Flat plate flaking device
OwnerEdward T. Huxelinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method of preparing solid flakes of fats and emulsifiers is provided utilizing a generally flat, cold plate to solidify the fat or emulsifier.
Claims21
An apparatus for forming a solid from a liquid and for adding a preexisting solid to the solid formed from the liquid comprising:
- a generally horizontal flat plate stationary work surface maintained at a temperature selected to remove sufficient heat from the liquid to change the liquid into the solid,
- a dispenser to distribute the liquid on said work surface to form the solid,
- a solids applicator to distribute a preexisting solid on said work surface;
- and
- a scraper to remove the formed solid and said distributed preexisting solid from said work surface.
A method for forming a solid from a liquid and for adding a preexisting solid to the solid formed from the liquid comprising:
- adjusting a generally horizontal flat plate work surface to a temperature sufficient to change a liquid into the solid,
- dispensing a layer of said liquid onto the work surface,
- applying a preexisting solid onto said work surface,
- allowing the solid to form from said liquid, and
- scraping the formed solid and said applied preexisting solid from said work surface.
A method for forming a solid from a liquid comprising:
- circulating a coolant through voids in a generally horizontal flat plate work surface,
- adjusting said work surface temperature with said circulating coolant to a temperature sufficient to change a liquid into the solid,
- moving a nozzle between a first end and a second end of said work surface to dispense a layer of said liquid onto the work surface,
- moving a solids applicator between a first end and a second end of said work surface to dispense a preexisting solid onto the work surface,
- allowing said dispensed liquid layer to form said solid,
- moving a blade between said first and second ends of said work surface, and
- contacting said work surface with said blade during said blade moving step to scrape the formed solid and said dispensed preexisting solid from said work surface.
A method for forming a solid from a liquid comprising:
- adjusting a generally horizontal flat plate work surface to a temperature sufficient to change the liquid into the solid,
- reciprocating a carriage between a first end and a second end of said work surface, said carriage having a nozzle for dispensing a liquid onto the work surface and said carriage having a blade for scraping the work surface
- dispensing a layer of said liquid onto the work surface during a reciprocation of said carriage,
- applying a preexisting solid onto said work surface,
- allowing said dispensed liquid layer to form a solid, and
- scraping the formed solid and said applied preexisting solid off said work surface during a reciprocation of said carriage.
An apparatus for forming a solid from a liquid comprising:
- a generally horizontal flat plate having an exterior work surface, said plate maintained at a selected temperature, said temperature being selected to transform a liquid into a solid,
- a dispenser to traverse said work surface to dispense said liquid onto said work surface to form said solid,
- a solids applicator to distribute a preexisting solid on said work surface, and
- a scraper to traverse said work surface to remove said solid and said distributed preexisting solid from said work surface.
A method for forming a solid from a liquid comprising:
- circulating a coolant through voids in a generally horizontal flat plate work surface,
- adjusting said work surface temperature with said circulating coolant to a temperature sufficient to change a liquid into a solid,
- moving a nozzle between a first end and a second end of said work surface to dispense a layer of said liquid onto the work surface,
- allowing said dispensed liquid layer to form said solid,
- spreading a layer of a preexisting solid on said work surface, and
- moving a blade between said first and second ends of said work surface,
- contacting said work surface with said blade during said blade moving step to scrape said formed solid and said spread preexisting solid from said work surface.
A method for forming solid flakes of fats or emulsifiers from a liquid fat or a liquid emulsifier comprising the steps of:
- adjusting a generally horizontal flat plate stationary work surface to a temperature sufficient to change a liquid fat or emulsifier into a solid fat or solid emulsifier,
- dispensing a layer of said liquid fat or liquid emulsifier onto said work surface,
- allowing said liquid layer to solidify into a fractureable solid sheet on said work surface,
- scraping the formed solid sheet from said work surface, and
- fracturing said sheet into flakes during said scraping step.
A method for forming solid flakes of fats or emulsifiers from a liquid fat or liquid emulsifier comprising the steps of:
- adjusting a generally horizontal flat plate stationary work surface to a temperature sufficient to change a liquid fat or emulsifier into a solid fat or solid emulsifier,
- dispensing a layer of said liquid fat or liquid emulsifier onto said work surface,
- solidifying said liquid layer into a solid sheet on said work surface,
- producing sufficient nucleation in said solid during said solidifying step to allow flaking of the solid sheet,
- scraping the formed solid sheet from said work surface, and
- fracturing said sheet into flakes during said scraping step.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.