Patent US4880646A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4880646A
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Encapsulated corn kernels and method of forming the same
Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
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Filing: 1988-11-29
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Granted: 1989-11-14
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Expires: 2008-11-29
Abstract
Abstract Encapsulated corn kernels consisting essentially of a kernels of corn suitable for popping coated over at least a portion of the outer surface thereof with an edible oleaginous substance or edible wax and thereover with an outer shell of an edible polymer. The process of making such encapsulated kernel; and microwaveable corn products consisting essentially of the encapsulated corn kernels in a microwaveable package.
Inventors
- 👤 Chel W. Lew
- 👤 Darren E. Barlow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:57
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23B; A23B7/00; A23L; A23L7/00; A23L7/10; A23L7/161; A23L7/174; A23L7/183; A23L7/196; A23L7/1963
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
41 words
Encapsulated corn kernels consisting essentially of kernels of corn suitable for popping coated over at least a portion of the outer surface thereof with an edible oleaginous substance or edible wax and thereover with an outer shell of an edible polymer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
41 words
Encapsulated corn kernels consisting essentially of kernels of corn suitable for popping coated over at least a portion of the outer surface thereof with an edible oleaginous substance or edible wax and thereover with an outer shell of an edible polymer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The encapsulated corn kernels of claim 1 wherein the edible oleaginous material is a low melting point fat, partially hydrogenated oil, or combination thereof, said edible wax is a mineral wax, natural wax, or synthetic wax and said edible polymer is a polyvinyl alcohol, gelatin, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyethylene glycol, or alginate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The encapsulated corn kernels of claim 2 wherein the kernels are substantially entirely uniformly coated with said oleaginous or waxy material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The encapsulated corn kernels of claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said outer shell is an alginate.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
43 words
The method of encapsulating corn kernels comprising first coating at least a portion of the outer surface of said kernels with an edible oleaginous substance or edible wax and subsequently encapsulating said coated kernels with an edible polymer to form an outer shell.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
43 words
The method of encapsulating corn kernels comprising first coating at least a portion of the outer surface of said kernels with an edible oleaginous substance or edible wax and subsequently encapsulating said coated kernels with an edible polymer to form an outer shell.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The process of claim 5 wherein the edible oleaginous material is a low melting point fat, partially hydrogenated oil, or combination thereof, said edible wax is a mineral wax, natural wax, or synthetic wax and said edible polymer is a polyvinyl alcohol, gelatin, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyethylene glycol, or alginate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the kernels are substantially entirely uniformly coated with said oleaginous or waxy material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claims 5, 6, or 7 wherein said outer shell is an alginate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A microwaveable corn product consisting essentially of the encapsulated corn kernels of claims 1, 2, or 3 in a microwaveable package.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The product of claim 9 wherein said package is paper or paperboard.
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) | 1992-11-13 | 1993-05-15 | 1993-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-13 | 1997-05-15 | 1997-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-13 | 2001-05-15 | 2001-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |