US4353930A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Calcium chloride infiltration of apples
Assignee: FMC Corp
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Filing: 1981-07-02
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Granted: 1982-10-12
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Expires: 2001-07-02
Abstract
Abstract A process for simultaneously preparing both open-core and closed-core apples for cold storage includes subjecting a batch of such apples in a sealed chamber to a treatment in a pressurized bath of CaCl 2 solution and selectively reducing and increasing the pressure of the atmosphere in the chamber to effect penetration of the solution in desired quantities into both types of apples.
Inventors
- 👤 Katsuji Hirahara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:15
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23B; A23B7/00; A23B7/04; A23B7/05; A23B7/14; A23B7/153; A23B7/157; A23B7/158
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A method of treating a batch of apples, consisting of open and closed-core apples comprising the steps of positioning the batch of apples in a chamber at atmospheric pressure; sealing the chamber; moving a quantity of CaCl 2 solution into the chamber; raising the pressure of the atmosphere in the chamber to a predetermined level to pressurize the CaCl 2 solution; maintaining the pressure at said predetermined level for approximately 10 seconds with the apples in the pressurized atmosphere to raise the internal pressure of the open-core apples in the batch in the chamber; immersing all of the apples in the CaCl 2 solution to initiate inward movement of the solution toward the center of the closed-core apples in the batch; reducing the pressure in the chamber slightly to reduce the internal pressure of the open-core apples; returning the pressure of the chamber to said predetermined level to cause CaCl 2 solution to be moved into the openings at the core end of the open-core apples; lowering the pressure of the atmosphere in the chamber to atmospheric pressure; removing the CaCl 2 solution from the chamber; washing and drying all of said apples; and then placing all of the apples in a cold storage environment.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
205 words
A method of treating a batch of apples, consisting of open and closed-core apples comprising the steps of positioning the batch of apples in a chamber at atmospheric pressure; sealing the chamber; moving a quantity of CaCl 2 solution into the chamber; raising the pressure of the atmosphere in the chamber to a predetermined level to pressurize the CaCl 2 solution; maintaining the pressure at said predetermined level for approximately 10 seconds with the apples in the pressurized atmosphere to raise the internal pressure of the open-core apples in the batch in the chamber; immersing all of the apples in the CaCl 2 solution to initiate inward movement of the solution toward the center of the closed-core apples in the batch; reducing the pressure in the chamber slightly to reduce the internal pressure of the open-core apples; returning the pressure of the chamber to said predetermined level to cause CaCl 2 solution to be moved into the openings at the core end of the open-core apples; lowering the pressure of the atmosphere in the chamber to atmospheric pressure; removing the CaCl 2 solution from the chamber; washing and drying all of said apples; and then placing all of the apples in a cold storage environment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
129 words
A process of treating a batch of apples, consisting of open and closed-core apples, in a sealed chamber comprising the steps of raising the pressure of a quantity of CaCl 2 solution in the chamber to a predetermined level, raising the internal pressure of the open-core apples in the batch to said predetermined level, immersing all the apples in the pressurized CaCl 2 solution to cause some of the solution to be forced into the closed-core apples in the batch, reducing the internal pressure of the open-core apples to a level below said predetermined level, and subjecting the open-core apples at said reduced pressure to the CaCl 2 solution that is at said predetermined pressure level to force CaCl 2 solution into the core end of the open-core apples.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
129 words
A process of treating a batch of apples, consisting of open and closed-core apples, in a sealed chamber comprising the steps of raising the pressure of a quantity of CaCl 2 solution in the chamber to a predetermined level, raising the internal pressure of the open-core apples in the batch to said predetermined level, immersing all the apples in the pressurized CaCl 2 solution to cause some of the solution to be forced into the closed-core apples in the batch, reducing the internal pressure of the open-core apples to a level below said predetermined level, and subjecting the open-core apples at said reduced pressure to the CaCl 2 solution that is at said predetermined pressure level to force CaCl 2 solution into the core end of the open-core apples.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
112 words
A process for treating a batch of apples, that includes both open and closed-core apples, in a sealed chamber comprising the steps of forcing CaCl 2 solution through the skin of the closed-core apples in the batch to the area in each apple immediately under the skin, forcing a quantity of CaCl 2 solution the core cavity of the open-core apples in the batch, and subjecting the batch to a cold storage environment to cause diffusion of the CaCl 2 solution inwardly from the area under the skin of the closed-core apples and diffusion of the CaCl 2 solution outwardly in the open-core apples from the core cavity toward the periphery thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
112 words
A process for treating a batch of apples, that includes both open and closed-core apples, in a sealed chamber comprising the steps of forcing CaCl 2 solution through the skin of the closed-core apples in the batch to the area in each apple immediately under the skin, forcing a quantity of CaCl 2 solution the core cavity of the open-core apples in the batch, and subjecting the batch to a cold storage environment to cause diffusion of the CaCl 2 solution inwardly from the area under the skin of the closed-core apples and diffusion of the CaCl 2 solution outwardly in the open-core apples from the core cavity toward the periphery thereof.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of treating a batch of apples, including open and closed-core apples, comprising the steps of positioning the batch of apples in a chamber at atmospheric pressure; sealing the chamber; moving a quantity of CaCl 2 solution into the chamber; raising the pressure of the atmosphere in the chamber to a predetermined level to pressurize the CaCl 2 solution; maintaining the pressure at said predetermined level for approximately ten seconds with the apples in the pressurized atmosphere in the batch in the chamber; immersing the apples in the CaCl 2 solution to initiate inward movement of the solution toward the center of the closed-cored apples in the batch; increasing the pressure in the chamber slightly, with the apples immersed, to force a controlled volume of CaCl 2 solution into the openings at the core end of the open-core apples; lowering the pressure of the atmosphere in the chamber to atmospheric pressure; removing the CaCl 2 solution from the chamber; washing and drying all of said apples; and then placing all of the apples in a cold storage environment.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of treating a batch of apples, including open and closed-core apples, comprising the steps of positioning the batch of apples in a chamber at atmospheric pressure; sealing the chamber; moving a quantity of CaCl 2 solution into the chamber; raising the pressure of the atmosphere in the chamber to a predetermined level to pressurize the CaCl 2 solution; maintaining the pressure at said predetermined level for approximately ten seconds with the apples in the pressurized atmosphere in the batch in the chamber; immersing the apples in the CaCl 2 solution to initiate inward movement of the solution toward the center of the closed-cored apples in the batch; increasing the pressure in the chamber slightly, with the apples immersed, to force a controlled volume of CaCl 2 solution into the openings at the core end of the open-core apples; lowering the pressure of the atmosphere in the chamber to atmospheric pressure; removing the CaCl 2 solution from the chamber; washing and drying all of said apples; and then placing all of the apples in a cold storage environment.
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) | 1985-10-11 | 1986-04-12 | 1986-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-10-11 | 1990-04-12 | 1990-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-10-11 | 1994-04-12 | 1994-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |