US3880755A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for separating cheese whey protein
Assignee: Veolia WTS Solutions USA Inc
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Filing: 1973-05-22
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Granted: 1975-04-29
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Expires: 1993-05-22
Abstract
Abstract Whey separated from milk curd during the manufacture of cheese is processed for human consumption by heating the whey to a temperature of 162*F and holding it at this temperature for 16 seconds, cooling the whey to a temperature under 90*F, separating protein from the whey, and chilling the protein to a temperature under 40*F. The heating, holding, and cooling are carried out in under 30 seconds. The protein separation is carried out by passing the whey through a series of membrane banks. Each bank has a manifold arranged for receiving whey under pressure, and a plurality of filters connected to and arranged in communication with the manifold for permitting the whey received from the manifold to seek its own flow in the filters. Each filter has a plurality of spiral-wound membrane modules arranged serially in a pressure vessel for fractionating the whey.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank A Thomas
- 👤 Donald D Spatz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 05:43
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23C; A23C9/00; A23C9/14; A23C9/142; A23C9/1425; A23J; A23J1/00; A23J1/20; A23J1/205; B; B01; B01D; B01D61/00; B01D61/14; B01D61/145; B01D61/146; B01D63/00; B01D63/10; B01D63/12; A23V; A23V2002/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
Apparatus for concentrating whey fluids comprising: filter cartridge means containing at least one spiral wound ultrafiltration membrane module, said cartridge means including inlet means, first outlet means for concentrate and second outlet means for permeate, means for delivering said fluid under pressure to said inlet means of said filter cartridge means, means for cleaning said filter cartridge, said cleaning means comprising first conduit means interconnecting said delivering means and said first outlet means and valve means for selectively directing said fluid from said delivering means to said inlet means or to said first outlet means through said first conduit means, second conduit means interconnecting said inlet means and said first outlet means externally of said cartridge means, said second conduit means including valve means for selectively permitting concentrate to flow from said first outlet means toward said inlet means through said second conduit means when said fluid is being delivered to said inlet means or to flow from said inlet meanS toward said first outlet means through said second conduit means when said fluid is being delivered to said first outlet means, third conduit means interconnecting said second conduit means and said delivering means for permitting recycling concentrate through said filter cartridge means, and discharge conduit means coupled with said second conduit means, said discharge conduit means including valve means for selectively adjusting the rate of flow of concentrate from said apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
Apparatus for concentrating whey fluids comprising: filter cartridge means containing at least one spiral wound ultrafiltration membrane module, said cartridge means including inlet means, first outlet means for concentrate and second outlet means for permeate, means for delivering said fluid under pressure to said inlet means of said filter cartridge means, means for cleaning said filter cartridge, said cleaning means comprising first conduit means interconnecting said delivering means and said first outlet means and valve means for selectively directing said fluid from said delivering means to said inlet means or to said first outlet means through said first conduit means, second conduit means interconnecting said inlet means and said first outlet means externally of said cartridge means, said second conduit means including valve means for selectively permitting concentrate to flow from said first outlet means toward said inlet means through said second conduit means when said fluid is being delivered to said inlet means or to flow from said inlet meanS toward said first outlet means through said second conduit means when said fluid is being delivered to said first outlet means, third conduit means interconnecting said second conduit means and said delivering means for permitting recycling concentrate through said filter cartridge means, and discharge conduit means coupled with said second conduit means, said discharge conduit means including valve means for selectively adjusting the rate of flow of concentrate from said apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
92 words
The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein said apparatus comprises a bank of said filter cartridge means, each filter cartridge means containing a plurality of spirally wound ultrafiltration membrane modules, said apparatus additionally comprising manifold means connecting said inlet means of each of said cartridge means for simultaneously supplyihg said fluid thereto, and manifold means connecting said first outlet means of each of said cartridge means for simultaneously collecting concentrate therefrom, said first conduit means connected to said outlet manifold and said second conduit means connecting said inlet and outlet manifolds.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The invention set forth in claim 2 wherein said apparatus comprises at least two of said banks of filter cartridge means arranged in series, said outlet manifold of each bank except the last bank being interconnected with the inlet manifold of the next bank, the outlet manifold of said last bank being coupled with said first and second conduit means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein said third conduit means additionally comprises valve means for adjusting the rate of flow of concentrate from said second conduit means to said delivering means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said valves in said third conduit means and said discharge conduit means consists of a micrometer valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
The invention set forth in claim 5 wherein said apparatus comprises a bank of said filter cartridge means, each filter cartridge means containing a plurality of spirally wound ultrafiltration membrane modules, said apparatus additionally comprising manifold means connecting said inlet means of each of said cartridge means for simultaneously supplying said fluid thereto, and manifold means connecting said first outlet means of each of said cartridge means for simultaneously collecting concentrate therefrom, said first conduit means connected to said outlet manifold and said second conduit means connecting said inlet and outlet manifolds.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
The invention set forth in claim 6 wherein said apparatus comprises at least two of said banks of filter cartridge means arranged in series, said outlet manifold of each bank except the last bank being interconnected with the inlet manifold of the next bank, the outlet manifold of said last bank being coupled with said first and second conduit means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention set forth in claim 7 wherein said apparatus additionally comprises means for pasteurizing and subsequently cooling raw whey before it reaches said delivery means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein said apparatus additionally comprises means for pasteurizing and subsequently cooling raw whey before it reaches said delivery 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) | 1978-04-28 | 1978-10-28 | 1979-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-28 | 1982-10-28 | 1983-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-10-28 | 1987-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |