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.

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.

Abstract: A system and method for recycling used oil filters by shredding the filters to facilitate separation of the metal and nonmetal filter components and to release free oil trapped inside the filters, separating the metal and nonmetal filter components using combined magnetic and gravitational means, compressing the nonmetal filter components, and recovering the oil therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus for simulating the operation of a full-scale belt filter press consists of a support base, a filter belt and a press belt each anchored at one end to the support base and passing over a static curved pressure face and a winch for exerting a pulling force on the press belt against the static curved press face to remove water from a sample of slurry on or within the belts. An improvement in the method of removing liquid from a slurry with a belt filter press also is disclosed which consists of pulling the pair of belts containing a slurry against a static curved pressure face to force liquid out of the slurry.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering liquid from refuse liquid-filled containers comprises an elongated compression chamber formed by a cylindrical wall having a perforated cylindrical wall portion provided with a plurality of liquid collection orifices, an annular liquid collection chamber surrounding the perforated wall portion, a first plunger and a second plunger axially movable in the compression chamber relative to the first plunger. The first and second plungers have respective first and second perforated plates mounted in spaced relationship thereon and each provided with a plurality of liquid discharge orifices. When the second plunger is moved in a direction toward the first plunger to compress the refuse containers between the first and second perforated plates and thereby cause the containers to burst and expel liquid, the liquid is discharged through the liquid discharge orifices and the liquid collection orifices, and into the liquid collection chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of pressing fruit, in particular grapes, in a rotary cylindrical drum containing at least one flexible membrane supplied with a fluid under pressure in order to press fruit against the wall of the drum, and also to a pneumatic press for implementing the method. The pneumatic press of the invention is of the type comprising a rotary cylindrical drum (7) containing at least one flexible membrane (9, 35) and is characterized by the fact that said drum (7) is closed at one end (7), with a loading duct (19) opening out into the drum (7) in the vicinity of its closed end, the end of the drum opposite to its closed end (7) being at least partially open, said drum (7) including means (16) for recovering juice. The invention is particularly applicable to pressing grapes.

Abstract: A bar grid is formed with multiple vertical rods supporting multiple horizontal roll formed elements with a flange at a front edge of each element. The grid is mounted in a water effluent stream on each side of a solid filter screen or grinder and funnels solid material down to the compactor without buildup of solids on the grid screen.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating, by pressing, liquid and solid fractions intimately associated in a heterogeneous mixture, such as for example juices, pulps, stones, pits, pips, stalks and vegetable elements of fruits such as wine grapes is characterized in that a vessel (14) is provided having perforate side walls (15, 16) and bounded on its open upstream end by a piston-like member (10, 11) and on its open downstream end by a conical outlet member (50) defining an annular outlet passage, the vessel being filled with the heterogeneous mixture in an upstream-downstream direction thereof, and the vessel then being moved (30, 31) in the opposite, downstream-upstream direction so that the heterogeneous mixture is compressed between the piston-like member (10, 11) and the conical member (50), the pressing force being regulated and modulated for preventing deleterious over-pressing.

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.

Abstract: During assembly of a ram press for pressing liquid out of material being pressed, centering of the shell 19 which serves as wash basket with the axis of the press ram which engages the shell 19 is simplified by the shell 19 being horizontally movable with two degrees of freedom by being connected for pivotal motion about a second vertical axis 26 to the free end of an arm 25 which is pivotable about a first vertical axies 24'.

Abstract: A press for expressing liquids from liquid-containing substances, especially musts, contains an at least partially cylindrical sieve wall and a pressing apparatus disposed therein which has a rotatable shaft and separators radially fastened to the latter which form a plurality of press chambers. These are separated by a radially acting pressing means into a pressure chamber and a press chamber. To fill and empty the press chambers a charging station and a discharge station are provided. The sieve wall is stationary and the pressure chambers are sealed hermetically one from the other. Lastly, means are provided for rotating the shaft step-wise and thereby placing the press chambers step-wise successively at the charging station and at the discharge station.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved can draining implement including two handles pivotably attached together. One handle has a can supporting plate which faces a plunger on the other handle. The plunger has an angled face designed to cause liquid being drained from the can to flow to one side. Furthermore, the plunger has embedded therein a magnet designed to hold the lid of the can after draining has been accomplished.

Abstract: A drainage system for expressing liquids and fluids from fibrous materials. The system includes a plurality of spaced apart compression elements each retained in juxaposition one to another so as to have a fluid escape slot between each adjacent compression element. Each compression element has a longitudinal passageway therethrough each having an inlet and an outlet which is inwardly tapered toward its outlet. The combination of passageways through each compression element forms a compression conduit whose inlet and outlet generally functionally coincide with the intake and exit, respectively, of the drainage system. The fibrous material to be expressed is introduced into the system's intake under pressure, the fibrous material being compressed as it is forcably urged through each tapered passageway, the expressed fluids exiting the compression conduit radially outwardly through fluid escape slots.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for separating the flowable constituents from a mixture of flowable and non-flowable constituents particularly for the preparation of foodstuffs, the apparatus includes a driven perforated drum having a perforated circumferential surface, a pressure belt enclosing part of the circumference thereof and pressable onto the same by at least one pressure roller, as well as a supply mechanism for supplying the product to be treated into an entry wedge formed between the perforated drum and the pressure belt.

Abstract: A drainage system for expressing liquids and fluids from fibrous materials. The system includes a plurality of spaced apart compression elements each retained in juxaposition one to another so as to have a fluid escape slot between each adjacent compression element. Each compression element has a longitudinal passageway therethrough each having an inlet and an outlet which is inwardly tapered toward its outlet. The combination of passageways through each compression element forms a compression conduit whose inlet and outlet generally functionally coincide with the intake and exit, respectively, of the drainage system. The fibrous material to be expressed is introduced into the system's intake under pressure, the fibrous material being compressed as it is forcably urged through each tapered passageway, the expressed fluids exiting the compression conduit radially outwardly through fluid escape slots.

Abstract: A continuous device and process for extracting liquid from mash, sludge or pulp bearing slurries. The device comprises a pair of parallel opposed and counter rotating rolls each consisting of a base roll member having circumferentially disposed grid member consisting of a multiplicity of upright standing leaves which interbolt to form a grid which encases the entire surface of the roll member. Raw material for deliquification is spread over the grid and compressed by an inflatable, reciprocating platen to express liquid through the grid into underlying collection channels. The rolls are then rotated toward each other to express additional liquid and produce a substantially dry material. The liquid collected in the collection channels is withdrawn by applying a negative pressure through orifices located at the axial extent of the rolls.

Abstract: A manure separator arrangement is described including a flume and chain conveyor arrangement by which initially received slurry of liquids and solids is directed over a perforated flume floor. Liquid is allowed to drain through perforations in the floor as the slurry is moved along a pair of troughs formed along the flume. The entire flume is inclined so the liquids received from the perforated flume floor will drain downwardly away from the solids being carried along by the drag conveyor. Solids leaving a discharge end of the flume may lose approximately 80% of the liquid previously contained in the slurry or mixture. The manure discharged from the flume may be received by a separator press roll mechanism by which remaining moisture can be separated. The separator includes a rotated perforated drum and an oppositely rotated press roll. The press roll is yieldably urged against the rotating surface of the drum and is simultaneously rotated to press or squeeze liquid from the solids.

Abstract: A method of making a pressed curd having a closed rind by introducing curd in a cheese mould and pressing same with timed pressure variations, with separation of whey. According to the invention the curd in the cheese mould is subjected to a pressing cycle of intermittent pressing operations, whereby pressure is exerted on the curd in a number of periods, alternated by pressureless periods.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a procedure for treating curd particles (10) produced in a cheese kettle, and a cheese mould (2) for applying the procedure, made of strainer sheet and provided with a separate cover part (4). The cheese mould (2) is placed in a tapping vat (1), where it separates the curd particles (10) tapped from the cheese kettle from the whey (9) accompanying them. It is essential in the invention that on the mould (2) is used a strainer-like cover part with which the mould is closed for the duration of curd particle tapping. By this expedient the necessity to level the curd particle surface before the subsequent pre-pressing step is avoided. In the pre-pressing, the strainer-like cover part (4) of the mould can be used, and the object of the pre-pressing step is to compact the particles into a cheese block that can be conveyed to further treatment.

Abstract: A cutter to halve citrus fruit in an automatic citrus fruit juicing machine is described. The advance is the sloping of cutting knife (2) and its supporting cam pedestal (3) at an angle of 45.degree. to 80.degree. to the horizontal. Fruit is fed to the knife (2) via a sloped chute (1) and the cut fruit, after passing over the cam pedestal (3), where the fruit gradually and fully opens, is placed on a mechanism for expressing the juice. Other portions of the automatic juicer are, generally, as described in the prior art.

Abstract: To reduce manual handling of a pressing plate in a cheese-making vat and to facilitate its operation and maintenance, the plate is constituted by a case whose inner surface is covered by a series of rigid filtering panels. These panels are pivotal between an operating position and an open position which permits washing the panels.

Abstract: A cheese making apparatus comprises a rectangular vat, a pressing plate, a filtering sheet supported on the bottom wall of the vat for displacement in a longitudinal direction, and a transverse partition affixed to an end of the filter sheet adjacent a fixed end wall of the vat for simultaneous displacement with the filtering sheet in this direction. The partition defines with the side walls, the bottom wall and a mobile end wall opposite the fixed end wall an operating volume of the vat determining the amount of curds to be held in the vat for producing cheese from a pressed mass of the curds wherefrom the whey has been drained. Displacement of the partition changes the operating volume and the transverse partition is elastically compressible in a vertical direction whereby lowering of the pressing plate into the vat compresses the partition and permits the plate to apply pressure to the curds held in the vat.

Abstract: A liquid-expressing tong-like implement for removing liquid from a can of food product containing solid food product immersed in liquid formed as a pair of scissor-like elongated arms pivoted together and having a finger loop formation at handle-forming rear end portions thereof and front end portions at the ends opposite said finger loop formations providing loop-shaped jaw formations. One of the jaw formation loops has a generally straight rod-like front leg portion extending transversely of its associated elongated arm, and a flat platen member sized to fit into an opened food product can to exert pressing forces onto the solid food product is pivotally coupled to the rod-like leg portion for pivotal movement about that transversely arranged leg portion. The other of the jaw formation loops defines a flat portion to engage the bottom of the opened can.

Abstract: An apparatus for crushing tin cans for convenient disposal, the apparatus including an enclosure fitted with a door for placing cans therein, a crank operated pressure plate inside the enclosure for pressing downward against the cans and a stepped conical seat upon which cans are placed so to not slip during crushing operation.

Abstract: A method of pressing and draining whey from cheese curd. In particular, this method is made suitable for producing large blocks of cheese. A container mold having an internal drain screen is filled with cheese curd particles. Pressure is then applied to the cheese curd draining whey into the drain screen and out of the container mold. The container mold is then inverted and the internal drain screen is removed and another application of pressure is used to close any remaining voids within the cheese curd. The container mold is then sealed and prepared for shipping.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing excess ceramic slurry from polyurethane foam used as a matrix for ceramic material in manufacturing filters for molten metals such as aluminum. The apparatus comprises a first chamber for retaining a body of polyurethane foam impregnated with a slurry of ceramic material; a second chamber; a slurry-permeable screen between the first and second chambers; and compression means for pressing the polyurethane foam against the screen. By evacuating the second chamber and simultaneously compressing the foam against the screen, slurry is withdrawn from the foam into the second chamber while retaining in the foam an evenly distributed residue of ceramic material.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of pressing, draining and preparing cheese curd for curing is disclosed. The apparatus and method are particularly adapted for forming large sized blocks of cheese. Cheese curd is placed in a form for pressing and draining. At least one blade, in the form of an elongated wedge and having slots in its face, is disposed in the curd to uniformly drain the curd while it is being pressed. The blade is removed and the curd is subjected to further conditioning and is packaged for curing in containers.

