US4509700A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of and a machine for disintegrating materials
Assignee: Nestec SA
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Filing: 1979-04-26
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Granted: 1985-04-09
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Expires: 1999-04-26
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for disintegrating soft food materials. A disintegrating element having screw threads and cutting edges on the periphery of the threads is rotated about its axis and reciprocated in directions substantially parallel to a surface of a mass of the material to be comminuted. The cutting edges engage and comminute the material at such surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Anders G. Svengren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:24
CPC Classifications
B; B02; B02C; B02C19/00; B02C19/20; B02C18/00; B02C18/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A machine for disintegrating a soft food material comprising: (a) a disintegrating element having a pair of oppositely directed screw threads disposed about an axis, each of said threads occupying a portion of the length of said disintegrating element; (b) means for rotating said disintegrating element about said axis in a predetermined direction, each of said threads having at its periphery a substantially continuous cutting edge directed in the axial direction in which such thread appears to move upon rotation in such predetermined direction; (c) means for reciprocating said disintegrating element transversely of said axis, so that the disintegrating element moves in a predetermined plane of reciprocation; and (d) means for positioning a mass of said soft food material so that a surface of said mass is disposed parallel to said plane of reciprocation and such surface is engaged by said cutting edges.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A machine for disintegrating a soft food material comprising: (a) a disintegrating element having a pair of oppositely directed screw threads disposed about an axis, each of said threads occupying a portion of the length of said disintegrating element; (b) means for rotating said disintegrating element about said axis in a predetermined direction, each of said threads having at its periphery a substantially continuous cutting edge directed in the axial direction in which such thread appears to move upon rotation in such predetermined direction; (c) means for reciprocating said disintegrating element transversely of said axis, so that the disintegrating element moves in a predetermined plane of reciprocation; and (d) means for positioning a mass of said soft food material so that a surface of said mass is disposed parallel to said plane of reciprocation and such surface is engaged by said cutting edges.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that said positioning means includes opposed guide structures, said positioning means being operative to advance the mass between said guide structures.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that each of said threads has a diameter of approximately 2 to 5 cm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A machine as claimed in claim 3 characterised in that each of said threads has a lead of approximately 3 to 6 cm per revolution.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A machine as claimed in claim 3 or claim 1, characterised in that each of said cutting edges has a taper angle towards said axis of from 0° to 5°.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said positioning means is operative to advance the mass intermittently, such means including a ratchet mechanism to prevent the mass from rebounding.
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) | 1988-04-08 | 1988-10-08 | 1989-04-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-04-08 | 1992-10-08 | 1993-04-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-04-08 | 1996-10-08 | 1997-04-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |