Patent ID: 7299745
Filing Date: 2007-11-27
Classification: B30B

Abstract:
1. A juice press as used in a production of juice or wine from grapes, fruit, or like material for separating extracted fluid from skins and other solids, comprising: a horizontal frame having a first end, a second end, a top, a base, two essentially parallel sides and at least one support means mounted to each of the two essentially parallel sides and running longitudinally from the first end to the second end; a vertical frame having a top member and a horizontal bottom member, two vertical sides, and at least one support member affixed to the vertical frame and communicating with the support means of the horizontal frame for allowing longitudinal positioning of the vertical frame with respect to the horizontal frame, whereby the vertical frame of the juice press is rolled to a first position for interference-free loading of a press basket with material to be pressed, and then rolled to a second operating position for performing a press operation; a powered ram centrally mounted on a vertical axis on the top member of the vertical frame, movable in a downward direction and retractable in an upward direction; a press plate affixed to the powered ram and located to provide downward force by the powered ram onto the grapes, fruit, or like material to be pressed, the press plate comprising an essentially fiat bottom surface and an upper surface connected to the powered ram, whereby the powered ram applies a downward force with the press plate onto material to be pressed; a press pan for capturing extracted fluid from the material to be pressed, disposed horizontally within the second end of the horizontal frame, said pan comprised of a flat bottom, a continuous vertical wall and an open top, defining an essentially cylindrical volumetric space, and a spout located along the vertical wall for evacuation of captured fluid; a removable press basket disposed within the press pan and comprised of a cylindrical receptacle having an essentially continuous vertical wall having a plurality of perforations through which extracted fluid will pass from within the basket, an open top having a shape and diameter consistent with that of the press plate, and an open bottom defined by the circumference of the vertical wall, whereby the bottom of the vertical wall contacts the press pan; a reservoir for retaining extracted fluid received from the press pan, disposed within the horizontal frame and located beneath a press pan drain, comprised of a bottom, a vertical containment wall and an open top defining a volumetric space, and a drain for evacuation of captured fluid.