GB2308966A - Submerging a comb in honey to extract its honey - Google Patents

Abstract

A method is disclosed including the step of extracting granulated honey captive within a wax honey comb 3 without destroying the comb by warming in an electronically controlled warming cabinet whilst the comb frame is submerged in liquid honey in order to negate the weight of the honey captive in the comb. A pouring trough1 is used to submerge the frames ensuring even distribution of honey in the spaces between the frames and so as to ensure no upward movement of the frames by buoyancy. The honey in the cabinet is allowed to cool to stabilise the wax of the combs and is removed by way of a drain cock 4. The honey remaining in the combs is sufficiently liquid to be removed by spinning.

Description

A METHOD TO EXTRACT GRANULATED HONEY FROM HONEY COMBS WITHOUT DESTROYING THE COMBS This invention relates to a method of removing granulated honey from the honey comb without destroying the wax honey comb.

Warming wax honey combs to liquify granulated honey has always previously resulted in the collapse of the comb, arising from the low melt point of the wax combined with the weight of the honey contained in the comb.

This invention sets out a method of warming the wax honey comb in a warming cabinet to precise temperature levels whilst supporting the comb by suspension in liquid honey to negate the effect of the weight of the honey captive in the comb.

The specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of the technical specification of the following components and description of the method.

The warming cabinet The honey comb frame trays illustrated in Figure 1.

The honey pouring trough illustrated in Figure 1.

The method of honey extraction.

The warming cabinet is front loading of box shape designed to take a number of frame trays each holding a number of honey comb frames.

The warming cabinet is of double skinned sheet aluminium construction having a sandwich of insulation material and incorporates a circulating fan, heating elements and thermostat working in conjunction with an electronic control to give a precise pre-programmed temperature.

The front door of the cabinet has toggle fasteners allowing complete removal of the door for ease of loading and unloading the cabinet. A synthetic rubber strip is incorporated to ensure an air tight seal to the door aperture.

The frame trays are constructed of formed and welded food grade sheet aluminium dimensioned to carry the frames being vertically supported by hanging from the top of the sides of the tray. Plastic spacers are used at both ends of the frame to ensure even spacing of the frames within the tray.

A top mounted pouring trough, again constructed of formed and welded food grade aluminium is fitted to the top of the frame trays and serves two major functions. The trough is slotted coincident with each space between the frames mounted in the tray to ensure even distribution of the honey between the frames to totally submerge the combs, and minimise any baffle effect on the frames during pouring, also to brace the top of the trays and avoid upward movement of the frames from bouyancy.

The method of extraction of granulated honey from the combs comprises the following steps.

Removal of the wax capping from the comb frame by cutting in the conventional manner.

Mounting the comb frames in the frame trays ensuring that spacers are fitted to both ends of each frame.

Pour liquid honey evenly throughout the length of the pouring trough until each comb is fully submerged.

Place in the warming cabinet, close door and ensuring an airtight seal, warm contents of all trays to a predetermined temperature and by maintaining this temperature for a specified period, depending on the number of frames/trays, to liquify the granulated honey captive in the comb.

Allow to cool to an ambient temperature noting that previously granulated honey does not immediately re-granulate. The initial granulation or any subsequent granulation being by organic formation and not temperature sensitive.

Draw off the honey used to submerge the frames by way of the drain cock and remove the comb frames.

The honey captive in the comb will remain sufficiently viscous to permit extraction by spinning in the conventional manner, the whole comb being at ambient temperature to ensure the wax remains stable.

Key to Figure 1.

ITEM DESCRIPTION 1. Pouring trough 2. Slots to distribute honey Note: Slotted throughout the length of the trough to coincide with the spaces between the comb frames.

3. Comb frames 4. Drain Cock 5. Comb frame spacers.

Claims (5)

1. A method to remove granulated honey captive within the wax honey comb without destroying the comb by warming the comb to a specific temperature whilst submerged in liquid honey to negate the effect of the weight of the captive honey, and facilitate extraction by spinning.

2. A method to extract honey as claimed in Claim 1 whereby the method utilises an electronically controlled warming cabinet to bring the contents to an evenly distributed pre-determined temperature.

3. A warming cabinet as claimed in Claim 2 utilising frame trays to permit the comb frames to be submerged in liquid honey by means of a pouring trough ensuring even distribution of the honey throughout the tray without damage to the wax combs.

4. A pouring trough as claimed in Claim 3 fitted to the frame tray whereby this ensures no upward movement of the frame by bouyancy of being submerged in honey.

5. A method to remove granulated honey captive within the wax honey comb without destroying the comb substantially as described herein and with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing.

5. A method to remove granulated honey captive within the wax honey comb without destroying the comb substantially as described herein and with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A method to remove granulated honey captive within the wax honey comb without destroying the comb by warming the complete comb to a specific temperature whilst submerged in liquid honey to negate the effect of the weight of the captive honey, and facilitate extraction of the captive honey by spinning the comb after a period of cooling to re-strengthen and stabilise the wax in the comb.

2. A method to extract honey as claimed in Claim 1 whereby the method utilises an electronically controlled warming cabinet to bring the contents to an evenly distributed pre-determined and accurate temperature to ensure liquefying the captive granulated honey but within maximum temperature limits to ensure the minimum affect on the wax comb.

3. A warming cabinet as claimed in Claim 2 utilising frame trays to permit-the comb frames to be submerged in liquid honey by means of a pouring trough ensuring even distribution of the honey throughout the tray without damage to the wax combs.

4. A pouring trough as claimed in Claim 3 fitted to the frame tray whereby this ensures no upward movement of the frame by bouyancy of being submerged in honey.