Title of Invention

AN IMPROVED DEVICE FOR CONTINUOUS EXTRACTION OF SUGARCANE JUICE

Abstract

An improved device for continuous extraction of sugarcane juice characterised by : (a) a feeding port (1) to guide sugarcane (b) set of rollers (2) of 80-120 mm diameter and 100 - 180 mm length with specified gap of 5 - 12mm with special profile and splines on the surface to split the canes, and (c ) a guide (3) which guides the output coming out of first set of rollers (2), and sends it into second set of rollers (4) of 80-120 mm diameter and 100 - 180 mm length with specified gap of 3 - 9 mm with different profile and splines on the surface to extract the juice without splitting the canes, another guide (5) which collects the output coming out of second set of rollers(4), holds the bagase as a single bunch for maximum juice extraction and sends it into third set of rollers (6) of 80-120 mm diameter and 100 -180 mm length with specified gap of 1 - 5 mm with different profile and splines on the surface to extract maximum juice, the bagase coming out of rollers (6) and being taken to collection chamber by a chute (7) being mounted on a table (8) and the juice coming out of three set of rollers (2,4,6) is collected by a juice collection trough (9) and (d) three set of rollers (2,4,6) mounted over shafts (10,11,12) with suitable bearings (13), being in between two end plates (14) and (e) a motor (18) with power transmission arrangement by means of V-Belt, V-Pulley and Gears for driving halving rollers are provided.

Full Text

The present invention relates to an improved device for continuous and hygienic extraction of sugarcane juice. The machine of the present invention is particularly useful for continuously and hygienically extracting juice from cleaned sugarcane of any length and diameter. Cleaned sugarcane is passed through set of rollers with special profile on the surface and guides for maximum juice extraction under suitable enclosure to ensure hygiene of the juice collected. Device is enclosed with suitable covers to avoid fly or dust interference with juice extraction and single pass extraction avoids even human interference which results in a hygienically extracted fresh sugarcane juice untouched by hands. With the ever increasing demand for soft beverages and fruit based beverages, both carbonated and still, are available in the market. India offers itself a potential market for these products. All the sugarcanes produced in the country is not lifted by the sugar mills, leaving almost one third for use in the production of gur and khandsari. This necessitates finding ways and means of using sugarcane for other purposes. In this context, Central Food Technological Research Institute has made significant contributions in the field of sugarcane juice by undertaking frontline R&D work. CFTRI has developed processes for the preservation of sugarcane juice beverage in bottle, standi pouches, aluminium cans and also as powders. The beverage, being natural possesses a lot of medicinal and curative properties in the treatment of several ailments. The beverage is calorific and nutritive. Currently, fresh sugarcane juice extraction for domestic consumption is through multiple pass of sugarcane in between two rollers open to atmosphere. Consequently, juice is unhygienic due to fly, dust, and human interferences. As on today there are no machines to get sugarcane juice hygienically extracted with out the interference of fly, dust, and human for domestic consumption of sugarcane juice as beverage. By avoiding external interferences and external impurities, juice quality is superior. Also the extraction efficiency is at par with the multitendum mills, and multi pass, hence competitive and cost effective. The bagasse is automatically collected inside a closed chamber for hygienic surroundings. Hence, an improved sugarcane crushing machine has a wide application, for fresh juice preparation to improve the quality of juice, for the preservation of the juice to avoid any deterioration in quality during storage and for the preparation of improved quality jaggery at the rural level. These facts will have far reaching benefits in terms of hygiene, better product quality and better premium for diversified products. Also, it will have a greater impact in the urban area to meet demand for hygienic sugarcane juice for domestic consumption. The machine of the present invention is therefore useful as a device for extracting the juice with improved quality for different applications as described above, untouched by hand. As an important device, different varieties and sizes of sugarcanes can be extracted. Many a times the operators are in the risk of cutting their fingers as well, due to open two roll extractors. In the present invention, the machine is completely enclosed with SS covers, with opening only for feeding the canes. The pressing gap between rollers is kept as low as possible and in decreasing order to extract maximum juice in multiple stages, without wastage. The device would result in reduction in accident, labor and drudgery on the part of laborers, help in hygienic operations, and enhance uniformity in quality and quantities. Hitherto the process of extraction is highly unhygienic and after extraction the baggase is kept in open and flies feed on this making the environment more un-hygienic. Reference may be made to the conventional two roll extracting machines being used by roadside juice extracting centers (street hawkers). Both manual and motorized units are available. The drawback of this system is that, the canes are squeezed between two rollers and are fed manually with multiple passes, which is highly unhygienic. No facility to collect the bagasse after extraction and is strewn all over causing unhealthy environment with bad smell and flies. Reference may be made to an Indian patent (No. 186646) by Bhausaheb Bapurao Nikkam, Maharastra, wherein an improved two roll sugarcane crushing mill comprising of a plurality of improved two roll mill modules in tandem, with a pair of main crushing rolls mounted on a rigid frame, a feeder roller and juice drainage means. The drawback of this system is that, the canes are squeezed between two rollers and are fed manually, which is highly unhygienic. No facility to collect the bagasse after extraction and is strewn all over causing unhealthy environment with bad smell and flies. Reference may be made to Sugarcane juice machine (Catalogue, Neethi Trading Corporation, Vellore-632001, Tamil Nadu) wherein sugarcane presser is being marketed having only one set of rollers for pressing juice. The draw back of this system is that the both sides of sugarcane must be cut open in order to avoid overload when the diameter of the canes are upto 30 mm, also since it has only one set of rollers the yields may not be satisfactory. The main object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for continuous extraction of sugarcane juice. Another object of the present invention is to provide hygienic conditions through mechanized operation. Still another object of the present invention is to reduce manual drudgery. Yet another object is to increase productivity, without any multiple passes of the canes. Still another object is to provide a device capable of working with a wide range of sizes of canes. Still another object is to provide a closed chamber to collect the bagaasse and a small chamber for collecting the juice. The device of the present invention overcomes most of the drawbacks of the existing method of sugarcane juice extraction. Accordingly, the present invention relates to a An improved device for continuous extraction of sugarcane juice comprising: a) a feeding port (1) to guide sugarcane b) set of rollers (2) of 80-120mm diameter and 100 - 180mm length with specified gap of 5 - 12mm with special profile and splines on the surface to split the canes, and c) a guide (3) which guides the output coming out of first set of rollers (2), and sends it into second set of rollers (4) of 80-120mm diameter and 100 - 180mm length with specified gap of 3 - 9mm with different profile and splines on the surface to extract the juice without splitting the canes, another guide (5) which collects the output coming out of second set of rollers(4), holds the bagase as a single bunch for maximum juice extraction and sends it into third set of rollers (6) of 80-120mm diameter and 100 - 180mm length with specified gap of 1 - 5mm with different profile and splines on the surface to extract maximum juice, the bagase coming out of rollers (6) and being taken to collection chamber by a chute (7) being mounted on a table (8) and the juice coming out of three set of rollers (2,4,6) is collected by a juice collection trough (9) and d) three set of rollers (2,4,6) mounted over shafts (10,11,12) with suitable bearings (13), being in between two end plates (14) and e) a motor (18) with power transmission arrangement by means of V-Belt, V- Pulley and Gears for driving halving rollers are provided. In an embodiment of the device multiples of roller sets of more than 3 sets can also be used. In an another embodiment of the device the diameter of the roller may be of any other diameter in accordance with the size and capacity of the machine required In yet an another embodiment of the device the width of the roller may be of any other width in accordance with the size and capacity of the machine required In yet an another embodiment of the device the profiles on the roller surface may be of any other profile suitable to extract maximum juice at each stage. In yet an another embodiment of the device the mechanical drive can be electrical or manual. In yet an another embodiment of the device the device can be used to extract juice hygienically from any plant source other than sugarcane. The novelties of the present invention are: ? It provides a continuous system for production of sugarcane juice. ? It is a continuous device to produce sugarcane juice under hygienic conditions untouched by hands. ? Special profile on the surface of the roller at each stage with optimized gap results in higher juice extraction. ? Guide to bind crushed material in order to avoid getting mixed with extracted juice and send it to next set of roller for higher juice yield. ? Multi roller system results in higher juice yield without multi passes. ? The capacity can be easily varied by varying the speed of the driver gear. ? The present invention relates generally to the apparatus for food processing in juice extraction from harder material. ? System with suitable cover protects juice extraction zone from interference with fly, dust and even human. ? The device can be used to extract juice form any plant source other than sugarcanes The following examples are given by way of illustration of the present invention and therefore should not be construed to limit the scope of the present invention. The working of improved device for continuous and hygienic extraction of sugarcane juice is explained below with particular reference to sugarcane crushing. EXAMPLE 1 Cleaned, sugarcane of 0.90 kg (32mm diameter) was fed through feeding port to multiple set of rollers for crushing. About 0.48kg of juice 0.38 kg of bagase was collected. The juice yield was 53.33 %. EXAMPLE 2 Cleaned sugarcane of 0.82 kg (32mm diamter) was fed through feeding port to multiple set of rollers for crushing. About 0.39 kg of juice and 0.42 kg of bagase was collected. The juice yield is 47.56 %. EXAMPLE 3 Cleaned sugarcane of 1.33 kg (30 mm) was fed through feeding port to multiple set of rollers for crushing. About 0.60 kg of juice and 0.71 kg of bagase was collected. The juice yield is 45.11 %. EXAMPLE 4 Cleaned sugarcane of 0.77 kg (24mm diameter) is fed through feeding port to multiple set of rollers for crushing. About 0.37 kg of juice was collected. The juice yield is 48.05 % in single pass. 0.40 kg of bagase was sent for second pass. The juice yield was 13.31 % in second pass and the cumulative yield is 60.96%. 0.299 kg of bagase was sent to bagase collection chamber through enclosed chute. EXAMPLE 5 Cleaned sugarcane of 5.2 kg (4 pieces - 7.8m total length) was continuously fed through feeding port to multiple set of rollers for crushing. About 2.48kg of juice and 2.72kg of bagase was collected. The juice yield was 47.7 %. The main advantages of the present invention are: • Simple system, easy to operate and maintain. • Higher juice recovery in single pass at par with multipass. • Special guide to bind the fibers and send it to next set of rollers for high juice yield is provided for improved recovery of juice. • The complete juice extraction is done hygienically untouched by hands. • Juice extraction zone is free from dust, fly and even human interference. • Bagasse is collected in a closed chamber, thus avoiding flies and mainiatining hygienic surroundings We claim: 1. An improved device for continuous extraction of sugarcane juice characterised by: a) a feeding port (1) to guide sugarcane b) set of rollers (2) of 80-120 mm diameter and 100 - 180 mm length with specified gap of 5 - 12mm with special profile and splines on the surface to split the canes, and c) a guide (3) which guides the output coming out of first set of rollers (2), and sends it into second set of rollers (4) of 80-120 mm diameter and 100-180 mm length with specified gap of 3 - 9 mm with different profile and splines on the surface to extract the juice without splitting the canes, another guide (5) which collects the output coming out of second set of rollers(4), holds the bagase as a single bunch for maximum juice extraction and sends it into third set of rollers (6) of 80-120 mm diameter and 100-180 mm length with specified gap of 1 - 5 mm with different profile and splines on the surface to extract maximum juice, the bagase coming out of rollers (6) and being taken to collection chamber by a chute (7) being mounted on a table (8) and the juice coming out of three set of rollers (2,4,6) is collected by a juice collection trough (9) and d) three set of rollers (2,4,6) mounted over shafts (10,11,12) with suitable bearings (13), being in between two end plates (14) and e) a motor (18) with power transmission arrangement by means of V-Belt, V-Pulley and Gears for driving halving rollers are provided. 2. An improved device as claimed in 1 wherein multiples of roller sets used are more than 3 sets . 3. An improved device as claimed in 1 to 2 wherein the mechanical drive used is selected from electrical or manual. 4. An improved device for continuous extraction of sugarcane juice herein described with reference to the figure 1 of the drawing accompanying this specification.

Documents:

513-DEL-2004-Abstract-(05-08-2011).pdf

513-DEL-2004-Abstract-(08-12-2010).pdf

513-del-2004-abstract.pdf

513-DEL-2004-Claims-(05-08-2011).pdf

513-DEL-2004-Claims-(08-12-2010).pdf

513-del-2004-claims.pdf

513-DEL-2004-Correspondence Others-(05-08-2011).pdf

513-DEL-2004-Correspondence-Others-(08-12-2010).pdf

513-del-2004-correspondence.pdf

513-del-2004-description.pdf

513-del-2004-drawings.pdf

513-DEL-2004-Form-18-(22-09-2006).pdf

513-DEL-2004-Form-3-(08-12-2010).pdf

513-del-2004-form1.pdf

513-del-2004-form2.pdf

513-del-2004-form3.pdf

513-del-2004-form5.pdf