Abstract:
Devices, assemblies, and compression members for regulating the pressure or dwell time within separating machines that separate hard material from soft material are disclosed. The device utilizes a compression assembly comprising a compression member, a base member, a primary key, a primary key receptor, a secondary key, and a secondary key receptor for controlling the amount of material that is forced through a conduit. The primary key, the primary key receptor, the secondary key, and the secondary key receptor secure the compression member to the base member. The devices, assemblies, and compression members of the present invention regulate the pressure exerted on the separating machine by the compressed hard and soft materials and also regulate the dwell time of the hard and soft materials within the separating machine in a manner that reduces the difficulty, expense, and associated time of replacing worn compression members.

Description:
RELATED FIELDS 
   This invention relates to machinery for the separation of hard material (bone, shell, etc.) from soft material (flesh, meat, pulp, juice, oil, etc.) of land and sea animals, fruits and or vegetables. Specifically, this invention relates to structures that control the ratio of hard material and soft material produced. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Conventional separating machinery utilizes an auger or piston to pressurize the material to be separated through a screen or sieve, so that the soft material (flesh, meat, pulp juice, oil, etc.) passes through the screen or sieve, and the hard material does not or does so only in very small controlled quantities. 
   Such machines use an adjustment mechanism to control the separation process by regulating the pressure and or dwell time within the specified machine. The adjustable mechanism consists of a ring, sometimes referred to as a compression ring, having an inwardly tapered leading edge, adjacent to a correspondingly tapered ramp on the pressure device (auger, piston, belt, etc.) The position of this adjustable ring can be controlled to create a larger or smaller opening as desired between the ring and the corresponding surface on the auger, piston, belt, etc. 
   Rings, or structures associated with the rings, may include external threads that engage a worm drive to move the ring closer to or farther away from the auger surface. The spacing between such a ring and the sloping auger, piston, belt, etc. is conventionally controlled manually using a ratchet style mechanism, a hand wheel, a wrench, hydraulics, or combinations of such means. Each alternative has associated drawbacks. Regardless of which method is utilized, each change in the setting-opening is accompanied by a change in the size of the “window” afforded for evacuation of the hard materials, further aggravating the expulsion and removal of the hard materials and thereby increasing pressure within the machine, increasing temperature through pressure and friction thereby increasing component wear. 
   Because rings typically wear at a high rate, they must be replaced periodically. However, because of the expense associated with machining the rings, typically, only a portion of the ring is replaced. Typically, a base portion of the ring, which may include the above mentioned threads and other structure, is secured using nuts and bolts to the ring portion, which typically wears much more quickly. Such an assembly, however, may be undesirable because the nuts and bolts may be lost during cleaning of the components. Additionally, removing all the nuts to allow the ring&#39;s removal is relatively time consuming. Moreover, sometimes the nuts may “freeze” to the bolts, requiring the nuts to be sawn off to allow ring removal. The bolts, as well as the holes that allow the bolts to extend through the components, may define weak areas that are susceptible to cracking, shearing or breaking. Finally, securing the ring to the base using bolts may be problematic in that it causes difficulty in aligning the ring to the base. 
   Additionally, typical compression assemblies do not allow for liquid material to escape from outside the ring; such material gets trapped in the base and creates maintenance problems. When the liquid builds up, it can solidify, freezing the ring to the machine and preventing removal and/or adjustment of the ring. 
   SUMMARY 
   Various embodiments of the present invention include devices, assemblies, and compression members for regulating the pressure or dwell time within separating machines that separate hard material from soft material. Such devices may include a conduit, an inlet connected to the conduit for providing hard and soft material to the conduit, a separating apparatus positioned at one end of the conduit, and a compression assembly for controlling the amount of material that is forced through the conduit. In certain embodiments, the compression assembly includes a compression member with a compression member aperture, a base member with a base member primary aperture, a primary key, a primary key receptor, a secondary key, and a secondary key receptor. The primary key, the primary key receptor, the secondary key, and the secondary key receptor secure the compression member to the base member. In certain embodiments, the compression member comprises a first compression member surface, a second compression member surface, an exterior compression member surface, and an interior compression member surface, the interior compression member surface extending from the first compression member surface to the second compression member surface in a manner not substantially perpendicular to either the first compression member surface or the second compression member surface, the compression member being adapted to be detachably attached to a base member by a primary key, a primary key receptor, a secondary key, and a secondary key receptor. Devices, assemblies, and compression members according to embodiments of the present invention regulate the pressure exerted on the separating machine by the compressed hard and soft materials and also regulate the dwell time of the hard and soft materials within the separating machine in a manner that reduces the difficulty, expense, and associated time of replacing worn compression members. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a cross-sectional schematic view of a separating machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  shows an assembled compression assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  shows the compression member of  FIG. 2  disassembled from the compression assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  shows the base member of  FIG. 2  disassembled from the compression assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Embodiments of the present invention include devices, assemblies, and compression members for separating hard material from soft material. Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the text and accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many other implementations are possible, consistent with the present invention. The same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or like parts. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example of a separation machine  100  utilizing an embodiment of the compression assembly  10  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). The material that undergoes separation in this separation machine  100  is, for example, animal parts, shellfish, fruits, or vegetables. The material enters the machine through the inlet tube  102  and passes from the inlet tube  102  to the conduit  108 . Opposite the inlet tube  102  at the other end of the conduit  108  is a screen  110 . A motor assembly  106  drives an auger  104  that causes the material to flow from the inlet tube  102  through the conduit  108  toward the screen  110 . As material builds up in the screen end of the conduit  108 , the pressure increases and forces the soft material through the apertures in the screen  110 . The soft material then exits the separation machine  100  through an outlet tube (not shown). The compression assembly  10  is positioned relative to the auger  104  so as to achieve a desired pressure and thereby control the amount of hard material that is separated from the soft material. The hard material discharges from the separation machine  100  through the space between the auger  104  and the compression assembly  10 . The separation machine  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is a reverse flow type machine in which the material flows toward the motor assembly  106 . As is well known to those skilled in the art, the separation machine  100  could alternatively be a forward flow machine in which the material flows away from the motor assembly  106 . As is also well known to those skilled in the art, separation machine  100  may also use other devices and methods, such as a piston, belts, or the like, to move the material through the conduit  108 . 
     FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of a compression assembly  10  of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the compression assembly  10  includes two parts, one part being a compression member  20  and one part being a base member  30 . The compression member  20  detachably attaches to the base member  30  through the interaction of at least one primary key  31  extending from the base member  30  and at least one corresponding primary key receptor  21  recessing into the compression member  20 , and through the interaction of at least one secondary key  32  (shown on  FIG. 4 ) extending from the base member  30  and at least one corresponding secondary key receptor  22  (shown on  FIG. 4 ) recessing into the compression member  20 . The compression member  20  defines a compression member aperture  23  and the base member  30  defines a base member primary aperture  33 , at least a portion of which aligns with at least a portion of the compression member aperture  23  to permit flow of material through the at least partially aligned apertures. Other arrangements of the at least one primary key  31 , at least one corresponding primary key receptor  21 , at least one secondary key  32 , and at least one corresponding secondary key receptor  22  are possible. For example, the primary key and secondary key may be located on the base and the respective corresponding primary key receptor and second key receptor located on the compression member. 
     FIG. 3  shows a compression member  20  according to various embodiments of the present invention. The compression member  20  shown in  FIG. 3  is generally cylindrical in shape, having a first compression member surface  24 , a second compression member surface  25  (shown on  FIG. 2 ), an exterior compression member surface  26 , and an interior compression member surface  27 , which is not substantially perpendicular to either the first compression member surface  24  or the second compression member surface  25 . The interior compression member surface  27  defines the compression member aperture  23 . 
   The primary key receptor  21  is a first indentation that extends from the exterior compression member surface  26  to and through the interior compression member surface  27  and that recesses from the first compression member surface  24  toward the second compression member surface  25  without recessing all the way to or through the second compression member surface  25 . The secondary key receptor  22  is a second indentation that extends from the exterior compression member surface  26  toward the interior compression member surface  27  but does not extend all the way to or through the interior compression member surface  27  and that recesses from the first compression member surface  24  toward the second compression member surface  25  without recessing all the way to or through the second compression member surface. The primary key receptor  21  and the secondary key receptor  22  are each shaped such that the interaction of the primary key  31  (shown on  FIG. 4 ) with the primary key receptor  21  and the interaction of the secondary key  32  (shown on  FIG. 4 ) with the secondary key receptor  22  detachably attaches the compression member  20  to the base member  30  with the first compression member surface  24  adjoining the first base member surface  34 . The compression member  20  is manufactured from any material known by those skilled in the art to be capable of withstanding the pressures of the separation process. Such materials include steel, ceramic, and plastic. Exemplary dimensions of the compression member  20  are a 4.88 inch diameter of the compression member aperture  23 , a 5.00 inch diameter of the exterior compression member surface  26 , and a thickness defined by the distance between the first compression member surface  24  and the second compression member surface  25  of 1.00 inch. One skilled in the art would know that these exemplary dimensions may vary depending on the separation machine. 
     FIG. 4  shows more particularly one embodiment of a base member  30  of this invention. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the base member  30  is generally cylindrical in shape, having a first base member surface  34 , a second base member surface (not shown) substantially parallel to the first base member surface  34  and located on the opposite side of the base member  30 , an exterior base member surface  36 , and an interior base member surface  37 . The interior base member surface  37  defines the base member primary aperture  33 , at least a portion of which aligns with at least a portion of the compression member aperture  23  when the compression member  20  is fastened to the base member  30 . The primary key  31  extends from the first base member surface  34 , and the secondary key  32  also extends from the first base member surface  34 . The shape and orientation of the primary key  31  is complementary to the shape and orientation of the primary key receptor  21  and the shape and orientation of the secondary key  32  is complementary to the shape and orientation of the secondary key receptor  22  such that the primary key  31  fits securely within the primary key receptor  21 , the secondary key  32  fits securely within the secondary key receptor  22 , and the first compression member surface  24  adjoins snugly to the first base member surface  34  when the compression member  20  is attached to the base member  30 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   The base member  30  shown in  FIG. 4  also comprises a plurality of base member secondary apertures  38  that extend from the first base member surface  34  to and through the second base member surface, this plurality of base member secondary apertures  38  being shown as located between the exterior base member surface  36  and the interior base member surface  37 . This plurality of base member secondary apertures  38  permits liquid and other similar materials to flow though the base member  30  without seeping around it and thereby prevents maintenance problems that can occur as a result of such seepage around the base member  30 , such as freezing the compression assembly  10  to prevent adjustment and easy removal. In  FIG. 4 , these base member secondary apertures  38  are shown as being circumferentially oriented around the base member  30  and shaped as extended ovals. However, one skilled in the art would know that these base member secondary apertures  38  may be of different shapes and orientations than those shown in  FIG. 4 . The exterior base member surface  36  may be threaded as shown by the threads  40  to permit connection of the compression assembly to the separation machine  100  (shown on  FIG. 1 ) and adjustment of the spacing between the compression member assembly  10  and auger  104  (shown on  FIG. 5 ), piston, or other like device. 
   The base member  30  shown in  FIG. 4  also comprises a plurality of alignment portions  39  in the exterior base member surface  36  that are utilized to maintain the orientation of the compression assembly  10  relative to the auger  104  as the spacing between the compression assembly  10  and the auger  104  is adjusted. In  FIG. 4 , these alignment portions  39  are shown as grooves that are substantially perpendicular to the threads  40 . However, one skilled in the art would know that other embodiments of the alignment portions  39  are possible. 
   The compression member  20  is detachably attached to the base member  30  by aligning the compression member  20  and the base member  30  so that the first compression member surface  24  is oriented adjacent to and against the first base member surface  34 , the primary key  31  is oriented in alignment with the primary key receptor  21 , and the secondary key  32  is oriented in alignment with the secondary key receptor  22 . The compression member  20  and base member  30  are then shifted in such a way to cause the primary key  31  to fully engage the primary key receptor  21  and to cause the secondary key  32  to fully engage the secondary key receptor  22 . 
   In operation, the compression member is attached to the base member, which engages a worm drive via the threads, such worm drive being used to position the compression assembly relative to an auger or similar such pressure device. The inwardly tapered opening of the compression member is positioned along the correspondingly tapered ramp of the auger so as to create an opening through which hard material may be evacuated as the soft material is forced along the conduit and through the screen. The pressure is controlled by adjusting the threads of the base to position the compression assembly relative to the auger as desired. The pressure of the hard material against the compression member as the hard material is forcibly evacuated results in wear on the compression member and necessitates maintenance and possible replacement of the compression member. At such times, the compression member is shifted relative to the base member so as to disengage the primary and secondary keys from their respective primary and secondary key receptors and thereby disassemble the compression member from the base member. 
   Substantial benefits result from the use of the compression assembly of the present invention. The compression assembly as described above allows for easier maintenance of the separation machine by reducing the difficulty of disassembling the compression member from the base member when the compression member needs to be re-machined or replaced. The absence of fasteners, such as nuts and bolts, that are separate from both the compression member and the base member eliminates the possibility that such fasteners will be lost and therefore reduces the time and expense of maintaining and cleaning the separation machine. Also, the compression member of the present invention allows for faster disassembly of the compression member from the base member due to the absence of separate fasteners, which otherwise must be separately and individually unfastened. In addition, the reduction in the number of openings for use in conjunction with such separate fasteners increases the structural integrity of the compression assembly by reducing the number of potential areas, e.g. bolts, or the holes through which such bolts pass, that might fracture under stress. Although the particular embodiment discussed herein discusses a specific arrangement of a single primary key and a single secondary key, one skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments consistent with spirit and scope of the present invention are possible to permit attachment of the compression member to the base member without the use of separate fasteners that are independent of both the compression member and the base member. 
   In separation machines based on prior art, a common problem is that liquid seeps into the threaded portion of the base member. Upon drying, the liquid hardens and freezes the threads, which prevents turning of the base via the threads and thereby prevents adjustment of the position of the compression assembly. The present invention offers a substantial improvement in this regard because the base member secondary apertures allow liquid that otherwise would seep into the threaded portion of the base to pass through the assembly for evacuation. As a result, the liquid does not harden onto the threads, and the compression assembly position may be adjusted via use of the threads. 
   As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the particular embodiment of this invention described above and illustrated in the figures is provided for explaining the invention, and various alterations may be made in the structure and materials of the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described above and defined in the following claims.