US4427710A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of manufacturing an instant bean curd or tofu, and the toju made by such method
Assignee: Nissin Food Products Co Ltd
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Filing: 1981-12-23
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Granted: 1984-01-24
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Expires: 2001-12-23
Abstract
Abstract Beans are soaked and ground to form a mush (go), and the mush is heated and powderized. A thickening agent having a gelatinizing property is mixed with the powder. The tofu is prepared by mixing the powder with water and an additional amount of gelatinizing material.
Inventors
- 👤 Masaki Terada
- 👤 Akihiro Yoshimura
- 👤 Kohichiro Hohsai
- 👤 Junichi Minami
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:16
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23L; A23L11/00; A23L11/05; A23L11/07; A23L11/40; A23L11/45
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for manufacturing an easy-to-prepare instant tofu comprising the following steps in sequence: (a) soaking a quantity of soybeans in water whereby said soybeans become swollen with water; (b) grinding a portion of the moisture-laden soybeans to a size smaller than 50μ; (c) heating the ground soybean material to a temperature in the range 90° C. to 100° C. for a period of about one to ten minutes; (d) drying and powdering said ground soybean material whereby the dried powder has a particle size less than 50μ; (e) admixing a thickening agent with said dried powder; and (f) adding water and a gelatinizing agent for gelatinizing said thickening agent to form tofu.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for manufacturing an easy-to-prepare instant tofu comprising the following steps in sequence: (a) soaking a quantity of soybeans in water whereby said soybeans become swollen with water; (b) grinding a portion of the moisture-laden soybeans to a size smaller than 50μ; (c) heating the ground soybean material to a temperature in the range 90° C. to 100° C. for a period of about one to ten minutes; (d) drying and powdering said ground soybean material whereby the dried powder has a particle size less than 50μ; (e) admixing a thickening agent with said dried powder; and (f) adding water and a gelatinizing agent for gelatinizing said thickening agent to form tofu.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method for manufacturing an easy-to-prepare instant tofu as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ground soybean material, after being heated to a temperature in the range 90° C. to 100° C. for a period of about one to ten minutes, is coagulated into curds by an acid or an alkali earth metal salt prior to said step of drying and powdering.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the acid coagulant is selected from the group consisting of ardonic acids, uronic acids, citric acid, malic acid, and hydrochloric acid, and wherein said coagulant is added in an amount whereby the pH value of said ground soybean material is in the range 3.5 to 5.5.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the alkali earth metal salt coagulant is selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, alum, and magnesium sulfate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the coagulant is selected from the group consisting of lactones of ardonic acids, lactones of uronic acids, gluconic lactone, arabonic lactone, galactonic lactone, manonic lactone, and glucono delta lactone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said thickening agent is selected from the group consisting of alginate, pectin and mannan.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said gelatinizing agent is selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, alum, magnesium sulfate, fructose, sucrose, and glucose.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said thickening agent is selected from the group consisting of alginate, pectin and mannan.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said gelatinizing agent is selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, alum, magnesium sulfate, fructose, sucrose, and glucose.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
An instant tofu prepared according to the method set forth in claim 1 or claim 2.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4137339A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-01-23 | 1987-07-25 | 1988-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-01-23 | 1991-07-25 | 1992-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-01-23 | 1995-07-25 | 1996-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |