Patent US3604334A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3604334A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for thawing frozen food
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1966-05-26
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Granted: 1971-09-14
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Expires: 1986-05-26
Abstract
Abstract A device for thawing and heating frozen food, having a chamber with means for supporting frozen food. A mixture of hot gases and water vapor is forced in turbulent flow over the frozen food.
Inventors
- 👤 Earle W Ballentine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:53
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23B; A23B2/00; A23B2/80; A23B2/82
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
FOR DEFINING DEVICE FOR FAST THAWING OF FROZEN FOOD WITHOUT COOKING, COMPRISING: MEANS FOR GENERATING STEAM; MEANS IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE STEAM GENERATING MEANS TO MIX THE STEAM WITH AIR; A THAWING CHAMBER HAVING INLET AND OUTLET, THE INLET COMMUNICATING WITH THE MIXING MEANS TO RECEIVE THE STEAM-AIR MIXTURE AT A PRESSURE FOR INDUCING FLOW TOWARDS THE OUTLET, THE OUTLET COMMUNICATING WITH THE EXTERIOR; AND MEANS IN THE THAWING CHAMBER FOR SUPPORTING A PIECE OF FOOD IN RELATION TO THE INLET AND OUTLET OF THE CHAMBER SO THAT THE FLOW OF THE STEAM-AIR MIXTURE FROM INLET TO OUTLET SUBSTANTIALLY UNRESTRICTLY ENVELOPES THE ENTIRE SURFACE OF THE PIECE OF FOOD.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
FOR DEFINING DEVICE FOR FAST THAWING OF FROZEN FOOD WITHOUT COOKING, COMPRISING: MEANS FOR GENERATING STEAM; MEANS IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE STEAM GENERATING MEANS TO MIX THE STEAM WITH AIR; A THAWING CHAMBER HAVING INLET AND OUTLET, THE INLET COMMUNICATING WITH THE MIXING MEANS TO RECEIVE THE STEAM-AIR MIXTURE AT A PRESSURE FOR INDUCING FLOW TOWARDS THE OUTLET, THE OUTLET COMMUNICATING WITH THE EXTERIOR; AND MEANS IN THE THAWING CHAMBER FOR SUPPORTING A PIECE OF FOOD IN RELATION TO THE INLET AND OUTLET OF THE CHAMBER SO THAT THE FLOW OF THE STEAM-AIR MIXTURE FROM INLET TO OUTLET SUBSTANTIALLY UNRESTRICTLY ENVELOPES THE ENTIRE SURFACE OF THE PIECE OF FOOD.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
146 words
A device for thawing frozen food, comprising: means for positioning a piece of frozen food in a manner leaving substantially the entire surface of the piece exposed; means for directing a mixture of steam and air substantially towards the piece when positioned by the positioning means, so that substantially the entire amount of steam-air mixture as so directed is forced to flow along at least one side of predominant extension of the piece of food, the predominant direction of the flow running tangentially along that side; and means defining a thawing chamber to enclose said positioning means and having an inlet for communication with the directing means, and having means defining an outlet positioned in relation to said directing means and to said positioning means so that the steam-air mixture when flowing towards the outlet predominantly flows towards and along the remaining sides of the piece.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
146 words
A device for thawing frozen food, comprising: means for positioning a piece of frozen food in a manner leaving substantially the entire surface of the piece exposed; means for directing a mixture of steam and air substantially towards the piece when positioned by the positioning means, so that substantially the entire amount of steam-air mixture as so directed is forced to flow along at least one side of predominant extension of the piece of food, the predominant direction of the flow running tangentially along that side; and means defining a thawing chamber to enclose said positioning means and having an inlet for communication with the directing means, and having means defining an outlet positioned in relation to said directing means and to said positioning means so that the steam-air mixture when flowing towards the outlet predominantly flows towards and along the remaining sides of the piece.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
76 words
A device for fast thawing frozen food comprising: means for providing a vapor at a particular temperature; means for mixing this vapor with a gas at a ratio to establish a dew point above lowest temperature for cooking of the food to be thawed; means for placing the food to be thawed for contact with the gas-vapor mixture; and means for providing unrestricted turbulent flow along substantially the entire surface of the food to be thawed.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
76 words
A device for fast thawing frozen food comprising: means for providing a vapor at a particular temperature; means for mixing this vapor with a gas at a ratio to establish a dew point above lowest temperature for cooking of the food to be thawed; means for placing the food to be thawed for contact with the gas-vapor mixture; and means for providing unrestricted turbulent flow along substantially the entire surface of the food to be thawed.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
59 words
A device for fast thawing frozen food, comprising: means for providing an air-steam mixture with the content of air in excess of the steam content at a dew point substantially in excess of normal room temperature; and means for providing a flow of said mixture unrestricted over substantially the entire surface of the piece of food to be thawed.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
59 words
A device for fast thawing frozen food, comprising: means for providing an air-steam mixture with the content of air in excess of the steam content at a dew point substantially in excess of normal room temperature; and means for providing a flow of said mixture unrestricted over substantially the entire surface of the piece of food to be thawed.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
112 words
A device for thawing frozen food, comprising: means defining a thawing chamber; means in the thawing chamber for supporting a piece of frozen food in a particular manner leaving substantially its surface exposed in the chamber; means for directing a steam-air mixture towards a central region of one side of predominant extension of the piece of frozen food, so that the steam-air mixture is deflected to flow from the central region along the one side towards the rim thereof; and means for collecting the steam-air mixture in the chamber at a central region of the respective opposite side of the piece of food for exhaust of the mixture from the thawing chamber.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
112 words
A device for thawing frozen food, comprising: means defining a thawing chamber; means in the thawing chamber for supporting a piece of frozen food in a particular manner leaving substantially its surface exposed in the chamber; means for directing a steam-air mixture towards a central region of one side of predominant extension of the piece of frozen food, so that the steam-air mixture is deflected to flow from the central region along the one side towards the rim thereof; and means for collecting the steam-air mixture in the chamber at a central region of the respective opposite side of the piece of food for exhaust of the mixture from the thawing chamber.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
169 words
A device for thawing frozen food, comprising: means defining a thawing chamber having inlet and outlet; means for supporting a piece of food in the chamber defining means and including guiding means defining a flow path in the vicinity of at least one of said inlet and outlet along at least one of the sides of predominant extension of a piece of food when supported by the supporting means, the respective other one of the inlet and outlet being located so that a flow path in the chamber as between inlet and outlet is completed in the vicinity of and along substantially the entire surface of the piece of food; and means for injecting a mixture of steam and air into the chamber through said inlet thereof and in a direction relative to said flow path, so that the steam and air mixture predominantly follows said flow path from inlet to outlet and at directions having components tangential to the extension of the surface of the piece of food.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
169 words
A device for thawing frozen food, comprising: means defining a thawing chamber having inlet and outlet; means for supporting a piece of food in the chamber defining means and including guiding means defining a flow path in the vicinity of at least one of said inlet and outlet along at least one of the sides of predominant extension of a piece of food when supported by the supporting means, the respective other one of the inlet and outlet being located so that a flow path in the chamber as between inlet and outlet is completed in the vicinity of and along substantially the entire surface of the piece of food; and means for injecting a mixture of steam and air into the chamber through said inlet thereof and in a direction relative to said flow path, so that the steam and air mixture predominantly follows said flow path from inlet to outlet and at directions having components tangential to the extension of the surface of the piece of food.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
132 words
A kitchen appliance, comprising: a boiler for receiving water; an ejector coupled to the boiler for producing a steam-air mixture of a dew point below the boiling of water at atmospheric pressure but in excess of a minimum cooking temperature for meat; a thawing chamber coupled to the ejector so that the steam-air mixture as produced by the ejector discharges into the chamber; means in the chambeR for supporting a piece of frozen food in the chamber, in relation to the ejector outlet so that the steam-air mixture as discharged by the ejector flows centrally towards one side of the piece of food when in the chamber; and means for collecting the steam-air mixture centrally from the vicinity of the other side of the piece of food for exhaust from the chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
132 words
A kitchen appliance, comprising: a boiler for receiving water; an ejector coupled to the boiler for producing a steam-air mixture of a dew point below the boiling of water at atmospheric pressure but in excess of a minimum cooking temperature for meat; a thawing chamber coupled to the ejector so that the steam-air mixture as produced by the ejector discharges into the chamber; means in the chambeR for supporting a piece of frozen food in the chamber, in relation to the ejector outlet so that the steam-air mixture as discharged by the ejector flows centrally towards one side of the piece of food when in the chamber; and means for collecting the steam-air mixture centrally from the vicinity of the other side of the piece of food for exhaust from the chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
143 words
A home appliance, comprising: a boiler for receiving water; an ejector coupled to the boiler for producing a steam-air mixture of a dew point below the boiling point of water at atmospheric pressure but in excess of a minimum cooking temperature for meat; a thawing chamber coupled to the ejector so that the steam-air mixture as produced by the ejector discharges into the chamber; a plurality of supporting elements in the chamber for supporting a piece of frozen food in very small sized areas of contact with the piece and being positioned in relation to the ejector outlet for guiding the steam-air mixture substantially over one side of a piece of frozen food when supported by the vanes; and means for collecting the steam-air mixture in the vicinity of the respective opposite side of the piece of food for exhaust from the chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
143 words
A home appliance, comprising: a boiler for receiving water; an ejector coupled to the boiler for producing a steam-air mixture of a dew point below the boiling point of water at atmospheric pressure but in excess of a minimum cooking temperature for meat; a thawing chamber coupled to the ejector so that the steam-air mixture as produced by the ejector discharges into the chamber; a plurality of supporting elements in the chamber for supporting a piece of frozen food in very small sized areas of contact with the piece and being positioned in relation to the ejector outlet for guiding the steam-air mixture substantially over one side of a piece of frozen food when supported by the vanes; and means for collecting the steam-air mixture in the vicinity of the respective opposite side of the piece of food for exhaust from the chamber.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
92 words
A device for fast thawing frozen food, comprising: means for providing an air-steam mixture with the content of air in excess of the steam content and at a dew point substantially in excess of a minimum cooking temperature; means for positioning a piece of frozen food leaving substantially its entire surface exposed; and means for providing for contact between the steam and air mixture and a piece of food when positioned by the positioning means, so that the steam-air mixture has flow components normal to substantially all of the exposed surface portions.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
92 words
A device for fast thawing frozen food, comprising: means for providing an air-steam mixture with the content of air in excess of the steam content and at a dew point substantially in excess of a minimum cooking temperature; means for positioning a piece of frozen food leaving substantially its entire surface exposed; and means for providing for contact between the steam and air mixture and a piece of food when positioned by the positioning means, so that the steam-air mixture has flow components normal to substantially all of the exposed surface portions.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
144 words
A device for fast thawing of frozen food, comprising: means for supporting a piece or pieces of frozen food in a horizontal plane leaving substantially the entire surfaces of the piece or pieces exposed, and the piece or pieces so supported having downwardly directed surface portions on the supporting means and upwardly directed surface portions; means for providing a steam-air mixture; means for defining a thawing chamber; means for providing an injection of the steam-air mixture into the thawing chamber; and means for providing venting of the thawing chamber, one of the injection providing means and of the venting means being located centrally to the downwardly directed surfaces of the piece or pieces of food, the other one of the injection means and of the venting means being positioned centrally to the upwardly directed surface portions of piece or pieces of the frozen food.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
144 words
A device for fast thawing of frozen food, comprising: means for supporting a piece or pieces of frozen food in a horizontal plane leaving substantially the entire surfaces of the piece or pieces exposed, and the piece or pieces so supported having downwardly directed surface portions on the supporting means and upwardly directed surface portions; means for providing a steam-air mixture; means for defining a thawing chamber; means for providing an injection of the steam-air mixture into the thawing chamber; and means for providing venting of the thawing chamber, one of the injection providing means and of the venting means being located centrally to the downwardly directed surfaces of the piece or pieces of food, the other one of the injection means and of the venting means being positioned centrally to the upwardly directed surface portions of piece or pieces of the frozen food.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
109 words
A device for fast thawing frozen food, comprising: means for positioning a piece or pieces of frozen food leaving substantially the entire surface or surfaces exposed, the piece or pieces defining a centroid; means directing a flow of mixed steam and air towards the piece or pieces and at a location substantially towards the centroid, so that at least a portion of the surface or surfaces deflects the flow; and means defining a thawing chamber for receiving the supporting means and having an exhaust position colinear with the centroid and said direction, so that the flow of steam and air substantially envelopes the entire surface or surfaces as exposed.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
109 words
A device for fast thawing frozen food, comprising: means for positioning a piece or pieces of frozen food leaving substantially the entire surface or surfaces exposed, the piece or pieces defining a centroid; means directing a flow of mixed steam and air towards the piece or pieces and at a location substantially towards the centroid, so that at least a portion of the surface or surfaces deflects the flow; and means defining a thawing chamber for receiving the supporting means and having an exhaust position colinear with the centroid and said direction, so that the flow of steam and air substantially envelopes the entire surface or surfaces as exposed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
142 words
A kitchen appliance, comprising: a boiler for receiving water; an ejector coupled to the boiler for producing a steam-air mixture of a dew point below the boiling of water at atmospheric pressure but in excess of minimum cooking temperature for meat; a thawing chamber coupled to the ejector so that the steam-air mixture as produced by the ejector discharges into the chamber; means in the chamber for supporting a piece of frozen food in the chamber, in relation to the ejector outlet so that the steam-air mixture as discharged by the ejector is forced to flow along at Lease one side of predominant extension of the piece of food; and means for collecting the steam-air mixture for exhaust from the chamber, and at a location so that the flow path extends along all sides of predominant extension of the piece of food.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
142 words
A kitchen appliance, comprising: a boiler for receiving water; an ejector coupled to the boiler for producing a steam-air mixture of a dew point below the boiling of water at atmospheric pressure but in excess of minimum cooking temperature for meat; a thawing chamber coupled to the ejector so that the steam-air mixture as produced by the ejector discharges into the chamber; means in the chamber for supporting a piece of frozen food in the chamber, in relation to the ejector outlet so that the steam-air mixture as discharged by the ejector is forced to flow along at Lease one side of predominant extension of the piece of food; and means for collecting the steam-air mixture for exhaust from the chamber, and at a location so that the flow path extends along all sides of predominant extension of the piece of food.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
107 words
A home appliance, comprising: a boiler for receiving water and for placement on a conventional heating source such as provided by a kitchen stove; means defining a thawing chamber above the boiler, being insulated therefrom, the thawing chamber having venting means, the sidewalls of the thawing chamber being exposed for convective flow of heat resulting from placement of the boiler on the heating source; and means for conducting the steam as produced in the boiler, into the thawing chamber and intimately mixing the steam with air, so that a steam-air mixture enters the thawing chamber having a temperature below the boiling point of water at atmospheric pressure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
107 words
A home appliance, comprising: a boiler for receiving water and for placement on a conventional heating source such as provided by a kitchen stove; means defining a thawing chamber above the boiler, being insulated therefrom, the thawing chamber having venting means, the sidewalls of the thawing chamber being exposed for convective flow of heat resulting from placement of the boiler on the heating source; and means for conducting the steam as produced in the boiler, into the thawing chamber and intimately mixing the steam with air, so that a steam-air mixture enters the thawing chamber having a temperature below the boiling point of water at atmospheric pressure.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
193 words
A kitchen appliance, comprising: a boiler for receiving water and for placement on a conventional heating source such as provided by a kitchen stove; means defining a thawing chamber positioned in thermally insulating relationship to the boiler, insulation being established at least to the extent that the thawing chamber will receive heat from the boiler and the heating source insufficient to raise the temperature of the chamber to about the boiling temperature of water at least during a period in excess of the required period for thawing a piece of frozen food when placed in the chamber; means for connecting the steam as produced in the boiler, into the thawing chamber and mixing the steam with air, so that a steam-air mixture enters the thawing chamber having a temperature below the boiling point of water at atmospheric pressure, the thawing chamber having venting means remote from the region where the steam-air mixture enters the thawing chamber; and means for supporting in the thawing chamber a piece or pieces of frozen food so that substantially its entire surface is exposed to the flow of the steam-air mixture from said region to said venting outlet.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
193 words
A kitchen appliance, comprising: a boiler for receiving water and for placement on a conventional heating source such as provided by a kitchen stove; means defining a thawing chamber positioned in thermally insulating relationship to the boiler, insulation being established at least to the extent that the thawing chamber will receive heat from the boiler and the heating source insufficient to raise the temperature of the chamber to about the boiling temperature of water at least during a period in excess of the required period for thawing a piece of frozen food when placed in the chamber; means for connecting the steam as produced in the boiler, into the thawing chamber and mixing the steam with air, so that a steam-air mixture enters the thawing chamber having a temperature below the boiling point of water at atmospheric pressure, the thawing chamber having venting means remote from the region where the steam-air mixture enters the thawing chamber; and means for supporting in the thawing chamber a piece or pieces of frozen food so that substantially its entire surface is exposed to the flow of the steam-air mixture from said region to said venting outlet.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
120 words
A home appliance for thawing frozen food comprising: a boiler for receiving water to be heated so that steam is being developed; means defining a thawing chamber positioned in a particular relationship to the source of heat for the boiler so that at least a portion of the exterior surface of the thawing chamber is exposed to external flow of heat from the source; and means for mixing the steam with air and charging the thawing chamber with the mixture, so that the temperature of the interior of the thawing chamber as determined by the temperature of the steam-air mixture and of the external flow of heat, remains below the short term cooking temperature of the food to be thawed.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
120 words
A home appliance for thawing frozen food comprising: a boiler for receiving water to be heated so that steam is being developed; means defining a thawing chamber positioned in a particular relationship to the source of heat for the boiler so that at least a portion of the exterior surface of the thawing chamber is exposed to external flow of heat from the source; and means for mixing the steam with air and charging the thawing chamber with the mixture, so that the temperature of the interior of the thawing chamber as determined by the temperature of the steam-air mixture and of the external flow of heat, remains below the short term cooking temperature of the food to be thawed.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
70 words
A home appliance, comprising: a boiler for receiving water to be heated so that steam is being developed; means defining a thawing chamber positioned above the boiler, and having inlet and venting means; means for admitting air from the environment of the boiler and for mixing the steam as developed by the boiler intimately with said air and charging the thawing chamber through the inlet means with the resulting mixture.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
