Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A method for producing texturized protein material comprising: a. mixing untextured protein material and water to form a slurry, said protein material containing at least 70% protein on a dry weight basis, said slurry containing about 40 to 50% solids; b. injecting a heated gaseous stream into said slurry to propel said protein material into and through a confined treating zone, said heated gaseous stream being at a temperature sufficient to maintain the temperature in said confined zone in the range of about 310° to 350° F., whereby said protein material is rendered to a thermoplastic state and texturized during its passage through said confined zone; c. transferring said texturized thermoplastic protein material out of the confined treating zone through a means for maintaining back pressure disposed at the discharge end of said confined zone, said means for maintaining back pressure maintaining a pressure of from about 60 to about 80 psi in said confined zone; d. passing said texturized thermoplastic protein material through means for agglomerating and stretching said protein material, just after its passage through said means for maintaining back pressure; and e. recovering said texturized protein product in a collection zone.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
194 words
A method for producing texturized protein material comprising: a. mixing untextured protein material and water to form a slurry, said protein material containing at least 70% protein on a dry weight basis, said slurry containing about 40 to 50% solids; b. injecting a heated gaseous stream into said slurry to propel said protein material into and through a confined treating zone, said heated gaseous stream being at a temperature sufficient to maintain the temperature in said confined zone in the range of about 310° to 350° F., whereby said protein material is rendered to a thermoplastic state and texturized during its passage through said confined zone; c. transferring said texturized thermoplastic protein material out of the confined treating zone through a means for maintaining back pressure disposed at the discharge end of said confined zone, said means for maintaining back pressure maintaining a pressure of from about 60 to about 80 psi in said confined zone; d. passing said texturized thermoplastic protein material through means for agglomerating and stretching said protein material, just after its passage through said means for maintaining back pressure; and e. recovering said texturized protein product in a collection zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said protein material comprises a mixture of about 50 to 60% soy flour and about 40 to 50% soy protein isolate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said heated gaseous stream is steam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said gaseous stream is injected at a pressure of about 80 to 150 psi.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said gaseous stream is injected at a pressure of about 110 to about 120 psi.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said confined zone is maintained at a temperature of about 325° to 330° F.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said means for agglomerating and stretching comprises a projection into the flow path of said gaseous stream and protein mixture whereby said protein material is caught and agglomerated on said projection and stretched by the passing gaseous flow.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said projection comprises a plurality of inwardly directed radially disposed members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 additionally comprising the step of passing the agglomerating and stretching protein through a cold water injection nozzle disposed at right angles to the protein flow whereby injected water further stretches and sets the protein material.