US3647487A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Two-step method for producing sterilized ground spices
Assignee: Griffith Laboratories Ltd
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Filing: 1968-08-05
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Granted: 1972-03-07
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Expires: 1988-08-05
Abstract
Abstract Spices are effectively sterilized without the formation of untoward quantities of ethylene chlorohydrin by subjecting whole, unground spices to an atmosphere of ethylene oxide, which is effective to substantially kill the bacteria on the surface of the spices, grinding the thus treated spices, and finally subjecting the ground spices to an atmosphere of propylene oxide which is effective to substantially kill the remaining bacteria or any bacteria picked up during the grinding step.
Inventors
- 👤 Louis Sair
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 06:43
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23B; A23B2/00; A23B2/70; A23B2/704
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
39 words
A method of sterilizing a spice as described in claim 1, wherein about 0.75 ounce of ethylene oxide per cubic foot of volume for from about 3 to about 4 hours is used to sterilize said whole, unground spice.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of sterilizing a spice as described in claim 1, wherein about 2.25 ounces of propylene oxide per cubic foot of volume for from about 2 to about 5 hours is used to sterilize said ground spice.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of sterilizing a spice which comprises placing a whole unground spice in a retort means, evacuating air from said retort means in order to achieve a vacuum of at least 20 inches of mercury, introducing ethylene oxide to said retort means at a concentration and for a time sufficient to substantially sterilize said whole spice, removing said spice from said retort means, grinding said spice, placing said ground spice in a second retort means, evacuating said second retort means, introducing propylene oxide to said retort means at a concentration and for a time sufficient to substantially sterilize said ground spice, and removing said ground spice from said retort.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method of sterilizing a spice as described in claim 4, wherein about 0.75 ounce of ethylene oxide per cubic foot of volume for from about 3 to about 4 hours is used to sterilize said whole, unground spice.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of sterilizing a spice as described in claim 4, wherein about 2.25 ounces of propylene oxide per cubic foot of volume for from about 2 to about 5 hours is used to sterilize said ground spice.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2229360A
Cited
US3206275A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-07 | 1975-09-06 | 1976-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-07 | 1979-09-06 | 1980-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-07 | 1983-09-06 | 1984-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |