Abstract: A multi-zone food holding bin has a continuous food supporting surface with multiple food holding zones. Each food holding zone is independently controllable so that different food temperatures may be maintained in adjacent food holding zones.

Abstract: Cereal grain is pretreated before milling, by selectively removing a first fraction of husk components of the cereal, wherein the first fraction includes the outer husk components of the dampened cereal, and wherein 0.2 to 2% by weight of the cereal is removed, then dampening and conditioning the cereal, then selectively removing a second fraction of husk components of the cereal, wherein the second fraction substantially contains dietary fibers of the dampened cereal. The method makes it possible to efficiently obtain contamination-free total dietary fibers. An apparatus for carrying out the method, and advantageous uses of the total dietary fibers are also described.

Abstract: A dry processing technique for corn includes the stages of cleaning, conditioning, debranning, degerming and grits breaking, and germ screening and grits extracting. The debranning stage includes first stirred debranning, dampening and second stirred debranning in sequence. The dampening stage uses a dampener (9) to add water of 0.5-5% of the corn weight to the corn, the water temperature is 10-60° C., and the stirred debranning stage is performed within 10 minutes after dampening The height of the corn is controlled within 0.5-3 m during the stirred debranning stage. Stirrers (8, 1, 12, 15) are employed, and the linear velocity of the stirring rod is controlled within 1-6 m/S. The process can increase the output rates of the corn grits and corn flour with a fat content less than 1%, and the germ with a purity of more than 80%.

Abstract: A durum wheat pasta containing bran, wherein the bran has a total fiber content comprised between 30 and 36% and a protein content comprised between 15 and 19% (% in weight of the total weight of the bran); such pasta preferably has a bran content comprised between 5 and 30% and is produced by a process which comprises the steps of a) subjecting durum wheat caryopses (101) to sequential abrasion process phases in order to substantially remove the bran coating, thereby obtaining different bran fractions, the latter of which (D) originates from the removal of the aleurone, nucellar and testa layers; b) adding the latter bran fraction (D) to a durum wheat semolina (S) substantially free of bran in a quantity such to obtain a mixture (C) containing from 5 to 30% of the total weight of bran fraction (D); c) producing the pasta by means of conventional techniques starting from said mixture (C); the invention furthermore refers to a durum wheat semolina composition having a fiber content comprised between 30 and 36%

Abstract: A hard wheat pasta containing bran which has a total fiber content between 30 and 36% and a protein content between 15 and 19%. The pasta preferably has a bran content between 5 and 30% and is produced by a process including the steps of: subjecting hard wheat caryopses to sequential abrasion to substantially remove the bran coating and obtaining a bran fraction (D) which originates from the removal of the aleurone, nucellar and testa layers; adding the bran fraction (D) to a hard wheat semolina substantially free of bran to obtain a mixture containing 5 to 30% of the bran fraction (D); and producing the pasta from said mixture. The disclosure furthermore refers to a hard wheat semolina composition having a fiber content between 30 and 36% and a protein content between 15 and 19% and to a process for its production.

Abstract: The present invention is developed in the farming machinery field used during the wet stage of the coffee and refers to an apparatus that allows carrying out the processes of demucilaging, cleaning and washing of the previously depulped coffee seedcases using a low water and power consumption.

Abstract: A melon peeler system designed to safely and quickly separate the rind from a melon for consumption. The melon peeler system includes a melon peeler assembly having a concave base, a horizontal blade, fasteners, and vertical supports. The concave base has a smooth surface and serves as a melon cutting guide. The horizontal blade is supported a user-determined distance above the concave base by the vertical supports and the blade is a small, flat cutting edge sufficiently sharp to slice through a melon but not sufficiently sharp to easily cut a user. Suction cups fasteners located on the bottom of the device provide stability and allow the assembly to be removably affixed to a planar surface of the user's choice.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rice-polishing machine sieve profile. In one embodiment this is accomplished by an elongate, tubular shaped sieve arrangement with a polygonal profile, comprising a cam essentially cylindrical shape co-axially arranged” within the sieve arrangement such that between an inner surface of the sieve arrangement and a jacket-surface of the cam a polishing chamber has a maximal and a minimal radial distance between jacket-surface of the cam and the inner surface of the sieve arrangement, characterized in that the number of corners of the polygonal profile is larger than 8.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and apparatus for aqueous extraction of chemical compounds from solid material in which the solid material is entrained in an extraction liquid phase that flowed around immersed sonotrodes emitting radial or focused high energy ultrasonic waves. A significant increase in extracted material and decreases in extraction time is observed.

Abstract: The present invention is developed in the farming machinery field used during the wet stage of the coffee and refers to an apparatus that allows carrying out the processes of demucilaging, cleaning and washing of the previously depulped coffee seedcases using a low water and power consumption.

Abstract: Specifically, a dry corn fractionation system which operates to produce an endosperm fraction which can be concurrently of greater purity at greater yield than obtainable from corn milling or dry corn milling processes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for dehulling oats, which reduces the dehulling strength and improves a dehulling effect by lowering the dehulling speed by 20%˜40% and prolonging dehulling duration, so that the resultant oat grains remain intact and plumules are retained on the oat grains, and the improved dehulling effect is ensured simultaneously.

Abstract: A method for peeling fruits and vegetables, particularly those having thin skins, such as tomatoes includes immersing the fruit or vegetable in a boiling solution comprising carbamide and one of carborane and hydrogen chloride to loosen a peel thereof. In a particular embodiment, the carborane comprises trifluoromethanesulfonic acid. The fruit or vegetable is removed from the solution after a predetermined time period. The fruit or vegetable is cooled, and the loosened peel is removed from the fruit or vegetable.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating joined components, purifying liquid, promoting interaction between two or more components and improving combustion. The apparatus has a housing, a rotor inside of the housing, a plurality of protrusions extending from the rotor, a shaft coupled with the rotor and a prime mover for rotating the shaft. Fluid within the housing cavitates as the rotor rotates and the protrusions move through the fluid. Cavitation causes joined components within the fluid to separate, kills undesirable organisms within the fluid, promotes interaction of components within the fluid and improves combustion of a liquid fuel. The fluid and components may also be subjected to abrasion and centrifugal and impact forces for separating the components, purifying the fluid, promoting interaction of the components and improving combustion.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for making rice bran flour by treating rice bran under high pressure and high temperature for a long period of time in two separate steps, the method comprising: husking and grinding the rice, then collecting the rice bran; inactivating the lipase of the rice bran; treating the rice bran under high pressure and high temperature; drying and screening the rice bran; treating the rice bran flour so obtained under high pressure and high temperature again; and cooling the rice bran. Said rice bran flour made from said method is effective in lowering glycosylated hemoglobin and increasing insulin of diabetes mellitus patients.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for pretreating grain before milling, comprising the following steps: a) providing cereal; b) optionally: dampening and conditioning the cereal; c) selectively removing a first fraction of husk components of the cereal obtained from step b), wherein said first fraction substantially comprises the outer husk components of the dampened cereal, and wherein 0.2 to 2% by weight of the cereal is removed; d) dampening and conditioning the cereal obtained from step c); e) selectively removing a second fraction of husk components of the cereal obtained from step d), wherein said second fraction substantially contains dietary fibers of the dampened cereal. The method makes it possible to efficiently obtain contamination-free total dietary fibers. An apparatus for carrying out the method, and advantageous uses of the total dietary fibers are described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a scarified, whole, dried, infused, buoyant cranberry. Further a process for preparing the cranberry is disclosed. The process includes sizing individually quick frozen cranberries by collecting those that pass through a mesh screen with 16 millimeter openings and that are retained on a mesh screen with openings of 9 millimeters. The sized cranberries are then scarified and infused in an infusion solution having a Brix of from 40 to 80 at a temperature of from 29 to 44° C.±5° C. until the cranberries have a Brix of at least about 40. The cranberries are removed from the infusion solution and dried at a temperature of from 73 to 85° C. until they have a water activity level of from 0.25 to 0.6 and a buoyancy of at least 30%.

Abstract: A semi-wet process for refining corn to make a feedstock for ethanol production. Corn is tempered at a moisture content from about 20-25% by weight for a very short time followed by grinding. The ground corn is not dried and cooled before further processing. It is graded and then ground and sifted to make an endosperm fraction and a high purity fraction of germ and bran. The fraction of germ and bran can be separated in a one or two stage dry separation process or in a wet separation process. In the wet separation process, the fraction of germ and bran is enzymatically steeped, dewatered and then separated in hydrocyclones to produce a germ fraction and a bran fraction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a peeled whole dried infused buoyant cranberry. Further a process for preparing the cranberry is disclosed. The process includes sizing individually quick frozen cranberries by collecting those that pass through a mesh screen with 16 millimeter openings and that are retained on a mesh screen with openings of 9 millimeters. The sized cranberries are then peeled and infused in an infusion solution having a Brix of from 40 to 80 at a temperature of from 29 to 44° C.±5° C. until the cranberries have a Brix of at least about 40. The cranberries are removed from the infusion solution and dried at a temperature of from 73 to 85° C. until they have a water activity level of from 0.25 to 0.6 and a buoyancy of at least 30%. The final dried infused cranberry preferably has a Brix of 76 to 84.

Abstract: An efficient process for enzymatically peeling citrus fruit applies a vacuum to perforated fruit and, while maintaining that vacuum, introduces an enzyme solution to the perforated fruit. The fruit is infused with the enzyme by releasing the vacuum pressure. After incubating the enzyme, the albedo of the fruit is weakened and the citrus peel can be readily removed. The peeled fruit may be divided into sections and the encompassing membrane removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning frost-damaged artichokes is disclosed. Fluids, fluids under high pressure, mechanical devices, including but not limited to brushes, sponges, or any material that can apply a soft abrasion may, or a similar device may be applied to the damaged portions of an artichoke, thereby removing the damaged tissue and improving the appearance and/or life of the artichoke.

Abstract: A method of peeling agricultural products having skins, including the steps of: immersing the agricultural products to be peeled in a treating solution in a first area of a peeling apparatus, and forming a mixture at a first pressure; transporting the mixture in a second area, the second area having a first end at the first pressure and a second end at a second pressure; transporting the mixture in a third area, the third area being at an essentially constant second pressure; transporting the mixture in a fourth area, the fourth area having a first end at the second pressure and having a second end at a third pressure that is essentially equal to the first pressure and transporting the mixture to a separator at essentially the third pressure. An apparatus for peeling agricultural products having skins in accordance with the method is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for increasing the amount of hull portions recovered from flaxseeds. In a preferred embodiment, the invention includes providing a plurality of harvested flaxseeds, tempering the harvested flaxseeds by sufficiently increasing the moisture content for at least about one-half hour to increase the amount of hulls recovered from the flaxseeds, and recovering a portion of the hulls from the moisture-increased flaxseeds. The claimed invention also relates to a flaxseed hull isolate that includes at least 7 up to 17 weight percent of flaxseed hull based on the total weight of flaxseeds. Additionally, the claimed invention relates to a harvested flaxseed, whose moisture content is increased by at least about 1 weight percent, and a flax product having a lignan concentration of at least 10 percent by weight.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process to remove the bran and the germ from the endosperm of a corn kernel. The process includes use of an apparatus having a chamber to induce rubbing between adjacent corn kernels to remove bran and an apparatus for germ removal having frictional cylindrical rollers rotating substantially parallel to one another, in opposing directions, and tensioned to impart low-impact friction forces to each corn kernel drawn between the roller surfaces. The process of the present invention includes a tempering step including adding an amount of moisture to the bran of the corn kernel by wetting and soaking the corn kernel; a bran removal step for removing substantially all bran from the corn by rubbing corn kernels together; a second tempering step including adding an additional amount of moisture to the exposed germ by wetting and soaking the exposed germ; and a degermination step to fracture the endosperm about the germ, substantially freeing the germ from the endosperm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for dehusking grains, in particular for removing the spelts and/or the seed coat and the germ bud of grains and/or of malted grains and its processing in the brewing industry. The outer layers/shells are removed from cleaned and malted distiller's grains in a husking machine (20).

