Drying and gas or vapor contact with solids – Apparatus – With means to treat gas or vapor
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-18
2001-03-06
McDermott, Corrine (Department: 3744)
Drying and gas or vapor contact with solids
Apparatus
With means to treat gas or vapor
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195906
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to food dehydrators and, more specifically, to a food dehydrating facility utilizing temperature controlled purified wind currents to produce dehydrated food products which retain their natural nutrients and coloring.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous types of dehydrators have been provided in the prior art. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to food dehydrators and, more specifically, to a food dehydrating facility utilizing temperature controlled purified wind currents to produce dehydrated food products which retain their natural nutrients and coloring.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a food dehydrator that will overcome the shortcomings of prior art devices.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a method for dehydrating a food product which is able to retain the natural nutrients and coloring of the food product.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a food dehydration facility able to dehydrate food using specific combinations of air and heat whereby the food will maintain its nutritional value.
A further object of the present invention to provide a food dehydration facility able to dehydrate food while maintaining the original color of the food without the use of artificial colorings.
A still further object of the present invention to provide a food dehydration facility able to dehydrate food to produce a dehydrated food product that may be readily reconstituted.
A yet further object of the present invention to provide a food dehydration facility able to produce dehydrated food in a safe, effective manner wherein large quantities of foodstuffs may be treated in a relatively short period of time.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a food dehydration facility that is simple and easy to use.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a food dehydration facility able to produce dehydrated food products in an economical manner.
Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds.
An air-injected dehydration apparatus for dehydrating a food product is disclosed by the present invention. The apparatus includes a dehydration chamber having a plurality of controllable heating elements extending therethrough and a device for moving the food product within the chamber. An air injection system providing air to the chamber and an exhaust is provided for exhausting air from the chamber. The air injection system includes an air compressor for supplying pressurized air to the chamber, a pressure conduit to channel the pressurized air from the compressor to the chamber and a device for dispersing the air within the chamber. The air provided to the chamber should preferably be sterilized by a decontamination system. The decontamination system includes an air intake assembly for supplying a flow of air and an air purification chamber comprising an air inlet functionally connected to the air intake assembly, a device for purifying the air as it passes through said chamber, and an air outlet. The air purification chamber includes a nozzle positioned on a top side thereof for spraying a purifying substance in a constant curtain across the chamber in a direction transverse to the flow of air therethrough to remove contaminants from the air flowing below the nozzle. A filter is provided at the inlet to the chamber and a decontamination tank is positioned below the nozzle for receiving the purifying substance and contaminants sprayed by the nozzle. The contaminants are removed from the purifying substance and returned to the nozzle for spraying therethrough.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.
The foregoing and other objects, advantages and characterizing features will become apparent from the following description of certain illustrative embodiments of the invention.
The novel features which are considered characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction which are illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3633340 (1972-01-01), Illingworth
patent: 4556043 (1985-12-01), Bratton
patent: 5762665 (1998-06-01), Abrahamian et al.
patent: 5987773 (1999-11-01), Lipsey
Drake Malik N.
Kroll Michael I.
McDermott Corrine
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