Presses – With additional treatment of material – Adding materials
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-27
2001-06-19
Gerrity, Stephen F. (Department: 3721)
Presses
With additional treatment of material
Adding materials
C100S090000, C100S099000, C100S104000, C100S116000, C100S211000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247397
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for separating liquid and solid substances, particularly for extracting juice from fruit and the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Grape presses are known which are constituted by a tank which is divided into a pressure chamber and into a pressing chamber by means of a flexible membrane.
The product to be processed is introduced in the pressing chamber and the pressure chamber is supplied with a pressurized fluid (air or water) so that the membrane acts on the product, pressing it. The process usually entails several pressing cycles at variable pressure and the tank can rotate to allow better draining of the product.
These conventional presses are constituted by a pressure tank and as by device for generating a pressurized fluid, which in addition to consuming considerable energy must also of course meet all the statutory standards related to this type of apparatus.
Conventional presses therefore not only have a heavy and complicated structure but must also be equipped with all the necessary safety systems provided when working in the presence of high-pressure fluids.
Presses which operate by using partial vacuum instead of high pressure have accordingly been introduced.
In this type of press, a partial vacuum is generated in the pressing chamber that contains the product, so that the membrane, pushed by ambient pressure and optionally by a slight overpressure provided in the pressure chamber, acts on the product, pressing it.
An aim of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for separating liquid and solid substances, particularly a press which operates by partial vacuum, with improved characteristics.
An object of the invention is to provide a press having a device which facilitates the repositioning of the elastic membrane of the press.
A further object is to provide a device which can be applied to a grape press and is capable of ensuring a higher quality of the processed product.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above aim and objects, and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an apparatus for separating liquid and solid substances, particularly for extracting juice from fruit and the like, comprising a pressing container into which the product to be separated is fed, characterized in that it comprises a cylinder which is divided by a flexible diaphragm into a pressing chamber and into a second chamber, the flexible diaphragm being adjacent to a region which is substantially at atmospheric pressure and the pressing chamber being connected to a vacuum means adapted to generate a partial vacuum, so that the diaphragm acts on the product and presses it, the apparatus further comprising a collector device comprising a fixed connector, which is rigidly coupled to the body of the apparatus, an air intake pipe, which is associated with the pressing container and rotates with it, a radial tubular member, which is connected to the second chamber of the pressing container and to the air intake pipe, which is in turn connected to a fan through an air manifold, an internal coaxial pipe, which forms an annular chamber inside the air intake pipe; the fan being suitable to draw air from the second chamber by means of the radial pipe, the annular chamber, the air manifold and the connector, generating a partial vacuum which is suitable to bring the diaphragm to a position which adheres to the internal surfaces of the pressing container.
Further characteristics and advantages will become apparent from the description of the apparatus, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4679601 (1987-07-01), Schmid
patent: 5244567 (1993-09-01), Gerteis
patent: 4323711 (1995-01-01), None
patent: 0338230 (1989-10-01), None
patent: 0524373 (1993-01-01), None
patent: 597857 (1925-12-01), None
patent: 528654 (1955-07-01), None
Coleman Henry D.
Gerrity Stephen F.
Sapone William J.
Siprem International Srl
Sudol R. Neil
LandOfFree
Apparatus for separating liquid and solid substances,... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus for separating liquid and solid substances,..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus for separating liquid and solid substances,... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2462894