Patent ID: 6536602
Filing Date: 2003-03-25
Classification: B01D,B30B

Abstract:
A separator for separating comminuted food waste solids from liquids, the separator, comprising:an elongate housing disposed at a predetermined angle relative to horizontal, a waste inlet, a liquid outlet and a waste outlet, the inlet and outlets being in flow communication with the interior and exterior of the housing; a stationary elongate liquid permeable screen disposed within the housing and having a length axis substantially aligned with the length of the housing; a conduit in flow communication with the waste inlet and an interior portion of the screen for introducing food waste solids and liquids into the interior of the screen; a rotatable screw conveyor having a hollow rotatable shaft and a helical blade for conveying food waste solids in a desired direction, the rotatable screw conveyor being disposed within the screen and substantially aligned with the length of the screen; a cone member mounted on the shaft of the rotatable screw adjacent a terminal end of the helical blade, the cone member being adjustably positionable between first and second positions on the shaft; a substantially solid member having an aperture therethrough for passage of the shaft, the solid member being located within the housing adjacent the terminal end of the helical blade to define an impedance to the passage of food waste solids, the aperture being positioned adjacent the cone member and spaced apart from the cone member to define a passage between the cone member and the aperture for the travel of food waste solids to the waste outlet, with the dimension of the passage corresponding to the position of the cone member on the shaft; and a spring operably associated with the cone member and located within the shaft to urge the cone member toward the terminal end of the helical blade.