Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6195906
-
Patent Number
6,195,906
-
Date Filed
Monday, October 18, 199924 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, March 6, 200123 years ago
-
Inventors
-
-
Examiners
- McDermott; Corrine
- Drake; Malik N.
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 034 80
- 034 202
- 034 210
- 034 218
- 055 3851
- 096 322
- 096 361
-
International Classifications
-
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)