242 



MANUFACTURE: OF MILK POWDER 



densed but still fluid milk is forced under pressure through a fine 

 jet, causing it to be atomized and sprayed into a current of hot air, 

 in an evaporating chamber. This atomized liquid forming a mist 

 offers the maximum surface for evaporation of its water. The hot 

 air absorbs the moisture of the milk almost instantly and the milk 

 drops to the bottom of the chamber in the form of a snow-like pow- 

 der. No grinding is necessary. This process was invented by L. C. 

 and I. S. Merrell and W. B. Gere, assignors to Merrell-Soule Co., 

 of Syracuse, N. Y., and patented July 23, 1907. The following are 

 the claims of the patentees: 



Fig. 63. The Merrell-Gere milk drier 



1 intake of milk, 2 vacuum pan, 3 jacket, 4 steam intake into jacket, 

 5 dome of pan, 6 vacuum pumps, 7 condenser, 10 water column, 11 overflow 



