Patent Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to a spill collection system comprising a boom for surrounding a spill area and a method for using the boom. In addition, the invention includes several embodiments of extractors for removing fluid from a material such as the boom.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/644,785, filed May 9, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    Various embodiments described herein relate to an oil spill containment and recovery apparatus and a method for using the same. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Large oil spills can cause permanent damage to the aquatic environment. The oil also gets into the aquatic food chain, and directly contaminates fish and shellfish. Estuaries, where various species breed, also important links in the food chain, have become contaminated. In addition, fish, water fowl, and mammals living in the water can face damage and destruction. 
         [0004]    There is also the potential for damage to the sea shore, such as beaches and waterfront property. This is due to the accumulation of heavy weight oils, such as crude oil. The only effective way to deal with this situation is to attempt to minimize the quantity of oil spilled. 
         [0005]    Oil spills can occur when there are accidents or failures at an offshore drilling rig. The largest oil spill in history occurred in April of 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico after an explosion on an oil rig that killed 11 men and injured 17 others. The spill stemmed from a sea-floor oil gusher that resulted from the Apr. 20, 2010. On Jul. 15, 2010, the leak was stopped by capping the gushing wellhead after it had released about 4.9 million barrels (780,000 m 3 ) of crude oil. I  An estimated 53,000 barrels per day (8,400 m 3 /d) escaped from the well just before it was capped. The spill caused extensive damage to marine and wildlife habitats and to the Gulfs fishing and tourism industries. Skimmer ships, floating containment booms, anchored barriers, sand-filled barricades along shorelines, and dispersants were used in an attempt to protect hundreds of miles of beaches, wetlands, and estuaries from the spreading oil. Immense underwater plumes of dissolved oil not visible at the surface were discovered. Tar balls occurred for months afterward. The amount of Louisiana shoreline affected by the oil spill was up to 320 miles (510 km) in late November 2010. In January 2011, an oil spill commission reported that tar balls continued to wash up, oil sheen trails were seen in the wake of fishing boats, wetlands marsh grass remained fouled and dying, and crude oil lies offshore in deep water and in fine silts and sands onshore. The effects of such an oil spill are long lasting. For example, in October 2011, a NOAA report stated that dolphins and whales continue to die at twice the normal rate. 
         [0006]    Many of the oil spills occur because of leakage of ship&#39;s oil or spillage of oil tanker cargo. The increase in oil spillage can also be attributed to a greater number of tankers having a larger capacity to carry oil, which, in turn, allows a greater quantity of oil to be shipped from distant oil fields and refineries, leaving a higher probability of oil spillage. Double hulled Super Tankers simply hold much more oil and, when an accident occurs, the resulting oil spill can be massive. 
         [0007]    Many oil spills occur from refueling of ships in a harbor. Of course, there types of oil spills are more prevalent as a result of ships gradually changing from coal to fuel oil for propulsion. Now that most use fuel oil, there are many small oil spills that occur within a harbor. The techniques for cleaning up large oil spills are many times used for smaller oil spills. Skimming devices, and floating containment booms are generally used to reclaim oil. Skimming devices include towed barges or self propelled vessels fitted with scoop type skimming structural are used to skim the water surface, removing oil therefrom. Depending on the quantity of the oil spilled, the recovered oil can either be stored temporarily on board the recovery vessel or pumped directly to another holding means. Another method, that can be incorporated with the first method or used by itself, is to deploy a flotation barrier for confining the spread of oil. Aprons of varying depth are attached to the flotation barrier to form a dike that blocks or at least retards the oil from spreading. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The embodiments will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a top schematic view of a spill collection system, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is s a top perspective view of a boom used in the spill collection system, according to an example embodiment 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a boom used in the spill collection system along cutline  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 , according to an example embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a stack of boom sections that are used to form the boom used in the spill collection system, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a fluid extractor, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an extractor mount, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an extractor tray, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an extractor grating, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a grating support, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a first or right hand roller support, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a second or left hand roller support, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a driven roller, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a driver roller, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an extractor gear, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an upper bracket, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of an extractor spring, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a first extractor guide, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a second extractor guide, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a slide plate, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a plurality of slide plates engaged with a roller support, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0029]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of another fluid extractor called a bulk press, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0030]      FIG. 22A  is a perspective view of a press associated with the bulk press, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0031]      FIG. 22B  is a bottom view of a press associated with the bulk press  2100 , according to an example embodiment. 
           [0032]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view a press plate associated with the bulk press, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0033]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view of a tray associated with the bulk press, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0034]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of a grate associated with the tray of the bulk press, according to an example embodiment. 
           [0035]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of a handle associated with the bulk press, according to an example embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    In the following paper, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the concepts underlying the described embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the described embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the underlying concepts. 
         [0037]      FIG. 1  is a top schematic view of a spill collection system  100 , according to an example embodiment. The spill collection system  100  includes a vessel  120  that has an extractor  500  on board, and a fluid absorbing boom  200 . The fluid absorbing boom  200  encompasses or encircles a spill which is shown as a spill area  110 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the fluid absorbing boom  200  encircles the spill area  110  two times. The fluid absorbing boom  200  includes a first or inner circle  201 , and an outer or second circle  202 . The boom  200  is made of material that selectively absorbs a particular fluid. For example, if the spill area is due to a petroleum product, the boom  200  is made of a material that absorbs petroleum more than it absorbs seawater. The inner circle  201  interacts with the spill area  110  and absorbs a majority of the petroleum spilled. The second or outer circle  202  also may absorb petroleum but generally is positioned as a safety measure. In other words, most of the petroleum is absorbed by the inner circle  201  of the boom  200 . In some instances, some petroleum may get beyond the inner circle  201  of the boom  200 . In that case, the outer circle  202  of the boom  200  absorbs the petroleum that has escaped or gotten beyond the inner circle tool one of the boom  200 . The extractor  500  is positioned on a vessel  120  that can store spilled petroleum. The extractor  500  squeezes the boom  200  to substantially remove the petroleum from the boom  200 . In some embodiments there may be one extractor on the vessel  120 . In other instances there may be a plurality of extractors  500  on vessel  120 . The vessel  120  also includes a ramp  130 . The ramp  130  guides the boom  200  to the extractor  500  on the vessel and back into the sea water. The ramp  130  also includes a portion  132  that lifts the inner circle portion  201  of the boom  200  over the outer circle portion  202  as it travels into the vessel  120 . After the extractor  500  squeezes the petroleum or spill fluid from the boom  200 , the petroleum or spill fluid drains or is pumped into a tank associated with the vessel  120 . The boom  200  travels in the direction of the arrows shown in  FIG. 1 . When the boom  200  travels into the extractor  500  on the vessel  120  is transitioned from a position on the inner circle  201  of the boom  200  a position on the outer circle  202  of the boom  200 . The boom  200  moves continuously in the direction of the arrows shown in  FIG. 1 . The boom  200  comes in sections. The vessel  120  typically holds or stores a number of sections so that the boom  200  can be lengthened or shortened as needed. For example if the spill area  110  is small, the number of sections needed to form the boom  200  will be less than if the spill area  110  is larger. 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  is s a top perspective view of a boom  200  used in the spill collection system  100 , according to an example embodiment. As shown the boom  200  comes in sections. The boom shown in  FIG. 2  includes a first section  211  and a second section  212 . Each boom section, such as first boom section  211  includes a connector  213  located at one and of the boom section  211 . Each boom section  211  also includes an opening for receiving the connector  213 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a boom  200  used in the spill collection system  100  along cutline  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 , according to an example embodiment. The boom  200  includes a mass of fluid absorbing material  300 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the boom also includes an opening in the center of the boom  200  for receiving a connector, such as connector  213 . As mentioned previously of the boom  200  is made of material that selectively absorbs fluids or liquids. For example, Opflex Solutions LLC of West Hyannisport, Mass., USA manufacturers a material under the tradename OPFLEX which is a cross-linked polyolefin foam that absorbs nonpolar substances (like oil) and repels water. The OPFLEX material is 50 to 70% lighter in weight than most servants and contains narrative that speech its biopic radiation. Once it is properly run out or centrifuged, the material can be reused multiple time making it a low carbon impact product. In addition a boom made of OPFLEX material has 500% more surface area than conventional booms. One boom section weighing approximately 23 ounces can absorber approximately 6 pounds of oil, for example. 
         [0040]      FIG. 4  is a stack  400  of boom sections that are used to form the boom  200  used in the spill collection system  100 , according to an example embodiment. The stack  400  includes a plurality of boom sections, such as boom section  201  and boom section  202 . The boom sections are situated within the rack  410  aboard the vessel  110  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). In operation, the boom  200  can be formed by connecting a plurality of boom sections, such as boom sections  201 ,  202  to form an elongated boom  200 . The length of the boom formed can be changed by varying the number of sections which are connected to form the boom  200 . As an oil spill or fluid spill is cleaned up the spill area  110  will become smaller. Thus as a cleanup continues, boom sections, such as boom sections  201 ,  202 , can be removed from the boom  200  to shorten the boom and keep in contact with the spill area  110 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a fluid extractor  500 , according to an example embodiment. The fluid extractor  500  includes an extractor mount  600 . The extractor mount is mounted to the vessel  110 . In extractor tray  700  fits within the extractor mount  600 . The extractor tray  700  captures the extracted fluid, such as oil or other petroleum product, and moves it or directs it toward a tank or other container for holding the extracted fluid which is on the vessel  110 . Positioned within the extractor tray is an extractor grating  800 . The extractor grating  800  is supported by a grating support  900 . The grating support  900  supports one end of the extractor grating  800 . Also attached to the extractor tray  700  is a first roller support  1000  and a second roller support  1100 . The roller support  1000  and the rollers support  1100 , support a driver roller  1300  and a driven roller  1200 . The driver roller  1300  and the driven roller  1200  each carry an extractor gear  1400 . The extractor gears  1400  interact with each other so that the driver roller  1300  drives the driven roller  1200  via the extractor gears  1400 . In other words, the extractor gear  1400  associated with the driver roller  1300  is the driver gear and the extractor gear  1400  associated with the driven roller  1200  is the driven gear. In one embodiment of the invention, the driver roller  1300  includes an extractor gear  1400  on each end of the driver roller  1300 . Similarly the driven roller  1200  includes an extractor gear  1400  on each end of the driven roller  1200 . The extractor  500  also includes an upper bracket  1500  which connects the first or right roller support  1000  to the second or left roller support  1100 . The upper bracket  1500  also contains an extractor spring  1600 . The extractor spring  1600  is a leaf spring which acts or places a spring force on the driven roller  1200 . The upper bracket  1500  also includes a spring force adjustment device  510  which can include a handle  512 . The spring force adjustment device  510  through bleeding gauges and acme nut  514  which is carried by the upper bracket  1500 . The acme nut  514  provides a threaded opening for the upper bracket  1500  and a handle  512 . By turning the handle  512 , a threaded fastener (not shown) can be turned until a free end abuts the leaf spring  1600 . I further engaging the handle the leaf spring  1600  is further flattened which produces a higher spring force onto the driven roller  1200 . In this way the spring force or force on the driven roller  1200  can be increased or reduced to adjust the force that the rollers  1200 ,  1300  apply to the boom  200  (shown in  FIGS. 1-4 ). The extractor  500  also includes a second handle  520  which is used to turn our rotate the driver roller  1300 . Of course in another embodiment the second handle  520  can be eliminated and electric or gas motor driver can be substituted for the second handle  520 . The following FIGs. and following discussion will be used to further describe the compliments of the extractor  500 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an extractor mount  600 , according to an example embodiment. The extractor mount  600  includes a rectangular, flat section  610  and four corner sections  611 ,  612 ,  613 ,  614 . Each corner sections  611 ,  612 ,  613 ,  614  includes a first portion that abuts a first wall of the extractor tray  700  and the second portion that abuts a second wall of the extractor tray  700 . The flat section  610  includes a plurality of openings, such as opening  612 . The plurality of openings are sized to accept various fasteners used to mount the extractor mount  600  to a surface within the vessel  110  of the spill collection system  100 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an extractor tray  700 , according to an example embodiment. The extractor tray  700  is essentially a tray for receiving extracted fluid. The extractor tray  700  is a tray that has four side walls  701 ,  702 ,  703 ,  704 . The extractor tray  700  is also a base for the extractor device  500 . The extractor tray sidewall  701  includes openings for fasteners. The extractor tray sidewall  703  also includes openings for fasteners. Fastened to the extractor tray sidewall  701 , is the second or left roller support  1100 . Fastened to the extractor tray sidewall  703 , is the first or right roller support  1000 . The extractor tray  700 , the first or right roller support  1000 , the second or left roller support  1100  and the upper bracket  1500  form a frame to hold the rollers  1200 ,  1300 , the extractor spring  1600 , the adjustment mechanism  510 , and the drive mechanism  520  and the extractor gears  1400 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an extractor grating  800 , according to an example embodiment. The extractor grating  800  is held within the extractor tray  700 . The extractor grating  800  includes a number or plurality of elongated slots or slits, such as slot  810  the extractor grating  800  also includes a first edge  820  and a second edge  830 . The first edge  820  is longer than the second edge  830 . The first edge  820  is positioned proximate the driven roller  1300  and the second edge  830  is positioned near a sidewall of the extractor tray  700 . The extractor grating  800  also includes openings  801 ,  802 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a grating support  900 , according to an example embodiment. The extractor grating  800  is supported by a grating support  900 . The grating support  900  is L-shaped in cross-section. The grating support  900  includes mounting holes or openings  901 ,  902 . The mounting holes or openings  901 ,  902  are sized to receive fasteners to fastened the gratings port  900  to the openings  801  and  802  and the extractor grating  800 . The grating support  900  supports the middle portion between the first edge  820  and the second edge  830  of the grating  800 . The grating support  900  provides a leg which sits on the bottom of the extractor tray  700  and spaces the extractor grating  800  from the tray bottom. 
         [0046]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a first or right hand roller support, according to an example embodiment.  FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a second or left hand roller support, according to an example embodiment. The first or right hand support  1000  is substantially the same as the second or left-hand support  1100 . The first or right hand support  1000  is a minor image of the second or left-hand support  1100 . For the sake of brevity and clarity, the support  1000  will be described with the knowledge that the support  1100  is made in substantially the same fashion. Support  1000  includes openings  1001 ,  1002 . The openings  1001 ,  1002  are sized to receive fasteners that fastened the roller support  1002  the tray  700 . The roller support  1000  has an elongated base  1004  and up turned sidewalls  1010 ,  1020 . The elongated base  1004  and the up turned sidewalls  1010 ,  1020  form a c-shaped cross-section. The up turned sidewalls  1010 ,  1020  have a slight overhang  1011 ,  1021 , respectively. The end result is that the roller support  1000  includes a first channel  1030 . The first channel  1030  is located between overhangs  1011 ,  1021 . The channel  1030  is dimensioned to receive one end of the driven roller  1201  and one end of the driver roller  1300 . The channel  1030  also is dimensioned to receive the ends of the extractor spring  1600 . 
         [0047]    As mentioned previously the left-hand or second roller support  1100  is substantially the same or a minor image of the right hand or first roller support  1000 . The left-hand or second roller support  1100  includes openings  1101 ,  1102  for fastening the roller support  1100  to the extractor tray  700 . The right-hand roller support includes a flat elongated base  1104  with up turned sidewalls  1110 ,  1120 . The up turned sidewalls  1110 ,  1120  also include an overhang  1111 ,  1121 . The distance between the overhang forms a channel  1130  which is dimensioned to receive one end of the driven roller  1200  and one end of the driver roller  1300 . In the flat elongated base  1104  of the left-hand roller support  1100  is an enlarged opening  1140 . The driven end of the driver roller  1300  passes through the enlarged opening  1140 . The handle or second drive means  520  is attached to the driven and of the driver roller  1300 . 
         [0048]    With the first or right-hand roller support  1000  and the second or left-hand roller support  1100  attached to the extractor tray  700  the driver roller  1300  can be placed or captured in the channels  1030  and  1130  of the first roller support  1000  and the second roller support  1100 . More specifically, the driver roller  1300  is captured on the ends by the openings  1930  and the slide plates  1900  which are placed into the channels  1030 ,  1130  of the first roller support  1000  and the second roller support  1100 , respectively. The extractor spring  1600  can also be placed in the channel  1130  so that the ends of the extractor spring  1600  are captured by the channels  1030 ,  1130 . Again more specifically, the ends of the extractor spring  1600  are actually captured in the slots  1920  of a pair of slide plates  1900 . One of the slide plates is in the channel  1030  and another of the slide plates is in the channel  1130 . When assembled, the driver roller  1300  is fit within the opening  1140  in the second or left-hand roller support  1100  and the other end is fit within the channel  1030  in the right-hand or first roller support  1000 . The two ends of the driven roller  1200  are fit to the channel  1030  and the channel  1130 . One end of the extractor spring  1600  fits within the channel  1030  and the other end of the extractor spring  1600  fits within the channel  1130 . The upper bracket  1500  is then attached to the first roller support  1000  and the second roller support  1100  to complete the assembly of the extractor  500 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a slide plate  1900 , according to an example embodiment. The slide plate  1900  includes a beveled edge  1910  and a beveled edge  1912 . The beveled edges  1910 ,  1912  are capable of fitting with in the roller supports  1000 ,  1100 . The slide plate  1900  also includes a slot  1920  which is dimensioned to receive an end of the extractor spring  1600 . The slide plate  1900  also includes a bearing opening  1930 . The bearing opening  1930  serves as a sleeve bearing and receives in and of one of the rollers, such as the driven roller  1200  or the driver roller  1300 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a driven roller  1200 , according to an example embodiment. The driven roller  1200  includes a cylindrical body  1210  having a cylindrical surface  1212 . As shown the cylindrical surface  1212  includes a rubber coating or jacket that fits over the cylindrical body  1210  of the driven roller  1200 . In other embodiments, the outer surface can be formed of different materials, including different rubber materials having different durometer hardnesses for various applications. Attached the cylindrical body  1210  of the driven roller  1200  is a shaft  1220 . The shaft includes a first end  1221  and the second end  1222 . The first end  1221  includes a keyway  1223 . The keyway  1223  is used to attach an extractor gear  1400  to the first end  1221  of the shaft  1220 . Each of the first end  1221  and the second end  1222  of the shaft  1220  have necked down portions. The ends of the extractor spring  1600  ride on the necked down portions of the shaft  1220 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a driver roller  1300 , according to an example embodiment. The driver roller  1300  includes a main body  1310  having a cylindrical covering  1312  thereon. Different driver rollers  1300  can be used for various applications. In some embodiments, the driver roller  1300  can have very aggressive groups that run substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main body  1310  of the driver roller  1300 . The driver roller also includes a shaft  1320  having a first end  1321  and a second end  1322 . The second and  1322  includes a keyway  1323 . The keyway  1323  is used to attach another extractor gear  1400  to the second and  1322  of the driver roller  1300 . Generally, when used the extractor  500  will include a number of different rollers. There will be different driver rollers  1300  and different driven rollers  1200  for various applications. The first end  1321  of the shaft  1320  engages the channel  1030  of the first roller support  1000 . The second end  1322  of the shaft  1320  passes through the opening  1140  in the left-hand roller support  1100 . The second and  1322  engages the driver handle  520  or other drive mechanism for driving the driver roller  1300 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an extractor gear  1400 , according to an example embodiment. The extractor gear  1400  includes a number of teeth  1410 ,  1411 ,  1412 ,  1413 ,  1414 ,  1415 , and  1416 . Each of the teeth  1410 ,  1411 ,  1412 ,  1413 ,  1414 ,  1415 , and  1416  is capable of either being driven or capable of driving another extractor gear  1400 . Thus the extractor gear  1400  shown can serve as either the driving gear or the driven gear. The extractor gear  1400  can be mounted to either the driven roller  1200  or the driver roller  1300 . Whether the extractor gear  1400  serves as the driving gear or the driven gear depends upon the roller to which it is attached. For example, if the extractor gear  1400  is attached to the driver roller  1300 , the extractor gear is the driver gear. 
         [0053]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a plurality of slide plates  1900  engaged with a roller support  1000 , and a plurality of slide plates  1900  engaged with a roller support  1100 , according to an example embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 20  the slide plates  1900  fit within a channel  1030  of the roller support  1000 . As mentioned previously, the turned up sidewalls  1010 ,  1020  have a slight overhangs  1011 ,  1021 , respectively, and these form the channel  1030 . A first slide plate  1900  is inserted into the channel  1030  from either end of the right-hand roller support  1000 . A second slide plate  1900  is inserted into the channel  1030 . The first slide plate is positioned proximate the end of the right-hand roller support that is proximate the extractor tray  700 . The second side plate  1900  abuts the first side plate  1900 . The slot  1920  in the second slide plate  1900  is placed closest to the opposite end of the right-hand roller support. In other words the slot  1920  is placed closest to the upper bracket  1500 . The slot  1920  is dimensioned to receive an end of the extractor spring  1600 . The similar arrangement is formed on the left-hand bracket  1100 . The left-hand bracket also has to slide plates which slide into position within the channel  1130  of the left-hand roller bracket  1100 . The upper slide plate includes the slot  1920  which engages another end of the extractor spring  1600 . The cylindrical shaft of the driver roller  1300  is inserted into the opening  1930  in the lower slide plate  1900 . Similarly the ends of the driven roller  1200  are placed into the openings  1930  of the upper slide plates  1900  positioned within the right-hand roller support  1000  and the left-hand roller support  1100 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 20  also shows the extractor spring  1600  or leaf spring engaging the slide plate  1900  in the assembled extractor, according to an example embodiment. As shown the end  1601  and the end  1602  ride within the slots  1920  of a pair of the slide plates  1900 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an upper bracket  1500 , according to an example embodiment. The upper bracket  1500  includes a main body having openings therein. There are four openings  1501 ,  1502 ,  1503 ,  1504  for attaching the upper bracket  1500  to the right-hand roller support  1000  and the left-hand roller support  1100 . The upper bracket  1500  also includes a larger opening  1510 . The larger opening  1510  receives an Acme nut  514 . The Acme nut  514  supports the adjusting device  510  which includes a handle  512  for making adjustments to the spring force produced by the extractor spring  1600 . A fastener, which includes a shaft (not shown) abuts the extractor spring  1600  about midway along the length of the extractor spring  1600 . The adjusting device  510  can be turned clockwise to further engage the shaft of the fastener with the extractor spring  1600 . As the fastener and is further engaged with the extractor spring  1600 , the spring force produced by the extractor spring  1600  increases. If the adjuster device  510  is turned in a counterclockwise direction, the end of the fastener disengages or produces a lesser amount of spring force acting upon the rollers  1200 ,  1300  in the extractor  500 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of an extractor spring  1600 , according to an example embodiment. The extractor spring  1600  is a leaf spring having flattened ends  1601  and  1602 . The flattened and  1601  and  1602  ride within the channels  1030 ,  1130  of the first or right-hand roller support  1000  and the second or left-hand roller support  1100 , respectively. Also shown in  FIG. 16  is a fastener  1610  that is associated with the adjustment device  510  of the extractor  500  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). Only a portion of the fastener  1610  is shown in  FIG. 16  for the sake of brevity and clarity. The fastener  1610  is shown abutting the extractor spring  1600  about midway along the length of the extractor spring  1600 . It should be noted that different extractor springs  1600  can be provided with or for the extractor  500 . Different extractor spring  1600  would have different spring constants so that for a particular extractor spring different loads would be produced. Different loads may have to be produced in different circumstances and in different environments. 
         [0057]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a first extractor guide  1700 , according to an example embodiment. The extractor guide  1700  is part of the guide system  130  shown in  FIG. 1 . The extractor guide  1700  is attached to an input side of the extractor. The extractor guide  1700  includes sidewalls  1710  and  1712 . The extractor guide also includes openings for attaching the extractor guide  1700  to the extractor  500  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0058]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a second extractor guide  1800 , according to an example embodiment. The second extractor guide  1800  is substantially the same as the first extractor guide  1700 . The main difference between the first extractor guide and this  1800  and the second extractor guide  1700  is the length or width of the sidewalls  1810  and  1812 . The length of the sidewalls  1810 ,  1812  of the second extractor guide  1800  are shorter than the length of the sidewalls  1710 ,  1712  of the extractor guide  1700 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of a fluid extractor  2100 , according to an example embodiment. The fluid extractor  2100  can also be referred to as a bulk press  2100 . The fluid extractor or bulk press  2100  includes a base  2110  and a frame  2120  attached to the base  2110 . The frame  2120  includes a first upright  2122 , the second upright  2124 , and a top weldment  2126 . The top weldment  2126  joins the first upright  2122  and the second upright  2124  to complete the frame  2120 . The tray  2400  is attached or otherwise coupled to the first upright  2122  and the second upright  2124 . Housed within the tray  2400  is a grate  2500  (shown in further detail in  FIG. 25 ). The grate  2500  fits within the bottom of the tray  2400 . The grate  2500  is covered by a screen plate  2410 . Positioned above the grate  2500  is a press  2200 . The press  2200  includes a press plate  2210  and a press bar  2220 . The press bar  2220  includes a first end  2222  and a second end  2224  which are captured and a channel  2123  of the first upright  2122 , and in a channel  2125  of the second upright  2124 . The first end  2222  and the second end  2224  slidably engage their respective channels. The channels  2123  and  2125  guide the press bar  2220  along a path which corresponds to the first upright  2122  and the second upright  2124  of the frame  2120 . A series of gussets  2112 ,  2114 ,  2116 ,  2118  connect the press plate  2210  to the press bar  2220 . Also attached to the press plate  2210  is a handle  2600 . The handle . 600  can be turned to move the press bar  2220  and the press plate  2210  in a direction which is substantially parallel to the first upright  2122  and the second upright  2124  of the frame  2120 . A threaded shaft is attached to the top of the press  2200 . The top of the threaded shaft is engaged in a threaded opening within the weldment  2126 . By turning the handle  2600  the press can be moved up and down with respect to the tray  2400 . Material can be placed within or on top of the tray  2400  and the handle can be turned to move the press  2200  into engagement with the material. The tray includes the grate  2500  which maintains the spacing between the screen plate  2410  and the tray  2400 . The tray  2400  captures any fluid forced out of the material. T&#39;s he fluid can be removed from the tray  2400  in any number of ways. For example the tray  2400  can be outfitted with a drain so that fluid in the tray  2400  merely passes down the drain. In another embodiment the tray  2400  can be emptied periodically. 
         [0060]      FIG. 22A  is a perspective view of a press  2200  associated with the bulk press  2100 , according to an example embodiment.  FIG. 22B  is a bottom view of a press  2200  associated with the bulk press  2100 , according to an example embodiment. Now referring to both  FIGS. 22A and 22B , the press  2200  will be further detailed. The press includes the press plate  2210  and the press bar  2220 . Gussets  2112 ,  2114 ,  2116 ,  2118  are attached to the press plate  2210  and to the press bar  2220 . The gussets  2112 ,  2114 ,  2116 ,  2118  not only connect the press bar to the press plate  2210  and also distribute the force applied to the press  2200  across the surface of the press plate  2210 . Attached to the|press bar  2220  is a threaded fastener  2222 . The threaded fastener  2222  is used to attach to a threaded shaft to the press  2200 . The bottom of the press plate  2210  includes a number of welds that correspond to the placement of the gussets  2112 ,  2114 ,  2116  and  2118 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view a screen plate  2410  associated with the bulk press  2100 , according to an example embodiment. The screen plate  2410  sits atop the grate  2500 . The screen plate  2410  includes a plurality of openings, such as openings  2412 ,  2414  and  2416 . The plurality of openings allow fluids to pass through the screen plate  2410  and into the tray  2400 . Thus, as the press  2200  applies a force to a material between the press plate  2210  and the screen plate  2410 , fluid is forced out of the material. The fluid passes through the openings and into the tray  2400 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view of a tray  2400  associated with the bulk press  2100 , according to an example embodiment. The tray  2400 , in the embodiment shown, includes an outer sidewall  2420  and a bottom  2430 . The tray  2400  also includes a hinge pipe  2440  which is attached to the outer sidewall  2420  of the tray  2400 . The hinge pipe is welded or otherwise attached to the exterior surface of the outer sidewall  2420 . The hinge pipe  2440  is reinforced with a first gusset  2442  and a second gusset  2444 . The hinge pipe  2440  receives a pin or other cylindrical body so that the tray  2400  can swing between a first position within the press  2100  and a second position outside the press  2100 . The tray  2400  can also be thought of as a swing out tray. 
         [0063]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of a grate  2500  associated with the tray  2400  of the bulk press  2100 , according to an example embodiment. The grate  2500  is formed of a first set of parts having a slot in one side of a grate element  2510  and a second set of grate elements  2520  having a slot in another side of the grate element  2520 . The grate can be formed by interconnecting the first set of grate elements  2510  with the second set of grate elements  2520 . The grate is finally formed and assembled by fastening the various grate elements to one another. For example, one corner of each of the intersections of the grate elements  2510  and  2520  is welded to form the grate  2500 , in one embodiment. 
         [0064]      FIG. 26  is a side view of a handle  2600  associated with the bulk press  2100 , according to an example embodiment. The handle is annular in shape. Attached to the handle is a first threaded rod  2610  and the second threaded rod  2620 . In the embodiment shown, the first threaded rod  2610  is an acme rod having a right-hand thread, and the second threaded rod  2620  is an acme rod having a left-hand thread. Attached to the handle body is a first Acme nut  2612  and a second Acme nut  2622 . The first Acme nut  2612  has a right hand thread and engages the first Acme rod  2610 . The second Acme nut  2622  as a left-hand thread and engages the second Acme rod  2620 . One of the Acme rods  2610 ,  2620  engages the Acme nut  2222  attached to the press bar  2220 . The other of the Acme rods  2610 ,  2620  engages the threaded opening in the top weldment  2126 . The top weldment can also be thought of as a crossbar between sidebar  2122  and sidebar  2124 . 
         [0065]    The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. 
         [0066]    The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents. 
         [0067]    While the embodiments have been described in terms of several particular embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of these general concepts. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present embodiments. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the described embodiments.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8