Agglomeration of instant coffee
Abstract
Abstract TNHIS INVENTION RELATES TO THE AGGLOMERATION OF WATER SOLUBLE PRODUCTS IN FINE POWDER FORM SUCH AS COFFEE WHEREIN THE PRODUCT IS FORMED INTO A FALLING CURTAIN AND THEN CARRIED IN A HORIZONTAL DIRECTION BY JETS OF STEAM THAT ARE DIRECTED THROUGH THE CURTAIN. THE USE OF STEAM JETS IN THE AGGLOMERATION OF COFFEE IN THIS WAY IS NOT BROADLY NEW. THE NOVEL ASPECT OF THIS INVENTION IS THE PERFORMING OF THE STEAM ENTRAINING FUNCTION OVER A CONVEYOR SO THAT AS THE STEAM AGGLOMERATED POWDER DROPS, IT IS CAUGHT BY THE CONVEYOR. THE SUCCESSFUL OPERATION OF THE AGGLOMERATION PROCESS IN THIS WAY DEPENDS UPON THE CONTROLLING OF THE ATMOSPHERE ABOVE THE CONVEYOR AND IN THIS RESPECT, THE EXCESS MOISTURE FROM THE STEAM JETS MUST BE EXHAUSTED FROM THE ATMOSPHERE ABOVE THE CONVEYOR AT A RATE THAT MAINTAINS A VAPOUR CLOUD ABOVE A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE CONVEYOR THAT IS CAPABLE OF IMPARTING MOISTURE TO SOME OF THE PRODUCT AS IT FALLS ON THE CONVEYOR AND DURING ITS RESIDENCE TIME ON THE CONVEYOR. D R A W I N G
Inventors
- 👤 W Purves
- 👤 W Lee
- 👤 P Davies
- 👤 W Jeffery
Bibliographic Details
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 0References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1976-06-18 | 1976-12-18 | 1977-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-18 | 1980-12-18 | 1981-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-18 | 1984-12-18 | 1985-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |