Cem Corporation

Ronald J Goetchius

Michael J Collins, Sr

Bernard W Cruse, Jr

Apparatuses and processes are described for the automatic determinations of fat contents of foods, such as dairy products, e.g., milk, wherein automatic density and solids content determining apparatuses are employed, together with a computer, to determine the fat contents of food samples being tested. The density determining apparatus is preferably one which is electromagnetically excited to vibrate at its natural resonant frequency, so that from the change in such frequency, compared to a control, the mass of the sample may be determined. The means for measuring the solids content is preferably an automatic volatility computer in which electromagnetic radiation (microwave energy) is employed to drive off the volatile material (usually mostly water) in the sample, which is automatically weighed before and after such volatilization. Preferably, a microcomputer in the automatic volatility computer is employed to compute fat content from electronic feeds to it from the density and the solids content determining apparatuses. By use of the described apparatuses and processes rapid determinations of fat contents of materials may be made, facilitating modifications of production procedures to provide products of desired fat content, thereby preventing the production of off-specification materials and avoiding producing over-specification products which might otherwise be manufactured to avoid non-compliance with requirements for minimum fat contents of products.

Analytical apparatus and process

Apparatuses and processes are described for the automatic determinations of fat contents of foods, such as dairy products, e.g., milk, wherein automatic density and solids content determining apparatuses are employed, together with a computer, to determine the fat contents of food samples being tested. The density determining apparatus is preferably one which is electromagnetically excited to vibrate at its natural resonant frequency, so that from the change in such frequency, compared to a control, the mass of the sample may be determined. The means for measuring the solids content is preferably an automatic volatility computer in which electromagnetic radiation (microwave energy) is employed to drive off the volatile material (usually mostly water) in the sample, which is automatically weighed before and after such volatilization. Preferably, a microcomputer in the automatic volatility computer is employed to compute fat content from electronic feeds to it from the density and the solids content determining apparatuses.

Apparatus and process for automatically determining fat contents of foods

An automatic volatility computer and a method for automatically determining weight changes in substances containing a volatile material. In particular, an apparatus which automatically determines the percentage of volatiles in a substance which contains unknown quantities of polar volatiles such as water or moisture, solvents, plasticizers and the like. The apparatus provides rapid automatic analysis without operator assistance other than the placing of the sample on the automatic balance. The particular improvement in the present invention relates to the ability of the apparatus to project final dry weight without completely drying the test sample utilizing a short heat induction period. This improvement greatly reduces the heat time required and avoids overdrying of the test sample.

Automatic volatility computer

A rapid volatility analyzer is described, as well as a method for rapidly determining weight changes in substances containing a volatile material. In particular, there is described an apparatus which rapidly determines the percentage of volatiles in a substance which contains unknown quantities of polar volatiles such as water or moisture, solvents, plasticizers and the like. The apparatus provides rapid determinations without operator assistance other than the placing of a sample of the substance being tested on the electronic balance. The particular improvement in the present invention relates to the ability of the apparatus to project final dry weight without completely drying the test sample utilizing a short heat induction period. This improvement greatly reduces the heating time required and avoids overdrying of the test sample.

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Charlotte, NC, United States of America

Ronald J Goetchius