GB791077A - Improvements relating to the treatment of carob beans - Google Patents

Abstract

791,077. Husking carob beans. INDUSTRIES AGRICOLAS LEVANTINAS SOC. ANON. June 14, 1954 [June 12, 1953 ; June 12, 1953], No. 17447/54. Class 58. In husking carob beans, they are heated until their husks become brittle, subjected to friction and percussion and cooled to preserve the pulp of the cotyledons known as caroban. These operations are repeated until the husks are detached completely. The beans are fed through one or more tubes 4, tangentially, into the space between a stationary cylinder 8 having closed ends and a concentric cylinder 9, which is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow. One or both of the opposed surfaces of the cylinders are lined with an abrasive against which the beans are rubbed. The cylinder 8 is provided with openings in which radially adjustable brakes or brushes 14, e.g., made of tampico, esparto or piassava fibres, rubber or wire, are mounted. Part of the inner surface of the cylinder 8 is provided with ribs 15 extending lengthwise of the cylinder, against which ribs the beans are thrown and subjected to percussion. The closed ends of the cylinder 8 may be perforated in the annular regions corresponding to the space between the two cylinders. The cylinder 8 has an outlet door 10 actuated by a lever 11 provided with a counterweight 12. When the door is opened, the husked beans fall into the lower part of a surrounding casing having one or more outlets 6. The upper part of the casing is provided with an opening 5 to which suction is applied to cool the beans and extract dust. The beans may be heated to a temperature below that at which their husks become brittle and then brought to that temperature by the frictional heat generated during rubbing. Alternatively, the beans may be brought to the said temperature solely by the frictional heat.