Patent attributes
An apparatus for compressing a material includes a central longitudinal axis, a plurality of levers, and a plurality of jaws, wherein each jaw is attached to a lever, and wherein each jaw has a compression surface having an area. The apparatus also includes a compressing mechanism configured to move each lever in a non-linear motion such that the area of a compression surface exposed to the material decreases with the inward movement of that compression surface; and a shaping element associated with at least one compression surface. The apparatus can include a plurality of shaping elements projecting from at least one compression surface, wherein the plurality of shaping elements is configured to impart a pattern in the material. The apparatus can include a plurality of shaping elements each projecting from a compression surface, wherein the plurality of shaping elements is configured to impart a plurality of grooves in the material.
