| WO/2018/127486 | ENZYMATIC DEHUSKING OF PULSES |
| WO/2017/123993 | LEGUME-BASED FOOD PRODUCTS |
KUI XIAOYUN (NL)
| WO2012153238A1 | 2012-11-15 |
| GB2180436A | 1987-04-01 | |||
| JPS6030654A | 1985-02-16 | |||
| GB2168592A | 1986-06-25 |
| in the claims should not be interpreted as a limitation to the claims. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The indefinite article "a" or "an" preceding an element or step does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements or steps. What is claimed is: 1. A method for making soymilk, comprising: heating, by a soymilk making device, a mixture of soybeans and water until total time of the mixture's temperature being at a first temperature or higher accumulates to a first pre-determined period, wherein said heating stops when temperature of the mixture reaches the first temperature and re-starts when the temperature of the mixture drops to a second temperature lower than the first temperature; and grinding, by the soymilk making device, the soybeans in the mixture during at least part of one or more intervals of said heating, until total time of said grinding accumulates to a second pre-determined period, wherein no said grinding during said heating. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said heating is stopped and said grinding is started once temperature of the mixture reaches the first temperature; and said grinding is stopped and said heating is started once the temperature of the mixture drops to the second temperature. 3. The method of claim 1 further comprises determining, by the soymilk making device, amount of the soybeans to be selected from a bean tank of the soymilk making device and added into a chamber of the soymilk making device based on users' instructions, and accordingly determining amount of the water to be added to the chamber based on the amount of the soybeans selected. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the water of said mixture has been heated to an initial temperature before being added into the soymilk making device. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein said initial temperature ranges from 50 to 100 degrees Celsius, preferably 95 degrees Celsius. 6. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the first temperature ranges from 90 to 100 degrees Celsius, preferably 95 degrees Celsius; and the second temperature ranges from 85-90 degrees Celsius. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first pre-determined period ranges from 5-6 minutes, and the second pre-determined period ranges from 1 to 2 minutes. 8. A soymilk making device, comprising: a chamber, configured to accommodate a mixture of soybeans and water; a first heating unit, configured to heat the mixture until total time of the mixture's temperature being at a first temperature or higher accumulates to a first pre-determined period; a grinding unit positioned in said chamber, configured to grind the soybeans in the mixture during at least part of one or more intervals of operations of said first heating unit until total grinding time reaches a second pre-determined period; and a controlling unit, configured to stop said first heating unit when temperature of said mixture reaches the first temperature and then start said grinding unit; and stop said grinding unit and then start said first heating unit when the temperature of said mixture drops to a second temperature lower than the first temperature. 9. The soymilk making device of claim 8 further comprises a bean tank configured to store soy beans to be added to the chamber; a water tank configured to store water to be added to the chamber; and a second heating unit, configured to heat up the water in the water tank to an initial temperature. 10. The soymilk making device of claim 8 further comprises a waste tank, configured to collect waste materials generated from making of the soymilk; wherein said controlling unit is configured to drive water from the water tank to flush the waste materials from the chamber to the waste tank. 11. The soymilk making device of claim 9, wherein said controlling unit is further configured to receive users' instructions and control amount of the soybeans to be selected from the bean tank and added to the chamber, and determine amount of water to added from the water tank to the chamber based on the amount of beans selected. 12. The soymilk making device of claim 8, wherein said first temperature ranges from 90 to 100 degrees Celsius, preferably 95 degrees Celsius; and the second temperature ranges from 85-90 degrees Celsius. 13. The soymilk making device of claim 9, wherein said initial temperature ranges from 50 to 100 degrees Celsius, preferably 95 degrees Celsius. 14. The soymilk making device of claim 8, wherein the first pre-determined period ranges from 5 to 6 minutes, and the second pre-determined period ranges from 1 to 2 minutes. |
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to making drinks, and particularly to methods and apparatus for making soymilk.
Background of the Invention
Soymilk is not only a popular drink in Chinese culture, but also draws more and more interests in the rest of the world. However, it usually takes traditional soymilk makers much time, for example at least 20-30 minutes, to prepare soymilk amounts to 2 to 5 cups. This is because grinding of soy beans and soymilk cooking are separate operations with no intervention with each other. Also, traditional soymilk makers are usually designed for making of 2 to 5 cups of soymilk at one time. Therefore, pouring soymilk for each user may consume additional time.
Summary of the Invention
Because of the issues stated above, it would be advantageous to achieve a method and an apparatus for making soymilk which are more time efficient. During the process of making soymilk, heating of the mixture of soy beans and water has to be a periodical process in order to prevent overflowing of the mixture from the soymilk making device, which means there are a plurality of time intervals among the heating. Traditional soymilk makers take no operations during such intervals.
One embodiment of the present application provides a method for making soymilk comprising heating, by a soymilk making device, a mixture of soybeans and water until total time of the mixture's temperature being at a first temperature or higher accumulates to a first pre-determined period, wherein said heating stops when temperature of the mixture reaches the first temperature and re-starts when the temperature of the mixture drops to a second temperature lower than the first temperature; and grinding, by the soymilk making device, the soybeans in the mixture during at least part of one or more intervals of said heating, until total time of said grinding accumulates to a second pre-determined period. This arrangement is directed to take advantage of the time intervals among heating and use such time intervals for grinding.
Specifically, said heating is stopped and said grinding is started once temperature of the mixture reaches the first temperature; and said grinding is stopped and said heating is started once the temperature of the mixture drops to the second temperature. This arrangement eliminates idle time of the soymilk makers, and therefore the total soymilk making time is efficiently decreased.
The method further comprises determining, by the soymilk making device, amount of the soybeans to be selected from a bean tank of the soymilk making device and added into a chamber of the soymilk making device based on users' instructions, and accordingly determining amount of the water to be added to the chamber based on the amount of the soybeans selected. This arrangement allows cup by cup making of soymilk which saves the time for pouring soymilk for each user.
Specifically, the water of said mixture has been heated to an initial temperature before being added into the soymilk making device. This arrangement saves the time for boiling water.
Specifically, said initial temperature ranges from 50 to 100 degrees Celsius, preferably 95 degrees Celsius. This arrangement saves the time for boiling water.
Specifically, the first temperature ranges from 90 to 100 degrees Celsius, preferably 95 degrees Celsius; and the second temperature ranges from 85-90 degrees Celsius. This arrangement is for the purpose of inhibiting activation of anti-nutrients in the soymilk, including TI (Trypsin Inhibitor).
Specifically, the first pre-determined period ranges from 5-6 minutes, and the second pre-determined period ranges from 1 to 2 minutes. This arrangement is for the purpose of inhibiting activation of anti-nutrients in the soymilk, including TI (Trypsin Inhibitor), and to keep the size of particles in the soymilk below a pre-determined level.
Another embodiment of the present application provides a soymilk making device comprising a chamber, configured to accommodate a mixture of soybeans and water; a first heating unit, configured to heat the mixture until total time of the mixture's temperature being at a first temperature or higher accumulates to a first pre-determined period; a grinding unit positioned in said chamber, configured to grind the soybeans in the mixture during at least part of one or more intervals of operations of said first heating unit until total grinding time reaches a second pre-determined period; and a controlling unit, configured to stop said first heating unit when temperature of said mixture reaches the first temperature and then start said grinding unit; and stop said grinding unit and then start said first heating unit when the temperature of said mixture drops to a second temperature lower than the first temperature. This arrangement is directed to take advantage of the time intervals among heating and use such time intervals for grinding.
The apparatus further comprises a bean tank configured to store soy beans to be added to the chamber; a water tank configured to store water to be added to the chamber; and a second heating unit, configured to heat up the water in the water tank to an initial temperature. This arrangement saves the time for boiling water.
The apparatus further comprises a waste tank, configured to collect waste materials generated from making of the soymilk; wherein said controlling unit is configured to drive water from the water tank to flush the waste materials from the chamber to the waste tank. This arrangement saves the users from cleaning the soymilk makers each time after making the soymilk.
Specifically, said controlling unit is further configured to receive users' instructions and control amount of the soybeans to be selected from the bean tank and added to the chamber, and determine amount of water to be added from the water tank to the chamber based on the amount of beans selected. This arrangement allows cup by cup making of soymilk which saves the time for pouring soymilk for each user.
Specifically, said first temperature ranges from 90 to 100 degrees Celsius, preferably 95 degrees Celsius; and the second temperature ranges from 85-90 degrees Celsius. This arrangement is for the purpose of inhibiting activation of anti-nutrients in the soymilk, including TI (Trypsin Inhibitor).
Specifically, said initial temperature ranges from 50 to 100 degrees Celsius, preferably 95 degrees Celsius. This arrangement saves the time for boiling water.
Specifically, the first pre-determined period ranges from 5 to 6 minutes, and the second pre-determined period ranges from 1 to 2 minutes. This arrangement is for the purpose of inhibiting activation of anti-nutrients in the soymilk, including TI (Trypsin Inhibitor), and to keep the size of particles in the soymilk below a pre-determined level. Brief Description of the Drawings
The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus for making soymilk in accordance with one embodiment of the present application; and
FIG. 2 illustrates a method for making soymilk in accordance with one embodiment of the present application.
Detailed Description of Embodiments
Reference will now be made to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the figures. The embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the invention, and are not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used with another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment. It is intended that the invention encompass these and other modifications and variations as come within the scope and spirit of the invention.
FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus 100 for making soymilk in accordance with one embodiment of the present application. Apparatus 100 may comprise a chamber 102 configured to accommodate a mixture of soy beans and water. In one embodiment, wall of chamber 102 may be made of heat preserving materials, for example vacuum insulation. Apparatus 100 may further comprise a heater 104 which may or may not be positioned in chamber 102, configured to heat the mixture of soy beans and water. In one embodiment, heater 104 can have an adjusted power with a maximum power of 800 Watts, and may adopt any kind of heating mechanism including ohmic heating, film heating and so forth. Apparatus 100 can include a blender 106 located in chamber 102, configured to grind the soy beans in the mixture. In one embodiment, blender 106 may have a power of at least 500 Watts, and may rotate 8000 to 20000 revolutions per minute.
In one embodiment, apparatus 100 may further comprise many other units, including bean tank(s) 108 coupled with chamber 102, configured to accommodate dry or soaked soy beans; water tank(s) 110 coupled with chamber 102, configured to accommodate water to be filled into chamber 102; heater(s) 112 which may or may not be positioned in water tank(s) 110, configured to heat water in water tank(s) 110; waste tank(s) 114 coupled with chamber 102, configured to accommodate soy bean residues after making of soymilk.
In another embodiment, apparatus 100 may comprise, instead of water tank(s) 110, an interface (not shown in FIG. 1) configured to couple chamber 102 with an external water dispenser.
Apparatus 100 can further comprise a controller 116 (not shown in FIG. 1), configured to control operations of heater 104, blender 106 and/or heater(s) 112 as described in the following. Controller 116 can further receive instructions from users regarding desired number of cups and/or desired tastes of soymilk to be prepared, and accordingly determine the amount of soybeans and water to be added into chamber 102 and/or corresponding grinding and heating time. Therefore, time spent for pouring soymilk is saved due to the capability of making soymilk cup by cup by using apparatus 100.
In one embodiment, apparatus 100 also comprises thermometers configured to measure the temperature of the mixture of soy beans and water, and other thermometers configured to measure the temperature of water in water tank(s) 110. In one embodiment, apparatus 100 can further comprise timers configured to count the total time of the mixture's temperature being at a pre-determined temperature or higher, and to count the total grinding time of the soybeans in the mixture as well.
FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method for making soymilk in accordance with one embodiment of the present application. At block 202, soy beans and water can be added into chamber 102. In one embodiment, water added into chamber 102 may have an initial temperature ranging from 50 to 100 degree Celsius and may be preferably 95 degrees Celsius.
At block 204, controller 116 of apparatus 100 may determine if the temperature of the mixture of soy beans and water is lower than a pre-determined temperature TV In one embodiment, Ti can be 95 degrees Celsius.
If the temperature of the mixture is lower than Ti, then at block 206, heater 104 may heat the mixture of soybeans and water until the temperature of the mixture reaches or exceeds TV In one embodiment, heater 104 may heat the mixture with 100% of its power. In one embodiment, heating at this step may take only 1 to 1.5 minutes.
If the temperature of the mixture is determined to be Ti or higher, then at block 208 blender 106 of apparatus 100 may start to grind the soy beans in the mixture. In one embodiment, said grinding at this step may each last for 30 seconds. At block 210, apparatus 100 may determine if the temperature of the mixture is lower than T 2 . In one embodiment, T 2 may be equal to Ti, whereas in another embodiment, T 2 may range from 85 to 90 degrees Celsius, and may be 90 degrees Celsius in particular.
If the temperature of the mixture is lower than T 2 , then at block 212, blender 106 may stop grinding and heater 104 may heat the mixture until the temperature of the mixture reaches or exceeds TV In one embodiment, heater 104 may be configured to heat the mixture at this step with 25% of its power. In one embodiment, heater 104 may start to heat the mixture right after blender 106 stops grinding.
If the temperature of the mixture is not lower than T 2 , then at block 214 apparatus 100 may determine that if the time of grinding at block 208 accumulates to or exceeds Ri which may range from 1 to 2 minutes. Alternatively, apparatus 100 may determine at block 218 that if blender 106 has performed grinding for a predetermined number of times M, for example 5 times
If the grinding time accumulated is determined to be less than Ri or the number of grinding performed by blender 106 is less than M, then apparatus 100 may be directed to block 208 and start grinding.
If the grinding time accumulates to or exceeds Ri, then apparatus 100 may determine if the total time of the mixture's temperature being at Ti or higher accumulates to R 2 which may range from 5 to 6 minutes, preferably 5 minutes for the purpose of inhibiting activation of anti-nutrients in the soymilk, including TI (Trypsin Inhibitor). If the total time of the mixture's temperature being at Ti or higher is less than R 2 , then apparatus 100 may be directed to block 212 for heating. Otherwise, at block 218 apparatus 100 may indicate that the soymilk is ready to drink.
Alternatively, subsequent to block 218, apparatus 100 may let water from water tank 110 to flush the soy bean residues out of chamber 102 to trash tank 114.
It should be noted that the above described embodiments are given for describing rather than limiting the invention, and it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as those skilled in the art readily understand. Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of the invention and the appended claims. The protection scope of the invention is defined by the accompanying independent claims. In addition, any of the reference numerals