US3910174A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pit brining
Assignee: JOHNSON/NELLES Corp
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Filing: 1973-01-10
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Granted: 1975-10-07
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Expires: 1993-01-10
Abstract
Abstract A system for cooling and curing pasta filata type cheese includes a brining pit holding a brine solution into which a number of cheese loaves may be immersed and an adjacent overflow reservoir which receives a portion of the brine solution from the brining pit. A sanitary pump draws the brine from the overflow reservoir through filtering and a heat exchanger to a brine return line which feeds the reconditioned salt-water solution back to the brining pit, thereby effecting a constantly circulated system. A brine mixer connected to the brine return line maintains the desired salinity of the brine.
Inventors
- 👤 Jakob Nelles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 06:12
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01J; A01J25/00; A01J25/16; A01J25/167
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A brining apparatus for use in the manufacture of cheese comprising the combination of a brining pit to hold a brine solution being open at its top for the reception and removal of cheese; a reservoir for receiving said brine solution circulated from said brining pit; a conduit circuit connected between said brining pit and said reservoir for circulating said brine solution from said brining pit to said reservoir and back to said brining pit; a brine cooler responsive to a thermostat and having a heat exchanger to receive said recirculating brine and cool said circulating brine to maintain said brine solution in said brining pit within a predetermined temperature range; and a brine mixer having a mixing tank connected to alternately communicate with said conduit to receive said circulating brine solution, and to discharge a salt slurry into said conduit circuit and having an agitator in said mixing tank, and a salt hopper on said mixing tank and communicating with the interior of said mixing tank.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A brining apparatus for use in the manufacture of cheese comprising the combination of a brining pit to hold a brine solution being open at its top for the reception and removal of cheese; a reservoir for receiving said brine solution circulated from said brining pit; a conduit circuit connected between said brining pit and said reservoir for circulating said brine solution from said brining pit to said reservoir and back to said brining pit; a brine cooler responsive to a thermostat and having a heat exchanger to receive said recirculating brine and cool said circulating brine to maintain said brine solution in said brining pit within a predetermined temperature range; and a brine mixer having a mixing tank connected to alternately communicate with said conduit to receive said circulating brine solution, and to discharge a salt slurry into said conduit circuit and having an agitator in said mixing tank, and a salt hopper on said mixing tank and communicating with the interior of said mixing tank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A brining apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein a filter is connected in said conduit circuit to filter foreign substances out of said brine solution.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
109 words
A bRining apparatus for use in manufacturing cheese comprising the combination of a brining pit to hold a brine solution and being open at the top for the reception and removal of cheese; a brine circulation system including a cooler to circulate said brine in said brining pit and to maintain a substantially uniform predetermined temperature range throughout said brine solution in said brining pit; and a submersion rack having a plurality of shelves for holding cheese to be brined and being of sufficient weight to sink to the bottom of said brining pit when fully loaded with cheese so as to completely immerse said cheese in said brine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
109 words
A bRining apparatus for use in manufacturing cheese comprising the combination of a brining pit to hold a brine solution and being open at the top for the reception and removal of cheese; a brine circulation system including a cooler to circulate said brine in said brining pit and to maintain a substantially uniform predetermined temperature range throughout said brine solution in said brining pit; and a submersion rack having a plurality of shelves for holding cheese to be brined and being of sufficient weight to sink to the bottom of said brining pit when fully loaded with cheese so as to completely immerse said cheese in said brine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A brining apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said brine circulation system includes an overflow reservoir communicating with said brining pit to receive brine solution from said brining pit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A brining apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said brine circulation system includes a brine cooler and a brine mixer connected in parallel between said overflow reservoir and said brining pit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A brining apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said brine mixer is connected between said brining pit and said overflow reservoir through normally closed power operated valves responsive to a salinometer to open when salinity of said brine solution drops below a present minimum.
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) | 1978-10-06 | 1979-04-07 | 1979-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-06 | 1983-04-07 | 1983-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-06 | 1987-04-07 | 1987-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |