US3748691A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vaporizing apparatus for treatment of animal carcasses
Assignee: FEI Inc
•
Filing: 1971-07-28
•
Granted: 1973-07-31
•
Expires: 1991-07-28
Abstract
Abstract A compartmented housing is inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the horizontal, with a path being defined through the housing for travel of animal carcasses, such as poultry, therethrough. Spray nozzles project from a generally smooth inner surface of the housing for directing high temperature steam upon preselected portions of the animal carcasses. The entry of ambient air into the housing is regulated to maintain a desired temperature within the housing. A prewetting station initially wets the animal carcasses prior to entry into the compartmented housing.
Inventors
- 👤 B Snowden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:58
CPC Classifications
A; A22; A22C; A22C21/00; A22C21/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A vaporizing spray apparatus for treatment of animal carcasses comprising: an enclosed housing positioned to extend at a predetermined angle relative to the horizontal which is substantially less than 90*, an overhead conveyor supported and extending through said housing along a predetermined path along which the animal carcasses are carried, a supply of steam, means for adding water to the steam to supersaturate the steam, spray means supported on opposed wall portions of said housing for directing vaporized steam against the animal carcasses carried through the housing by the conveyor, means for selectively permitting and regulating the entry of ambient air into said housing to create an upward draft through said housing as required to regulate the housing internal temperature, and means for prewetting the animal carcasses before admittance into the said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A vaporizing spray apparatus for treatment of animal carcasses comprising: an enclosed housing positioned to extend at a predetermined angle relative to the horizontal which is substantially less than 90*, an overhead conveyor supported and extending through said housing along a predetermined path along which the animal carcasses are carried, a supply of steam, means for adding water to the steam to supersaturate the steam, spray means supported on opposed wall portions of said housing for directing vaporized steam against the animal carcasses carried through the housing by the conveyor, means for selectively permitting and regulating the entry of ambient air into said housing to create an upward draft through said housing as required to regulate the housing internal temperature, and means for prewetting the animal carcasses before admittance into the said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for prewetting comprises: a chamber through which the animals are passed, and a series of spray apertures directed parallel to the path of travel of the animals and directed along linear paths disposed at an angle to the horizontal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said series of spray apertures are slanted opposite to one another on opposite sides of the path of travel of the animals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means comprises spray apertures which oscillate with respect to the animals.
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) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |