AU743314B2 - Apparatus for reciprocal rotational motion - Google Patents

Description

WO 00/09318 PCTINZ99/00132 APPARATUS FOR RECIPROCAL ROTATIONAL MOTION TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an apparatus for inducing reciprocal rotational motion in a container. In particular this invention relates to the apparatus when the container is a drum for pressing juices from fruits, especially grapes.

BACKGROUND

There are many situations where containers, particularly containers enclosing heavy loads, need to be moved in order to stir the contents. One such example is that of containers holding fruits to be pressed for the purpose of extracting the juice therefrom, and in particular grapes. A number of methods have been employed to achieve the necessary movement or stirring, and commonly the containers are rotated by way of a motor. While this is reasonably successful, the degree of breaking up or stirring of the fruits, and in particular grapes, is often not as complete as is desirable. Furthermore, when the loads are heavy, as in the case, for example, of concrete mixers, then there is a tendency for motors to be insufficiently powerful, or to burn out.

Some of the commonly available commercial grape presses have a perforated drum which may be coupled at a concentric axle to a motor drive, and can be loaded or unloaded with a batch of produce through rather smallish doors, or badly positioned doors. Therefore there is some difficulty in providing an evenly loaded press and as a result the filling and emptying process may be rather ineffective. Usually, the purchaser has to construct a hopper if one-is to be used. Other types of press include Archimedes screw types which can operate continuously.

In general, the release of juice from produce, and particularly grapes, is attained by the repeated pressing of the grapes followed by movement or stirring of the marc. The WO 00/09318 PCT/NZ99/00132 -2stirring of the marc has, in the past, been achieved by the motorised rotation of the pressing drum.

There is an ongoing need for improved ways to move or stir loads, particularly heavy loads, in a number of different situations and in particular, in the pressing of juice from grapes. Furthermore there is room to improve both the ease of loading and unloading the pressing drum, and the efficiency of the juice extraction from fruit.

OBJECT

It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus to induce reciprocal rotational movement in containers.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus for providing reciprocal rotational motion in a container enclosing materials which need to be stirred, moved or agitated, particularly when the load to be stirred is large or heavy.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved apparatus for extracting juice from fruits and the like and in particular from grapes, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved method for pressing juice from fruits and the like, and in particular from grapes, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION In a first aspect the invention provides an apparatus for inducing reciprocal rotational motion in a container including: a supporting framework, said container mounted thereon for reciprocal rotational movement about an axis, and at least one linear reciprocating actuator fixed at one end to the supporting framework and with the extendible-retractable component of the or each linear reciprocating actuator linked either directly or indirectly to an external point on the container off set from the axis of rotation.

WO 00/09318 PCT/NZ99/00132 -3- Preferably there are two linear reciprocating actuators, and in a most preferred option the linear reciprocating actuators are hydraulic rams.

Preferably the two hydraulic rams are linked to a drive means, such as a drive chain which is adapted for connection to a pulley mounted on an axle about which the container is to rotate.

Preferably the unit to be agitated is a container enclosing materials to be stirred or moved.

The hydraulic rams may be either single acting or double acting, although where just one hydraulic ram is used it must be a double acting ram.

In one embodiment of the invention the hydraulic rams may be pivotally connected to the said point on the container.

In a preferred embodiment there are two single acting hydraulic rams each connected at one end to an end of a drive chain, the other end of each ram being connected to a the supporting framework. The drive chain is adapted for connection to a pulley, and while any means of connection is envisaged as within the scope of the invention in a preferred method a leaf chain is attached to a joiner link which has been welded into the pulley.

In use in the the preferred embodiment including two hyraulic rams, the extension motion of the first actuator or ram is converted by into a rotation in a first direction of the container, through an angle which is determined by the length of the extendibleretractable portion of the actuator or ram, and at a speed determined by the circumference of the pulley and the capacity of the hydraulic power pack. Simultaneously the second actuator or ram is retracted.

This action is followed by the extension of the second actuator or ram, this motion being converted into a rotation in the opposite direction of the container, and accompanied, simultaneously by the retraction of the first actuator or ram.

While it is envisaged as within the scope of the invention that one double acting hydraulic ram could be used, on extension, to drive the container so that it rotates through a first WO 00/09318 PCT/NZ99/00132 -4angle, and on retraction it returns the container to its original position, it is preferred that two rams be used.

In a second aspect the invention provides an apparatus for pressing juice from fruits and the like including: a supporting framework and a drum provided with means for applying pressure to the fruits loaded therein, and mounted thereon for reciprocal rotational movement about an axis, and two linear reciprocating actuators each fixed at one end to the supporting framework and with the extendible-retractable component of each linear reciprocating actuator linked either directly or indirectly to an external point on the drum off set from the axis of rotation.

Preferably the linear reciprocating actuators are hydraulic rams.

Preferably the means for applying pressure to the fruit is a distendible bag which can be repeatedly inflated, using compressed air or the like, and deflated as required Preferably the fruit is grapes.

Preferably the supporting framework also includes a hopper which may be moved into position to filll the drum as required, and a juice tray, which may be moved into position to catch the juice as it leaves the drum.

Preferably the drum is mounted on a concentric axis about which the reciprocal rotational motion occurs.

Optionally the drum is mounted on an off-centre or eccentric axis about which the reciprocal rotational motion occurs, the mounting means including bearing means mounted upon the frame so that the drum is capable of eccentric rotation about at least one co-axial shaft.

Preferably the linear reciprocating actuators are capable when in use of causing the drum to be rotated through 180 degrees from a first or loading position to a second or unloading position, and back again from the second position to the first position.

WO 00/09318 PCT/NZ99/00132 Preferably the drum is provided with an operable door along the full length of the drum, so that filling and emptying can be carried out effectively.

Preferably the door coincides with a complementary aperture in the hopper when the hopper is moved into the filling position.

When the drum is mounted on an off-centre axis preferably the operable door is situated on the drum surface at a radial position close to the off-centre mounting means, so that when the drum is to be loaded the portion of the drum surface including the door is at a relatively low position, thus enabling the hopper to be situated above it with the hopper aperture in close proximity to the door of the drum, and so that when the drum is to be unloaded the portion of the drum surface including the door is at a relatively high position, thereby facilitating and unloading and cleaning.

Preferably the apparatus provides a hopper capable of depositing grapes into the full length of the drum; the hopper having an operable aperture extending for substantially the full length of the drum.

Optionally'the operable aperture is capable of being opened by one or more actuators.

Preferably the hopper is moveably mounted on the frame so that it can be advanced to a position above the drum for loading of the drum, and retracted away from the drum prior to rotation of the drum.

Optionally the hopper is mounted on wheels capable of running along the frame.

Optionally the hopper is moved by means of one or more linear actuators capable of providing automated movement of the hopper.

Preferably the apparatus provides an elongated juice tray capable of receiving grape juice falling from the full length of the drum.

Preferably the juice tray is moveably mounted on the frame so that it can be advanced to a position below the drum at any period during which juice may be received, and may be retracted away from the drum at any other period.

WO 00/09318 PCT/NZ99/00132 -6- Optionally the juice tray is mounted on wheels capable of running along the frame.

Optionally the juice tray is moved by means of one or more linear actuators.

Optionally the hopper may be used as a fillable carrier for material to be pressed, in which case it is provided with a closable aperture, loaded with the material when the aperture is closed and the contents of the hopper are then deposited into the drum when the aperture is opened.

Preferably the movement of the linear reciprocating actuators is regulated by the command of a programme logic controller (PLC) module, and the actuators are fitted with limit switches for both directions so that the PLC module can determine when either ram has completed its action.

Optionally the movement of the linear reciprocating actuators is governed by any suitable manual method.

In a third aspect the invention provides a method of pressing juice from fruits and the like including the steps of: placing the fruits in the drum of an apparatus as previously described; (ii) activating the means for applying pressure to press the produce; (iii) deactivating the means for applying pressure; (iv) rotating the drum through a preset angle for a number of reciprocal rotations; repeating the steps (iii) and (iv) the required number of times; (vi) removing the remains of the fruits from the drum; and (vii) collecting the extracted juice Preferably a portion of the drum is perforated to allow the extracted juice to drain from the drum throughout the process.

Optionally the extracted juice is collected within the drum and subsequently removed by way of a tap or the like.

WO 00/09318 PCTINZ99/00132 -7- Preferably the pressing means is a distendible bag attached to the inside surface of the drum, and which can be repeatedly inflated by compressed air or the like, and deflated as required.

Preferably the drum is agitated through an angle between 90' and 270 for up to 15 times between pressing steps.

Preferably the cycle of steps from (ii) to (iv) is repeated between 20 and 30 times.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES The preferred embodiments to be described and illustrated in this specification are provided purely by way of example and are in no way intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention. The following figures refer to an apparatus for pressing juice from grapes in which: Figures 1 to 4 relate to a press for grapes, or wine press in with two hydraulic rams which are pivitally connected to the drum, and in which: Figure 1: is a side view of a wine press, in a loading position.

Figure 2: is a side view of a wine press, in a pressing position.

Figure 3: is a side view of a wine press, in a rotating mode.

Figure 4: is a side view of a wine press, in an emptying position.

Figure 5: is a plan view of the hopper for the wine press of Figures 1 to 4.

Figure 6: is a side view of the hopper above the wine press, also showing the drum.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 are side views of another aspect of a wine press in which the hydraulic rams are connected to a driving pulley by means of a drive chain, and in which the drum rotates about a concentric axle, and in which: Figure 7: shows the press in a loading position WO 00/09318 PCT/NZ99/00132 -8- Figure 8: shows the press in an intermediate position Figure 9: shows the press in an emptying position.

Figures 10, 11 and 12 are side views of yet another aspect of a wine press in which the hydraulic rams are connected to a driving pulley by means of a drive chain, and in which the drum rotates about an eccentric axle, and in which: Figure 10: shows the press in a loading position Figure 11: shows the press in an intermediate position Figure 12: shows the press in an emptying position Figure 13: is a side view of a driving pulley with welded joiner link Figure 14: is a side view of the pulley of Figure 13 Figure 15: is a plan view of the joiner link and chain showing connection means.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS EXAMPLE ONE This wine press as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, and 6, is a member of the class that includes a perforated drum for holding the material to be pressed, and uses a distensible bag, pressing against the perforations, to apply the pressing force. As will be apparent from the drawings, the novel aspects of this wine press involve the use of an eccentric axis 102 about which the drum 101 may be reciprocally rotated. Other novel features and preferred methods of use have been introduced into the invention.

Eccentric Axis of Rotation.

This feature (see Figs 1-4 and 6) provides several advantages. One is that the position of the loading/unloading aperture or door 103 in the drum 101 is located close to the eccentric axis 102, so that the drum can be turned so that the door is in a best practicable WO 00/09318 PCT/NZ99/00132 -9position for loading from above (Fig 1 and Fig 6) and at another time, for unloading from below (fig Checking for clearance from marc and hosing out the interior is then made easier. When the door is upward (Fig its height above a floor surface is minimised and the press can be loaded, and checked more easily.

Rotation Caused by Hydraulic Rams The drum 101 of this press 100 rotates only through 180 degrees (in the example) and is made to rotate by the action of linear actuators; namely hydraulic rams 105 106, each capable of applying a torque against the axis using a corresponding crankshaft 107 108.

Two opposing or antagonistic unidirectional rams are preferred, so that one ram can oppose the action of the other just as flexor and extensor muscles work against each other in a body. In other words, the ram that is pushing also empties hydraulic fluid from the other ram. The use of rams is a more reliable, simpler, and cheaper option than the priorart electric motor with gearbox and brake. The rams are driven under command of a programme logic controller (PLC) module (not illustrated) and are fitted with limit switches (not illustrated) for both directions, so that the PLC module can determine when either ram has completed its action. It has been found that the press can adequately carry out a sequence including filling and emptying even though its rotation is limited to 180 degrees. Of course, variations on the invention may provide other limits to rotation.

Integrated Hopper The hopper 104 from which grapes to be pressed are dropped into the empty press is an integrated part of the construction of this invention, although, of course, the eccentrically mounted drum itself, and operation of the press does not depend on an integral hopper. It is convenient to provide the hopper with wheels 109 so that it can conveniently be moved along the frame of the press between a rest position away from the drum (as in Fig and a dumping position, directly above the drum. Generally the hopper is used as a funnel or guide. In that case it may be constructed without any form of closing means over its aperture. Alternatively it may be used to carry a load of grapes, which have been loaded at the "resting" end of the hopper's movement, while the press is working. In that case a closure for the hopper is preferred.

WO 00/09318 PCT/NZ99/00132 Fig 6 shows the hopper 104 above the drum 101 of the press 100. The actual wheels may for example be flanged as for a railway vehicle or may run inside a groove. The hopper may be supported on a higher sub-frame 1 10 (Fig 1) or may not (Fig The hopper may be pushed to and fro manually, or may be moved by some kind of actuator such as an electric motor or a hydraulic ram (not illustrated). In order to make best use of the long door in the drum, the hopper is preferably also provided with a similar elongated aperture 501 as shown in Fig 5, which can be opened when the hopper is in place over the drum.

The aperture 501 of the hopper, and the door 103 or aperture of the drum may be opened by an actuator, or manually. Because the drum rotates to and fro through a predetermined fraction of a complete revolution it is feasible to couple power by means of cables or hoses to devices fixed on to the drum. Furthermore, coupling of an air hose to the internal pressing bag 202 is facilitated.

Integrated Juice Tray As for the hopper, the juice tray 112 is conveniently mounted on wheels so that it can slide along the frame 111 of the press between a receiving position directly under the drum (as in Figs 1, 2, and 3) and an out-of-the-way position (Fig.4) for use when the drum is being emptied of marc.

In this example, the dimensions of the drum, which is made of stainless steel, are: length 3 metres, diameter 1400 mm, and an axis 250 mm from centre. The drum uses stub axles which do not protrude into the interior of the drum. A distensible bag 202, preferably made of a flexible plastic, preferably polyethylene or the like, is attached to one side of the drum, and when distended pushes against the other side of the drum which is provided with a number of perforations. The frame is made of welded box section steel, approximately 3 metres long and 3.1 metres wide, with the main frame being about 1 metre high and a subframe used as a support for the hopper being about 1.5 metres high.

Operation: One preferred method of using the press is as follows: the cleaned juice tray is moved to a position beneath the drum before the hopper is loaded with grapes, then the cleaned drum WO 00/09318 PCT/NZ99/00132 -11is rotated into the loading position. The hopper is placed over the drum, and the hopper door is opened so that the load within the hopper falls into the drum, whereupon the door is closed and the hopper is retracted.

The drum is rotated into the pressing position when the "bulge" is uppermost, and the internal distensible bag 202 is compressed with air (compressor and connections not illustrated) to perhaps a pressure of 0.5 bar and left for 10 minutes. This causes much of the juice to be squeezed out from the marc (the industry name for the residue of skin, stalks, etc) and to flow into the juice tray below.

Then pressure within the bag is released (possibly with the aid of a vacuum pump to ensure complete retraction) and the drum is rotated into the loading position and back to the pressing position one or more times, as shown by the arrows 301, 302 in Fig 3, so that the contents of the drum are agitated and shifted in position, and a second pressing should recover more juice. In the second pressing sequence, a higher pressure of perhaps 0.75 bar is applied to the distensible bag for ten minutes. Further pressing sequences may be applied.

Finally the juice tray is moved away and the door of the drum is opened while at the pressing position, in order to allow the marc (debris) to fall out. Because the pressing position has the door at the lowest part of the drum, and at the same time the press is raised to its highest possible point above the ground, the marc can be cleared onto the floor. Some marc will probably be retained. A step of rotating the drum with the door open will assist marc in falling out, and a second rotation with the bag partly distended will tend to push out the remainder of the marc.

At least some of these steps will be controlled by the PLC module, assuming that one is installed, although it is also possible to provide this invention in a non-automated state.

How much of the entire process can be successfully automated remains to be seen, because for example the importance of completely clearing out the marc between batches of the same type of grape remains unclear. Instrumental means to determine that the drum has been completely emptied may include machine vision, infra-red beams, or possibly an acoustic sensor.

WO 00/09318 PCT/NZ99/00132 -12- EXAMPLE TWO In this example, a wine press is described with reference to Figures 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, and The drum 601, which has a section of the surface perforated (not shown) is strengthened at each end with webs 602 and is mounted on a concentric axle 603, within the supporting framework 600. The drum 601 is made to rotate by the co-operative action of the hydraulic rams 604 and 605, such that when ram 604 extends the ram 605 retracts and vice versa.

The rams are connected to a drive chain 606 which is connected to the driving pulley 607 by means as detailed in Figures 13, 14 and A joiner link 701 is welded on to the driving pulley. The chain 606, is a leaf chain and the joiner link is so dimensioned as to complement the drive chain, which has projections (606a) to fit into the recesses 701a, of the joiner link. Apertures are placed in the joiner link and chain links so that, when the two are joined, the apertures align to enable the insertion of a pin 702, to hold the parts together.

In a similar fashion a second section of the driving chain is fitted to the other side of the joiner link.

While it is envisaged as within the scope of the invention that any other suitable mechanism for connection of the chain to the driving pulley may be employed, such as the use of a link-chain and sprockets, it has been found that in regard to the size of the loads to be moved when the invention is used in conjunction with a wine press, that it is preferred to use this stronger method of attaching the chain to the pulley.

As in Example 1 a moveably mounted hopper 608 is able to be positioned over a door 609, running the full length of the drum and which corresponds to the aperture 610 of the hopper.

Once the grapes from the hopper have been deposited in the drum the hopper is moved away from the drum, which can then be rotated, through 115' or thereabouts depending on WO 00/09318 PCT/NZ99/00132 -13where the section of perforations are on the drum surface. Preferably the perforations are positioned at the bottom when the drum is in the pressing position. into the pressing position. To achieve this position the ram 604 is extended to part of its length while ram 605 retracts by the same amount. A distendible bag within the drum is inflated by means of compressed air to press the grapes and release their juice. The bag is then deflated, optionally with the assistance of a vacuum pump, and the drum is reciprocally rotated through the preferred angle several times. In a most preferred option the drum is reciprocally rotated through 1800 between the positions shown in Figures 7 and 9 between and 30 times. The pressing step is then repeated and the above sequence repeated about 15 times. The drum is then returned to the emptying position shown in Figure 9, by fully extending the ram 604 and fully retracting the ram 605. The door 609 can now be opened to remove the marc and allow for cleaning of the drum.

In this preferred option the drum is perforated and the juice obtained falls through the perforations into a juice collection tray (not shown), during the course of the above procedure.

EXAMPLE THREE The wine press according to this embodiment is decribed in Figures 10, 11 and 12. The supporting framework 800, of this example is essentially similar in operation to that described in Example Two but in this embodiment the axis of rotation 801 is off-centre and the driving chain 806 extends from hydraulic rams 804 to 805 by way of a driving cam 807. While it is possible to use a driving pulley in this position it has been found that the elongated shape of the driving cam is more effective because this shape, when at 900 from the loading position, enables the cam to exert more leverage than a pulley..

The advantages of the off-centre or eccentric axis of this example are the same as those detailed in Example One.

WO 00/09318 PCT/NZ99/00132 -14-

VARIATIONS.

Instead of grapes, other materials of similar type may be pressed. Indeed, the principles of the invention may even be useful in washing, scouring, or laundering operations such as wool scouring.

The apparatus of the invention may include all types of linear reciprocating actuators and the container may be rotated through at least one 360 degree circle.

The press may be driven entirely manually, without control means (PLC or the like) or powered actuators.

ADVANTAGES.

One person can safely operate the press.

It is safer and more convenient to fill the drum when the aperture to be filled is placed as low as possible as is possible with the eccentric drum of the invention, which gives a 500 mm difference between high and low in the embodiment described in Example One.

It is more convenient to empty the drum of marc when the aperture is raised as far as possible above the floor.

The integrated hopper allows gentler, and more convenient handling of grapes or other material to be pressed.

The full-length aperture in the drum allows the full length of the drum to be packed consistently with grapes.

The use of reciprocal motion to stir the container contents appears to be more effective than continuous rotation. The better stirring and break up of the fruit enables more juice to be released, and possibly increases juice yields by about 6%.

More than one object may be run by the hydraulic power pack used to drive the at least one hydraulic ram. For example more rams may be added to drive different components WO 00/09318 PCT/NZ99/00132 of the apparatus, such as the hopper, or juice tray, or other entirely different machines all from the same hydraulic power pack.

Finally, it will be appreciated that various alterations and modifications may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of this invention as set forth.

Claims (1)

1. Claim 1 Apparatus for inducing reciprocal rotational motion in a container including: a supporting framework, said container mounted thereon for reciprocal rotational movement about an axis, and at least one linear reciprocating actuator fixed at one end to the supporting framework and with the extendible-retractable component of the or each linear reciprocating actuator linked either directly or indirectly to an external point on the container off set from the axis of rotation.

   Claim 2 Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein there are two linear reciprocating actuators.

   Claim 3 Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the linear reciprocating actuators are hydraulic rams. Claim 4 Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the linear reciprocating actuators are single acting hydraulic rams. Claim 5 Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the hydraulic rams are double acting. Claim 6 Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the extendible-retractable end of the or each linear reciprocating actuator is pivotally linked to the said external point on the container. Claim 7 Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the extendible- retractable end of the or each linear reciprocating actuator is linked to a drive means adapted for connection to a pulley mounted on an axle about which the container is to rotate. Claim 8 Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the drive means is a leaf chain which is connected to the said pulley by way of a joiner link welded into the said pulley.

   Claim 9 Apparatus as claimed in either Claim 7 or Claim 8 wherein the container is mounted on a concentric axle and the pulley is a driving pulley. Claim 10 Apparatus as claimed in either Claim 7 or Claim 8 wherein the container is mounted on an eccentric axle and the pulley is a driving cam. Claim 11 Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the container is a rotary fermenter. Claim 12 Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the container is a drum adapted for pressing the juice from fruits or the like, and in particular from grapes.

   Claim 13 Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 wherein the drum is fitted with a door extending substantially the full length of the drum for the filling and emptying thereof.

   Claim 14 Apparatus as claimed in Claim 13 wherein the drum is mounted on an eccentric axle and the door is positioned on a portion of the radical surface closest to the said axle. Claim 15 Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the operation of the or each linear reciprocating actuator is under the control of a programme logic controller or PLC.

   Claim 16 Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 14 wherein the operation of the or each linear reciprocating actuator is controlled manually. Claim 17 Apparatus for pressing juice from fruits and the like including: a supporting framework and a drum provided with means for applying pressure to the fruits loaded therein, and mounted thereon for reciprocal rotational movement about an axis, and two linear reciprocating actuators each fixed at one end to the supporting framework and with the extendible-retractable component of each linear reciprocating actuator linked either directly or indirectly to an external point on the drum off set from the axis of rotation.

   Claim 18 Apparatus for pressing juice from fruits and the like as claimed in Claim 17 in which linear reciprocating actuators are hydraulic rams.

   Claim 19 Apparatus for pressing juice from fruits and the like as claimed in either Claim 17 or Claim 18 in which the linear reciprocating actuators are connected pivotally to the said external point on the drum.

   Claim 20 Apparatus for pressing juice from fruits and the like as claimed in either Claim

   17 or Claim 18 wherein the extendible-retractable end of each linear reciprocating actuator is linked to a drive means adapted for connection to a pulley mounted on an axle about which the container is to rotate. Claim 21 Apparatus for pressing juice from fruits and the like as claimed in Claim 20 wherein the drive means is a leaf chain which is connected to the said pulley by way of a joiner link welded into the said pulley. Claim 22 Apparatus for pressing juice from fruits and the like as claimed in either Claim 20 or Claim 21 in which the drum is mounted on a eccentric axis and the pulley is a driving cam. Claim 23 Apparatus for pressing juice from fruits and the like as claimed in either

   Claims 20 or 21 in which the drum is mounted on a concentric axis and the pulley is a driving pulley. Claim 24 Apparatus for pressing juice from fruits and the like as claimed in any one of

   Claims 17 to 24 in which a portion of the radial surface of the drum is fitted with a door extending substantially the length of the drum. Claim 25 Apparatus for pressing juice from fruits and the like as claimed in Claim 24 in which the drum is mounted on an eccentric axis and the portion of the radial surface fitted with the door is closest to the eccentric axis.

   Claim 26 Apparatus for pressing juice from fruits and the like as claimed in any one of

   Claims 17 to 25 in which a hopper for loading the fruits is moveably fitted to the supporting framework above the drum. Claim 27 Apparatus for pressing juice from fruits and the like as claimed in any one of Claims 17 to 26 in which a juice tray for collection of extracted juice is moveably fitted to the supporting framework below the drum. Claim 28 Apparatus for pressing juice from fruits and the like as claimed in any one of

   Claims 17 to 27 in which the fruits are grapes. Claim 29 Apparatus for pressing juice from fruits and the like as claimed in any one of Claims 17 to 28 in which the motion of the two linear reciprocating actuators is under the control of a programme logic controller or PLC. Claim 30 Apparatus for pressing juice from fruits and the like as claimed in any one of

   Claims 17 to 28 in which the motion of the two linear reciprocating actuators is controlled manually. Claim 31 Apparatus for pressing juice from fruits and the like as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 30 in which the drum is rotated in one direction through an angle of between 90° and 270° and in the counter direction through an angle of between 90° and 270°. Claim 32 Apparatus for pressing juice from fruits and the like as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 31 in which the means for applying pressure to the fruits is a distendible bag fitted inside the drum which may be inflated by compressed air or the like, and subsequently evacuated. Claim 33 A method of pressing juice from fruits and the like including the steps of: (i) placing the fruits in the drum of an apparatus according to any one of Claims

   17 to 32; (ii) activating the means for applying pressure to press the produce;

   (iii) deactivating the means for applying pressure;

   (iv) rotating the drum through a preset angle for a number of reciprocal rotations;

   (v) repeating the steps (ii), (iii) and (iv) the required number of times;

   (vi) removing the remains of the fruits from the drum; and (vii) collecting the extracted juice.

   Claim 34 A method of pressing juice according to Claim 33 wherein the fruit is grapes. Claim 35 A method of pressing juice according to either Claim 33 or Claim 34 wherein at least a portion of the surface of the drum is perforated to allow extracted juice to drain from the drum throughout the process. Claim 36 A method of pressing juice according to either of Claims 33 or 34 wherein the drum is not perforated and the juice is collected in the drum and subsequently removed by way of a tap or the like. Claim 37 A method of pressing juice as claimed in any one of Claims 33 to 36 in which the drum is reciprocally rotated through an angle between 90° and 270° for up to 15 times between the pressings steps.

   Claim 38 A method as claimed in any one of Claims 33 to 37 in which the steps (ii) (iii) and (iv) are repeated between 20 and 30 times. Claim 39 Juice when extracted from fruits and the like by the method of any one of

   Claims 33 to 38. Claim 40 Apparatus for inducing reciprocal rotational motion in a container substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying examples and drawings. Claim 41 Apparatus for pressing juice from fruits and the like substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying examples and drawings. Claim 42 A method of pressing juice from fruits substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying examples and drawings. Claim 43 Juice, when extracted from fruits by the method of Claim 42.