US4387630A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Food processing with steam
Assignee: HER MAJESTY IN RIGHT OF CANADA AGRICULTURE, Minister of
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Filing: 1982-06-08
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Granted: 1983-06-14
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Expires: 2002-06-08
Abstract
Abstract The continuous processing of food products with steam, such as for blanching or cooking of vegetal products. The apparatus comprises a heating module and holding module. The heating module includes a pervious conveyor through which steam is emitted to heat and agitate the products thereon allowing uniform treatment of relatively thick layers of product. The holding module, comprising a compartmentalized conveyor, holds the heated products at an elevated temperature to complete processing without additional heat input.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordon E. Timbers
- 👤 Robert Stark
- 👤 Jacques C. Caron
- 👤 Daniel B. Cumming
- 👤 Richard R. Cowmeadow
- 👤 Alexander W. Gingell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:05
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23N; A23N12/00; A23B; A23B2/00; A23B2/40; A23B2/42; A23B2/425; A23B7/00; A23B7/06; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A40/00; Y02A40/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
An apparatus for processing food products with steam comprising a heating module and a holding module; said heating module comprising a pervious conveyor, a plurality of upwardly directed steam emitting nozzles positioned below the conveyor for agitating and heating food products on the conveyor, an outer enclosure enclosing the conveyor and nozzles, a feed valve defining the inlet to the enclosure and for depositing a multilayer of food products on the conveyor, and a transfer valve for transferring heated food products from the heating module to the holding module; said holding module comprising a holding conveyor having receptacle means for receiving heated food products from the heating module, and holding the heated food products for a period of time at an elevated temperature.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
An apparatus for processing food products with steam comprising a heating module and a holding module; said heating module comprising a pervious conveyor, a plurality of upwardly directed steam emitting nozzles positioned below the conveyor for agitating and heating food products on the conveyor, an outer enclosure enclosing the conveyor and nozzles, a feed valve defining the inlet to the enclosure and for depositing a multilayer of food products on the conveyor, and a transfer valve for transferring heated food products from the heating module to the holding module; said holding module comprising a holding conveyor having receptacle means for receiving heated food products from the heating module, and holding the heated food products for a period of time at an elevated temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said heating module further comprises an inner enclosure including a hood portion positioned above the conveyor for collecting uncondensed steam and a lower portion enclosing a region below the conveyor including the steam nozzles, conduit means interconnecting the hood portion and lower portion, and circulation means associated with the conduit for returning collected uncondensed steam for recirculation through the conveyor and food products thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transfer valve has a plurality of circumferentially arranged compartments each operatively adapted to deposit the contents thereof into one of said holding receptacles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the feed valve comprises a rotary valve having a plurality of flexible sealing vanes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a plurality of inner enclosure units arranged serially along the conveyor, each unit having a group of steam nozzles associated therewith.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the receptacle means comprises a plurality of receptacles arranged longitudinally along the holding conveyor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the nozzles emit fan-shaped jets of steam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the jets of some of the nozzles are oriented at different angles from other nozzles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the nozzles are spaced laterally from 2 to 4 inches from one another.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including means for driving the holding conveyor at speeds less than that of the pervious conveyor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2917827A
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Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-06-13 | 1986-12-13 | 1987-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-06-13 | 1990-12-13 | 1991-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-06-13 | 1994-12-13 | 1995-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |