US3791630A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for washing, cooling and separating food products
Assignee: Berwind Corp
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Filing: 1971-03-19
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1991-03-19
Abstract
Abstract Process and apparatus for separating, washing and/or cooling food products wherein food particles transported in a fluid are introduced into the lower portion of a processing chamber. Fluid is passed upwardly through the particles and removed from the upper portion of the chamber, while the particles remain in the lower portion of the chamber. The particles are cooled by washing them with fluid at successively lower temperatures, and a single volume of fluid can be used for successive washes to minimize waste disposal, or to result in so little waste that it could be concentrated and dried.
Inventors
- 👤 H Hinds
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:19
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23N; A23N12/00; A23N12/02; A01; A01J; A01J25/00; A01J25/11; A01J25/118
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
In apparatus for washing, cooling and separating food products: an upright tank having a cylindrical side wall and a bottom wall with a conically raised central portion disposed coaxially of the side wall and an annular outer portion extending between the raised portion and the lower portion of the side wall, means closing the top of the tank, food product inlet and outlet means defining a flow passageway opening through the lower portion of the side wall and extending in a direction tangential to the side wall, liquid inlet means comprising a plurality of nozzles mounted on the lower portion of the side wall and oriented for directing liquid into the lower portion of the tank in a direction generally tangential to the side wall, and outlet means for removing liquid from the upper portion of the tank.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
In apparatus for washing, cooling and separating food products: an upright tank having a cylindrical side wall and a bottom wall with a conically raised central portion disposed coaxially of the side wall and an annular outer portion extending between the raised portion and the lower portion of the side wall, means closing the top of the tank, food product inlet and outlet means defining a flow passageway opening through the lower portion of the side wall and extending in a direction tangential to the side wall, liquid inlet means comprising a plurality of nozzles mounted on the lower portion of the side wall and oriented for directing liquid into the lower portion of the tank in a direction generally tangential to the side wall, and outlet means for removing liquid from the upper portion of the tank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein the outlet means includes an outlet tube disposed coaxially of the side wall and extending into the tank from the top, said tube having an opening spaced a predetermined distance above the bottom wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
106 words
In apparatus for washing, cooling and separating food products: an upright tank having a cylindrical side wall and a downwardly extending conical bottom wall disposed coaxially of said side wall, means closing the top of the tank, food product inlet and outlet means at the apex of the bottom wall for delivering a food product to and from the lower portion of the tank, manifold and header pipe means mounted on the outside of the tank for introducing liquid into the lower portion of the tank, and overflow drain means toward the top of the tank for removing liquid above a predetermined level from the tank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
106 words
In apparatus for washing, cooling and separating food products: an upright tank having a cylindrical side wall and a downwardly extending conical bottom wall disposed coaxially of said side wall, means closing the top of the tank, food product inlet and outlet means at the apex of the bottom wall for delivering a food product to and from the lower portion of the tank, manifold and header pipe means mounted on the outside of the tank for introducing liquid into the lower portion of the tank, and overflow drain means toward the top of the tank for removing liquid above a predetermined level from the tank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the manifold and header pipe comprises a manifold assembly mounted on the side wall and a pluralitY of header pipes extending from the manifold assembly to spaced apart inlet openings in the bottom wall.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 3 wherein the food product inlet and outlet means includes a valve for controlling the passage of the food product to and from the tank.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 3 together with means connected to the overflow drain means and the manifold and header pipe means for passing the same body of liquid through the tank a plurality of times.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the means connected to the overflow drain means and the manifold and header pipe means includes means for cooling the liquid between successive passes through the tank.
References 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) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |