Discharging Residue Patents (Class 210/369)
  • Patent number: 5705069
    Abstract: A water treatment device includes a casing having an outlet of treated water, a screen basket having a peripheral wall portion and a closed end portion and being received in the casing, a screen section provided in the peripheral wall portion of the screen basket, a drive unit for rotating the screen basket, and a water supply section provided in the screen basket and communicating with a source of water to be treated. The screen section of the screen basket includes support rods having a projecting portion in the radially inner end portion thereof and wires of a substantially triangular cross section provided radially inwardly of the support rods and extending in a direction crossing with the support rods, each of the wires being arranged with its one side facing inward and two other sides forming a slit which widens radially outwardly between adjacent wires and with an apex of each wire being welded to the projecting portion of the support rods at crossing points of the wire and the support rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Harusuke Naito
    Inventor: Tadayoshi Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 5667681
    Abstract: A vertical or horizontal centrifugal separator comprises a drive mechanism including a drive shaft. A flight assembly is attached to the drive shaft and is rotatably driven by it as is a screen assembly which includes a rotor that also is attached to the drive mechanism. The flight assembly generally has a frusto-conical central body with a plurality of spaced apart individual blades or flights aligned longitudinally on the exterior of the central body. The rotor is driven at a separate speed that the flight assembly. A perforated screen assembly is carried by the rotor and is positioned outwardly of the flight assembly. An inlet assembly is positioned above these other elements where material to be separated is fed into the separator through the inlet assembly. An improvement comprises a novel tip formed on each of the individual flights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Elgin National Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas John Magrecki, Jerry Dean Farmer
  • Patent number: 5656163
    Abstract: A chamber for use in a rotating field to separate blood components. An inlet port near one end of the chamber introduces blood into the chamber for flow circumferentially about the rotational axis toward the opposite end of the chamber for separation into at least one blood component. At least one outlet port is juxtaposed next to the inlet port near the one end of the chamber for conveying one separated blood component from the channel. The chamber directs the one separated blood component to a collection region near the opposite end of the chamber. An enclosed interior collection passage within the channel leads from the collection region and directs the one collected component to the outlet port for transport from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventor: Richard I. Brown
  • Patent number: 5618409
    Abstract: The centrifuge (1) described has at least one device (11,12) designed to control the operation of the centrifuge, the devices being mounted to rotate with the rotating part of the centrifuge and to be operated by a mechanical actuator (13) also rotating with it. Such devices may, for instance, be drain valves, periodically opening discharge valves, sill height adjustment devices, pressure-control devices, temperature-control devices, etc. At least one part of the devices of this centrifuge to be controlled independently of the centrifugal force is designed so that the rotating actuator (13) changes its shape as a function of the temperature and has at least one temperature-specific shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: FLottweg GmbH
    Inventor: Walter Kreill
  • Patent number: 5573678
    Abstract: Systems and methods for separating mono nuclear cells from whole blood rotate a separation chamber about a rotational axis. The systems and methods introduce whole blood into a first region of the chamber during its rotation to separate the whole blood into a plasma constituent, red blood cells, and an interface between the red blood cells and the plasma constituent. The interface carries mono nuclear cells. While conveying whole blood into the first region, the systems and methods collect the plasma constituent in the first region, while also collecting the red blood cells in a second region of the chamber spaced from the inlet region. The systems and methods create, while conveying whole blood into the inlet region, a back flow of plasma constituent along the interface from the second region toward the inlet region. This back flow of plasma maintains a high-relative hematocrit in the second region and a low-relative hematocrit in the inlet region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Richard I. Brown, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 5567321
    Abstract: The centrifugal filter comprises a rotatable travelling basket (5) disposed within a collector chamber (1). A machine body (2) which can be supported on a support (3) carries a bearing arrangement (8) for the hub (14) of the travelling basket (5). In the travelling basket (5) which partially comprises holes is present a filter element (20) in such a way that during the rotation of the travelling basket the liquid to be filtered can flow out through the filter element (20) and through these holes. For removing the filtrate, retained on the filter element and consisting of solid particles, a lifting device (22) is present which can be moved back and forth. The travelling basket (5) comprises a travelling basket neck (7) connected with the travelling basket hub (14), which neck is provided with passage openings which communicate at least partially with further passage openings disposed in the bottom portion of the machine body (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Ferrum AG
    Inventors: Eduard Weber, Rene Rohr, Jurg Suter
  • Patent number: 5558770
    Abstract: A cone frustum is provided for a centrifugal separator to shield the area of the separator's screen at the top of the flight assembly from the initial impact of the material which is introduced into the separator. The cone frustum is spaced above the flight assembly and below the inlet to shield the portion of the screen that is at the top of the flight assembly. The cone frustum is spaced radially inwardly from the screen and outwardly from the outlet. The cone frustum shields the part of the screen which wears most quickly to extend the life of the separator's screen assembly. The cone frustum is partially perforated to allow for initial dewatering of the material introduced into the separator. The slope of the cone frustum is equal to or less than the slope of the screen of the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Elgin National Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dewey M. Cope, Thomas J. Magrecki
  • Patent number: 5547573
    Abstract: The device comprises a first wide-mesh cloth or screen which bears against the calender of a basket, at least one tight supple tube connected to a source of gas under pressure which is against the first cloth or screen, a second cloth or screen identical to the first covering the tube such that the tube is sandwiched between the cloths or screens, and a fine-mesh filtering cloth covering the second cloth or screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Robatel
    Inventor: Michel Martin
  • Patent number: 5494578
    Abstract: A system and method of separation of therapeutic components from blood. The system includes a dual member centrifuge and a disposable single use fluid transfer set. The set includes an elongated flexible separation chamber having an input port, a separated component output port and a residual fluid output port. The input port and the separated component output ports are located at opposite ends of the elongated separation chamber. The centrifuge includes a receiving chamber with a selectively formed annular slot therein. The separation chamber is positioned in the annularly shaped slot and rotated at a predetermined rotational velocity. Fluids such as whole blood flows through the separation chamber and are separated into various therapeutic components such as platelet rich plasma and residual concentrated red blood cells. Platelet rich plasma can be drawn off as the separated therapeutic component. An alternate two part transfer set provides for highly efficient platelet pheresis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Richard I. Brown, Sidney Smith, David E. Cerny, John T. Foley
  • Patent number: 5490453
    Abstract: An improved centrifugal fat extraction apparatus for removing surface liquid from food which comprises a housing assembly having mounted at its bottom a self-centering drive assembly having a shaft extending vertically from the self-centering drive assembly within the housing assembly, a rotatable spindle mounted onto the shaft, a means for rotating the spindle at a variable speed between 750 and 1200 rpm for approximately a 45 second time span, and a rotatable cylindrical slotted basket capable of holding foods. The self-centering drive assembly prevents undesirable vibration from being imparted to the housing assembly as the result of eccentric loading of the foods into the slotted basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: SAS TV Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Spencer L. Mackay
  • Patent number: 5460717
    Abstract: An apparatus which performs solids particles separation from a liquids/solids slurry, and subsequent drying of such solids particles, within a single enclosure. Further processing functions, such as reslurry washing, plug washing, crystal growth and other reactions, can also be carried out within that single enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Thomas Broadbent & Sons Limited
    Inventors: Geoffrey L. Grimwood, Geoffrey C. Grimwood
  • Patent number: 5401407
    Abstract: Apparatus for continuously separating relatively coarse particles from a suspension of a mixture of particles in a liquid, wherein the suspension is caused to pass through a screening medium which is rotating in its own plane and wherein the screening medium extends over and across the upper end of a rotary drum having generally downwardly depending side walls and wherein the side walls diverge outwardly in a downward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: ECC International Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Jones, Reginald L. Phillips, Hugh R. Falcon-Steward
  • Patent number: 5370802
    Abstract: Systems and methods for separating a suspension of plasma and platelets from whole blood rotate a chamber about an axis to create within the chamber a low-G zone radially close to the axis and a high-G zone spaced radially further from the axis than the low-G zone. The systems and methods introduce whole blood into an inlet region of the chamber to initiate separation of red blood cells toward the high-G zone of the inlet region. This creates a strong flow of plasma that moves radially toward the low-G zone of the inlet region and elutes platelets into suspension with it. The systems and methods direct the radial flow of plasma and eluted platelets within the inlet region to a port in the inlet region for transport out of the chamber. The systems and methods also drag the interface into this radial plasma flow, eluting even the largest of platelets into suspension for collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventor: Richard I. Brown
  • Patent number: 5322620
    Abstract: A system and method of separation of therapeutic components from blood. The system includes a dual member centrifuge and a disposable single use fluid transfer set. The set includes an elongated flexible separation chamber having an input port, a separated component output port and a residual fluid output port. The input port and the separated component output ports are located at opposite ends of the elongated separation chamber. The centrifuge includes a receiving chamber with a selectively formed annular slot therein. The separation chamber is positioned in the annularly shaped slot and rotated at a predetermined rotational velocity. Fluids such as whole blood flows through the separation chamber and are separated into various therapeutic components such as platelet rich plasma and residual concentrated red blood cells. Platelet rich plasma can be drawn off as the separated therapeutic component. An alternate two part transfer set provides for highly efficient platelet pheresis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Richard I. Brown, Sidney Smith, David E. Cerny, John T. Foley
  • Patent number: 5317964
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises a base unit, a rotatable shaft extending vertically from the base unit, a means for rotating the shaft, and a rotatable cylindrical basket capable of holding fried foods. The basket comprises an horizontally disposed circular bottom piece and a vertically disposed cylindrical piece of porous material being attached at its lower open end to the outer edge of the circular bottom piece to form the vertical wall of the basket. The basket is vertically connectible to and removable from the rotatable shaft. The apparatus further comprises a means for coupling the rotatable shaft to the rotatable basket so that the axis of the shaft is aligned with the axis of the basket. The apparatus also comprises a solid vertical wall surrounding the porous vertical wall of the rotatable basket. The solid vertical wall has an annular channel on the inside of its lower edge so that it has a substantially J-shaped cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Inventor: Malcolm J. Prudhomme
  • Patent number: 5286299
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing reduced crystal damage in a sugar centrifugal includes provisions for avoiding scratching and other crystal damage by eliminating asperities and sharp edges at the transition between the screening zone and the discharge zone of a centrifugal basket. In addition, the distance on an upper shroud ring across which high velocity crystals slide is minimized to reduce the likelihood of scratching crystals on the surface of the shroud ring. Finally, the tangential velocity at which crystals are released from the centrifugal basket is minimized to reduce impact damage to the crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Silver Engineering Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Ted D. Milner
  • Patent number: 5269849
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing sugar, crystal impact damage and lump formation in a sugar centrifugal includes a resilient deflector ring which absorbs most of the impact energy of the crystals while deflecting the crystals out of the path of trailing high speed crystals. An air flow parallel to the local surface of the deflector ring causes vibration of the deflector ring to reduce the tendency for crystals to stick while addition of a supply of water aspirated and atomized by the air flow maintains the ring surface free of syrup build-up which could cause crystals to adhere to the ring surface and form lumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Silver-Weibull
    Inventor: Ted D. Milner
  • Patent number: 5265755
    Abstract: A trash receptacle including a vent means mounted in the bottom therefore for eliminating the formation of a vacuum when a filled flexible trash bag liner is removed from the receptacle. The air vent holes are placed superiorly in a central vertical stalk. The base has one or more air channels that allow air ingress and egress from the outside atmosphere to the raised central stalk area. The central vertical vent stalk has a dome shaped roof with an overhang to channel spilled liquids away from the air vent holes onto a sloping floor which in turn diverts the liquid to the outer corners of the inner receptacle base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Inventors: Daniel L. McArthur, Jr., Douglas R. McArthur
  • Patent number: 5256289
    Abstract: An improved vertical, centrifugal separator (100) includes a drive mechanism (142) to which is connected both a flight assembly (138) and a screen assembly (166). An inlet assembly (124) is positioned above the flight and screen assemblies for material (M) to be separated to be fed into the separator. This material is captured between the flight and screen assemblies and falls downwardly therebetween as separation occurs A pocket assembly (144) integral with the screen assembly is positioned between a discharge port of the inlet assembly and the upper end of the flight assembly. The pocket assembly creates a "basket" for catching material introduced into the separator through the inlet assembly, and replaces the upper portion of the screen assembly which previously was used to catch this material. The screen assembly includes a rotor (182) having a plurality of spokes (196) defining an outlet for separated solid material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Centrifugal & Mechanical Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dewey M. Cope, Harry E. Derton
  • Patent number: 5227066
    Abstract: A centrifugal separation method for living cells is disclosed in which a cell containing solution is charged in a rotor chamber confined by a steam pressure-resistant wall. A rotor having septa is disposed in the rotor chamber. The septa are rotatable in the same direction at the same angular velocity as the rotor while at least part thereof is immersed in a solution in the rotor when cells are to be centrifuged from the cell-containing solution. After the cells are separated and adhered to the inner surface of the rotor, a supernatant in the rotor is discharged form the rotor. Then a fresh cultivating medium is introduced into the rotor, and the septa and the rotor are rotated at mutually different angular velocities while at least part of the septa is immersed in the fresh medium in the rotor. As a result, the cells are again suspended in the fresh medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Ishida, Ryoichi Haga, Harumi Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 5223137
    Abstract: A centrifugal separation apparatus comprises a rotatable cylindrical member including a side perforated wall and an opened bottom and a bottom lid member including a central raised portion and a side wall inclined downwardly and outwardly. The bottom lid member is moveable between an upper position in which said bottom lid member is engaged by the lower end face of said cylindrical member and a lower position in which said bottom lid member is spaced apart from the lower end of said cylindrical member to form a gap therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: House Food Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuichi Hattori, Nobuhide Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 5196068
    Abstract: A water-conducting lance, fitted with a spray nozzle at an end thereof, is fixed to the top of a massecuite-separating centrifuge which has a rotating basket, to dispose the nozzle in adjacency to the top of the basket. The nozzle addresses the top of the basket, perpendicularly, and sprays pre-wetting water onto sugar crystals thereat, to insure a good mix of the crystals with subsequent mixing liquid (also water) in a mixing liquid zone, in order that a lump-free high brix magma will be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Silver Engineering Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Ted D. Milner
  • Patent number: 5182008
    Abstract: A filtration apparatus including a rotatable drum and a filter member defining at least a part of the side wall of the drum. A liquid containing solid particles, such as used wash water from a vehicle washing facility, is introduced into the drum by a sump pump or the like and a motor including an electrically-operated brake rotates the drum at a sufficient speed to force a liquid filtrate or filtered water outwardly through the filter member and cause a layer of relatively dry solids to collect on the inner surface of the filter member. Operation of the drum motor is terminated at the same time or shortly after operation of the sump pump is terminated and the brake is energized at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Inventor: Richard J. Shelstad
  • Patent number: 5160633
    Abstract: A frontal separator method and apparatus for separating particles from fluids, such as microorganisms from juice, and for providing a sample of juice having a concentrated number of microorganisms therein for ease of detection thereof, comprising a hollow, rotatable, perforated, cylindrical rotor mounted inside of a spaced-apart outer case with an annular separation chamber therebetween. The fluid with particles to be separated therefrom is fed into the separation chamber, the fluid flows through the holes in the rotor and exits through an outlet port while the particles exit from a waste port of the separation chamber. The outer casing preferably also rotates with the rotor, and the holes, which have a diameter substantially greater than that of the particles, are preferably at an angle to a radius of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Ing-Tsann Hong, Ernest C. Fitch
  • Patent number: 5156751
    Abstract: A three stage centrifuge especially adapted to the separation of oil, water, and solid particles in an emulsion. As an example, the centrifuge may be used to separate sediment and water from a petroleum product such as crude oil. The three stage centrifuge includes a rotatable bowl that spins the emulsion to separate the fluid oil and water into separate pools within the bowl. The solid particles are also moved radially outward within the rotatable bowl by centrifugal force. A conveyor auger contacts the solid particles and discharges the solids from the rotatable bowl through a solids discharge port. Oil discharge tubes contact the oil pool confined between oil baffle plates on the conveyor auger and allow the oil to be discharged from the rotatable bowl. Water weirs contact the water pool and allow the water to be discharged from the rotatable bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Inventor: Neal J. Miller
  • Patent number: 5114489
    Abstract: An annular compartment is disposed below the mixing ring of a rotating-basket, massecuite-separating centrifuge, to receive the magma therein. Eductors arrayed in the compartment receive hot water, and ingest magma, to eject the mix therethrough and to centrifuge the mix, while melting the sugar crystals in the magma. The melted crystals, now high brix sugar liquid, is overflowed into a companion compartment; from thence the liquid is passed over a weir, into a sub-compartment, for subsequent discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Silver Engineering Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Ted D. Milner, Robert V. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 5104526
    Abstract: A system and method of separation of therapeutic components from blood. The system includes a dual member centrifuge and a disposable single use fluid transfer set. The set includes an elongated flexible separation chamber having an input port, a separated component output port and a residual fluid output port. The input port and the separated component output ports are located at opposite ends of the elongated separation chamber. The centrifuge includes a receiving chamber with a selectively formed annular slot therein. The separation chamber is positioned in the annularly shaped slot and rotated at a predetermined rotational velocity. Fluids such as whole blood flows through the separation chamber and are separated into various therapeutic components such as platelet rich plasma and residual concentrated red blood cells. Platelet rich plasma can be drawn off as the separated therapeutic component. An alternate two part transfer set provides for highly efficient platelet pheresis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Richard I. Brown, Sidney Smith, David E. Cerny, John T. Foley
  • Patent number: 5076911
    Abstract: A system and method of separation of therapeutic components from blood. The system includes a dual member centrifuge and a disposable single use fluid transfer set. The set includes an elongated flexible separation chamber having an input port, a separated component output port and a residual fluid output port. The input port and the separated component output ports are located at opposite ends of the elongated separation chamber. The centrifuge includes a receiving chamber with a selectively formed annular slot therein. The separation chamber is positioned in the annularly shaped slot and rotated at a predetermined rotational velocity. Fluids such as whole blood flows through the separation chamber and are separated into various therapeutic components such as platelet rich plasma and residual concentrated red blood cells. Platelet rich plasma can be drawn off as the separated therapeutic component. An alternate two part transfer set provides for highly efficient platelet pheresis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Brown, Sidney Smith, David E. Cerny, John T. Foley
  • Patent number: 5053127
    Abstract: A system for continuously esparating lighter and intermediate density matter, such as plasma rich in platelets from whole blood moves blood through a diverging centrifugation gap between inner and outer walls of a rotor rotating about a central axis within an outer housing. The centrifugation action creates layered flow along an intermediate section. However by crating trailing wakes in the gap between the rotor and housing, localized remixing patterns tending to move in the opposite direction are induced in the layered matter. Platelet rich plasma may then be extracted through adjacent platelet concentrate ports on the inner wall of the rotor. An interior passageway system passes the platelet rich plasma to a platelet concentrate reservoir. Recirculation of blood in the rotor-housing gap between the output and input, and pumping action provided by the diverging centrifugation gap, aid in enhancing throughput and concentration levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: William F. McLaughlin
    Inventors: Donald W. Schoendorfer, Claude E. Berthe
  • Patent number: 5031522
    Abstract: The process for obtaining juice, especially apple juice, from a mash obtained by crushing cells is free of enzymatic or biochemical processing steps for removal of pectins and performs the juice extraction continuously. The fluid phase obtained from the mash in a continuous centrifugation process and the foam combined with pectin components floating on it are separated from each other, advantageously by a vibrating screen. This process and eventual subsequent downstream separation steps, including for example removal of residual cellulose fibrous fractions from the fluid phase by centrifugal decantation, must be completed before the reaction of pectin with oxygen begins. An apparatus for performing this process is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignees: Krauss Maffei Aktiengesellschaft, Giorgio Bini
    Inventors: Berthold Brixel, Giorgio Bini
  • Patent number: 4961722
    Abstract: A vertical centrifugal separator, for example of the type used to dry coal, is improved by splitting the frustoconical screen into two pieces and including access doors in the water shield surrounding the screen. The division of the screen is made horizontally, for example at a level of about 30 to 70 percent down from the top of the screen. This permits the separator to be serviced in a relatively short time, by replacing only the upper partial screen when holes are worn in it. This is feasible because most of the wear in these screens is confined to about the upper 30 percent of their height. If a screen support basket is used, it can be confine to the lower partial screen, so that it does not have to be removed in order to replace the upper partial screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Guyan Machinery Co.
    Inventors: Jimmy Taylor, David L. Singleton, Stanley A. Skeens, Dennis R. Runyon
  • Patent number: 4944883
    Abstract: A system for continuously separating lighter and intermediate density matter, such as plasma rich in platelets from whole blood moves blood through a diverging centrifugation gap between inner and outer walls of a rotor rotating about a central axis within an outer housing. The centrifugation action creates layered flow along an intermediate section. However by crating trailing wakes in the gap between the rotor and housing, localized remixing patterns tending to move in the opposite direction are induced in the layered matter. Platelet rich plasm may then be extracted through adjacent platelet concentrate ports on the inner wall of the rotor. An interior passageway system passes the platelet rich plasma to a platelet concentrate reservoir. Recirculation of blood in the rotor-housing gap between the output and input, and pumping action provided by the diverging centrifugation gap, aid in enhancing throughput and concentration levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Inventors: Donald W. Schoendorfer, Claude E. Berthe
  • Patent number: 4940543
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of separating a component from a collected quantity of fluid. The apparatus includes a dual member centrifuge and an associated fluid flow transfer set. The transfer set has a collection container in which a quantity of fluid can be initially accumulated. The collection container is formed as a disk-shaped plastic member with an elongated generally radially extending barrier member formed therein. A component collection container is in fluid flow communication with the disk-shaped container. The method provides for centrifugation of the collection container in the dual member centrifuge thereby separating out the selected fluid component. The component can then be pumped out of the collection container into the component accumulation container. The residual fluid can be sealed in the collection container for later use. The component collection container can be separated and sealed also for later use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Richard I. Brown, David E. Cerny, John T. Foley, Joseph C. West, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4879031
    Abstract: A blood centrifugation cell has an outer container, a volume displacement inner body having a central passage, and an inlet conduit extending through the central passage to the bottom of the container. A seal is provided at the lower end of the body sealing the space between the inner conduit and the central passage. The seal permits red blood cells to be sucked from the container at any time during centrifugation without waiting for the cell to become completely filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: Dideco S.p.A.
    Inventor: Ivo Panzani
  • Patent number: 4859333
    Abstract: A continuous blood centrifugation cell includes a bell shaped outer container rotatable about a central axis, a coaxial inner volume displacement body which has a central longitudinal passage, and a circularly shaped partition which has a central aperture and which is coaxially enclosed between the body and the bottom of the container. A stationary housing is connected to and encloses the upper end of the container and has a coaxial inner conduit, a coaxial intermediate conduit, and a coaxial outer conduit. The housing has a stationary passage near the upper end of the container and is in communication with the lower end of the outer conduit for the removal of the lighter fraction blood components from the container. The intermediate conduit extends downwardly into the central passage of the body and has the lower end thereof closely spaced from the partition for the inlet of blood into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Dideco S.p.A.
    Inventor: Ivo Panzani
  • Patent number: 4834890
    Abstract: A system and method of separation of therapeutic components from blood. The system includes a dual member centrifuge and a disposable single use fluid transfer set. The set includes an elongated flexible separation chamber having an input port, a separated component output port and a residual fluid output port. The input port and the separated component output ports are located at opposite ends of the elongated separation chamber. The centrifuge includes a receiving chamber with a selectively formed annular slot therein. The separation chamber is positioned in the annularly shaped slot and rotated at a predetermined rotational velocity. Fluids such as whole blood flows through the separation chamber and are separated into various therapeutic components such as platelet rich plasma and residual concentrated red blood cells. Platelet rich plasma can be drawn off as the separated therapeutic component. An alternate two part transfer set provides for highly efficient platelet pheresis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Richard I. Brown, Sidney Smith, David E. Cerny, John T. Foley
  • Patent number: 4816152
    Abstract: A separator for separating a mixture of two liquids having different specific weights has a transverse wall between upper and lower exterior casing portions having axial openings at opposite axial ends, the axial opening in the upper casing portion having a larger effective diameter than the axial opening in the lower casing portion. An interior casing is spaced inside the upper casing portion and has an upper end. There are at least two openings through the transverse wall, one opening communicating from inside the lower casing portion to the space between the upper casing portion and the interior casing and the other opening being radially inward thereof for communicating between the interior casing and the lower casing portion. An inlet into the upper end of the interior casing lets the mixture into the interior casing while rotating the transverse wall, casing portions and interior casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Inventor: Jacob Kalleberg
  • Patent number: 4804419
    Abstract: A continuously operable sugar centrifugal is equipped with an upwardly opening conical centrifugal drum surrounded by a sugar collecting housing (3). The upper edge of the drum (1) is equipped with a sugar discharge flange which faces a rotatably mounted ring carrying a plurality of sugar crystal deflecting, spring elastically yielding, sheet metal members which may be mounted in a fixed position or in an adjustable position to the rotatable ring. In the embodiment with the adjustable sheet metal members, their angular position relative to the flight direction of the sugar crystals may be selected in accordance with particular requirements. The sheet metal members are so located that they function as sugar intercepting and deflecting elements. A ring conduit for applying a mashing liquid to the sheet metal members is arranged in a stationary position in parallel to the rotatable ring and axially spaced from the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignee: Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG
    Inventors: Helmut Schaper, Heinrich Kurland
  • Patent number: 4762570
    Abstract: The screen drum of a continuously operable sugar centrifuge is divided into three sections along its axial length from the drum bottom to the sugar discharge rim. A first upper section extends from the discharge rim downwardly. This first section has such a wall inclination (.alpha.) relative to the central rotational axis that a layer of material being centrifuged remains stationary on the first section when the supply of massecuite is interrrupted and the supply of covering or wash-water is continued while the centrifuge keeps operating. A second mid-section extends along a mid-portion of the drum and another angle of inclination (.beta.)relative to the rotational axis, whereby the angle (.beta.) is larger by about 3.degree. to 7.degree. than the angle (.alpha.). A third lower section encloses a third angle (.gamma.) with the rotational drum axis. The third angle (.gamma.) is about equal to the first angle (.alpha.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG
    Inventor: Helmut Schaper
  • Patent number: 4755301
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for using the apparatus to centrifugally recover a maximal amount of concentrated macromolecular retentate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventor: William F. Bowers
  • Patent number: 4724076
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a centrifugal separator for separating suspended substances from a liquid such as the waste water of a ship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: Sasakura Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Deguchi, Norio Shintani, Mikio Morita, Shiro Ohno
  • Patent number: 4718945
    Abstract: A continuously operating sugar centrifugal is equipped with the following components, a massecuite supply device, a frustum-shaped screen drum which is rotatably drivable, a housing surrounding the screen drum, a distributor and accelerating device arranged for cooperation with the screen drum, cover water nozzles arranged in a fixed position in the drum, and an air guide ring. The air guide ring is located at the widening upper open end of the drum. The air guide ring widens conically and forms an extension or elongation of the screen drum. A passage or exit gap for the sugar to be discharged from the drum, is provided between the upper drum edge and a rim of the air guide ring facing the drum. The air guide ring rim facing away from the drum reaches into a ring-shaped air scoop and collecting space (17) which is open toward the interior of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG
    Inventors: Helmut Schaper, Heinrich Kurland
  • Patent number: 4594166
    Abstract: An improved desludging device for basket centrifuges facilitates the automatic withdrawal of hard sludge from the centrifuge. The device includes a sludge discharge tube and a sludge re-slurrying tube, the tubes being connected in a loop, so that fluid exiting the centrifuge through the discharge tube reenters the centrifuge through the re-slurrying tube. The re-slurrying tube terminates in one or more nozzles or slots, pointed in the general direction of the discharge tube. This continual recirculation of fluid causes the hard sludge in the centrifuge to return to the form of a slurry, and the slurry is periodically withdrawn from the centrifuge. The re-slurrying effect may be enhanced by the occasional introduction of some process liquid, or other liquid, into the centrifuge. The sludge discharge tube and re-slurrying tube are mechanically linked, and are programmed to move towards the rim of the centrifuge until substantially all the sludge is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1986
    Assignee: William D. Clinton
    Inventors: William D. Clinton, Donald J. Hess
  • Patent number: 4549964
    Abstract: A device for cleaning obstructions from the reject end of a centrifugal separator without interrupting normal opertion. Modern small-sized separators, in particular, are liable to become blocked, and the usual method of removing the blockage is to use a water jet or pressurized air which is led to the obstructed reject end by various methods. The disadvantage associated with these methods is that the impurities removed by the jet partially contaminate the regular flow. This invention will help to avoid this because cleaning is effected by means of a device having a chamber into which the flow containing the rejected material is directed when the plug of the separator is opened. The chamber is fitted with a discharge orifice. In this way, the reversed flow removes the obstruction in the reject orifice, thus preventing it from contaminating the accept mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1985
    Assignee: Enso-Gutzeit Oy
    Inventor: Pentti Vikio
  • Patent number: 4448688
    Abstract: A counter flow separator, for removing solid particles from a liquid, which includes a housing with an internal, peripheral helical surface and a turbine rotatable therein for forcing liquid through the housing with the particles passing down the helical surface to the bottom of the housing and the liquid passing upwardly through and out of the housing, and wherein the force of the liquid causes the rotation of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1984
    Inventor: Jerome F. Havlis
  • Patent number: 4409031
    Abstract: Continuously operable sugar centrifugals can achieve degrees of sugar purities comparable to those achieved by batch centrifugals if the diameter of the drying stage following the washing stage flares out in steps and/or extends at an opposed angle. Further, the inside of the drying stage is provided with a cover which, together with the upper drop edge of the washing stage, forms such a narrow passage or gap that the mist of contaminated wash liquid developing in the washing stage is kept away from the sugar in the drying stage. Thus, these mists of contaminated wash liquid may be discharged separately from the sugar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1983
    Assignee: Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG
    Inventor: Helmut Schaper
  • Patent number: 4405454
    Abstract: A process for the dewatering and particle classification of solids from suspensions, e.g. coal from a slurry in which the coal is transported, makes use of a dewatering centrifuge having two frustoconical centrifuge drum sections of different inclinations such that in a first filtering zone the particles are preliminarily dewatered and then pass by automigration to the next centrifuge drum at which further dewatering takes place. The suspension on the first sieve surface forms a thin layer classification zone having a thickness up to 5 mm and in which the coarse fraction is retained while the fine fraction is passed. The coarse fraction automigrates to the next sieve surface where it is dewatered and the fine fraction separated out in the thin layer classifying zone is then filtered under pressure in a subsequent stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Assignee: Krauss-Maffei Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gunther Hultsch, Franz Alstetter, Uwe Breuer
  • Patent number: 4360431
    Abstract: A self-unloading centrifuge for use in a metal finishing process which comprises a drum 10 having a perforate cylindrical sidewall 10a, supported for rotation about a vertical axis by a support base 19 and a driving arrangement 12 for rotating the drum. A tilt mechanism 36 is operative to engage and rotate the drum about a substantially transverse axis, spaced laterally from the center axis of the drum in order to discharge the processed parts. Clamping devices 30 are operative to decouple the drum from its driving arrangement prior to unloading and are operative to recouple the drum after reloading. Top and side covers 140, 120, 122, 126 enclose the drum when in its operating position and open as the drum moves to its unloading and/or loading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Assignee: The Harshaw Chemical Company
    Inventor: Frank Little
  • Patent number: 4320006
    Abstract: Bowl shaped basket with a vertical rotating axle at the outside bottom center, equipped with a chip charging pipe, whose charging mouth opens within and at the basket bottom center with a gap, the inner surface of the bowl is so formed that the angle between the tangent to the surface and the rotating axis decreases as the diameter of the bowl, until to almost zero, or even minus at the brim.The time, oil wet chip is dispersed off out of the upper brim, can be taken as long enough, inversely as the rate of chips discharging.The basket is composed of rings each with a quadrilateral or trapezoidal section and of successibly increasing diameters, spot welded together one by one with a outwards divergent slit.The slit is never blocked by chips, and if chips might happen to block the entrance of the slit within the bowl, they can easily be taken off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1982
    Assignee: Taiyu Shoji Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takefusa Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 4302332
    Abstract: A centrifugal thickener comprising a truncated-cone shaped rotary barrel and a filter arranged along the inner surface of the rotary barrel, the rotary barrel having a vertical angle, of a truncated-cone shape formed by the internal surface thereof, of 40 to 80 degrees, the filter having a number of openings in size of 10 to 40 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1981
    Assignee: Nishihara Environmental Sanitation Research Corp., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Hayakawa, Akaru Furusato, Toshio Saito, Tastuyuki Iwai