Method and apparatus for drying or heat-treating products
US6297479A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 3, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 2, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 3, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05B2206/046
- WIPO fieldFood chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for drying or heat-treating substances or products at a pressure other than atmospheric pressure. The invention relates furthermore to banana chips dried by means of this method and banana powder produced therefrom. For drying or heat-treating, the products to be treated are loaded in transport receptacles which are subsequently charged via charging lock chambers into a treatment chamber and discharged therefrom via discharging lock chambers. For drying or heat-treating, at least one microwave source is provided in the treatment chamber. Furthermore an infrared heating source may be provided. After heat-treating or drying a resting period may be scheduled. More particularly for this purpose a vertically oriented conveying system is provided in the treatment chamber when a longish resting period is involved. The transport receptacle is configured dished and may comprise nets on which the products are applied. The method is employed preferably for drying or heat-treating basic food materials, e.g. for food products or medicinal drugs.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.