Ronald C Bushman

US Patent:

6994018, Feb 7, 2006

Filed:

Jul 10, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/193630

Inventors:

Ronald C. Bushman - Fullerton CA, US
Scott R. Alexander - Pasadena CA, US
David J. Hancock - Chino Hills CA, US

Assignee:

Brown International Corporation - Covina CA

International Classification:

A23N 1/02

US Classification:

99501, 99513, 241279, 83866

Abstract:

Apparatus for extracting oil from the peel of whole citrus fruit includes a frame and a plurality of parallel horizontal rolls including toothed projections for piercing the outer surface of the whole fruit. Each of the plurality of rolls is rotatably supported via a rotatable shaft that is mounted to the frame. A plurality of motors are secured to the frame, each of the plurality of motors are mechanically coupled to a corresponding shaft of the rolls, wherein each motor independently rotates the shaft and roll. The apparatus also includes a controller for individually controlling the rotational speed of each of the rolls.

US Patent:

54873312, Jan 30, 1996

Filed:

Apr 10, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/419190

Inventors:

Ronald C. Bushman - Brea CA
William E. Harris - Fontana CA
Roger N. Foch - Lake Alfred FL

Assignee:

Automatic Machinery and Electronics, Inc. - Covina CA

International Classification:

A23N 100

US Classification:

99504

Abstract:

A fruit juice extracting machine has a pair of opposing endless cup chains extending around a rotatable reamer wheel. The peel guide or retainer holds reamed peel halves in cup until ejector directs peel half into peel chute. A filler plate panel substantially closes off the reamer wheel to help to prevent the accumulation of stagnant juice or pulp. A peel chute behind the reamer wheel has a back surface with slotted opening to recover additional juice and pulp as the peels are ejected from the cup chain and collide against the back surface of the peel chute. The new cup track is a stiffer structure for maintaining the cup chain in proper engagement to the reamers, for improved yield and reduced wear. A full width bulkhead divides the juicing area from the peel chute area.

US Patent:

41709357, Oct 16, 1979

Filed:

Oct 17, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/842549

Inventors:

Robert F. Rohm - Yorba Linda CA
Ronald C. Bushman - Hacienda Heights CA

Assignee:

Brown International Corporation - Covina CA

International Classification:

B30B 304
B30B 920

US Classification:

100121

Abstract:

Fruit juice extraction apparatus in which a pair of confronting frusto-conical discs are supported on a rotatable main shaft by ball and socket connections and retained in angular tilted relation by guide bearing assemblies to provide a point of minimum peripheral spacing between the discs on one side, a stationary wall being interposed between the discs and cooperating therewith to form separate pressure-applying travel paths for the respective halves of cut fruit sections, each of the paths converging in the direction of disc rotation from a path inlet adjacent the minimum spacing point to an outlet. The whole uncut fruits are supplied in advance of the minimum spacing point and gripped between the discs and carried to a slicing knife for cutting into half-sections which are carried through the converging paths and forced against perforate portions of the stationary wall by progressively applied pressure to extract the juice. As the outlets of the paths are approached, the cut faces of the fruit sections are forced against stationary spaced bars between which the pulp projects. A pair of rotatable rolls supported between the discs at the outlet have surface projections which extend between the bars to engage, further squeeze and remove the pulp projecting between the bars, and at the same time move the fruit section against a knife to shear the pulp from the peel.

US Patent:

54089239, Apr 25, 1995

Filed:

Nov 24, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/157918

Inventors:

Ronald C. Bushman - Brea CA
William E. Harris - Fontana CA
Roger N. Foch - Lake Alfred FL

Assignee:

Automatic Machinery and Electronics, Inc. - Covina CA

International Classification:

A12N 100

US Classification:

99504

Abstract:

A fruit juice extracting machine has a pair of opposing endless cup chains extending around a rotatable reamer wheel. The peel guide or retainer holds reamed peel halves in cup until ejector directs peel half into peel chute. A filler plate panel substantially closes off the reamer wheel to help to prevent the accumulation of stagnant juice or pulp. A peel chute behind the reamer wheel has a back surface with slotted opening to recover additional juice and pulp as the peels are ejected from the cup chain and collide against the back surface of the peel chute. The new cup track is a stiffer structure for maintaining the cup chain in proper engagement to the reamers, for improved yield and reduced wear. A full width bulkhead divides the juicing area from the peel chute area.

US Patent:

51255154, Jun 30, 1992

Filed:

Nov 21, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/616863

Inventors:

Ronald C. Bushman - Brea CA
William E. Harris - Glendora CA

Assignee:

Brown International Corp. - Covina CA

International Classification:

B07B 1305

US Classification:

209663

Abstract:

A fruit sizing apparatus includes a guideway having an inclined surface extending from a base to a peak with a first channel adjacent to the peak and a second channel adjacent to the base. First and second endless moving belts are supported in part by the first and second channels respectively. The first and second belts are driven at different speeds. A roller is spaced apart from the guideway and rotates in a direction tending to cause fruit to roll up the inclined surface. Additional belts can be provided for improved performance. A washing system over the apparatus cleans the apparatus using fan sprays of water.

US Patent:

47050551, Nov 10, 1987

Filed:

Nov 27, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/802427

Inventors:

Robert F. Rohm - Yorba Linda CA
Ronald C. Bushman - Hacienda Heights CA

Assignee:

Brown International Corporation - Covina CA

International Classification:

B08B 302
B08B 900

US Classification:

134 57R

Abstract:

A method and apparatus are disclosed for automatically cleaning extrusion screens in finishing machines of a type having a generally cylindrical perforated screen arranged in a housing, juice or the like laden with solids being introduced into the interior of the screen and urged against the screen by a screw element, paddle assembly, or the like to cause the juice to flow through the screen with the solids being retained on the screen. The cleaning method and apparatus comprise a cleaning unit with a plurality of spray nozzles arranged about the screen, the cleaning unit being moved back and forth along the screen by a reversing motor additionally controlled by suitable limit switches. The method and apparatus of the invention are preferably adapted for causing relatively increased cleaning action adjacent a solids outlet end of the screen to better remove larger amounts of juice solids or pomace deposited on that portion of the screen.

US Patent:

42573203, Mar 24, 1981

Filed:

May 14, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/038668

Inventors:

Franklin K. Holbrook - La Habra CA
Ronald C. Bushman - Hacienda Heights CA

Assignee:

Brown International Corporation - Covina CA

International Classification:

A23N 100
B26D 100

US Classification:

99509

Abstract:

Parallel horizontal toothed rolls form bights therebetween for reception of non-spherical citrus fruit such as lemons. A body of liquid submerges the toothed rolls so that puncturing of the peel of the fruit takes place below the liquid level. Groups of the toothed rolls are turned in the same direction but at progressively slower speeds. Adjacent toothed rolls are reciprocated axially in opposite directions to change the orientation of the fruit with respect to the toothed rolls. The rolls may be pushed and pulled from one side of the machine through a cam operated device or they may be pushed from both ends by mechanism on opposite sides of the machine.

US Patent:

40709590, Jan 31, 1978

Filed:

Feb 2, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/654640

Inventors:

Ronald C. Bushman - Hacienda Heights CA
Franklin K. Holbrook - La Habra CA

Assignee:

Brown International Corporation - Covina CA

International Classification:

A23N 100
B02C 1500
B26D 100

US Classification:

99510

Abstract:

Horizontal rolls define troughs between them for reception and support of whole citrus fruit, each roll including a plurality of thin metal rings mounted in axially spaced relationship, each ring having a continuous series of pointed teeth on its periphery, and each ring being inclined to its rotary axis whereby rotary movement of the rings causes wobble movement of the disk peripheries so that penetration of the teeth is substantially uniform over the entire outer surface of each fruit. The rolls are turned in the same direction, each successive roll in a series turning at a slower speed. Washers are positioned between each pair of toothed rings and are free to move radially to prevent buildup of seeds, buttons, pieces of peel or other foreign matter on the toothed rings.