Abstract: Specifically, a dry corn fractionation system which operates to produce an endosperm fraction which can be concurrently of greater purity at greater yield than obtainable from corn milling or dry corn milling processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for skinning wheat grains and to the products obtained with said process, namely skinned wheat grains and the separated outer skin fragments. It also concerns a specific installation to implement this process. The wheat grain skinning process of the invention notably comprises the following steps: a) cleaning the raw wheat grains; b) moistening the cleaned wheat grains; c) contacting the wheat grains with ozone, after or at the time as their moistening at step b); d) separating the detached outer skin fragments from the mass of grains partly or wholly skinned at step c).

Abstract: A seed shucking appliance for separating seed coverings from their kernels comprises a vertical cylinder within which is rotated an upward pointing and rotating cone. The top surfaces of the cone and the inside surfaces of the cylinder are roughened to catch and grate the skins or hulls off water-softened beans or grains poured in from above. The clearances and textures between the roughened cone and inside cylinder are such that most of the skins or shells stay above the cone after being knocked loose, and the bared seed kernels drop down through without necessarily being ground up or smashed. What drops through is sent to a water bath where any remaining skins or shells are floated away. The bared seed kernels are drained and ready to be used as whole seed kernels in various kinds of foods.

Abstract: The machine removes skins from a pomegranate or other fruit or vegetable. A pair of belts are spaced apart by a gap. The belts travel in a common direction adjacent the gap and are closer together on at least portions thereof than a width of the pomegranate. Pomegranates passed through the gap are thus compressed between the two belts. One of the belts travels faster than the other belt so that both compression and a shearing force act upon the skin of the pomegranate. The skin is torn and opened to expose arils within a core of the pomegranate. An under belt preferably carries pomegranates through the gap with slots in the under belt to allow arils and juice to fall down through an opening in a deck upon which the compression belts are mounted. A tray collects the arils and juice falling through the deck below the gap.

Abstract: A process for selectively grinding dual-density processed food in a single unit operation in a short-duration manner. Selective grinding as between lower-density and higher-density portions of the dual-density processed food may be effected without the need for moving mechanical parts. A granulated lower-density portion and liberated nonground higher-density portion obtained from the selective grinding treatment performed on dual-density processed food are independently useful for re-use in food production lines.

Abstract: A double blade peeling device for vegetable and fruit comprises a handle attached to a vegetable and fruit retaining member and a body of screw, the handle can drive internal gears to rotate, so as to make the retaining member and the body of screw to rotate as well. The body of screw, which is provided with two screw threads, drives upper and lower blade carriers to move upward and downward oppositely, such that the blades mounted on the upper and lower blade carriers move downward and upward respectively, contact the rotating food frictionally, and peel vegetable or fruit from upside and underside simultaneously. When two blade carriers move to the intermediate position to complete the peeling action, the two blade carriers open through wedge in blade carrier devices, two blades leave the surface of food, the lower blade carrier devices disengage with the body of screw. The body of screw drives upper blade carrier device to press the lower blade carrier device to move downward unceasingly.

Abstract: An improved peeling machine for controlling the removal of a peeling from a food product, the peeling machine having a hopper with a supply auger that pushes a food item to a peeling chamber, the peeling chamber having a plurality of parallel longitudinal rollers arranged in an arcuate juxtaposition relation, as the food item moves through the plurality of rollers, the food item is peeled and moved toward the discharge gate of the peeling machine, the improvement is the use of an abrasive material on the rollers that is formed using electrostatic charges to align the abrasive particles onto an epoxy layer and adhering this epoxy layer onto the exterior surface of the roller.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing pericarp from a seed, such as a corn kernel. The method includes sonicating the kernel to loosen the pericarp and then separation of the pericarp. One example of separation is by frictional milling. An additional optional aspect of the invention is isolation of the pericarp from the remainder of the seed and/or further cleaning or purification of the pericarp.

