US3983260A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Quick cooling pressure cooker system
Assignee: Ball Corp
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Filing: 1974-09-20
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Granted: 1976-09-28
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Expires: 1994-09-20
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for processing food which significantly reduces the time required for cooling. A stream of water is directed onto selected metal lids of jars without risking breakage thereof, while at the same time eliminating the need for an air compressor to maintain the pressure within the pressure cooker during cooling. Pressure within the jars is reduced before or at the same time as the pressure of the steam in th pressure cooker, thus preventing loss of liquid from the jars. The lids are securely sealed to the jars as the jars complete their cooking cycle.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl L. Ford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 13:41
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47J; A47J27/00; A47J27/08; A23; A23B; A23B2/00; A23B2/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of processing food comprising the steps of sequentially a. subjecting food packed into separate relatively loosely sealed glass containers and in a confined volume to steam under pressure for a predetermined period of time, each of said containers being relatively loosely sealed with a lid of metal, b. terminating application of steam under pressure to said containers in said confined volume after said predetermined period of time, and c. directing a stream of cooling water directly on at least selected ones of said metal lids of containers within said confined volume, while preventing said stream of water from being directed squarely on said glass containers, to facilitate quick, safe removal of said containers from said confined volume.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of processing food comprising the steps of sequentially a. subjecting food packed into separate relatively loosely sealed glass containers and in a confined volume to steam under pressure for a predetermined period of time, each of said containers being relatively loosely sealed with a lid of metal, b. terminating application of steam under pressure to said containers in said confined volume after said predetermined period of time, and c. directing a stream of cooling water directly on at least selected ones of said metal lids of containers within said confined volume, while preventing said stream of water from being directed squarely on said glass containers, to facilitate quick, safe removal of said containers from said confined volume.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as recited in claim 1 comprising the further step of tightly seaing said containers by removing them from said confined volume for further cooling.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of processing food comprising the steps of substantially sequentially a. packing the food to be processed into separate glass containers, b. relatively loosely sealing said containers with a lid of metal, c. loading the loosely sealed containers into the processing chamber of a retort, d. maintaining each such container in a substantially upright position in the retort with the lid thereon uppermost, e. introducing steam under pressure to the interior of said retort, f. maintaining the interior of the retort under steam pressure for a predetermined period of time, g. terminating introduction of steam into said retort after said predetermined period of time, and h. directing a stream of cooling water directly on at least selected ones of said metal lids on containers in said retort while preventing said stream of water from being directed squarely on said glass containers, to facilitate quick, safe removal of said containers from said retort.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of processing food comprising the steps of substantially sequentially a. packing the food to be processed into separate glass containers, b. relatively loosely sealing said containers with a lid of metal, c. loading the loosely sealed containers into the processing chamber of a retort, d. maintaining each such container in a substantially upright position in the retort with the lid thereon uppermost, e. introducing steam under pressure to the interior of said retort, f. maintaining the interior of the retort under steam pressure for a predetermined period of time, g. terminating introduction of steam into said retort after said predetermined period of time, and h. directing a stream of cooling water directly on at least selected ones of said metal lids on containers in said retort while preventing said stream of water from being directed squarely on said glass containers, to facilitate quick, safe removal of said containers from said retort.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as recited in claim 3 comprising the further step of tightly sealing said containers by removing them from said retort for further cooling.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1979-09-28 | 1980-03-29 | 1980-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-28 | 1984-03-29 | 1984-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-28 | 1988-03-29 | 1988-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |