US4234537A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sterilization of particulate solid materials
Assignee: Nestec SA
•
Filing: 1978-05-17
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Granted: 1980-11-18
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Expires: 1998-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A batch process for the sterilization of particulate solid materials, in which a batch of particulate solid material to be sterilized is introduced into a rotary vessel shaped so that rotation of the vessel imparts a tumbling action to the solid material; the solid material is heated in the vessel while rotating the same to subject the material to a tumbling action; a lubricant liquid is injected under pressure into the vessel at a temperature in excess of the temperature of the solids; the lubricant liquid and solid material are held at a sterilization temperature while maintaining the tumbling action; and the sterilized solid material is withdrawn from the vessel under aseptic conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert C. Hersom
- 👤 John E. Brittain
- 👤 Raymond Darlington
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:35
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/02; A61L2/04; A61L2/06; A61L2/07; A23; A23B; A23B2/00; A23B2/40; A23B2/405
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A batch process for the sterilization of particulate solid materials, in which a batch of particulate solid material to be sterilized is introduced with a small amount of lubricant liquid into a rotary vessel shaped so that rotation of the vessel imparts a tumbling action to the solid material; the solid material is heated in the vessel by direct introduction of pressurized steam into the vessel to condense therein while rotating the vessel to subject the material to a tumbling action; additional lubricant liquid is added to the heated solids by injection under pressure into the pressurized vessel at a temperature in excess of the temperature of the solids and above the atmospheric boiling temperature of the lubricant liquid but below the boiling temperature corresponding to the pressure in the vessel; the lubricant liquids and solid material are held at a sterilization temperature while maintaining the tumbling action; and the sterilized solid material is withdrawn from the vessel under aseptic conditions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A batch process for the sterilization of particulate solid materials, in which a batch of particulate solid material to be sterilized is introduced with a small amount of lubricant liquid into a rotary vessel shaped so that rotation of the vessel imparts a tumbling action to the solid material; the solid material is heated in the vessel by direct introduction of pressurized steam into the vessel to condense therein while rotating the vessel to subject the material to a tumbling action; additional lubricant liquid is added to the heated solids by injection under pressure into the pressurized vessel at a temperature in excess of the temperature of the solids and above the atmospheric boiling temperature of the lubricant liquid but below the boiling temperature corresponding to the pressure in the vessel; the lubricant liquids and solid material are held at a sterilization temperature while maintaining the tumbling action; and the sterilized solid material is withdrawn from the vessel under aseptic conditions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, in which the lubricant liquid is water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, in which the lubricant liquid is liquid recovered from a previously processed batch and reheated before injection.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, in which the lubricant liquid is an oil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, in which the lubricant liquid is an emulsion of oil and water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A batch process as claimed in claim 1, in which the solid material is cooled before withdrawal from the vessel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A batch process as claimed in claim 6, in which the cooling takes place under positive pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A batch process as claimed in claim 7, in which vapour condensed in the vessel during cooling is replaced by sterile gas fed in through a sterilizing filter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A batch process as claimed in claim 1, in which the vessel is rotated continuously during the heat treatment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A batch process as claimed in claim 1, in which the vessel is intermittently rotated on a periodic basis during the heat treatment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, in which the lubricant liquid is injected from a sterile heating circuit and withdrawn from the vessel and returned to the sterile heating circuit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3088179A
Cited
US3159495A
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US4055673A
Cited
US3992148A
Cited
US3994685A
Cited
US4059919A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-11-18 | 1984-05-19 | 1984-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-18 | 1988-05-19 | 1988-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-18 | 1992-05-19 | 1992-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |