Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating oil-bearing material which includes an extruder having an elongated enclosure with an inlet end. The extruder also includes a worm assembly for working and advancing the material through the enclosure from the inlet end to the discharge end. A high pressure region is located adjacent the extruder inlet end. A force feeder provides material to the high pressure region at a specified supply rate. Oil in the material is liberated and drained in the high pressure region to a specified level prior to entry of the material into the extruder inlet end. The apparatus also includes an outlet in the high pressure region for drainage of the released oil, as well as a screen over the outlet to prevent material greater than a specified size from exiting the high pressure region through the outlet. The seed material is mechanically worked via the action of a rotating screw in the extruder. At the same time, steam is injected into the extruder to condition the worked seed material.

Abstract: An improved rotating basket extractor is provided having improved discharge means comprising a hopper section having a solid material entry and solid material exit end. The cross sectional area of the solid material entry end is smaller than the exit end so as to help prevent the agglomeration of solid material in the discharge hopper as it exits from the rotating baskets to a dual screw conveyor for subsequent travel to a discharge chute. The discharge hopper and the housing for the dual screw conveyor comprise slot means to provide for additional drainage of miscella therethrough. Additionally, the axially disposed rotatable shaft, supporting the rotating baskets, is journalled in upper and lower bearings located outside the outer housing member for ease of maintenance. The lower thrust bearing is mounted for direct support by the flooring substrate below the outer housing of the extractor to help minimize bearing contamination and corrosion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating oil-bearing material which includes an extruder having an elongated enclosure with an inlet end. The extruder also includes a worm assembly for working and advancing the material through the enclosure from the inlet end to the discharge end. A high pressure region is located adjacent the extruder inlet end. A force feeder provides material to the high pressure region at a specified supply rate. Oil in the material is liberated and drained in the high pressure region to a specified level prior to entry of the material into the extruder inlet end. The apparatus also includes an outlet in the high pressure region for drainage of the released oil, as well as a screen over the outlet to prevent material greater than a specified size from exiting the high pressure region through the outlet. The seed material is mechanically worked via the action of a rotating screw in the extruder. At the same time, steam is injected into the extruder to condition the worked seed material.

Abstract: A sleeve is provided for a mechanical screw press for expressing liquid from liquid-containing grains and seeds. The sleeve of the present invention is formed with drainage apertures located between longitudinally extending runner portions and includes slots formed in the runner portions adjacent to the drainage apertures. With the use of such slots, uniform screen bars can be used throughout the sleeve and main cage of the screw press.

Abstract: Process for converting raw soybean materials into soybean oil and soybean meal without flaking the soybeans during the process is disclosed. The soybeans are cracked into a plurality of kernel portions and hull portions. The cracked kernel portions are then pulverized in a hammermill or the like and are then conveyed to a screw-type conveyor wherein steam is injected through the screw conveyor housing. Breaker pins extend radially inwardly from the screw housing and are located between rotating screw flights so as to provide a working, sheering action on the steam-treated particles as they are conveyed by the screw conveyor. A die plate with apertures therein is disposed at the downstream portion of the screw conveyor and in fluid-tight relationship therewith to form back pressure. The steam-treated particles exit the die plate through the apertures in the form of pellets.

Abstract: A hydraulic press of the type having first and second oblong side plates joined at upper and lower ends thereof to form a structure supporting upper and lower hot plates and injection molding equipment in which one of the side plates includes channels formed in its interior for conveying hydraulic fluid from a source of fluid under pressure, through valves mounted on the side plate, to and from the hydraulic equipment, and back to a reservoir.

Abstract: A spent flake drainer-conveyor for transferring spent flakes from a solvent extraction apparatus to a desolventizer-toaster apparatus, having a closed vapor tight housing extending from the desolventizer-toaster to the solvent extraction apparatus. A drainage section is formed in the housing and contains a screen section through which the flakes are moved. A vacuum source is attached to the drainage section causing a pressure differential across the screen in order to assist in separation of solvent from the flakes as they pass through the screen. A motor torque monitoring device is associated with the drive motor of the picker in the solvent extraction apparatus to provide an indication of the level of flakes in the trough portion of the solvent extraction apparatus.

Abstract: A baling press, having a cavity and a bolster for reciprocating in the cavity, uses replaceable cavity liners and bolster wear strips. These liners and wear strips can be replaced without disassembling the press by withdrawing the bolster from the cavity. Also disclosed is the use of a number of high volume pumps which are switched out of the hydraulic supply circuit as the bolster nears the end of its compression stroke so as to allow the use of relatively low power prime movers.