US3718485A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Food dehydration method
Assignee: Vacu-Dry Co
•
Filing: 1970-07-01
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Granted: 1973-02-27
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Expires: 1990-07-01
Abstract
Abstract A method for uniformly controlling the amount of medium and moisture residuals in processes for dehydrating particulate comestibles by contact with a heated liquid heat transfer medium within an evacuated drying region wherein each piece of comestible alternately is moved into contact with circulating medium to heat and vaporize its contained-moisture and then removed from such contact substantially into an adjacent vapor space to release a major portion of the vaporized moisture directly into that space and food products having unique structure and composition which are produced by such method.
Inventors
- 👤 M Lankford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:31
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23L; A23L19/00; A23L19/03; A23L5/00; A23L5/10; A23L5/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
The process of claim 1, including the additional steps of centrifuging the liquid heat transfer medium from the surfaces of said comestible within said drying zone at a predetermined moisture content; cooling said comestible; increasing the pressure in said drying zone to atmospheric; and then removing the comestible from said drying zone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
In a process for removing moisture from a comestible by contacting it with a heated edible liquid heat transfer medium within an evacuated drying region, the improvement comprising the steps of maintaining a bath of medium in said drying region; simultaneously defining a vapor space within said drying region separate from and overlying said bath of medium; continuously and alternately, first moving the comestible into contact with the medium in said bath to vaporize its contained-moisture; and then moving said comestible at least to the surface of said bath adjacent to said vapor space to release a major portion of the vaporized contained-moisture substantially into said vapor space.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The process of claim 3, including the additional steps of centrifuging the liquid heat transfer medium from the surfaces of said comestible within said drying zone at a predetermined moisture content; cooling said comestible; increasing the pressure in said drying zone to atmospheric; and then removing the comestible from said drying zone.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US2473184A
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US3239946A
Cited
US3261694A
Cited
US3194670A
Cited
US3434410A
Cited
US3554038A
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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) | 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 |