Abstract: Controlling and/or treating heat-sensitive liquid food products ensures improved control of a filling level in an infuser container. Therefore, a constant dwell time of the product to be heated is reached in the event of product-fouling in the centrifugal pump. The pump is designed such that one part of a volume flow of the product, transported by an impeller wheel, regularly rinses the impeller wheel and the areas of a pump chamber that are directly adjacent to the impeller wheel. A reduction in the volume flow of the centrifugal pump is then counteracted by increasing the initial rotational speed if the reduction is simultaneously associated with a drop in temperature of the product. The increase of the initial rotational speed is carried according to the drop in temperature of the product and/or an increase in the temperature of the steam to constantly maintain at least the temperature of the product.

Abstract: A method for making a granulated Stevia sweetener is described. The resulting sweetener has a desirably high solubility level.

Abstract: A method of preparing a single serving of a nutritional composition comprising introducing water into a disposable capsule (30) containing a unit dose of the composition in concentrated form so as to reconstitute the concentrated composition and operate opening means contained within the capsule to permit draining of the resulting liquid directly from the capsule (30) into a receiving vessel. The method allows individual servings of nutritional compositions such as infant formulas to be prepared with substantially reduced or even eliminated risk of cross contamination from previously prepared servings.

Abstract: A method for treating citrus peel by processing pieces of raw citrus peel through a plurality of progressive, continuous clean steaming and mechanical pressing stages; rupturing at least some of the cells of the pieces of raw citrus peel to release liquid, sugar and oil bound within the pieces of raw citrus peel; and transforming the pieces of raw citrus peel into press cake and pressate. The clean steaming step ay involve using clean steam that is free of chemical water treatment additives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a food grade colouring agent by drying one or more coloured vegetable materials selected from the group consisting of red cabbage, beetroot, lemon, black currant, red currant, strawberry, blackberry, blueberry, and saffron under conditions resulting in a predetermined colour. The food grade colouring agent thus obtained can be used for the preparation of coloured food, drinks, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products.

Abstract: A method and device related to a liquid product pressure and (optionally) temperature treatment method reduces the level of microorganisms in the liquid product to a preselected level. Utilizing the method, liquid product is diffused in a chamber with the speed of pressure variation of liquid product in one embodiment of about 109 Pa/sec. The preferred speed of the diffused drops is about 10 m/sec. The liquid product can optionally be heated before or during diffusion, and is preferably heated as a diffused liquid product by mixing it with superheated steam. The device includes a chamber and a diffuser in communication with the chamber.

Abstract: A method of production of a soymilk or a soy-based beverage. The method includes the following processing steps: providing soybeans for processing; soaking the soybeans; grinding the soybeans to form a slurry; separating the soy slurry into soymilk and okara in a centrifugal field. The soaking and grinding are carried out at temperatures from 0° C. to 40° C., which temperatures yield native proteins. Further included is a step of deodorizing the soymilk to reduce the beany taste.

Abstract: An method for processing a fluid, having a vacuum chamber having an associated heater, to heat a condensable gas therewithin, a spray nozzle to atomize a cool fluid, having a non-condensible gas dissolved therewithin, a vacuum line to maintain reduced pressure in the vacuum chamber and remove non-condensing gas, and a control, for maintaining steady state conditions in the vacuum chamber by controlling pressure and temperature conditions. Gases condenses on the atomized droplets to release a latent heat of vaporization.

Abstract: The prevent invention provides a novel gas treatment method for a fluid, and a method for producing a milk using the same, which is industrially extremely advantageous in terms of cost and efficiency. A gas treatment method for a fluid, comprises, while discharging a fluid from a fluid discharge port 161 of a two-fluid nozzle 160, crushing the discharge flow into fine droplets by a gas stream from a gas injection port 162, and then allowing the droplets to strike against a flow prevention member 190 and thereby agglomerate, so as to perform a gas treatment (gas addition, gas replacement, deaeration, or sterilization (disinfection)). According to the method for producing a milk, nitrogen is used as the gas stream, whereby homogenization and nitrogen replacement of dissolved oxygen can be performed in one and the same process.

Abstract: Granulated bean paste or “miso” is made by partially drying uncooked bean paste by vacuum freeze drying, thoroughly mixing and then storing the semi-dried bean paste in an isothermal chamber at a substantially consistent temperature within the range of 15° C. to 20° C. for a few days to homogenize the water content in the semi-dried bean paste, then extruding the semi-dried bean paste into an elongated form, and finally cutting and breaking the bean past material to obtain fine particles of granulated bean paste.

Abstract: A method and system for recovering heat from a pretreated hot biomass stream is described. The method and system for heat recovery includes a flash cooler connected to a direct contact condenser. A liquid portion of the hot biomass stream flashes into vapors upon the hot biomass stream entering the flash cooler. The flashed vapors are transferred to the direct contact condenser. The flashed vapors and an incoming cold biomass stream subsequently come into contact with each other in the direct contact condenser, thereby causing heat to be transferred from the hot biomass stream to the cold biomass stream. As the heat transfer occurs, the flashed vapors condense onto the surface of the cold biomass.

Abstract: A method and a device for producing milk foam or warm milk drinks, whereby milk is suctioned from a container (1) by means of a pump (2) and conveyed to an outlet (8). The milk is routed through a continuous-flow heater (4) during suctioning and heated, whereafter the same is conveyed to an outlet (8) via a throttle point (9). In this way extremely digestible milk foam can be produced in a simple way when air or a gas is added to the milk.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously treating a moist biomass feedstock is disclosed. The method includes treating a biomass feedstock with a swelling agent in a pressurized first vessel, transferring the feedstock to a second vessel at a lower operating pressure than the first vessel such that the biomass fibers rupture. At least portions the swelling agent, and/or the moisture are recycled in the process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of the heat treatment of a fluent food product with steam includes a pressure vessel having a steam inlet at one end and an a product outlet at the opposite end; an inner partition wall having an open end defines the product introduction and treatment chamber and includes a fluid distribution device adapted to provide a plurality of discrete turbulent sprays that impact in a turbulent manner on the interior surface of the partition wall to then flow downwardly to the open end in a turbulent manner while steam flow upwardly toward a vent located at the top of the treatment chamber; balanced flow of steam is effected by apertured baffles extending between the interior wall of the vessel and the partition wall.

Abstract: A process for preparing a protein-rich animal feed from waste food is described, wherein the food is cooked with steam, minced, dried, sterilized with radio waves, and put in condition to serve as a feed for protein-producing animals for human consumption.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method of making a non-liquid fruit product (fruit chip) which has a natural fruit flavor and which can be formed in desired individual or discrete configurations and sizes.

Abstract: A process and system for making dehydrated potato products with reduced water usage, and reduced waste water production, are provided. In a first process embodiment potato flakes are fabricated by washing, peeling and slicing raw potatoes to form potato pieces. The potato pieces are then precooked using steam or microwave energy, and vacuum cooled in a process chamber. The vacuum cooled potato pieces are then cooked using steam or microwave energy, and riced to form a potato mash. Following ricing, effluents from the precooking step can be added back to the mash as a flavor enhancer. In addition, the potato mash is dried using a drying apparatus such as a drum drier, to form potato sheets. The potato sheets are then comminuted to form potato flakes having a moisture content of about 6% to 8%.

Abstract: A non-liquid particulate fruit product and method for its manufacture which has a natural fruit flavor and which can be formed in desired configurations and sizes is described. The fruit ingredient can be derived from such fruits as blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, etc. There is added to the fruit product pectin, liquid glucose, sodium citrate and sugar (e.g. sucrose). These ingredients are combined in a certain sequence. The mixture is brought to a boiling point to boil off a portion of the water. At a later time in the boiling of the mixture, a large portion of the sucrose is added to lower the temperature. The mixture is fed through a heating unit to raise the temperature of small quantities in the mixture very rapidly. Acid is added, and then the mixture is form in the desired shape, such as being dispensed as droplets onto a conveyor belt, where the droplets form into the particulate fruit product.

Abstract: An enrober (100) for applying a topical coating to an exterior surface of multiple pieces of a food base is disclosed having a marked decrease in the amount of build-up upon the internal surface of the drum (102) allowing for reductions in cleaning service requirements and its concomitant losses in production capacity and for reductions in undesirable product agglomerates. In the preferred form, the drum (102) is formed by a thin wall in a generally cylindrical shape and formed of hydrophobic material in the form of high-density polyethylene having low-stick characteristics with the topically coated food base. Moisture, in addition to any present in the topical coating, is added to the drum (102) to prevent or practically eliminate build-up on the drum (102). The topical coating in the form of a slurry can be co-sprayed with steam in an atomized intermixed spray onto the food base by a nozzle (10, 80).

