US3626838A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Continuous microwave grain cooker
Assignee: DorRan Electronics Inc
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Filing: 1969-11-24
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Granted: 1971-12-14
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Expires: 1989-11-24
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for continuously cooking grain by means of microwaves in which the grain is fed continuously through a glass cylinder which extends through a microwave cavity. Water load jackets at the bottom and top of the cavity prevent undue leakage of microwave power at the input and output ports to maintain a safe level of leakage of microwaves.
Inventors
- 👤 Homi D Gorakhpurwalla
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:18
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B6/00; H05B6/64; H05B6/78; H05B6/784; A; A23; A23L; A23L7/00; A23L7/10; A23L7/197; A23L7/1975
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
A continuous apparatus for cooking grain, by means of microwave energy, to produce gelatinization, disruption of starches and softening of the grain, said apparatus comprising a vertically positioned glass tube, said glass tube having an inlet, an outlet and an intermediate portion between said inlet and outlet; means for feeding grain into the inlet of said glass tube; receptacle means positioned at the outlet of said tube for receiving and conveying grain from said tube; means operably associated and connected to said receptacle for varying the rate of feed therefrom; a microwave chamber positioned at, and surrounding said intermediate portion of said vertical glass tube, means for injecting and evenly distributing micRowave energy in said chamber whereby the temperature of the grain within said glass tube is raised to a temperature in the range of from about 130*-180* F. to produce gelatinization and disruption of the starches of the grain and softening of the kernels of the grain; first and second fluidtight, microwave energy-absorbing jackets positioned adjacent said microwave chamber, said first microwave energy-absorbing jacket being immediately above said chamber, said second microwave energy-absorbing jacket being immediately below said chamber, and means for circulating a dielectric liquid into and through said microwave energyabsorbing jackets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
A continuous apparatus for cooking grain, by means of microwave energy, to produce gelatinization, disruption of starches and softening of the grain, said apparatus comprising a vertically positioned glass tube, said glass tube having an inlet, an outlet and an intermediate portion between said inlet and outlet; means for feeding grain into the inlet of said glass tube; receptacle means positioned at the outlet of said tube for receiving and conveying grain from said tube; means operably associated and connected to said receptacle for varying the rate of feed therefrom; a microwave chamber positioned at, and surrounding said intermediate portion of said vertical glass tube, means for injecting and evenly distributing micRowave energy in said chamber whereby the temperature of the grain within said glass tube is raised to a temperature in the range of from about 130*-180* F. to produce gelatinization and disruption of the starches of the grain and softening of the kernels of the grain; first and second fluidtight, microwave energy-absorbing jackets positioned adjacent said microwave chamber, said first microwave energy-absorbing jacket being immediately above said chamber, said second microwave energy-absorbing jacket being immediately below said chamber, and means for circulating a dielectric liquid into and through said microwave energyabsorbing jackets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first and second microwave energy-absorbing jackets are each provided with an inner wall formed of plastic impregnated with fiber glass and an outer wall formed of plastic impregnated with fiber glass and with aluminum powder to trap the microwave energy in said jackets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
203 words
A continuous process for cooking grain, by means of microwave energy, to produce gelatinization and disruption of the starches of the grain and sufficient softening of the kernels of the grain so that the grain may be subsequently rolled into cohesive, highly nutritional flakes, said process comprising the steps of providing a vertically positioned glass tube; continuously feeding grain into the top of said tube so that the grain falls therethrough by gravity; subjecting said grain in said glass tube to microwave energy by injecting microwave energy into a chamber surrounding an intermediate portion of said glass tube whereby the temperature of the grain within said glass tube is raised to a temperature in the range of from about 130*-180* F. to produce gelatinization and disruption of the starches of the grain and softening of the kernels of the grain, continuously withdrawing said grain from the bottom of said tube while maintaining the rate of feed of said grain through said tube by controlling the rate of feed of said grain from said bottom of said tube, and containing microwave leakage from said chamber by circulating a dielectric liquid through fluidtight, microwave energy absorbing jackets positioned immediately above and below said microwave chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
203 words
A continuous process for cooking grain, by means of microwave energy, to produce gelatinization and disruption of the starches of the grain and sufficient softening of the kernels of the grain so that the grain may be subsequently rolled into cohesive, highly nutritional flakes, said process comprising the steps of providing a vertically positioned glass tube; continuously feeding grain into the top of said tube so that the grain falls therethrough by gravity; subjecting said grain in said glass tube to microwave energy by injecting microwave energy into a chamber surrounding an intermediate portion of said glass tube whereby the temperature of the grain within said glass tube is raised to a temperature in the range of from about 130*-180* F. to produce gelatinization and disruption of the starches of the grain and softening of the kernels of the grain, continuously withdrawing said grain from the bottom of said tube while maintaining the rate of feed of said grain through said tube by controlling the rate of feed of said grain from said bottom of said tube, and containing microwave leakage from said chamber by circulating a dielectric liquid through fluidtight, microwave energy absorbing jackets positioned immediately above and below said microwave chamber.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-13 | 1975-06-14 | 1975-12-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-13 | 1979-06-14 | 1979-12-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-13 | 1983-06-14 | 1983-12-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |