Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
In apparatus for blanching products such as vegetables, the combination comprising a first tank having water for immersing vegetables placed therein, a blanching chamber having wall structure extending over at least a portion of said tank, selected lower portions of said wall structure being immersed in the water in said tank, means conveying the washed vegetables from said tank into said chamber, means supplying heated fluid to said blanching chamber, said conveying means moving said vegetables through the heated fluid atmosphere in said chamber, a second tank having water therein, said blanching chamber having wall structure extending over at least a portion of said second tank, other selected lower portions of said wall structure being immersed in the water in said second tank, said conveying means moving said vegetables from the heated fluid atmosphere in said blanching chamber into the water in said second tank, means to circulate water from the second tank to the first tank such that a natural flow of water with the product movement occurs from the first tank towards the chamber and from the chamber towards the second tank to enhance the product flow, and means including said wall structures immersed in the water in said tanks substantially closing said chamber thereby reducing loss of heat therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
In apparatus for blanching products such as vegetables, the combination comprising a first tank having water for immersing vegetables placed therein, a blanching chamber having wall structure extending over at least a portion of said tank, selected lower portions of said wall structure being immersed in the water in said tank, means conveying the washed vegetables from said tank into said chamber, means supplying heated fluid to said blanching chamber, said conveying means moving said vegetables through the heated fluid atmosphere in said chamber, a second tank having water therein, said blanching chamber having wall structure extending over at least a portion of said second tank, other selected lower portions of said wall structure being immersed in the water in said second tank, said conveying means moving said vegetables from the heated fluid atmosphere in said blanching chamber into the water in said second tank, means to circulate water from the second tank to the first tank such that a natural flow of water with the product movement occurs from the first tank towards the chamber and from the chamber towards the second tank to enhance the product flow, and means including said wall structures immersed in the water in said tanks substantially closing said chamber thereby reducing loss of heat therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
In apparatus for blanching products such as vegetables, the combination as set forth in claim 1, further comprising means circulating the water in sAid first tank to wash and move the vegetables toward said conveying means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
In apparatus for blanching products such as vegetables, the combination as set forth in claim 1, further comprising trough means connecting said first and said second tanks so that the water level in said tanks is the same.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
In apparatus for blanching products such as vegetables, the combination as set forth in claim 3, further characterized in that said trough means comprises a pair of open troughs extending between said tanks and portions of said blanching chamber wall structure immersed in water in said troughs to form part of said chamber closing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
In apparatus for blanching products such as vegetables, the combination as set forth in claim 4 including means supporting said chamber above said tanks and said troughs said supporting means being adjustable to raise and lower the chamber relative to said tanks.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
In apparatus for blanching products such as vegetables, the combination as set forth in claim 1 including means for directing a water flow towards the conveying means in the second tank to assist in moving the product from the conveying means and into the water of the second tank.