Drying and gas or vapor contact with solids – Apparatus – Rotary drums or receptacles
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-29
2002-12-03
Lazarus, Ira S. (Department: 3749)
Drying and gas or vapor contact with solids
Apparatus
Rotary drums or receptacles
C034S429000, C034S430000, C034S080000, C034S063000, C034S131000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06487790
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for continuously drying unpackaged food products, and vegetables in general.
As is known, in conventional food product drying apparatus, the air coming from the products to be dried is conveyed through a tunnel, after heating and cooling thereof.
In order to prevent the food products from being damaged, and to further prevent the organoleptic characteristics of said products from being negatively affected, it is necessary to dry the products by air having a comparatively low temperature.
However, conventional food product drying apparatus have not been found satisfactory in properly drying the food products because they usually operate at a comparatively high temperature, thereby damaging the food products.
On the other hand, if the temperature of a conventional drying system is held at a comparatively low value, then the vegetables cannot be quickly dried because of the high moisture of the drying air, which is recycled several times and which, for each cycle, increases in its moisture contents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus for continuously drying unpackaged food products and vegetables, which overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks of prior drying apparatus.
Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus for continuously drying unpackaged food products which is adapted to perfectly dry the products, by using a low temperature drying air.
Another object of the present invention is to, provide such a drying apparatus which is very reliable in operation and can be easily managed and controlled.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an apparatus for continuously drying unpackaged food products and vegetables, comprising conveyor means for conveying the food products to be dried, drying air circulating means for conveying dry air on the food products to be dried, and being characterized in that said apparatus further comprises dehumidifying means for dehumidifying moist air, said dehumidifying means comprising an adsorption dehumidifying device.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1330238 (1920-02-01), Carrier
patent: 1673600 (1928-06-01), Spencer
patent: 3067522 (1962-12-01), Teigen
patent: 3203109 (1965-08-01), Moore
patent: 4291472 (1981-09-01), Lewis
patent: 4974337 (1990-12-01), Tavakoli et al.
patent: 5428904 (1995-07-01), Rutz
patent: 5433019 (1995-07-01), Fu et al.
patent: 6079118 (2000-06-01), Kiyokawa
patent: 6094835 (2000-08-01), Cromer
patent: 6289606 (2001-09-01), Gillette et al.
Hedman & Costigan ,P.C.
Lazarus Ira S.
Rinehart K. B.
LandOfFree
Apparatus for continuously drying unpackaged food products,... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus for continuously drying unpackaged food products,..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus for continuously drying unpackaged food products,... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2996807