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US 4,189,503 AGranted
Method of degerminating a kernel of grain by simultaneously compressing the edges of the kernel
AssigneeCereal Enterprises, Inc.
InventorJames R. Giguere
Life of this patent
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AssigneeCereal Enterprises, Inc.
InventorJames R. Giguere
Estimating the term…
A degerminating process wherein the grain kernels are crushed from the thin edges toward the center while avoiding crushing of the relatively flat side surfaces. The crushing force fractures the endosperm under and around the germ and squeezes the germ away from the endosperm in a whole condition. A machine for carrying out the degermination includes relatively rotating discs having corrugations in their facing surfaces in which the kernels are caught and crushed from the thin edges toward the center. An alternative degerminator machine includes a single rotating disc having curved guide vanes on its upper surface for guiding the kernels as they are propelled outwardly by centrifugal force. The vanes orient each kernel with its top or bottom edge in position to impinge upon flat impact surfaces which results in a crushing force applied from the thin edge toward the center of the kernel. Milling processes employing the improved method of degermination utilize, at the front end of the mill, rollers with fine corrugations which are normally used only at the end of a long succession of rollers in a conventional differential milling operation. The rollers are adjusted to minimize penetration of the germ to thereby maintain it in a whole condition and produce high quality fines that remain in the prime product streams.
A method of degerminating a kernel of grain such as corn having relatively large side surfaces and relatively thin side edges, said method comprising subjecting the kernel to a compressive crushing force applied substantially simultaneously to two opposed side edges in a direction generally toward the center of the kernel while substantially avoiding the application of any crushing force to said side surfaces, the crushing force applied to said edges being of sufficient magnitude to fracture the endosperm portion of the kernel while maintaining the germ portion in a substantially whole condition.
A milling process of grain kernels characterized by relatively large side surfaces surrounded by relatively thin side edges, said process comprising the steps of:
A milling process for grain kernels characterized by relatively large side surfaces surrounded by relatively thin side edges, said process comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.