Patent US3722401A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3722401A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for processing edible foodstuffs
Assignee: Lamb Weston Inc
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Filing: 1971-09-13
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1991-09-13
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for processing edible foodstuffs having a cylindrical casing and a screw conveyor coaxially disposed within the casing for transporting a food product from one end to a point adjacent the other. A vertical discharge flue is positioned adjacent the discharge end of the casing and is in communication with an opening at the bottom thereof. Heat-exchanging liquid is introduced into the casing through orifices in the bottom to heat or cool the product, as the case may be, and in an amount sufficient to fill the casing to a level above that of the screw conveyor. The liquid entrains the product at a point adjacent the discharge end of the casing causing it to flow through the bottom opening thereof and vertically up through the discharge flue from which it passes over a weir at the top thereof at a level substantially equal to the elevation of the liquid in the casing. The liquid assisted transport thereby achieves elevation of the product without risk of damage thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 A Davidson
- 👤 J Haubner
- 👤 G White
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:43
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47J; A47J37/00; A47J37/12; A47J37/1214; A23; A23N; A23N12/00; F; F28; F28C; F28C3/00; F28C3/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
Apparatus for processing edible foodstuffs comprising a horizontally disposed cylindrical casing having a plurality of orifices spaced longitudinally along the bottom thereof; means to introduce a food product into one end of said cylindrical casing; screw means coaxially disposed within said casing for transporting said food products from said one end of said casing to a point adjacent the other end of said casing; said casing having an end wall at said other end thereof; said end wall being provided with a discharge opening therein at the bottom of said casing; means continuously to introduce a product-treating liquid into said casing through said orifices in an amount sufficient to maintain the level of liquid in said casing at a predetermined level above said screw means and to entrain said food product and carry it through said discharge opening; a vertical discharge flue in communication with said discharge opening for receiving liquid and entrained product discharging therethrough; and weir means at the top of said flue at a level substantially equal to said predetermined level and over which said liquid and entrained product flows.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
Apparatus for processing edible foodstuffs comprising a horizontally disposed cylindrical casing having a plurality of orifices spaced longitudinally along the bottom thereof; means to introduce a food product into one end of said cylindrical casing; screw means coaxially disposed within said casing for transporting said food products from said one end of said casing to a point adjacent the other end of said casing; said casing having an end wall at said other end thereof; said end wall being provided with a discharge opening therein at the bottom of said casing; means continuously to introduce a product-treating liquid into said casing through said orifices in an amount sufficient to maintain the level of liquid in said casing at a predetermined level above said screw means and to entrain said food product and carry it through said discharge opening; a vertical discharge flue in communication with said discharge opening for receiving liquid and entrained product discharging therethrough; and weir means at the top of said flue at a level substantially equal to said predetermined level and over which said liquid and entrained product flows.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1, further comprising means adjacent said weir means to separate said product from said entraining liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as described in claIm 2, further comprising means to collect said product-separated liquid and recirculate it to said liquid introducing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as described in claim 3, further comprising a heat exchanger in communication with said collecting and recirculating means for exchanging heat with said product-separated liquid to restore said liquid to a given temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 in which said liquid introducing means comprises pipe means disposed adjacent said bottom of said casing, said pipe means being in communication with said orifices and being adapted to introduce said product treating liquid upwardly through said orifices into said casing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1, further comprising means to inject a plurality of jets of fluid upwardly into the bottom of said vertical discharge flue to lift said liquid flowing therethrough over said weir means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as described in claim 6 in which said fluid-injecting means comprise means to inject a plurality of jets of air into said bottom of said discharge flue.
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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) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |