With Clearer Or Cleaner Patents (Class 100/112)
  • Patent number: 10021834
    Abstract: An agricultural baler includes a pre-compression chamber having an outlet, and a main bale chamber adapted to receive crop from the pre-compression chamber. A plunger is reciprocally disposed within the main bale chamber, and includes a plurality of plunger slots which are structured and arranged to allow a plurality of needles to intermittently pass therethrough. The baler is characterized by a plunger cleaner which is structured and arranged to provide the dual functionality of: 1) cleaning the plunger slots, and 2) opening and closing the outlet of the pre-compression chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Bram Rosseel, Thomas Vandaele, Jeroen Devroe, Dieter Kindt, Jeng Mooren, Michiel Haezebrouck
  • Patent number: 9751787
    Abstract: A digester system for digesting feed material comprises a digester tank, a thickener, and a seal system. The digester tank generates a first digested material and biogas from the feed material. The thickener is operatively connected to the digester tank to remove a second digested material from the feed material to alter a solid content of the feed material in the digester tank. The seal system substantially prevents the thickener from removing biogas from the feed material with the second digested material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Daritech, Inc.
    Inventor: David DeWaard
  • Patent number: 9744574
    Abstract: Apparatus for processing kitchen waste is disclosed. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises an inlet for receiving the kitchen waste, a comminuter to comminute the received waste, a dewatering device to dewater the comminuted waste, a compressor to compress the dewatered comminuted waste, and an outlet to provide processed waste ready for collection, wherein the inlet has a lid moveable between a closed position and an open position and the inlet communicates with a hopper having an outlet, the hopper outlet communicating with the comminuter by a door mechanism, and wherein the door mechanism and the lid are interlocked such that the door mechanism opens to supply food waste to the comminuter only when the lid is in the closed position and such that the lid is openable to allow a user to add food waste into the hopper only when the door mechanism is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Voro Limited
    Inventor: Jeremy Cathcart
  • Patent number: 9694362
    Abstract: A composting garbage disposal for under sink use in a kitchen which separates food waste items into liquid and solid components. The liquid components are directed to a standard sewer or septic system. The solid components are directed to a removable storage bin. The food waste items are separated by use of a motor driven auger member which is in close proximity to the inside wall of a screened cup so that the liquid exits the screened portion of the cup and the solid exits through an aperture in the floor of the cup. A microprocessor circuit senses the strain on the drive motor and if the strain becomes excessive, automatically reverses the direction of the shaft and auger thereby releasing excess food waste that is causing the excess strain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: David Paul Lang
  • Patent number: 9675915
    Abstract: The disclosed technology regards a water/solids separator for filtering slurry into residue cakes and filtrate water. The separator includes a frame supporting a plurality of rollers supporting a filter media belt, a plurality of blades and wipers for cleaning the rollers and removing excess filtrate water and cake material, and an inlet water manifold to distribute slurry water uniformly on the filter media belt. The frame supports a filter bed, with a slurry receiving area having a perforated panel at its base, for receiving, pre-filtering and moving the slurry through the separator, and a filter bed collection tub with an exit aperture for collecting and delivering filtrate to a water holding tank. The filter media belt traverses the plurality of rollers, through and about the filter bed, supported along a portion of its path by the perforated panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Englo, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Wayne Warden, Sita Miller, Rubin Shmulsky, Joseph C Finn, Ronald C Lane
  • Patent number: 9381711
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a screw press dehydrator so as to facilitate transport of sludge and efficiently destroy microorganisms constituting sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Inventor: Jeong Hwan Oh
  • Patent number: 9131667
    Abstract: A centrifugal filter apparatus including a canister housing having a frusto-conical internal surface, and outlet adjacent the minor diameter of the internal surface and an inlet spaced axially toward a major diameter, a central annular filter element and centrifugal radial rotating fins extending radially from adjacent the external surface of the filter element to adjacent the generally frusto-conical internal surface of the canister having a generally frusto-conical outer surface conforming to the frusto-conical internal surface of the canister. In one embodiment, the filter apparatus includes a plurality of reaction canisters, where the outlet of the first canister is the inlet of the second canister and the radial fins drive reaction products from the first canister to the second canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Inventor: E. Bayne Carew
  • Patent number: 9003968
    Abstract: In a screw extruder comprising a screw shaft on which at least one screw blade is disposed, a filter screen surrounding the screw shaft and including filter openings is arranged within oppositely located frames and a funnel-shaped filtrate trough is disposed below and on the outer side of the filter screen, the screw shaft is cylindrical in the region of an inlet port, widens conically in its central region, and is cylindrical in the region of the discharge port, and the filtrate trough comprises at least two chambers, which chambers are each provided with a drain for filtrate, and the first chamber in the region of the inlet port has a longitudinal extension corresponding to at least the length of the cylindrical portion of the screw shaft in the same region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Applied Chemicals Handels—GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Kozanda, Dietmar Strecker, Ewald Kern, Manfred Zabl
  • Publication number: 20140158001
    Abstract: In a screw extruder comprising a screw shaft on which at least one screw blade is disposed, a filter screen surrounding the screw shaft and including filter openings is arranged within oppositely located frames and a funnel-shaped filtrate trough is disposed below and on the outer side of the filter screen, the screw shaft is cylindrical in the region of an inlet port, widens conically in its central region, and is cylindrical in the region of the discharge port, and the filtrate trough comprises at least two chambers, which chambers are each provided with a drain for filtrate, and the first chamber in the region of the inlet port has a longitudinal extension corresponding to at least the length of the cylindrical portion of the screw shaft in the same region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: APPLIED CHEMICALS HANDELS-GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Kozanda, Dietmar Strecker, Ewald Kern, Manfred Zabl
  • Patent number: 8662315
    Abstract: A liquid extraction assembly for extracting liquid from a mass comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet and a path therebetween. The housing includes a rotating screen adjacent the path. The housing can have a nozzle at the inlet. The housing can include an inflatable member providing a seal adjacent the screen for maintaining the mass in the path. The housing can include a center seal rotating with the screen and a fixed scraper in the path and adjacent the at least one rotating screen, with the center seal including a notch for accepting a tip of the scraper therein. The housing can also include side walls and an annular seal located between the side walls, with the annular seal defining an outer periphery of the path and having a rotating top end portion allowing an area of the outlet to change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Prime Solution, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Dendel, Roger J. Tyria
  • Publication number: 20140020573
    Abstract: A garlic press includes a grip member and a crush member pivotally connected with the grip member. The grip member includes a housing body and an upper handle extended backward from the housing body. The housing body is adapted for accommodating garlic. The crush member includes a crush body which can be movably inserted into the housing body for crushing the garlic into mash. The garlic press may further include a cleaning device which is coupled on a bottom portion of the housing body for cleaning out the garlic mash remained on the housing body. Further, the pivotal point of the garlic press is disposed close to a middle portion of the garlic press structure to make the garlic press to be convenient for using.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: Tung-Hsien Lee
  • Patent number: 8534190
    Abstract: A food press, for example a garlic press, has a first handle with an accommodation space for the food. The first handle is, via an openable pivot, connected to a second handle which has a press plate. The food press further has a comminutor unit with a perforated plate which, in a position of use, is adjacent the accommodation space and through which the food is pressed. According to the present invention, the comminutor unit is, at opposing ends, connected via a first and second non-openable pivot, to the first and the second handles, respectively. The openable pivot includes recesses on the first handle and pins, which are insertable in the recesses on the second handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Linden International AB
    Inventors: Daniel Ericsson, Mikael Ericsson, Fredrik Hanson, Johan Vestberg
  • Patent number: 8201495
    Abstract: A pre-separator for a screw press separator wherein the pre-separator increases the concentration of solid material in a water solid material mixture. The pre-separator is configured to have a frustoconical screen surface where a plurality of wiper blades engage the interior portion of the surface to provide de-watering action, and the plurality of blades are configured to reposition with respect to the center axis of the frustoconical surface to allow for engagement between the interior surface of the frustoconical screen, and the wiper blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Daritech, Inc.
    Inventor: David DeWaard
  • Patent number: 7989011
    Abstract: Shown is a two stage filtration system for treatment of fibrous vegetable matter, particularly oilseed materials such as oil-extracted canola flakes to separate the low valued fibrous material from soluble material and small non-structural water-insoluble material of higher value. The filtration system receives a vegetable matter slurry and passes the slurry through first stage filter which is an impeller type filter that operates to separate the slurry into a filtrate and a moist retentate. The moist retentate is further filter in a second compression filtration stage or a centrifuge to remove additional water. Small non-structural insoluble matter is removed in the filtrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: MCN Bioproducts Inc.
    Inventors: Rex W. Newkirk, David D. Maenz, Henry L. Classen
  • Patent number: 7987778
    Abstract: A pre-separator for a screw press separator wherein the pre-separator increases the concentration of solid material in a water solid material mixture. The pre-separator is configured to have a frustoconical screen surface where a plurality of wiper blades engage the interior portion of the surface to provide de-watering action, and the plurality of blades are configured to reposition with respect to the center axis of the frustoconical surface to allow for engagement between the interior surface of the frustoconical screen, and the wiper blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Daritech, Inc.
    Inventor: Dave DeWaard
  • Patent number: 7946225
    Abstract: A system for extracting liquid from a mass comprising a portable platform having an upper surface, a system mass input, a polymer feeding and blending system on the upper surface, a liquid extraction assembly on the upper surface, and piping having a first section between the system mass input and the polymer feeding and blending system, and a second section between the polymer feeding and blending system and the liquid extraction assembly. The system is configured to have mass inputted into the system mass input, transport the mass to the polymer feeding and blending system through the first section of the piping, inject polymer into the mass in the polymer feeding and blending system, and transport the mass from the polymer feeding and blending system to the liquid extraction assembly. Pressure from mass forced into the liquid extraction assembly forces liquid in the mass to exit the mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Prime Solution, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Dendel
  • Patent number: 7895943
    Abstract: A system for extracting liquid from a mass comprising a portable platform having an upper surface, a system mass input, a polymer feeding and blending system on the upper surface, a liquid extraction assembly on the upper surface, and piping having a first section between the system mass input and the polymer feeding and blending system, and a second section between the polymer feeding and blending system and the liquid extraction assembly. The system is configured to have mass inputted into the system mass input, transport the mass to the polymer feeding and blending system through the first section of the piping, inject polymer into the mass in the polymer feeding and blending system, and transport the mass from the polymer feeding and blending system to the liquid extraction assembly. Pressure from mass forced into the liquid extraction assembly forces liquid in the mass to exit the mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Prime Solution, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Dendel
  • Publication number: 20100236429
    Abstract: A food press, for example a garlic press. has a first handle with an accommodation space for the food. The first handle is, via an openable pivot, connected to a second handle which has a press plate. The food press further has a comminutor unit with a perforated plate which, in a position of use, is adjacent the accommodation space and through which the food is pressed. According to the present invention, the comminutor unit is, at opposing ends, connected via a first and second non-openable pivot, to the first and the second handles. respectively. The openable pivot includes recesses on the first handle and pins, which are insertable in the recesses on the second handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: Linden International AB
    Inventors: Daniel Ericsson, Mikael Ericsson, Fredrik Hanson, Johan Vestberg
  • Publication number: 20090235831
    Abstract: A self-cleansing juicer system comprising a supply hose having a proximal and distal end, wherein the distal end provides for removeably connecting to an opening in the cover of the juicer; and the proximal end provides for removeably connecting to a water supply; the cover having an exit-outlet for byproduct to pass therethrough, wherein the outlet is configured and dimensioned for removeably connecting to an exit hose for carriage of byproduct to a desired location; and an adjustable feature on the collection bowl discharge for selectively setting a desired flow rate of product discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Arthur Nisonov
  • Patent number: 7578233
    Abstract: A hand press includes a body, a movable handle and a hinge pivotally coupling a proximal end of the movable handle to the body. The body includes a pressing container having one or more side walls and a bottom and a ratchet mechanism. The ratchet mechanism includes a plunger shaft, a plunger coupled to a first end of the plunger shaft, a driver engaging the plunger shaft and an actuator link coupled between the movable handle and the driver. The plunger forms a top of the pressing container. A method for pressing items using the hand press is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Inventor: Phillip F. Acker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7395753
    Abstract: A comestible product press comprising a first handle having first and second ends; a second handle having first and second ends, wherein the first and second handles are hingedly connected to one another at their first ends; a first protrusion on the first handle, the first protrusion extending toward the second handle when the first and second handles are positioned to define an acute angle therebetween; a second protrusion on the second handle, the second protrusion extending away from the first handle when the first and second handles are positioned to define an acute angle therebetween; and an intermediate member connected to at least one of the first and second handles, wherein the intermediate member substantially fills the space between the first and second protrusions when the first and second handles are brought together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: AMCO Houseworks, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher M. Dorion
  • Patent number: 7117785
    Abstract: A food press includes upper and lower portions each having first and second ends, a plunger, a chamber, and a grate. The upper and lower portions are pivotally connected at their respective first ends. The plunger is disposed between the upper and lower portions. The chamber is disposed on the lower portion and includes an inlet and an outlet and is adapted to receive the plunger. The grate is pivotally connected to the lower portion and is disposed in the chamber in a user position and is disposed between the second ends of the upper and lower portions in a cleaning position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas B. Walker, III
  • Patent number: 7000534
    Abstract: Modular fruit juice extraction apparatuses and systems are provided that comprise, for example, a linear actuator (2) effective to drive, by back and forth motion, a moveable peeler cup (4) in communication with each of two ends of the extraction apparatus. In such embodiment, each moveable peeler cup (4), comprising concave and radially cut hemispheres, moves against a respective fixed peeler cup (3), and thereby compresses a fruit (19) contained therein to obtain its juice, which passes through a filtering device (7) disposed in each respective fixed peeler cup (3). A plunger (8) is variously driven through the filtering device (7) to remove the fruit core (13). Other embodiments include an embodiment in which a linear actuator (202) drives both external moveable peeler cups (203) and internal moveable peeler cups (204).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventor: Carlos Neto Mendes
  • Patent number: 6974098
    Abstract: A culinary press (2) has a pair of pivotably connected members (4, 6) one comprising a chamber for receiving a foodstuff and having a perforated surface (18), and the other a plunger (24) movable into the chamber for, in use, forcing food through the perforated surface (18) to an opposite side thereof, and a scraper (26) mounted on the press (2) so as to be movable across the said opposite side of the perforated surface (18) to scrape off any foodstuff adhered thereto after crushing of food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Maxpat Trading & Marketing (Far East) Ltd.
    Inventor: Rudy Keller
  • Patent number: 6925929
    Abstract: A screw press provided with a rear excess fluid outlet is described herein. The rear excess fluid outlet includes a circular screen provided at a longitudinal end of the screw press body, near a material inlet. Scraper blade assemblies are provided to prevent the screen from clogging. The efficiency of excess fluid removal is thereby increased by the increased screen surface near the material inlet of the screw press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Fiber Technologies (AFT) Trust
    Inventor: Hugues Dionne
  • Patent number: 6736054
    Abstract: A screw press provided with a rear excess fluid outlet is described herein. The rear excess fluid outlet includes a circular screen provided at a longitudinal end of the screw press body, near a material inlet. Scraper blade assemblies are provided to prevent the screen from clogging. The efficiency of excess fluid removal is thereby increased by the increased screen surface near the material inlet of the screw press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Fiber Technologies (AFT) Trust
    Inventor: Hugues Dionne
  • Patent number: 6615710
    Abstract: A screw press apparatus has frames, a screw shaft, an outside tube, a cylindrical screen, a screw blade, a supply pipe, and a cleaning pipe. The screen is fixed between the frames to the outside tube, and has a plurality of fine holes and covers the screw shaft. The screw shaft and the screen define a cylindrical space continuously extending from an upstream region to a downstream region. Raw liquid is fed from the supply pipe via an opening of the screw shaft to the upstream region of the cylindrical space. The cleaning pipe ejects cleaning water onto the screen. Sizes of the fine holes of the screen decrease gradually from the upstream region towards the downstream region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Ishigaki Company Limited
    Inventors: Eiichi Ishigaki, Yukitoshi Mitani
  • Patent number: 6588331
    Abstract: A screw press inlet section comprises a housing defining a radial inlet opening leading to an axially extending chamber through which a screw is rotatably mounted for conveying and dewatering a solid-liquid mixture fed into the chamber through the inlet opening. The housing has an end wall extending in a plane normal to the screw and to which a perforated plate is integrated to provide the additional surface available for drainage at the inlet section. A pulsator is provided within the housing to generate hydraulic pulses against the perforated plate so as to prevent plugging thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Voith Paper Inc.
    Inventor: Pierre Thibodeau
  • Patent number: 6536601
    Abstract: The invention relates to a silo for sludge, especially sewage sludge, comprising a sludge-receiving part (12), a feeding part (16), said feeding part being located above the sludge-receiving part (12) and communicating with said sludge-receiving part (12) via a inlet (14), and a sludge-discharge device. Said sludge-discharge device is located in the lower area of the sludge-receiving part, and can preferably be connected to a pipeline system. According to the invention, a separator device (18) for removing foreign bodies is located in the area of the feeding part (16) so that the sludge which is temporarily stored in the silo can easily be used later on. Said separating device for removing foreign bodies (18) has a sieve grate (20) covering the inlet (14) and at least one counter-surface (22) positioned above said sieve-grate (20). Said sieve-grate and said counter-surface are able to move in relation to each other as sludge pushes through the sieve openings of said sieve-grate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Putzmeister Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Zey, Alexander Schmid
  • Patent number: 6520073
    Abstract: Moisture reduction press for the separation of liquid from substances, comprising a first container with an inlet opening through which the substance is fed to an inlet chamber, and with a discharge opening from an outlet chamber through which the moisture-reduced substance leaves the press, and also where inside the first container there is arranged a second container, so that between the surface of the first container and the outer surface of the second container a passageway is formed. The moisture reduction press further comprises means for building up a pressure at least in the passageway and feed the substance forward, and in that the wall of the first container, preferably for the whole of its periphery and at least between the two chambers, is produced with through-going holes. There is hereby achieved a uniform distribution and pressing of the substance to be drained, regardless of the moisture content in the substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: J. S. Maskinfabrik A/S
    Inventor: Freddy Sorensen
  • Patent number: 6505548
    Abstract: A garlic press including a pivotally joined base and handle with an intermediate press plate pivoted therebetween and cooperating with the base in defining a receiving chamber selectively receiving an enlarged pressure block formed on the handle. The press plate includes a bladed cutter assembly engageable with the upper surface of the base for the severing of a base supported item, the base itself having an elongate hand receiving opening formed therein to define an upper hand grip functioning in conjunction with the handle to manipulate the press, and a lower base support, below the opening, for a direct supporting engagement of the base on a support surface allowing operation of the press by a direct downward pressure on the handle against a surface supported base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Dart Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Stig Lillelund, Jakob Heiberg
  • Patent number: 6451213
    Abstract: An apparatus for de-watering sludge. A main shaft is rotated about a longitudinal axis at a first rate. A screw shaft coupled to the main shaft is rotated about the longitudinal axis at the first rate. Screw flighting coupled to the screw shaft is rotated about the longitudinal axis at the first rate. A first and second stage drum are rotated about the longitudinal axis at a second rate. Sludge is introduced to a first area defined by an outer surface of the screw shaft and an inner surface of the first stage drum. Moisture is removed from the sludge through a first slot coupled to the first stage drum. The sludge is transported with the screw flighting from the first area to a second area defined by an outer surface of the screw shaft and an inner surface of the second stage drum, the second area being larger than the first area. Moisture is removed from the sludge through a second slot coupled to the second stage drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Wawcon, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary W. Huebner
  • Patent number: 6382090
    Abstract: A kitchen hand press for crushing and extruding pulp, juices and oils from food items includes a stationary handle having a tub located at one end with sides, a distal end and a bottom with openings communicating through it, a pressing element forming a proximal end of the tub journaling and rotating about a shaft extending through the stationary handle; a large radius, ratchet-toothed, disc segment secured to and rotating with the pressing element; a pivoting handle pivotally secured to the stationary handle radially outward from the shaft having a ratchet, driving pin for engaging and rotating the ratchet-toothed disc segment rotating it and the pressing element into the tub upon pivotal rotation of the of the pivoting handle inward toward the stationary handle and ratcheting over the ratchet-toothed disc segment upon pivotal rotation of the pivoting handle outward away from the stationary handle; and via releasable ratchet, latching mechanism integral with the stationary handle for engaging and holding the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventors: Michael A. Kokkinos, Hugo Bolders
  • Publication number: 20020050214
    Abstract: A screw press inlet section comprises a housing defining a radial inlet opening leading to an axially extending chamber through which a screw is rotatably mounted for conveying and dewatering a solid-liquid mixture fed into the chamber through the inlet opening. The housing has an end wall extending in a plane normal to the screw and to which a perforated plate is integrated to provide the additional surface available for drainage at the inlet section. A pulsator is provided within the housing to generate hydraulic pulses against the perforated plate so as to prevent plugging thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Applicant: Kvaerner Pulping, Inc.
    Inventor: Pierre Thibodeau
  • Patent number: 6360655
    Abstract: Residues are found to be stored in the compartments of a multiple container, located in homes, restaurants, cafeterias, etc. The residues thus classified are treated by the user himself who places the residues of the same type in the machine object of the invention, which will be another electrical appliance in homes and premises. The process consists of compacting each type of residue, forming briquettes with a spherical, cylindrical, prismatic shape, etc. formed in the compacting chamber of the machine. A binding material, such as a resin or the like and simultaneously a dye that indicates in accordance with a color code, the type of residue of the briquette, are injected on the briquette in a final stage. After polymerization and solidification, the briquettes are diverted automatically to a storage chamber for their subsequent transfer. The machine includes a compacting chamber with a side wall and another top wall movable by means of respective hydraulic cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Jose Francisco Crespo Barrio
  • Patent number: 6289800
    Abstract: A citrus-juice extractor has two squeeze belts (1, 2) with vertical squeeze surfaces (4) on opposite sides of a progressively narrowed squeeze channel (3). A fruit-half feeder (10) at a wide end of the squeeze channel halves uncut fruit (37) and positions it cut-face-down on a horizontal conveyor (7) intermediate the fruit-half cutter and entrapment positioning between the vertical squeeze surfaces for progressively squeezing conveyance between the vertical squeeze surfaces while the fruit halves are in transit to a narrow exit end (6). Clean-water sprayers (13) and/or other conveyor washers spray-clean the squeeze belts of oil and other contaminants continuously intermediate return belt travel from exit end to the wide end of the squeeze channel. Width of the squeeze channel is pressure-controlled to accommodate widths and consistencies of fruit halves without rupturing the fruit peel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Jim H. Moody
  • Publication number: 20010011505
    Abstract: A screw press provided with a rear excess fluid outlet is described herein. The rear excess fluid outlet includes a circular screen provided at a longitudinal end of the screw press body, near a material inlet. Scraper blade assemblies are provided to prevent the screen from clogging. The efficiency of excess fluid removal is thereby increased by the increased screen surface near the material inlet of the screw press.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventor: Hugues Dionne
  • Patent number: 6241902
    Abstract: An apparatus for de-watering sludge. A main shaft is rotated about a longitudinal axis at a first rate. A screw shaft coupled to the main shaft is rotated about the longitudinal axis at the first rate. Screw flighting coupled to the screw shaft is rotated about the longitudinal axis at the first rate. A first and second stage drum are rotated about the longitudinal axis at a second rate. Sludge is introduced to a first area defined by an outer surface of the screw shaft and an inner surface of the first stage drum. Moisture is removed from the sludge through a first slot coupled to the first stage drum. The sludge is transported with the screw flighting from the first area to a second area defined by an outer surface of the screw shaft and an inner surface of the second stage drum, the second area being larger than the first area. Moisture is removed from the sludge through a second slot coupled to the second stage drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Wawcon, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary W. Huebner
  • Patent number: 6237474
    Abstract: A manually operated, two lever arm type garlic press is provided which a detachably associated cleaning plate that is stored at the front end of the one of the lever arms (preferably, the first lever arm). The cleaning plate is provided with projections on its inner surface which are adopted to engage with apertures in the floor plate of the press chamber so as to clean debris from the apertures after usage of the garlic press. During storage, the projections extend forwardly from the associated lever arm. The cleaning plate is provided with opposing side clips and with top and bottom stabilizing legs that coact together and cooperate with side portions of the associated lever arm adjacent to the front end to hold the cleaning plate relative to that lever arm. Preferably, the top stabilizing leg also functions as a lock to retain the lever arms in a closed configuration during garlic press storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: The Pampered Chef, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kevin G. Short, Leon C. Clouser, Jr., David May, Diane Subsits, Daiying Huang
  • Patent number: 6196122
    Abstract: A manual juicer has a base container, a grip connected to the base container, a strainer cup disposed in the base container, a pressure device disposed in the strainer cup, and a pressing handle connected to the pressing handle and the base container. The pressing handle has a saddle end. The grip has a pedestal and a bottom corrugation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Ming-Hsiung Lai
  • Patent number: 6123018
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting liquid from a liquid-containing slurry. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus (10) includes a plurality of interconnected press assemblies (12), the outlet (82) of one press assembly (12) being connected to the inlet (92) of a successive press assembly (12). Each press assembly has a foraminous cylindrical container (14), and a two-part piston assembly (18) movable between extended and retracted positions within the foraminous container (14). During operation, a pump (90) continuously feeds slurry under pressure through the inlet of the first press assembly to cause liquid within the first stage slurry upstream of the two-part piston assembly (18) to be radially expressed through the foraminous container (14). After a suitable amount of liquid has been extracted from the first stage slurry, batch processing of the partially dewatered slurry will commence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Inventors: Dale E. Wettlaufer, Richard S. Hess
  • Patent number: 6109170
    Abstract: A manually operated, two lever arm type garlic press is provided which a detachably associated cleaning plate that is stored at the front end of the one of the lever arms (preferably, the first lever arm). The cleaning plate is provided with projections on its inner surface which are adopted to engage with apertures in the floor plate of the press chamber so as to clean debris from the apertures after usage of the garlic press. During storage, the projections extend forwardly from the associated lever arm. The cleaning plate is provided with opposing side clips and with top and bottom stabilizing legs that coact together and cooperate with side portions of the associated lever arm adjacent to the front end to hold the cleaning plate relative to that lever arm. Preferably, the top stabilizing leg also functions as a lock to retain the lever arms in a closed configuration during garlic press storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: The Pampered Chef, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kevin G. Short, Leon C. Clouser, Jr., David May, Diane Subsits, Daiying Huang
  • Patent number: 6110388
    Abstract: The sludge filtration device comprises: a filter (1) placed over an approximately horizontal box (4), this filter (1) constituting, in its filtration position, the bottom of a filter chamber (8) of essentially vertical axis; a piston (10) suitable for closing the filter chamber in the top part; means (3, 11) for causing relative movement between the box (4) provided with the filter (1) and the piston (10) so that a liquid filtrate flows downwards through the filter (1) and so that a cake of solid matter remains on the filter (1) at the end of the operation; and a scraper device (31) provided for removing this cake. The piston is made in the form of a filter piston (10) so that a liquid effluent passes through the filter piston (10) as the volume of the filter chamber (8) is being decreased, and a suction pumping means (P) is provided for removing the effluent above the filter piston (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Elf Atochem S.A.
    Inventors: Marcel Norais, Bernard Neveu
  • Patent number: 6004468
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing a solid-liquid material comprises a housing formed with a series of interconnected chambers defined by chamber walls with at least two drums mounted in series within the chambers. Each chamber receives one of the at least two drums for rotatable movement therein. Each chamber and the associated drum are dimensioned to define a region therebetween to retain the solid-liquid material. The regions of adjacent chambers communicate with each other to define a continuous passage from drum to drum through the apparatus. An inlet in the housing admits the solid-liquid material to the passage, and an outlet permits extraction of a processed solid-liquid material from the passage. Each drum rotates in a direction opposite to the adjacent drum to advance the solid-liquid material through the passage from drum to adjacent drum in a sinuous path such that the curvature of the solid-liquid material changes when passing from drum to adjacent drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventors: Adrian Barbulescu, Joana Barbulescu
  • Patent number: 5996484
    Abstract: A press process and structure is disclosed for defluidizing earth drill cuttings, thereby extracting valuable drilling additives and returning them to the drilling system while producing a dense, drier material which may be chemically treated for distillation and/or better dissolution into the environment, thereby reducing, cost in transportation and environmental treatment chemicals thus reducing environmental contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Jeffrey Reddoch
  • Patent number: 5979304
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method using the apparatus are described for the separation by filtration of a solid phase and a liquid phase from a sludge. A pressure is exerted on the sludge with the aid of a piston in a filtration chamber having a filter. The filter is extracted from the chamber and the surface of the filter is swept using a scraper device. The invention can be used for the treatment of liquid manure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Elf Atochem S.A.
    Inventor: Marcel Norais
  • Patent number: 5875707
    Abstract: A press for removing water from masses containing materials of organic origin. The press has a compression chamber (2) with a perforated mantle. The discharge end of the compression chamber contains a piston part (3), which is reciprocable in relation to the compression chamber and movable in and out and through which (6) the mass discharges from the compression chamber. The invention is suitable for use, for example, for drying sludges resulting from sewage treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Oy SNE Environment Engineering Ltd.
    Inventor: Hannes Rajala
  • Patent number: 5857406
    Abstract: A screw press for separating liquids from solid-liquid mixtures, especially pulp suspensions, which has a casing 2 provided with liquid passages, especially divided into segments 3, 3', as well as having a screw 4 rotating inside the casing, a shaft 5, preferably hollow, and a suspension feed area 6. It is primarily characterized by the suspension feed area 6 extending lengthwise in an axial direction on the screw casing 2 with the length and position of the feed opening being adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Andritz-Patentverwaltungs-Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Peter Scheucher, Rudolf Stadlauer
  • Patent number: 5791237
    Abstract: A garlic press is described which utilizes a unique grater plate comprising a plurality of spaced apart drain holes and a plurality of conical projections. A corresponding press plate contains numerous recesses to receive the projections to facilitate the pressing of the garlic by penetrating the skin of the garlic clove. The garlic press may use a clean-out tool which includes a plurality of clean-out pins for engaging the drain holes in the grater plate. The tool can be stored by clipping it to one of the handles of the press when not in use. The pins of the clean out tool are a fixed length between three in four times of thickness of the grater plate. Alternatively, the clean out tool can be affixed to the press unit opposite the press plate with the top presser unit rotated about 270 degrees from a closed position to a fully open position, allowing the clean out pins to enter through the drain holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Faye Fong Chen
    Inventor: Jeremy H. Gibson
  • Patent number: 5753049
    Abstract: An injection apparatus and method is disclosed that enables the internal space to be cleanable by preventing the solidification of binder through washing and cleaning inside a heating cylinder when molding material formation is completed. An inlet pipe is provided between an inlet of an upper wall at the rear portion of a heating cylinder having a nozzle member at the tip internally equipped with an injection screw and a hopper is installed above the inlet. Pipelines for cleaning water and for compressed air are connected to the inlet pipe. Cleaning inside the heating cylinder is made possible by operating transfer valves provided at these pipelines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Ihara, Takashi Shimizu