Abstract: Oil mixtures, which provide lipid compositions for restraining skin degeneration, contain, by weight, 30% to 50% rice bran oil and 15% to 25% sesame oil and also contain additional oil, which includes in particular, oil from among maize oil, wheat germ oil and sunflower oil, so that the composition contains linoleic acid and contains vitamin E for protecting the composition against oxidation, the composition being prepared from oils containing gum, color and odor which are subjected to degumming, decoloring and deodorizing, the deodorizing being carried out under conditions of temperature and vacuum so that the composition has at least 2% by weight unsaponifiable oil matter and particularly from 2% to 3% unsaponifiable oil matter.

Abstract: A method for extraction and removal of cholesterol from untreated liquid egg yolk with simultaneous production of cholesterol as a by-product. The removal of cholesterol from the untreated liquid egg yolk is achieved by the extraction of cholesterol into a vegetable oil by ultra high pressure homogenization producing liquid egg yolk having reduced amount of cholesterol. The cholesterol extracted into the vegetable oil is further removed from the oil by steam stripping method, allowing a recycling of the steam stripped extraction oil. Cholesterol is recovered as the extraction by-product from the aqueous steam stripping distillate.

Abstract: A sugar slurry spray discharge nozzle (10) for co-spraying steam into the sugar slurry spray. The nozzle (10) finds particular suitability for use in the applying of a sugar coating solution or slurry to a Ready-To-Eat breakfast cereal base in an enrober. By virtue of providing a steam assist to the spraying of the sticky sugar coating solution, desirable reductions in downtime for cleaning of the enrober are achieved. The improved nozzle includes a cylindrical steam chamber (14), an axially extending slurry supply tube (22) disposed therein having a discharge port (25) and orifice means for discharging steam into the slurry discharge such as opposed pair of arcuate steam discharge slits (66, 68) proximate the slurry tube discharge port (25). The steam discharge atomizes the slurry discharge spray and provides heat energy to the spray with the result that the slurry is applied to the cereal base with reduced sugar build-up on the enrober.

Abstract: Parboiled rice, or a similar starch-containing product, is produced by moistening the rice in a preheating installation 1 and, thereafter, applying steam to heat the rice to boiling temperature. The rice is kept at the boiling temperature in a heat-retaining vessel 9 for cooking rice. Thereupon, the rice is dried in a drying installation 12 and cooled, if necessary.

Abstract: A process for producing heat-moisture treated starch by treating starch in a pressure vessel resistant to both internal and external pressure and equipped with a vacuum line and pressure-steam line. The process comprises treating the starch in the pressure vessel under reduced pressure of 200 Torr or less in a first step, and then introducing steam into the pressure vessel in a second step, thereby performing heat treatment on the starch. The treating of the starch under reduced pressure tends to remove entrained air in spaces between particles of starch.

Abstract: Processes for sanitizing materials, especially psyllium, using superheated steam maintained at a relatively constant low level of superheat. These processes are very effective for sanitizing materials, and can produce commercially sterile materials. Furthermore, these processes can be used to produce highly pure, commercially sterile psyllium having substantially intact cell structure.

Abstract: Butter oil is heated under high vacuum and sparged for up to about 6 hours to remove cholesterol. Walls surrounding a vapor space above the sparged mass preferably are heated to remove cholesterol with reduced loss of desirable low molecular weight components. Alternatively, the temperature of the butter oil is lowered, and the butter oil is sparged with steam for an additional period of up to about 3 hours to partially hydrolyze triglycerides to mono- and di-glycerides and free fatty acids. The low cholesterol butter oil then is cooled before being exposed to air, thus avoiding oxidation which produces off-flavors. The resulting low-cholesterol butter fat and products made therefrom have composition and organoleptic characteristics substantially similar to those of natural butter oil and butter.

Abstract: A method of removing objectionable impurities from a hop flavor so that the impurities will not cause a fruity aroma of the beer. The method comprises steam stripping the odor forming impurities from the hop flavor at a pH such that the steam stripping is effective in removing the impurities to produce the purified hop flavor.

Abstract: Disclosed are physical processes for fats and oils, especially fish oils and dairy oils and fats, involving deodorization and/or cholesterol level reduction. Either freshly refined oils or stored oils that have oxidized (such as reverted fish oil) can be treated. When processing fish oil, the fish oil is preferably deaerated, mixed with steam, heated, flash vaporized, thin-film stripped with countercurrent steam, cooled (all steps being performed under vacuum), and then stored under oxygen free conditions. When processing dairy and various other oils and fats, certain of the above steps such as initial deaeration and final storage under oxygen free conditions may be eliminated. The process provides oils and fats from which all or a substantial portion of the free or non-esterified cholesterol has been removed and which, at least in the case of fish oils, are clean tasting.

Abstract: Disclosed are physical processes for fats and oils, especially fish oil, involving simultaneous deodorization and cholesterol level reduction. Either freshly refined or stored oils that have oxidized (reverted fish oil) can be treated. In the process the fish oil is deaerated, mixed with steam, heated, flash vaporized, thin-film stripped with countercurrent steam, cooled (all steps being performed under vacuum), and then stored under oxygen free conditions. The process provides fish oils which are clean tasting and from which has been removed substantially all of the free or non-esterified cholesterol.

Abstract: Chlorohydrins are eliminated from liquid hydrolyzates prepared from vegetable proteins hydrolyzed with concentrated hydrochloric acid. The hydrolyzates are subjected to steam distillation under reduced pressure for removing the chlorohydrins while keeping the density of the hydrolyzates at a substantially constant value.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing a naturally flavored and colored oleresin spice edible oil extract by contacting ground spice with fortified edible oil to extract flavor and color from the spice followed by pressure separation and blending the extracted spice residue with fresh oil to form a fortified oil containing spice color and flavor for recycling in the extraction process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distilling, especially vacuum refining and deodorizing edible oils and fats utilizing sheets of oil driven downwardly in a distiller with a vacuum source at its top. A nozzle includes pressure equalization chambers, cantilever adjustment screws, and a central drag sheet to produce longer lasting and more uniform thin oil sheets to be driven in the distiller. A continuous process deaerates, dehydrates, degums, bleaches, refines, removes tocopherol, deodorizes, and strips peroxides and hydroperoxides from raw oil in a series of isothermal stages utilizing driven sheet distillers. No stripping steam is used except in the stage which strips peroxides and hydroperoxides. The method produces valuable, pure products such as tocopherol and fractionated fatty acids. It is especially efficient in heat exchange and low in waste and pollution producing products.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for improving the solubility of gelling agents hardly soluble in water such as agar-agar, gelatin and carrageenan. Said method includes the step of contacting said gelling agent with a non-equilibrium plasma formed by applying a high frequency wave to a low pressure gaseous atmosphere, such as air, oxygen, carbon dioxide or nitrogen, and thereby obtaining a gelling agent readily soluble in water.

Abstract: A process for extracting bitter principle and tannin from hops, uses ethanol as the extracting agent in a single extraction. By controlling the water content of the ethanol used, the quantity of extracted tannin can be controlled. The tannin component can be separated out of the obtained extract as desired. By treating the extract with water vapor, all the alcohol can be simultaneously expelled and recovered. Ethanol is preferably removed and recovered from the resultant draff by means of the flash desolventizing system (FDS) method.

Abstract: A method of continuous production of refined chocolate mass from a non-refined cocoa mass composed of a mixture of components reduced in size to a fineness required for the final mass but still containing undesired aromatic substances and moisture and being processed into a low fat, friable or pulverized chocolate mass, is mixed in a plasticator with a preheated air stream which is admitted in the same feeding direction, simultaneously externally heated for a time interval between 5 and 8 minutes while being intensively mixed by shearing stresses until the mass becomes plasticized; thereupon the fluidity of the mass is increased by an emulsifier, then the entrained gas is separated from the mass, the latter is weighed and supplemented according to a final recipe by additional fat content, and the final mass is collected in a container and subjected to an additional homogenizing treatment and in a cooled condition is forwarded for the final processing.

Abstract: Primary extraction of ground roasted coffee. The coffee is first extracted with an amount of aqueous extraction liquid sufficient to extract substantially all of the dry soluble solids from the coffee, but preferably not so large that the extract must be concentrated for further processing. The coffee is next extracted with an aqueous extraction liquid to extract hydrophobic flavor components. The hydrophobic flavor components are removed from the resulting extract by stripping and recovered as a concentrated aqueous solution.

Abstract: Tannery limed splits are utilized as a collagen source to produce protein hydrolyzates, utilizing steam under superatmospheric pressure as a heat source and utilizing molecular sulfur dioxide to minimize color development.

Abstract: A process for the production of a flavoring product reminiscent of meat in taste, which comprises diluting a yeast autolysate with at least the same quantity by weight of water, precipitating substantially insoluble salts, especially alkaline-earth metal phosphates, by heating the diluted autolysate at a pH-value in the range from 7 to 8.5, separating solid fractions from the autolysate treated by heating so that only a solution is left, treating the residual solution obtained by steam distillation, concentrating the treated solution by evaporation to a dry matter content of from 75% to 85% by weight, mixing the concentrate obtained with at least one vegetable protein hydrolysate, a monosaccharide and a substance containing sulphur in sulphide form, and heating the mixture for 0.5 to 5 minutes to a temperature in the range from 100.degree. C. to 200.degree. C. to obtain a reaction product.

Abstract: Milk or similar liquids are spray dried using a rotary atomizer wheel whereby such a temperature is imparted to the liquid that a violent release of gas and vapor from the liquid takes place in the atomizer wheel, which gas and vapor are removed before the atomization of the liquid. By these means a powder having at high bulk density and a low content of occluded air is obtained. A special atomizer wheel, having two sets of ejection apertures and two intercommunicating supply compartments makes it possible to eject released gas and vapor through one set of apertures and liquid through the other set, whereby reintroduction in the liquid of the released air is prevented. Also an atomizer wheel of this type is provided wherein the two supply compartments are steam-swept.

Abstract: An improved two step method for producing feeds for ruminant animals whereby carbamides, particularly urea and biuret, are reacted with fermented proteinaceous agricultural products and wastes with the aid of an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid catalyst to produce a highly palatable nutritive feed which releases protein and protein equivalent nitrogen in a slow and controlled manner in the rumen.First stage of the method mechanically destroys the cellular structure of the fermented agricultural products and wastes, removes unpalatable acids, aldehydes and amines by stripping with hot gas, and partially completes the adduct-forming reaction between proteinaceous sugars, fats, and cellulose in the fermented material and the carbamides in a homogeneous liquid phase at temperatures of between 80.degree. and 100.degree. C. In the second stage, adduct reaction and drying is completed in a hot gas fluidized reactor at temperatures between 100.degree. and 150.degree. C.

Abstract: A method of making confectioneries, particularly hard and soft caramel and jelly and gum products, by combining regulated quantities of the ingredients and mixing. During the mixing operation, steam is admitted into the mass of ingredients so as to directly heat the same for cooking of the ingredients. The mixing operation is carried out with rotary elements which rotate at speeds between 1500 and 3000 revolutions per minute.

Abstract: A liquid feed stock containing oil is deodorized in a semicontinuous process wherein the feed stock, in a first evacuated chamber, undergoes heat exchange with a deodorized stock in a second evacuated chamber, said stocks being circulated in their respective chambers by upwardly flowing steam introduced into each chamber between a partition, separating the two chambers, and a guide plate parallel to said partition and spaced therefrom, whereafter said feed stock is passed through a succession of steam heating stages to heat said feed stock to successively higher temperatures thereby deodorizing the feed stock and then withdrawn as deodorized stock and recirculated as deodorized stock to said second evacuated chamber to undergo heat exchange with said feed stock.

Abstract: A low-cost, highly nutritious starch-NPN liquid feed supplement and method of producing same is provided wherein the supplement exhibits markedly superior protein synthesis and growth-inducing properties as compared with conventional, unprocessed NPN-fortified supplements notwithstanding the fact that the supplements hereof generally have lower theoretical nutritive values than such prior feeds. The preparative method preferably includes the steps of passing an aqueous slurry of a starch-bearing food source and an NPN substance such as urea through a hydrothermal-type cooker along with direct steam for turbulently heating, disrupting and gelatinizing the starch source in the presence of the NPN substance to thereby yield a reacted product which can be fed to ruminants as a low-cost, high-protein food source.

Abstract: An improved method of making hop oil is described involving steam distilling the hop oil under vacuum at a temperature not exceeding 50.degree.C. The distillate can be collected by cooling to less than -20.degree.C. The collected distillate or hop oil extracted therefrom can be used in beer making processes to give beer having a hop character very similar to that obtained by dry hopping.

Abstract: Liquid is heated to a pasteurization temperature, pumped into a holding zone wherein the liquid is divided into a plurality of slugs and the slugs are then impelled through the holding zone by mechanical action, such as piston action, applied to each individual slug.A non-exclusive, irrevocable, royalty-free license in the invention herein described, throughout the world for all purposes of the United States Government, with the power to grant sublicenses for such purposes, is hereby granted to the Government of the United States of America.