Abstract: A continuous process for separating components of flaxseed is described. Flaxseed is dried to a moisture content of from about 0.5% to about 3.0%, after which is introduced into a separation chamber having an abrasive rotator therein. As the flaxseed passes over the abrasive rotator, contact with rotator separates the flaxseed components into hulls and kernels. Hulls and kernels are separated and may be used in this form or processed further. Hulls may be further processed by extraction with water and with hexane to remove flaxseed gum and oil, respectively. These two extractions may be done in any order. The process results in a lignan-rich component of flaxseed, a gum extract and oil. These separate components of flaxseed may be used in products such as feed, personal care products or nutraceuticals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process to remove the germ from the endosperm of a corn kernel. The apparatus of the present invention comprises frictional cylindrical rollers, each roller rotating about an axis, the axis of the rollers substantially parallel, and the direction of rotation being opposing. The roller bodies having a rubberized covering, rotate with differing surface velocities and are tensioned such as to impart low-impact friction forces to corn kernels drawn between the roller covers. The process of the present invention includes a tempering step comprising adding an amount of moisture to the corn by wetting and soaking the corn; a polishing step for removing bran layers from the corn; a second tempering step comprising adding an additional amount of moisture to the corn by wetting and soaking the corn; and a friction step to remove germ from the endosperm.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved orange juice products and processes of preparing the products. Included is a natural enhancement powder which originates from the flavedo of citrus peel such as orange peel or tangerine peel. The peel flavedo is washed with an organic solvent suitable for use in food processing, dried and reduced in particle size and added as a powder to the orange juice in order to enhance the juice, such as raise the Color Value of the orange juice, typically by at least 1 OJ Index unit or more. By this approach, an orange juice which is Grade B in color is changed into an orange juice which meets Grade A color criteria. Other juice enhancements also are realized.

Abstract: The aim is to effectively remove the unpleasant raw odor that is characteristic of soybeans and provide a high quality processed soybean food product. In a production method for processed soybean food products that includes a grinding step (A) in which raw soybeans are ground to obtain a soybean slurry and a heating step (B) in which the obtained soybean slurry is heated and thermally denatured, a deaeration step (C) for removing air bubbles mixed in with the soybean slurry is performed partway through the heating step (B). It is preferable that the heating step (B) and the deaeration step (C) are performed continuously.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for manufacturing no-bran cereal such as no-bran rice which require no washing before cooking. With the method and the apparatus, bran stuck on a surface of a grain of the polished cereal is easily removed without imparting any damage on the surface, and further moisture in the grain is maintained to increase taste of the cereal. Moisture is added to the polished cereal and granular material is mixed and stirred with the moistened polished cereal to polish a surface of each grain of the polished cereal and remove bran stuck on the surface of the polished cereal. Then, the polished cereal is separated from the granular material to obtain the no-bran rice.

Abstract: A process for significantly increasing the rate of hydration of food crop seeds, such as brown and wild rice, without loss of the nutritious and beneficial portions of the seeds, is disclosed. In this process, the seed of interest is bombarded with an abrasive particulate, which is preferably entrained in a pressurized stream of gas, sufficient to create microperforations in the water resistant outer coat of said seed. These microperforations in the treated seed significantly increase the rate of hydration of the seed and hence decrease cooking time accordingly. Moreover, this process effects improved hydration without removing any significant portions of the outer coat or layers of the seed which lie underneath the outer coat.

Abstract: A freestanding cover for a food tray has a flange section and a support section extending downwardly from the flange section. The support section supports the cover independently of the tray, with the flange section positioned above the tray opening. The freestanding cover is inserted into a heated compartment in a food warming cabinet and is supported on a retaining mechanism positioned on the shelf of the food warming cabinet. The retaining mechanism, in the form of a wire rack, prevents the cover from moving forward or backward. With the cover retained by the wire rack, a tray containing previously cooked food portions may be inserted into and removed from a receiving space in the cover, leaving the cover inside of the compartment.

Abstract: Flaxseed husk is removed from flaxseed core by abrasion. The outer husk portion firstly removed by abrasion is separated as a mucilage fraction and a subsequently removed inner portion is separated as a fiber fraction. The fiber fraction is particularly rich in lignans.

Abstract: A method and system of processing citrus fruit is shown. A peeling chamber has opposing ends and a fruit inlet and fruit outlet formed at respective opposing ends. Abrasive rollers are rotatably mounted in an arcuate configuration within the peeling chamber at an area forming a lower portion of the peeling chamber. Citrus fruit is fed into the peeling chamber through the fruit inlet to the fruit outlet. The citrus fruit engages the rotating abrasive rollers with a residence time within the peeling chamber for peeling off the outer surface of the fruit in an amount sufficient to remove a majority of the oil within the citrus fruit and leaving sufficient peel thickness for maintaining peel integrity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of removing the fibrous shells from cereal grains. This method according to the invention comprises a pretreatment step, wherein the moisture content of the cereal grains is increased, e.g. in the case of corn grains from 16 to more than 20% by weight, followed by the step of exposure of the pretreated grains to a thermal shock by means of a cryogenic medium and thereafter mechanical treatment step thereof.

Abstract: A method and system of processing citrus fruit is disclosed. A peeling chamber has opposing ends and a fruit inlet and fruit outlet formed at respective opposing ends. Abrasive rollers are rotatably mounted in an arcuate configuration within the peeling chamber at an area forming a lower portion of the peeling chamber. Citrus fruit is fed into the peeling chamber through the fruit inlet to the fruit outlet. The citrus fruit engages the rotating abrasive rollers with a residence time within the peeling chamber for peeling off the outer surface of the fruit in an amount sufficient to remove a majority of the oil within the citrus fruit and leaving sufficient peel thickness for maintaining peel integrity.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved orange juice products and processes of preparing the products. Included is a natural enhancement powder which originates from the flavedo of citrus peel such as orange peel or tangerine peel. The peel flavedo is dried and reduced in particle size and added as a powder to the orange juice in order to enhance the juice, such as raise the Color Value of the orange juice, typically by at least 1 OJ Index unit or more. By this approach, an orange juice which is Grade B in color is changed into an orange juice which meets Grade A color criteria. Other juice enhancements also are realized.

Abstract: Apparatus for loosening or removing the skin from products such as nut kernels, beans, seeds or the like. Carriers are arranged to receive the products and a liquid jet manifold is adapted to direct jet or jets at the products. In a preferred embodiment, the products are disposed in an annular recess in a carrier, and are subjected to jets of liquid discharged from two nozzles at each end of a bar arranged to rotate above the recess.

Abstract: A peeling apparatus includes a set of abrasive rollers, at least one roller drive motor, a feeder for controllably feeding fruit or vegetables adjacent the abrasive rollers, at least one sensor associated with at least one roller drive motor for sensing a load thereon, and a controller for controlling the feeder based upon a sensed load. The controller may increase the feed rate based upon an increase in sensed load, and decrease the feed rate of the auger based upon a decrease in sensed load. The at least one roller drive motor may be a hydraulic or electric motor.

Abstract: Apparatus which includes a container having a side wall, a top end and a bottom end for containing a product under pressure, a raised top end and/or bottom end to provide increased headspace, and, when needed, an internal splash guard for preventing the splashing of the contents when opening of the container. The splash guard may include an internal bead formed in a side wall of the container and may also include an additional internal bead formed in the top end of the container. Headspace may also be increased by reducing the diameter of the concavity formed in the top end. The concavity may also be formed in the bottom end or both the top and bottom end and the top end may comprise an easy open end.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is disclosed for loosening or removing the skin from products such as nut kernels, beans, seeds or the like. The process comprises subjecting the products to a jet or jets of water at ambient temperature so as to loosen or remove their skins. The apparatus includes carriers arranged to receive the products and a liquid jet manifold adapted to direct the jet or jets at the products. In a preferred embodiment, the products are disposed in an annular recess in a carrier, and are subjected to jets of liquid discharged from two nozzles at each end of a bar arranged to rotate above the recess.

Abstract: A pepper seed polishing machine consists of a frame made from welded angle iron bars, a polishing mechanism which is a concave made from iron sieve having holes with diameter of 1.5-2 millimeters, and an agitator set. The agitator set consists of three backward curve vane blades welded onto a rotating shaft and is driven by a two-horsepower electric motor via a two V belt-pulley set. Black pepper seed is loaded into a hopper located on top of the machine. After polishing process, the polished seed is unloaded from the machine, while dust and rubbish can be collected separately. Polishing or rubbing off the outer skin of pepper seed resulted from rubbing action between seed to metal and seed to seed. The revolution of the rotor can be changed by changing pulleys' diameter. This results in changing of time required for each cycle of polishing process and polishing capacity as well. After polishing, the pepper seed has much more favorably odor than those polished by the conventional method.