Abstract: An improved juice extractor is adapted to separate the juice of a fruit pomace from the pulp thereof. The juice extractor has an elongated flexible open-ended sleeve positioned adjacent a bearing or backup surface, and having an entrance end adapted to receive the pomace. The sleeve is formed of a foraminous material permeable to the juice to be extracted, but substantially impermeable to the pulp of such fruit. The cross-sectional area of this sleeve decreases toward its exit end. A plurality of roller members are adapted to press proximate portions of the sleeve against the bearing surface, and are also mounted for movement along the sleeve. The action of the moving roller members causes the pomace to be advanced along the sleeve. Such movement of the roller members, coupled with the decreasing cross-sectional area of the sleeve, gently squeezes the pomace to separate the juice from the pulp. The juice passes through the sleeve and is collected. The pulp is discharged through the exit end of the sleeve.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for extracting juice from juice-laden material are disclosed. A tank system defines a row of material treating stations. A plurality of perforated baskets are swingably mounted at respective stations, each basket being operable to receive a charge of material. A flow of liquid is conducted through the stations in juice-extracting contact with the material. A basket actuating mechanism swings each basket from its associated station into a generally inverted position above the basket of a successive station to transfer the charge of material. In one preferred embodiment of the invention the basket is articulated intermediate its ends about a floating hinge. The basket actuating mechanism collapses the basket about the floating hinge to squeeze juice from the material before the material is delivered to the basket of a successive station.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in determining the moisture content of fodder, more particularly ensilage, by subjecting a given weight of ensilage to a predetermined pressure to force moisture from the ensilage. The apparatus includes a hollow cylinder which is removably supported on a bottom plate, which plate is in turn removably mounted on a base. A plurality of small diameter openings are formed in the walls of the cylinder and through the hollow plate. These openings provide passages through which liquid forced out of the fodder can escape from the cylinder. A piston which is free to move within the hollow cylinder is operatively connected to a source of power to apply pressure to the ensilage placed in the cylinder between the piston and the bottom plate.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of pressing, draining and preparing cheese curd for curing. The apparatus and method are particularly adapted for forming large sized blocks of cheese. Cheese curd is placed in a form for pressing and draining. Blades, in the form of elongated wedges and having slots in their faces are disposed in the curd to uniformly drain the curd while it is being pressed. The blades are removed and the curd is subjected to further conditioning and packaged for curing in containers.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for extracting sugar from sugar cane in which a blanket of fiberized cane is passed through a series of compression and maceration operations. The compression is performed at low pressures (for example, 40 to 160 pounds per square inch) between a pair of rollers. During compression, the extracted juice is removed through the perforate surface of the lower roller. The extracted juice removed during compression is supplied as imbibition liquid to a prior operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for draining whey from cheese curd. The cheese curd to be treated is contained within an open ended box or container and the lower end of the box is enclosed by a support plate while the upper end of the box is enclosed by a perforated lid. The support plate is provided with a plurality of drain holes and is also formed with a series of downwardly extending grooves which extend from the interior of the plate to the peripheral edge. The grooves are generally V-shaped in cross section and have a greater depth than width. During vacuum draining of the cheese curd, the whey is drained through the holes in the support plate as well as along the grooves to thereby provide improved drainage characteristics for the mass of cheese curd.

Abstract: A succession of rectangular mats, consisting essentially of asbestos fibers or other filamentary material held together by a wet hydraulic binder such as cement, are conveyed by a series of trays through the gap between a pair of horizontal platens of a press. The upper platen carries a die for trimming the edges of a mat to be compacted, with the tray acting as an anvil. The trays are linked near their leading ends with two parallel, endless conveyor chains and have their trailing ends supported by rollers on rails which parallel the upper and lower runs of the chains and which form ramps for guiding these rollers onto the lower level downstream of the press and onto the upper level upstream of the press whereby each tray runs horizontally through the press between a loading and an unloading station.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of pressing, draining and preparing cheese curd for curing. The apparatus and method are particularly adapted for forming large sized blocks of cheese. Cheese curd is placed in a form for pressing and draining. Blades, in the form of elongated wedges and having slots in their faces are disposed in the curd to uniformly drain the curd while it is being pressed. The blades are removed and the curd is subjected to further conditioning and packaged for curing in containers.