US3767548A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for continuous demineralization in food processing plants
Assignee: Morinaga Milk Industry Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1971-07-15
•
Granted: 1973-10-23
•
Expires: 1991-07-15
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus adapted for automatically controlled operation in powdered milk plants and other food processing plants. The method and apparatus are particularly suited for demineralizing milk and other liquids which are likely to degenerate by temperature conditions and the like during demineralization through a continuous processing that involves no degeneration of the product obtained and is well suited for automatic controlling.
Inventors
- 👤 K Okada
- 👤 K Yamazaki
- 👤 J Ohkuma
- 👤 M Tomita
- 👤 M Ono
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:54
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D61/00; B01D61/42; B01D61/44; A; A23; A23C; A23C9/00; A23C9/14; A23C9/144; B01D61/46; B01D61/463; B01J; B01J47/00; B01J47/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of detecting the mineral concentration in said liquid in each holding tank of said units, said detecting being effected by variations in electrical conductivity of said liquid, and means for controlling the supply of said liquid material according to detected values of said electrical conductivity to thereby regulate the mineral concentration to the desired value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 2 wherein values of electrical conductivity for controlling the initial supply of liquid material consist of values detected in the holding tank of the last of said circulating demineralization units.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
126 words
A continuous demineralization apparatus for use in liquid food processing plants comprising in combination, a raw material storage tank; a plurality of circulating demineralization units, each of said units comprising an electro-dialysis cell employing ion-exchange membranes and a holding tank storing a liquid to be demineralized by being repeatedly supplied to said dialysis cell; and a product holding tank for receiving a demineralized product, said raw material storage tank disposed for supplying liquid raw material to the holding tank of said first unit through valve means, and the holding tank of each of said units being adapted to receive liquid overflown from the holding tanks of a preceding unit with means to circulate said liquid in said holding tanks by associated pumps through corresponding dialysis cells.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said holding tanks of said circulating demineralization units are provided with means for measuring electric conductivity of the liquid therein and feed valve means disposed for controlled operation by said electriC conductivity measuring means to thereby maintain the mineral concentration in the product within said holding tank at a predetermined value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said raw material storage tank, said circulating demineralization units and said product holding tank are provided with separate cleaning liquid supply and collecting lines.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3440159A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-22 | 1977-04-23 | 1977-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-22 | 1981-04-23 | 1981-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-22 | 1985-04-23 | 1985-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |