Importance

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Abstract

A blancher having a tank and an elongate generally cylindrical and hollow perforate drum rotatably received in the tank with the drum including an inlet end plate with a food product inlet opening adjacent an end of a support core that is spaced from the inlet opening by at least two braces of non-straight construction to allow food product to enter the drum without being obstructed adjacent the inlet opening. The braces increase the structural rigidity of the drum enabling blanchers to be constructed having axial lengths greater than 24 feet and drum diameters greater than 72 inches while also being of open throat construction and having an inlet opening diameter greater than the outer diameter of the core. Each brace is preferably generally L-shaped having a leg radially outwardly extending from the core which radially outwardly spaces an axially extending brace leg from the inlet opening where it is attached to the inlet end plate for enabling product to enter the drum without being obstructed by any brace. In one preferred embodiment, the brace has a generally flat leading edge when immersed. In another preferred embodiment, the brace has a convex leading edge for deflecting product. In a still further embodiment, the brace has a concave leading edge for catching a layer of water along its leading edge for cushioning product impacting against the brace.

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First Claim