Methods of high throughput hydrocolloid bead production and apparatuses thereof
AssigneeClearH2O, Inc.
InventorsJay Palmer, Paul Dioli
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of creating hydrocolloid beads includes forcing a hydrocolloid gel suspension through a plurality of nozzles, wherefrom the hydrocolloid gel forms into a plurality of gel drops and fall into a reactant bath. The drops are exposed to the reactant bath for a predetermined period of time, wherein the drops form firm or semi-firm beads as they remain in the reactant bath. The firm or semi-firm beads are removed from the reactant bath, rinsed, and dried.
Claims20
A method of creating hydrocolloid beads, the method comprising:
- forcing a hydrocolloid gel suspension through a plurality of nozzles, wherefrom the hydrocolloid gel forms into a plurality of gel drops and fall into a reactant bath;
- exposing the drops to the reactant bath for a predetermined period of time, wherein the drops form firm or semi-firm beads as they remain in the reactant bath;
- removing the beads from the reactant bath;
- rinsing the beads;
- and
- drying the beads.
A device for creating hydrocolloid beads, the device comprising:
- a delivery system configured to dispense gel drops into a reactant bath platform, wherein the reactant bath platform comprises a tray that contains a reactant solution, the tray arranged so as to allow the gel drops to be exposed to the reactant solution for a predetermined time to allow the gel drops to form semi-firm or firm beads, wherein the reactant bath platform further includes an exit port through which the semi-firm or firm beads may exit the tray;
- a rinse platform configured to capture the semi-firm or firm beads as they exit the reactant bath platform;
- a sprayer positioned to spray the semi-firm or firm beads on the rinse platform with a rinse;
- a dryer positioned to blow warm, dry air on the rinsed beads;
- at least one gate, wherein the at least one gate is configured to form a barrier across a portion of a width of the tray;
- and
- a gap formed in a portion of the gate.
A device for creating hydrocolloid beads, the device comprising:
- a delivery system configured to dispense gel drops into a reactant bath platform, wherein the reactant bath platform comprises a tray that contains a reactant solution, the tray arranged so as to allow the gel drops to be exposed to the reactant solution for a predetermined time to allow the gel drops to form semi-firm or firm beads, wherein the reactant bath platform further includes an exit port through which the semi-firm or firm beads may exit the tray;
- and a rinse platform configured to capture the semi-firm or firm beads as they exit the reactant bath platform;
- a sprayer to spray the semi-firm or firm beads on the rinse platform with a rinse;
- a dryer positioned to blow warm, dry air on the rinsed beads;
- wherein a base of the tray further comprises at least one of:
- an inclined surface and a conveyor system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.