METHOD FOR THE TREATMENT OF CORN KERNELS INTENDED FOR THE PRODUCTION OF POPCORN USING MICROWAVE APPLIANCES, AND RESULTING PRODUCT

Abstract

In the method of the main patent, corn kernels coated with sunflower lecithin and additives are obtained. According to the improvements, the additives and sunflower lecithin can be added in liquid state, solid state or both, and can be mixed and subsequently filtered before reaching a final mixer (2) to which are added not only the additives and sunflower lecithin, in any state, but also the corn kernels (1), in order to coat the corn kernels inside the mixer. The improvements also provide for the substitution of sunflower lecithin by other compounds with which similar results can be obtained, such as fructose syrup, liquid glucose, corn syrup, molasses, inverted sugar syrup or cornstarch, the kernels obtained being able to be coated with more than one coating of a different nature.

Claims

1. Method for the treatment of corn kernels intended for the production of popcorn using microwave appliances, and resulting product, wherein the corn kernels (1) are coated with a compound and one or more additives, characterized in that said compound is made from sunflower lecithin, fructose syrup, liquid glucose, corn syrup, molasses, inverted sugar syrup or cornstarch, such that said compound and additives are added, together with the corn kernels, into a common mixer (2) in which the outer impregnation of the corn kernels takes place.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the compound and the one or more additives are included in the coating solution in liquid state.

3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the compound and the one or more additives are included in the coating solution in solid state.

4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the coating solution, the compound is included in liquid state, while the one or more additives are included in solid state.

5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the coating solution, the compound is included in solid state, while the one or more additives are included in liquid state.

6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the compound and the one or more additives, both in liquid state, are incorporated into a mixer of liquids (9) after passing through a pre-stirrer (8) in order to produce a mixture that is subsequently filtered in a filter (14) before passing onto the final mixer (2).

7. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the compound and the one or more additives, both in solid state, are subjected to pre-mixing and afterwards, are passed onto a mixer of solids (11) in order to obtain a mixture that is sifted (16) before being added to the final mixer (2).

8. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the compound in liquid state, the compound in solid state, the one or more additives in liquid state and the one or more additives in solid state are passed together onto a mixer (12) and from this mixer onto a kneader (13) in order to obtain a product that is subject to filtering (15) before passing onto the final mixer (2).

9. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the one or more additives may be formed by flavorings including salts, sweeteners, acidulants, spicy flavors, bitter flavors, as well as fixatives including food lacquers, food glues, or even dyes, binders, thickeners, and similar.

10. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the process can be repeated as many times as different coating or layers are necessary for each corn kernel.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] As a complement to the description provided below, and for the purpose of helping to make the characteristics of the invention more readily understandable, in accordance with a preferred practical embodiment thereof, said description is accompanied by a FIGURE, which by way of illustration and not limitation represents the following:

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a representation corresponding to a block diagram of the different possibilities that can be carried out in the method object of the improvements of the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0024] As can be seen in the FIGURE discussed above, the corn kernels (1) are added to a common and final mixer (2) in order to produce a product (3) coated in sunflower lecithin and additives, which are also added to said mixer (2).

[0025] These additives can be liquid additives (4) and/or solid additives (5), while the lecithin can be liquid lecithin (6) and/or solid lecithin (7).

[0026] In any case, the liquid additives (4) and the liquid lecithin (6) pass through a pre-stirrer (8) and from this pre-stirrer, they pass onto a mixer of liquids (9); while in the case of solid lecithin (7) and solid additives (5), they pass onto a pre-mixer (10) and from this pre-mixer, onto a mixer of solids (11).

[0027] Furthermore, the liquid lecithin (6) and the solid lecithin (7), together with the liquid additives (4) and solid additives (5) are passed through a mixer (12) and from this mixer to a kneader (13).

[0028] The resulting mixture in the mixer of liquids (9) is passed through a filter (14) to prevent lumps or unwanted material from passing through, the product produced in the kneader (13) also being passed through a filter (15); while the mixture of solids (11) also passes through a sieve (16) to prevent lumps and regulate the size of the particle, such the product passing through the filter (14) as well as the product passing through the filter (15) and the product passing through the sieve (16) are added to the common mixture (2) together with the corn kernels (1) to be treated, in order to produce the corresponding coating, whether it is from one or more than one layers of coating, based on the specific needs of each case, after which said kernels are weighed and packaged.

[0029] The method is also applicable by substituting the sunflower lecithin with fructose syrup, liquid glucose, corn syrup, molasses, inverted sugar syrup, cornstarch and/or any other food product with similar characteristics.