A machine for processing oil palm tree products

Abstract

The present invention relates to a machine for processing oil palm tree products. More specifically, it relates to a machine for cutting, crushing, milling, grinding, or shredding oil palm tree products such as oil palm fruits in the form of fresh fruit bunches. The machine comprises a motor (100); a gearbox (200) connected to the motor (100); a coupling means (300) connected to the gearbox (200); a bearing system (400) connected to the coupling means (300); and a processing means (500) connected to the bearing system (400), wherein the processing means (500) further comprises an inlet (501) for receiving the oil palm tree products; at least one outlet (502) for dispensing processed oil palm tree products; a least one housing (503) that further comprises a cylindrical shaped horizontal bore (504); and a worm screw that is connected to the bearing system (400), which is horizontally positioned along the centre of the processing means (500) and spanning along the entire length of the processing means (500). Additionally, the surface of the horizontal bore (504) of the housing (503) comprises at least one threaded feature (508).

Description

[0001] A MACHINE FOR PROCESSING OIL PALM TREE PRODUCTS

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to a machine for processing oil palm tree products, and more particularly to a machine for cutting, crushing, milling, grinding, or shredding oil palm tree products.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In the oil palm processing industry, heavy-duty machines responsible for crushing, shredding, cutting, milling, and grinding are indispensable in the transformation of raw materials into valuable end-products. However, it is essential to acknowledge that the current operational efficiency of these machines falls short of its full potential. Fortunately, there is room for improvement, modification, and enhancement, offering the promise of increased efficiency in oil palm processing.

[0006] These heavy-duty machines play a significant and critical role in oil palm processing. These machines are pivotal in the extraction of palm oils and the production of various palm-based products. While they are the workhorses of the industry, there is a pressing need to optimize their efficiency.

[0007] In the current standard, there are many limitations and challenges faced by these machines, and it becomes evident that there are avenues for improvement. Through unique and special modifications, it is possible to elevate the operational efficiency of these heavy-duty machines. Such enhancements not only promise increased productivity but also hold the potential to contribute to more sustainable and cost-effective practices within the oil palm processing industry.

[0008] By maximizing operational efficiency, the oil palm industry can meet the growing demand for its products while simultaneously reducing resource consumption and minimizing waste, ultimately paving the way for a more efficient and sustainable future. Therefore, there is a need to provide a machine for processing oil palm tree products with novel modifications to enhance the machine efficiency and productivity.

[0009] SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0010] It is an objective of the present invention to present a machine that is used to processed oil palm tree products. Specifically, the machine is employed to cut, crush, mill, press, grind, or shred oil palm tree products such as palm oil fruits in the form of fresh fruit bunches, including any by-products of oil palm tree such as empty fruit bunches, kernels, and fibres.

[0011] Accordingly, this objective can be achieved by the following disclosures.

[0012] The machine of the present invention comprises a motor; a gearbox connected to the motor; a coupling means connected to the gearbox; a bearing system connected to the coupling means; and a processing means connected to the bearing system.

[0013] The processing means comprises an inlet for receiving the oil palm tree products; at least one outlet for dispensing processed oil palm tree products; at least one housing that further comprises a cylindrical shaped horizontal bore; and a worm screw that is connected to the bearing system, which is horizontally positioned along the centre of the processing means and spanning along the entire length of the processing means.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, a surface of the horizontal bore of the housing comprises at least one threaded feature.

[0015] In another embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the horizontal bore of the housing comprises at least one threaded feature and is rough. In an additional embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the horizontal bore of the housing comprises at least one threaded feature and a plurality of semi sphere shaped components that are evenly positioned.

[0016] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the horizontal bore of the housing comprises at least one threaded feature and a plurality of semi sphere shaped components that are randomly positioned.

[0017] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The features of the invention will be more readily understood and appreciated from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 is a side of view of the machine of the present invention; and

[0020] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the housing that comprises the cylindrical shaped horizontal bore with the threaded feature and the plurality of semi sphere shaped components.

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention will become more apparent and better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The detailed description made known below is not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise disclosed form as the invention may assume various alternative forms. On the contrary, the detailed description covers all the relevant modifications and alterations made to the present invention, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0023] A machine for processing oil palm tree products will be disclosed herein. The term “processing” used throughout the specification means cutting, crushing, milling, grinding, or shredding.

[0024] The term “oil palm tree products” used throughout the specification means oil palm fruits in the form of fresh fruit bunches, including any by-products of oil palm tree such as empty fruit bunches, kernels, and fibres.

[0025] Therefore, the machine of the present invention is employed for cutting, crushing, milling, grinding, or shredding oil palm fruits in the form of fresh fruit bunches, including any by-products of oil palm tree such as empty fruit bunches, kernels, and fibres.

[0026] However, the machine of the present invention may also be used to process other products such as coconuts.

[0027] We now refer to Figure 1.

[0028] The machine of the present invention comprises a motor (100); a gearbox (200) connected to the motor (100); a coupling means (300) connected to the gearbox (200); a bearing system (400) connected to the coupling means (300); and a processing means (500) connected to the bearing system (400).

[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the bearing system (400) comprises at least one ball bearing. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bearing system (400) comprises three ball bearings. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bearing system (400) comprises five ball bearings.

[0030] The processing means (500) comprises an inlet (501) for receiving the oil palm tree products; at least one outlet (502) for dispensing processed oil palm tree products; at least one housing (503) that further comprises a cylindrical shaped horizontal bore (504) (refer to Figure 2); and a worm screw that is connected to the bearing system (400), which is horizontally positioned along the centre of the processing means (500) and spanning along the entire length of the processing means (500).

[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the processing means (500) comprises a first outlet (502) and a second outlet (not shown), wherein the first outlet (502) is situated at a back end of the processing means (500), and the second outlet (now shown) is situated at a bottom part of the processing means (500) spanning along the entire length of the processing means (500). Typically, the second outlet (not shown) is employed to collect processed oil palm tree products that are in the form of liquid such as crude palm oil and palm kernel oil.

[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the processing means (500) may comprise more than one housing (503).

[0033] We now referred to Figure 1. In a first example, the processing means (500) comprises two housing (503). The two housings (503) are connected to each other and secured in position with bolts and nuts or the likes.

[0034] For a second example, the processing means (500) comprises three housings

[0035] (503). The three housings (503) are connected to each other and secured in position with bolts and nuts or the likes.

[0036] We now refer to Figure 2 that shows the horizontal bore (504) of the housing (503) and its surface, where modifications are made to enhance the efficiency and productivity of the machine of the present invention.

[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the horizontal bore (504) of the housing (503) comprises at least one threaded feature (508). The threaded feature (508) can be in a clockwise manner or anti-clockwise manner.

[0038] In another embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the horizontal bore rough. The threaded feature (508) can be in a clockwise manner or anti-clockwise manner.

[0039] In an additional embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the horizontal bore (504) of the housing (503) comprises at least one threaded feature (508), and a plurality of semi sphere shaped components (509) that are evenly positioned. The threaded feature (508) can be in a clockwise manner or anti-clockwise manner.

[0040] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the horizontal bore (504) of the housing (503) comprises at least one threaded feature (508), and a plurality of semi sphere shaped components (509) that are randomly positioned. The threaded feature (508) can be in a clockwise manner or anti-clockwise manner.

[0041] The oil palm tree products are being processed in the processing means (500). The oil palm tree products are introduced to the machine via the inlet (501) of the processing means (500). Once the oil palm tree products are in the processing means (500), the worm screw will push the oil palm tree products from the inlet (501) towards the outlet (502), and at the same time cutting, crushing, milling, grinding, or shredding the oil palm tree products by pressing the oil palm tree products against the surface of the horizontal bore (504) of the housing (503).

[0042] As disclosed above, the surface of the horizontal bore (504) of the housing (503) comprises features such as the threaded feature (508), the rough surface feature, the semi sphere shaped components (509) that are either evenly or randomly positioned, or any combinations thereof. All these features provide more surface area, friction, and elements for the oil palm tree products to be pressed against by the worm screw. Consequently, the oil palm tree products are cut, crushed, milled, grinded, or shredded more efficiently.

[0043] Typically, the machines in current standard and market do not comprise modifications, such as the one as disclosed herein or the likes. In these typical machines, the surface of the horizontal bore of the housing is usually smooth and does not provide additional surface area, friction, or elements for the oil palm tree products to be pressed against. Therefore, these typical machines are flawed and inferior to the machine of the present invention.

[0044] Herein onwards, information pertaining to additional features applied to the machine will be disclosed. These features further enhance the performance of the machine.

[0045] We now refer to horizontal bore (504) of the housing (503), where it may comprise the additional features.

[0046] In an embodiment of the present invention, the horizontal bore (504) of the housing (503) is straight from the direction of the inlet (501) to the outlet (502).

[0047] In another embodiment of the present invention, the horizontal bore (504) of the housing (503) is tapered from the direction of the inlet (501) to the outlet (502).

[0048] We now refer to worm screw, where it may comprise the additional features.

[0049] In an embodiment of the present invention, the worm screw is straight from the direction of the inlet (501) to the outlet (502).

[0050] In another embodiment of the present invention, the worm screw comprises a first section and a second section that are joined together, wherein the first section is tapered from the direction of the inlet to the outlet, and the second section is straight.

Claims

CLAIMS1) A machine for processing oil palm trees products, wherein the machine comprises: a) a motor (100); b) a gearbox (200) connected to the motor (100); c) a coupling means (300) connected to the gearbox (200); d) a bearing system (400) connected to the coupling means (300); e) a processing means (500) connected to the bearing system (400); wherein the processing means (500) comprises an inlet (501) for receiving the oil palm tree products; at least one outlet (502) for dispensing processed oil palm tree products; at least one housing (503) that further comprises a cylindrical shaped horizontal bore (504); and a worm screw that is connected to the bearing system (400), which is horizontally positioned along the centre of the processing means (500) and spanning along the entire length of the processing means (500) for simultaneously pushing the oil palm tree products from the inlet (501) of the processing means (500) to the outlet (502) of the processing means (500), and cutting, crushing, milling, grinding, or shredding the oil palm tree products against a surface of the horizontal bore (504); characterized in that; f) the surface of the horizontal bore (504) of the housing (503) comprises at least one threaded feature (508).2) A machine in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the bearing system (400) comprises at least one ball bearing.3) A machine is accordance with claim 1 , wherein the threaded feature is in a clockwise manner or anti-clockwise manner.4) A machine in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the surface of the horizontal bore (504) of the housing (503) is rough.5) A machine in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the surface of the horizontal bore (504) of the housing (503) further comprises a plurality of semi sphere shaped components (509) that are evenly positioned.6) A machine in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the surface of the horizontal bore (504) of the housing (503) further comprises a plurality of semi sphere shaped components (509) that are randomly positioned.7) A machine in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the horizontal bore (504) of the housing (503) is straight from the direction of the inlet (501) to the outlet (502).8) A machine in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the horizontal bore (504) of the housing (503) is tapered from the direction of the inlet (501) to the outlet (502).9) A machine in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the worm screw is straight from the direction of the inlet (501) to the outlet (502).10) A machine in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the worm screw comprises a first section and a second section that are joined together, wherein the first section is tapered from the direction of the inlet to the outlet, and the second section is straight.

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