US4416326A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for melting refrigerated butter
Assignee: Alfa Laval NV
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Filing: 1981-12-28
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Granted: 1983-11-22
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Expires: 2001-12-28
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for melting refrigerated butter, cream, or similar substances. A block of butter to be melted is forced by a mechanically energized punch through a grating. This grating includes heated tubes that are substantially triangular in transverse section. The block of butter is faced by angular top edges of the tubes. The wall of the grating tubes facing away from the block of butter is preferably furnished with a heat barrier, the angular edges of this wall being as sharp-cornered as possible and preferably equipped with aprons which are at least substantially perpendicular to the plane of the grating.
Inventors
- 👤 Johannes M. H. Van Vlaenderen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:51
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01J; A01J23/00; A01J21/00; A01J21/02; A23; A23B; A23B11/00; A23B11/30; A23B11/302; A23C; A23C15/00; A23C15/12; A23C15/14; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S165/00; Y10S165/225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for melting a refrigerated substance, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a grating rigidly attached to said frame in a substantially horizontal plane, and comprising a plurality of tubes which are adapted to receive a hot medium therethrough; and a mechanically energized punching means displaceably associated relative to said frame for pressing a block of said substance which is to be melted against and through said grating, said substance passing into a molten state as a result of contact with said hot tubes, and being discharged in liquid form through said grating, said tubes of said grating being provided with walls, that wall portion of a given tube facing away from said block of substance to be melted being provided with a heat barrier.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for melting a refrigerated substance, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a grating rigidly attached to said frame in a substantially horizontal plane, and comprising a plurality of tubes which are adapted to receive a hot medium therethrough; and a mechanically energized punching means displaceably associated relative to said frame for pressing a block of said substance which is to be melted against and through said grating, said substance passing into a molten state as a result of contact with said hot tubes, and being discharged in liquid form through said grating, said tubes of said grating being provided with walls, that wall portion of a given tube facing away from said block of substance to be melted being provided with a heat barrier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said heat barrier comprises a strip of thermally insulating material which is applied to the inside of said wall portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, in which both ends of said wall portion are provided with sharp edges.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, in which said sharp edges are formed by aprons which extend along said tubes and are at least substantially perpendicular to said tubular grating.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said tubes have a substantially triangular shape in transverse section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said punching means comprises a grating of tubes adapted to receive a hot medium therethrough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, in which said punching means includes a surface which faces said block of substance to be melted, said surface being provided with an inflatable covering.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for melting a refrigerated substance, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a grating rigidly attached to said frame in a substantially horizontal plane, and comprising a plurality of tubes which are adapted to receive a hot medium therethrough; and a mechanically energized punching means displaceably associated relative to said frame for pressing a block of said substance which is to be melted against and through said grating, said substance passing into a molten state as a result of contact with said hot tubes, and being discharged in liquid form through said grating, said punching means including a surface which faces said block of substance to be melted, said surface being provided with an inflatable covering.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for melting a refrigerated substance, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a grating rigidly attached to said frame in a substantially horizontal plane, and comprising a plurality of tubes which are adapted to receive a hot medium therethrough; and a mechanically energized punching means displaceably associated relative to said frame for pressing a block of said substance which is to be melted against and through said grating, said substance passing into a molten state as a result of contact with said hot tubes, and being discharged in liquid form through said grating, said punching means including a surface which faces said block of substance to be melted, said surface being provided with an inflatable covering.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 8, in which said punching means comprises a grating of tubes adapted to receive a hot medium therethrough.
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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) | 1986-11-21 | 1987-05-23 | 1987-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-11-21 | 1991-05-23 | 1991-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-11-21 | 1995-05-23 | 1995-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |