Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Cottrell

Thomas A. Cottrell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4488482
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for extracting gel from aloe vera leaves without contaminating the gel with toxic juices indigenous to the husks of the leaves. Further, this mechanized extraction is uniquely suited to permit frequent cleaning of the machinery. The leaves are washed, trimmed, and introduced into means for feeding the aloe vera leaves to and through a blade which longitudinally bisects the leaves. The split leaves are then passed through pressing rollers which advance the husks but retain the gel which falls from the pressing rollers into a collection pan. The pressed husks shed additional gel as they are carried over a further expanse of the collection pan and are then transferred to a husk collection conveyor which carries the husks back under the machinery. The pressing rollers are mounted to the frame of the apparatus by a hinged block which permits the pressing rollers to be swung open to permit cleaning of the pressing rollers and the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Inventor: Thomas A. Cottrell