US4256837A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gas collection apparatus
Assignee: Inventa AG fuer Forschung und Patentverwertung
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Filing: 1979-11-05
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Granted: 1981-03-17
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Expires: 1999-11-05
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for the recovery of gas evolved from fermentation is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a vessel containing the fermentation material, and a head slidably mounted on the vessel forming a substantially gas tight chamber therewith. Mounted on the head are a series of projections of various shapes which extend into the chamber. As the fermentation proceeds, the generation of gas causes the head to rise. When it has risen a sufficient amount, a gas outlet valve is opened and the gas is introduced into a collector. The reduction in gas pressure causes the head to drop. The movement of the head causes the projections to break through the scum layer at the surface of the fermentation broth, thereby enhancing the reaction. In a preferred form of the device, the projections are so formed as to urge the scum towards the discharge means, thereby breaking and removing the scum without the use of any additional energy. A method for using the apparatus is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Fluri
- 👤 Richard Voser
- 👤 Peter Wettstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:52
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12M; C12M21/00; C12M21/04; C12M23/00; C12M23/02; C12M23/36; C12M27/00; C12M27/18; C12M27/20; C12M27/22; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E50/00; Y02E50/30; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/09; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/801; Y10S435/812
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
Apparatus for the recovery of gas evolved from fermentation, comprising: a vessel for receiving fermentable material; a head mounted on said vessel to define a substantially gas-tight chamber therebetween, said head being movable toward and away from said vessel; means for discharging the fermentable material from said chamber into a receiver after fermentation of the material; means for introducing the fermentable material into said vessel to a predetermined height therein; and a closable outlet for the gas evolved from fermentation of the material, said outlet communicating with the chamber at a location above said predetermined height to which the fermentable material is introduced; said head having at least one projection movable therewith and disposed at least partially in said chamber, and at least a portion of said projection extending below said predetermined height of the fermentable material when said head is at its closest position relative to the vessel and above said predetermined height when the head is at its furthest position relative to the vessel; said projection being slanted toward said discharging means such that movement of the head toward and away from said vessel urges the fermentable material toward said discharging means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
Apparatus for the recovery of gas evolved from fermentation, comprising: a vessel for receiving fermentable material; a head mounted on said vessel to define a substantially gas-tight chamber therebetween, said head being movable toward and away from said vessel; means for discharging the fermentable material from said chamber into a receiver after fermentation of the material; means for introducing the fermentable material into said vessel to a predetermined height therein; and a closable outlet for the gas evolved from fermentation of the material, said outlet communicating with the chamber at a location above said predetermined height to which the fermentable material is introduced; said head having at least one projection movable therewith and disposed at least partially in said chamber, and at least a portion of said projection extending below said predetermined height of the fermentable material when said head is at its closest position relative to the vessel and above said predetermined height when the head is at its furthest position relative to the vessel; said projection being slanted toward said discharging means such that movement of the head toward and away from said vessel urges the fermentable material toward said discharging means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein all of said projection is disposed above said predetermined height when the head is at its furthest position relative to the vessel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said projection is affixed to the head.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said projection includes a perforated plate in said chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said discharging means is disposed substantially at said predetermined height.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said discharging means is located centrally in said chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said discharging means is located peripherally of said chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said discharging means comprises an annular channel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including a substantially gas-tight seal between said vessel and said head.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said vessel has a base which is slanted toward the receiver.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
74 words
A process for the fermentation of fermentable material comprising: introducing the fermentable material into the vessel of claim 1; closing the gas outlet; and allowing the fermentation to take place whereby gas is generated, the gas causing the head to move away from the vessel such that said at least one projection of the head breaks a scum layer on top of the fermentable material and thereby urges the scum toward said discharging means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
174 words
Apparatus for the recovery of gas evolved from fermentation, comprising: a vessel for receiving fermentable material; a head mounted on said vessel to define a substantially gas-tight chamber therebetween, said head being movable toward and away from said vessel; means for discharging the fermentable material from said chamber into a receiver after fermentation of the material; means for introducing the fermentable material into said vessel to a predetermined height therein; and a closable outlet for the gas evolved from fermentation of the material, said outlet communicating with the chamber at a location above said predetermined height to which the fermentable material is introduced; said head having at least one projection movable therewith and disposed at least partially in said chamber, and at least a portion of said projection extending below said predetermined height of the fermentable material when said head is at its closest position relative to the vessel and above said predetermined height when the head is at its furthest position relative to the vessel; said projection including at least one funnel-shaped element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
174 words
Apparatus for the recovery of gas evolved from fermentation, comprising: a vessel for receiving fermentable material; a head mounted on said vessel to define a substantially gas-tight chamber therebetween, said head being movable toward and away from said vessel; means for discharging the fermentable material from said chamber into a receiver after fermentation of the material; means for introducing the fermentable material into said vessel to a predetermined height therein; and a closable outlet for the gas evolved from fermentation of the material, said outlet communicating with the chamber at a location above said predetermined height to which the fermentable material is introduced; said head having at least one projection movable therewith and disposed at least partially in said chamber, and at least a portion of said projection extending below said predetermined height of the fermentable material when said head is at its closest position relative to the vessel and above said predetermined height when the head is at its furthest position relative to the vessel; said projection including at least one funnel-shaped element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said funnel-shaped element tapers in a direction away from the periphery of said chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
174 words
Apparatus for the recovery of gas evolved from fermentation, comprising: a vessel for receiving fermentable material; a head mounted on said vessel to define a substantially gas-tight chamber therebetween, said head being movable toward and away from said vessel; means for discharging the fermentable material from said chamber into a receiver after fermentation of the material; means for introducing the fermentable material into said vessel to a predetermined height therein; and a closable outlet for the gas evolved from fermentation of the material, said outlet communicating with the chamber at a location above said predetermined height to which the fermentable material is introduced; said head having at least one projection movable therewith and disposed at least partially in said chamber, and at least a portion of said projection extending below said predetermined height of the fermentable material when said head is at its closest position relative to the vessel and above said predetermined height when the head is at its furthest position relative to the vessel; said projection comprising at least one helical element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
174 words
Apparatus for the recovery of gas evolved from fermentation, comprising: a vessel for receiving fermentable material; a head mounted on said vessel to define a substantially gas-tight chamber therebetween, said head being movable toward and away from said vessel; means for discharging the fermentable material from said chamber into a receiver after fermentation of the material; means for introducing the fermentable material into said vessel to a predetermined height therein; and a closable outlet for the gas evolved from fermentation of the material, said outlet communicating with the chamber at a location above said predetermined height to which the fermentable material is introduced; said head having at least one projection movable therewith and disposed at least partially in said chamber, and at least a portion of said projection extending below said predetermined height of the fermentable material when said head is at its closest position relative to the vessel and above said predetermined height when the head is at its furthest position relative to the vessel; said projection comprising at least one helical element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-03-16 | 1984-09-15 | 1985-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-16 | 1988-09-15 | 1989-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-16 | 1992-09-15 | 1993-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |