US4156742A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of preparing corn kernel snack food and product thereof
Assignee: United States Department of Agriculture
•
Filing: 1978-05-23
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Granted: 1979-05-29
•
Expires: 1998-05-23
Abstract
Abstract A snack food is prepared from dehulled whole corn kernels by subjecting them to an alcohol treatment prior to deep frying. The alcohol softens the kernels thereby imparting a texture thereto which is more readily acceptable than that of parched corn.
Inventors
- 👤 Glen E. Babcock
- 👤 James H. Sloneker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:11
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23L; A23L7/00; A23L7/10; A23L7/196; A23L7/1965; A23L7/117; A23L7/135; A23L7/139
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for preparing a snack food from dehulled whole corn kernels comprising treating said kernels with a lower alcohol whereby an amount of alcohol in the range of 3-25% by dry weight of the kernels is absorbed by the kernels, and thereafter cooking said alcohol-treated kernels by deep frying in a fat or oil medium at a temperature within the range of about 130°-190° C. until said kernels float to the surface of said deep frying medium.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for preparing a snack food from dehulled whole corn kernels comprising treating said kernels with a lower alcohol whereby an amount of alcohol in the range of 3-25% by dry weight of the kernels is absorbed by the kernels, and thereafter cooking said alcohol-treated kernels by deep frying in a fat or oil medium at a temperature within the range of about 130°-190° C. until said kernels float to the surface of said deep frying medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein said corn is selected from the group consisting of dent corn, waxy corn, sweet corn, Indian corn, high lysine corn, and high amylose corn.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein, prior to said alcohol treatment, said dehulled corn kernels have a moisture content in the range of 15-30% by dry weight of the kernels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein said alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, and isopropanol.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method as described in claim 4 wherein said alcohol is ethanol.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein said amount of alcohol is in the range of about 3-6% by dry weight of the kernels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein water is admixed with said alcohol in said alcohol treatment step.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein said alcohol is sprayed onto said corn.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein said corn is soaked in an excess of said alcohol.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
A corn food product prepared by the process of claim 1.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
A corn food product prepared by the process of claim 5.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1097882A
Cited
US2219777A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-05-28 | 1982-11-27 | 1983-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-05-28 | 1986-11-27 | 1987-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-05-28 | 1990-11-27 | 1991-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |