Air purification system and food dehydration unit

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6195906
  • Patent Number
    6,195,906
  • Date Filed
    Monday, October 18, 1999
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, March 6, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • McDermott; Corrine
    • Drake; Malik N.
    Agents
    • Kroll; Michael I.
Abstract
An air-injected dehydration apparatus for dehydrating a food product. The apparatus includes a dehydration chamber having a plurality of controllable heating elements extending therethrough and a device for moving the food product within the chamber. An air injection system providing air to the chamber and an exhaust is provided for exhausting air from the chamber. The air injection system includes an air compressor for supplying pressurized air to the chamber, a pressure conduit to channel the pressurized air from the compressor to the chamber and a device for dispersing the air within the chamber. The air provided to the chamber should preferably be sterilized by a decontamination system. The decontamination system includes an air intake assembly for supplying a flow of air and an air purification chamber comprising an air inlet functionally connected to the air intake assembly, a device for purifying the air as it passes through said chamber, and an air outlet. The air purification chamber includes a nozzle positioned on a top side thereof for spraying a purifying substance in a constant curtain across the chamber in a direction transverse to the flow of air therethrough to remove contaminants from the air flowing below the nozzle. A filter is provided at the inlet to the chamber and a decontamination tank is positioned below the nozzle for receiving the purifying substance and contaminants sprayed by the nozzle. The contaminants are removed from the purifying substance and returned to the nozzle for spraying therethrough.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present invention relates generally to food dehydrators and, more specifically, to a food dehydrating facility utilizing temperature controlled purified wind currents to produce dehydrated food products which retain their natural nutrients and coloring.




2. Description of the Prior Art




Numerous types of dehydrators have been provided in the prior art. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.




SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION




The present invention relates generally to food dehydrators and, more specifically, to a food dehydrating facility utilizing temperature controlled purified wind currents to produce dehydrated food products which retain their natural nutrients and coloring.




A primary object of the present invention is to provide a food dehydrator that will overcome the shortcomings of prior art devices.




It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a method for dehydrating a food product which is able to retain the natural nutrients and coloring of the food product.




Another object of the present invention is to provide a food dehydration facility able to dehydrate food using specific combinations of air and heat whereby the food will maintain its nutritional value.




A further object of the present invention to provide a food dehydration facility able to dehydrate food while maintaining the original color of the food without the use of artificial colorings.




A still further object of the present invention to provide a food dehydration facility able to dehydrate food to produce a dehydrated food product that may be readily reconstituted.




A yet further object of the present invention to provide a food dehydration facility able to produce dehydrated food in a safe, effective manner wherein large quantities of foodstuffs may be treated in a relatively short period of time.




Another object of the present invention is to provide a food dehydration facility that is simple and easy to use.




A still further object of the present invention is to provide a food dehydration facility able to produce dehydrated food products in an economical manner.




Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds.




An air-injected dehydration apparatus for dehydrating a food product is disclosed by the present invention. The apparatus includes a dehydration chamber having a plurality of controllable heating elements extending therethrough and a device for moving the food product within the chamber. An air injection system providing air to the chamber and an exhaust is provided for exhausting air from the chamber. The air injection system includes an air compressor for supplying pressurized air to the chamber, a pressure conduit to channel the pressurized air from the compressor to the chamber and a device for dispersing the air within the chamber. The air provided to the chamber should preferably be sterilized by a decontamination system. The decontamination system includes an air intake assembly for supplying a flow of air and an air purification chamber comprising an air inlet functionally connected to the air intake assembly, a device for purifying the air as it passes through said chamber, and an air outlet. The air purification chamber includes a nozzle positioned on a top side thereof for spraying a purifying substance in a constant curtain across the chamber in a direction transverse to the flow of air therethrough to remove contaminants from the air flowing below the nozzle. A filter is provided at the inlet to the chamber and a decontamination tank is positioned below the nozzle for receiving the purifying substance and contaminants sprayed by the nozzle. The contaminants are removed from the purifying substance and returned to the nozzle for spraying therethrough.




To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.




The foregoing and other objects, advantages and characterizing features will become apparent from the following description of certain illustrative embodiments of the invention.




The novel features which are considered characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction which are illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES




Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of the food dehydration facility of the present invention;





FIG. 2

is a cross-sectional view of the food dehydration facility of the present invention taken along the line 2—2 of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 3

is an exploded view of the decontamination chamber of the food dehydration facility of the present invention taken from within the circle labeled 3 of

FIG. 2

;





FIG. 4

is an enlarged view of the air intake funnel assembly of the food dehydration facility of the present invention taken from within the circle labeled 4 of

FIG. 2

;





FIG. 5

is a perspective view of the dehydration unit within the food dehydration facility of the present invention taken in the direction of the arrow labeled 5 of

FIG. 2

;





FIG. 6

is a front view of the dehydration unit within the food dehydration facility of the present invention;





FIG. 7

is a top plan view of the dehydration unit within the food dehydration facility of the present invention illustrating the general configuration of the exhaust ducts where each individual chamber empties into a common exhaust vent;





FIG. 8

is a rear elevational view of the dehydration unit within the food dehydration facility of the present invention showing the general configuration of the exhaust ducts from each chamber;





FIG. 9

is a cross-sectional view of one drying chamber of the dehydration unit within the food dehydration facility of the present invention illustrating one of a number of air intake pipes, each air intake pipe having a valve and leading into the drying chamber wherein it is split;





FIG. 10

is a front cross-sectional view of the dehydration unit within the food dehydration facility of the present invention taken along the line 10—10 of

FIG. 7

;





FIG. 11

is a rear cross-sectional view of the dehydration unit within the food dehydration facility of the present invention taken along the line 11—11 of

FIG. 7

;





FIG. 12

is an enlarged view of one of the chambers of the dehydration unit within the food dehydration facility of the present invention taken from within the circle labeled 12 of

FIG. 10

;





FIG. 13

is an enlarged view of one chamber of the dehydration unit within the food dehydration facility of the present invention taken from within the circle labeled 13 of

FIG. 11

;





FIG. 14

is a perspective view of a rotary dehydration unit within the food dehydration facility of the present invention;





FIG. 15

is a cross-sectional view of the rotary dehydration unit within the food dehydration facility of the present invention; and





FIG. 16

is a side view of the rotary dehydration unit within the food dehydration facility of the present invention.











DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS




Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the Figures illustrate the food dehydration facility of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.






10


food dehydration facility of the present invention






12


structure housing facility






14


lower back roof portion






16


front upper roof portion






18


ventilation wall






20


air receiving device






22


air intake port






24


air conduit






25


wind propelled air intake fan






26


air intake funnel






27


electrical air entraining fan






28


wind vane






30


rotational joint






32


enlarged open side of air intake funnel






34


closed end of air intake funnel






36


hermetically sealed dehydration area






38


storage area






40


wall dividing storage area from hermetically sealed dehydration area






42


arrow indicating rotation of air intake port






44


arrow indicating air flowing into air intake funnel






46


decontamination chamber






48


air inlet






50


solid air filter






52


spray nozzle






54


water spray






56


contaminated water






58


pool






60


air outlet






62


arrows indicating air exiting decontamination chamber






64


air injection dehydration unit






66


plurality of chambers






68


cylinder formed by plurality of chambers






70


conveyor belt






72


recess in side wall chamber at end of cylinder






74


side wall of chamber at end of cylinder






76


air compressor






78


air conduit






80


plurality of air injectors






82


valve on each of plurality of air injectors






84


plurality of first exhaust ducts






86


plurality of connector pipes






88


main exhaust duct






90


second exhaust duct






92


first arm of injector inlet channel






94


second arm of injector inlet channel






96


plurality of air injectors






98


heating elements






100


wall separating adjacent chambers






102


door in wall separating adjacent chambers






104


recess in each chamber providing passage for air out of chamber






106


second embodiment of dehydration chamber






108


cylindrical chamber






110


front wall of cylindrical chamber






112


back wall of cylindrical chamber






114


recess in front wall of cylindrical chamber






116


recess in back wall of cylindrical chamber






118


air inlet pipe






120


bearings connecting air inlet pipe to cylindrical chamber






122


rotary driver motor and guide






124


heating elements






126


mixing arms






128


open end of mixing arms






130


air inlet for exhaust pipe






132


air outlet




DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,

FIGS. 1 through 16

illustrate the food dehydration facility of the present invention indicated generally by the numeral


10


.




The perspective view of the outside of the food dehydration facility


10


is shown in

FIG. 1

as a structure


12


having a back roof portion


14


and a front roof portion


16


. The back roof portion


14


is positioned at a height below and separated from the front roof portion


16


. A ventilation wall


18


extends between the back roof portion


14


and the front roof portion


16


.




A plurality of air receiving devices


20


extend along a wall of the structure


12


and through the front roof portion


16


. Each of the air receiving devices


20


includes an air intake port


22


and an air conduit


24


. The air intake port


22


is positioned atop the front roof portion


16


and includes an intake funnel


26


, a wind vane


28


and a rotational joint


30


. The air intake funnel


26


includes an enlarged open side


32


for receiving air therein and a closed end


34


. The wind vane


28


extends from the closed end


34


facing in a direction opposite the enlarged open side


32


. When wind blows against the wind vane


28


, the rotational joint


30


allows the air intake funnel


26


to turn with the wind vane


28


until the wind vane


28


extends parallel to the direction of the wind and the air intake funnel


26


faces the wind. The rotational joint


30


connects the air receiving device


20


to the air conduit


24


and allows the air intake port


22


to rotate throughout 360° thus allowing the air intake funnel


26


to face in any direction. This allows the air receiving device


20


to receive a maximum amount of air. The air received by the air intake funnel


26


is provided to the air conduit


24


for delivery to the inside of the structure


12


.




An enlarged view of the air receiving device


20


is illustrated in FIG.


4


. As can be seen from this view, a wind propelled air intake fan


25


is provided at the air intake funnel


26


for aiding in drawing air into the funnel


26


. An electrical air entraining fan


27


is also provided in the air conduit


24


below the rotational joint


30


for drawing the air received by the funnel


26


down the air conduit


24


.




A cross-sectional view of the structure


12


is illustrated in

FIG. 2

showing the elements housed within the structure


12


. As can be seen from this figure, the structure


12


is divided into a dehydration area


36


and a storage area


38


by a dividing wall


40


. The dehydration area


36


is hermetically sealed and is the portion of the structure


12


in which the food products are dehydrated. Food products which have been dehydrated can be stored in the storage area


38


. The dividing wall


40


extends from a floor to the back roof portion


14


. Positioned between the top of the dividing wall


40


and the front roof portion


16


is the ventilation wall


18


which ventilates the dehydration area


36


allowing air to exit therefrom.




The air receiving device


20


extends along a side wall of the structure


12


and through the front roof portion


16


. The air receiving device


20


includes the air intake port


22


and the air conduit


24


. The rotational joint


30


connecting the air receiving port


22


and the air conduit


24


allows the air intake port


22


to rotate about a top end of the air conduit


24


as indicated by the arrow labeled with the numeral


42


. A force applied by blowing wind to the wind vane


28


causes the air intake port


22


to rotate to a point at which the wind vane


28


extends in a direction parallel to the blowing wind. In this position the air intake funnel


26


faces into the wind indicated by the numeral


44


and thus is able to receive a maximum amount of air. The air conduit


24


of the air receiving device


20


extends through a side wall of the structure


12


and into the dehydration area


36


. The air conduit


24


connects to a decontamination chamber


46


positioned within the dehydration area


36


. An enlarged view of the decontamination chamber


46


can be seen from FIG.


3


.




Positioned at an inlet


48


to the decontamination chamber


46


is an air filter


50


. The air filter


50


is preferably an air-permeable particle-extraction filter and provides a first filtration and purification of the air entering the dehydration area


36


. Once the air passes through the air filter


50


it enters the decontamination chamber


46


and passes under a spray nozzle


52


. The spray nozzle


52


sprays a purifying substance


54


, preferably water, downward across the width of the decontamination chamber


24


forming a steady curtain running in a direction transverse to the flow of air through the chamber


24


. Contaminants are removed from the air as it passes through the spray


54


and are retained by the water. The contaminated water


56


is received by a pool


58


formed in a base of the chamber


24


. The contaminated water


56


within the pool


58


is sanitized and recycled back to the spray nozzle


52


. The contaminated water


56


may be sanitized by any one or a combination of an ultraviolet light, an ozonator, and a media filter (e.g. sand, a cartridge, diatomaceous earth, etc.). After passing through the purification spray


54


, the sanitized air flows through an air outlet


60


and into the dehydration area


36


as indicated by the arrows labeled with the numeral


62


.




Illustrated in

FIGS. 5-13

is a first embodiment of a dehydration unit


64


. The dehydration unit


64


shown in these figures is an air injection dehydration unit and is positioned within the dehydration area


36


. A perspective view of the air injection dehydration unit


64


is illustrated in

FIG. 5. A

right side view of the air injection dehydration unit


64


is shown in

FIG. 7 and a

left side view of the air injection dehydration unit


64


is shown in FIG.


8


. The dehydration unit


64


includes a plurality of chambers


66


in alignment to form a cylinder


68


. Extending through the cylinder


68


is a conveyor belt


70


for carrying food products to be dehydrated through the chambers


66


. The chambers


66


at the end of the cylinder


68


include a recess


72


extending through an end wall


74


thereof allowing the conveyor belt


70


to pass therethrough. An air injection system including an air compressor


76


is connected to the cylinder


68


through a conduit


78


which branches off into a series of injector inlet channels


80


. Each of the injector inlet channels


80


includes a valve


82


for regulating the amount and pressure of the air entering the chambers


66


. The injector inlet channels


80


are connected to provide air to the chambers


66


forming the cylinder


68


. The air compressor


76


draws air in from the environment surrounding the cylinder


68


or directly from the decontamination unit


46


.




An exhaust duct


84


is connected to each chamber


66


for removing used air from the chambers


66


. A preferred embodiment for exhausting used air from within the cylinder


68


is illustrated in the figures. The exhaust duct


84


extending from adjacent chambers


66


are connected together by first connection pipes


86


. The first connection pipes


86


are connected to a main exhaust pipe


88


via a second exhaust duct


90


. The main exhaust duct


88


releases the used air into the dehydration area wherein it is removed through the ventilation duct


18


.





FIG. 6

illustrates a right side view of the air injection dehydration duct


64


. The conveyor belt


70


is illustrated in this figure passing through the plurality of chambers


66


forming the cylinder


68


. A plurality of injector inlet channels


80


are connected to each chamber


66


for providing air to the chambers


66


. Each injector inlet channel


80


also includes a valve


82


for regulating the pressure and amount of air flowing therethrough and into the chambers


66


.




A cross-sectional view of the air injection dehydration duct


64


is shown in FIG.


9


. As can be seen from this view, upon entering a respective one of the chambers


66


, the injector inlet channel


80


splits to form a first arm


92


extending above the conveyor belt


70


passing through the chamber


66


and a second arm


94


passing below the conveyor belt


70


. The first and second arms


92


and


94


each include a plurality of air injectors


96


. The air injectors


96


direct a flow of air towards the conveyor belt


70


and thus towards any food products traveling on the conveyor belt


70


. A plurality of heating elements


98


are also provided within each of the plurality of chambers


66


for heating the inside of the chambers


66


and any air delivered to the chambers


66


through the air injectors


96


. The heating elements


98


heat the air delivered to the chambers


66


to a desired temperature for dehydrating the food products passing through the chambers


66


on the conveyor belt


70


. A thermostat may be provided for regulating the temperature of the heating elements


98


and thus the air provided through the air injectors


96


to an optimal temperature for dehydration of the food products. The first air exhaust duct


84


is shown extending from the chambers


66


for removing air therefrom. As explained previously the air is removed through the series of ducts and deposited into the dehydration area


36


. The air is then removed from the dehydration area


36


through the ventilation duct


18


.




A cross-sectional view taken along the line


10





10


of FIG.


7


and looking from the right side of the air injection dehydration duct


64


is illustrated in

FIG. 10. A

cross-sectional view taken along the line


11





11


of FIG.


7


and looking from the left side of the air injection dehydration duct


64


is illustrated in FIG.


11


. As can be seen from

FIGS. 10 and 11

, each chamber


66


is separated by a wall


100


. Each wall


100


includes a pivoting door


102


through which the conveyor belt


70


extends. Extending on either side of the conveyor belt


70


are the first and second arms


92


and


94


of the injector inlet channels


80


. A recess


106


is also provided within each chamber


66


for connection to a respective one of the plurality of first exhaust ducts


84


providing a passageway for air to be removed from the chambers


66


. An enlarged view of a single chamber is shown in

FIGS. 12 and 13

. The chamber shown in

FIG. 12

is taken from within the circle labeled 12 of FIG.


10


. The chamber shown in

FIG. 13

is taken from within the circle labeled 13 of FIG.


11


.




A second embodiment of the dehydration chamber


106


is illustrated in

FIGS. 14-16

. A cross-sectional view of the dehydration chamber


106


is shown in FIG.


14


. The dehydration chamber


106


includes a cylindrical chamber


108


including a front wall


110


and a back wall


112


. A first recess


114


is provided in the front wall


110


and a second recess


116


is provided in the back wall


112


through which an air inlet pipe


118


extends. A pair of bearings


120


are provided on both the front wall


110


and the back wall


112


for connecting the cylindrical chamber


108


to the air inlet pipe


118


. The bearings


120


allow the cylindrical chamber


108


to rotate about the air inlet pipe


118


. A rotary driver motor and guide


122


are connected to rotate the cylindrical chamber


108


. Heating elements


124


are also provided within the cylindrical chamber


108


for heating the air provided to the chamber


108


through the air pipe


118


.




Extending from the air pipe


118


are a plurality of mixing arms


126


as can be clearly seen in

FIGS. 15 and 16

. Each mixing arm


126


includes an open end


128


for providing air therethrough leading into the cylindrical chamber


108


. Air is thus provided to the inside of the cylindrical chamber


108


through the open end


128


of each mixing arm


126


. The mixing arms


126


are provided in groups, the groups preferably extending along a portion of the length of the air inlet pipe


118


. Each group preferably includes one mixing arm extending vertically from the air inlet pipe


118


towards a base of the cylindrical chamber


108


and one mixing arm on either side thereof extending at an angle of from 45°-60° from the vertically extending arm as can be clearly seen in FIG.


15


. Positioned on the air intake pipe


118


and between the groups of mixing arms


126


and the back wall


112


of the cylindrical chamber


108


is an inlet


130


for the air exhaust pipe


84


. The air inlet pipe


118


extends out through the recess


116


in the back wall


112


and includes an air outlet


132


for air remaining in the air inlet pipe.




The operation of the food dehydration facility


10


will now be described with reference to the figures. In operation, food to be dehydrated by the food dehydration facility


10


is placed within the facility


10


on either the conveyor belt


70


or in the cylindrical chamber


108


. When the facility


10


is placed in operation wind blowing outside of the facility will be received within the air intake funnel


26


of the air intake port


22


. The air intake funnel


26


is able to rotate to receive a maximum amount of air by the rotational joint


30


and is powered to rotate by the wind vane


28


. The wind vane


28


extends from the air intake port


22


in a direction opposite the air intake funnel


26


and as air blows and applies a force against the wind vane


28


, the air intake port


22


is caused to rotate so that the air intake funnel


26


faces into the wind and is able to receive a maximum amount of air therein. A wind propelled air intake fan


25


aids the air intake funnel


26


in drawing air into the air intake funnel


26


. The air received by the air intake funnel


26


is drawn down the air conduit


24


by an air entraining fan


27


and provided to the inside of the facility.




Upon entering the facility


10


, the air is provided to a decontamination chamber


46


within the dehydration area


36


of the facility


10


. The decontamination chamber


46


includes a solid air filter


48


at its input for removing large particles from the air and upon passing through the air filter


48


the air is passed through a shower of decontamination material. The shower will cause any particles in the air to fall into a pool


58


of contaminated water


56


and thus be removed from the air. The air will now pass through an outlet


60


of the decontamination chamber


46


and into the dehydration area


36


.




Upon entering the dehydration area the air will be provided to the plurality of air injectors


80


and to the chambers of the dehydration unit


64


. The pressure and amount of air supplied is regulated by a valve


82


connected to each of the air injectors. Within the chambers the air injectors divide into two arms, one arm extending on either side of the conveyor belt


70


passing therethrough. The air is directed through air injectors on each arm to the chambers


66


and fill the chambers


66


. Also provided within the chambers


66


are heating elements


98


which heat the air to a desired or optimal temperature for dehydrating the food products traveling with the conveyor belt


70


through the chambers


66


. The temperature of the air may be regulated by controlling the heating elements with a thermostat. The thermostat will maintain the heating elements


98


at a desired temperature and thus also maintain the air temperature at an optimal temperature for dehydrating the food products.




Alternatively, the rotational dehydration chamber


106


may be provided within the dehydration area


36


. The dehydration chamber


106


includes a cylindrical chamber


108


which is connected to rotate about the air intake pipe


118


on a pair of bearings


120


. A rotational motor is connected to provide a rotational drive force to rotate the chamber


108


. The food to be dehydrated is placed within the cylindrical chamber


108


and caused to rotate with the chamber


108


. Air is received by the dehydration chamber


106


through the air inlet pipe


118


. The air inlet pipe


118


includes a plurality of mixing arms


126


having open ends for providing the air to the inside of the chamber


108


. Heating elements


124


are also provided within the chamber for heating the air delivered through the mixing arms. The air is heated by the heating elements


124


to an optimal temperature for dehydrating the food products placed therein. The temperature of the heating elements


124


and thus the temperature to which the air is heated may be controlled by a thermostat. As the chamber rotates the food products also rotate and are dehydrated by the heated air. The heated air is removed from within the chamber


108


via an air inlet


130


leading to exhaust ducts and an air outlet pipe


132


.




The air removed from the chamber


64


or


108


are then removed from the dehydration area through a ventilation duct


18


. Once dehydrated the food products can be removed from the chamber


108


or taken off of the conveyor belt


70


and stored in the storage area


38


of the facility


10


. Alternatively, the food products may be eaten or at a later time may be reconstituted by simply placing the food products in water.




From the above description it can be seen that the food dehydration facility of the present invention is able to overcome the shortcomings of prior art devices by providing a food dehydration facility which is able to dehydrate food using specific combinations of air and heat whereby the food will maintain its nutritional value while also maintaining the original color of the food without the use of artificial colorings. The food dehydration facility is also able to dehydrate food to produce a dehydrated food product that may be readily reconstituted in a safe, effective manner wherein large quantities of foodstuffs may be treated in a relatively short period of time. Furthermore, the food dehydration facility of the present invention is simple and easy to use and economical in cost to manufacture.




It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above.




While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.




Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.



Claims
  • 1. An atmospheric conditioning system comprising:a) a facility having an interior portion to house purified air and an exterior portion; b) an air intake system for supplying a flow of air to said interior of said facility; c) an air purification chamber comprising an air inlet functionally connected to said air intake assembly, means for purifying said air flow as it passes through said chamber, and an air outlet; d) an air exhaust port having means for directing air flow out of said interior of said facility; e) said air purifying means comprising a nozzle positioned on a top side of said purification chamber for spraying a purifying substance in a constant curtain across said chamber in a direction transverse to the flow of air through said chamber thereby removing contaminants from the air flowing below said nozzle and through said chamber; and f) said purification chamber further including a decontamination tank positioned below said nozzle for receiving said purifying substance sprayed by said nozzle, means for decontaminating said purifying substance, and means for returning said purifying substance back to said nozzle from said decontamination tank after decontamination by said decontamination means.
  • 2. The atmospheric conditioning system as defined in claim 1, wherein said purifying substance is one of a gas and liquid.
  • 3. The atmospheric conditioning system as defined in claim 2, wherein said liquid is water.
  • 4. The air purification system as defined in claim 1, wherein said liquid decontamination means at least one of ozone and ultraviolet light.
  • 5. The atmospheric conditioning system as defined in claim 1, wherein said returning means includes a conduit between said decontamination tank and said nozzle; and a pump for pumping said decontaminated purifying substance through said conduit.
  • 6. The atmospheric conditioning system as defined in claim 5, wherein said purification filter further includes a filter positioned to cover said air inlet.
  • 7. The atmospheric conditioning system as defined in claim 6, wherein said filter is at least one of a cartridge filter, a sand filter and a diatomaceous earth filter.
  • 8. An air-injected dehydration apparatus for dehydrating a food product, said apparatus comprising:a) a dehydration chamber including: i) means for setting and maintaining a specific temperature within said dehydration chamber; ii) means for moving the food product within said chamber; and iii) means for dispersing air provided to said chamber; b) an air injection system for providing air to said means for dispersing; c) means for exhausting air from said chamber; and d) said air injection system comprising an air compressor for supplying pressurized air to said chamber, a source of air to be pressurized by said compressor, and a pressure conduit to channel said pressurized air from said compressor to said means for dispersing air.
  • 9. The air injected dehydration unit as defined in claim 8, wherein said chamber is substantially cylindrically shaped and includes an entry at a first end and an exit at a second end thereof for passage of food products therethrough.
  • 10. The air injected dehydration unit as defined in claim 9, wherein said chamber includes a plurality of said compartments connected together, adjacent compartments being separated by a dividing wall including a recess extending therethrough for passage of food products.
  • 11. The air injected dehydration unit as defined in claim 10, further comprising a pivotable door hinged to said entrance, said exit and said recesses in said dividing walls allowing food products to pass therethrough while maintaining each compartment environmentally isolated from one another.
  • 12. The air injected dehydration unit as defined in claim 9, wherein said means for moving is a conveyor belt extending on either side of said entrance and exit of said chamber.
  • 13. The air injected dehydration unit as defined in claim 12, wherein said conveyor belt is driven by a variable speed motor permitting an operator to move the material through said chambers at a specific rate.
  • 14. The air injected dehydration unit as defined in claim 8, wherein said setting and maintaining means is a heating element regulated by a thermostat.
  • 15. The air injected dehydration unit as defined in claim 14, wherein said setting and maintaining means includes a plurality of heating elements contained within said chamber, said thermostat controlling all of said plurality of heating elements.
  • 16. A system for dehydrating food products, said system comprising:a) a facility having an interior portion to house purified air and an exterior portion; b) an air intake system for supplying a flow of air from said exterior to said interior of said facility; c) an air purification chamber comprising an air inlet functionally connected to said air intake assembly, means for purifying said air flow as it passes through said chamber, and an air outlet; d) an air injection system for receiving air from said air purification chamber; e) a dehydration chamber including: i) means for setting and maintaining a specific temperature within said dehydration chamber; ii) means for moving the food product within said chamber; and iii) means for receiving air from said air injection system and dispersing the air within said chamber; and f) means for exhausting air from said chamber.
  • 17. An atmospheric conditioning system comprising:a) a facility having an interior portion to house purified air and an exterior portion; b) an air intake system for supplying a flow of air to said interior of said facility; c) an air purification chamber comprising an air inlet functionally connected to said air intake assembly, means for purifying said air flow as it passes through said chamber, and an air outlet; d) an air exhaust port having means for directing air flow out of said interior of said facility; and e) said air intake system including means for directing air from outside said facility to said air purification chamber.
  • 18. The atmospheric conditioning system as defined in claim 17, wherein said air intake system comprises at least one air intake assembly, said air intake assembly comprising:a) an air intake funnel; b) an air conduit connected between said air intake funnel and said air purification chamber for delivering air received by said air intake funnel to said air purification chamber.
  • 19. The atmospheric conditioning system as defined in claim 18, further comprising means for rotatively coupling said air intake funnel to said conduit.
  • 20. The atmospheric conditioning system as defined in claim 19, wherein said coupling means includes a stationary end connected to said conduit and a rotatable end connected to said air intake funnel rotatably joined together by a rotatable ball-bearing-type flange.
  • 21. The atmospheric conditioning system as defined in claim 20, wherein said air intake funnel further includes a wind vane extending from a back side of said air intake funnel and facing in a direction opposite said air intake funnel, said wind vane including a vertical plate having a size sufficient to rotate said air intake funnel to face in a direction to receive a maximum amount of wind when a force is applied thereto by blowing wind.
  • 22. The atmospheric conditioning system as defined in claim 21, wherein said air intake funnel spins on a 360 degree rotational axis.
  • 23. The atmospheric conditioning system as defined in claim 18, further comprising a free-wheeling fan is located within said central conduit of said air intake funnel.
  • 24. The atmospheric conditioning system as defined in claim 18, wherein said air intake assembly further includes an electric fan positioned within said conduit for pulling air from the exterior of said facility to said interior of said facility.
  • 25. An air-injected dehydration apparatus for dehydrating a food product, said apparatus comprising:a) a dehydration chamber including: i) means for setting and maintaining a specific temperature within said dehydration chamber; ii) means for moving the food product within said chamber; and iii) means for dispersing air provided to said chamber; b) an air injection system for providing air to said means for dispersing; c) means for exhausting air from said chamber; d) said chamber including a plurality of compartments and said pressure conduit runs longitudinally along said plurality of compartments and includes a plurality of divergent injector inlet channels providing passageway for said pressurized air into said plurality of compartments, each injector inlet including a valve for individually adjusting a pressure of air flowing therethrough.
  • 26. An air-injected dehydration apparatus for dehydrating a food product, said apparatus comprising:a) a dehydration chamber including: i) means for setting and maintaining a specific temperature within said dehydration chamber; ii) means for moving the food product within said chamber; and iii) means for dispersing air provided to said chamber; b) an air injection system for providing air to said means for dispersing; c) means for exhausting air from said chamber; and d) said means for dispersing passes through a side of said chamber and includes an upper injection arm and a lower injection arm, said upper and lower injection arms extending on either side of said means for moving.
  • 27. The air injected dehydration unit as defined in claim 26, further comprising a plurality of air injectors on said upper and lower injector arms.
  • 28. An air-injected dehydration apparatus for dehydrating a food product, said apparatus comprising:a) a dehydration chamber including: i) means for setting and maintaining a specific temperature within said dehydration chamber; ii) means for moving the food product within said chamber; and iii) means for dispersing air provided to said chamber; b) an air injection system for providing air to said means for dispersing; c) means for exhausting air from said chamber; and d) said chamber being rotatable about said air injection system and food products are positioned in and rotatable with said chamber.
  • 29. The air injected dehydration unit as claimed in claim 28, wherein said air injection system extends through said chamber, said chamber and air injection system being connected together by first and second pairs of bearings positioned on either side of said chamber.
  • 30. The air injected dehydration unit as claimed in claim 29, wherein said air injection system includes a plurality of mixing arms extending within said chamber for providing air to an inside of said chamber, said mixing arms remaining stationary within said chamber.
  • 31. The air injected dehydration unit as claimed in claim 30, wherein said means for setting and maintaining includes a plurality of heating elements extending through a length of said chamber.a) an air intake system for supplying a flow of air to said interior of said facility; b) an air purification chamber comprising an air inlet functionally connected to said air intake assembly, means for purifying said air flow as it passes through said chamber, and an air outlet; and c) an air exhaust port having means for directing air flow out of said interior of said facility.
US Referenced Citations (4)
Number Name Date Kind
3633340 Illingworth Jan 1972
4556043 Bratton Dec 1985
5762665 Abrahamian et al. Jun 1998
5987773 Lipsey Nov 1999