposed on a central shaft at different altitude thereof, and a mixer member having a triangular and a rectangular mixing blades diametrically oppositely mounted on a central shaft with a plurality of passages formed thereon. The drainer basket, the slicer member and a mixer member can be alternately used to process food in different ways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Waying-HHS Taiwan, Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Hsiung Lin
  • Patent number: 5152213
    Abstract: A hydroextractor in which a liquid material to be processed can be introduced into a hydroextracting chamber under a small pressure and the chamber can be filled with the material in a short period of time to thereby improve the operational efficiency, and a cake of the hydroextracted material can be easily removed from the hydroextracting chamber. For these purposes, this hydroextractor is arranged such that upper and lower filter cloths are provided at the top and the bottom of the hydroextracting chamber extending substantially horizontally, and that a diaphragm (8) shaped like an inverted dish is disposed on the upper surface of the upper filter cloth. Further, a pressure chamber is provided on the upper side of the diaphragm. The hydroextracting operation is performed by filling the liquid material in the hydroextracting chamber and generating a pressure in the pressure chamber so as to press the diaphragm downwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignees: Hitachi Ltd. Goritsu Mfg Co., Hyosuke Nagase
    Inventors: Norio Masumoto, Hyosuke Nagase, Kazuo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5113755
    Abstract: A particulate proteinaceous product and methods for producing the same from waste raw animal parts are disclosed. The product is dry to the touch, is compressible into pellets or cakes, and comprises about 45 to 65 w/w percent partially hydrolyzed, non-denatured animal protein, about 20-35 w/w percent oil derived from the animal parts, about 10-15 w/w percent moisture, and about 0-7 w/w percent ash. The product also has less objectionable odor, less propensity to oxidize, and higher nutritional value than existing products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Advanced Hydrolyzing Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul S. Anderson, Roger W. Law, Ronald R. Law, Kenneth Lum
  • Patent number: 5103720
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating of flowable and non-flowable constituents mixed with each other, particularly for the purpose of preparation of foodstuffs, operates with an elastic presser belt which is held pressed against the circumferential surface of a separating drum and which is guided between laterally bounding walls. For reducing the unavoidable leakage flow in the region of the radial sealing gap located between the perforated drum and the presser belt, the sealing gap is provided with a radial recess, which extends over the region of the separating drum encompassed by the presser belt and has an opening in the region of the entry wedge which connect said recess with this region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud. Baader GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Rose, Klaus Ziebell
  • Patent number: 5097757
    Abstract: A machine for extracting juice from citrus fruit, in particular oranges, includes an inclined chute conveying the fruits to be squeezed against a step, a spoon that raises the fruit resting on the step, and two squeezing plates below the step. The plates include a front plate and a back plate, the front plate being pivoted at its upper part and urged by a spring toward the back plate. The back plate is connected to a connecting rod and crank driven by a speed reducer by which the back plate is slid longitudinally horizontally toward and away from the front plate. As the two plates converge, the fruit interposed therebetween is squeezed by the back plate. Juice thus extracted from the fruit drips into an underlying hopper and from there is collected in a container. Afterwards, as the back plate moves away from the front plate, the residue of the previously squeezed fuit falls down on an inclined grill disposed over the hopper and is collected in a collecting drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventor: Cimenti Antonio
  • Patent number: 5097756
    Abstract: A quantity of disposable super absorbent pads of uniform size, stacked one upon the other, and packaged in a disposable tube. The purpose of the pads being the removal of fats from home cooked foods, through absorption into the bottom pad, thereby lowering the cholesterol content of the food. Means are provided to eject the soiled bottom pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventor: Ray J. Nolte
  • Patent number: 5094158
    Abstract: A diaphragm press comprises a cylindrical vessel (7) rotating about its longitudinal axis and divided into two diametrically opposing parts by a flexible diaphragm (8). A series of perforated longitudinal channels (10) is fixed to a part of the inner surface of the vessel and connected at one end to an external manifold (12) for collecting the juice. At their other end, the channels (10) are connected to at least one further manifold (15) which is connected to a pumping unit (99) for feeding water under pressure by way of valves (160). The flexible diaphragm (8) is of such dimensions as to perfectly mate with the wall to which the channels (10) are connected and with the channels themselves so as to perfectly close the holes (100) of these channels (10) when the diaphragm is thrust from its rear by the pressurized fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Diemme S.p.A.
    Inventors: Francesco Melandri, Primo Melandri
  • Patent number: 5090306
    Abstract: For the extraction of juice pulp from fruits, berries and/or vegetables the raw material, which may consist of whole fruits, is first comminuted in a comminuting device (1) and subsequently squeezed out with the help of a press (2). Press (2) is constructed in such a way, that together with the juice separated from the raw material, a high proportion of valuable cell material is pressed off. Through this process a viscous juice pulp results, which subsequently is further processed for refining purposes, for example for the manufacture of clear juice, in a crossflow filtration device (7) which follows press (2). Through the process according to the invention the quality of the refined products as well as the economy of the unit and the yield are significantly improved, especially in connection with a recycling press (4) assigned to press (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Bucher- Guyer AG Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Walter Gresch
  • Patent number: 5085140
    Abstract: A presser belt separator for separating a mixture of flowable and non-flowable constituents has a pressure belt that is driven downstream to engage part of a circumferential surface of a perforated drum. A belt pressing structure and a presser roller presses the belt against the surface of the drum to form a draw-in wedge for drawing in the material to be processed between the presser belt and the perforated drum. The belt presser has a surface contour that engages the belt to form a curvature in the central area of the presser belt. The surface contour decreases in curvature from an upstream region of the belt presser to a downstream region thereof. The presser structure is also resiliently urged against the perforated drum by force-adjustable pressure springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud. Baader GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Helmut Kunig
  • Patent number: 5084177
    Abstract: The device described herein comprises a ladle type utensil having a handle attached to a substantially cylindrical cup having a bottom comprising either a flat or preferably a concave bottom in which a number of "domes" are set, which "domes" extend upward from the bottom of the said cup. Each dome has an opening at the crest thereof, which dome openings provide the only means for liquid to flow from beneath the cup into the interior of the cup. In the preferred modification there are seven of said domes, one being positioned in the center of the cup bottom and the others being arranged in a cricle around the central dome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Inventor: Wallace C. Keene
  • Patent number: 5064535
    Abstract: The housing of a strainer for washed vegetables includes a top open end a bottom opening. The housing has a rotary member at the top and a closing member at the bottom opening. The closing member comprises a device for holding the water from the washed vegetables and which device is reversable to form a seal bottom. The housing can serves as container for storing things. The rotary member can serve as chopping board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Inventor: Chun-Feng Hsu
  • Patent number: 5035174
    Abstract: Improved apparatus for extracting juice is disclosed. The apparatus disclosed provide a novel safety switch arranged such that the apparatus may be operated only when fully closed, thereby precluding injury to the operator or damage due to objects being placed in the path of the downwardly descending squeezer. In a preferred embodiment the juice extraction cycle is carried out automatically by means of limit switches, once the safety switch enables the motor. Embodiments are disclosed wherein the limit switches which govern the extraction cycle operate by determining the amount of pressure placed on an object, the level of pressure being adjustable, thus allowing the complete and efficient squeezing of objects of different sizes and firmness. Also disclosed are embodiments incorporating a feeder tube and actuation device whereby the juice extraction apparatus is automatically fed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: The John S. Seal, Jr., Revocable Trust
    Inventor: John S. Seal, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5031524
    Abstract: A fruit and vegetable juice press assembly. The assembly includes a frame (12) which supports a press drive (166, 172, 174) and a food processor drive (120). A removable housing (14) is mounted over the drives, the removable housing including two spaced apart housing portions (76, 78). A platen (170), a press bag (18), and a press bag support (218-248) are located in the pressing chamber between the housing portions. A portion (168) of the press drive extends through an aperture in the sidewall (78.41) of one of the two housing portions, the platen being removably secured to the portion (168). A process (16) is removably secured to the top of the other housing portion (76). The processor includes a grater, an impeller, and a two part or clam-shell discharge chute (100, 106) which, during operation of the grater (84) and impeller (86-90), causes grated pulp material to be discharged into the press bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Inventor: Dale E. Wettlaufer
  • Patent number: 4999156
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for compressing a mass utilizing a plurality of interfitting anvils mounted for movement relative to one another along co-planar paths and include faces which, when the anvils are operatively moved relative to one another, exert compression on a mass positioned between the faces in at least two directions in a plane simultaneously. The faces of the apparatus can be so shaped that the cross section of the mass being compressed is urged toward a shape other than that of a regular polygon. Methods of the invention include the consolidation of a mass of compactable material enclosed within a hollow tube having deformable walls, the extraction of juice or oil from fruit or seeds and the internal fracturing of solids so as to swell materials such as solid rocket propellants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: University of Tennessee Research Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth H. G. Ashbee
  • Patent number: 4958557
    Abstract: A rendered fat separator comprising a bowl having a perforated bottom for receiving cooked fatty meat to be compressed by a rotary press threadedly engaged with the bowl, the rotary press having a socket for accepting a driving sprocket provided with flutes and having a handle which rotates the driving socket in threaded engagement with engageable means on the inner surface of the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Inventor: Jeffrey Fiala
  • Patent number: 4951563
    Abstract: An automatic juice extraction machine for squeezing juice from one or more pieces of fruit in accordance with this invention comprises at least one pair of cups disposed in a vertically aligned relationship, with the lower of each related pair of cups utilizing a series of spaced, upwardly extending fingers and a centrally disposed fruit piercing tube. This tube defines part of a passageway located directly below each lower cup, in which passageway a strainer is disposed. Each upper cup, defined by spaced, downwardly extending fingers, is mounted on a vertically movable member movable between spaced vertical positions. The spacing of the fingers allows the fingers of the upper and lower cups to mesh, to bring about squeezing of the fruit. We utilize a pneumatic device for causing a single piece of fruit to be inserted into each lower cup subsequent to the raising of the vertically movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Inventors: Loyd C. Warren, Donald C. Brasher
  • Patent number: 4942811
    Abstract: A culinary implement capable of functioning as a mop to extract from an aqueous food mixture insoluble liquid fats dispersed therein. The implement is provided with a handle attached to a holder supporting a porous fabric pad formed of non-woven continuous filament polyester fibers having both hydrophobic and lipophilic properties. When the implement is used to mop the mixture, the fats dispersed therein are attracted and adhere to the pad whereas the aqueous mixture filters therethrough, thereby making it possible to free the food mixture of its fat content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Inventor: James O. Kuhn
  • Patent number: 4942051
    Abstract: An inexpensive method for extracting high quality juice from fruit while obtaining a high yield. The unfinished products are pressed in a small screen finisher to obtain a finished liquid and a wet pulp. The wet pulp is hard pressed in a large screen finisher to produce a pulpy liquid and a dry pulp and the pulpy liquid is recycled through the small screen finisher to produce a finished liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Gioacchino Sardisco
  • Patent number: 4934420
    Abstract: A device for separating fat from gravy includes a funnel-like separating member having a lowermost section, a conduit extending down from the lowermost section for supplying liquid from the lowermost section, and an opening in an upper end thereof, the separating member and the conduit being transparent to permit viewing of the liquids therein; a stop cock positioned in the conduit for selectively permitting passage of liquid through the conduit; a container having an open upper end, a pouring spout at the open upper end and a handle opposite the pouring spout; a screen filter at the open upper end of the container which permits only liquids through the open upper end of the separating member; a cover held on the container in covering relation to the open upper end of the container, the cover having an opening therein which receives the conduit so as to support the separating member thereon; and locking flanges which removably lock the cover on the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Inventor: Rachel Radna