IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0326453
(2011-12-15)
|
등록번호 |
US-8776674
(2014-07-15)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
- Maupin, Daniel D.
- Zittel, David R.
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
4 인용 특허 :
28 |
초록
▼
A food processing apparatus includes a pressure vessel defining a compartment having an inlet end for receiving food product and an outlet end for discharging food product, an open-top screen mounted within the compartment and movable relative to the compartment between a first position, for food pr
A food processing apparatus includes a pressure vessel defining a compartment having an inlet end for receiving food product and an outlet end for discharging food product, an open-top screen mounted within the compartment and movable relative to the compartment between a first position, for food processing, and a second position, to facilitate cleaning, a rotatable auger mounted such that at least a portion of the auger is within the screen, the auger being operable to advance food product within the compartment from the inlet end of the pressure vessel toward the outlet end, and a transfer mechanism including a conduit in communication with the compartment, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge and operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move food product through the conduit.
대표청구항
▼
1. A food processing apparatus comprising: a pressure vessel defining a compartment having an inlet end for receiving food product and an outlet end for discharging food product;an open-top screen mounted within the compartment, the screen being movable relative to the compartment between a first po
1. A food processing apparatus comprising: a pressure vessel defining a compartment having an inlet end for receiving food product and an outlet end for discharging food product;an open-top screen mounted within the compartment, the screen being movable relative to the compartment between a first position, for food processing, and a second position, to facilitate cleaning;a mechanism interconnected with the screen operable to hold the screen in the first position and further operable to release the screen; anda rotatable auger mounted such that at least a portion of the auger is within the screen, the auger being operable to advance food product within the compartment from the inlet end toward the outlet end. 2. The food processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mechanism is a screen drive interconnected with the screen, the screen drive including a brake motor operable to hold the screen in the first position, wherein, when the brake motor is released, the screen drive moves the screen to the second position. 3. The food processing apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising a support shaft rotatably supporting the auger, wherein the screen is mounted on and rotates about the support shaft to move from the first position toward the second position. 4. The food processing apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising a plurality of injectors disposed in the compartment between a compartment wall and the screen when the screen is in the first position, the injectors discharging a fluid under pressure toward the screen. 5. The food processing apparatus of claim 4, wherein, with the screen in the first position, the injectors are operable to discharge fluid through the screen to displace food product in the screen, and wherein, with the screen in the second position, the injectors are operable to discharge fluid against an inner surface of the screen to facilitate cleaning of the screen. 6. The food processing apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising a pressure-limiting transfer mechanism for transferring food product relative to the pressure vessel and limiting pressure discharge from the pressure vessel during transfer of food product. 7. The food processing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the pressure-limiting transfer mechanism includes a housing, anda rotor supported by the housing, the housing and the rotor cooperating to define a first chamber and a second chamber,wherein the rotor is movable relative to the housing to selectively position the first chamber and the second chamber in a first position, in which food product is transferred between an exterior of the food processing apparatus and a one of the first chamber and the second chamber in the first position, and a second position, in which food product is transferred between the compartment and a one of the first chamber and the second chamber in the second position. 8. The food processing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the pressure-limiting transfer mechanism is an inlet transfer mechanism and is operable to transfer food product from the exterior of the food processing apparatus and into the compartment, and wherein the food processing apparatus further comprises a discharge pressure-limiting transfer mechanism for transferring food product from the compartment to the exterior of the food processing apparatus and limiting pressure discharge from the pressure vessel during transfer of food product. 9. The food processing apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising a second transfer mechanism including a conduit positioned in the pressure vessel and including a first end portion configured to be in communication with the compartment and a second end portion,a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit between the first end portion and the second end portion, anda pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge, the pressurized fluid source being operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move food product from the first end portion of the conduit toward the second end portion of the conduit. 10. The food processing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the screen has a circumferentially-extending screen surface, the screen surface defining a screen opening proximate an outlet end of the screen, and wherein, with the screen in the first position, the first end portion of the conduit is in communication with the screen opening such that the second transfer mechanism is operable to move food product from the screen, through the screen opening and toward the second end portion of the conduit. 11. A food processing apparatus comprising: a pressure vessel defining at least one compartment having an inlet end for receiving food product and an outlet end for discharging food product;a conveyor mechanism mounted in the compartment and operable to move food product from the inlet end and toward the outlet end;a transfer mechanism including a conduit positioned in the pressure vessel and including a first end portion configured to be in communication with the compartment and a second end portion,a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit between the first end portion and the second end portion, anda pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge, the pressurized fluid source being operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move food product from the first end portion of the conduit toward the second end portion of the conduit; anda pressure-limiting transfer mechanism for transferring food product relative to the pressure vessel and limiting pressure discharge from the pressure vessel during transfer of food product. 12. The food processing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the transfer mechanism further includes a dewatering member in communication with the second end portion of the conduit, the dewatering member including a screen, the dewatering member receiving food product and fluid from the conduit and facilitating separation of the food product from the fluid, anda convex guide member positioned between the second end portion of the conduit and the dewatering member, the convex guide member directing food product and fluid from the conduit into the dewatering member. 13. The food processing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the fluid discharge includes one of a slot positioned between the first end portion of the conduit and the second end portion of the conduit and a plurality of nozzles having outlets positioned between the first end portion of the conduit and the second end portion of the conduit. 14. The food processing apparatus of claim 13, wherein the conduit includes an inlet conduit section providing the first end portion, the inlet conduit section having an inlet end in fluid communication with the compartment and an opposite end with an outer surface, anda main conduit section having a first end with an inner surface, the opposite end of the inlet conduit section being inserted in the first end of the main conduit section, andwherein the fluid discharge includes a slot at least partially defined between the outer surface of the opposite end of the inlet conduit section and the inner surface of the first end of the main conduit section. 15. The food processing apparatus of claim 14, wherein the inlet conduit section has a round cross-section and a circumference, wherein the main conduit section has a round cross-section, wherein the fluid discharge includes a slot at least partially defined between the outer surface of the opposite end of the inlet conduit section and the inner surface of the first end of the main conduit section, the slot extending about the circumference of the opposite end of the inlet conduit section, and wherein the pressurized fluid source is operable to propel a fluid through the slot to move food product from the first end portion of the conduit toward the second end portion. 16. The food processing apparatus of claim 14, wherein the inlet conduit section includes two pairs of opposing walls forming a generally rectangular cross-section, wherein the main conduit section includes two pairs of opposing walls forming a generally rectangular cross-section, wherein the fluid discharge includes a first slot defined between the outer surface of one wall of one pair of opposing walls of the inlet conduit section and the inner surface of one wall of an associated pair of opposing walls of the main conduit section, andan opposing second slot defined between the outer surface of the other wall of the one pair of opposing walls of the inlet conduit section and the inner surface of the other wall of the associate pair of opposing walls of the main conduit section, andwherein the pressurized fluid source is operable to propel a fluid through the first slot and through the second slot to move food product from the first end portion of the conduit toward the second end portion. 17. The food processing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the pressure-limiting transfer mechanism includes a housing, anda rotor supported by the housing, the housing and the rotor cooperating to define a first chamber and a second chamber,wherein the rotor is movable relative to the housing to selectively position the first chamber and the second chamber in a first position, in which food product is transferred between an exterior of the food processing apparatus and a one of the first chamber and the second chamber in the first position, and a second position, in which food product is transferred between the compartment and a one of the first chamber and the second chamber in the second position. 18. The food processing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the pressure-limiting transfer mechanism is an inlet transfer mechanism and is operable to transfer food product from the exterior of the food processing apparatus and into the compartment, and wherein the food processing apparatus further comprises a discharge pressure-limiting transfer mechanism for transferring food product from the compartment to the exterior of the food processing apparatus and limiting pressure discharge from the pressure vessel during transfer of food product.
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