Abstract: Method is disclosed of treatment of waste paper or the like at high temperatures in the range of 160.degree. C. to about 230.degree. C. The furnish is treated in a digester with or without added chemicals but in the presence of saturated steam. The preferred dwell times are in the range of about 1 minute to about 6 minutes. The treated furnish is then discharged from the digester, preferably, but not exclusively, by an explosive discharge.The advance in the art is in an improved de-inking effect, reduced consumption of chemicals and power. Also, some furnishes previously unsuitable for re-cycling, have been successfully processed by the method of the invention.

Abstract: Apparatus for compacting and advancing a mass of particulate or fibrous material to a discharge end of a conduit combines an auger with a reciprocating annular piston. The improvement of the invention is in driving the piston by way of a flywheel equipped crankshaft which also drives a dynamically counter balancing member to reduce vibrations transmitted to the frame of the apparatus. Special hydrostatic guide sleeves are used to guide the reciprocating piston at a high speed. Further improvements include gas and liquid vents and a cooling jacket, both associated with the conduit to increase efficiency of the compacting. A density sensor controlled conical choke member at the discharge end assists in maintaining uniform density of the highly compacted plug of the material. Also, it breaks up the exiting plug to improve subsequent processing of the material.

Abstract: A press for continuous expressing of a liquid from a particulate liquid/solid mass of the type including a conveyor screw or auger advancing the mass through a tubular housing which is provided with drainage perforations. The compression and advancement of the material through the perforate section is effected by the face of a reciprocating annular sleeve, the stroke of the sleeve being so arranged that at least one-half of the travel of said face takes place within the perforated area. The frequency of the reciprocating movement of the sleeve is three cycles per second or more, to reduce resistance to the passage of the mass through the housing. The device is capable of a considerable increase in dewatering performance, as compared with known devices of the type operating more or less solely with a conveyor screw.