Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for extracting finished juice from an initial juice including substantial solids or for extracting fluid, preferably finished to a high degree, from any slurry including substantial solids, wherein the slurry is introduced into one end of a cylindrical screen, the cylindrical screen being driven in rotation for centrifugally urging the slurry against the screen and causing fluid from the slurry to pass through the screen.

Abstract: The invention provides a helical screw press for processing grape crop in which a filter tube diverges from a predetermined section of its length in downstream direction such that the divergence enables the grapes to be released and prevents formation of an impermeable crust in the filtering tube thereby permitting total pressing and increased flow rate.

Abstract: A juicer for separating pulp and juice from fruit. The juicer comprises an indexing assembly for accepting fruit from a conveyor system and urging the fruit past a cutter to halve the fruit. The cut halves are arranged in opposition to a pair of reamers which remove juice and juice saturated pulp for passage to a pulper assembly. A piston system in the pulper assembly is adapted to compress the juice saturated pulp and contemporaneously discharge compressed pulp. Features include agitators in the conveyor system to facilitate movement of the fruit to the indexing assembly, flexible cups for receiving various sizes of fruit, and operation of the indexing assembly in timed relation to movement of the reamers.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for compressing raw fiber stock into a perforated basket for dyeing in a radial-flow dyeing machine. A hollow container is provided by a perforated cylinder section stacked separably on an imperforate section for loading fiber stock into the common interior. A piston movable under force of water pressure is located in the imperforate section to compress the loaded fiber stack into the perforated section. A closure plate is movable with the piston and is attachable to the perforated section following fiber compression to close the perforate section with compressed fiber therewithin, such that the perforated housing may be removed and used as a dyeing basket. A central core element is secured to the closure plate and is movable therewith to maintain an open center in the dyeing basket for use of the basket in a radial dyeing machine.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for extracting liquid from cloth goods, such as laundry from a washing machine, wherein a dome having a diaphragm across its lower end is mounted above a press plate which is reciprocable beneath the dome between an upper position adjacent the diaphragm, whereby the diaphragm may be inflated by fluid pressure supplied to the dome in order to press a batch of goods received on the press plate, and a lower position to permit the pressed goods or cake to be moved laterally off the press plate and another batch to be received thereon at the start of a subsequent press cycle, and a basket is mounted for shifting vertically between an upper position to form with the press plate a container for the goods which are received thereon, and a lower position beneath the top side of the press plate as the press plate is raised to its upper position as well as upon lowering of the press plate to permit removal of the cake.

Abstract: A frame forms a container having four vertical sides and a flat bottom plate. A hydraulically raised and lowered gate forms one of the sides. Wet hides are stacked on a pallet commonly used with a forklift. The gate is raised, and the loaded pallet placed on the bottom plate. The gate is lowered, and fillers are extended through side openings in the pallet into voids between the pallet top and bottom. A platen above the hides is hydraulically pressed downward within the container to compress the hides. A selected pressure on the hides is maintained for a desired compression period. The fillers within the voids limit deflections of the pallet top during compression of the hides, and consequently prevent damage to the pallet. The fillers are withdrawn, the gate raised, and the loaded pallet removed. The compressed, dry, cohesive hide bundles have a flat top and flat, vertical sides and are more efficiently packed for shipping.

Abstract: An airborne refuse compactor to compact liquid laden trash for storage until the end of the flight. The compactor relies on the difference between pressure within the pressurized passenger cabin and outside pressure at operating altitude. The compactor also discharges to outside atmosphere liquid which has collected on the bottom of the receptacle in which the trash is collected. Liquid is discharged while compaction is taking place.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing and collecting a liquid extract and a pressed dry by-product from a mash of fibrous material includes an extraction chamber, a movable piston for compressing the mash of fibrous material, an agitator coupled to the piston so that the agitator moves coincident with the piston, and a drive mechanism for rotating the agitator to mix the mash. The extraction chamber includes an open end for expelling the by-product, a material inlet opening in proximity to the open end for filling the chamber with the mash, and a liquid outlet opening for collecting the liquid extract. A gate closes the open end to form a work station within the extraction chamber which is filled with the mash. The mash is agitated and compressed within the work station to extract the liquid and form a pressed dry product therefrom, and the gate is removed to open the end of the chamber to allow the dry product to be expelled.

Abstract: A device for compacting and dewatering moist refuse comprises a tube and a piston reciprocable therein. Varying consistency of the refuse matter will require a varying resistance to the compacting action of the piston. A throttling device within the tube comprises a number of plates which are swingable about an axis arranged perpendicularly to the tube, and are actuable so as to occupy a position practically level with the wall of the tube, or to a position in which they extend into the tube, respectively. The piston is operated by a double acting hydraulic ram, and the plates are operated by a further hydraulic ram. Both rams are connected to a source of pressure fluid, and are interconnected so the power stroke end of the further ram communicates with the return flow end of the piston ram, and vice versa. Two oppositely directed non-return valves are fitted in parallel in the conduit connecting the power stroke end of the further ram with the return flow end of the piston ram.

Abstract: A press for continuous expressing of a liquid from a particulate liquid/solid mass of the type including a conveyor screw or auger advancing the mass through a tubular housing which is provided with drainage perforations. The compression and advancement of the material through the perforate section is effected by the face of a reciprocating annular sleeve, the stroke of the sleeve being so arranged that at least one-half of the travel of said face takes place within the perforated area. The frequency of the reciprocating movement of the sleeve is three cycles per second or more, to reduce resistance to the passage of the mass through the housing. The device is capable of a considerable increase in dewatering performance, as compared with known devices of the type operating more or less solely with a conveyor screw.

Abstract: A predrainer type screw press for dewatering highly liquid materials having a feed and pressing screw in which the body of a portion of the feed section of the press is cylindrical and the body of a portion in the pressing section of the press is frusto conical having its small diameter end contiguous with the cylindrical body and of a smaller diameter. The feed portion of the screw is partially surrounded by a bar screen for permitting draining of free run liquids from a material to be dewatered. A pressure assisted overflow in the input hopper is provided to limit the material head in the hopper to prevent slippage and ensure positive feed. Baffles are provided to absorb energy from input material having a high velocity to prevent sticking of material to the screw. Pressing section filter screens are hinged to open out for easy access for cleaning and have a liquid tight seal at the ends when closed.

Abstract: A device for separating coffee grounds from rinse water is disposed beneath a drain pipe of the coffee-making machine. This device comprises a tubular jacket having on the top side thereof an inlet opening for admitting rinse water containing coffee grounds. Detachably connected to one end of the jacket is a funnel-shaped, resilient end piece having a small aperture. On the underside of the jacket is a slot in which a strainer is inserted, through which rinse water but not coffee grounds can flow out of the jacket. Within the jacket there is a piston slidingly driven by a drive piston for pressing rinse water out of the coffee grounds. In order for the coffee grounds to leave the jacket, sufficient pressure must be exerted on the grounds to press part of them through the thus widened aperture in the resilient end piece. By separating the coffee grounds from the rinse water, the device keeps the grounds out of the sewer system.

Abstract: A cheese press having a platen is disclosed. The platen is supported by springs that are held in prestressed condition by stops so that the springs will deflect when a pressure of predetermined amount is exerted on the cheese, thus limiting the pressure on the springs to a predetermined amount depending on the strength of the springs selected. The springs can be changed to weaker or stronger springs, depending on the pressure desired.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing waste material comprises a piston arrangement acting upon a mass of refuse in a receptacle formed by a cylindrical wall and a counter-piston constituting the bottom. The counter-piston can rise in such a way as to block sludge outlets in the cylindrical wall during the initial phase of compression of the waste by the piston arrangement. Thereafter, the counter-piston descends so as to free the sludge outlets when a certain pressure is attained. The compression-piston arrangement comprises two coaxial pistons designed to ensure constant, substantially uniform pressure in the mass of waste. Thus, virtually all liquid, semisolid, or viscous materials can be extracted from the waste to obtain sludge useful in agriculture. Also obtained are virtually dry and non-brittle blocks of refuse which has not been crushed but subjected to internal shearing and contraction, thus yielding a good agglomerate. These blocks may be used as fuel briquettes.

Abstract: A screw press for pressing liquid from fibrous slurries, such as paper pulp, sludge, sedimentation and like material, in which the material is fed into the press at one end of a press screw arranged within a cylindrical strainer drum and rotatable about its longitudinal axis, and fed out of the press through a discharge zone located at the other end of said screw. The core of the screw has a successively increasing diameter along the major part of its length such that the space defined between the core and the wall of the drum gradually decreases in the feed direction. According to the invention the drum is arranged to rotate at a speed which differs from the speed of rotation of the screw. The speed of rotation of the drum is so selected that there is obtained, as the result of the centrifugal force, an effective draining through the drum of free liquid present in the slurry and liquid pressed from said slurry due to the action of the press-screw.

Abstract: A screw press for extracting liquids from materials such as fruits, vegetables, or the like having a cylindrical barrel having a concentric variable-speed helical feed and compression screw. The rearward portion of the cylindrical barrel comprises a cage section having perforate filter screens for passing extracted liquids and filtering out undesired solids from the material being pressed. The cage section is formed by at least one pair of open semicircular frames having a plurality of spaced apart ribs which support replaceable filter screens. The repair of frames is attached along its bottom edge to a set of interleaved hinge blocks which are hingedly attached to the frame of the press. The pair of frames is removably joined along the upper edges of the frame. When the press is nonoperating, the frames are separated at the upper edges and the hinged blocks permit the frames to open in a book-like manner and swing downward and outward completely clear of the feed and compression screw.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing the operation of a dewatering press operating on a known liquid-solid mixture by measuring a physical property such as the pressure of the material being dewatered at an intermediate position in the press, comparing the measured value with a predetermined optimum value set at will by the machine operator, and generating from the comparison a process alteration capable of stabilizing the operation of the press.

Abstract: A screw press for extraction of liquids from solids or semi-solids having a feed screw disposed in a cylindrical cage formed from filter screens. The feed screw has a body portion that increases in diameter over the full length of the screw in a linear fashion forming a gradual slope providing a gentle pressing action on the materials being pressed. A variable speed drive is used to optimize the rotational speed of the feed screw for maximum liquid extraction versus material throughput. The cylindrical cage comprises at least one pair of semi-circular sections connected along a lower edge by a set of offset hinges and bolted together along an upper edge. For cleaning of the press or changing of filter screens, the sections open with the offset hinges causing the sections to move downward and outward, completely clear of the feed screw.

Abstract: A beverage can compactor including an elongate compaction chamber for receiving emptied beverage cans. A pair of crushing platens are positioned for reciprocating movement from the opposite respective ends of the compaction chamber toward each other and then return to their initial positions at the respective ends of the compaction chamber. The compactor provides increased mechanical advantage at the beginning and end of the crushing stroke when such increased force is needed. Faster movement of the crushing platens is provided at the midpoint of the crushing stroke.

Abstract: Fruit press comprising a substantially rigid enclosure or cage having two parallel, vertical open ends and a closeable top for introduction of fruit pulp or other material to be deliquified, and including two platens, one abutting each of the two open ends of said enclosure, one of said platens adapted to substantially tightly and slidably seat in said enclosure and compress material to be deliquified against the other platen to form a cake, said other platen then being indexable away from said enclosure while the first platen indexes slightly beyond the distal end of said enclosure to displace said press cake out of said enclosure. Liquid is expressed from said press cake by drainage through suitable channels in the faces of one or both of the platens and/or the sides and bottom of the enclosure.

Abstract: Continuous cycle demuster press consists of perforated cylinder divided into two portions, a cylindrical pressing piston inside a smaller section downstream portion, and annular piston being disposed inside a larger section upstream portion; the two pistons are coaxial, and the annular piston is disposed between the skirt of the smaller piston and the larger perforated cylinder.

Abstract: A press comprising an apertured press box which opens on a side parallel to its axis to admit the product to be pressed. After closing of the press box a ram is forced axially through the press box to compress the material and squeeze the liquid therefrom. A restricted opening is then formed at the end of the press box and the material in the cylinder is extruded therethrough.

Abstract: Apparatus capable of producing pellets of compacted refuse having a density of at least 20 lbs./ft..sup.3 comprising:(1) a cylindrical tube having a compacted chamber whose length is shorter than the shortest "critical length" for the refuse to be pelletized, with a feed port in the side wall of the tube and a discharge port at the end of the tube,(2) a feed hopper communicating with the inlet port of the tube,(3) a reciprocating ram in the inlet end of the tube capable of exerting a pressure of at least 200 psi on each forward stroke, and(4) a refuse flow restrictor in the tube in which the degree of restriction is controlled in response to changes in the ram pressure required to advance the compacted refuse down the tube.

Abstract: A baling machine for particulate material such as wood chips and bark includes a vertically elongated compression chamber provided at its upper end with an inclined inlet feed chute, a downwardly facing vertically movable compression ram in the chamber, an upwardly facing vertically movable gate ram forming the lower end of the chamber during compression, and a bale-strapping assembly associated with the lower end portion of the chamber. A horizontally movable door operating between open and closed positions at the inner end of the feed chute forms part of the wall of the chamber when closed. The leading edge of the door is specially shaped to penetrate the material in the chute and to cooperate with anvil surfaces at the end of its travel to prevent jamming of the door as it closes.

Abstract: A device for reducing solid waste material to a comminuted and/or compacted state for ease in disposal. The device comprises a series of receptacles, one for each class of waste material, provided with power driven cutters. At least one hydraulic ram type compactor compresses waste material.

Abstract: Fruit press comprising an endless conveyor belt for transporting the fruit or other material to be dewatered or dejuiced, the belt being driven in a horizontal direction, one or more hydraulic platens for compressing the fruit or other liquid-containing compressable material for dejuicing, dewatering, or deoiling the same, as the case may be, movable, permeable sides associated with each platen to contain the sides of the cake being pressed by the platen and vertically movable gates upstream and downstream of each platen to contain the cake being pressed.

Abstract: A method is provided for continuously filtering liquids containing microorganisms, macromolecules and/or fine particles of solid matter as substances to be filtered out and collecting the substances that are filtered out. The liquid to be filtered is introduced from the top into an upright sieve basket where the filtrate is separated from the substances to be filtered out. A pressure is exerted on the liquid in the sieve basket by pressing means so that the filtrate leaves the sieve basket and the entire surface of the cake formed from the filtered-out substances always has approximately the same height in the sieve basket. The liquid in the sieve basket is pressed under an increasable counterpressure into the space underneath the pressing means in the sieve basket. When the backpressure of the liquid is higher than the pressure of the pressing means on the liquid, the pressing means is lifted a small distance above the cake in the sieve basket.

Abstract: This invention teaches a compression extractor device for removing excess water from laundered goods. The device has one or more tubs, each having pervious sides and an open top and an open bottom, and frame structure that supports the tub(s) for movement relative to the frame between and to spaced load, extract, and unload operating stations. There is structure for registering and holding the tub(s) at the respective stations, particularly the extract station. There is frame clearance above the open tub top at the load station and frame clearance below the open tub bottom at the unload station, although a frame base plate underlies and closes the open tub bottom at and between the load station and the extract station. The wet goods are thus adapted to be loaded into the open tub top at the load station and the extracted goods are adapted to be ejected from the open tub bottom at the unload station.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of refuse collection in a city for disposal in a landfill characterized by the steps of sending portable collecting and baling units on routes throughout the city for collecting refuse and simultaneously baling the refuse into large bales, then periodically discharging the bales along the route. A transport unit which is capable of carrying several bales is then notified to pick up the bales and transport them to a landfill. The baling unit has a hopper collector for manually dumping the refuse, a ram for compressing the refuse within a compaction chute into a bale once the refuse fills the hopper collector. After the bale achieves a selected size, wires previously threaded through guides are tied and the bale ejected. An attached conveyor extracts the bale and carries one or two bales temporarily until at a satisfactory place along the route they are unloaded for later pickup by the transport unit.

Abstract: The press comprises a main cage provided with a perforated cylindrical wall which may be driven in rotation by a motor and an auxiliary cage having a perforated wall integral with a plate which is movable in translation and connected to rotate with the main cage. A screw is provided and driven in rotation by a motor on which screw the hub of the movable plate is screwthreadedly mounted. The end wall of the press is rotatably mounted on the screw. When pressing, the juice flows radially through the two perforated walls.

Abstract: A relatively thin briquetting chamber having a filter screen along at least one wall thereof, openable ends, a piston movable through said chamber from one end to the other to squeeze liquid from solid particles collected on the screen in said chamber and form a briquette, and an opening in the chamber for introducing the liquid and solid particles into the chamber. The chamber is so designed that no point inside the chamber is more than about three inches from a filter screen wall. This chamber may comprise a flat rectangular parallelepiped having openable ends, a bottom screen wall, a pair of side walls along the longitudinal edges of the bottom wall, and a top wall having an opening therein for introducing the liquid and solid particles, which if in the form of a sludge, this opening has to have a minimum dimension of at least six inches.

Abstract: A horizontally oriented tubular housing is provided at one open end in its circumferential wall with a cut-out at the upper side of the housing, which cut-out resembles a segment of the tubular housing. A ram is reciprocable in the housing axially thereof and a door is mounted at the open end and pivotable about arms located at opposite lateral sides of the housing, to and from a closure position overlying the open end. The door has a plate-shaped first portion a surface of which faces the open end when the door is in closure position and which carries on this surface rigid therewith another portion resembling a segment of the tubular housing so dimensioned as to fit into and close the cut-out of the circumferential wall of the tubular housing when the door is in its closure position.

Abstract: A compactor assembly for compacting matter including a housing, a compactor plate within the housing movable between a retracted position and a compacting region for compacting matter wherein the compactor plate is inclined with respect to the path of motion in the retracted position and moves toward the perpendicular with respect thereto in the compacting region, the compactor plate including collapsible means for permitting collapse thereof as it approaches the perpendicular.In one preferred embodiment, the compactor plate includes stapling means for stapling adjacent layers of matter together during the compaction process wherein the stapling means includes a plurality of movable teeth.