US3859452A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for obtaining nixtamalized flours
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-04-22
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Granted: 1975-01-07
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Expires: 1994-04-22
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for treating corn flour and the like in the presence of a nixtamalizing agent in which the flour together with the said agent is moved upwardly through a treatment chamber with the simultaneous application of heat so that the flour is treated in the steam generated by the water driven therefrom by the heat and thereafter the flour is cooled and reabsorbs the moisture and is collected in a suitable container.
Inventors
- 👤 Fausto Celorio Mendoza
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:59
CPC Classifications
B; B02; B02B; B02B1/00; B02B1/04; B02B1/06; A; A23; A23L; A23L7/00; A23L7/10; A23L7/198
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A METHOD OF NIXTAMALIZING CORN FLOUR WHICH COMPRISES; SUPPLYING THE FLOUR WITH LIME ADMIXED THEREWITH TO THE LOWER REGION OF A VERTICALLY EXTENDING TREATMENT ZONE, MOVING AIR IN SAID TREATMENT ZONE FROM THE LOWER REGION THEREOF UPWARDLY TO CAUSE THE FLOUR TO RISE UPWARDLY THEREIN, SUPPLYING HEAT TO SAID TREATMENT ZONE TO HEAT THE FLOUR TO A PREDETERMINED TEMPERATURE TO DRIVE WATER THEREFROM WHICH WILL TURN TO STEAM AND HUMIDIFY THE SAID AIR AND MOISTEN THE LIME AND THEREBY EFFECT TREATMENT OF THE FLOUR IN SAID TREATMENT ZONE, WITHDRAWING TREATED FLOUR AND HUMID AIR AT THE UPPER REGION OF SAID TREATMENT ZONE, IMMEDIATELY SUPPLYING THE THUS WITHDRAWN FLOUR AND HUMID AIR TO COOLING ZONE, AND COOLING THE WITHDRAWN FLOUR AND HUMID AIR IN SAID COOLING ZONE TO CAUSE CONDENSATION OF THE STEAM AND ABSORPTION OF AT LEAST A SUBSTANTIAL PART OF THE RESULTING WATER IN SAID COOLED TREATED FLOUR.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
149 words
A METHOD OF NIXTAMALIZING CORN FLOUR WHICH COMPRISES; SUPPLYING THE FLOUR WITH LIME ADMIXED THEREWITH TO THE LOWER REGION OF A VERTICALLY EXTENDING TREATMENT ZONE, MOVING AIR IN SAID TREATMENT ZONE FROM THE LOWER REGION THEREOF UPWARDLY TO CAUSE THE FLOUR TO RISE UPWARDLY THEREIN, SUPPLYING HEAT TO SAID TREATMENT ZONE TO HEAT THE FLOUR TO A PREDETERMINED TEMPERATURE TO DRIVE WATER THEREFROM WHICH WILL TURN TO STEAM AND HUMIDIFY THE SAID AIR AND MOISTEN THE LIME AND THEREBY EFFECT TREATMENT OF THE FLOUR IN SAID TREATMENT ZONE, WITHDRAWING TREATED FLOUR AND HUMID AIR AT THE UPPER REGION OF SAID TREATMENT ZONE, IMMEDIATELY SUPPLYING THE THUS WITHDRAWN FLOUR AND HUMID AIR TO COOLING ZONE, AND COOLING THE WITHDRAWN FLOUR AND HUMID AIR IN SAID COOLING ZONE TO CAUSE CONDENSATION OF THE STEAM AND ABSORPTION OF AT LEAST A SUBSTANTIAL PART OF THE RESULTING WATER IN SAID COOLED TREATED FLOUR.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 in which said mixture is introduced into said treatment zone along an upwardly inclined path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1 in which said air is caused to move upwardly in said treatment zone with simultaneous rotary motion whereby to carry said mixture upwardly in the treatment zone along a helical path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 which includes grinding corn to form said flour immediately prior to supplying the flour to said treatment zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method according to claim 1 in which the withdrawing of treated flour and humid air from the upper region of said treatment zone is accomplished by deflecting the treated flour and humid air laterally out of the range of said treatment zone, and into said cooling zone, collecting the cooled treated flour at the bottom of said cooling zone, and discharging air from the top of said cooling zone.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-06 | 1978-07-08 | 1979-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-06 | 1982-07-08 | 1983-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-06 | 1986-07-08 | 1987-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |