Patent ID: 8147298

Claim:
Apparatus for processing organic material having first and second parts of different density; comprising: a tank having a first inlet for organic material and a second inlet for water; a conveyor mounted in the tank for movement in a predetermined direction, the conveyor including a plurality of carrier plates configured and located so as to carry organic material and water on the conveyor between successive carrier plates; a detaching mechanism mounted in the tank and comprising a stationary part and a movable part, the stationary part comprising a plate having a curved cutting surface extending away from a cutting edge, the movable part comprising a detaching tool that is movable past the cutting edge and along the curved cutting surface, wherein the curved cutting surface is in conformity with the path of the detaching tool, and wherein the movable part is operable in synchronism with the conveyor so that the detaching tool arrives at the cutting edge substantially simultaneously with one of the plurality of carrier plates so as to separate the first and second parts of the organic material at the cutting edge.