US3718082A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for continuous electromagnetic sterilization
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-04-20
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Granted: 1973-02-27
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Expires: 1991-04-20
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for sterilizing food in a continuous process with the aid of electromagnetic energy. A conveyor conducts food into and out from a pressure vessel that encloses and pressurizes an electromagnetic sterilizing tunnel and a cooling means, through both of which the conveyor conducts the food. The pressure vessel has pressure retaining means at the loci where the conveyor enters and leaves the tank. The food may be either in or out of containers; if in containers, the containers may be either open or closed and sealed, so long as the containers are of a type transparent to the electromagnetic energy being used. If the containers are not closed, a container sealing device is interposed between the sterilizing tunnel and the following cooling means. If the food has not been put in containers at all when it enters the pressure vessel, it is packaged inside the pressure vessel. Having the sterilizing and cooling done under pressure enables the use of high temperature sterilization and enables prevention of overcooking as well as preservation of the basic texture and shape of the food being treated. Superheated steam may be used in the sterilization step.
Inventors
- 👤 S Lipoma
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:54
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23B; A23B2/00; A23B2/05; A23B2/08; A23B2/20; A23B2/22; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S99/00; Y10S99/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
Apparatus for sterilizing food and the like, including in combination: a pressure vessel, conveyor means for conveying said food into, through, and out from said pressure vessel, pressure-retaining means on said pressure vessel at the loci where said conveyor means enters and leaves said pressure vessel, an electromagnetic sterilizing tunnel contained fully within said pressure vessel and subject internally to the pressure in said pressure vessel, said tunnel having an entrance and an exit, with said conveyor means passing through said tunnel viA said entrance and exit, the path therethrough being at a speed and for a length sufficient to insure sterilization of the food conveyed by said conveyor means, at a temperature higher than 100* C. and at a pressure sufficiently above atmospheric that the temperature is below the boiling point of water at that pressure, and cooling means in said pressure vessel beyond said tunnel for cooling the food that is passed through said tunnel below 100* C., said conveyor means passing through said cooling means after passing through said tunnel and prior to passing through the pressure retaining means at the locus where said conveyor leaves said pressure vessel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
Apparatus for sterilizing food and the like, including in combination: a pressure vessel, conveyor means for conveying said food into, through, and out from said pressure vessel, pressure-retaining means on said pressure vessel at the loci where said conveyor means enters and leaves said pressure vessel, an electromagnetic sterilizing tunnel contained fully within said pressure vessel and subject internally to the pressure in said pressure vessel, said tunnel having an entrance and an exit, with said conveyor means passing through said tunnel viA said entrance and exit, the path therethrough being at a speed and for a length sufficient to insure sterilization of the food conveyed by said conveyor means, at a temperature higher than 100* C. and at a pressure sufficiently above atmospheric that the temperature is below the boiling point of water at that pressure, and cooling means in said pressure vessel beyond said tunnel for cooling the food that is passed through said tunnel below 100* C., said conveyor means passing through said cooling means after passing through said tunnel and prior to passing through the pressure retaining means at the locus where said conveyor leaves said pressure vessel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said food enters said pressure vessel in a closed and sealed package that acts substantially as a window for the electromagnetic energy in said tunnel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the food is conveyed into said pressure vessel in an open package and wherein there is in said pressure vessel sealing means for closing the package after it has been sterilized in said tunnel and before it is carried by said conveyor through the pressure retaining means as it leaves said pressure vessel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said sealing means lies between said tunnel and said cooling means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said product is conveyed by said conveyor means into said pressure vessel unpackaged and wherein there is packaging and sealing means inside said pressure vessel, to which it is brought and from which it is conveyed away by said conveyor means after said conveyor means has passed through said tunnel and before it leaves said pressure vessel through said pressure-retaining means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said packaging and sealing means lies between said tunnel and said cooling means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electromagnetic energy in said tunnel is microwave energy and wherein there is a power unit for generating said microwave energy and wave guide means for conducting microwave energy to said tunnel and wherein said tunnel is provided at each end with shielding means for preventing the exit of electromagnetic energy there.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said power unit is outside said pressure vessel and wherein said wave guide is provided with an electromagnetic-energy-transparent closure means preventing egress of pressure from said pressure vessel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electromagnetic energy is infra-red energy and wherein said tunnel comprises a plurality of infra-red lamps, means for generating infra-red energy at said lamps, and means for conducting power for said means for generating into said pressurized tank from outside to said infra-red lamps.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 having boiler means for generating superheated steam and a conduit connecting said boiler means to said tunnel for injecting steam under pressure into said tunnel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said boiler means is outside said pressure vessel and said conduit leads through a sealed opening into said pressure vessel.
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) | 1976-02-27 | 1976-08-28 | 1977-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-27 | 1980-08-28 | 1981-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-27 | 1984-08-28 | 1985-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |