Delbert L Williams

US Patent:

58718001, Feb 16, 1999

Filed:

Aug 9, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/694555

Inventors:

Dewey P. George - San Andreas CA
Ronald James Rigge - Pleasanton CA
Delbert L. Williams - Waterford CA
Ronald D. Hansberry - Canby OR

Assignee:

Ankel, Inc. - Waterford CA

International Classification:

A23L 1277

US Classification:

426632

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for bleaching the shells of in-shell nuts and for bleaching the meats of shelled nuts involves wetting the nuts with an alkaline solution and then with a peroxygen solution. The two substances react to form a bleaching agent which whitens the shell or nut meat. Slight mechanical brushing may be used to dislodge debris loosened by the process. The apparatus includes means for recycling the reagents through the system without causing the desired temperature and concentration of the reagents to deviate significantly from predetermined values.