Patent US3763861A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3908031A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ethanol vapor sterilization of natural spices and other foods
Assignee: B Heller and Co
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Filing: 1973-03-12
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Granted: 1975-09-23
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Expires: 1993-03-12
Abstract
Abstract A method for sterilizing materials which do not lend themselves to sterilization with high temperatures and/or steam, and particularly food and food products, wherein the material to be sterilized is contacted with ethanol in the vapor phase.
Inventors
- 👤 Hugo E Wistreich
- 👤 George J Thundiyil
- 👤 Hyunil Juhn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 04:01
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23B; A23B2/00; A23B2/70; A23B2/704; A23B2/725; A23B2/729; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/16; A61L2/20; C; C11; C11B; C11B3/00; C11B3/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A METHOD FOR STERILIZING FOODS AND FOOD PRODUCTS SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF NATURAL SPICES, HYDROGENATED FATS, GRAIN AND GRAIN FLOURS AND DEHYDRATED OR PARTIALLY DEHYDRATED FRUITS COMPRISING THE STEPS OF CONTACTING THE MATERIAL WITH ETHAMOL IN THE VAPOR PHASE MAINTAINED AT A TEMPERATURE WITHIN THE RANGE OF 78* TO 150*C FOR A TIME SUFFICIENT OT REDUCE THE BACTERIA LOAD OF THE PRODUCT, AND SEPARATING THE STERILIZED PRODUCT FROM THE VAPOR.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
72 words
A METHOD FOR STERILIZING FOODS AND FOOD PRODUCTS SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF NATURAL SPICES, HYDROGENATED FATS, GRAIN AND GRAIN FLOURS AND DEHYDRATED OR PARTIALLY DEHYDRATED FRUITS COMPRISING THE STEPS OF CONTACTING THE MATERIAL WITH ETHAMOL IN THE VAPOR PHASE MAINTAINED AT A TEMPERATURE WITHIN THE RANGE OF 78* TO 150*C FOR A TIME SUFFICIENT OT REDUCE THE BACTERIA LOAD OF THE PRODUCT, AND SEPARATING THE STERILIZED PRODUCT FROM THE VAPOR.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the ethanol vapor is formed from aqueous ethanol containing at least 80% ethanol by volume on a liquid basis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the ethanol is maintained under autogenous pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the material is contacted with the vapor for a time within the range of 5 minutes to 10 hours.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
49 words
A method for sterilizing natural spices comprising the steps of contacting the spice with ethanol in the vapor phase maintained at a temperature within the range of 78* to 150*C for a time sufficient to reduce the bacteria load of the spice and separating the spice from the vapor.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
49 words
A method for sterilizing natural spices comprising the steps of contacting the spice with ethanol in the vapor phase maintained at a temperature within the range of 78* to 150*C for a time sufficient to reduce the bacteria load of the spice and separating the spice from the vapor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 5 wherein the ethanol vapor is formed from aqueous ethanol containing at least 80% ethanol by volume on a liquid basis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as defined in claim 5 wherein the ethanol is maintained under autogenous pressure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 5 wherein the material is contacted with the vapor for a time within the range of 5 minutes to 10 hours.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
49 words
A method for sterilizing black pepper comprising the steps of contacting the pepper with ethanol in the vapor phase maintained at a temperature within the range of 78* to 150*C for a time sufficient to reduce the bacteria count of the pepper and separating the pepper from the vapor.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
49 words
A method for sterilizing black pepper comprising the steps of contacting the pepper with ethanol in the vapor phase maintained at a temperature within the range of 78* to 150*C for a time sufficient to reduce the bacteria count of the pepper and separating the pepper from the vapor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 9 wherein the ethanol vapor is formed from aqueous ethanol containing at least 80% ethanol by volume on a liquid basis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as defined in claim 9 wherein the ethanol is maintained under autogenous pressure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-22 | 1979-03-24 | 1979-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-22 | 1983-03-24 | 1983-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-22 | 1987-03-24 | 1987-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |