Helix Patents (Class 100/117)
  • Patent number: 6730219
    Abstract: The filter has a framework with an inlet end, a solids outlet end and an outlet for a separated product between the ends. A fabric filter extends in the framework from end to end and is supported by movable rings, resilient members and dampers enabling axial extension and contraction of the filter. The resilient members, rings and dampers form a unit removable from the framework. A propeller turbine extends through the filter and is supported at opposite ends, and a drive is coupled with the turbine at the one end of the framework. A quick assembly/disassembly mechanism with a rail extends along the framework and is engageable with its cap for removing same and affording access to the unit enabling withdrawal of the unit from said framework and reinsertion of a filter unit composed of a filter and respective movable rings, resilient members and dampers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Attilio Turchetti
  • Patent number: 6688217
    Abstract: An improved twin screw extruder device (14) is provided which is capable of producing a wide variety of high quality extrudates having greatly varying final properties, without the need for extensive machine modifications. The extruder (14) includes a barrel (16) together with a co-rotating twin screw assembly (22). The assembly (22) is made up of a pair of screws (50, 52) having central, tapered shafts (54, 56) equipped with outwardly extending helical flighting (58, 60); the screws (50, 52) are non-parallel and are positioned so that the flighting (58, 60) thereof is intercalated along the length of the screws (50, 52). The fighting is of specialized configuration and tapers along the length of the screws (50, 52) preferably at an angle of taper different than that of the shafts (54, 56); moreover, the width of the outer flighting surfaces (70, 72) increases along the length of the shafts (54, 56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Bobbie W. Hauck, Lavon G. Wenger
  • Publication number: 20040007142
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating material, such as lignocellulose material, fibrous material, particulate material, cellulosic material, and the like. The apparatus includes a feed system, a reactor, a conveyor, and a discharge system. The feed system has an inlet for receiving the material from a supply source at ambient pressure conditions and an outlet for releasing the material. The reactor is used for treating the material and has an inlet connected to the outlet of the feed system for receiving the material released from the feed system, and an outlet for releasing the material treated by the reactor. The conveyor is located inside the reactor for conveying the material from the inlet of the reactor to the outlet thereof. The discharge system is used for discharging the material and has a chamber and a pump. The chamber has an inlet connected to the outlet of the reactor for receiving the material treated by the reactor, and an outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Applicant: Kemestrie Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Jollez, Sylvain Cloutier
  • Patent number: 6673247
    Abstract: A process for dewatering and reducing pathogens in liquid waste sludge having a liquid component and a sludge solids component. Alkaline material is added to the liquid waste sludge. Flocculent may then be mixed with the liquid waste sludge. The liquid waste sludge is then fed into a screw press having a screw. The screw simultaneously heats and dewaters the liquid waste sludge for a sufficient period of time and at a predetermined temperature for the sludge solids component from the screw press to be pasteurized. An apparatus is also provided for carrying out the process for dewatering and reducing pathogens in liquid waste sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: FKC Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Roger J. Olson
  • Patent number: 6651822
    Abstract: Horizontal solids recycler to treat waste water comprising refuse solids from hog farms which comprises an intake and loading hopper adapted to establish a uniform curtain of the waste water, a mesh to which an over flow of the waste water is directed, a tumbler cilinder to which is mounted the mesh and which is mounted to a frame which rests on guide wheels, blades mounted within the tumbler cilinder to raise moistured solids, wherein said water of said moistured solids is passed through a mesh, a collecting bin to collect the solids coming from the tumbler cilinder and raised by the blades which comprises a separator to separate the remaining water from the solids, a screw to transport the solids, which is mounted to the collecting bin, a pressing section which comprises a perforated cilinder to which the solids are fed by the screw, a collecting and recycling hopper to which said perforated cilinder is mounted to, and which said collecting and recycling hopper collects and recycles the wastewater to the tu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: Noe Martinez Alanis
  • Patent number: 6637323
    Abstract: A juice extractor including a helical spindle connected to a power driven source, and a housing having an inlet in the upper part and an outlet in the lower part. The helical spindle includes a fine grinding portion and a refine grinding portion. At the end part of the helical spindle is a drum cap which includes a durable bushing element. The drum cap has a threaded tube portion formed in the lateral direction to join with a pressure control cap which has a squeezing flange formed on the inner part of the circumference thereof so as to press a circular protrusion of the bushing element in order to control the optimum squeezing pressure and maximize the effectiveness of the compression of foodstuff such as fruit or vegetables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Young-Ki Kim
  • Patent number: 6634508
    Abstract: In a screw press, an outer tube (5), over which a screen (4) is tensioned, is divided into a freely rotatable condensing zone at the front half thereof, and a filtering and dewatering zone at the rear half thereof, a freely rotatable screw shaft (7) is provided within the thus-divided outer tube (5a, 5b), filtered fluid is separated from sludge supplied to the starting end of the condensing zone by the screen (4) of the outer tube (5a), and a cake is removed at a discharge port (29) at the rear end of the outer tube (5b) of the filtering and dewatering zone. A sludge supply path (28) is provided in the screw shaft (7), a supply hole (28a) of this supply path (28) is formed at the starting end of the outer tube (5a) of the condensing zone, and a scraper (33) extends on the outer periphery of a screw vane (6) from the starting end to the ending end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Ishigaki Company Limited
    Inventor: Eiichi Ishigaki
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20030116034
    Abstract: An improved twin screw extruder device (14) is provided which is capable of producing a wide variety of high quality extrudates having greatly varying final properties, without the need for extensive machine modifications. The extruder (14) includes a barrel (16) together with a co-rotating twin screw assembly (22). The assembly (22) is made up of a pair of screws (50, 52) having central, tapered shafts (54, 56) equipped with outwardly extending helical flighting (58, 60); the screws (50, 52) are non-parallel and are positioned so that the flighting (58, 60) thereof is intercalated along the length of the screws (50, 52). The flighting is of specialized configuration and tapers along the length of the screws (50, 52) preferably at an angle of taper different than that of the shafts (54, 56); moreover, the width of the outer flighting surfaces (70, 72) increases along the length of the shafts (54, 56).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Bobbie W. Hauck, Lavon G. Wenger
  • Patent number: 6550376
    Abstract: A screw press with twin screws is provided with discontinuities or interruptions 7 in the flighting 8 of the screws 2. Stationary resistor teeth 9 protrude at these interruptions into the flow of material being pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Boyd Johnston
  • Patent number: 6536602
    Abstract: A food waste disposal system having a separator for separating food waste solids from liquids. The separator includes a housing having a screw conveyor surrounded by a screen. The solids are introduced into the screen and conveyed by the screw conveyor toward the opposite end. The solids are compacted by the conveyor against a spring loaded member that adjustably blocks passage of the waste to an exit chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventors: Walter August Ruescher, Christoph Rudolf Kopetzky
  • 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20020096061
    Abstract: A machine for depackaging viscous or flowable products, wherein a continuous feed mechanism conveys packaged product against converging perforated press plates causing the product package to rupture under pressure. The ruptured packaging is further compressed forcing the product through the perforated plates for collection in a holding tank. The compressed packaging material is forced between the press plates with minimal product retention for recycling or disposal. The distance between the press plates at their closes conversion is adjustable by means of pneumatic cylinders to accommodate various types of packaging and product materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Swiatlo
  • Patent number: 6395187
    Abstract: Horizontal solids recycler to treat waste water comprising refuse solids from hog farms which comprises an intake and loading hopper adapted to establish a uniform curtain of the waste water, a mesh to which an over flow of the waste water is directed, a tumbler cylinder to which is mounted the mesh and which is mounted to a frame which rests on guide wheels, blades mounted within te tumbler cylinder to raise moistured solids, wherein said waste water of said moistured solids is passed through a mesh, a collecting bin to collect the solids coming from the tumbler cylinder and raised by the blades which comprises a separator to separate the remaining waste water from the solids, a screw to transport the solids, which is mounted to the collecting bin, a pressing section which comprises a perforated cylinder to which the solids are fed by the screw, a collecting and recycling hopper to which said perforated cylinder is mounted to, and which said collecting and recycling hopper collects and recycles the waste wat
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Noe Martinez Alanis
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20010039887
    Abstract: A drill cuttings slurry process system 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 discharged directly in the environment at or near the well being drilled or chemically treated for distillation and/or better dissolution into the environment, thereby reducing, cost in transportation and environmental treatment chemicals thus reducing environmental contamination. The system comprising a cuttings press having solids/fluids separation a dryer and/or a retort for flashing off any residual petroleum residue and moisture, a fines grinder and a chemical injection system. The retort including an analyzer system for weighing and determining rate of throughput and analyzing the cuttings for residual petroleum residue content prior to discharge to environment or further refinement prior to reinjection into the well or transport to environmental depository sites.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Jeffrey Reddoch
  • 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: 6187180
    Abstract: The apparatus for removing bodies (41) from a liquid in which the apparatus includes a first container (1) which is provided with an inlet (13) through which the liquid is supplied to the first container, and a second container (2) which, in the lower region (35) of the apparatus, surrounds the first container. Between the wall (17) of the first container and the wall (27) of the second container, there is formed a space (26). The wall of the first container is provided with passages (15) through which liquid passes from the first container to the space (26). The passages (15) are dimensioned so as to separate bodies (41) transported by the liquid towards the inside of the wall (17) of the first container. A helix (3) is disposed in a path (7) which is formed by the wall of the first container and is oriented at an angle (&agr;) to the horizontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Spirac Engineering AB
    Inventor: Richard L. Bruke
  • Patent number: 6071378
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating a pulp suspension in which the suspension is rotated in a rotationally symmetrical, rapidly rotating and permeable screen basket so that the suspension is subjected to the influence of a centrifugal force and dewatered at the same time as the suspension is conveyed by a rotating screw along the inner wall of the screen basket. The invention is characterized in that the suspension is caused to rotate by means which are arranged at the entrance to the screen basket, and in that the outer edges of the said screw bear against or are immediately adjacent to the screen basket and rotate at a higher speed than does the screen basket so that the screw scrapes the inner wall of the screen basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Kvaerner Pulping AB
    Inventor: Kuniaki Saito
  • Patent number: 5958233
    Abstract: A new process and apparatus efficiently dewater aqueous solids residual after fermentation and distillation, such as corn stillage. The feed stream of aqueous solids slurry is fractionated into two or more substreams in such a way that one of the substreams contains predominately heavy particulate solids and has substantially improved free-draining characteristics. A second substream contains lighter particles, entrained fines of the heavy particles, and a major portion of the liquid from the feed stream. The free-draining substream is dewatered using a device such as a screen centrifuge or a screw press, both of which produce a cake of relatively high solids content. The remaining liquid from the feed stream is concentrated in an evaporator, before being mixed with the dewatered solids which may be dried to produce an animal feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Ralph H. Willgohs
  • Patent number: 5906154
    Abstract: Juice extractor, is disclosed, for crushing fruits or leaves, or root of green vegetable for extracting green juice, wherein, considering the incomplete juice extraction of the related art juice extractor, the present invention is provided with thread end portions and vacant portions at a rear portion of a screw for enhancing a crushing effect, and a fore end portion with reduced diameter at a fore end thereof, to which fore end a juice extracting member having detachable extracting net member and mounting member is coupled for secondary extraction, that improves a juice extraction efficiency, whereby further improving a pressing effect of the raw material for extracting juice, which provides a better yield, allowing an easy removal of remnants accumulated inside of the juice extracting components, to maintain the extractor clean, reducing a ratio of elasticity degradation caused by a prolonged use, and using in making noodle, as an alternative use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Dong-A Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong Kyu Yoon, Yun Ja Kang
  • Patent number: 5873302
    Abstract: A pulp wash system in which recovery of juice and sugar solids is enhanced by the provision of an in-line static mixer disposed in the line between a pump supplying pulp to a finisher and the finisher. A plurality of pulp inlet pumps and finishers may be connected in series. Further, in using a series of finishers, the liquid introduced into each finisher except for the last finisher comes from the liquid output from a subsequent or further downstream finisher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Guillermo T. Segredo
  • 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: 5857405
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating solid matter from a liquid has a rotatably driven conveyor spiral with one end projecting into a container, such as a gutter, in which a liquid containing solids flows. The spiral conveyor conveys the liquid from the container into a surrounding screen jacket so that liquid escapes from the jacket while the solids continue to be conveyed by the spiral. The spiral conveys the solids into a hollow, cylindrical jacket in which is supported a rotatable shaft drivingly connected to the conveyor spiral and extending longitudinally therefrom. The shaft and hollow, cylindrical jacket form a compression zone and the hollow, cylindrical jacket has a lateral opening through which the solids are conveyed to an outlet device extending laterally from the opening for discharge of the solids to a transport container, a sack filling machine or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Spirac Engineering Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Rudolf Bischof
  • Patent number: 5772968
    Abstract: A hydrolyzer system, apparatus, and method for effecting the continuous conversion of offal, feathers, hair, and other keratinaceous material into usable protein products for further commercial usage. The hydrolyzer system includes a feed screw conveyor, transfer conduit, feed substrate expansion chamber, hydrolyzer, product expansion means, and dryer. The hydrolyzer utilizes direct steam injection heat transfer in combination with a feed expansion chamber means and means for agitation and mixing within the hydrolyzer to fluidize a plug of feather feed substrate formed in the transfer conduit by the feed screw conveyor. The apparatus provides a means for heating and fluidizing the feather feed substrate at elevated temperatures while mixing same to effect its hydrolyzation while preventing the escape of back pressure therefrom via a feed substrate plug formed by the feed screw conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Sunrise, Inc.
    Inventor: Marvin R. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 5770094
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing solids from waste water includes a screen trough and screw auger combination. The screw auger's internal edge is connected to and supported by an axle. According to another feature of the invention, a replaceable edge of material can be used at the very edge of the spiral flighting of the screw auger. A still further optional feature can be the use of a spray bar to direct spray onto the faces of the spiral flighting of the screw auger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Johnson Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Shawn Garton, Michael D. Feehan
  • Patent number: 5732618
    Abstract: A system for separating liquid from material, particularly from metal chips, which comprises a housing with a material inlet opening, a material discharge opening, a spiral-shaped pressure member disposed in the housing, and a plurality of openings in the housing for removing extracted liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Buehl
  • Patent number: 5715747
    Abstract: A device for treating a heterogeneous mixture and more particularly for separating wax and honey in a mixture obtained following an uncapping operation. The device includes a feed hopper (18) opening onto a sleeve (12) fitted with holes (26) in which an Archimedes screw (14) is disposed and driven in rotation by a motorized system (16), solid evacuation elements (20) and liquid recovery elements (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventor: Jean Fedon
  • Patent number: 5713268
    Abstract: A screw press in which a screw continuously dewaters a suspension. The screw has a threaded section and a downstream compression section with a variable squeeze, and the screw is powered to forward the suspension. A housing accommodates the threaded section and the compression section with the variable squeeze. The suspension is admitted in dilute form at an intake at one end of the press. At another end of the press, the suspension is delivered in dewatered form downstream of the compression section through an outlet. The housing is in the form of a wire basket permeable to liquids and impermeable to solids, and is axially displaceable back and forth adjacent the unthreaded compression section between a non-operating position and an operating position to vary an effective length of the basket. This effective length is zero in the non-operating position for emptying the press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Andreas Kufferath GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Krieger, Karl-Heinz Janus
  • Patent number: 5699728
    Abstract: A waste food treatment apparatus including a screw rod turned in a container by a motor unit through a spindle to squeeze water from waste food, a scraper turned by the motor unit to scrape out food dreg, a circular block and a food dreg propelling block fixedly secured to the scraper at different elevations, and a handle coupled to the circular block by ball bearings and turned to lift the scraper and the food dreg propelling block without stopping them from being turned by the motor unit through the spindle, for permitting food dregs to be positively scraped out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Inventor: Chen-Hsien Huang
  • Patent number: 5673618
    Abstract: A screw flight element of a mechanical screw press for expressing liquids from fibrous material such as may be found in rendering operations and a method of remanufacture thereof and the product produced by the method. The helical flight section is one of several having different pitches used in such screw presses and is equipped with carbide elements spaced at strategic points along the periphery of the helical section and further surrounded with plasma arch welded cladding, thereby providing wear and shear points which are harder than the surrounding cladding which is in turn harder than the base material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Inventor: Ramond P. Little
  • Patent number: 5669291
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating whey from a slurry-like material such as bean and dairy products, includes a screen, a jacket mantling the screen with a first space outside the screen and a second space inside the screen, wherein the first space provides a whey chamber of a size which allows the screen to be submerged in the whey staying therein after the whey is squeezed through the screen, a spiral screw rotatively housed in the screen, the blades of the screw being kept in contact with the wall surface of the screen such that the whey is prevented from reversely flowing; and a take-out port provided in the jacket so as to allow the whey in the first chamber to overflow therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Ii
  • Patent number: 5665232
    Abstract: In an apparatus for separating off the liquid portion from the solid portion of two-phase systems, in particular ceramic slips, having a screw and having filter surrounding the screw, a two-stage construction of the apparatus is realized by a first filter and a second filter section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Inventor: Dietrich Schlegel
  • Patent number: 5662810
    Abstract: A new process and apparatus efficiently dewater aqueous solids residual after fermentation and distillation, such as corn stillage. The feed stream of aqueous solids slurry is fractionated into two or more sub-streams in such a way that one of the sub-streams contains predominately heavy particulate solids and has substantially improved free-draining characteristics. A second sub-stream contains lighter particles, entrained fines of the heavy particles, and a major portion of the liquid from the feed stream. The free-draining sub-stream is dewatered using a device such as a screen centrifuge or a screw press, both of which produce a cake of relatively high solids content. The remaining liquid from the feed stream is concentrated in an evaporator, before being mixed with the dewatered solids which may be dried to produce an animal feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Inventor: Ralph H. Willgohs
  • Patent number: 5653879
    Abstract: A flattened end portion of flighting is added to the conventional auger flighting at the output end of an auger separator. A plug zone is created in the inner perforated tube between the flattened flighting and pressure end gates, which normally close the inner tube. The auger shaft extends beyond the flattened flighting to the end of the inner tube, forming a stub shaft which centers the auger in the inner tube when the plug zone is filled with material around the stub shaft. The material functions as a bearing to center the auger shaft. The material in the plug zone is pressed against the perforated inner tube, causing the bonded water to be removed. The flattened end portion flighting extends circumferentially approximately 70.degree. to 80.degree. around the auger shaft, adding an axial length of approximately 1/4 to 3/8 inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Inventor: Vern Schroeder
  • Patent number: 5638745
    Abstract: An improved juice finisher having a housing including a screen defining a central cavity with a rotating finisher worm disposed within the cavity and having a first section with a plurality of first flights, an intermediate section with a plurality of paddles, and a final section with a plurality of final flights; with the intermediate section beginning at the point the first flights terminate so juice may be more efficiently extracted from juice-carrying pulp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Juzar A. Lokhandwala, Carl R. Christian
  • Patent number: 5632907
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering a liquid from a liquid/solid mixture using a centrifuge. The centrifuge has a conveyor having a hub and a flight for imparting a centrifugal motion to the liquid/solid mixture. The conveyor is rotated for imparting the centrifugal motion. A filter is carried in the tank which holds the conveyor. The filter encircles the conveyor for filtering the liquid from the liquid/solid mixture. A backwash system has a tube having a series of nozzles positioned for spraying a fluid at the filter in a narrow band which circumscribes the filter. The tubing is connected to a header which projects out of the casing through an opening. The fluid sprayed through the nozzles is pumped through the header to the tubing having the nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Inventor: Fritz Norbury
  • Patent number: 5593600
    Abstract: A method of recovering and converting organic waste material into more useful products. More specifically the organic waste is slurried with water, passed through hydrocyclones for desanding and desalting, then dewatered through a mechanical press. The dewatered, desalted solids can be used as soil ammnedment, peat substitute, growing media, fertilizer carrier, fuel for co-gen plants, or composted. The water may be reused for slurry, irrigation, or discarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Inventor: William E. Solomon
  • Patent number: 5592869
    Abstract: A blancher having a tank and an elongate generally cylindrical and hollow perforate drum rotatably received in the tank with the drum including an inlet end plate with a food product inlet opening adjacent an end of a support core that is spaced from the inlet opening by at least two braces of non-straight construction to allow food product to enter the drum without being obstructed adjacent the inlet opening. The braces increase the structural rigidity of the drum enabling blanchers to be constructed having axial lengths greater than 24 feet and drum diameters greater than 72 inches while also being of open throat construction and having an inlet opening diameter greater than the outer diameter of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Lyco Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Zittel
  • Patent number: 5573660
    Abstract: A screw conveyor including a feed screw formed, at least partially, as a shankless screw, a jacket surrounding the feed screw and a brush cooperating with the inner surface of the jacket for cleaning the same, with the feed screw including a plurality of substantially band-shaped screw threads extending along an imaginary helical line and arranged, when viewed in a transporting direction, one behind the other with an ever increasing distance from a screw axis so that each two adjacent screw threads form a step therebetween, and with the brush being arranged on the step formed by two outmost screw threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Noggerath Holding GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Peter Eicker, Kurt Ebeling
  • Patent number: 5566611
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for separating liquid from solids-liquid mixtures, in particular fibrous matter suspensions, more particularly under pressure, comprising a solid retention component having liquid passages, composed of a screen and a supporting body for the screen. The invention is primarily characterized in that the solids retention component is designed in multiple layers, that layer which faces the solids-liquid mixture taking the form of a screen (3) with apertures (7) and that layer which faces away from the solids-liquid mixture being designed as a support body (4) having slot-shaped apertures (5). The invention furthermore relates to an apparatus according to the present invention in the form of a worm press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Andritz- Patentverwaltungs-Gesellschaft m.b.H
    Inventors: Peter Scheucher, Gerhard Heindler, Walter Schinninger, Gerhard Paier, Peter Mraz
  • Patent number: 5526740
    Abstract: A multi-screw press for dewatering waste materials including a plurality of fixed filtering cylinders and a plurality of revolving filtering cylinders connected to the fixed filtering cylinders are installed within a single outer casing, and a plurality of tapered screws are located within the fixed and revolving filtering cylinders. The screws and the revolving filtering cylinders are driven by a single motor, so that the waste materials within the filtering cylinders are pressed by the screws and dewatered. A pressure adjusting device is located on the outlet of the screw press and is hydraulically driven. Any residue adhering to the filtering cylinders can be effectively washed away by the use of spray tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Young Tae Kim
    Inventor: Chung Y. Lee
  • Patent number: 5515776
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a worm press for separating liquids from solids-liquid mixtures, in particular fibrous suspensions, more particularly under pressure, including a worm rotating inside a jacket comprising liquid passages. The worm press according to the invention is primarily characterized in that the shaft (13) of the worm (14) which is preferably of hollow construction, comprises in the axial conveying direction following onto the region which comprises at least one worm rib (14'), a smooth terminal region (13') in which the worm shaft (13) is designed as a jacket shaft, provided with a cavity (13") between a jacket (22) and a preferably hollow core (17), and that this jacket (22) comprises liquid passages, for example bores (3"), leading into the aforementioned cavity (13"), this cavity (13") being in communication with at least one liquid drainage outlet (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Andritz-Patentverwaltungs-Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Peter Scheucher, Gerhard Heindler, Walter Schinninger, Gerhard Paier, Peter Mraz
  • Patent number: 5516427
    Abstract: A screw type dewatering machine according to the present invention includes inner and outer sleeves (1, 2), an annular space chamber (3) defined therebetween, a coil-like screw (4) rotatably disposed in the annular space chamber (3), and drain screens (5, 12) disposed on the inner sleeve (1) and/or the outer sleeve (2), and is characterized in that a support ring (16) is attached to the outer periphery of one end of the coil-like screw (4) and is rotatably supported by the outer sleeve (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Hitachi Zosen Corporation
    Inventor: Tadao Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 5489383
    Abstract: A screw type dewatering machine according to the present invention includes inner and outer sleeves (1, 2), an annular space chamber (3) defined therebetween, a coil-like screw (4) rotatably disposed in the annular space chamber (3), and drain screens (5, 12) disposed on the inner sleeve (1) and/or the outer sleeve (2), and is characterized in thata support ring (16) is attached to the outer periphery of one end of the coil-like screw (4) and is rotatably supported by the outer sleeve (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Hitachi Zosen Corporation
    Inventor: Tadao Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 5489381
    Abstract: A novel apparatus for isolating solids, slurries or wetcakes from fluids is disclosed. Said apparatus comprises an extruder having a dynamic seal and a barrel comprising a slip joint and a floating auger which allows for solid recovery under pressure in the absence of substantial solvent volatilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Day, Ganesh Kailasam, Godavarthi S. Varadarajan
  • Patent number: 5480541
    Abstract: A novel apparatus for isolating solids, slurries or wetcakes from fluids is disclosed. Said novel apparatus comprises an extruder having a dynamic seal and a barrel comprising an auger and a movable cap which allows for solid recovery under pressure in the absence of substantial solvent volatilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Day, Ganesh Kailasam, Godavarthi S. Varadarajan
  • Patent number: 5476550
    Abstract: A counterflow single-screw extractor includes a screw conveyor having a helical scroll formed from arcuate flight sections each having a plurality of elongated slots extending away from the direction of screw rotation and permitting the flow of effluent through the product and the flights in a manner controlled by the size, number, and orientation of the slots. The slots permit efficient extraction using relatively little extraction medium and at the same time permit a single-screw extractor to be used without having to periodically reverse the direction of screw rotation to unclog the slots and by the pitch of the screw conveyor. The inventive arrangement permits the use of a multi-section extractor employing different extraction media and/or different extraction media wash rates in different sections of the extractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: dxResources Corporation
    Inventor: David R. Walker