Spray-type integrated vegetable blancher and cooler
US4702161A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 30, 1985 |
| Grant date | Oct 27, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 30, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA23B7/06
- WIPO fieldFood chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus for blanching and cooling vegetable products comprises a perforated product conveyor belt having an upper belt run which extends and travels through a treatment tunnel defined in a casing of the apparatus. A layer of vegetable product is transported on the upper belt run through successive treatment zones defined in the treatment tunnel. The treatment zones are provided with arrangements of spray nozzles which are located to spray liquid onto the upper belt run and the layer of product thereon. The nozzle arrangement comprises upper nozzle units adapted to spray liquid on the top surface of the product layer, and may also include lower nozzle units adapted to spray liquid onto the underside of the perforated upper belt run. In a blanching zone, the product layer is sprayed with a blanching liquid which is recirculated and maintained at a desired blanching temperature. The blanching zone is followed by a cooling zone in which the product layer is cooled by spraying a cooling liquid thereon. Preferably, the heat absorbed by the cooling liquid is recovered by being used in a product preheating zone ahead of the blanching zone.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.