Eggshell processing methods and apparatus
AssigneeMFI Food Canada, Ltd.
InventorJohn H. Thoroski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of processing eggshells to separate outer eggshell portions and the membrane portions. The eggshells are dried to remove moisture content and cause at least some separation of the membrane portions from the outer eggshell portions. A first amount of the membrane portions is separated by sieving from the eggshells. The remaining eggshell component is directed to a processing chamber with an impacting zone, where the remaining eggshell component is impacted to reduce the particle size of at least the outer eggshell material to form smaller particles. The outer eggshell particles are collected to a valve, and the membrane portion is pneumatically removed.
Claims30
A method of processing eggshells, which comprise the outer eggshell portions and membrane portions, said method comprising:
- a) drying said eggshells to reduce moisture content of the eggshells and cause at least some separation of the membrane portions from the eggshell portions;
- b) separating a first amount of the membrane portions from the dried eggshells to leave a remaining eggshell component comprising an outer eggshell component and remaining membrane portions;
- c) directing the remaining eggshell component to a processing chamber of a processing apparatus at an impacting zone and impacting the remaining eggshell component in the chamber to reduce particle size of at least the outer eggshell component to form smaller outer eggshell particles;
- d) causing at least a substantial portion of the smaller outer eggshell particles to be collected at a collecting location;
- and
- e) separating at least a substantial portion of the remaining membrane portions from the smaller outer eggshell particles.
A method of processing eggshells which comprise outer eggshell portions and membrane portions, said method comprising:
- a) centrifuging and washing said eggshells;
- b) drying said eggshells to reduce moisture content of the eggshells and cause at least some separation of the membrane portions from the eggshell portions;
- c) separating an amount of the membrane portions from the dried eggshells;
- d) collecting said amount of the membrane portions.
A method of processing eggshells, which comprise the outer eggshell portions and membrane portions, said method comprising:
- a) drying said eggshells to reduce moisture content of the eggshells and cause at least some separation of the membrane portions from the outer eggshell portions;
- b) directing the dried eggshells to a processing chamber of a processing apparatus at an impacting zone and impacting the eggshells in the chamber to reduce particle size of at least the outer eggshell portions to form smaller outer eggshell particles;
- c) causing at least a substantial portion of the smaller outer eggshell particles to be collected at a collection location;
- and
- d) pneumatically separating at least a substantial portion of the membrane portions from the smaller outer eggshell particles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.