The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 13, 1998
Filed:
Jul. 25, 1996
Roderick G Beck, Blackfoot, ID (US);
John C Kerr, Pocatello, ID (US);
Clayton Pratt, Blackfoot, ID (US);
Pamela Bartausky, Blackfoot, ID (US);
Nonpareil Corporation, Blackfoot, ID (US);
Abstract
A method of processing potatoes or vegetables to dehydrated hash browns or other forms is disclosed where cooked and cooled potato slices are subjected to a second cooking time to improve flavor, texture and composition. The potato slices are further cooled to a chilled temperature which modifies the starch content of the potato so that the potato can be easily processed to smaller sizes, shapes or dimensions. When processed to a smaller size, shape or dimension, the potato material is contacted with a lubricating substance devoid of water which reduces or prevents the potato pieces from sticking together and improves the composition of the dehydrated potato pieces. The process of the present invention improves the flavor, texture and composition of the potatoes, both during the processing steps and at later rehydration. The process of the present invention also merely modifies the starch content of the potatoes without having to remove the starch and/or add the starch back in at a later time. As a result, product yields are increased.