Air heater
First Claim
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1. An air heater assembly adapted for connection to and use with an aseptic packaging system to make and maintain the same in a sterile condition, the air heater assembly comprising:
- (a) a housing encasing a heating element, said heating element comprising a plurality of coiled members joined together, said coiled members each comprising a metallic heat conducting element retained within a metallic sheath;
(b) a connector assembly for electrically connecting said heater assembly to an electrical circuit, said connector assembly comprising a support bar having secured thereto a pair of connector plates, each of said connector plates also being secured to said metallic heat conducting element, said connector assembly also comprising a main plug, said main plug connected to said support bar and to said housing, said metallic sheath passing through said main plug; and
(c) an air flow entry member, said air flow entry member attached to said housing and communicating therewith upstream from the heating element, said air flow entry member comprising a fixed plate having formed therein a plurality of orifices, and a slidably cooperating plate having formed therein a plurality of orifices, said slidably cooperating plate being slidably adjustable relative to said fixed plate so as to vary the rate of the flow of air through said heater assembly without compromising the sterility of the aseptic packaging system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An air heater is used to supply sterile air to an aseptic system for packaging food products. The air heater has an electrical heating element disposed within a tube, and the rate of air flow through the tube is adjustable. The air heater eliminates sources of contamination which are present in prior art air heaters.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An air heater assembly adapted for connection to and use with an aseptic packaging system to make and maintain the same in a sterile condition, the air heater assembly comprising:
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(a) a housing encasing a heating element, said heating element comprising a plurality of coiled members joined together, said coiled members each comprising a metallic heat conducting element retained within a metallic sheath; (b) a connector assembly for electrically connecting said heater assembly to an electrical circuit, said connector assembly comprising a support bar having secured thereto a pair of connector plates, each of said connector plates also being secured to said metallic heat conducting element, said connector assembly also comprising a main plug, said main plug connected to said support bar and to said housing, said metallic sheath passing through said main plug; and (c) an air flow entry member, said air flow entry member attached to said housing and communicating therewith upstream from the heating element, said air flow entry member comprising a fixed plate having formed therein a plurality of orifices, and a slidably cooperating plate having formed therein a plurality of orifices, said slidably cooperating plate being slidably adjustable relative to said fixed plate so as to vary the rate of the flow of air through said heater assembly without compromising the sterility of the aseptic packaging system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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- 8. An aseptic packaging system comprising an air heater assembly which comprises an air flow entry member, a heating element, and a connector assembly for electrically connecting said heating element to an electrical circuit, said air flow entry member comprising means for varying the rate of air flow therethrough to the heating element, while maintaining within said packaging system a sterile environment, said heating element being contained within a housing, said housing receiving air flow from the air flow entry member and directing the air flow egress, said means for connecting said heating element to said electrical circuit comprising a pair of connector plates, means for securing said heating element to said pair of connector plates, and means for securing said electrical circuit to said pair of connector plates.
Specification