US3873753A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for processing and storing tomatoes
Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
•
Filing: 1972-04-14
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1992-04-14
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed herein is a process for making and aseptically storing a single strength or concentrated crushed tomato product. The tomatoes are washed and chopped, cooled to about 40*F., heated to 190*-200* F., deaerated, heated to about 250* F. for about 42 seconds, cooled to about ambient temperature, and then stored under aseptic conditions. In the preferred process the heating and cooling steps are carried out in a heat exchanger so that the heat necessary to heat the 40* F. product to 190*-200* F. is provided by the product previously heated to 250* F. The product heated to 250* F. is thereby cooled to 100* F. In a modification of the process when a concentrated product is to be stored, the tomatoes are washed, chopped, cooled, and heated to 190*-200* F. and are thereafter finished and a portion of the liquid evaporated. Thereafter the product is heated to kill the microorganism Bacillus Coagulans and then cooled to about ambient temperature and stored. In a further modification of the process, the tomatoes are washed, chopped, cooled, initially heated to 190*-200* F., then subjected to finishing and evaporating operations to form a concentrated product which is packaged without further storage.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip E Nelson
- 👤 Glenn H Sullivan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 17:52
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23B; A23B7/00; A23B7/005; A23B7/0053; A23B7/02; A23B7/0205; A23B7/14; A23B7/153; A23B7/154; A23B7/157; A23L; A23L19/00; A23L19/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
20 words
A PROCESS FOR INCREASING THE VISCOSITY OF A CRUSHED, TOMATO PRODUCT COMPRISING, A. WASHING UNCOOKED TOMATOES; B. CHOPPING SAID TOMATOES;
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
20 words
A PROCESS FOR INCREASING THE VISCOSITY OF A CRUSHED, TOMATO PRODUCT COMPRISING, A. WASHING UNCOOKED TOMATOES; B. CHOPPING SAID TOMATOES;
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
A process for increasing the viscosity of a crushed tomato product comprising, a. washing uncooked tomatoes; b. chopping said tomatoes; c. cooling said tomatoes to a temperature of below about 50* F.; and d. heating said tomatoes to a temperature of at least about 190* F.; and e. subsequently heating said tomatoes to a temperature of at least 245* F. and maintaining said tomatoes at that temperature for a time sufficient to destroy the micro-organism Bacillus Coagulans.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
A process for increasing the viscosity of a crushed tomato product comprising, a. washing uncooked tomatoes; b. chopping said tomatoes; c. cooling said tomatoes to a temperature of below about 50* F.; and d. heating said tomatoes to a temperature of at least about 190* F.; and e. subsequently heating said tomatoes to a temperature of at least 245* F. and maintaining said tomatoes at that temperature for a time sufficient to destroy the micro-organism Bacillus Coagulans.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
A process for sterilizing and aseptically storing in bulk a single strength, crushed tomato product comprising the steps of a. washing tomatoes; b. chopping said tomatoes; c. cooling said tomatoes to a temperature of below about 50* F.; d. subjecting said tomatoes to a first heating step; e. deaerating said tomatoes; f. subjecting said tomatoes to a second heating step sufficient to destroy the microorganism Bacillus Coagulans; g. cooling said tomatoes; and h. aseptically storing in bulk said tomatoes so processed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
A process for sterilizing and aseptically storing in bulk a single strength, crushed tomato product comprising the steps of a. washing tomatoes; b. chopping said tomatoes; c. cooling said tomatoes to a temperature of below about 50* F.; d. subjecting said tomatoes to a first heating step; e. deaerating said tomatoes; f. subjecting said tomatoes to a second heating step sufficient to destroy the microorganism Bacillus Coagulans; g. cooling said tomatoes; and h. aseptically storing in bulk said tomatoes so processed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the temperature said tomatoes are cooled to in said step (c) is about 40* F. and the temperature said tomatoes are heated to in said first heating stee (d) is between 190* to 200* F.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 4 wherein in said second heating step (f) said tomatoes are heated to a temperature of about 250* F. and held at that temperature for about 42 seconds.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the temperature said tomatoes are heated to in said first heating step (d) is between 190* to 200* F. and wherein said second heating step (f) said tomatoes are heated to a temperature of about 250* F. and held there for about 42 seconds.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said tomatoes are deaerated in a vacuum of about 3 to 5 inches of mercury.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said tomatoes are cooled in step (g) to below 100* F.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process of claim 3 wherein a sufficient amount of hydrochloric acid is added in steps (b), (c), (d) or (e) so as to provide a tomato product having a pH of about 2 and wherein said acid is subsequently neutralized.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 9 wherein said acid is added during said deaerating step (e) and said deaerating is effected in a vacuum of about three to five inches of mercury.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process of claim 6 wherein a sufficient amount of hydrochloric acid is added in steps (b), (c), (d) or (e) so as to provide a tomato product having a pH of about 2 and wherein said acid is subsequently neutralized.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said acid is added during said deaerating step (e) and said deaerating is effected in a vacuum of about 3 to 5 inches of mercury.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said tomatoes are aseptically stored in an inert atmosphere.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said inert atmosphere is nitrogen.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the heat required for said first heating step is supplied by tomatoes which have previously been subjected to said second heatIng step.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said cooling step (g) includes using cooled tomatoes of step (c).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process of claim 3 including the step of maintaining said tomatoes at a temperature of below 50* F. for a period of several minutes before said tomatoes are subjected to said first heating step.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the temperature said tomatoes are cooled to in step (c) is about 40* F., the process further including the step of holding said tomatoes at said temperature for approximately 4 minutes before said tomatoes are subjected to said first heating step.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
103 words
A process for sterilizing and aseptically storing in bulk a concentrated, crushed tomato product comprising the steps of a. washing tomatoes; b. chopping said tomatoes; c. cooling said tomatoes to a temperature of below about 50* F.; d. subjecting said tomatoes to a first heating step; e. subjecting said tomatoes to a finishing operation in which the tomato seeds and skin are removed; f. evaporating a portion of the liquid from said tomatoes; g. subjecting said tomatoes to a second heating step sufficient to destroy the microorganism Bacillus Coagulans; h. cooling said tomatoes; and i. aseptically storing in bulk said tomatoes so processed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
103 words
A process for sterilizing and aseptically storing in bulk a concentrated, crushed tomato product comprising the steps of a. washing tomatoes; b. chopping said tomatoes; c. cooling said tomatoes to a temperature of below about 50* F.; d. subjecting said tomatoes to a first heating step; e. subjecting said tomatoes to a finishing operation in which the tomato seeds and skin are removed; f. evaporating a portion of the liquid from said tomatoes; g. subjecting said tomatoes to a second heating step sufficient to destroy the microorganism Bacillus Coagulans; h. cooling said tomatoes; and i. aseptically storing in bulk said tomatoes so processed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process of claim 19 wherein the temperature said tomatoes are cooled to in said step (c) is about 40* F. and the temperature said tomatoes are heated to in said first heating step (d) is between 190* to 200* F.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 19 wherein the tomatoes are aseptically stored in an inert atmosphere.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 19 wherein the heat required for said first heating step is supplied by tomatoes which have previously been subjected to said second heating step.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
122 words
A process for sterilizing and aseptically storing in bulk a tomato product consisting essentially of the steps of washing the tomatoes to be processed, chopping said tomatoes into pieces, cooling said tomatoes to about 40* to 50*F., effecting an initial heating of said tomatoes to about 190* to 200* F., deaerating said tomatoes, heating sid tomatoes to about 250* F. and holding said tomatoes at said temperature for a time sufficient to destroy the organism Bacillus Coagulans, cooling said tomatoes to below about 100*F., and aseptically storing said tomatoes in an inert atmosphere, the initial heating of said tomatoes being effected by causing said tomatoes to pass in heat exchange relationship with other tomatoes which have previously been heated to about 250*F.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
122 words
A process for sterilizing and aseptically storing in bulk a tomato product consisting essentially of the steps of washing the tomatoes to be processed, chopping said tomatoes into pieces, cooling said tomatoes to about 40* to 50*F., effecting an initial heating of said tomatoes to about 190* to 200* F., deaerating said tomatoes, heating sid tomatoes to about 250* F. and holding said tomatoes at said temperature for a time sufficient to destroy the organism Bacillus Coagulans, cooling said tomatoes to below about 100*F., and aseptically storing said tomatoes in an inert atmosphere, the initial heating of said tomatoes being effected by causing said tomatoes to pass in heat exchange relationship with other tomatoes which have previously been heated to about 250*F.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
104 words
The process for preparing a tomato product comprising a. washing uncooked tomatoes; b. chopping said tomatoes; c. cooling said tomatoes to a temperature of below about 50* F.; and maintaining said tomatoes at said temperature below 50*F before (d) heating said tomatoes to a temperature of at least 190* F; e. subjecting said tomatoes to a finishing operation in which the seeds and skin are removed from the product; f. evaporating a portion of the liquid from said tomatoes, whereby the solids content of said product is in the range of from 6 to 32 percent; g. thereafter introducing said product into a container.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
104 words
The process for preparing a tomato product comprising a. washing uncooked tomatoes; b. chopping said tomatoes; c. cooling said tomatoes to a temperature of below about 50* F.; and maintaining said tomatoes at said temperature below 50*F before (d) heating said tomatoes to a temperature of at least 190* F; e. subjecting said tomatoes to a finishing operation in which the seeds and skin are removed from the product; f. evaporating a portion of the liquid from said tomatoes, whereby the solids content of said product is in the range of from 6 to 32 percent; g. thereafter introducing said product into a container.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 24 wherein the temperature said tomatoes are cooled to in step (c) is about 40* F.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
124 words
A system for sterilizing and increasing the viscosity of a tomato product made from tomatoes which have been washed, said system comprising means for chopping said tomatoes into pieces, first cooling means for cooling said tomatoes to a temperature of below about 50* F., first heating means for heating said tomatoes to between 190* F. and 200* F., first transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said first cooling means to said first heating means, a finisher for finishing said tomatoes, an evaporator, second transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said first heating means to said finisher and evaporator, means for filling containers with said tomato product, and third transporting means for transporting tomatoes from said finisher and evaporator to said filling means.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
124 words
A system for sterilizing and increasing the viscosity of a tomato product made from tomatoes which have been washed, said system comprising means for chopping said tomatoes into pieces, first cooling means for cooling said tomatoes to a temperature of below about 50* F., first heating means for heating said tomatoes to between 190* F. and 200* F., first transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said first cooling means to said first heating means, a finisher for finishing said tomatoes, an evaporator, second transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said first heating means to said finisher and evaporator, means for filling containers with said tomato product, and third transporting means for transporting tomatoes from said finisher and evaporator to said filling means.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
180 words
A system for sterilizing and storing in bulk tomatoes which have been washed comprising in combination, means for chopping said tomatoes into pieces, first cooling means for cooling said tomatoes to a temperature of below about 50* F., first heating means for heating said tomatoes to between 190* F. and 200* F., first transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said first cooling means to said first heating means, means for deaerating said tomatoes, second transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said first heating means to said deaerating means, second heating means for heating said tomatoes to a temperature effective to destroy the microorganism Bacillus Coagulans, third transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said deaerator to said second heating means, second cooling means for cooling said tomatoes to below 100* F., fourth transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said second heating means to said first heating means and said second cooling means, means for aseptically storing said tomatoes in bulk, and fifth transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said second cooling means to said storing means.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
180 words
A system for sterilizing and storing in bulk tomatoes which have been washed comprising in combination, means for chopping said tomatoes into pieces, first cooling means for cooling said tomatoes to a temperature of below about 50* F., first heating means for heating said tomatoes to between 190* F. and 200* F., first transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said first cooling means to said first heating means, means for deaerating said tomatoes, second transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said first heating means to said deaerating means, second heating means for heating said tomatoes to a temperature effective to destroy the microorganism Bacillus Coagulans, third transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said deaerator to said second heating means, second cooling means for cooling said tomatoes to below 100* F., fourth transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said second heating means to said first heating means and said second cooling means, means for aseptically storing said tomatoes in bulk, and fifth transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said second cooling means to said storing means.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
185 words
A system for sterilizing and storing in bulk tomatoes which have been washed comprising in combination, means for chopping said tomatoes into pieces, first cooling means for cooling said tomatoes to a temperature of below about 50* F., first heating means for heating said tomatoes to between 190* F. and 200* F., first transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said first cooling means to said first heating means, a finisher for finishing said tomatoes, an evaporator, second transporting means for transporting tomatoes from said first heating means to said finisher and evaporator, second heating means for heating said tomatoes to a temperature effective to destroy the microorganism Bacillus Cagulans, third transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said finisher and evaporator to said second heating means, second cooling means for cooling said tomatoes to below 100* F., fourth transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said second heating means to said first heating means and said second cooling means, means for aseptically storing said tomatoes in bulk, and fifth transportion means for transporting said tomatoes from said second cooling means to said storing means.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
185 words
A system for sterilizing and storing in bulk tomatoes which have been washed comprising in combination, means for chopping said tomatoes into pieces, first cooling means for cooling said tomatoes to a temperature of below about 50* F., first heating means for heating said tomatoes to between 190* F. and 200* F., first transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said first cooling means to said first heating means, a finisher for finishing said tomatoes, an evaporator, second transporting means for transporting tomatoes from said first heating means to said finisher and evaporator, second heating means for heating said tomatoes to a temperature effective to destroy the microorganism Bacillus Cagulans, third transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said finisher and evaporator to said second heating means, second cooling means for cooling said tomatoes to below 100* F., fourth transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said second heating means to said first heating means and said second cooling means, means for aseptically storing said tomatoes in bulk, and fifth transportion means for transporting said tomatoes from said second cooling means to said storing means.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
171 words
A system for sterilizing and storing in bulk tomatoes which have been washed comprising in combination, means for chopping said tomatoes into pieces, first cooling means for cooling said tomatoes to a temperature of below about 50* F., counterflow heat exchanger means for heating said tomatoes to between 190* F. and 200* F., first transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said first cooling means to said counterflow heat exchanger, means for deaerating said tomatoes, second transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said counterflow heat exchanger to said deaerating means, heating means for heating said tomatoes to a temperature effective to destroy the microorganism Bacillus Coagulans, third transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said deaerator to Said heating means, fourth transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said heating means to said counterflow heat exchanger, said exchanger being effective to cool said tomatoes, means for aseptically storing said tomatoes in bulk, and fifth transporting means for transporting said cooled tomatoes from said counterflow heat exchanger to said storing means.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
171 words
A system for sterilizing and storing in bulk tomatoes which have been washed comprising in combination, means for chopping said tomatoes into pieces, first cooling means for cooling said tomatoes to a temperature of below about 50* F., counterflow heat exchanger means for heating said tomatoes to between 190* F. and 200* F., first transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said first cooling means to said counterflow heat exchanger, means for deaerating said tomatoes, second transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said counterflow heat exchanger to said deaerating means, heating means for heating said tomatoes to a temperature effective to destroy the microorganism Bacillus Coagulans, third transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said deaerator to Said heating means, fourth transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said heating means to said counterflow heat exchanger, said exchanger being effective to cool said tomatoes, means for aseptically storing said tomatoes in bulk, and fifth transporting means for transporting said cooled tomatoes from said counterflow heat exchanger to said storing means.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
176 words
A system for sterilizing and storing in bulk tomatoes which have been washed comprising in combination, means for chopping said tomatoes into pieces, first cooling means for cooling said tomatoes to a temperature of below about 50* F., counterflow heat exchanger means for heating said tomatoes to between 190* F. and 200* F., first transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said first cooling means to said counterflow heat exchanger, a finisher for finishing said tomatoes, an evaporator, second transporting means for transporting tomatoes from said counterflow heat exchanger to said finisher and evaporator, heating means for heating said tomatoes to a temperature effective to destroy the microorganism Bacillus Coagulans, third transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said finisher and evaporator to said heating means, fourth transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said heating means to said counterflow heat exchanger, said exchanger being effective to cool said tomatoes, means for aseptically storing said tomatoes in bulk, and fifth transporting means for transporting said cooled tomatoes from said counterflow heat exchanger to said storing means.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
176 words
A system for sterilizing and storing in bulk tomatoes which have been washed comprising in combination, means for chopping said tomatoes into pieces, first cooling means for cooling said tomatoes to a temperature of below about 50* F., counterflow heat exchanger means for heating said tomatoes to between 190* F. and 200* F., first transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said first cooling means to said counterflow heat exchanger, a finisher for finishing said tomatoes, an evaporator, second transporting means for transporting tomatoes from said counterflow heat exchanger to said finisher and evaporator, heating means for heating said tomatoes to a temperature effective to destroy the microorganism Bacillus Coagulans, third transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said finisher and evaporator to said heating means, fourth transporting means for transporting said tomatoes from said heating means to said counterflow heat exchanger, said exchanger being effective to cool said tomatoes, means for aseptically storing said tomatoes in bulk, and fifth transporting means for transporting said cooled tomatoes from said counterflow heat exchanger to said storing means.
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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) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |