Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A high temperature short time (HTST) dehydration device (100) to dehydrate vegetables, the HTST dehydration device (100) comprising:
sensors (108a-108c) configured to sense parameters selected from one of, a temperature, a position of a lid (106), a weight of the vegetables, an airflow data, or a combination thereof;
an anemometer (110) to measure airflow in a drying chamber (120);
a heater (112) connected to the drying chamber (120), wherein the heater (112) is configured to heat the vegetables using warm air; and
a controller (116) coupled to the sensors (108a-108c), the anemometer (110), and the heater (112), wherein the controller (116) is configured to:
receive the sensed parameters from the sensors (108a-108c);
determine a numerical value of the weight of the vegetables, the airflow, and the temperature based on the received sensed parameters;
compare the determined numerical value of the temperature and the airflow with predefined set of parameters stored in a memory (118);
generate an alteration signal based on the determined numerical value;
alter the airflow as well as the temperature based on the generated alteration signal; and
display the determined numerical value of the weight of the vegetables in the drying chamber (120).
2. The HTST dehydration device (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a control panel (114).
3. The HTST dehydration device (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control panel (114) is configured to house a user interface (124), and a plurality of buttons (128a-128s).
4. The HTST dehydration device (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a hopper (104) designed above the drying chamber (120) of the HTST dehydration device (100) to receive the vegetables.
5. The HTST dehydration device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensors (108a-108c) are selected from one of, an ultrasonic sensor, a proximity sensor, an infrared sensor, a weight sensor, a photoelectric sensor, or a combination thereof.
6. The HTST dehydration device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a dehydration time of the HTST dehydration device (100) is in a range of 8 to 12 minutes.
7. The HTST dehydration device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a working temperature of the HTST dehydration device (100) is in a range of 160o Celsius to 180o Celsius.
8. The HTST dehydration device (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the controller (116) enables a user to manually alter the predefined set of parameters using the user interface (124) and the plurality of buttons (128a-128s).
9. The HTST dehydration device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller (116) is an ARDUINO development board.
10. The HTST dehydration device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid (106) is a perforated lid.

Date: 09 Nov, 2021
Place: Noida

Dr. Keerti Gupta
Agent for the Applicant
(IN/PA-1529)
, Description:FORM 2

THE PATENT ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&

THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10, and rule 13)

HIGH TEMPERATURE SHORT TIME (HTST) DEHYDRATION DEVICE

APPLICANT(S)
NAME: SR University
NATIONALITY: INDIAN
ADDRESS: S R University Ananthasagar, Warangal, Telangana, India,

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed

BACKGROUND
Field of the invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a drying device and particularly to a high temperature short time (HTST) dehydration device.
Description of Related Art
[002] Processed and dried vegetables are extensively used in preparations of curries and salads. The vegetables need to be rapidly dried to get porous structure in food. Currently, normal drying temperatures are 60o Celsius to 100o Celsius for food drying, which takes about 6 to 12 hours depending on ambient conditions and a temperature of raw material and a drying chamber.
[003] The drying process is performed by some mechanized machines that allow a user to dehydrate the vegetables before packing it into polythene bags. Conventional machines enable the user to manually set an operational time, the temperature, and airflow. Some drying machines are controlled semi-automatically to perform the dehydration of the vegetables.
[004] The presently available machines take a lot of time and require a skilled person to accurately set working parameters in the drying machine to perfectly dehydrate the vegetables.
[005] There is thus a need for a dehydration machine for managing dehydration of the vegetables in a more efficient manner with automatic selection of the working parameters.
SUMMARY
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a high temperature short time (HTST) dehydration device to dehydrate vegetables. The HTST dehydration device includes sensors configured to sense parameters selected from one of, a temperature, a position of a lid, a weight of the vegetables, an airflow data, or a combination thereof. The HTST dehydration device further includes an anemometer to measure airflow in a drying chamber. The HTST dehydration device further includes a heater connected to the drying chamber. The heater is configured to heat the vegetables using warm air. The HTST dehydration device further includes a controller coupled to the sensors, the anemometer, and the heater. The controller is configured to: receive the sensed parameters from the sensors. The controller is further configured to determine a numerical value of the weight of the vegetables, the airflow, and the temperature based on the received sensed parameters. The controller is further configured to compare the determined numerical value of the temperature and the airflow with predefined set of parameters stored in a memory. The controller is further configured to generate an alteration signal based on the determined numerical value. The controller is further configured to alter the airflow as well as the temperature. The controller is further configured to display the determined numerical value of the weight of the vegetables in the drying chamber.
[007] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on its particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a vegetable dehydration device. Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a high temperature short time (HTST) dehydration device to dehydrate vegetables.
[008] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a HTST dehydration device that can dry vegetable products quickly within 8-12 minutes.
[009] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a HTST dehydration device that has automatic control of temperature, dehydration time, and airflow.
[0010] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a HTST dehydration device that has better control of quality of vegetables during drying.
[0011] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a HTST dehydration device that can be easily programmed through an Arduino board.
[0012] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a HTST dehydration device that enables an easy selection of pre-fixed programs for different vegetables.
[0013] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0014] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram depicting a high temperature short time (HTST) dehydration device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates components of a controller of the HTST dehydration device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method of dehydrating vegetables using the HTST dehydration device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0021] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises,”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including,", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of,", “consists essentially of,", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of,", "consists of”, the like.
[0022] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram depicting a high temperature short time (HTST) dehydration device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The HTST dehydration device 100 may be used to dehydrate vegetables using warm air. In an embodiment of the present invention, the HTST dehydration device 100 may be used to dehydrate chopped vegetables using the warm air. The vegetables may be, but not limited to, a carrot, a yam, a potato, a sweet potato, green peas, turnip, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the vegetables. According to embodiments of the present invention, the HTST dehydration device 100 may be a fully automated device that may have a predefined set of parameters for different vegetables stored in a memory. In another embodiment of the present invention, the HTST dehydration device 100 may enable a user to manually alter the predefined set of parameters using one of, a plurality of buttons, a user interface, and so forth. The predefined set of parameters allows an accurate control of time, temperature and energy. Further, the HTST dehydration device 100 may require a dehydration time of 8 to 12 minutes to completely dehydrate the vegetables. The HTST dehydration device 100 may comprise a body 102, a hopper 104, a lid 106, sensors 108a-108c (hereinafter referred to as the sensors 108), an anemometer 110, a heater 112, a control panel 114, a controller 116, a memory 118, and so forth.
[0024] The body 102 of the HTST dehydration device 100 may be designed for housing components such as the sensors 108, the anemometer 110, the control panel 114, the controller 116, and the memory 118. Furthermore, the body 102 of the HTST dehydration device 100 may be made up of a material, such as, but not limited to, an iron, an aluminum, a hardened plastic, a chromed steel, a stainless steel, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material for the body 102 of the HTST dehydration device 100 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to embodiments of the present invention, the HTST dehydration device 100 may be of different shapes and sizes, such as, but not limited to, a cuboid, a cube, a cylindrical, a hexagonal, a square, a rectangular, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any of the shape and the size for the HTST dehydration device 100 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the hopper 104 may be installed on a top of the body 102. The hopper 104 may be designed to enable an easy insertion of the vegetables into the HTST dehydration device 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the hopper 104 may be made up of a material, such as, but not limited to, the iron, the aluminum, the hardened plastic, the chromed steel, the stainless steel, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material for the hopper 104 of the HTST dehydration device 100 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hopper 104 may be of any shape such as, but not limited to, frustum, cylindrical, conical, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any shape of the hopper 104 of the HTST dehydration device 100 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0026] Further, the hopper 104 may have the lid 106 attached to its distal end. The lid 106 may enable easy access to a drying chamber 120 of the HTST dehydration device 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the lid 106 may be attached to the hopper 104 using a hinge 122. The hinge 122 allows the lid 106 to move from an open configuration to a close configuration and vice versa. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lid 106 may have a plurality of perforations 126a-126m (hereinafter referred to as the perforations 126).
[0027] According to embodiments of the present invention, the sensors 108 may be installed near the lid 106 of the HTST dehydration device 100 to monitor the position of the lid 106. The sensors 108 may be installed within the body 102 of the HTST dehydration device 100 such that the lid 106 may be in a field of view of the sensors 108. The sensors 108 may be installed in the drying chamber 120 of the HTST dehydration device 100. The sensors 108 may be installed at a bottom of the drying chamber 120. According to embodiments of the present invention, the sensors 108 may be configured to sense parameters selected from, but not limited to, a temperature, a weight of the vegetables, an airflow data, and so forth. According to embodiments of the present invention, the sensors 108 may be selected from, an ultrasonic sensor, a proximity sensor, an infrared sensor, a weight sensor, a photoelectric sensor, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the sensors 108 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0028] According to embodiments of the present invention, the anemometer 110 may be installed within the drying chamber 120 along with the sensors 108. The anemometer 110 may be configured to measure airflow in the drying chamber 120. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the anemometer 110 may be a hot wire anemometer.
[0029] According to embodiments of the present invention, the heater 112 may be connected to the HTST dehydration device 100 such that a warm air blown from the heater 112 reaches the drying chamber 120. The heater 112 may be connected to a proximal end of the HTST dehydration device 100. In another embedment of the present invention, the heater 112 may be installed within the body 102 of the HTST dehydration device 100. Further, the heater 112 may be configured to generate the warm air and blow it into the drying chamber 120. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the heater 112 may be configured to produce a temperature in a range of 160o Celsius to 180o Celsius to perfectly dehydrate the vegetables.
[0030] According to embodiments of the present invention, the control panel 114 may be a central control of the HTST dehydration device 100. The control panel 114 may be connected to the sensors 108, the anemometer 110, the heater 112, and the controller 116 of the HTST dehydration device 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the control panel 114 may be configured to receive input from the user. The control panel 114 may be configured to generate an output and perform other operations related to the HTST dehydration device 100. Further, the control panel 114 houses a user interface 124, and a plurality of buttons 128a-128s (hereinafter referred to as the buttons 128).
[0031] The user interface 124 may be configured to enable the user to input data into the HTST dehydration device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The user interface 124 may be further configured to display output data associated with the HTST dehydration device 100, in an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the user interface 124 may be, but not limited to, a digital display, a touch screen display, a graphical user interface, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the user interface 124 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be capable of enabling the user to input data and to display an output data.
[0032] The buttons 128 may be configured to enable the user to input data into the HTST dehydration device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The buttons 128 may be configured to increase and/or decrease the data being displayed on the user interface 124. According to embodiments of the present invention, the buttons 128 may be push buttons. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the buttons 128 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be capable of enabling the user to input data.
[0033] According to embodiments of the present invention, the controller 116 may be configured to process the data associated with the HTST dehydration device 100 to generate an output and perform other operations related to the HTST dehydration device 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the controller 116 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control unit (PLC), a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a computing device, a development board, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the controller 116 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be capable of processing the received data. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the controller 116 may be an ARDUINO development board. Further, the controller 116 will be explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 2.
[0034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the memory 118 may be configured for storage and retrieval of the data associated with the HTST dehydration device 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the memory 118 may be, but not limited to, a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), a Programmable read-only memory (PROM), an Erasable Programmable read only memory (EPROM), an Electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the memory 118 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates components of the controller 116 of the HTST dehydration device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The controller 116 may comprise a device configuration module 200, a data collection module 202, a data processing module 204, an alteration module 206, and an output module 208, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0036] According to embodiments of the present invention, a switch (not shown) may be configured to generate an activation signal when the user of the HTST dehydration device 100 activates the switch. The activation signal may enable the device configuration module 200 that may be configured to activate the sensors 108, the anemometer 110, and the heater 112. The sensors 108 may be configured to sense the parameters selected from one of, but not limited to, the temperature, the position of the lid 106, the weight of the vegetables, and the airflow data. Further, the device configuration module 200 may be configured to transmit the sensed parameters received from the sensors 108 to the data collection module 202, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] According to embodiments of the present invention, the data collection module 202 may be configured to receive the sensed parameters from the device configuration module 200. Further, the data collection module 202 may be configured to store the received sensed parameters onto the memory 118 of the HTST dehydration device 100. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the data collection module 202 may be further configured to transmit the received sensed parameters to the data processing module 204.
[0038] The data processing module 204 may be configured to process the sensed parameters to determine a numerical value of the weight of the vegetables, the airflow, and the temperature inside the drying chamber 120. In an embodiment of the present invention, the memory 118 of the HTST dehydration device 100 may be configured to store the predefined set of parameters. In an exemplary scenario, if the data processing module 204 determines that the determined numerical value of the airflow and the temperature inside the drying chamber 120 is greater than the predefined set of parameters stored in the memory 118, then the data processing module 204 may be configured to generate a negative alteration signal. The negative alteration signal may be transmitted to the alteration module 206. In another exemplary scenario, if the data processing module 204 determines that the determined numerical value of the airflow and the temperature inside the drying chamber 120 is less than the predefined set of parameters stored in the memory 118, then the data processing module 204 may be configured to generate a positive alteration signal. Similarly, the positive alteration signal may be transmitted to the alteration module 206. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, if the data processing module 204 determines that the determined numerical value of the airflow and the temperature inside the drying chamber 120 is equal to the predefined set of parameters stored in the memory 118, then the data processing module 204 may be configured enable the device configuration module 200 to continue receiving sensed parameters from the sensors 108. Further, the data processing module 204 may be configured to transmit the determined numerical value of the weight of the vegetables to the output module 208, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] The alteration module 206 may be configured to receive the generated alteration signal from the data processing module 204. The alteration module 206 may be connected to the heater 112 of the HTST dehydration device 100 that may be configured to produce the warm air. In an exemplary scenario, if the alteration module 206 receives the negative alteration signal generated from the data processing module 204, then the alteration module 206 may generate a negative alteration signal. The negative alteration signal may be transmitted to the heater 112 of the HTST dehydration device 100. The heater 112 may increase the airflow and the temperature. In another exemplary scenario, if the alteration module 206 receives the positive alteration signal generated from the data processing module 204, then the alteration module 206 may generate the positive alteration signal. The positive alteration signal may be transmitted to the heater 112 of the HTST dehydration device 100. The heater 112 may decrease the airflow and the temperature. In yet another exemplary scenario, if the alteration module 206 doesn’t receive any alteration signal from the data processing module 204, then the heater 112 continues the supply of the warm air allowing the vegetables to dehydrate.
[0040] The output module 208 may be configured to receive the determined numerical value of the weight of the vegetables from the data processing module 204. The output module 208 may be connected to the user interface 124 of the control panel 114. The user interface 124 may display the received numerical value of the weight of the vegetables.
[0041] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method 300 of dehydrating the vegetables using the HTST dehydration device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] At step 302, the HTST dehydration device 100 may receive the sensed parameters selected from one of, the temperature, the position of the lid 106, the weight of the vegetables, the airflow data from the sensors 108.
[0043] At step 304, the HTST dehydration device 100 may determine the numerical value of the weight of the vegetables, the airflow data, and the temperature based on the received sensed parameters.
[0044] At step 306, the HTST dehydration device 100 may compare the determined numerical value of the temperature and the airflow with the predefined set of parameters stored in the memory 118.
[0045] At step 308, if the HTST dehydration device 100 determines that the numerical value of the temperature and the airflow is not equal to the predefined set of parameters stored in the memory 118 and requires any alteration, then the method 300 may proceed to step 310, otherwise, the method 300 may proceed to step 314. The alterations may be an increment in the airflow and the temperature and/or a decrement in the airflow and the temperature.
[0046] At the step 310, the HTST dehydration device 100 may generate the alteration signal based on the determined numerical value. If the determined numerical value of the airflow and the temperature inside the drying chamber 120 is greater than the predefined set of parameters stored in the memory 118, then the HTST dehydration device 100 may generate the negative alteration signal. If the determined numerical value of the airflow and the temperature inside the drying chamber 120 is less than the predefined set of parameters stored in the memory 118, then the HTST dehydration device 100 may generate the positive alteration signal.
[0047] At step 312, the HTST dehydration device 100 may alter the airflow as well as the temperature based on the negative activation signal and/or the positive activation signal. The HTST dehydration device 100 may increase the airflow and temperature based on the negative alteration signal. Similarly, the HTST dehydration device 100 may decrease the airflow and temperature based on the positive alteration signal.
[0048] At the step 314, the HTST dehydration device 100 may display the determined numerical value of the weight of the vegetables in the drying chamber 120 through the user interface 124.
[0049] Embodiments of the invention are described above with reference to block diagrams and schematic illustrations of methods and systems according to embodiments of the invention. While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0050] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.