The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 18, 2003
Filed:
Mar. 19, 2001
Bradley S. Strahm, Sabetha, KS (US);
Brian S. Plattner, Sabetha, KS (US);
Wenger Manufacturing, Inc., Sabetha, KS (US);
Abstract
An improved phase transition analyzer ( ) is provided which greatly facilitates analysis of composite mixtures such as protein and starch-containing extrudate mixtures to give valuable information about the mixture, e.g., glass transition and melt transition temperatures, T and T . The analyzer ( ) includes a body ( ) having a chamber ( ) adapted to receive a sample ( ) of a material to be analyzed, together with a force-applying assembly ( ) operable to apply a compressive force to the sample and a heating assembly ( ). In order to determine T , the sample ( ) is progressively heated under sustained exertion of compaction force with chamber ( ) closed. The sample ( ) is compacted and the volume of chamber ( ) correspondingly decreases, this being sensed by movement of a portion ( ) of the force-applying assembly ( ) by a displacement transducer ( ). To measure T , the block ( ) is moved to a second position providing a capillary escape opening ( ) at the chamber ( ). Continued progressive heating of the sample ( ) under compressive force causes the sample ( ) to melt and flow through opening ( ). The consequent movement of the portion ( ) is again sensed by transducer ( ).