70 words
A home appliance, comprising: a boiler for receiving water to be heated so that steam is being developed; means defining a thawing chamber positioned above the boiler, and having inlet and venting means; means for admitting air from the environment of the boiler and for mixing the steam as developed by the boiler intimately with said air and charging the thawing chamber through the inlet means with the resulting mixture.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
87 words
A device for thawing and heating frozen food comprising: chamber means vented to the atmosphere and including means for supporting frozen food; means for providing a source of convective hot gases; means for generating steam, said gases having a temperature higher than the temperature of the steam generated; means for intermixing the steam generated with the hot gases externally of said chamber to form a homogeneous mixture; and means for forcing the homogeneous mixture of steam and hot gases over the frozen food within said chamber means.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
87 words
A device for thawing and heating frozen food comprising: chamber means vented to the atmosphere and including means for supporting frozen food; means for providing a source of convective hot gases; means for generating steam, said gases having a temperature higher than the temperature of the steam generated; means for intermixing the steam generated with the hot gases externally of said chamber to form a homogeneous mixture; and means for forcing the homogeneous mixture of steam and hot gases over the frozen food within said chamber means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device in accordance with claim 17 wherein the chamber means is heated by the means for providing said source of convective hot gases.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
115 words
A devicE for thawing and heating frozen food comprising: a thawing chamber; a source of convective hot gases; a boiler for generating steam; an enclosed space in which a portion of said boiler surface is a first wall of said enclosed space, a second wall separating the interior of the enclosed space from said convective hot gases, said second wall having openings for controlling the temperature of the hot gases admitted into said enclosed space; an ejector having an inlet connected to said enclosed space, whereby said ejector mixes steam and hot gases drawn from said enclosed space to form a homogeneous mixture and forces said mixture over frozen food supported in said thawing chamber.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
115 words
A devicE for thawing and heating frozen food comprising: a thawing chamber; a source of convective hot gases; a boiler for generating steam; an enclosed space in which a portion of said boiler surface is a first wall of said enclosed space, a second wall separating the interior of the enclosed space from said convective hot gases, said second wall having openings for controlling the temperature of the hot gases admitted into said enclosed space; an ejector having an inlet connected to said enclosed space, whereby said ejector mixes steam and hot gases drawn from said enclosed space to form a homogeneous mixture and forces said mixture over frozen food supported in said thawing chamber.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device in accordance with claim 19 whereby said thawing chamber is heated by said hot gases.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
67 words
A device for thawing and heating frozen food, comprising: means for defining a chamber; means within said chamber for supporting frozen food; means for providing a source of hot gases; means for vaporizing water; means for homogeneously intermixing said hot gases and water vapor externally of said chamber; and means for forcing said homogeneously intermixed gases and vapor over the frozen food positioned on said supporting means.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
67 words
A device for thawing and heating frozen food, comprising: means for defining a chamber; means within said chamber for supporting frozen food; means for providing a source of hot gases; means for vaporizing water; means for homogeneously intermixing said hot gases and water vapor externally of said chamber; and means for forcing said homogeneously intermixed gases and vapor over the frozen food positioned on said supporting means.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
88 words
A device for thawing and heating frozen food, comprising: means for defining a thawing chamber having inlet and outlet means; means for providing a source of convective hot gases; means for generating steam; means for defining an enclosed space; means for controlling the admittance of hot gases into said enclosed space; ejector means for mixing hot gases drawn from the enclosed space with steam from the steam generating means, and forcing a homogenized mixture of hot gases and steam over the frozen food supported in the thawing chamber.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
88 words
A device for thawing and heating frozen food, comprising: means for defining a thawing chamber having inlet and outlet means; means for providing a source of convective hot gases; means for generating steam; means for defining an enclosed space; means for controlling the admittance of hot gases into said enclosed space; ejector means for mixing hot gases drawn from the enclosed space with steam from the steam generating means, and forcing a homogenized mixture of hot gases and steam over the frozen food supported in the thawing chamber.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device in accordance with claim 22 whereby the thawing chamber is heated by the convective hot gases.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-13 | 1975-03-15 | 1975-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-13 | 1979-03-15 | 1979-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-13 | 1983-03-15 | 1983-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |