US4418083A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process of making hollow dried grape
Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corp
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Filing: 1982-07-29
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Granted: 1983-11-29
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Expires: 2002-07-29
Abstract
Abstract A process of drying an intact whole grape having substantially the same configuration as the fresh grape is described. The dried grape has a moisture content (wet basis) of below about 10% and varies from crisp to chewy depending on the time and temperature of drying. The critical step in the process is drying in a vacuum chamber. Preferably the heating medium is microwave energy applied to the grapes in the vacuum chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard F. McKinney
- 👤 Frederick C. Wear
- 👤 Harold L. Sandy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 16:09
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23B; A23B7/00; A23B7/02; A23B7/14; A23B7/144; A23B7/148
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A process for making dried grapes comprising the steps of: (a) removing bloom from fresh grapes, (b) drying the grapes from about 20% moisture to less than about 10% moisture in an environment containing less than about 2% oxygen and at a pressure of less than about 40 Torr, (c) raising the temperature of the grapes to between about 170° F. to about 200° F. in said reduced pressure environment for a time sufficient to rigidify the sugar structure in the grapes, (d) cooling the grapes to below about 100° F. while maintaining said reduced atmosphere, and (e) recovering hollow substantially round intact grapes having substantially the same size and color as the fresh grapes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A process for making dried grapes comprising the steps of: (a) removing bloom from fresh grapes, (b) drying the grapes from about 20% moisture to less than about 10% moisture in an environment containing less than about 2% oxygen and at a pressure of less than about 40 Torr, (c) raising the temperature of the grapes to between about 170° F. to about 200° F. in said reduced pressure environment for a time sufficient to rigidify the sugar structure in the grapes, (d) cooling the grapes to below about 100° F. while maintaining said reduced atmosphere, and (e) recovering hollow substantially round intact grapes having substantially the same size and color as the fresh grapes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the recovered grapes are chewy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 where the recovered grapes are crisp and brittle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 1 wherein microwave energy is applied to the grapes in the reduced pressure environment to dry the grapes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2091372A
Cited
US2110184A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-11-28 | 1987-05-30 | 1987-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-11-28 | 1991-05-30 | 1991-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-11-28 | 1995-05-30 | 1995-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |