Back to results
US 4,554,132 AGranted
Analytical apparatus for determining volatiles, solids, and solvent extractables in a sample
AssigneeCEM Corporation
InventorMichael J. Collins
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
AssigneeCEM Corporation
InventorMichael J. Collins
Estimating the term…
An apparatus and method for quantitatively measuring volatiles, solids and solvent extractables is described which provides rapid and accurate determinations using microwave heating, electronic balance weighing and solvent extracting of solubles. The method involves subjecting a weighed sample to microwave drying for a preselected time, reweighing to obtain the dry weight and determine volatile loss, solvent extracting the dried sample to determine fats, oils and other extractables followed by final measurement of residual solids. The apparatus is preferably automated to sequentially actuate the required weighing, microwave heating, solvent extraction, redrying, reweighing and calculation of the percentages of volatiles, solvent solubles and solids. The apparatus and method are particularly suited for analytical uses in the food and dairy industries.
An apparatus for quantitatively determining volatiles, solids and solvent extractables in a sample comprising in combination, automatic weighing means, sample holding means, microwave heating means, sample solvent extracting means, sample recovery means, recording and calculation means, said microwave heating means communicating with said sample holding means, said recording means being electrically connected to said weighing means to sense and record weights, said sample solvent extracting means communicating with said sample holding means and having means therewith to grind said sample holding means and means to recover the residue of ground sample holding means, and means for sequentially activating said weighing, recording, microwave heating, sample solvent extraction and calculating means in a predetermined sequence to determine the proportion of volatiles, solids and solvent extractables in a sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.