Process for concentrating liquid foods

Claim 2

A JUICE WHICH CONTAINS UNDISSOLVED MATERIAL IS SUBJECTED TO A SEPARATION TREATMENT, E.G., SCREENING, FILTRATION, OR CENTRIFUGATION.II. THE RESULTING CLARIFIED JUICE IS APPLIED TO ONE SIDE OF A MEMBRANE WHILE HEATED AIR IS APPLIED TO THE OTHER SIDE THEREOF TO EVAPORATE WATER WHICH DIFFUSES THROUGH THE MEMBRANE. CONCOMITANTLY COOLING IS APPLIED TO THE JUICE TO PREVENT DAMAGE THEREOF. III. THE CONCENTRATED JUICE FORMED IN THE DIFFUSION PROCESS IS THEN BLENDED WITH THE UNDISSOLVED MATERIAL SEPARATED FROM THE ORIGINAL JUICE IN STEP 1.

Claim 3

The process of claim 1 wherein the juice is tomato juice which contains a pulp of undissolved fibrous particles, pigments, and pectin.

Claim 4

Apparatus for concentrating juices comprising, in combination a. a first header, b. a second header disposed beneath the first header, c. a plurality of tubular membranes mounted vertically between said headers and supported solely at their tops and bottoms by said headers, d. an enclosure about the tubular membranes but spaced therefrom, e. means for impelling a current of gas heated to 90* to 165* F., through the enclosure and against the outer surfaces of the tubular membranes, f. means for feeding a juice into the first header for passage through the tubular membranes, g. means for withdrawing concentrated juice from the second header, and h. a circulation loop communicating with the first and second header, the loop including a circulating pump and a cooler for maintaining the juice at a predetermined temperature of 50* to 85* F.

Claim 5

Apparatus for concentrating juices comprising, in combination a. a first header, b. a second header disposed beneath the first header, c. a plurality of tubular membranes mounted vertically between said headers and supported solely at their tops and bottoms by said headers, d. an enclosure about the tubular membranes but spaced therefrom, e. means for impelling a current of gas heated to 90* to 165* F., through the enclosure and against the outer surfaces of the tubular membranes, f. means for feeding a juice into the first header for passage through the tubular membranes, g. means for withdrawing concentrated juice from the second header, and h. a circulation loop communicating with the first and second header, the loop including a circulating pump and a cooler for maintaining the juice at a predetermined temperature of 50* to 85* F.