US4022922A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for aseptic bulk storage of apple sauce
Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
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Filing: 1975-09-22
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Granted: 1977-05-10
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Expires: 1995-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A process and system for producing and aseptically storing apple sauce. The apples are washed, peeled and cored, soaked in a weak salt solution, comminuted, heated to 190° F.-220° F., deaerated, sterilized by heating to about 215° F. for 25 seconds or an equivalent temperature-time period, cooled to below about 100° F., and then stored in a bulk storage tank under aseptic conditions at ambient temperature. The storage can be for protracted periods without deterioration of the apple sauce. After storage, the apple sauce has a superior flavor.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip E. Nelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:13
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23B; A23B7/00; A23B7/005; A23L; A23L19/00; A23L19/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of aseptically storing apple sauce comprising: a. peeling and coring raw apples; b. comminuting said apples; c. heating said apples in a closed heater free from contact with steam to a temperature of from approximately 190° F. to approximately 220° F. to blanch said apples; d. deaerating said apples in a closed unit; e. heating said apples in a second closed heater to a temperature of at least 180° F. and maintaining said apples at said temperature for a time sufficient to effect sterilization thereof; f. cooling said apples in a third heat exchanger to a temperature below about 100° F.; and g. aseptically storing said apple sauce in bulk.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of aseptically storing apple sauce comprising: a. peeling and coring raw apples; b. comminuting said apples; c. heating said apples in a closed heater free from contact with steam to a temperature of from approximately 190° F. to approximately 220° F. to blanch said apples; d. deaerating said apples in a closed unit; e. heating said apples in a second closed heater to a temperature of at least 180° F. and maintaining said apples at said temperature for a time sufficient to effect sterilization thereof; f. cooling said apples in a third heat exchanger to a temperature below about 100° F.; and g. aseptically storing said apple sauce in bulk.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 in which the closed heater in which said apples are first heated is a scraped surface heat exchanger.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 in which said apples are maintained in a closed system from the time they are initially heated through the time they are aseptically stored.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 in which the apples are initially heated to a temperature of from between about 190° F. to about 210° F. and in which said apples are subsequently heated to approximately 215° F. maintained at that temperature for approximately 25 seconds to effect sterilization.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 in which the apples are soaked in a weak salt solution after they have been peeled and cored and before they are comminuted.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of aseptically storing apple sauce comprising the steps of: a. comminuting said apples; b. heating said apples in a closed heater free from contact with steam to a temperature of from approximately 190° F. to approximately 220° F. to blanch said apples; c. subjecting said apples to a finishing operation in which the seeds and peels of said apples are removed; d. deaerating said apples in a closed unit; e. heating said apples in a second closed heater to a temperature of at least 180° F. and maintaining said apples at said temperature for a time sufficient to effect sterilization thereof; f. cooling said apples in a third heat exchanger to a temperature below about 100° F.; and g. aseptically storing said apple sauce in bulk.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of aseptically storing apple sauce comprising the steps of: a. comminuting said apples; b. heating said apples in a closed heater free from contact with steam to a temperature of from approximately 190° F. to approximately 220° F. to blanch said apples; c. subjecting said apples to a finishing operation in which the seeds and peels of said apples are removed; d. deaerating said apples in a closed unit; e. heating said apples in a second closed heater to a temperature of at least 180° F. and maintaining said apples at said temperature for a time sufficient to effect sterilization thereof; f. cooling said apples in a third heat exchanger to a temperature below about 100° F.; and g. aseptically storing said apple sauce in bulk.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
224 words
A system for aseptically storing apple sauce from apples which have been peeled and cored comprising: a. means comminuting said apples; b. first closed heat exchanger means for heating said apples to a temperature of from approximately 190° F. to approximately 220° F. to blanch said apples free from contact with steam; c. first means for transporting said apples from said comminuting means to said first closed heat exchanger means; d. closed means for deaerating said apples: e. second means for transporting said apples from said first heat exchanger means to said closed deaerating means; f. second closed heat exchanger means for heating said apples to a temperature of at least 180° F. and maintaining said apples at said temperature for a time sufficient to effect sterilization thereof; g. third means for transporting said apples from said deaerating means to said second heat exchanger; h. third closed heat exchanger means for cooling said apples to a temperature below about 100° F.; i. fourth transporting means for transferring apples from said second heat exchanger to said third heat exchanger; j. tank means for aseptically storing said apple sauce in bulk; k. fifth transporting means for transferring apples from said third heat exchanger to said last named means; l. said system being closed from and including said first heat exchanger to and including said tank means.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
224 words
A system for aseptically storing apple sauce from apples which have been peeled and cored comprising: a. means comminuting said apples; b. first closed heat exchanger means for heating said apples to a temperature of from approximately 190° F. to approximately 220° F. to blanch said apples free from contact with steam; c. first means for transporting said apples from said comminuting means to said first closed heat exchanger means; d. closed means for deaerating said apples: e. second means for transporting said apples from said first heat exchanger means to said closed deaerating means; f. second closed heat exchanger means for heating said apples to a temperature of at least 180° F. and maintaining said apples at said temperature for a time sufficient to effect sterilization thereof; g. third means for transporting said apples from said deaerating means to said second heat exchanger; h. third closed heat exchanger means for cooling said apples to a temperature below about 100° F.; i. fourth transporting means for transferring apples from said second heat exchanger to said third heat exchanger; j. tank means for aseptically storing said apple sauce in bulk; k. fifth transporting means for transferring apples from said third heat exchanger to said last named means; l. said system being closed from and including said first heat exchanger to and including said tank means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
242 words
A system for aseptically storing apple sauce comprising: a. means comminuting said apples; b. first closed heat exchanger means for heating said apples to a temperature of from approximately 190° F. to approximately 220° F. to blanch said apples free from contact with steam; c. first means for transporting said apples from said comminuting means to said first closed heat exchanger means; d. finishing means for removing seeds and peels from said apples; e. second means for transporting said apples from said first heat exchanger means to said closed finishing means; f. closed means for deaerating said apples; g. third means for transporting apples from said finishing means to said deaerating means; h. second closed heat exchanger means for heating said apples to a temperature of at least 180° F. and maintaining said apples at said temperature for a time sufficient to effect sterilization thereof; i. fourth means for transporting said apples from said deaerating means to said second heat exchanger; j. third closed heat exchanger means for cooling said apples to a temperature below about 100° F.; k. fifth transporting means for transferring apples from said second heat exchanger to said third heat exchanger; l. tank means for aseptically storing said apple sauce in bulk; and m. sixth transporting means for transferring apples from said third heat exchanger to said last named means; n. said system being closed from and including said first heat exchanger to and including said tank means.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
242 words
A system for aseptically storing apple sauce comprising: a. means comminuting said apples; b. first closed heat exchanger means for heating said apples to a temperature of from approximately 190° F. to approximately 220° F. to blanch said apples free from contact with steam; c. first means for transporting said apples from said comminuting means to said first closed heat exchanger means; d. finishing means for removing seeds and peels from said apples; e. second means for transporting said apples from said first heat exchanger means to said closed finishing means; f. closed means for deaerating said apples; g. third means for transporting apples from said finishing means to said deaerating means; h. second closed heat exchanger means for heating said apples to a temperature of at least 180° F. and maintaining said apples at said temperature for a time sufficient to effect sterilization thereof; i. fourth means for transporting said apples from said deaerating means to said second heat exchanger; j. third closed heat exchanger means for cooling said apples to a temperature below about 100° F.; k. fifth transporting means for transferring apples from said second heat exchanger to said third heat exchanger; l. tank means for aseptically storing said apple sauce in bulk; and m. sixth transporting means for transferring apples from said third heat exchanger to said last named means; n. said system being closed from and including said first heat exchanger to and including said tank means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 in which both closed heaters are scraped surface heat exchangers and in which the third heat exchanger is a scraped surface heat exchanger.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 7 in which said first heat exchanger means is a scraped surface heat exchanger.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 7 in which said first, second and third heat exchanger means are scraped surface heat exchangers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 8 in which said first, second and third heat exchanger means are scraped surface heat exchangers.
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) | 1980-05-09 | 1980-11-08 | 1981-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-09 | 1984-11-08 | 1985-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-09 | 1988-11-08 | 1989-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |