Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A spray drying apparatus comprising the combination: an enclosed primary stage spray chamber having an outlet at the lower end thereof; at least one hot gas inlet port in the upper portion thereof and a source of drying gas communicating therewith; at least one spray nozzle extending into the spray chamber; a draft producing means connected to communicate with the chamber for forcing the drying gas from the gas source through the chamber and out through the outlet thereof; an endless collecting belt supported for horizontal movement at the chamber outlet, said belt being in the form of a double layer woven fabric comprised of two layers of weft threads with a plurality of warp threads interconnecting said two layers, the material of said weft and warp threads being monofilament synthetic fiber; and drive means for advancing said belt.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A spray drying apparatus comprising the combination: an enclosed primary stage spray chamber having an outlet at the lower end thereof; at least one hot gas inlet port in the upper portion thereof and a source of drying gas communicating therewith; at least one spray nozzle extending into the spray chamber; a draft producing means connected to communicate with the chamber for forcing the drying gas from the gas source through the chamber and out through the outlet thereof; an endless collecting belt supported for horizontal movement at the chamber outlet, said belt being in the form of a double layer woven fabric comprised of two layers of weft threads with a plurality of warp threads interconnecting said two layers, the material of said weft and warp threads being monofilament synthetic fiber; and drive means for advancing said belt.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A spray drying apparatus according to claim 1 in which said synthetic fiber is polyester plastic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
132 words
A drying apparatus comprising the combination: a processing chamber having an outlet in the lower portion thereof; an endless collecting belt supported for horizontal movement through said processing chamber, said belt being in the form of a double layer woven fabric comprised of two layers of weft yarns with a plurality of warp threads interconnecting said two layers, the material of said weft yarns and warp threads being a monofilament synthetic fiber; drive means for advancing said belt; and means for depositing particles of food on said endless belt to form a mat of food particles thereon, said food particles including a mixture of solids and liquids with a substantial portion of said liquid content passing from the mat through the belt during the transfer of the mat through the processing chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
132 words
A drying apparatus comprising the combination: a processing chamber having an outlet in the lower portion thereof; an endless collecting belt supported for horizontal movement through said processing chamber, said belt being in the form of a double layer woven fabric comprised of two layers of weft yarns with a plurality of warp threads interconnecting said two layers, the material of said weft yarns and warp threads being a monofilament synthetic fiber; drive means for advancing said belt; and means for depositing particles of food on said endless belt to form a mat of food particles thereon, said food particles including a mixture of solids and liquids with a substantial portion of said liquid content passing from the mat through the belt during the transfer of the mat through the processing chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A drying apparatus according to claim 3 in which said synthetic fiber is polyester plastic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
182 words
A spray drying apparatus comprising the combination: an enclosed primary stage spray chamber having an outlet at the lower end thereof, at least one hot gas inlet port in the upper portion thereof and a source of drying gas communicating therewith; at least one spray nozzle extending into the spray chamber, a draft producing means connected to communicate with the chamber for forcing the drying gas from the gas source through the chamber and out through the outlet thereof; an endless collecting belt supported for horizontal movement at the chamber outlet, said belt being in the form of a double layer woven fabric consisting of two layers of one yarn system and a second yarn system interconnecting the said two layers of said one yarn system; drive means for advancing said belt; and a filter stage and redryer chamber, a second stage drying chamber and a cooling stage chamber, said belt positioned to pass from said primary stage spray chamber, then through said filter stage and redryer chamber, then through said second stage drying chamber and then through said cooling stage chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
182 words
A spray drying apparatus comprising the combination: an enclosed primary stage spray chamber having an outlet at the lower end thereof, at least one hot gas inlet port in the upper portion thereof and a source of drying gas communicating therewith; at least one spray nozzle extending into the spray chamber, a draft producing means connected to communicate with the chamber for forcing the drying gas from the gas source through the chamber and out through the outlet thereof; an endless collecting belt supported for horizontal movement at the chamber outlet, said belt being in the form of a double layer woven fabric consisting of two layers of one yarn system and a second yarn system interconnecting the said two layers of said one yarn system; drive means for advancing said belt; and a filter stage and redryer chamber, a second stage drying chamber and a cooling stage chamber, said belt positioned to pass from said primary stage spray chamber, then through said filter stage and redryer chamber, then through said second stage drying chamber and then through said cooling stage chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A spray drying apparatus according to claim 5 in which air is circulated through said belt from the topside thereof to the bottom side thereof as it passes through said filter stage and redryer chamber and said second stage drying chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A spray drying apparatus according to claim 6 wherein cooling air is circulated through said belt from the topside thereof to the bottom side thereof as it passes through said cooling stage chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 7 including a collection and recirculation means for collecting any fine particles which may pass through the belt and recirculating said particles back into said filter stage and redryer chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
A spray drying apparatus according to claim 1 in which said primary stage spray chamber, said filter stage and redryer chamber, said second stage drying chamber and said cooling stage chamber are formed inside a single housing wherein all of said chambers are in communication one with the other.