AU697692B2 - Apparatus for vegetable oil extraction - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patent Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (original) Name of Applicant/Nominated Person: DAN MAXWELL

ETHERINGTON

Actual Inventor: DAN MAXWELL ETHERINGTON Address for Service:NZ DAViEs eaLLiseN eAVE, Pertent-AttLfays 1: it1e Co1lli Street, Ieb~re itrQ Po e3)(4 aq VWc6ec ACT 2(GOG Invention Title: "APPARATUS FOR VEGETABLE OIL EXTRACTION"

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*S S *5 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: *S S S S .5 1p -2- TITLE: "APPARATUS FOR VEGETABLE OIL EXTRACTION" Technical Field This invention concerns the extraction of oil and other liquids from vegetable matter. More particularly, it concerns a manually operated press for use in the extraction of oil from vegetable matter in relatively small quantities. In this specification, including the claims, the term "vegetable matter" will include fruit, nuts and parts of nuts (particularly the kernels of nuts). The press is intended for use by households and small communities. It is particularly useful for the extraction of oil from coconut kernel, but it is not limited in its application to coconut oil extraction.

Background Large scale oil extraction equipment is used in high volume, commercial, vegetable oil extraction facilities.

Such equipment, which is used in the production of for 01 ewexample palm oil and coconut oil, is unsuitable for use by households and village communities which process small 20 quantities of vegetable matter to obtain oil for cooking, for use as fuel for small generators of electricity, and sometimes for trading purposes. Not only is the large scale oil extraction equipment too costly for small scale :operations, but the power consumption requirements for such 25 equipment cannot be met in small village communities and the equipment maintenance procedures require skills and Sfacilities which are usually not available in these ".acommunities. Furthermore, such equipment would be grossly under-utilised in a village environment.

p -3- Manually operated presses for the extraction of coconut oil are known. The three manual presses that are currently available for purchase are the Komet, K.I.T. and Bielenberg presses. Those presses, however, are either complex pieces of equipment, or they are bulky, heavy and expensive.

Motor driven versions of such presses are heavier, (ii) much more expensive, and (iii) mechanically more complex than the manually operable presses.

The Komet, K.I.T. and Bielenberg presses are not commonly used, and most households and small village communities in countries such as Papua New Guinea usually obtain coconut oil by mixing freshly grated coconut kernel with coconut water, then manually removing the cream that is formed by squeezing the grated mixture in a twisted cloth. The coconut cream is then boiled for several hours, and the oil separates from the cream. This process is time-consuming, requires the use of significant amounts of fuel for boiling the "cream", and is inefficient in terms of the percentage of available oil that is extracted.

20 An alternative method of producing small quantities of coconut oil is to remove the coconut cream that is formed when freshly grated kernel is mixed with coconut water by squeezing the mixture in a twisted cloth, then allowing the coconut cream to ferment. The coconut oil is "produced" by 25 the action of enzymes. Clearly this method of coconut oil production cannot be used when the oil is required without delay.

There has long been a need for a more efficient and cost-effective method by which households and village eI (I S! ^I 4 communities can extract small volumes of vegetable oil for local use.

Disclosure of the Present Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide a low-cost, manually-operable, mechanically simple, yet reliable press for use in the extraction of vegetable oil, particularly coconut oil.

This objective is achieved by providing a vegetable matter press having a perforated, hollow cylinder member in which grated or finely chopped vegetable matter, having an appropriate moisture content, can be compressed by manually causing a piston block or a piston to move further into the cylinder member. The press has a piston movement means which inrludes a rod connected (directly or indirectly) either to one of a pair of piston blocks, or to a single piston, the rod being moved, generally with the assistance of a ratchet arrangement, to increase the pressure applied to the grated vegetable matter within the cylinder. Oil which is pressed from the vegetable matter passes through 20 the perforations in the cylinder and is collected. A high proportion of the available oil can be extracted from the vegetable matter using this simple press.

S: The oil extraction press of the present invention can take one of two forms which, for convenience, will be termed, respectively, the first and second aspects of the present invention.

:o 1-2 tL J i/ According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vegetable oil extraction press comprising: an elongate, hollow cylinder member having a plurality of small apertures or holes in the wall thereof; a first collar around one end of said cylinder member, said first collar being rigidly connected to said cylinder member, a pair of lugs extending outwardly from diametrically opposed regions of said first collar; a second collar around the other end of said cylinder member, said second collar being rigidly connected to said cylinder member; a pair of elongate side arms which, when said press is in use, are positioned alongside said cylinder member, the elongate direction of said side arms being parallel to the axis of said cylinder member, each side arm having a groove or channel therein adapted to receive a respective one of said lugs; 20 a first piston block adapted to fit into said one end of said cylinder member; a second piston block adapted to fit into the other end of said cylinder member; piston movement means adapted to apply a force to said first piston block to cause said first piston block to move towards said second piston block; and P. piston block support means adapted to support said second piston block in a fixed position relative to said side arms.

This first aspect of the present invention is intended to .abe used with the axis of the cylinder substantially Si i i 4, i Ill .i^lilY-. til. __Li ll_--Ill^ -~YW.I 1 ii~ll* 6 vertical. The side arms, the piston support means and a housing for part of the piston movement means will normally be mounted on a press support member (a timber beam or a tree trunk), with the side arms being fixed in position and extending from the piston support means to the housing. In the preferred forms of this aspect of the invention, the housing contains a ratchet mechanism which forms part of the piston movement means.

The cylinder member, with its piston blocks, is removably mounted in the press assembly, where it is held in position by the piston block support means and (ii) the lugs on the first collar which are each located within a groove or channel of a respective side arm.

The second piston block may be constructed as two separate blocks having circular cross-sections of essentially the same diameter. When the press is in use, the separate blocks are positioned one above the other and constitute an upper second piston block member and a lower second piston block member, with the upper face of the lower second 20 piston block member in contact with the lower face of the upper second piston block member. The lower second piston block member is held in position by the piston block support means. The upper second piston block member forms a plug or seal in the lower end of the cylinder member.

The second aspect of the present invention may also be used es with the axis of its cylinder member substantially 04- vertical, but in the form in which it was initially conceived (which is expected to the form in which, ri 9 9*f -7predominantly, it will be constructed and used), the axis of its cylinder member is substantially horizontal.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vegetable oil extraction press comprising a hollow, elongate cylinder member, closed at one end and open at the other end thereof, said cylinder member having a plurality of apertures therein; a piston which is a close sliding fit within said cylinder member; and piston movement means including a piston rod, one end of said piston rod being connected to said piston, said piston rod extending, when said press is in use, through the open end of said cylinder member, and (ii) ratchet means adapted to be operably connected to said piston rod at a region thereof which is intermediate the ends of said piston rod.

The cylinder member of the second aspect of the present invention may be provided with a loading port through which 20 grated or finely chopped vegetable matter may be loaded into the cylinder member, in which case it is preferable for the piston to be provided with a piston skirt to prevent vegetable material falling behind the rear face of the piston, to which the piston rod is connected.

e4* Preferably, the cylinder member of both the first and S..second aspects of the present invention is made from S stainless steel, although other suitable materials may be used for the cylinder member.

l l I rl-cio These and other features of the two aspects of the present invention (some of which are optional features) will be further explained in the following description of embodiments of the present invention, which are provided by way of example only. In the following description, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Accompanying Drawings Figure 1 is a partially exploded perspective sketch, showing the major components of the first aspect of the present invention and their relationship to each other.

Figure 2 is a partial vertical sectional view showing the cylinder of an assembled press constructed in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, and associated components of the press, at the beginning of the compression of a charge of vegetable matter.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of a first piston block of the press illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

9**o :Figure 4 is a perspective sketch showing a preferred form of construction of the side arms of the press illustrated 20 in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 5 is a side view of an assembled press of the type :eU illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

ga, Figure 6 is a partly schematic perspective sketch of a vegetable oil press constructed in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, mounted for *i -9operation with the axis of its cylinder member substantially horizontal.

Figure 7 is a partially exploded perspective sketch showing the various components of the press illustrated in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a sectional view which illustrates the piston construction and loading port arrangement of the press shown in Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a partly schematic illustration of a vegetable oil press constructed in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, mounted for operation with the axis of its cylinder member substantially vertical.

Detailed Description of %te Illustrated Embodiments The lack of a simple efficient, low cost press for the extraction of small volumes of vegetable oil, noted above, was drawn to the present inventor's attention by members of households and village communities in Mozambique, who used oil from coconuts for making soap and for cooking. Coconut oil is now used widely in small communities in tropical 20 countries, including as a fuel for diesel engines for electricity generation and for transport. Since the need i: for a suitable coconut oil extraction press was the stimulus for the present invention, the application of the invention to the extraction of coconut oil will be given S 25 prominence in the following description of the illustrated embodiments. However, it will be appreciated that the press of this invention can be used to extract oil and 40 e, 10 other liquids from a range of vegetable materials, including fruit.

Each press illustrated in the accompanying drawings uses a simple compression arrangement, aided by a ratchet mechanism, to extract coconut oil from grated coconut kernel. Using these presses and grated coconut kernel having a water content of from 9 per cent to 13 per cent (dry weight basis), it is possible to obtain good yields (that is, from 60 per cent to greater than 80 per cent of the available oil) of edible, virgin, aromatic, cold-pressed coconut oil.

In the accompanying drawings, components which are common to each aspect of the present invention have been given the same reference numeral.

Referring first to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, it should be noted that the cylinder member of the first aspect of the present invention and its associated piston blocks are removable from the assembled press. Indeed, the cylinder member has to be removed from the press to load the cylinder member with grated or shredded vegetable matter, and (ii) to clean the cylinder member and piston blocks after the oil has been extracted from a charge of vegetable matter.

When the press illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 is to be used to extract coconut oil, a cylinder member 10 is filled with warm, grated coconut kernel having the appropriate water content (from 9 to 13 per cent on a dry weight basis).

Since most small communities in developing countries do not i i 1 have equipment for measuring the water content of vegetable matter, the present inventor has devised a method for ensuring that the water content and temperature of the grated or shredded vegetable matter is suitable for oil extraction using the press depicted in Figures 1 to That method involves the steps of drying the grated or shredded vegetable matter (coconut kernel) by, for example, exposing racks on which the vegetable matter has been placed to the sun; mixing a predetermined quantity of water with the dried vegetable matter; loading the dried vegetable matter to which water has been added into a cylinder member 10, and closing the cylinder member at each end using a first piston block 12 and a second -)iston block 13 (or, if the second piston block 13 comprises an upper second piston block member 13A and a lower second piston block member 13B, the upper second piston block member 13A); then placing the closed cylinder member 10 with its charge V 20 of vegetable matter in a solar oven which comprises a 4 1 series of metal tubes in a shallow box structure with a lid containing a panel of glass or other optically transparent material, to raise the temperature of the cylinder member 10, together with its associated charge and piston blocks 12 and 13 (or 13A), to the S: equilibrium temperature of the solar oven (the moisture content of the vegetable matter charge of the closed cylinder member is not changed to any significant extent by such heating, but if required, water may be included in each tube in the box structure to increase the relative humidity in the solar oven when the cylinder member and its contents a a a

CANBERRA

12 12 are heated). [Note: For some types of nut, the grated or shredded kernel may be placed in cloth bags and then loaded into a cylinder member As shown particularly in Figure 1, the cylinder member has a collar 15 encircling one end of the cylinder member (the end which will be uppermost when the cylinder member, with its vegetable matter charge and piston block "seals", is mounted in the oil-extraction press assembly) and a second collar 17 encircling its other lower end. The collars 15 and 17 are rigidly attached to the cylinder member 10 (for example, by a number of spot welds). A long cylinder member may have at least one additional collar rigidly attached to it, between the collars 15 and 17.

The upper collar 15 has a pair of lugs 16 extending from it. The lugs 16 are diametrically opposed to each other on the collar. Preferably the lugs 16 extend both outwardly and in the general direction of the collar 17, as shown in Figure 1.

i t ft The cylinder member 10 is a perforated cylinder.

Preferably, it is made from stainless steel, which is easy to clean and sterilise. The cylinder member 10 may be made from a tube of stainless steel (or other suitable material) with a substantial number of small apertures or holes 11 drilled along at least part of its length. In prototype presses constructed by the present inventor, it has been found that a very satisfactory cylinder construction is obtained by drilling holes 11 having a diameter of from mm to 1.6 mm, spaced apart by a distance of 10 mm or less, in a pipe or tube. If the cylinder member 10 is t f f

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Ii.. i Y rr~ YI-rr LI~ lll~-~ II1~--1 Sl.../2 13 13 constructed in this manner, it is not necessary for the holes 11 to be drilled along the entire length of the pipe or tube. The region of the cylinder member 10 which has holes 11 drilled in it need only comprise that half the length of the cylinder member 10 which is adjacent to the collar 17.

As an alternative construction, the cylinder 10 may be formed by bending a plate of perforated stainless steel or stainless steel mesh around a former, and either spot welding the edges of the perforated tube so formed, or using the collars 15 and 17, and at least one additional collar, to hold the perforated plate or mesh in position and ensure that the cylinder member 10 has sufficient rigidity to retain its shape when subjected to pressures of the magnitude experienced when grated coconut kernel is compressed within it.

Other materials from which the cylinder member 10 may be fabricated include brass, some other metals, and nylon or PVC pipe (this list is not exhaustive).

I S The piston blocks 12 and 13 (or 13A and 13B) may be made of .i any suitable material (including plastics material) but in most small village communities, a convenient material for Sr the piston blocks will be wood.

The piston block 12 is a close sliding fit in the cylinder 10. The piston block 12 thus forms a seal at the end of ,the cylinder 10 and acts as a piston when the vegetable matter charge of the cylinder member 10 is to be *i 0 compressed.

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14 The piston block 12 shown by the sectional drawing of Figure 3 has two optional features. The first optional feature is a hole 12A which extends through the block 12, preferably on its axis. The hole 12A permits a metal temperature probe to be inserted into a charge of vegetable matter, to monitor the temperature of the vegetable matter at any location within the cylinder member 10. The second optional feature is the addition of a washer or disc 12B of a plastics material, neoprene or the like, to form a sliding seal with the inside surface of the cylinder member The washer or disc 12B is particularly useful if the cylinder member 10 is not exactly circular in cross-section, and/or if there is a gap of about a millimetre between the edge of the piston block 12 and the inside surface of the cylinder member 10 (such a gap is sufficient for some shredded or grated vegetable matter in the cylinder 10, when compressed, to enter into the space of the gap and jam the piston block 12 within the cylinder member 10). The washer or disc 12B may be held in position by a clamping ring 12C, shown in dashed outline in Figure 3.

*t The second piston block 13, which is normally longer than the first piston block 12, is a relatively loose sliding fit in the cylinder member 10. As noted above, it is 25 preferred that the piston block 13 is constructed as two individual piston block members 13A and 13B. The piston oblock member 13B is mounted, as described below, on the :ooo press assembly throughout an oil extraction exercise. The oOO.piston block member 13A is used, in the same way as the piston block 12, to retain grated or shredded vegetable .matter in the cylinder member 10. The piston block member

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15 13A may have a washer or disc (equivalent to the washer or disc 12B shown in Figure 3) affixed to its upper surface.

To extract the oil from the charge of the cylinder member the cylinder and the piston blocks 12 and 13 (or 13A) are positioned in the press mechanism with the second piston block 13 (or the lower second piston block member 13B) supported by a piston block support arrangement, and (ii) the lugs 16 positioned within respective channels in side arms 19. It is easier to position the cylinder member 10 in the press assembly in this manner if the piston block 13 is constructed as two separate piston block members 13A and 13B one sealing the lower end of the cylinder 10 and the other being held in the press assembly by the piston block support means of the press assembly.

The piston block support means may comprise any convenient arrangement for locating and holding the lower piston block 13. The preferred arrangement, which is shown in the illustrated embodiment of Figures 1, 2 and 5, includes a U-shaped bracket 30, comprising bracket arms 21 and 22, connected by a web plate 23. The bracket arms 21 and 22 are each provided with a pair of apertures 24, which have dimensions, and are spaced apart, to receive the arms of a long stainless steel U-bolt 25. The piston block 13 (or the lower piston block member 13B) has a corresponding pair 25 of apertures or holes 26 extending through it. Thus the t.o 11 arms of the U-bolt 25 can be inserted through the apertures 24 in the bracket arm 21, then through the holes 26 in the block 13 or 13B, and then through the apertures 24 in the bp3 bracket arm 22, to hold the piston block 13 (or the lower ft *ft i o f f C Oft *0 f

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i i, 4J i; 16 piston block member 13B) in a fixed position relative to the bracket The web plate 23 of the bracket 30 is securely fixed (for example, using bolts or large screws) to the substantially vertical support 29 (a beam, a tree trunk or the like) for the press. A short chain 28, connected at one end to the U-bolt 25 and at the other end to the bracket arm 21, will usually be included in embodiments of this press, to ensure that the U-bolt is always available to secure a piston block 13 in position.

The bracket 30 also serves as a support for the side arms 19. The lower ends of the side arms are rigidly attached to, respectively, the bracket arms 21 and 22, preferably by being welded to the inner faces of the bracket arms 21 and 22. Since the side arms are positioned to receive the lugs 16, the lower end regions of the side arms will have apertures 18, corresponding in position to the apertures 24 in the bracket arms 21 and 22, drilled in them.

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The upper ends of the side arms 19 are attached to the housing 40 which covers a ratchet arrangement, which is described in more detail below. Since the housing 40 for the ratchet arrangement is secured to the vertical beam (or the like) 29, the side arms 19 are rigidly mounted parallel to, but spaced from, the vertical beam 29.

As noted above, each side arm 19 has a channel 20 in it to receive one of the lugs 16. To avoid the need to machine a channel or groove in each side arm, each side arm is :preferably constructed, as shown in Figure 4, from a f~-i 06-~ I .Ii Y I E i! 17 channel member 191 and a solid rod member 192. The end of the solid rod member 192 which constitutes the lower end of the side arm 19 is rigidly attached to the bracket 30. The upper end of the rod member 192 is a close sliding fit within the channel of the channel member 191. The rod member 192 and the channel member 191 may conveniently be securely joined by at least one bolt or screw 197 which passes through the appropriate one of a series of holes 196 in the web of the channel member and is screwed into a threaded hole 195 in the solid rod member 192.

A portion of at least one of the side walls of each channel member 191 is removed to create a gap 194 in the side wall, which enables one of the lugs 16 to be inserted into the channel of the channel member. The upper end of each rod member 192 provides a stop 193 at the lower end of the channel of its respective side arm 19, to limit the travel of a lug 16 on the collar 15 (and hence of the cylinder member 10) towards the bracket 30. Preferably, as shown in Figure 4, the stop 193 has a shape which is complementary to the shape of the lugs 16.

A plate 32 is used to apply pressure to the piston block 12. The plate 32 is attached to the end of a rod 33, conveniently by means of a nut 31 welded to the plate 32.

To enable the cylinder member 10 with its charge of vegetable matter to be inserted into the press assembly, the plate 32 is lifted to a position where it will not interfere with the cylinder member 10 or the upper piston block 12. The plate 32 may be held in this position by a bar 34, adapted to pass through holes 35 in the side arms 30 19. An alternative arrangement for holding the plate 32 in ii -18 this position involves constructing the plate 32 as a circular plate with a segment removed, thus giving the plate 32 a planar edge region 32A (see Figure Each end of a stiff curved wire 35A is rigidly attached to a respective side arm 19, so that the plate 32 will rest on the wire 35A unless the rod 33 (and hence the plate 32) is rotated so that the planar edge region 32A is aligned with the wire 35A. With this orientation of the plate 32, the plate can be moved past the wire 35A without coming into contact with the wire.

Any other suitable arrangement may be used to hold the pressure plate 32 away from the piston block 12 while the cylinder 10, with a charge of vegetable matter and closed by the piston blocks 12 and 13 (or 13A), is being inserted into the press assembly and supported by the U-bolt (which passes through the piston block 13 or the piston block member 13B) and the side arms 19 (which receive the collar lugs 16).

After installation of the cylinder 10 in the press assembly, the bar 34 is withdrawn from the holes 35 in the Sside arms 19, or the rod 33 is rotated to align the planar edge region 32A of the plate 32 with the stiff wire and the rod 33 is manually moved so that the plate 32 Scontacts, and presses against, the top face of the piston block 12, which is moved slightly into the cylinder member The rod 33, which is positioned substantially in alignment with the axis of the cylinder 10, passes through the S: ratchet assembly housing 40. A ratchet arrangement (which i* I~ ftrintlltono heclidr 0inte rs 19 may be any suitable known form of ratchet arrangement, one form being described in some detail below), activated by a ratchet lever 36, is used to move the rod 33, and thus the plate 32, in the direction of the cylinder member 10. As a consequence of this movement, the following sequence of events occurs: 1. The initial application of pressure to the piston block 12 by the plate 32 causes the piston block 12 to move further into the cylinder member 10. This movement of the piston block 12 slightly compresses the vegetable matter in the cylinder 2. After the initial application of pressure to the piston block 12, the block 12 ceases to move into the cylinder member 10. Further movement of the rod 33 then causes the entire cylinder member 10 to move downwards, the lugs 16 in the channels 20 of the side arms 19 ensuring that there is no sideways movement of the collar 15 (and thus no sideways movement of the cylinder 10). Since the lower piston block 13 is constrained from moving by the U-bolt 25, the lower piston block 13 effectively moves into the cylinder member 10. The consequential compression of the 3 vegetable matter in the cylinder 10 causes oil (and/or other liquid) to be expressed from the vegetable matter. The expressed oil (or other liquid) leaves the cylinder 10 via the apertures 11, to be collected by a funnel 37 positioned underneath the bracket 3. The movement of the cylinder member 10 over the lower piston block 13 continues, as the ratchet lever 36 is further activated, until the lugs 16 reach the stops .193 in the channels of the side arms 19. Further 0" activation of the lever arm 36 will then cause the 9i upper piston block 12 to be forced f urther into the cylinder member Once maximum compression of the vegetable material has been achieved, the funnel 37 and its associated collection vessel are removed. The ratchet mechanism is then briefly released and the U-bolt 25 is withdrawn from the holes 26 in the lower piston block 13. Re-activation of the ratchet member will then cause both piston blocks and the compressed vegetable matter to be pushed out of the cylinder member 10 by the pressure applied via plate 32.

The rod 33 is then lifted upwards to enable the empty cylinder member 10 to be removed from the press assembly.

Alternatively, once maximum compression of the vegetable material has been achieved, the ratchet mechanism is releasied and the rod 33 is manually lifted upwards to the point where the bar 34, or the stiff wire 35A, can again be used to hold the plate 32 at what is effectively its upper limit. The cylinder member 10 with the piston block 12, the block 13A if the piston block 13 is formed as two separate blocks (or the entire piston block 13, after removal of the U-bolt 25, if it is a single block), and the compressed vegetable matter, are then removed from the ~:press assembly for subsequent emptying of the compressed vegetable material from the cylinder and for cleaning of the cylinder member and the piston blocks.

A new cylinder member containing grated coconut kernel or other shredded or grated vegetable matter, having the ****appropriate moisture content, may then be loaded into the -21press assembly, for extraction of vegetable oil, juice, or the like from the vegetable matter.

Turning now to the press illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8, it will be noted that this embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention has a cylinder member 10 (the construction of which is as described above with reference to the cylinder member 10 of the press illustrated in Figures 1 to 5) which is mounted substantially horizontally. This cylinder member 10 has a relatively large aperture 43 formed in its upper surface, remote from the end 10A of the cylinder member that is closed when the press is in use. The aperture 43 provides an entry port for the grated coconut kernel. A sleeve 44 with a short chimney 45 is a close sliding fit over the cylinder When the chimney 45 is positioned above the feed entry port 43, the grated kernel can be fed into the cylinder preferably through a funnel 46 positioned with its spout in the chimney 45. The funnel can be removed when the 4* cylinder 10 has been filled with grated kernel. Since the grated kernel will tend to remain in the cylinder underneath the feed port 43, a piston 52 is moved to and fro, manually, to transfer the grated kernel into the main body of the hollow cylinder 10 and to lightly compress it.

n~e The embodiment illustrated in Figure 9 does not have the cylinder sleeve 44 of the embodiment of Figures 6, 7 and 8, nor does it have a feed port 43 in its cylinder member To introduce vegetable matter into the cylinder member of the press illustrated in Figure 9, the piston 52 is removed from the cylinder 10 and grated coconut kernel (or other vegetable material) is fed into top of the cylinder i!i ii i' 22 member, preferably using a shute or funnel to avoid wastage.

When filling the cylinder member 10 of the embodiments illustrated in Figures 6 to 9 with grated coconut kernel, the end 10A of the cylinder will be closed. The closure of the end 10A may be achieved by any one of a number of alternative arrangements. A permanent closure member may be used, but this is not preferred, because such an arrangement would make it difficult to remove the compressed kernel from the cylinder after the oil has been extracted from it. A cup-like closure member, adapted to be detachably secured over the end 10A of the cylinder by moving slots in the side wall of the cup-like structure over lugs projecting from the surface of the cylinder may also be used for this purpose. The preferred closure arrangement, however, is illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8.

The cylinder end closure arrangement shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8 comprises an end plate 50 which is firmly held in position against the end 10A of the cylinder member 10 by o 20 a pair of side arms 59 joined (preferably using hinges) to a stirrup 62 which bears against (or is connected to) the end plate 50. The side arms 59 are connected to the sides of the housing 40 for the ratchet means (described below) 4.4": and are also supported by the bracket arms of a U-shaped bracket 63. Securing the side arms 59 to the housing of the ratchet mechanism ensures that the end plate 50 is held firmly against the end 10A of the cylinder 10 when maximum compression of the grated coconut kernel (or other ,.vegetable matter) occurs. As shown in Figure 8, the plane :l 30 of the end O10A of the cylinder 10 is preferably at an angle ji 1' :i 23 of about 87" to the axis of the cylinder 10, to allow the end plate 50 to be lifted away from the end The piston 52 is a close sliding fit in the cylinder The front face 52A of the piston is directed towards the end 10A of the cylinder. A long piston rod 33 is connected to the rear of the piston 52. A handle 48 (which need not comprise a transverse rod as shown in the drawings) will usually be attached to the end of the piston rod 33 which is remote from the piston 52. The handle 48 is used for manual movement of the piston 52 and for the initial compression of the grated kernel (or other vegetable matter) in the cylinder The piston used in the horizontal press illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8 preferably has a cylindrical skirt 49 surrounding the region of the piston rod 33 which is close to the piston 52. The piston skirt 49 prevents grated kernel, that may be present in the region of the chimney falling behind the piston when the cylinder 10 is being filled Wtth grated kernel. There is no need for the piston in the press illustrated in Figure 9 to have the equivalent C of the piston skirt 49.

A housing 40 for the ratchet arrangement is mounted close to the cylinder member 10, so that the piston rod 33 passes 4. 4 through the housing 40. A conventional ratchet slider, which is adapted to be engaged by a ratchet arm 59, is positioned around the piston rod 33 within the housing Movement of the end of a conventional ratchet lever 36 in the direction of arrow B in the drawings, so that the lever 36 is rotated about a pivot point 38 (see Figure causes 4% ;1

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24 the ratchet arm 39 to move in the direction of the arrow A in Figure 7. When the end of the ratchet arm 39 which is within the housing 40 comes into contact with the ratchet slider, the ratchet slider is rotated slightly to grip the piston rod 33, and is then moved, with the rod 33, towards the cylinder 10. Since the piston 52 is connected to the piston rod 33, this movement of the rod 33 causes the piston 52 to move further into the cylinder 10, and to compress the shredded kernel (or other vegetable material) in the cylinder.

The ratchet lever 36 reaches an over-lock position at the end of its rotation in the direction of arrow B. At any time during its movement in the direction of arrow B, the lever 36 can be brought back towards its initial position.

This action permits the ratchet slider to slide back along the piston rod 33. An asymmetric spring, which is connected to the portion of the slider which is remote from the ratchet arm contact point, prevents the ratchet slider from catching on the piston rod 33 during its "backwards" movement. Repeated activation (forwards and backwards movement) of the ratchet lever 36 thus causes the piston 52 to move progressively into the cylinder 10, to further compress the shredded kernel.

As the ratchet slider, ratchet arm and asymmetric spring are conventional components of a ratchet mechanism, further illustration of these components is not necessary in this specification.

*6 4 It will be appreciated that other forms of ratchet mechanism may be used in place of the arrangement described above.

As noted above, the side arms 59 are connected to the ratchet housing 40 in a manner which prevents longitudinal movement of the side arms.

Compression of the shredded coconut kernel (or other vegetable matter) in the cylinder member 10 expresses the oil from the coconut kernel. The expressed oil percolates through the holes or apertures 11 in the cylinder member to be collected in a suitable receptacle. In the case of the press illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8, the receptacle will normally be a dish 55 (see Figure If the press is mounted vertically, as shown in Figure 9, the oil which percolates through the apertures in the cylinder will usually be collected (as in the case of the press illustrated in Figures 1 to 5) by a funnel 37 which conveys 4the collected oil to a large bottle, jar or other suitable receptacle. The collected coconut oil (or other liquid) 20 will usually be filtered before use.

The bracket 63 and the ratchet housing 40 of the horizontal press shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8 are usually securely attached to a work bench or table, thus ensuring a rigid press assembly.

25 Tests with prototypes of the presses illustrated in the accompanying drawings have shown that each of these S. presses, when used with hot (60 0 C to 70 0 C) grated coconut S kernel having a moisture content in the range of from 9 to 4 j L i ~I ~ii~ LJ i 26 13 per cent, produces high quality, edible, virgin, coldpressed coconut oil. The press illustrated in Figures 1 to is the preferred press for coconut oil extraction because its removable cylinder members enable a number of cylinders of vegetable matter to be processed one after the other, with a minimum of delay, and can be heated in a solar oven and transferred to the press assembly with negligible loss of heat or moisture by the vegetable matter charge of the cylinders. The prototype presses have also proved to be particularly suitable for the production of coconut cream, when their cylinder members 10 are charged with a mixture of freshly-grated coconut kernel and coconut water.

Although presses assembled for use have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be appreciated that the presses may be sold as kits to be used to construct the illustrated presses. The present invention, therefore, encompasses the first and second aspects of the present invention in kit form.

t~t~ It will also be appreciated by mechanical engineers that a ti, I press constructed in accordance with either aspect of the present invention is robust; is simple to assemble for use and is easy to dismantle for cleaning; is economical to manufacture; provided suitable materials are used in its construction and the press components are properly painted, will not rust or corrode in hot, humid, 3 mi 30 marine environments; -27requires only manual effort for its operation; and uses compression mechanisms and constructions which are totally different from the Komet, K.I.T. and Bielenberg presses.

It should be clear from the above description that although the presses of this invention are designed to produce vegetable oil, they can also be used for the extraction of juice and other liquids (coconut cream having been exemplified above) from vegetable matter.

It will be further appreciated that although specific examples of the presses of this invention have been illustrated and described above, variations to and modifications of these exemplary presses can be made without departing from the present inventive concept.

4 4 I I ,.4

Claims (18)

1. A vegetable oil extraction press comprising: an elongate, hollow cylinder member having a plurality of small apertures in the wall thereof; a first collar around one end of said cylinder member, said first collar being rigidly connected to said cylinder me nber, a pair of lugs extending outwardly from diametrically opposed regions of said first collar; a second collar around the other end of said cylinder member, said second collar being rigidly connected to said cylinder member; a pair of elongate side arms which, when said press is in use, are positioned alongside said cylinder member, the elongate direction of said side arms being parallel to the axis of said cylinder member, each side arm having a channel therein adapted to receive a respective one of said lugs; S, a first piston block adapted to fit into said one J1' end of said cylinder member; a second piston block adapted to fit into the other end of said cylinder member; piston movement means adapted to apply a force to said first piston block to cause said first piston block to move towards said second piston block; and piston block support means adapted to support said second piston block in a fixed position 'relative to said side arms. i U Ia h 1 I 1 IL J OV AA 29

2. A press as defined in claim 1, in which said piston blocks are made of wood.

3. A press as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, in which said first piston block has a washer or disc attached to the face thereof which contacts vegetable matter in said cylinder member, said washer or disc having an outer diameter which is greater than the diameter of said first piston block, to thereby form a good sliding seal between said first piston block and said cylinder member.

4. A press as defined in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, in which said second piston block has a pair of holes extending transversely therethrough, and said piston block support means comprises a U-shaped bracket having two bracket arms connected by a web plate, each of said bracket arms having a pair of apertures therein corresponding in dimensions and spacing to the holes in said second piston block, and (ii) a U-bolt t having arm members which are adapted to pass through said apertures in said bracket arms and through said 4. C holes in said second piston block. A press as defined in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, in which said second piston block comprises an upper second piston block member and a lower second piston block member, said upper and lower second piston block members having circular cross-sections of essentially the same diameter, said lower second piston block member having a i I iii 30 pair of holes extending transversely therethrough, and said piston block support means comprises a U-shaped bracket having two bracket arms connected by a web plate, each of said bracket arms having a pair of apertures therein corresponding in dimensions and spacing to the holes in said lower second piston block member, and (ii) a U-bolt having arm members which are adapted to pass through said apertures in said bracket arms and through said holes in said lower second piston block member.

6. A press as defined in claim 4 or claim 5, in which each of said side arms are connected to a respective one of said bracket arms.

7. A press as defined in claim 4, claim 5 or claim 6, in which said U-shaped bracket has a web plate and said web plate is securely attached to a vertical support for said press.

8. A press as defined in any preceding claim, in which said piston movement neans comprises: a pressure plate attached to one end of a rod, said rod being aligned with the axis of said cylinder member, said pressure plate being in contact with said first piston block when said .*rr press is in use, and ratchet means adapted to be operably connected to *said rod, to cause movement of said rod towards i i 4* L[ li i I 31 said cylinder member when said ratchet means is activated.

9. A press as defined in claim 8 when appended to claim 7, in which said ratchet means is enclosed by a housing which is securely mounted on said vertical support for said press, and said side arms are rigidly connected to said housing. A vegetable oil extraction press comprising a hollow, elongate cylinder member, closed at one end and open at the other end thereof, said cylinder member having a plurality of apertures therein; a piston which is a close sliding fit within said cylinder member; and piston movement means including a piston rod, one end of said piston rod being connected to said piston, said piston rod extending, when said press is in use, through the open end of said cylinder member, and (ii) ratchet means adapted t to be operably connected to said piston rod at a region thereof which is intermediate the ends of said piston rod. .t

11. A press as defined in claim 10, in which, when said press is in use, said cylinder member is mounted with r its axis substantially horizontal; said cylinder member having a large aperture in the upper surface thereof, remote from said closed end; said press including a sleeve surrounding part of the length of said cylinder member, said sleeve being a sliding I. 32 fit on said cylinder member and (ii) having a chimney extending outwardly therefrom, said chimney being positionable above said large aperture.

12. A press as defined in claim 11, in which said piston has a piston skirt extending over said piston rod for a distance sufficient to prevent material held in said large aperture falling behind said piston.

13. A press as defined in any one of claims 10, 11 and 12, in which the closed end of said cylinder member is closed by a plate which is positioned at the end of the cylinder member and which is held in position by a pair of side arms which extend from said plate to a housing for said ratchet means, said side arms being connected to said housing in a manner which prevents longitudinal movement of said side arms.

14. A press as defined in claim 13, including a stirrup member attached to or bearing against said plate; said 9oo* stirrup member extending between and being connected S"to the ends of said side arms which are remote from *9 said housing. .000 A press as defined in any one of claims 8 to 14, in which said ratchet means comprises j a ratchet slider which is mounted on said piston rod; a ratchet arm which is moveable to contact said ratchet slider to cause said ratchet slider to lock onto said piston rod, and thereafter to move said piston rod towards said cylinder member; and I*nn* 33 a lever arm which controls the movement of said ratchet arm.

16. A press as defined in any preceding claim, in which said cylinder member comprises a length of pipe or tube, with said small apertures drilled therein.

17. A press as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9, in which said apertures in said cylinder member are present only in the region of said cylinder member which is adjacent to said second collar.

18. A press as defined in any one of claims 10 to 15, in which said apertures in said cylinder member are present only in the region of said cylinder member which is adjacent to said closed end.

19. A press as defined in any preceding claim, in which said apertures in said cylinder member comprise a series of holes, each having a diameter in the range of from 0.5 mm to 1.6 mm and being spaced from an adjacent hole or adjacent holes of said series by a distance which does not exceed 10 mm. t o c I ,e 20. A press as defined in any preceding claim, in which C.lo said cylinder member is made from stainless steel. f..s 21. A press as defined in any one of claims 1 to 15, in which said cylinder member is formed from stainless steel mesh. ot a °I i. ~1 1, 4 34

22. A vegetable oil extraction press, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to or Figures 6, 7 and 8, or Figure 9, of the accompanying drawings.

23. A vegetable oil extraction press as defined in any preceding claim, in kit form. DATED this twenty-eighth day of July 1995 DAN MAXWELL ETHERINGTON By his Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE oid- C r e* C. 5* €SeS *e S ABSTRACT A low cost, mechanically simple, manually operable, vegetable oil extraction press comprises a cylinder member in which grated or finely chopped vegetable matter is compressed by a pair of piston blocks (12, 13) or by a piston The cylinder member has apertures (11) in it through which oil (or other liquid) from the vegetable matter percolates when the vegetable matter is compressed. Initial light compression of the vegetable matter is performed by manual movement of a rod (33) which is connected either to a plate (32) which bears upon one of the piston blocks (12) while the other of the piston blocks (13) is restrained by a piston block support means 25, 26), or (ii) to the piston Substantial compression of the vegetable matter is effected using a ratchet arrangement, which acts on the rod The press is particularly useful for extracting coconut oil from grated coconut kernel, and for extracting coconut cream from a mixture of freshly grated coconut kernel and coconut w, tte ttt AABSTRAC A. .o cot ehncll ipe aual prbe veeal oiSxrcinpescmpie .yidrmme