GB983561A - Method and apparatus for the rapid drying of a sample of moist material - Google Patents

Abstract

983,561. Drying food &c. OSCAR MAYER - KARTRIDG PAK S.A. Dec. 28, 1962, No. 48826/62. Heading F4G. Food or like samples are dried on a foraminous plate or screen (not shown) by spreading thereon in a thin layer and pressed into the openings therein, the plate being horizontally and removably mounted in a shallow support pan (not shown) carried in the arms 34 of a support frame 30 which is slidably mounted in a drying oven 21. The frame is moved by an endless band 36 and reversible motor 38 between actuating arms 41, 44 which operate switches 40, 43 to energize or de-energize, respectively, the motor 38 when the frame reaches a position adjacent a front opening door 22 and beneath a radiant heater 25, respectively. A first timer actuates the motor 38 and a second timer is in contact with a variable transformer connected to the heater so that the sample is first heated at a comparatively high temperature for a period of time ending before the rate of evaporation of water from the sample falls below that in which input exceeds evaporation, and then heating the sample at a lower temperature for a larger period which is terminated by the second timer actuating the motor to remove the plate from beneath the heater.