US3678244A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Film shrinking tunnel utilizing hot air and water as heat transfer medium
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-06-18
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Granted: 1972-07-18
•
Expires: 1991-06-18
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for shrinking the film around packaged food products such as meats, cheeses and the like, which utilizes a combination of hot oven air and water as a heat transfer medium to the packaged food products by completely surrounding the products with a hot wet mist cloud, at a carefully controlled temperature, so as to produce an ideal condition for effecting a shrink rate near the maximum capability of the film and best suited for individual products.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul W Worline
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 02:56
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B53/00; B65B53/02; B65B53/06; B65B53/063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
239 words
An apparatus for shrinking the heat-shrink film around packaged food products, such as meats, cheeses and the like, which comprises: a. a frame supporting an oven having enclosing insulated walls which define a tunnel the end walls of which are provided with oppositely spaced openings to provide for the ingress and egress of said packaged food products; b. free swinging curtains attached to each end of said oven so as to cover said openings; c. support means within said oven for supporting said packaged food products; d. electrical heating means positioned beneath said supporting means, said heating means including in combination therewith control means for maintaining the temperature within said oven at a temperature of at least 212*F. e. a vaporizer pan disposed between said supporting means and said heating means; f. a water heater including first thermostat means which maintain the temperature of said water within the range of about 190* to 210* F; and g. a plurality of atomizing nozzles positioned in said oven above said supporting means, each of said nozzles being operatively connected to said water heater and being capable of producing a full cone of water vapor; whereby said packaged food products in said oven are completely surrounded with a hot wet mist cloud, at a carefully controlled temperature, so as to produce an ideal condition for effecting a shrink rate near the maximum capability of said film and best suited for individual products.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
239 words
An apparatus for shrinking the heat-shrink film around packaged food products, such as meats, cheeses and the like, which comprises: a. a frame supporting an oven having enclosing insulated walls which define a tunnel the end walls of which are provided with oppositely spaced openings to provide for the ingress and egress of said packaged food products; b. free swinging curtains attached to each end of said oven so as to cover said openings; c. support means within said oven for supporting said packaged food products; d. electrical heating means positioned beneath said supporting means, said heating means including in combination therewith control means for maintaining the temperature within said oven at a temperature of at least 212*F. e. a vaporizer pan disposed between said supporting means and said heating means; f. a water heater including first thermostat means which maintain the temperature of said water within the range of about 190* to 210* F; and g. a plurality of atomizing nozzles positioned in said oven above said supporting means, each of said nozzles being operatively connected to said water heater and being capable of producing a full cone of water vapor; whereby said packaged food products in said oven are completely surrounded with a hot wet mist cloud, at a carefully controlled temperature, so as to produce an ideal condition for effecting a shrink rate near the maximum capability of said film and best suited for individual products.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said supporting means comprises a flexible, foraminous belt which is movable through said oven, and wherein means are provided for controlling the speed of said belt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said belt comprises a rOd conveyor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said oven heating means comprises a plurality of pan heaters and a plurality of air convection heaters, said air convection heaters being positioned beneath said pan heaters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
123 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said control means comprises an indicating thermostat having a first pointer which indicates the temperature within said oven and a second pointer which may be set at a desired temperature, said indicating thermostat controlling the operation of a group of said air convection heaters, whereby when said first pointer reaches said second pointer, said indicating thermostat switches off said group of convection heaters connected thereto, causing the temperature in said oven to fall, and after the temperature in said oven has fallen slightly, said indicating thermostat thereupon switches said group of air convection heaters back on again so that the temperature within said oven will remain very close to the temperature set by said second pointer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said control means includes a percentage input controller connected to a group of air convection heaters, said percentage input controller being adjustable so as to change the percentage of heat output from said group of air convection heaters connected thereto so as to compensate for lower than normal temperatures in said oven which may result from the introduction thereto of a large number of cold products.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said pan heaters and said air convection heaters are of U-type configuration and extend transversely of said supporting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a pressure regulator is associated with said water heater to regulate the pressure of water introduced thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a solenoid valve is associated with said water heater to control the flow of water therefrom to said atomizing nozzles, said solenoid valve being open when said water heater is on.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said shrink tunnel is equipped with a temperature warning light controlled by a thermostat located at the discharge end of said tunnel, said thermostat being pre-set for a temperature which should not be exceeded, whereby said warning light will come on when the temperature within said oven exceeds said pre-set temperature.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, including a high temperature safety electrical disconnect system which automatically shuts down said apparatus when it is overheated.
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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) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |