# US 2014/0193548 A1 · Method, unit and device for a treatment involving the drying, curing and preservation of solid or semi-solid foods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0193548 A1 - Document ID: US20140193548A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/237,707 - Filed: 2012-08-06 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-08-08 - Inventors: Jose Luis Godoy Varo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140193548A1 ## CPC - A23B 4/031: {Apparatus for drying (A23B4/037 takes precedence)} - A23B 2/103: {using sub- or super-atmospheric pressures, or pressure variations transmitted by a liquid or gas} - A23B 2/721: in a controlled atmosphere comprising other gases in addition to CO2, N2, O2 or H2O - A23B 2/90: by drying or kilning; Subsequent reconstitution - A23B 4/03: Drying; Subsequent reconstitution - A23B 7/02: Dehydrating; Subsequent reconstitution (dried cooked potatoes A23L19/12) - A23B: PRESERVATION OF FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES ## Abstract The process comprises of the drying, curing and conservation of solid and semi-solid foodstuffs through the application of pressure changes of a value equal, greater or less than atmospheric pressure, for the administration and control of an oxidising gas and subsequent extraction from the chamber. The installation is composed of a hermetically-sealed chamber or recipient with mechanisms to apply positive or negative pressure, along with systems of temperature and moisture control. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-35. (canceled) ### Claim 36 A method for a drying, curing and conservation treatment for solid and semi-solid foodstuffs, comprising: placing said foodstuffs inside a hermetically-sealed chamber and application of gas with varying positive or negative pressure in relation to initial pressure; creating a sequence of cycles of pressure values greater or less than a range of atmospheric values; introducing an oxidising agent in a controlled way such that the oxidising agent reacts with the foodstuff; and in one of the cycles, removing a part of gases from the chamber. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The method according to claim 36, further comprising: connecting an opening of the chamber with external atmosphere in order to renew or blow out interior atmosphere for a predetermined period of time; and changing one or more of positive or negative pressure during a drying process. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The method according to claim 37, further comprising: monitoring pressure of the external and internal atmosphere to control a flow direction in or out of the chamber. ### Claim 39 (depends on 36) The method according to claim 36, further comprising: introducing a predetermined volume of the oxidising agent; and selectively undertaking during an established time period extraction of part of the gases present in the chamber. ### Claim 40 (depends on 36) The method according to claim 36, further comprising: selecting one of ozone and oxygen as the oxidising agent. ### Claim 41 (depends on 36) The method according to claim 36, further comprising: using atmospheric oxygen to react with the foodstuff. ### Claim 42 (depends on 36) The method according to claim 36, wherein the hermetically-sealed chamber includes associated means of positive and negative pressurization to apply greater or less values than that of surrounding atmosphere. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) The method according to claim 42, further comprising: controlling at least one of temperature and moisture inside the chamber. ### Claim 44 (depends on 42) The method according to claim 42, further comprising: controlling speed of circulating internal air. ### Claim 45 (depends on 36) The method according to claim 36, further comprising: controlling consumption of the oxidising agent. ### Claim 46 (depends on 36) The method according to claim 36, wherein a depression cycle inside the chamber is used in order to introduce aromas from a storage tank at a pressure higher than that of the chamber. ### Claim 47 (depends on 36) The method according to claim 36, further comprising: dissolving atmospheric oxygen into treated foodstuff. ### Claim 48 An installation for a drying, curing and conservation process for solid or semi-solid foodstuff comprising: a hermetically-sealed chamber with vacuum and alternating pressure connections to vary internal pressures in a controlled manner and to maintain pressures for predetermined periods of time, the chamber including means for administering and extracting at least one oxidising agent and conduits and openings connected to outside the chamber for the renewal and purging of internal atmosphere. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) The installation according to claim 48, further comprising: a container containing one of smoke and aromatic substances introduced to the chamber. ### Claim 50 (depends on 48) The installation according to claim 48, further comprising: means for controlling at least one of temperature, moisture, and recirculation of air inside the chamber. ### Claim 51 (depends on 48) The installation according to claim 48, further comprising: a chamber in a form of a rotating drum which moves the installation constantly during the drying, curing and conservation process. ### Claim 52 A domestic appliance for drying, curing, ripening and conservation of solid and semi-solid foodstuffs, comprising: a hermetically-sealed chamber or recipient for storage during treatment, the chamber being transportable and having associated means for ventilation and varying pressure for predetermined periods of time thereby inducing varying pressure cycles which introduce an oxidising gas into the foodstuff in order to dissolve and react with the foodstuff and remove at least some of gasses from the chamber. ### Claim 53 (depends on 52) The domestic appliance according to claim 52, further comprising: conduits or openings connected to outsider the chamber to purge or renew the chamber with fresh air and means for selectively opening said conduits and openings. ### Claim 54 (depends on 53) The domestic appliance according to claim 53, wherein said means for ventilation and varying pressure includes at least one conduit through which compressed air gases circulate and which permits the installation of the chamber at a certain distance from a compressor. ### Claim 55 (depends on 52) The domestic appliance according to claim 52, wherein the oxidising agent is atmospheric gas.