1.Technical Field

The subject matter relates to a device that aids in separating a liquid from a mixture of liquid and solids.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute part of the specification and illustrate various embodiments. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates an elevation view of a liquid separating device for a container, partially illustrated;

FIG. 2 illustrates a planar view of the liquid separating device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an elevation view of a liquid separating device for a container, partially illustrated;

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial planar view of a liquid separating device for a container;

FIG. 5 illustrates an elevation view of a liquid separating device for a container;

FIG. 6 illustrates an elevation view of a liquid separating device for a container;

FIG. 7 illustrates an elevation view of a liquid separating device;

FIG. 8 illustrates a partial elevation view of a liquid separating device;

FIG. 9 illustrates a partial elevation view of a liquid separating device;

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a liquid separating device;

FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded view of the liquid separating device of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 illustrates a top view of the liquid separating device of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 illustrates an elevation view of the liquid separating device of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of a housing employed within the liquid separating device of FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of a sleeve that may be used with the liquid separating device of FIG. 10; FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of an adapter that may be used with the liquid separating device of FIG. 10;

FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of a liquid separating device;

FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of a liquid separating device; and

FIG. 19 illustrates a perspective view of a liquid separating device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present subject matter, it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. The Applicant hereby gives notice that new Claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present Application or of any further Application derived therefrom.

References to "user", or any similar term, as used herein, may mean a human or non-human (for example, a machine or a robot) user thereof. Moreover, "user", or any similar term, as used herein, unless expressly stipulated otherwise, is contemplated to mean users at any stage of the usage process, to include, without limitation, direct user(s), intermediate user(s), indirect user(s), and end user(s). The meaning of "user", or any similar term, as used herein, should not be otherwise inferred or induced by any pattern(s) of description, embodiments, examples, or referenced prior-art that may (or may not) be provided in the present patent.

It is to be understood that the singular forms "a, " "an, " and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise or expressly specified otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a component surface" includes reference to one or more of such surfaces. For purposes here, the conjunction "or" is to be construed inclusively (e.g., "a dog or a cat" would be interpreted as "a dog, or a cat, or both"; e.g., "a dog, a cat, or a mouse" would be interpreted as "a dog, or a cat, or a mouse, or any two, or all three"), unless: (1) it is explicitly stated otherwise, e.g., by use of "either . . . or, " "only one of, " or similar language; or

(ii) two or more of the listed alternatives are mutually exclusive within the particular context, in which case "or" would encompass only those combinations involving non-mutually-exclusive alternatives. For purposes here, the words "comprising," "including," "having," and variants thereof, wherever they appear, shall be construed as open-ended terminology, with the same meaning as if the phrase "at least" were appended after each instance thereof.

The verb "may" is used to designate optionality/noncompulsoriness. In other words, something that "may" can, but need not.

Before elucidating the subject matter shown in the Figures, the present disclosure will be first described in general terms.

Described device and method below may be directed to separating liquid from a mixture of liquid and solids.

Described device and method below may be directed to straining liquid from a mixture of liquid and solids.

Described device and method below may be directed to filtering liquid from a mixture of liquid and solids.

The mixture may be a blended mixture of liquid and solids.

The mixture may be a blended mixture of solids only.

Described devices and methods may be directed to making imitation or alternative milk from a solid matter.

The devices and method may be used in making imitation milk from nuts and/or grains.

Described devices and methods may be used in making juice.

The device may be detachably attachable to an open end of a container. The container may be of a mason jar type.

The device comprises a housing with two ends, where one end from two ends is designed to be attached to an open top of a container, and an orifice being sufficiently sized to remove liquid from a mixture of liquid and solid matter disposed within an interior of the container during use of the device, when the mixture is passed through the orifice. The two ends may define a first and second open ends. The housing further is designed with an endless wall that defines an interior surface, an exterior surface, the exterior surface being spaced from the interior surface to define a thickness of the endless wall, the endless wall further defining a hollow interior of the housing. One end of the housing terminating one edge surface of the endless wall and another end terminates another edge surface of the endless wall. Endless wall may be also referred to as a peripheral wall. The endless wall may be designed with a taper between the one end, that can be also referred to as a first open end, and another end that can be also referred to as a second open end, wherein a size of the first open end is different than a size of the second open end. A portion of the endless wall adjacent one or both ends may have a circular shape in a plane being parallel to a plane of the one open end. A portion of the endless wall adjacent at least one end may have a square shape in a plane being parallel to a plane of the at least one end. For the reasons to be discussed later the housing can be designed with tabs that are disposed on the exterior surface of the endless wall.

During use, the end of the housing that is designed to be attached to the open top of the container may be generally a bottom end of the housing, as the mixture will be pulled by a user of the device in an upward direction.

The orifice may be disposed between two ends.

The orifice may be a fixed orifice. Such fixed orifice may be provided by an opposite end of the housing that is being sized smaller than the end of the housing that is designed to be attached to an open top of the container.

The housing is designed to engage the open top of the container. When the container is of a mason jar type with a thread at open end, the housing may be designed with a thread in the endless wall adjacent the one end from the two ends, the thread being sized and shaped to engage the complimentary thread on the open end of the container. When the container is of a mason jar type with a thread at open end (mouth), the housing may be designed with a flexible portion on the one end that is sufficient to frictionally position the housing on the open type of the container. The flexible portion may be manufactured from an elastic material that can be integrated into the end of the housing. In a non-limiting example, such flexible portion may be manufactured by an over-molding process. The flexible portion may be also detachably attached to the one end of the housing. In a non-limiting example, such flexible portion may be provided as a flexible sleeve with a hollow interior that is sized and shaped to engage an exterior surface of the container and the interior and/or exterior surface of the housing (endless wall).

The orifice may include a roller to reduce friction during separating liquid from the mixture. The orifice may include two rollers being disposed at a distance from each other during the use of the device. During use, an end of each roller may be received within an aperture and/or groove in the endless wall. During use, the two rollers may be disposed within the hollow interior at a distance with each other in a first plane being generally parallel to a second plane of another open end. During use, the two rollers may be disposed externa to the end of the housing.

The device can further include a handle, the handle having one end being rigidly attached to an end of one roller from the two rollers, the handle manually rotatable, during the use, to rotate the one roller about the axis. In other words, the user can rotate the roller, through the handle, to at least reduce the force required to pull the mixture through the orifice. When two rollers are provided it may be desirable to maintain sufficient pressure, exerted by the roller, onto the mixture passing through. Accordingly, the device can be adapted with a biasing member designed to vary the distance when the mixture of liquid and solids is being passed therethrough. In other words, as the volume of the mixture increases as it is being passed through the rollers, the biasing member is sized to counteract the increased volume and at least prevent if not allow an increased distance between the rollers by forcing one roller in a direction toward the other roller. The biasing member may be a tension member joining aligned ends of the two rollers. The tension member may be a resilient and an elastic band. The biasing member may be a spring. The spring may be caged between the interior surface of the endless wall and an exterior surface of the one roller. The spring may be provided as a pair of springs, each spring from the pair of springs contacting an end of the one roller. As it will be explained further in this document, the device may be designed with two grooves disposed in the interior surface across the hollow interior, each groove from the two grooves is in an open communication with an opposite open end from the first and second open ends, each groove sized and shaped to receive an end of each roller. Each groove may include a first (roller) seat, a second (roller) seat, the second seat disposed at a distance from the first seat, a first passageway connecting the first seat with the second seat and a second passageway connecting one seat from the first and second seats with the opposite end of the endless wall, the second passageway defining the open communication with the opposite end from the two ends.

The orifice may be designed as another end being a closed end, defining a top wall of the housing with an aperture through a thickness of the another end, a mounting member in the endless side wall, the mounting member configured to detachably attach the endless side wall to the mouth of the container, and two members disposed, during use of the device, on the top wall at a distance with each other about the aperture, the two members being configured to pass the mixture therethrough and to separate the liquid from the mixture so that the liquid accumulates within the container. Each of the two members comprises a roller. One member from the two members comprises a roller and the other member from the two members comprises a stationary member. Such device can be further designed with a flange on the top wall, the flange configured to prevent spillage of the liquid external to the endless wall. The aperture may be also designed with an inclined wall, the inclined wall tapering inwardly to direct the liquid into the hollow interior of the container.

The device may be designed with an optional sleeve being sized and shaped to partially pass through the one open end, so that a length portion of the sleeve is disposed external to the peripheral wall, during use of the device, a flange on one end of the sleeve, the flange being sized and shaped to contact a portion of the interior surface of the endless wall so as to detachably retain the sleeve therewithin, and an aperture through a wall thickness of the sleeve, the aperture disposed external to the endless wall and external to the one end, during the use of the device. During use of the device, the sleeve protrudes into a hollow interior of the container. The sleeve has a hollow interior that is sized smaller than a size of the open end (mouth) of the container. Thus, the hollow interior of the sleeve will provide an initial contact with the mixture as it is being removed from the container and will exert an initial pressure thereunto, thus starting liquid separation (removal) process. The aperture(s) in the sleeve allow the separated (removed) liquid to flow back into the hollow interior of the container. A wall of the sleeve may be designed with a taper, increasing from a distal end inside the container to a proximal end at the open end thereof, so that the pressure unto the mixture is progressively increased. The hollow interior of the sleeve, when provided, also creates a two-phase orifice. A first phase orifice is defined by the hollow interior of the sleeve and the second phase orifice is provided by the orifice as described above. The first phase can be also referred to as an initial phase. The second phase can be also referred to as a final phase. Accordingly, the sleeve, when provided, also defines a two-phase method of separating (removing) liquid from a mixture of liquid and solids.

The device may be designed with an optional adapter that has a peripheral wall defining a hollow interior of the adapter, a first thread on an exterior surface of the peripheral wall of the adapter, the first thread being complimentary to a thread on the endless wall, a second thread on an interior surface of the peripheral wall of the adapter, the second thread being complimentary to a thread on a container, and a flange on one end of the peripheral wall of the adapter. The adapter, when used, allows the device to be used on different mason jars, where a size of the open top and, respectively, a size of the external thread on the open top changes between the different mason jars.

The above device may be designed with one of the sleeve, the adapter, and a combination thereof.

As it will be described further in this document, the sleeve may be used alone to separate liquid, particularly when the sleeve reduces in size toward the open end of the container. The sleeve may be also designed with the aperture when used with a mason jar type container. In other words, the sleeve may replace, in some applications, particularly where some spillage may be tolerated, the above described device that includes one or two rollers. The sleeve may be designed with above described flange.

In view of the above, the device may be designed as a housing with a thread and with rollers spaced apart from each other to aid in removing liquid from a mixture of liquid and solid matter in a porous substrate, for example such as a bag, when the substrate is manually pulled through the space between the rollers.

In view of the above, the device may be designed with a housing with a thread and with rollers spaced apart from each other to aid in separating liquid from a mixture of liquid and solid matter in a porous bag when the bag is pulled through the space between the rollers by a crank attached to one roller, the crank having a manually rotatable handle.

The device may be manufactured from a variety of materials suitable for food consumption and that may be referred to as food grade materials. In other words, the device may include material suitable for food consumption. Without limitations, such material may be a metal, such as stainless steel or aluminum. Such material may be a silicone. Such material may be glass. Such material may be a polymer.

The device may be also referred to as a lid in at least that it is attached to the open end of the container.

Now in a reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a container 10 that typically has a mouth 12 defined by a rim 14. The mouth 12 can be referred to as an open end. The container 10 can be provided of a mason jar type. The mason jar will usually have an annular (peripheral) bead 16 and threads 18 for screwing a conventional screw top onto the mouth 12 of the mason jar 10. The container 10 can be also of a storage container. The storage container 10 can have any one of a round, a rectangular or a square cross-section in a plane generally parallel to the open end 22 thereof. The storage container 10 can also have a round cross-section in a plane generally parallel to the mouth 12. In such container 10, the annular bead 16 can be positioned at the rim 14 so as to provide selective sealing of the mouth 12 with a housing.

The container 10 can be manufactured from glass, plastic, stainless steel or any other material or a combination of materials suitable for food consumption.

The device 30 is designed to operatively engage the mouth 12 or the open end 22. When the device 30 to be used with the container 10 of the mason jar type, such device 30 can be referred to as a jar lid. The device 30 may be referred to as a container lid. The endless wall 32 of the device 30 may be also referred to as a closed wall. The endless wall 32 may be also referred to as a peripheral wall. The endless wall 32 includes an interior surface 34, an exterior surface 36, the exterior surface 36 being spaced from the interior surface 34 to define a thickness of the endless wall, a first open end 38, a second open end 40, the second open end 40 being disposed at a distance from the first open end 38 and a hollow interior 42.

The device 30 may also be designed with a mounting member 50. The mounting member 50 is designed to detachably attach the device 30 to the mouth 12 of the container 10. When the device 30 to be used with the container 10 of the mason jar type, such mounting member 50 can include threads 52 in the endless wall 32 adjacent one open end from the first and second open ends, 38 and 40 respectively. Such one end is referenced with the numeral 38 in various figures.

The device 30 may include two rollers 60 that are disposed, during use of the device 30, within the hollow interior 42 in a distance with each other in a first plane being generally parallel to a second plane of the one open end 38 and above the threads 52. One roller 60 from the two rollers 60 is being mounted for a rotation about an axis 68, the axis 68 is disposed in the first plane. Each roller has a body 62 with an exterior surface 63 and two ends 64 and 66. The roller 60 can be manufactured from a variety of materials suitable for food consumption, as described above. To mount each roller 60, the endless wall 32 can be adapted with apertures 44. The apertures 44 can be through apertures to pass the ends 64, 66 therethrough. As it will be explained further in this document, the rollers 60 can rotate due to the force of the bag 2 being pulled therethrough, where the bag 2 contains a blended mixture 4 of liquid and solids. The distance between the rollers 60 establishes the orifice, as described above.

FIG. 2, illustrates a handle 80 that can be attached at end 82 to one end of the roller 60. The handle 80 is manually rotatable, during use, to rotate the roller 60 about the axis 68.

The orifice 70, shown as a distance between the exterior surfaces 63 of the rollers 60, may be fixed or may be made adjustable or variable during use. When the orifice 70 is to be made variable, the device 30 can be adapted with a biasing member 90. The biasing member 90 is designed to at least maintain the distance during passing of a mixture of liquid and solids therethrough, thus at least resisting the volume of the mixture to increase the distance.

FIG. 3 illustrates the biasing member 90 that may include a spring that is caged between the interior surface 34 of the endless wall 32 and an exterior surface 63 of one roller 60. The end 94 of a seat 92 can directly contact the exterior surface 63 or can be fitted with an adapter (not shown), where the adapter has a concave surface complimentary to the convex exterior surface 63 of the body 62. The ends 64, 66 of another roller 60 may be designed to fit within the slots 93 so that such roller may move as the substrate 2 is being passed through the rollers 60.

FIG. 3 also illustrates the mounting member 50 that includes a sleeve 54 that is manufactured from elastomeric material, for example such as silicone. The sleeve 54 is designed to receive the mouth 12 of the container 10 therebetween. The sleeve 54 can be also configured to receive the device 30 therewithin. In other words, the sleeve 54 may be provided as a separate member from either the container 10 or the device 30.

FIG. 4 illustrates the biasing member 90 that includes two biasing members 90. Each biasing member 90 is positioned external to the exterior surface 36 and can directly abut a respective end 64, 66 of the roller 60 extending outwardly from the exterior surface 36. A spring seat 96 can be provided on the exterior surface 36. The end 94 can directly contact the end 64, 66 or can be fitted with an adapter (not shown), where the adapter has a concave surface complimentary to the convex exterior surface of the end 64, 66. It would be understood that the biasing member 90 configures one or both rollers 60 in tension relative to one another so as to at least improve pressure or force onto the porous bag 2 being passed between the rollers 60 or the roller 60 and a stationary portion (member).

FIG. 5 illustrates a variable orifice (distance 70) where the device 30 may include a first set of notches 72 disposed in a series with each other in the endless wall 32 and in an open communication with another open end 40 from the first and second open ends, 38 and 40 respectively. A second set of notches 72 is disposed in a series with each other in the endless wall 32 and in an open communication with the open end 40 from the first and second open ends, 38 and 40 respectively. Each notch 72 from the first set of notches 72 being in an alignment with a corresponding notch 72 from the second set of notches 72, each notch 72 from the first and second set of notches 72 being sized to receive an end 64 or 66 of one roller 60 therein.

FIG. 5 also illustrates the mounting member 50 that may include a plurality of flaps 56 in a hinged connection with the open end 38 of the device 30. In an example, such flaps 56 can be shaped and sized (designed, configured) to detachably interlock with the peripheral bead 16 of the container 10. In an example, such flaps 56 can be shaped and sized (designed, configured) to detachably interlock with the threads 18.

FIG. 6 illustrates the device 30 that includes an endless wall comprising an interior surface, an exterior surface, the exterior surface being spaced from the interior surface to define a thickness of the endless wall, a first open end, a second open end, the second open end disposed at a distance from the first open end and a hollow interior; two first rollers disposed within the hollow interior at a first distance 74 with each other in a first plane being generally parallel to a second plane of the one open end and above the threads, one first roller from the two first rollers being mounted for a rotation about an axis disposed in the first plane; two second rollers 60 disposed within the hollow interior at a second distance 76 with each other in the second plane of the one open end and above the threads, one second roller from the two second rollers being mounted for a rotation about an axis disposed in the third plane; the first distance 74 being different from the second distance 76.

The device 30 of FIG. 6 can be adapted with the mounting member 50, as described above.

It will be further understood that the mounting member 50 configures one end of the device 30 to detachably attach the device 30 to the mouth 12 of the container 10.

Thus, a housing may include an endless wall comprising an interior surface, an exterior surface, the exterior surface being spaced from the interior surface to define a thickness of the endless wall, a first open end, a second open end, the second open end disposed at a distance from the first open end and a hollow interior; one open end from the first and second open ends being configured for a detachable attachment to a mouth of a container; and two rollers disposed within the hollow interior at a distance with each other and above the one open end, one roller from the two rollers being mounted for a rotation about an axis disposed in a plane being generally parallel to a plane of the one open end.

A lid may include an endless wall comprising an interior surface, an exterior surface, the exterior surface being spaced from the interior surface to define a thickness of the endless wall, a first open end, a second open end, the second open end disposed at a distance from the first open end and a hollow interior; one open end from the first and second open ends being configured for a detachable attachment to a mouth of a container; and two rollers disposed within the hollow interior at a distance with each other and above the one open end, one roller from the two rollers being mounted for a rotation about an axis disposed in a plane being generally parallel to a plane of the one open end.

FIG. 7, illustrates a liquid separating device 100 that is designed to separate liquid from a mixture of a liquid and a solid substance. The liquid separating device 100 includes a top (upper) wall 112 and an endless side wall 114 that, in a combination with each other, define the hollow interior 116. The endless side wall 114 includes a mounting member 50 that can include the illustrated threads 52 or any other means for attaching the device 100 to a container (not shown). The orifice is provided by a slot (aperture) 120 in the top wall 112, where the slot 120 is sized to pass the porous bag 2 that contains the blended mixture 4. Such slot 120 is defined by edges 122 in the thickness of the top wall 112.

FIG. 7 also illustrates two members disposed on the top wall 112 in a distance with each other about the slot 120. The two members being configured to pass the porous bag 2 therethrough and to strain a liquid from the mixture of liquid and solids so that the liquid accumulates within the container (not shown). One member from the two members is illustrated as the roller 60 mounted for a rotation on the top wall 112 and the other member from the two members is illustrated as a stationary portion 140 on the top wall 112. The roller 60 may be mounted on the top wall 112, for example by way of brackets 130 that are configured to receive the ends 64, 66 of the roller 60 either in a through or a blind aperture 132. The orifice 70 (distance) between the exterior surface of the roller 60 and a surface of the stationary portion 140 may be sized identical to the slot 120 or may be sized smaller than the slot 120.

FIG. 8 illustrate the separating device 100 that is designed with two rollers 60 on the top wall 112 that are spaced about the slot 120.

In either design of FIGS. 7 and 8, one roller 60 can be biased to vary the distance 70 in accordance with any of the above described designs.

FIG. 8 also illustrates a peripheral flange 142 on the top wall 112. The peripheral flange 142 being configured to prevent spillage of a liquid external to the endless side wall 114. In other words, it may be permissible for the strained liquid to remain on the top wall 112. The peripheral flange 142 may be provided by a flexible member attached, either detachably or permanently, to the top wall 112. The peripheral flange 142 may be provided with the separating device 100 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 illustrates a liquid separating device 100 where the slot 120 includes an inclined wall 124. The inclined wall 124 may be also referred to as a flange. The inclined wall 124 being tapering inwardly to direct the strainer liquid into the hollow interior of the container (not shown). The inclined wall 124 may be provided by a flexible member attached, either detachably or permanently, to the top wall 112. The devices of each FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 may be adapted with such inclined wall 124.

FIGS. 7-9 illustrate the device designed to separate a liquid from a mixture of the liquid and a solid matter into a container where one or two rollers are disposed external to the hollow interior of the housing.

In view of the above, two rollers 60 of various figures, one roller 60 and a stationary portion 140 of FIG. 7, the slot 120 of FIGS. 7-9 and in a further combination with the endless wall 32, 114 provide means for separating liquid from a mixture of liquid and solids.

FIGS. 10-19 illustrate the above described device 30 provided as a liquid separating (removing) device 200 designed to separate a liquid from a mixture of the liquid and a solid matter. The liquid separating (removing) device 200 may be designed as a housing 210 that includes a peripheral wall 220. The peripheral wall 220 may be provided as a closed peripheral wall. The peripheral wall 220 has an interior surface 222, an exterior surface 224, the exterior surface 224 being spaced from the interior surface 222 to define a thickness of the peripheral wall 220, a first open end 226, and a second open end 228, the second open end 228 disposed at a distance from the first open end 226 and a hollow interior 230. One open end, for example such as the first open end 226, may be made larger than the other open end. In other words, a size of the first open end 226 is different than a size of the second open end 228. Thus, the peripheral wall 220 may include a taper between the first open end 226 and the second open end 228. The taper defines a middle portion of the peripheral wall 220. A portion of the peripheral wall 220 adjacent an open end may include a circular shape in a plane being parallel to a plane of the one open end. A portion of the peripheral wall 220 adjacent an open end may include a square shape in a plane being parallel to a plane of the one open end.

To separate the liquid from the blended mixture of the liquid and the solid matter into a container, one open end, for example such as the second open end 228 is designed to connect to an open end of the container. Such second open end 228 is also designed to generate a resistant to the mixture being passed therethrough, where such resistance forces the liquid to separate from the mixture. The container may be provided as the above described mason jar. In this application, the device 200 may also include a thread 240 in the peripheral wall 220 adjacent one open end from the first and second open ends, referenced as the second open end 228. The thread 240 will be provide on an interior surface of the peripheral wall 220. As the substrate (bag or cheese cloth) 2 containing the mixture 4 of liquid and solids is pulled through the second open end 228, a contact between the bag surface with a smaller opening of the second end 228 forces the liquid to separate from the mixture back into the container. In other words, the liquid can be extracted from the blended mixture 4.

When the substrate 2 includes pulling threads, the housing 210 may be designed with one or more tabs disposed on the exterior surface 224 of the peripheral wall 220 that can be used to engage the threads so as to spread the open end of the substrate 2. In applications, where a size of the open second end 228 is not sufficient to adequately separate liquid from mixture or even when a size of the substrate 2 with the mixture 4 is smaller than the size of the open second end 228, the device 200 may be designed with additional means for separating liquid from the mixture 4. Such means may be provided by the rollers and tension members as described below. Such means may be provided by a sleeve 300, as described below.

The device 200 may be designed with two members that are disposed, during use, within the hollow interior 230 and that can be spaced therebetween to define a gap (or distance) sufficient to separate the liquid from the mixture 4. In other words, the two members may provide such means for separating liquid from the mixture 4.

FIGS. 10-14 and 17-19 also illustrate that the device 200 and, more particularly, the housing 210, is designed with two grooves 242 disposed in the interior surface 222 across the hollow interior 230. Each groove 242 from the two grooves 242 being in an open communication with an opposite open end from the first and second open ends, which is referenced with the numeral 226. Each groove 242 may include a first seat 244, a second seat 246, the second seat 246 being disposed at a distance from the first seat 244. A first passageway 248 connects the first seat 244 with the second seat 246. A second passageway 249 connects one seat from the first and second seats with the opposite end of the peripheral wall 220, the second passageway 249 defining the open communication with the opposite open end from the first and second open ends. Term "open communication" is to be understood as the second passageway 249 and, respectively the groove 242, is open for access from the open end 226.

The device 200 may be further designed with two elongated members 250 positionable, during use of the device 200, within the hollow interior 230 at a distance with each other in a first plane being generally parallel to a second plane of the opposite open end 228 and above the thread 240, each end 252 of each elongated member 250 from two elongated members 250 is disposed, during the use, within a respective groove 242, and two tension members 260, each tension member 260 from the two tension members 260 joins one end 252 of one elongated member 250 to one end 252 of another elongated member 250. A groove 254 may be provided adjacent each end 252 to prevent the tension member 260 from moving along a length of the elongated member 250. Each elongated member 250 may be provided with a round cross-section in a plane normal to a length thereof. In other words, each elongated member 250 can be provided as a solid member throughout. Each elongated member 250 may be provided with an annular cross-section in a plane normal to a length thereof. In other words, each elongated member 250 can be provided as a tubular member. Each elongated member 250 may be provided as a roller. The roller may include a tubular member 256 mounted for a rotation about a shaft 258 that includes ends 252 and grooves 254. The elongated member 250 provided as a roller reduces friction during operation. Each tension member 260 may include a resilient and an elastic band. During use of the device 100, the rollers are being pushed away from each other by the mixture being pulled through the roller. The tension members 260 counter-react and pull the roller toward each other so as to apply pressure onto the mixture. Thus, the distance between roller establishes a variable orifice of the device 200.

It is not necessary for one groove to be in the open communication with the end 226 of the device 200. FIGS. 17-19 illustrate device 200 where the grooves are being replaced with apertures 270 through the peripheral wall 220. To allow for movement of the elongated members 250 toward and away from each other, the apertures 270 are designed with a common portion 272 and two end portions 274 that are offset from the common portion 272 and that are used during operation to detachably fix the elongated members 250 at a distance from each other where the elongated members 250 cannot return to the common portion 272 without user action. In other words, the end portion 274 provides the above described seat of the device 200. When the device 200 is designed with through apertures 270, the ends of the elongated members 250 protrude past the exterior surface 224, thus facilitating access to selectively attach and remove the tension member 260 as well as positioning the tension member 260 outwardly from the exterior surface 224 as the elongated members 250 are seated within the end portions 274. When the tension member 260 is attached and when one or both elongated members 250 are moved, by the user, from the end portion 274, the tension member 260 forces or biases the elongated members 250 in a direction toward each other. When the device 200 is designed with apertures 270, it may be desired to prevent spillage of the liquid external to the housing 210, as the substrate 2 is being pulled through the elongated members 250. Accordingly, FIG. 17 illustrates an optional drip pan 280 on the exterior surface 224 to catch the liquid. FIGS. 18-19 illustrate an optional cover 290 that may be provided to cover the ends 252 by way of detachable attachment to the peripheral wall 220 with a retainer 298.

The device 200 may be designed with a sleeve 300, best shown in FIG. 15 that extends, during use of the device 200 outwardly from the open end 228. The sleeve 300 is designed with a peripheral wall 302, that is illustrated as a closed peripheral wall in FIG. 15. The peripheral wall 302 defines one open end 304 and another open end 306 that is spaced from the open end 304 to define a length or a height of the sleeve 300. The peripheral wall 302 further defines an exterior surface 308 and an interior surface 310 that is disposed at a distance from the exterior surface 308 to define a thickness of the sleeve 300. The interior surface 310 further defines a hollow interior 312 of the sleeve 300. The open end 304 has a flange 314 that is sized larger than the peripheral wall 302. In other words, the peripheral edge 316 of the flange 314 is larger than the exterior surface 308. The open end 304 may also have a curved portion 317 that transitions the flange 314 to the peripheral wall 302. The sleeve 300 is designed with an aperture 318 through the thickness of the sleeve 300. The aperture 318 may have an elongated shape. The aperture 318 may have round shapes, as is best illustrated in FIG. 19. The aperture 318 may be a plurality of apertures 318 are spaced at a distance from each other about a periphery of the sleeve 300 and, more particularly about a periphery of peripheral wall 302. The sleeve 300 may have a combination of elongated shapes and round shapes or any other shapes. During use, the apertures 318 are disposed external to the peripheral wall 220, by virtue of extending past the open end 228.

The sleeve 300 of FIG. 15 is designed to be provided, as an optional component, separately from the device 200. In this design, the peripheral wall 302 is sized to be inserted into the open top of the container and the flange 314 is sized to abut the rim of the open top of the container. The exterior surface 308 is sized smaller than the open top of the container so that when the substrate 2 is pulled through the hollow interior 312, the side of the substrate 2 reduces sufficiently to separate the liquid from the mixture 4. The separated liquid is passed through apertures 318 back into the container. The curved portion 317 facilitates return of the separated liquid as the substrate 2 is being moved outwardly from the open end 304.

The sleeve 300 may be also designed as an integral feature of the device 200 and, more particularly of the housing 210. In this design, the flange 314 may be permanently attached to the interior surface 222 of the peripheral wall 220 of the device 200. When the device 200 is provided with the thread 240, as described above, the flange 314 will be attached adjacent to the thread 240. In any design, the sleeve 300 is being sized and shaped to partially pass through the open end 228, so that a length portion of the sleeve 300 is disposed external to the peripheral wall 220. The flange 314 does not have to be a continuous flange and may be replaced, including the curved portion 317, with ribs or connecting members that connect the open end 304 to the interior surface 222 of the peripheral wall 220.

The sleeve 300 may be integrated with the housing 210 during a manufacturing process of the housing 210. When the housing 210 is molded, in a mold, from a plastic material, the sleeve 300 may be also molded concurrently with the housing 210, as a one-piece construction. The sleeve 300 may be attached, either permanently or detachably to the housing 210 after the housing 210 is manufactured. An adhesive may be used between the peripheral edge 316 and the interior surface 222.

The sleeve 300 may be used without the housing 210, where the flange 314 may be temporarily secured with a band that is generally available with the mason jar. Thus, the sleeve 300, alone, can provide the liquid separating device 200. Such liquid separating device will be designed as a sleeve, the sleeve being sized and shaped to partially pass through an open end of the mason jar; a flange on one end of the sleeve, the flange being sized and shaped to rest on a rim of the mason jar; and an aperture through a wall thickness of the sleeve.

The peripheral wall 302 may be designed with a frustoconical shape, with the flange 314 being disposed on a smaller end of the peripheral wall 302. The frustoconical wall allows gradual transition of the substrate size and gradual separation of the liquid. The method of separating a liquid from a mixture of solids and the liquid, using the sleeve 300 only, is performed by inserting a flanged perforated sleeve into the mason jar; temporarily securing the sleeve with a band; inserting a substrate into the mason jar through a hollow interior of the sleeve so that an open end of the substrate extends outwardly from the sleeve; pouring the mixture into the substrate; and pulling the substrate though the hollow interior of the sleeve.

The sleeve 300 is illustrated in some figures as being provided in a combination with the elongated members 250. Thus, the device 200 that also has the sleeve 300 can be considered as a two-stage device, where the sleeve 300 performs a first or initial phase of separating the liquid from the mixture 4 and the elongated members 250 perform a second or a final phase of separating the liquid from the mixture 4.

Thus, the liquid separating device 200 for a mason jar may be designed with a housing that includes a peripheral wall having an interior surface, an exterior surface, the exterior surface being spaced from the interior surface to define a thickness of the peripheral wall, a first open end, and a second open end, the second open end disposed at a distance from the first open end, a hollow interior, a thread on an interior surface the peripheral wall adjacent one open end from the first and second open ends, the thread being complimentary to a thread on an open end of the mason jar, and two grooves disposed in the interior surface across the hollow interior, each groove from the two grooves is in an open communication with an opposite open end from the first and second open ends. The liquid separating device 200 for a mason jar may be further designed with a sleeve that includes a peripheral wall (sleeve body) being sized and shaped to partially pass through the open end of the mason jar, so that a length portion of the sleeve is disposed external to the peripheral wall, during the use of the liquid separating device, a flange on one end of the sleeve, the flange being sized and shaped to contact the open end of the mason jar, and an aperture through a wall thickness of the sleeve body, the aperture disposed external to the peripheral wall, during the use of the housing.

FIG. 16 best illustrates an optional adapter 330, that is also illustrated in FIGS. 10-11 and 13. The adapter 330 allows indirect attachment of the housing 210 to the mason jar of the smaller size. The adapter 330 includes a peripheral wall defining a hollow interior 332 of the adapter 330. A first thread 334 is provided on an exterior surface of the peripheral wall of the adapter 330, the first thread being complimentary to the thread on the peripheral wall of the housing 210 and, respectively of the device 200. A second thread 336 is provided on an interior surface of the peripheral wall of the adapter 330, the second thread 336 being complimentary to a thread on a container. An optional flange 338 may be provided on one end of the peripheral wall of the adapter 330 for ease of handling. Thus, the housing 210 only need to have a single thread 240 on the interior of the open end 228, although the housing 210 can be adapted with an exterior thread and the adapter 330 can be designed with a second interior thread to accommodate screw-type containers of different sizes. In other words, the device 200 may be provided, as a kit, with more than one adapter 330. Thus, a liquid separating device for a mason jar may be designed as a housing with a peripheral wall having an interior surface, an exterior surface, the exterior surface being spaced from the interior surface to define a thickness of the peripheral wall, a first open end, and a second open end, the second open end disposed at a distance from the first open end, a hollow interior, a thread on an interior surface the peripheral wall adjacent one open end from the first and second open ends, the thread being complimentary to a thread on an open end of the mason jar, and two grooves disposed in the interior surface across the hollow interior, each groove from the two grooves is in an open communication with an opposite open end from the first and second open ends; and may be further designed with an adapter that has a peripheral wall defining a hollow interior of the adapter, a first thread on an exterior surface of the peripheral wall of the adapter, the first thread being complimentary to the thread on the peripheral wall of the housing, and a second thread on an interior surface of the peripheral wall of the adapter, the second thread being complimentary to the thread on the mason jar.

The device, as described above, can be used in making imitation milk from one of nut solids and grain solids. Imitation milk can be also referred to as an alternative milk. A method of making imitation milk from one of nut solids and grain solids, in view of the above described device, includes pouring a blended mixture of the liquid and solids into a porous substrate, and pulling the substrate with the blended mixture though a gap between two rollers. The method may also include blending, with a blender or a food processor, the one of nut solids and grain solids with the liquid prior to pouring the mixture into the substrate. Pouring the mixture may first include positioning the substrate within a hollow interior of a container. The porous substrate can be made from a cheese cloth. The porous substrate can be made provided as a bag. When the substrate is pulled through the rollers, any of the above described distances is sized sufficient to squeeze the liquid (milk) from the blended mixture. The device may be also designed with protrusions or barbs to temporarily secure the top open end of the substrate while pouring the blended mixture into the substrate.

A method of separating a liquid from a mixture of the liquid and a solid matter into a container may include inserting a perforated sleeve into the container; attaching a hollow housing onto an open end of the container; positioning two rollers at a distance from each other within the hollow housing; inserting a porous substrate through the distance between the two rollers into the container though a hollow interior of the sleeve so that an open end of the substrate protrudes above the two rollers; pouring a mixture of the liquid and the solid matter into the porous substrate; caging a portion of the porous substrate adjacent the open end thereof between the two rollers; and pulling the substrate from the container and through the sleeve and the two rollers to squeeze the liquid from the mixture through the porous substrate into the container. Caging the portion of the porous substrate may require moving one roller in a direction toward another roller. Moving the one roller in the direction toward another roller may involve connecting respective ends of the rollers with a tension band, temporarily locking the one and another rollers within cavities in a wall of the housing and unlocking one roller from the cavities. When the method is used in making imitation milk from solid matter such as nuts or grains, the nuts or grains are first blended, in a blender or food processor, to make such mixture of the liquid and the solid matter. Nuts can include almonds. Solids may also include hemp and/or soy. Blending can be done just prior to separating liquid from solids or can be done in advance, even by a different entity than the entity tasked with making imitation milk. Making a tomato juice can be done from crushed or diced tomatoes that do not require use of the blender or food processor.

The device, as described above, at least reduces if not eliminates a mess associated with manually squeezing the substrate in order to separate or remove liquid from the blended mixture.

The method, as described above, may be used in making imitation milk from nuts/grains at home. The method, as described above, may be used in making imitation milk from solids.

The device, as described above, may be also used in straining a blended mixture of liquid and solids. The device as described above, may be also used in separating a liquid from a blended mixture of liquid and solids. In either application, the device may be used in making a tomato juice from blended or crushed pulp or from a blended/crushed pulp mixed with a liquid, for example such as water.

The device, as described above, may be provided as a kit.

An imitation milk making kit may include a housing with a thread in one open end, two rollers, wherein the housing is designed to receive the two rollers in a position to pass a bag containing a mixture of liquid and solids therethrough, a sleeve extending from the one open end, and an adapter designed to use the housing on a container with a thread, where the thread on the container is smaller than the thread on the housing. The imitation milk making kit may further include the bag usable to contain the mixture of liquid and solids.

A juice making kit may include a housing with a thread in one open end, two rollers, wherein the housing is designed to receive the two rollers in a position to pass a bag containing a blended mixture of fruit or vegetable liquid and solids therethrough, a sleeve extending from the one open end, and an adapter designed to use the housing on a container with a thread, where the thread on the container is smaller than the thread on the housing. The juice making kit may further include the bag usable to contain the blended mixture of fruit or vegetable liquid and solids.

The described subject matter has utility in at least making imitation milk from solids.