Heating Or Cooling Patents (Class 53/127)
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Patent number: 5307608Abstract: An apparatus and method for packaging asphalt, which includes liquid cooling means, such as a pool or water sprayer, and an elongated flat conveying surface, such as the surface of a conveyor belt, for transporting asphalt molds into said liquid cooling means after said asphalt molds have been lined with plastic and filled with hot asphalt.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1992Date of Patent: May 3, 1994Assignee: Petro Source Refining PartnersInventors: Raun S. Muir, Charles S. Rogers
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Patent number: 5290580Abstract: Products are placed in proximity to a liquid holding cooling element containing a volatile liquid and are subjected to a vacuum. The evaporation of the liquid from the cooling element enhances cooling while reducing the evaporation of liquid from the product.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1992Date of Patent: March 1, 1994Assignee: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Stan L. Floyd, Herbert D. Muise, Mark A. Stanish
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Patent number: 5287676Abstract: A device for handling liquid radioactive waste includes a heater for heating and drying liquid radioactive waste being poured into a container. A pallet, which is preferably formed of metal, receives the container. A ground vehicle transports the pallet. A supplementary heater is part of the pallet.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1993Date of Patent: February 22, 1994Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Dietmar Erbse, Reinhard Thiele, Helmut Walter
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Patent number: 5228267Abstract: Frozen dessert cones made from a cooked batter capable of having lower and higher moisture contents, which respectively cause the cone to assume dimensionally contracted and expanded states, are provided with sanitary jackets while in their dimensionally contracted state. When the cooked batter forming the cone attains a higher moisture content, the cone will dimensionally expand against the walls of the sanitary jacket thereby exerting a restraining force against removal of the jacket from the cone. The sanitary jacket is applied to an interior handle region of a cone so that the sanitary jacket will nest with the exterior surface of a downstream cone handle when stacked therewithin. A chute is provided so as to align and direct the sanitary jacket with respect to the interior handle region of the cone. A stream of pressurized fluid (e.g., air) is then preferably directed against the sanitary jacket so as to propel the same into a seated relationship with the interior handle region.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1991Date of Patent: July 20, 1993Assignee: Sweetheart Cup Company Inc.Inventors: R. Carl Blankenship, Kenneth H. Kuykendall, Sr., Robert D. Heckner, Kenneth L. Schultz
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Patent number: 5222346Abstract: A process for packing a liquid, semi-liquid, soft or fine-powder product in a closed foil tube, whereby the product is introduced into the foil tube in the area of a tube form station and taken to an expulsion station which expels the product from web-like expulsion areas extending over the width of the foil tube, and adds sealing seams to the foil tube in these areas. In order to achieve proper expulsion and sealing which is simple and tight using narrow sealing seams, the foil must first be cooled off prior to expulsion.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 1992Date of Patent: June 29, 1993Assignee: Natec, Reich, Summer GmbH & Co. Kg.Inventors: Jurgen Wegscheider, Franz Hartmann, Konrad Hauber
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Patent number: 5184450Abstract: In a method of packaging freeze dried vaccine in a bypass syringe sterilized syringes are disposed in rows in an aseptic dispensing machine. Doses of a solution or suspension to be freeze dried are introduced into the syringes. A temporary plug is inserted in the same machine into the mouth of the syringe body in a position allowing communication between the interior of the syringe body and the exterior. The syringes are introduced into a freeze drying machine. The vaccine is freeze dried. At the end of the freeze drying cycle the temporary plug is depressed in a controlled atmosphere in the freeze drying machine into a hermetic sealing position. The syringes are transferred into an aseptic dispensing machine. The temporary plug is removed. An intermediate piston-plug is fitted. The dose of solvent is introduced and an end piston-plug is fitted.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 1992Date of Patent: February 9, 1993Assignee: Pasteur Merieux Serums et VaccinsInventors: Michel G. H. Galy, Alain Gomez
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Patent number: 5056427Abstract: A thermal reaction apparatus for sealing liquid within cavities includes a tray having cavities for storing therein liquid. The cavities have openings arranged at varying levels in thickness direction of the tray. A planar sealing member is disposed on the tray to cover the openings and is comprised of a pair of flexible sheets and viscous fluid filled between the flexible sheets. A pressure plate is disposed on the planar sealing member for applying thereto pressure effective to locally flow the viscous fluid to enable the sealing member to seal the varying levels of the cavity openings to thereby prevent evaporation of the liquid stored in the cavities.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 1990Date of Patent: October 15, 1991Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventors: Munechika Sakabe, Osamu Segawa
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Patent number: 5042228Abstract: A method for heating and dispensing hot melt materials in which the hot melt material is contained in a tube having a cylindrical outer surface portion over a majority of its length, and the hot melt material in the tube is heated by a heater assembly through a heat transfer member having a cylindrical inner surface adapted to closely receive the cylindrical outer surface portion of the tube.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1990Date of Patent: August 27, 1991Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Walter C. Pearson
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Patent number: 5020297Abstract: The apparatus is fitted with a transfer turntable (1) suitable for conveying dishes in the open state from a station for dispensing open dishes to a filling station, and then from the filling station to a station for receiving filled dishes. The turntable comprises a top plate (10) whose openings retain the lids of the dishes and a bottom plate (11) whose openings receive the bottoms of the dishes, said bottoms resting constantly against a fixed refrigerated sole plate (55) while they are being transferred. The turntable (1) is driven by means of a drive disk (6) placed beneath the sole plate (55) and magnetically coupled to the turntable by means of two series of facing magnets (61-12). The apparatus is suitable for constituting laboratory equipment.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1990Date of Patent: June 4, 1991Assignee: Armor Equipment ScientifiqueInventors: Gerard Borie, Jean Pellegrin, Alain Le Roch
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Patent number: 4947650Abstract: Liquid cryogen is added to a container of particulate material (e.g. powder, flakes or granules) immediately before the container is capped as part of a process for pressurizing the container. A liquid cryogen retainer is positioned within the unsealed container above the particulate material, and the flow of liquid cryogen is directed to the retainer to substantially prevent eruption from the container of the particulate material, which may otherwise result when the liquid nitrogen penetrates the particulate material and causes the particulate material to erupt, with an unacceptable loss of the particulate material and of the liquid cryogen.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1988Date of Patent: August 14, 1990Assignee: Vacuum Barrier CorporationInventors: Russell W. Blanton, J. Eric Taylor, Thornton Stearns
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Patent number: 4939884Abstract: An apparatus for filling receptacles with honey comprising heating means and pumping means to force the honey in a circular shaped filler with a plurality of feed tubes arranged like spokes on a wheel. A conveyor nestles the receptacles between clogs of the conveyor. As each feed tube is inserted in the receptacle, the receptacle is filled. Additionally, the receptacle, which is moving on the conveyor, causes the filler to rotate so that each successive receptacle is filled by the next feed tube. A bottom sealer and a top sealer gradually squeeze the ends of the receptacle until they are cut and sealed by a current carrying wire.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1989Date of Patent: July 10, 1990Inventor: Glenn Peters
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Patent number: 4909696Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading a refrigerator box which has a door along one side and insulation in all of the surfaces of the box including the bottom. The invention specifically relates to devices for loading the box using a pallet loaded with prepackaged material such as ice. The insulation in the bottom of the box is divided into three parts; the insulation along one side, the insulation along the opposite side and then the center insulation portion.The method is accomplished by removing the center insulated portion and rolling a pallet loaded with prepackaged material into the refrigerated box using an ordinary transportation vehicle such as a lift cart. Once the vehicle has moved the pallet of prepackaged material into the refrigerated ice box or container, the transportation device is then lowered so that the pallet will settle onto the pieces of insulation on each side of the box. The transportation device is then removed and a piece of insulation is inserted under the pallet.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 1989Date of Patent: March 20, 1990Inventor: Freddy J. Wigley
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Patent number: 4884386Abstract: A system for recovering, selecting and recycling empty containers returned after use which includes two specific sequences. In the first sequence, a container (4) passes a door (2) to remove material of a different type, while the accepted product activates a microswitch (9) for counting and activating a warming device to blow in hot air onto the same material which is thus softened; the container is then pushed between a motor driven heated pressing roll (18) with tension supplied by sliding contacts (22) to carry out a compact and permanent pressing by using pressing-welding points and another inertia roller (19). Knives (24) cooperate with the two rollers to ensure the separation. In the second sequence or selection phase, recovered bodies (29), are applied from hopper (30) and fall onto a feeding system with vibrating canals, to maintain the containers individually; photocells (34) check that no superpositions occur.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1988Date of Patent: December 5, 1989Assignee: Govoni, SpAInventor: Gulmini Carlo
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Patent number: 4832968Abstract: A beverage package and a method of packaging a beverage having gas (preferably at least one of carbon dioxide and inert (nitrogen gases) in solution has a non-resealable container 1 within which is located a hollow pod 4 having a restricted aperture 7 in a side wall. The container is charged with the beverage 8 and sealed. Beverage from the main chamber of the container enters the pod 4 (shown at 8a) by way of the aperture 7 to provide headspaces 1a in the container and 4a in the pod 4. Gas within the headspaces 1a and 4a is at greater than atmospheric pressure. Preferably the beverage is drawn into the hollow pod by subjecting the package to a heating and cooling cycle. Upon opening the container 1 by draw ring/region 13, the headspace 1a is vented to atmosphere and the pressure differential resulting from the pressure in the pod headspace 4a causes gas/beverage to be ejected from the pod (by way of the aperture 7) into the beverage 8.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1986Date of Patent: May 23, 1989Assignee: Arthur Guinness Son & Company LimitedInventors: Alan J. Forage, William J. Byrne
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Patent number: 4782643Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangment for the continuous heat treatment and packaging of a liquid product with the object of sterilizing the product, the product being heated for a short time together with, and surrounded by, the packing material wherein it is to be enclosed. The product is introduced into a tube of flexible material whereupon the tube containing the product is introduced between two parallel metal bands, movable synchronously in their longitudinal direction, the tube being received and compressed between the bands so that the tube is transported with the bands at the same time as the cross-sectional area of the tube is reduced and the product is made to flow forward through the compressed tube in a gaplike space. Heat is transmitted to the product with the help of the metal bands (1) while the product present between the metal bands is kept under pressure.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1987Date of Patent: November 8, 1988Assignee: Tetra Pak International ABInventor: Sven O. S. Stark
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Patent number: 4771681Abstract: An apparatus for automatically manufacturing bean curd and at high production efficiency, free from sticking together of the cut pieces of bean curd and from the propagating of germs. This apparatus comprises a coagulating tank, a bean curd cutting device, a separating device and a packing device. Processes by these devices are carried out in hot water of the temperature at which various germs can not live so that bean curd in a germ-free condition can be produced. Unlike previous devices, both the cutting and packing devices function with hot water keeping the bean curd continuously covered. In this manner the integrity and cleanliness of the bean curd is maintained.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1987Date of Patent: September 20, 1988Assignee: Sanyo Shokuhin Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Zenji Nagata
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Patent number: 4757669Abstract: There is provided an overall system of packaging commodities such as garments or other like compressible articles in which the articles are initially conditioned to provide relatively low temperatures and relative humidity, following which the garments are enveloped with wrapping material, and subjected to a vacuum packaging operation. The system may include a transport system for transporting packaged commodities between the wrapping and vacuum packaging steps and stations. The vacuum packaging apparatus in which the apparatus functions to initially compress the central portion of the packaged commodity and progressively outwardly therefrom to provide improved packaging techniques to remove any entrapped air. The wrapping device may vertically envelops a commodity to be packaged. There is also provided a conditioning step and apparatus for conditioning the articles before packaging.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1987Date of Patent: July 19, 1988Assignee: Tex Innovation ABInventors: Sven P. A. Areblom, Claes-Goeran Rogberg
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Patent number: 4744204Abstract: Apparatus for storing pieces of fresh meat has a vessel with an open top for insertion or removal of meat and a cover which overlies the meat in the vessel and can be pushed downwardly by a jack so as to pressurize the pieces of meat and expel air by eliminating gaps between neighboring pieces of meat as well as between the pieces of meat and the internal surface of the vessel. Compression of meat results in expulsion of juices which rise and overlie the topmost layer of meat around the cover.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1987Date of Patent: May 17, 1988Assignee: Vesten AGInventor: Jurgen Schlegel
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Patent number: 4729208Abstract: A series of syringe bodies with their lower ends closed is filled with a solution of medicine to a predetermined level in the bodies. The syringe bodies are placed in a lyophilizer with the bodies arranged in a predetermined pattern. A plurality of plungers for the syringe bodies is arranged in a corresponding pattern and above the syringe bodies. After the medicine in the syringe bodies is lyophilized in the lyophilizer, a reduced pressure is created in the lyophilizer and the plungers are simultaneously moved into the syringe bodies to a predetermined level above the lyophilized medicine. The pressure within the lyophilizer is then increased to atmospheric and the assembled syringes are removed. Apparatus for implementing the process can include a lower rack having openings for retaining the syringe bodies in the predetermined pattern, and an upper rack seatable on the lower rack for retaining the piston portions of plungers in facing relation to, aligned with, and above the openings of the syringe bodies.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1987Date of Patent: March 8, 1988Inventors: Michel Galy, Alain Genet
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Patent number: 4704958Abstract: A pasteurizing apparatus has a conveyor for longitudinally displacing containers to be pasteurized along a treatment path, a manifold extending longitudinally along the path between the path ends, and a multiplicity of longitudinally spaced sprayers connected to the manifold and directed transversely at the containers in the path, whereby each container passes under a succession of such sprayers while moving between the path ends. Conduits connected to the manifold at upstream and downstream locations and at a central location therebetween feed respective liquids at different temperatures to the locations and therethrough to the manifolds. A multiplicity of transverse partitions spaced axially along the manifold are each displaceable between a closed position substantially longitudinally blocking the manifold and an open position longitudinally unblocking it.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1987Date of Patent: November 10, 1987Assignee: Societe Nouvelle Baele GangloffInventor: Robert Braymand
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Patent number: 4674267Abstract: An improved heating, packaging and sterilization system for pumpable particulate food product (e.g., soups, stews, fruits) is provided which makes use of an upstream pump and an automated packaging chamber maintained at superatmospheric pressure to achieve precise processing control without deleterious overcooking or flashing of the food product. The upstream pump is coupled to the chamber via a constant diameter conduit, and the open delivery end of the latter is in direct communication with the pressurized interior of the packaging chamber; in this way the easily controllable chamber pressure provides back pressure within the product conduit, so that a substantially uniform decreasing pressure gradient and essentially plug product flow are established throughout the length of the conduit from the pump to the chamber. Moreover, the chamber pressure is of sufficient magnitude to prevent flashing throughout the system.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1986Date of Patent: June 23, 1987Assignee: Marlen Research CorporationInventors: Thomas E. Szemplenski, Warren R. Schack, Richard G. Powers
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Patent number: 4627224Abstract: A method of packing a semisolid compound into a bag comprising the steps of precooling a high temperature semisolid compound to such a temperature at which it can maintain the desired viscosity, filling said precooled semisolid compound into a packing bag made of synthetic resin while cooling its outer surface with water, heat-sealing an opening part of the bag, putting the bag in a water tank for cooling, removing the cooled bag and transporting it, and an apparatus for carrying out the above-described method.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1984Date of Patent: December 9, 1986Assignees: Nihon Spindle Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha, Showa Rekisei Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideki Hamamoto, Tsutomu Fujita, Takuzo Mori
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Patent number: 4589947Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for adhering straws, each being packed in a plastic film, to external surfaces of beverage vessels for milk, juice, etc. which are sold by vendor machines. Specifically, a straw adhering apparatus for beverage vessels wherein a continuous laminated plastic film strip which incorporates straws separately and individually and is provided with an array of punched feed holes at upper and lower end parts of the strip is cut into individual straw packs by a cutter on the way of the strip feed passage. Upper and lower edges of each straw pack are delivered respectively by a pair of seizing feed belts to the main carrying conveyor path for a beverage vessel to which the straw pack is adhered to an external surface of the beverage vessel onto which an adhesive agent is applied in advance. An adhesion retaining belt which maintains a state of adhesion of the straw pack to the beverage vessel is provided at a side of the main carrying conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1984Date of Patent: May 20, 1986Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TakaraInventor: Masaaki Tsuda
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Patent number: 4557103Abstract: A butter-like product is recirculated from a mixing bowl (10) by a recirculating pump (14) until its viscosity is adjusted to the equivalent of 16,000 to 18,000 centipoise at 75.degree. F. The viscosity adjusted butter is pumped through an aerator (22) to a closed holding tank (40). A positive displacement pump (42) recirculates the viscosity adjusted butter from the holding tank, through a recirculating feed line (44) at a preselected pressure, and back to the holding tank. A plurality of packaging machines (C) each include a metering pump (60) which pumps metered amounts of the butter from the recirculating feed line through at least one filling nozzle (62). Sheets of heat-sealable plastic material from rolls (64, 66) are heat sealed (70, 72, 74, 76) into squeeze packets surrounding the metered volumes of butter. A conveyor (100) conveys the filled squeeze packets to a fluid cooling hood (104) in which the squeeze packets are bathed in a cooling fluid, e.g.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1984Date of Patent: December 10, 1985Assignee: Sar-A-Lee, Inc.Inventors: Charles A. Schwartz, Kenyon L. Cornwell
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Patent number: 4514960Abstract: A method of preparing a cohesive, solid insecticidal bait within a dispensing package for the bait comprises mixing the bait ingredients, inserting the mixture into the dispensing package, subjecting the mixture-containing package to microwave energy, and cooling.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1982Date of Patent: May 7, 1985Assignee: American Cyanamid CompanyInventor: Karl Sears
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Patent number: 4494356Abstract: Apparatus for continuously producing fish meat processed food which is produced by preparing fine filaments from paste-like fish meat and bundling a number of said filaments. The continuously producing apparatus comprises a solidification device for solidifying paste-like fish meat into thin web-like fish meat, a first cutting device for cutting the solidified fish meat lengthwise to form fine filament-like fish meat, a collection device for collecting the filament-like fish meat while transporting the same, a bundling device for successively urging and fixing filaments of the collected fish meat while transporting the same into the desired diameter, a packaging device for packaging the bundled fish meat with a packaging film, and a second cutting device for cutting the packaged fish meat into the desired axial length.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 1982Date of Patent: January 22, 1985Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yanagiya TekkoshoInventor: Tetsuo Takiguchi
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Patent number: 4468913Abstract: Method and box for conditioning products which must be stored under determined temperature conditions, generally different from the conditions of the environment. The method consists in placing within an open, thermally insulated enclosure (1), some removable reserve elements (26 to 30), placing the products within the volume delimited by the reserve elements (26 to 30) inside the enclosure (1), removing the reserve elements (26 to 30), replacing them by heat or cold accumulating elements brought to the required predetermined temperature and having shapes and dimensions similar to those of the reserve elements (26 to 30), and closing the enclosure (1). Application to the conditioning of products sensitive to temperature, especially such as vaccines, serums, etc.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1981Date of Patent: September 4, 1984Assignee: SofrigamInventors: Claude R. Guillon, Annick Schwarz
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Patent number: 4450667Abstract: A method and apparatus for rejuvenating worn or used balls, e.g. balls used in the game of racket ball by subjecting such worn or used balls to steam heat while confining such balls to a closed environment. The apparatus comprises a container, such as the can in which such balls are normally marketed and connecting thereto the outlet of a steam generating device whereby the balls normally stored in the container are subjected to steam heat generated with the steaming device.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1981Date of Patent: May 29, 1984Inventor: John Fitzpatrick
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Patent number: 4369611Abstract: The top of a flexible pouch is sealed when two heated bars are pressed into engagement with opposite sides of the pouch. One of the bars is formed with two angled surfaces which converge into intersecting relation with one another so as to drive moisture from the seal area and enable the formation of a substantially blemish-free seal.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1980Date of Patent: January 25, 1983Assignee: Rexham CorporationInventor: Allen B. Canfield
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Patent number: 4368608Abstract: A measured amount of water is frozen in a tray and cubed. The cubes are dropped directly into a bag placed under a chute. The ice drops responsive to the defrosting of the tray which releases the cubes. When the defrosting cycle of the ice maker is complete the tray moves up which moves an attached chain up to unclog any ice jam in the chute. Then the freezing of the ice begins again, a bag-carrying platen moves away from the chute and the bag is heat sealed. The bag, full of ice, is then released and dropped into a cold storage bin below the bagging mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1977Date of Patent: January 18, 1983Assignee: Texas Aim, Inc.Inventor: Jimmy C. Ray
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Patent number: 4332122Abstract: Packages or containers are formed for body fluids or other solutions within which autoclaved liquids such as anticoagulants are included. The invention, which is particularly suitable for donor blood bags, includes the use of a sterile connector to incorporate autoclaved liquids into sterilized packages that can, if desired, be made of materials that cannot be successfully autoclaved at high temperatures without deformation or discoloration thereof.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1980Date of Patent: June 1, 1982Assignee: Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Ronald A. Williams
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Patent number: 4218486Abstract: In the preparation and storage of cooked, bulk packaged food in flexible receptacles, the quality of the food is increased, the cooking conditions are closely controlled, the growth of bacteria is restricted, and the storage time is increased by reducing the interior temperature of the food from its filling temperature of at least 180.degree. F. to below 45.degree. F. in less than a half hour. Said temperature reduction is preferably achieved by filling the receptacle so that the food therein is flowable or mobile and then tumbling the receptacle in a cooling medium so that the food flows or moves within the receptacle. After storage at 28.degree. F. to 32.degree. F., the food may be heated by tumbling the receptacle in a heating medium in order to bring the food quickly to serving temperature thereby avoiding overcooking.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 1979Date of Patent: August 19, 1980Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.Inventors: Anne C. Bieler, Milton A. Howe
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Patent number: 4199912Abstract: A system for filling generally cylindrical barbell weight shells with a relatively viscous slurry of cementitious material comprises a roller conveyor which transports a plurality of carriers each supporting a plurality of barbell weight shells thereon through a plurality of stations. At a lubricating station, the exterior of the shells is coated with a light film of oil to facilitate subsequent cleaning thereof. At a filling station, a dispensing hopper having a plurality of downwardly projecting nozzles dispenses the cementitious slurry into the shells. Each of the carriers is positioned beneath the hopper, the shells thereon are aligned with the nozzles, and a lift table lifts the shells off of the roller conveyor into engagement with the nozzles. Vibrator and agitator devices induce the flow of the slurry from the hopper into the shells under the influence of gravity.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 1978Date of Patent: April 29, 1980Assignee: Diversified Products CorporationInventors: Forrest H. James, Jr., Ira J. Silberman
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Patent number: 4196225Abstract: Method for continuously processing filled containers with liquid heat treatment mediums maintained under superatmospheric pressure by an overriding air pressure. A minimum of liquid is used during processing with the liquid level being maintained above the containers at all times. The liquid is controllably circulated through container filled tunnels defined within carts, from one end of the tunnel to the other, to assure equal heat treatment of all containers in the batch of containers in each tunnel. The carts may either be non-agitating or agitating carts. One embodiment of the continuous pressure cooker and cooler includes a pressure vessel having two pressure locks to provide a pressure cooking chamber with high pressure cooling being performed in a mini-cooler defined by the outlet pressure lock followed by additional atmospheric cooling.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 1978Date of Patent: April 1, 1980Assignee: FMC CorporationInventor: Samuel A. Mencacci
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Patent number: 4168597Abstract: A method and apparatus for harvesting and processing head lettuce wherein the lettuce is shredded immediately upon harvesting and before deterioration occurs. The shredded lettuce is retained in an insulated or refrigerated enclosure and then promptly transported to a mobile processing trailer where it is further cleaned and chilled and finally packaged for shipment. The practice of the method and apparatus permits the lettuce to be on its way to the consumer on the same day that it is harvested from the field.A method and apparatus for simultaneously chilling, washing and adding preservatives to the chilled lettuce in a continuous fashion. A mobile enclosure embodying the apparatus and adapted to perform the method wherein the lettuce is maintained at a reduced temperature throughout all stages of processing.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1978Date of Patent: September 25, 1979Assignee: Bud Antle, Inc.Inventor: David W. Cayton
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Patent number: 4106260Abstract: A system for folding and packaging articles such as towels or T-shirts wherein, the article is partially folded over a cardboard insert and conveyed along a path at a selected speed through various folding locations until the article is completely folded, flattened, pressed, rotated if necessary and inserted into a bag which is subsequently sealed. The apparatus for performing such functions includes a reciprocating entry section for receiving one or more articles and folding the articles transversely over a cardboard insert. Blades for completely folding the articles longitudinally are readily adjustable relative to the machine frame and to each other vertically and horizontally to accommodate articles of various sizes and styles and to accommodate a single article or a plurality of articles.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1976Date of Patent: August 15, 1978Assignee: Hanes CorporationInventor: J. Frank King
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Patent number: 4004619Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging thermoplastic fluid material is the subject of the present invention. The thermoplastic material is mixed at an elevated temperature and emptied in predetermined batch quantities into a holding area. A gate in the bottom of the holding area is operable to empty the batch of material in a very short time span. A plurality of heating elements are disposed beneath the outlet of the holding means and are maintained at a temperature high enough to cause parting of the fluid material as it passes over the heating elements. Thus the batch of material from the holding area will be divided into a plurality of individual masses as the material passes over the heating elements. By utilizing a number of heating elements equal to one less than the number of containers to be filled, and by spacing the heating elements equi-distances apart, the individual masses of material will be equal in size and the number of individual masses will equal the number of containers.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1976Date of Patent: January 25, 1977Assignee: H. C. Price Co.Inventors: Cecil A. Eddlemon, Robert J. Harris, George E. Hanson
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Patent number: 3987602Abstract: An automatic, fully continuous process and apparatus for packaging smeltable or fluid material in flexible synthetic foil containers. The foil is folded into tubular shape, fused along its longitudinal seam, sealed at its leading end and fed into a cooling bath. The material to be packaged is then introduced far below the surface of the cooling bath through the still open trailing end of the tubing, a portion of which is thereafter sealed. The same process is repeated with succeeding tube portions, which are fed seriatim through the cooling bath and, if desired, through a second cooling bath, by means of conveyor belts. At the end of the process, the individual packages are severed from one another for subsequent transport.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1975Date of Patent: October 26, 1976Inventor: Margarete Stahl
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Patent number: 3972154Abstract: A method for storing heated asphalt mixture is disclosed, in which superheated steam and an asphalt mixture, both of which are heated to about 150.degree.C, are injected into a container to displace air thereby, and then the container is sealingly closed. Thus, the heated asphalt mixture will not lose its desired characteristics and hence may be stored for a considerably long period of time.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1975Date of Patent: August 3, 1976Assignee: Taiyu Doro Kensetsu Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toru Yoshikane, Kunihiko Kondo, Kazuya Otaki, Hiroyasu Funabashi, Toru Hasegawa, Ichiro Yamada
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Patent number: 3965649Abstract: The apparatus comprises a container feed device feeding containers one-by-one to a filling station in which station the filling opening of the container is contained in a vertical plane. An artificial insemination straw feed device feeds straws one-by-one to the filling station in a horizontal position in which the straw is perpendicular to said plane and disposed in front of the opening in a space adjacent to said plane and on the side of said plane opposed to the container. A charging device shifts the straws one-by-one longitudinally of the straw to a position inside the container at the filling station. The apparatus is particularly advantageous for grouping straws in containers in the form of test-tubes inside a cryogenic vessel.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1975Date of Patent: June 29, 1976Inventor: Maurice Jean-Pierre Cassou