Method of manufacturing elements of crystallized sugar

Abstract

.[.Method for drying crystallized sugar in the presence of a heated environment, wherein said environment has a relative humidity less than, but close to the equilibrium relative humidity of the sugar to be dried, at the temperature of the environment. This method permits crystallized sugar to be obtained in bright crystals and to exhibit physical characteristics similar to those of products produced by the Adant method, such as hardness, resistance to abrasion, porosity, rate of dissolution, and density..]. .Iadd.A method for manufacturing elements of crystallized sugar, such as lumps, slabs and loaves thereof, comprising the steps of moistening the crystallized sugar, molding and compressing the sugar into elements and then drying the elements at a drying temperature wherein the molding and compression of said moistened sugar are carried out at said drying temperature and in an environment which during said drying has a relative humidity less than 100% but more than 85% of the equilibrium relative humidity of the sugar at said drying temperature. This method permits elements of crystallized sugar to be obtained having bright crystals and exhibiting physical characteristics similar to those of products produced by the Adant method, such as hardness, resistance to abrasion, porosity, rate of dissolution, and density.

We claim: .[.1. A method for drying crystallized sugar within a heated environment wherein the said environment has a relative humidity less than, but close to the equilibrium relative humidity of the sugar to be dried, at the temperature of said environment..]. .[.2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein for drying elements of crystallized sugar achieved by molding and compressing crystallized sugar, the mixture of crystallized sugar and water is brought to the drying temperature and molding and compression are carried out in an environment having substantially the same conditions of temperature and relative humidity as those which shall obtain during drying..]. .[.3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drying environment has a relative humidity less than 100% but exceeding 85% of equilibrium relative humidity..]. .[.4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drying temperature is as high as 
     
        possible in order to increase the rate of crystallization..]. 5. Method as claimed in claim .[.4.]. .Iadd.7.Iaddend., wherein the drying temperature is between 75° C. and 85° C. .Iadd. 6. A method according to claim 7, wherein the humidity conditions during molding and compression are substantially the same as during drying. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 7. A method of manufacturing lumps, slabs and loaves of crystallized sugar, comprising the steps of moistening the crystallized sugar, molding and compressing the sugar into lumps, slabs or loaves and drying said lumps, slabs or loaves at a drying temperature wherein molding and compression of said moistened sugar are carried out at said drying temperature and wherein said molding and compression and drying are carried out in an environment which has a relative humidity less than 100% but more than 85% of the equilibrium relative humidity of the sugar at said drying temperature. .Iaddend.