US5067982A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Corn steeping process and apparatus
Assignee: Dorr Oliver Inc
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Filing: 1989-11-03
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Granted: 1991-11-26
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Expires: 2009-11-03
Abstract
Abstract A corn steeping process is conducted in a fluidized bed apparatus with steeping liquor introduced at the bottom of the apparatus and removed from the top of the apparatus after traversing the body of fluidized corn grains.
Inventors
- 👤 Abraham Caransa
- 👤 Jan van den Dorpel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 02:34
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08B; C08B30/00; C08B30/04; C08B30/042; C08B30/044; C08B30/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
48 words
A corn steeping process wherein corn grains in one or more vessels are contacted with sulphur dioxide containing steeping liquid at a temperature of from 40° to 55° C., characterized in that the steeping is performed in a fluidized bed formed from corn grains and the steeping liquid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
48 words
A corn steeping process wherein corn grains in one or more vessels are contacted with sulphur dioxide containing steeping liquid at a temperature of from 40° to 55° C., characterized in that the steeping is performed in a fluidized bed formed from corn grains and the steeping liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A corn steeping process according to claim 1, characterized in that the corn is steeped in one vessel wherein said steeping liquid is recycled through the vessel by continuously discharging said liquid at the top of the vessel and feeding the liquid at the bottom of the vessel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A corn steeping process according to claim 1, characterized in that the corn is steeped in a number of vessels in series wherein the steeping liquid is passed through the vessels in counter-current by continuously discharging said liquid at the top of a vessel and feeding the liquid at the bottom of a subsequent vessel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A corn steeping process according to claim 2 or 3 characterized in that the fluidization velocity is from 20.10 -3 to 100.10 -3 m.s. -1 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A corn steeping process according to claim 4, characterized in that said steeping liquid contains one or more corn component-degrading enzymes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A corn steeping process according to claim 4 characterized in that the steeping liquid contains one or more phytin degrading enzymes and/or cellulases.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A corn steeping process according to claim 4 characterized in that the steeping is performed under atmospheric pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A corn steeping process according to claim 4 characterized in that the steeping is conducted for from 8 to 20 hours.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A corn steeping process according to claim 6 characterized in that the steeping is performed under atmospheric pressure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A corn steeping process according to claim 6 characterized in that the steeping is conducted for from 8 to 20 hours.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A corn steeping process according to claim 7 characterized in that the steeping is conducted for from 8 to 20 hours.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
96 words
A corn steeping process wherein corn grains are steeped in a plurality of vessels arranged in series, providing steeping liquid at a temperature of from 40° to 55° C., passing said liquid through said vessels in counter-current, discharging said liquid at the top of a vessel and feeding the liquid at the bottom of a subsequent vessel, introducing the liquid at the bottom of a vessel at a velocity of from 20.10 -3 to 100.10 -3 m.s. -1 thereby establishing within a vessel a fluidized bed of corn grains in which processing time is substantially decreased.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
96 words
A corn steeping process wherein corn grains are steeped in a plurality of vessels arranged in series, providing steeping liquid at a temperature of from 40° to 55° C., passing said liquid through said vessels in counter-current, discharging said liquid at the top of a vessel and feeding the liquid at the bottom of a subsequent vessel, introducing the liquid at the bottom of a vessel at a velocity of from 20.10 -3 to 100.10 -3 m.s. -1 thereby establishing within a vessel a fluidized bed of corn grains in which processing time is substantially decreased.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A corn steeping process in accordance with claim 12 characterized in that said steeping liquid contains one or more phytin degrading enxymes and/or cellulases.
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) | 1994-11-25 | 1995-05-27 | 1995-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-11-25 | 1999-05-27 | 1999-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-11-25 | 2003-05-27 | 2003-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |