Patent Publication Number: US-2022234320-A1

Title: Device and method for separating substances of different flowability that are mixed together

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is the U.S. National Stage of PCT/EP2020/066712 filed Jun. 17, 2020, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 102019116720.5, filed Jun. 20, 2019, the content of both are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to an apparatus for separating substances of different flowability that are mixed together, comprising a frame structure, a hollow drum having a perforated circumferential surface M which can be driven in a revolving manner and is mounted on the frame structure, a pressing element which lies externally in the region of the circumferential surface M of the hollow drum and can be driven in a revolving manner, such that the hollow drum and the pressing element form a product intake wedge for feeding in a product stream, consisting of material to be pressed, between the hollow drum and the pressing element, and also form a pressing region, wherein there is associated with the pressing element downstream of the pressing region in a conveying direction T P  of the product stream a discharge element for discharging residues of the material to be pressed that remain on the pressing element after pressing. 
     The invention relates also to a method for separating substances of different flowability that are mixed together, comprising the steps: feeding a product stream, consisting of material to be pressed, into a product intake wedge of an apparatus for separating substances of different flowability that are mixed together, which product intake wedge is formed by a hollow drum having a perforated circumferential surface M and a pressing element, driving the hollow drum and the pressing element in a revolving manner in order to draw the product stream into a pressing region formed between the hollow drum and the pressing element, wherein the more readily flowing constituents of the material to be pressed are pressed by means of the pressing element through the perforation of the circumferential surface M into the inner cavity of the hollow drum and are discharged, while the less readily flowing constituents of the material to be pressed, as residues of the material to be pressed that remain on the pressing element, are discharged downstream of the pressing region in the conveying direction T P  of the product stream by means of a discharge element associated with the pressing element. 
     Such apparatuses and methods are used in various fields of industry but in particular in the food processing industry. By means of the above-described apparatuses, which are also referred to as separating devices or separators, substances of different kinds can be subjected to a separating process. To that end, the substances to be separated, that is to say the material to be pressed or material to be separated, which is also referred to as the separand, is pressed from outside against the perforated circumferential surface M of the hollow drum by means of the pressing element. Under this pressure, the more readily flowing constituents of the material to be pressed are pressed as the main product through the perforation of the circumferential surface M into the inner cavity of the rotating hollow drum and are discharged, while the less readily flowing constituents of the material to be pressed remain as secondary product externally on the circumferential surface of the hollow drum and in particular also at or on the surface of the pressing element and are delivered separately. The secondary products, which are also referred to as residues of the material to be pressed that remain, can in particular adhere to the pressing element, lie on the pressing element, fall from the pressing element and also fall from the outer circumferential surface M of the hollow drum or be detached therefrom, for example by means of a stripping element. All the residues that are not pressed through the perforation of the circumferential surface M of the hollow drum are conveyed out of the apparatus as a residual stream via the discharge element and are further processed at least in part. 
     Substances, materials or products which differ, or the composition of which differs, by their mutually different flow behaviours are amenable to such separation. The possibility and/or necessity of separating substances of different flowability that are mixed together exists, for example, in the processing of animal bodies (for example the separation of the flesh as the more readily flowing constituent from the skin, sinews, bones, etc. as the less readily flowing constituents) or parts thereof, in the processing of fruit and vegetables (for example the separation of the pulp as the more readily flowing constituent from the skin, stems, kernels or stones, etc. as the less readily flowing constituents), in the reprocessing of incorrectly packaged foodstuffs (for example the separation of butter or cheese as the more readily flowing constituents from the packaging material as the less readily flowing constituents) or the like. Specific application examples are, for example, the obtainment of residual flesh from animal carcasses or parts thereof, the pitting of dates or the unpacking of cheese slices packaged in film. 
     In the obtainment of flesh, stoning or unpacking or any other corresponding separation, a product stream consisting of material to be pressed is conveyed, starting from a product feed-in region, via the product intake wedge between the pressing element and the hollow drum to a product delivery region. As the product stream is conveyed between the hollow drum and the pressing element, the product stream passes through a pressing region. The pressing element is positioned at a preselected or pre-set distance, which may also have a value of zero, from the circumferential surface M of the hollow drum. In order to guide the material to be pressed into the pressing region, which is located in the region of the smallest distance between the pressing element and the hollow drum, between the hollow drum and the pressing element and to perform the actual separating operation, the hollow drum and the pressing element are driven in a revolving manner. The substances of different flowability are thereby separated in that the more readily flowing substances, the flesh in the example of the processing of animal bodies or parts thereof, are pressed at least in part into the hollow drum and are discharged from there. The less readily flowing substances, again in the example of the processing of animal bodies or parts thereof the bones, sinews, skin, etc., are discharged downstream of the hollow drum in the conveying direction T P  of the product stream in the delivery region for the residual stream and are collected. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In apparatuses according to the prior art, discharging takes place by means of a so-called product chute which is positioned at a small distance from or in contact with the pressing element, such that secondary product lying/adhering on or to the pressing element is detached and/or removed from the pressing element and is discharged from the apparatus solely by the force of gravity along the product chute. The delivery height is limited by the necessary gradient of the chute. The product chute must be positioned so steeply that collecting containers for the secondary products have to be placed very close to the apparatus and the discharged secondary products are always collected at the outer edge of the collecting container that is to be filled with the secondary product, so that the collecting containers must be changed at short intervals. The rigid and fixedly mounted product chute, which is usually produced from a metal sheet, further leads to increased wear of the pressing element specifically in cases in which the product chute is in contact with the pressing element, so that the working life of the components is reduced. Moreover, when a press belt is used as the pressing element—the press belt is pushed upwards at the outer edges by the pressing pressure—gaps are formed between the press belt, which is also referred to as a squeezing belt, and the product chute, in which gaps secondary products can be trapped and accumulate, which can result in disruptions in operation. The mentioned disadvantages lead to reduced productivity and reduced product quality. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the object of the invention is to provide an apparatus having improved productivity and product quality, and to propose a corresponding method. 
     This object is achieved by an apparatus of the type mentioned hereinbefore in that the discharge element is an actively drivable, endless discharge belt for discharging the residues of the material to be pressed that remain on the pressing element in a discharge direction T R . The discharge belt, which is guided, for example, around deflection rollers, of which one deflection roller is configured as a drive roller, is arranged at or close to the pressing element, such that the remaining residues can be removed and/or taken over from the pressing element and discharged. By actively discharging the residues, they can reliably be conveyed away from the apparatus, for example into collecting containers, namely in a uniform distribution in particular centrally in the collecting containers. The active discharge of the residual stream results in improved productivity of the apparatus and in increased product quality. 
     In an operating region with the pressing element for takeover of the residues of the material to be pressed, the discharge belt is advantageously positioned at a minimal distance from the pressing element. The operating region describes the region in which the residues that fall from the pressing element or are detached from the pressing element are taken over. Within the meaning of the invention, minimal distance explicitly also means a distance equal to zero. The size of the minimal distance depends substantially on the material that is to be pressed. In the case of some materials to be pressed, in particular those which have a soft consistency and/or a small proportion of less readily flowing components, the minimal distance is, for example, zero. In other words, the discharge belt is pre-set in contact with the pressing element. Contact of the discharge belt with the pressing element is advantageous in order to effectively be able to detach residues from the pressing element and feed them to the discharge belt. For other materials to be pressed, in particular those with a high proportion of less readily flowing components and/or larger pieces in the material to be pressed, the minimal distance is, for example, a few millimetres. The minimal distance accordingly does not have to be reduced to a fixed value. A distance greater than zero is advantageous for ensuring wear-reducing operation. In other words, an air gap between the discharge belt and the pressing element protects the components which work together for the pressing. 
     In a preferred further development, the discharge belt and the pressing element are driven in opposite directions in the operating region. With this configuration, particularly effective and reliable stripping and taking over of the residues that are to be discharged from the pressing element is ensured. 
     A particularly preferred embodiment is characterised in that the discharge belt, as a stripping belt, is a link belt which consists of plastics material and can be driven in a revolving manner and which has at least one web running transversely to the discharge direction T R , wherein the stripping belt is so adjusted relative to the pressing element that there is a minimal distance between each web and the pressing element. With regard to the minimal distance, the description given above applies correspondingly. There is preferably provided a plurality of webs, which are also referred to as cleats or studs. The webs/cleats are arranged spaced apart from one another in the drive direction A A  of the discharge belt/stripping belt and are evenly distributed over the entire discharge belt/stripping belt. The webs/cleats preferably extend perpendicularly to the transport plane E A  of the stripping belt and transversely to the drive direction A A  over the entire width. By means of the webs/cleats, residues can reliably and effectively be scraped from the pressing element. The webs/cleats further ensure reliable detachment of the residues on delivery into the collecting container. 
     An advantageous further development is characterised in that the endless discharge belt is guided around a rigid, fixed transport section and a take-over section which is pivotable relative to the rigid transport section, wherein the pivotable take-over section is mounted on the transport section so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis A in order to create a movable section of the discharge belt. The transport section and the take-over section, like the deflection and/or drive rollers, are arranged between an upper run and a lower run of the discharge belt and can be arranged, or mounted or held, for example, on the frame structure. The transport section forms a substantially horizontally oriented support surface for the discharge belt in the region of the upper run. The take-over section is oriented so as to be bent/sloping relative to the transport section and faces the operating region or forms the operating region with the pressing element. As a result of the movability of the take-over section relative to the transport section, the apparatus can be used product-independently since the discharge belt, or the positioning thereof relative to the pressing element, can easily be adapted to different products. Furthermore, the pivotability of the take-over section allows it to be adjusted and adapted to different positions of the pressing element, in the example of a press belt as the pressing element to changes in the belt run caused, for example, by wear or pre-setting. 
     The pivotable take-over section is advantageously mounted on the frame structure in a spring-loaded manner. With this configuration, the advantages described hereinbefore can be achieved more effectively. Owing to the spring loading of the take-over section, the take-over section is able to yield, for example, away from constituents of the residues which, for example, adhere to the pressing element and are not taken up by the discharge belt, downwards/outwards against the spring force, that is to say away from the pressing element, whereby the components which work together for the pressing are protected. 
     A preferred further development is distinguished by the fact that there is associated with the pivot axis A an adjusting arm which is connected via a spring element to an adjusting element which is arranged on the frame structure. The spring force can be adjusted with the spring element and the adjusting element, so that different products can be detached and/or taken over from the pressing element with different spring forces. 
     The adjusting arm expediently lies, by means of the spring force of the spring element, against an abutment element arranged on the frame structure, wherein the abutment element is configured so as to be movable for adjustment of the size of the distance between the discharge belt in the region of the pivotable take-over section and the surface of the pressing element, that is to say in the operating region. The abutment element, in conjunction with the spring element, also results in individual adaptation of the apparatus to different products and/or operating states and conditions. By changing the abutment element, or the position of the abutment element, the size of the distance of the discharge belt from the pressing element can be changed, for example, and adapted to the product to be processed and/or different operating states and conditions. The spring element in principle holds the take-over section in the pre-set position against the abutment. Against the spring force, the take-over section can be removed or lifted from the abutment element, for example triggered by solid constituents in the residual stream to be discharged. 
     A particularly preferred embodiment is characterised in that the pressing element is an endless press belt which can be pressed from outside against the circumferential surface M, while wrapping around part of the circumference of the hollow drum, and which can be driven in a revolving manner and comprises an upper run, facing the hollow drum, and a return run, wherein there is arranged on the side of the press belt remote from the hollow drum a support apparatus for the press belt having at least one support element. The press belt as the pressing element is particularly suitable for cooperation with a discharge belt as the discharge element, since on the one hand a larger and thus more effective operating region can be created and on the other hand residues that fall or are stripped from the hollow drum can also be taken up by the press belt and conveyed into the operating region with the discharge belt. 
     The press belt is advantageously guided downstream of the pressing region in the conveying direction T P  of the product stream around a pressure roller which is adjustable relative to the hollow drum, wherein the pivotable take-over section of the discharge belt is positioned beneath the pressure roller. With this configuration and arrangement, particularly effective takeover of the residues that adhere to the press belt and fall from the press belt is ensured. By placing the pivotable take-over section of the discharge belt beneath the adjustable pressure roller, it is possible to respond directly to changes in the position of the pressure roller, for example due to wear of the hollow drum or caused by the product stream to be pressed, in that the position of the discharge belt can be adjusted to maintain the optimum distance from the press belt guided around the pressure roller. 
     A preferred embodiment is characterised in that the pivotable take-over section of the discharge belt, which extends over the entire width of the press belt, has an ascending orientation in the operating region, while the lower run of the press belt has a descending orientation in the operating region. Reliable and safe as well as effective takeover of the residues that occur is thereby ensured. 
     The discharge belt and the press belt expediently run substantially parallel at least in some regions in order to form a planar operating region. By means of the almost overlapping arrangement of the press belt and the discharge belt, a planar take-over region or operating region, in contrast to a linear take-over edge, is created, with which the residues to be discharged can more effectively be taken over from the pressing element and discharged. 
     The object is also achieved by a method having the steps mentioned hereinbefore in that the residues of the material to be pressed that remain on the pressing element after pressing are actively discharged in the discharge direction T R  by means of an actively drivable, endless discharge belt. 
     Preferably, the residues of the material to be pressed that remain on the pressing element after pressing are detached by means of the discharge belt which can be driven in a revolving manner in a planar operating region from an endless press belt, which can be driven in a revolving manner, as the pressing element, are taken over and are discharged contrary to the drive direction A P  of the press belt. 
     The residues of the material to be pressed that remain on the pressing element after pressing are preferably discharged from the apparatus substantially horizontally and delivered approximately centrally into a collecting container. 
     The method is particularly preferably carried out with an apparatus as described herein. 
     The advantages arising therefrom have already been described in detail in connection with the apparatus, and for this reason, in order to avoid repetition, reference may be made to the corresponding statements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further expedient and/or advantageous features and further developments of the apparatus will become apparent from the description. Particularly preferred embodiments of the apparatus and the method will be explained in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of an embodiment according to the invention of the apparatus having a press belt as the pressing element in a perspective view; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of the apparatus without the frame structure in a perspective illustration; 
         FIG. 2 a    shows an enlarged detail of the circumferential surface of the hollow drum according to  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows the illustration according to  FIG. 2  in a front view; and 
         FIG. 4  shows an enlarged detail of the locking device according to  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The apparatus illustrated in the drawing serves to separate a product stream of material to be pressed, which consists predominantly of flesh, fat, cartilage, sinews, skin, bones (bone residues), etc., wherein in particular the flesh and the fat are considered to be more readily flowing constituents and the cartilage, the skin, the sinews and the bones (bone residues) are considered to be less readily flowing constituents. The apparatus is, however, equally usable for separating other materials to be pressed and combinations of materials to be pressed. 
     The illustrated apparatus  10  is configured and adapted for separating substances of different flowability that are mixed together and comprises a frame structure  11 , a hollow drum  12  having a perforated circumferential surface M which can be driven in a revolving manner and is mounted on the frame structure  11 , a pressing element  13  which lies externally in the region of the circumferential surface M of the hollow drum  12  and can be driven in a revolving manner, such that the hollow drum  12  and the pressing element  13  form a product intake wedge  14  for feeding a product stream consisting of material to be pressed between the hollow drum  12  and the pressing element  13 , and a pressing region P, wherein a discharge element  15  for discharging residues of the material to be pressed that remain on the pressing element  13  after pressing is associated with the pressing element  13  downstream of the pressing region P in the conveying direction T P  of the product stream. 
     This apparatus  10  is distinguished according to the invention by the fact that the discharge element  15  is an actively drivable, endless discharge belt  16  for discharging the residues of the material to be pressed that remain on the pressing element  13  in the discharge direction T R . 
     The features and further developments described hereinbelow represent preferred embodiments taken on their own or in combination with one another. It is expressly pointed out that features which are combined in the claims and/or the description and/or the drawing or described in a common embodiment can also further develop the apparatus  10  described above functionally independently. 
     The frame structure  11  can be, for example, a profile construction or an at least partially closed housing. Associated with the hollow drum  12  is a drive, not illustrated explicitly. By means of the drive, the hollow drum  12  can be driven in both directions. The hollow drum  12  is preferably driven clockwise in the drive direction (see in particular  FIG. 3 ). The apparatus  10  can be equipped with individual drives for the hollow drum  12  and the pressing element  13 , which can likewise be driven in both directions, or with a common drive and transmission elements. The or each drive can be connected to a control and/or regulating device, likewise not illustrated explicitly. The apparatus  10  can be operated, for example, via a control panel  17 . The apparatus  10  can be supplied with the product stream to be separated optionally, for example, via a chute, a feed-in funnel  18  as in  FIG. 1  or an actively driven feed-in member. The main product obtained in the apparatus  10 , namely the more readily flowing constituents of the material to be pressed which are pressed by the pressing element  13  through the perforation of the hollow drum  12  into the inner cavity H of the hollow drum  12 , are discharged from the hollow drum  12  and processed further by components which are not illustrated explicitly. The secondary product, namely the less readily flowing constituents of the material to be pressed which are not pressed through the perforation and, on conveying through the apparatus  10 , remain externally on the hollow drum  12  and in particular at and on the pressing element  13  as residue, are actively conveyed by means of the discharge belt  16  as a residual stream, for example, centrally into a collecting container  19 , collected therein and optionally processed further. 
     The discharge belt  16  is guided at least around two deflection elements  20  and has an upper run  16   a  (transport run) and a lower run  16   b  (return run). A drive  21  is preferably associated with a deflection element  20 , which drive can likewise be connected to the control and/or regulating device. The discharge belt  16  is preferably likewise supported or arranged on the frame structure  11  at least in the region of the driven deflection element  20 . The delivery belt  16  can, however, also be configured and positioned separately from the frame structure  11 . By means of the drive  21 , the discharge belt  16  can be driven in both directions. The discharge belt  16  is preferably driven counter-clockwise in the drive direction A A  (see in particular  FIG. 3 ). The secondary product to be discharged from the apparatus  10 , that is to say the residual stream of the material to be pressed consisting of the less readily flowing constituents, is correspondingly conveyed in the discharge direction T R . The (resulting) discharge direction T R  of the residual stream corresponds preferably and substantially to the (resulting) conveying direction T P  of the product stream through the pressing region P. 
     As mentioned, the hollow drum  12  has a perforated circumferential surface M. In  FIG. 2 a   , the hole pattern  22  as the perforation can be seen in the enlarged detail. The number, size and arrangement of the holes, openings, bores or the like can vary. The perforation preferably extends over the entire circumferential surface M. In  FIG. 2 , the perforation has substantially not been illustrated for the sake of clarity. For pressing the material to be pressed against the hollow drum  12  and in part through the perforation into the hollow drum  12 , the pressing element  13  is preferably positioned with an adjustable pressing force spaced apart from or in contact with the circumferential surface M. The pressing element  13  can also be configured and arranged relative to the hollow drum  12  so as to yield, for example via a spring element or via a pneumatic cylinder or the like. In embodiments which are not illustrated, the pressing element  13  is, for example, a pressing drum which can be driven in a revolving manner. Preferably, however, the pressing element  13  is a press belt  23  which can be driven in a revolving manner and which will be described in detail hereinbelow. 
     In an operating region W with the pressing element  13  for the takeover of the residues of the material to be pressed, the discharge belt  16  is positioned at a minimal distance from the pressing element  13 . The minimal distance can be zero. This means that the discharge belt  16  with the upper run  16   a  is in contact with the pressing element  13  at least in part or in some regions, in order, for example, to be able to scrape off residues adhering to the pressing element  13  particularly effectively. The pre-set distance can, however, also be greater than zero, for example in a size range between 1 mm and 3 mm or in a size range between 5 mm and 10 mm. Ultimately, other distances can of course also be chosen in dependence on the product stream to be processed. 
     As already mentioned, the discharge belt  16  and the pressing element  13  can each be driven arbitrarily, namely in terms of speed and drive direction. The discharge belt  16  and the pressing element  13  are preferably driven in opposite directions in the operating region W, so that a relative movement is provided for effectively detaching and/or taking over the residues of the product stream from the pressing element  13  onto the discharge belt  16 . Particularly preferably, the discharge belt  16 , as a stripping belt  24 , is a link belt which consists of plastics material and can be driven in a revolving manner and which has at least one web  25  running transversely to the discharge direction T R , wherein the stripping belt  24  is so adjusted relative to the pressing element  13  that there is a minimal distance between each web  25  and the pressing element  13 . With regard to the minimal distance, the statements made above apply correspondingly. In the form shown, the stripping belt  24  is provided with equally spaced webs  25  over its entirety. The webs  25  extend transversely to the discharge direction T R  over the entire width of the stripping belt  24 . Starting from the transport plane E A  of the stripping belt  24 , the webs  25  in the illustrated embodiment extend perpendicularly upwards and are in contact with the pressing element  13 , or the press belt  23 , in the operating region W. Instead of the webs  25 , other carriers, strippers, scrapers or the like can also be provided. The stripping belt  24  can also consist of other materials. For example, a chain conveyor of metal which has rubber lips as the webs  25  can also be used. The number, configuration, distribution and positioning of the webs  25  can also vary. In embodiments which are not illustrated, a discharge belt  16  without webs  25  or the like, for example with a rough or structured surface, can also be used. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the endless discharge belt  16  is guided around a rigid, fixed transport section  26  and a take-over section  27  which is pivotable relative to the rigid transport section  26 , wherein the pivotable take-over section  27  is mounted on the transport section  26  so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis A in order to create a movable section of the discharge belt  16 . The transport section  26  and the take-over section  27  are arranged between the upper run  16   a  and the lower run  16   b  and are provided in addition to the deflection elements  20 . In particular the take-over section  27  can optionally also replace individual deflection elements  20 . The transport section  26  can be formed, for example, of a plate or of simple profiles which support the discharge belt  16  in the region of the upper run  16   a . The transport section  26  is preferably secured to the frame structure  11  and forms the fixed part of the stripping belt  24 . The pivotable take-over section  27  is preferably held in a spring-loaded manner on the frame structure  11  and forms the movable part of the stripping belt  24  which yields against the spring force. The take-over section  27  is preferably in bent form, for example in the form of a bent metal sheet, for better positioning relative to the pressing element  13  and to form an operating region W of maximum size. The form and configuration of the take-over section  27  and the orientation of the take-over section  27  relative to the transport section  26  can, however, vary. 
     The take-over section  27  can be held in a spring-loaded manner directly on the frame structure  11  with its pivot axis A. There is preferably associated with the pivot axis A an adjusting arm  28  which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the pivot axis A and is connected via a spring element  29  to an adjusting element  30  which is arranged on the frame structure  11 . The adjusting element  30  can have, for example, a plurality of latching positions  31 , which can be brought into engagement with a latching lug  32  fastened to the frame structure  11 . The adjusting element  30  with the latching positions  31  and the latching lug  32 , and also the spring element  29  form an adjusting device. The spring force can be adjusted via the different latching positions  31 . Instead of the spring element  29  with the adjusting element  30 , a pneumatic cylinder, for example, can also be used. In other further developments, the force can also be applied by means of magnets. 
     The adjusting arm  28  lies by means of the spring force of the spring element  29  against an abutment element  33  arranged on the frame structure  11 , wherein the abutment element  33  is configured so as to be movable in order to adjust the size of the distance between the discharge belt  16  in the region of the pivotable take-over section  27  and the surface of the pressing element  13 , that is to say in the operating region W. To this end, the abutment element  33  in the example shown comprises an adjusting screw  34 , by means of which the position of the abutment can be changed by turning. The abutment element  33  can also be configured in a different way. The abutment element  33  with the adjusting screw  34  on the one hand and the latching lug  32  on the other hand can also be arranged on a common rail  41 , which is releasably fastened to the frame structure  11 . 
     As has already been mentioned above, the pressing element  13  is preferably a press belt  23 , namely an endless press belt  23  which can be pressed from outside against the circumferential surface M, while wrapping around part of the circumference of the hollow drum  12 , which press belt can be driven (in both directions) in a revolving manner and comprises an upper run  23   a  (pressing run), facing the hollow drum  12 , and a lower run  23   b  (return run), wherein there is arranged on the side of the press belt  23  remote from the hollow drum  12  a support apparatus  35  for the press belt  23  having at least one support element  36 . The press belt  23  is guided around a plurality of deflection elements  37 , wherein one deflection element  37  is configured and adapted as a drive roller  38 . The drive roller  38  is optionally at the same time configured as a movable pressure roller. By means of the drive roller  38 , the press belt  23  can preferably be driven counter-clockwise in the drive direction A P  (see in particular  FIG. 3 ). 
     The support element  36  is preferably a support chain  39  which is guided around the drive roller  38  and at least one additional deflection element  40 . The support chain  39  is configured and adapted to be movable for adjusting the pressure of the press belt  23  against the hollow drum  12 , preferably via the movably configured pressure roller. The support element  36  can, however, also be configured in a different way, for example by a roller conveyor or the like. Downstream of the pressing region P in the conveying direction T P  of the product stream, the press belt  23  is guided around the pressure roller which is adjustable relative to the hollow drum, wherein the pivotable take-over section  27  of the discharge belt  16  is positioned beneath the pressure roller. 
     The pivotable take-over portion  27 , extending over the entire width of the press belt  23 , of the discharge belt  16  has an ascending orientation in the operating region W, while the lower run  23   b  of the press belt  23  has a descending orientation in the operating region W. The discharge belt  16 , guided around the take-over section  27 , and the lower run  23   b  of the press belt  23  are not only driven in opposite directions in the operating region W, but also overlap such that the discharge belt  16  and the press belt  23  run substantially parallel at least in some regions to form a planar operating region W. 
     The method according to the invention will be explained in greater detail hereinbelow with reference to the drawing: 
     The method serves to separate substances of different flowability that are mixed together. A product stream consisting of material to be pressed is fed into a product intake wedge  14  of an apparatus  10  for separating substances of different flowability that are mixed together, which product intake wedge is formed by a hollow drum  12  having a perforated circumferential surface M and a pressing element. Feeding in can take place manually or in an automated manner as well as passively or actively. For[[, for]] taking the product stream into a pressing region P formed between the hollow drum  12  and the pressing element  13 , the hollow drum  12  and the pressing element  13  are driven in a revolving manner, wherein the more readily flowing constituents of the material to be pressed are pressed by means of the pressing element  13  through the perforation of the circumferential surface M into the inner cavity H of the hollow drum  12  and are discharged, while the less readily flowing constituents of the material to be pressed, as residues of the material to be pressed that remain on the pressing element  13 , are discharged in the form of a residual stream downstream of the pressing region P in the conveying direction T P  of the product stream by means of a discharge element  15  associated with the pressing element  13 . 
     This method is distinguished according to the invention by the fact that the residues of the material to be pressed that remain on the pressing element  13  after pressing are actively discharged in the discharge direction T R  by means of an actively drivable, endless discharge belt  16 . 
     The product stream, which consists, for example, of a mixture of flesh, fat, sinews, cartilage and skin as the material to be pressed, is drawn into the pressing region P, in an apparatus  10  in which the pressing element  13  is a press belt  23 , by the hollow drum  12  and the press belt  23 , which are driven in the same direction in the pressing region P. The more readily flowing constituents (flesh, fat) are pressed through the perforation into the hollow cavity H of the hollow drum  12  and are discharged. The less readily flowing constituents (skin, cartilage, sinews) remain as a residual stream at and on the press belt  23  and/or at the circumferential surface M of the hollow drum  12 . The material adhering to the circumferential surface M can be scraped from the circumferential surface M by suitable stripping elements, for example, and falls onto the press belt  23  downstream of the hollow drum  12  in the conveying direction T P  of the product stream. Because the press belt  23  is driven in a revolving manner, the collected residual stream encounters the discharge belt  16 . Some constituents of the residual stream fall from the press belt  23  onto the discharge belt  16 . Other constituents of the residual stream which adhere to the press belt  23  are detached from the press belt  23  in the operating region W of the press belt  23  and the stripping belt  24  as the discharge belt  16  by the webs  25  of the stripping belt  24  and, because the stripping belt  24  is driven in a revolving manner in the drive direction A A , are discharged in the conveying direction T R . 
     The residues of the material to be pressed that remain on the pressing element  13  after pressing are thereby detached by means of the discharge belt  16  which can be driven in a revolving manner from the endless press belt  23  which can be driven in a revolving manner as the pressing element  13  in a planar operating region W, are taken over and discharged contrary to the drive direction A P  of the press belt  23 . The residues of the material to be pressed that remain on the pressing element  13  after pressing, that is to say the residual stream, is discharged substantially horizontally from the apparatus  10  and can be delivered approximately centrally into a collecting container  19 . 
     The method is particularly preferably carried out with an apparatus as has been described in detail hereinbefore.