Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
Apparatus for production of a meat product comprising container means for storing a liquefied product, forcing means for forcing the liquefied product from the container means, rate control means for controlling flow of product against a back pressure, tube means for receiving the product from the rate control means, said tube means including means for laterally constraining the product and thereby providing back pressure, microwave energy means surrounding the tube means for flowing microwave energy through the tube means and into the product, heating means connected to the tube means sequentially with the microwave energy means for heating the surface of the product to a high temperature, cooling means connected to the tube means sequentially following the heating means for cooling the surface of the product and means for releasing the product from the tube means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
Apparatus for production of a meat product comprising container means for storing a liquefied product, forcing means for forcing the liquefied product from the container means, rate control means for controlling flow of product against a back pressure, tube means for receiving the product from the rate control means, said tube means including means for laterally constraining the product and thereby providing back pressure, microwave energy means surrounding the tube means for flowing microwave energy through the tube means and into the product, heating means connected to the tube means sequentially with the microwave energy means for heating the surface of the product to a high temperature, cooling means connected to the tube means sequentially following the heating means for cooling the surface of the product and means for releasing the product from the tube means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising slicing means at the means for releasing the product.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plug inserted in the tube for creating back pressure in the tube until the product forces the plug from the releasing end of the tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the microwave energy means comprises plural microwave ovens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein each microwave oven has two magnetrons each producing microwaves at about 2,500 megahertz and 1,000 watts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the microwave ovens have cavities and wherein the tube means extend through openings in lateral walls of the microwave ovens which are juxtaposed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tube means has diameter from about 2" to about 7".
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tube means comprises a polytetrafluoroethylene tube having an internal diameter of about 41/2 inches.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
91 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the heating means comprises a counterflow heat exchanger surrounding the tube means, a pump, an outflow pipe connected to the heat exchanger, an inflow pipe connected to the heat exchanger, vegetable oil disposed in the heat exchanger and in the inflow and outflow pipes and pump, temperatures sensing means connected to the outflow pipe and electric heater means in the inflow pipe and the control means connected to the temperature sensing means into the electric heater means for controlling the heater according to sensed temperature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cooling means comprises a heat exchanger surrounding the tube and refrigeration means connected to the heat exchanger, temperature sensing means connected to an outflow from a heat exchanger and fluid control means connected to an inflow of the heat exchanger and control means connected to the temperature sensing means and to the fluid control means for controlling the fluid control means according to the temperature sensor.