Patent ID: 7322283
Filing Date: 2008-01-29
Classification: A23C,A23L

Abstract:
1. An apparatus in an infuser for a liquid food product, the infuser including a pressure vessel with an inlet for the product located in its upper region and an outlet for the product located in its lower region, the product inlet being disposed to divide the product entering into the pressure vessel into small droplets, and the infuser also including at least one steam inlet disposed such that steam enters into the upper region of the pressure vessel through a concentric distribution chamber, wherein the concentric distribution chamber is defined by a wall of the pressure vessel, a guide plate and at least one foraminated plate, wherein the concentric distribution chamber is designed so that the steam, on entering the pressure vessel, is downwardly directed and is at a speed of <2 m/sec, and the pressure vessel is designed so that the product droplets are treated by the steam below the guide plate and the droplets fall freely through the pressure vessel until the droplets reach a liquid surface in the lower region below the guide plate.