US3754926A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for texturizing protein material
Assignee: General Mills Inc
•
Filing: 1970-07-27
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Granted: 1973-08-28
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Expires: 1990-07-27
Abstract
Abstract A method is provided for texturizing protein material by treating the material in the presence of steam at an elevated gaseous pressure and an elevated temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 P Strommer
- 👤 C Beck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:47
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23J; A23J3/00; A23J3/22; A23J3/26; A23P; A23P30/00; A23P30/30; A23P30/32; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S426/00; Y10S426/802
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the zone of lower pressure is at atmospheric pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the protein material is subjected to opposing forces from pressurized fluids while in said confined path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the said pressure in the pressurized zone is at least 25 p.s.i.g.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said protein content is at least 50 percent and the moisture content of said untextured protein material is in the range of 16 to 26 percent by weight.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for continuously texturizing flour-like protein material including about 30 percent to 95 percent protein by dry weight basis prior to texturizing, the method comprising: feeding the protein material into a processing chamber, the temperature of said chamber being at least 250*F.; feeding heated gaseous processing fluid, including a fluid having a high heat transfer coefficient, into said chamber from two sources thereby pressurizing said chamber to a pressure of at least 15 p.s.i.g., one of said sources being of sufficient pressure to force the material from said chamber into a zone of reduced temperature and pressure, and said gaseous processing fluid removing said protein material to said zone whereby said protein material is texturized.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for texturizing protein material comprising: feeding fine particles of a protein material to a processing zone, said protein material containing at least 30 percent protein by dry weight, feeding a heated pressurized gaseous processing fluid including steam into said zone, the temperature of said fluid being at least 250*F. and thereby raising the pressure in said zone to at least 15 p.s.i.g. and applying a greater fluid pressure to said protein material from at least one direction thereby removing said protein material from said processing whereby said protein material is texturized.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said pressure in the processing zone is at least 55 p.s.i.g.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
Th method of claim 8 wherein said protein content is between 55 and 75 percent by weight.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the fluid is superheated steam.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for texturizing particulate protein containing material comprising: feeding untextured finely divided particulate protein material to a confined elongated treating zone, said untextured protein material having a protein content of about 30 percent to 95 percent dry weight basis, said zone being under a steam pressure of at leasT 25 p.s.i.g. and a temperature of at least 250*F; subjecting said protein material to the steam pressure of said zone; and simultaneously subjecting said protein material to a steam flow of sufficient magnitude to propel the protein material through the pressurized treating zone and said steam flow removing the protein material to a zone of lower pressure thereby texturizing said protein material.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for texturizing particulate protein containing material comprising: feeding untextured particulate protein material to a treating chamber, said untextured protein material having a protein content of about 30 percent to 6 percent dry weight basis, said chamber comprising an elongated cylinder having an inlet at one end for receiving said untextured protein material and an outlet at the other end, said chamber being under a steam pressure of at least 25 p.s.i.g. and a temperature of at least 250*F., subjecting said protein material in said inlet with said steam pressure from the direction of said chamber and by a steam flow from the direction of said inlet toward said outlet, said steam flow being of sufficient force to propel said protein material through said elongated cylinder and out of said outlet into an area of lower pressure, and said steam flow removing said protein material to said area of lower pressure thereby texturizing said protein material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the untextured protein material has a moisture content of at least 4 percent by weight.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the untextured protein material has a moisture content of between 16 and 26 percent by weight. The method of claim 12 wherein the pressure is at least 55 p.s.i.g.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the protein content of said untextured protein material is at least 50 percent. cm 17. The method of claim 12 wherein the untextured protein containing material includes 55 to 75 percent protein, dry weight basis, and 18 to 24 percent total moisture and wherein said pressure is in the range of 80 to 110 p.s.i.g.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-27 | 1977-02-26 | 1977-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-27 | 1981-02-26 | 1981-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-27 | 1985-02-26 | 1985-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |