US3846565A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of heating frozen food using sonic or ultrasonic wave energy
Assignee: Middleby Marshall Inc
•
Filing: 1972-08-03
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Granted: 1974-11-05
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Expires: 1992-08-03
Abstract
Abstract A method of heating frozen foods in which the food is placed in a heated medium, such as boiling water or heated oil, and vibratory wave energy in the sonic or ultrasonic range is directed through said heated medium and against the food to accelerate the heating of the food to an elevated temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 R Rosenberg
- 👤 J Nesbitt
- 👤 M Fejer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:08
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23B; A23B2/00; A23B2/50; A23B2/57; A23B2/80; A23B2/82
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
A METHOD OF HEATING A FROZEN FOOD COMPRISING THE STEPS: A. PROVIDING A HEATED MEDIUM; B. EXPOSING SAID FOOD TO SAID HEATED MEDIUM; AND C. DIRECTING VIBRATORY WAVE ENERGY IN THE SONIC OR ULTRASONIC RANGE THROUGH SAID HEATEF MEDIUM AND AGAINST SAID FOOD TO ASSIST SAID HEATED MEDIUM IN REHEATING SAID FOOD TO AN ELEVATED TEMPERATURE.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
56 words
A METHOD OF HEATING A FROZEN FOOD COMPRISING THE STEPS: A. PROVIDING A HEATED MEDIUM; B. EXPOSING SAID FOOD TO SAID HEATED MEDIUM; AND C. DIRECTING VIBRATORY WAVE ENERGY IN THE SONIC OR ULTRASONIC RANGE THROUGH SAID HEATEF MEDIUM AND AGAINST SAID FOOD TO ASSIST SAID HEATED MEDIUM IN REHEATING SAID FOOD TO AN ELEVATED TEMPERATURE.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of heating a package of frozen food comprising the steps: a. providing a liquid medium heated to a temperature above that of said food package; b. submerging said food package in said liquid medium; and c. directing vibratory wave energy in the sonic or ultrasonic range against said submerged food package to accelerate the heating thereof by said liquid medium.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of heating a package of frozen food comprising the steps: a. providing a liquid medium heated to a temperature above that of said food package; b. submerging said food package in said liquid medium; and c. directing vibratory wave energy in the sonic or ultrasonic range against said submerged food package to accelerate the heating thereof by said liquid medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said food package has been precooked; said step (a) including providing a liquid medium heated to a temperature of at least 170 degrees F; said step (c) including directing said vibRatory wave energy through said liquid medium and against said submerged food package to accelerate the heating of the package to a temperature of at least 170 degrees F.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said liquid medium is water and step (a) includes heating said water to its boiling temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the vibratory energy in step (c) is ultrasonic energy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the vibratory energy in step (c) is sonic energy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 and including the step of moving said food package within said liquid medium as said package is subjected to said vibratory wave energy.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 2 wherein step (a) includes providing an oil heated to a temperature of at least 330 degrees F and step (c) includes directing said vibratory wave energy through said oil and against said submerged food package.
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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) | 1977-11-04 | 1978-05-06 | 1978-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-04 | 1982-05-06 | 1982-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-04 | 1986-05-06 | 1986-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |