Patents Examined by Marianne Cintins
  • Patent number: 4976973
    Abstract: A process for producing a protein-rich fish meal and a fish oil which comprises treating fish bodies with a protease acting at a relatively low temperature to give a slurry and dividing and drying said slurry at a relatively low temperature. The products thus obtained scarcely undergo thermal denaturation and contain a large amount of partially decomposed protein. Thus they are highly useful as a protein source for, e.g., feeds, baits and pet foods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: Asahi Denka Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Yoichi Shirakawa, Yoshio Minowa, Takayoshi Azumi, Junichi Hisano
  • Patent number: 4975289
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of reducing an off-flavor in foods containing medium chain aldehydes characterized in that said foods are brought into contact with acetic acid bacteria or immobilized acetic acid bacteria (Acetobacter aceti, Gluconobacter suboxydans) in a state that said acetic acid bacteria substantially does not proliferate, and a method of reducing an off-flavor in foods containing alcohols and medium chain aldehydes characterized in that said foods are brought into contact with acetic acid bacteria of which membrane-bound alcohol dehydrogenase has been deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: House Food Industrial Company Limited
    Inventors: Minoru Ameyama, Osao Adachi, Atsushi Yasuda, Yukihiro Nomura
  • Patent number: 4971811
    Abstract: This invention relates to an efficient process for separating and recovering aroma and flavor volatiles from fruit or vegetable juices and for lowering the pectin levels in cloudy juices. The process involves removing the aroma/flavor volatiles from juice by forming a microaerosol by spraying juice at a temperature of from 45.degree. C. to 110.degree. C. through a nozzle having a diameter of about 100 microns to 600 microns at a velocity of 100 m/sec. to 250 m/sec. and into a vacuum chamber at 5 mm to 200 mm Hg and at temperatures of from 10.degree. C. to about 55.degree. C. and then treating the recovered juice fraction with a pectinase which is essentially free of esterases. The decreased pectin level increases the gustatory display of the aroma/flavor and improves the mouthfeel of the beverage. Decrease of the pectin level is achieved essentially without the formation of methanol and essentially without the hydrolysis of important aroma ester compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Rudolf G. K. Strobel, Edmund P. Pultinas, Jr., Michael L. Vatter
  • Patent number: 4971813
    Abstract: This invention relates to an efficient process for separating and recovering aroma and flavor volatiles from fruit or vegetable juices and for lowering the amount of sugar in juices. The process involves removing the aroma/flavor volatiles from juice by forming a microaerosol by spraying juice at a temperture of from 45.degree. C. to 110.degree. C. through a nozzle having a diameter of about 100 microns to 1200 microns at a velocity of 100 m/sec. to 250 m/sec. and into a vacuum chamber at 5 mm to 200 mm Hg and at temperatures of from 10.degree. C. to about 55.degree. C. and then treating the recovered juice fraction with a yeast. The alcohol formed during this fermentation reaction is removed by distillation, preferably by the same aerosolization process as the volatiles are removed. The aroma and flavor volatiles are returned to the juice to provide a good tasting low calorie fruit juice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Rudolf G. K. Strobel, Robert E. Tarr
  • Patent number: 4971812
    Abstract: Penicillium sp. naringinase immobilized in cellulose triacetate is useful in simultaneous removal of naringin and limonin from fruit juices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: National Science Council
    Inventor: Hau-Yang Tsen
  • Patent number: 4971814
    Abstract: Dietary fibers having average molecular weight of 2,000-15,000, which are prepared by partially hydrolyzing polysaccharides of Konnyaku powder with a cellulase derived from microorganisms belonging to the genus Aspergillus, which are readily soluble in water, which do not prevent adsorption of useful minerals such as calcium in the digestive tract, and which do not give rise to diarrhea when an excessive amount thereof is ingested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mamoru Tomita, Joji Ono, Yasuo Fukuwatari, Teruhiko Mizota, Kazuyoshi Nanba
  • Patent number: 4971807
    Abstract: A process for the production of beer with a low alcohol content is described. The process comprises preparing a wort by boiling and adding ascorbic acid to such wort prior, during, or after boiling, so long as the wort remains hot. The process can be employed according to the invention for the production of non-alcoholic beer by the yeast cold contact process, in which yeast recovered from a fermentation process is brought into contact with the wort at a low temperature below 0.degree. C. As a rule, the non-alcoholic beer produced by this process imparts an unpleasant and bitter aftertaste. By adding ascorbic acid to the boiling wort, the bitter aftertaste is completely eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Brauerei Feldschlosschen
    Inventors: Fritz Schur, Peter Sauer
  • Patent number: 4971810
    Abstract: Yogurt and fruited yogurts are fiber fortified without any resultant adverse taste or mouthfeel due to the fiber by using selected sources of fiber which include soy fiber, oat fiber, and gum arabic. Plain yogurt and Swiss style fruited yogurt can be fiber enriched with up to 6 grams of fiber and preferably 3.5 grams of fiber per 8 ounces by adding gum arabic and/or soy fiber to the yogurt base mix or to the yogurt fruit product. Yogurt fruit product as well as fruit jams and fruit preserves are enriched with up to 4 grams of fiber and preferably 2.5 grams of fiber per 25 grams of fruit product by judicious use of soy fiber, oat fiber and/or gum arabic as the source of fiber. Sundae style fruited yogurt may be fiber enriched with up to 10 grams and preferably 7 grams of fiber per 8 ounces of product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Borden, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Hoyda, Paul J. Streiff, Edward Epstein
  • Patent number: 4970086
    Abstract: An expanded low density snack food product is prepared by first aerating a plastic mass of an edible particulate snack food base material, an edible film forming material, an edible viscosity modulator, an edible protein and water. The aerated mass then is heated in a chamber for setting the mass while applying a vacuum in the chamber for expanding the aerated mass, after which the vacuum is released, and the expanded mass is removed from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Eric T. Best
  • Patent number: 4970083
    Abstract: A lactic acid fermented food is sweetened using aspartame alone or a sweetening agent containing aspartame. The lactic acid bacteria which are used to manufacture the lactic acid fermented food and which remain in same are those selected from group A consisting of: Streptococcus cremoris, Streptococcus lactis, Streptococcus diacetilactis, Streptococcus thermophilus, Pedicoccus cerevisiae and Leuconostoc cremoris, and are never those selected from group B consisting of: Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Lactobacillus helveticus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yakult Honsha
    Inventors: Ryoichi Akahoshi, Yoshiharu Kuma, Akihiko Miyagi, Takahiro Mizobuchi
  • Patent number: 4968513
    Abstract: The phosphorus-reduced cow milk of the invention contains a reduced proportion of phosphorus of 1.0 g to 2.0 g per 100 g of protein in the cow milk, the weight ratio of phosphorus to calcium being 1:2, nearly the same as that of human milk. The ratio is most adequate for calcium absorption and is suitable as food for kidney-disease patients with reduced calcium-absorbing function, persons of old age and hyperphosphatemia patients. Moreover, the phosphorus-reduced cow milk of the invention in which only phosphorus component is selectively removed and none of other component is lost maintains the value of cow milk as perfect food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shiro Watanabe, Hiroshi Nakashima
  • Patent number: 4968512
    Abstract: The yogurt spread which has a consistency of conventional cream cheese and has similar texture and taste but with substantially diminished fat, calories and cholesterol content from conventional cream cheese. The yogurt spread is produced by removing the majority of the fat and moisture from milk, heating the milk to a temperature greater than one hundred eighty degrees Fahrenheit, cooling the milk to approximately one hundred seven degrees Fahrenheit, then evenly mixing to the milk a quantity of yogurt starter culture and providing sufficient time for the resulting mixture to form yogurt in a solid mass form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Inventor: N. Michael Kharrazi
  • Patent number: 4963370
    Abstract: A process for producing a proteinous material which comprises coarsely grinding fish bodies including bones and/or shells, from which the internals had been removed optionally together with heads and/or skins, defatting said coarsely ground fish bodies if required, and either (1) fermenting said coarsely ground fish bodies with an enzyme and/or a microorganism, inactivating said enzyme and/or microorganism and then finely grinding the fermented material; or (2) finely grinding said coarsely ground fish bodies, fermenting the same with an enzyme and/or a microorganism, and then inactivating said enzyme and/or microorganism; or (3) finely grinding said coarsely ground fish bodies while fermenting the same with an enzyme and/or a microorganism and then inactivating said enzyme and/or microorganism is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignees: Asahi Denka Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Yasuzo Uchida
    Inventors: Yasuzo Uchida, Hitoshi Nagasaki, Goro Yamamoto, Keiji Koyama
  • Patent number: 4963377
    Abstract: A device for removing a portion of a roll, comprising an elongated hollow shaft having a handle at one end thereof. The other end is formed into two separated jaws, with one jaw extending beyond the other jaw. The edges of the jaws are sharpened and serrated. The device is inserted in an elongated roll, wiggled with the roll, and a portion of the soft interior of the roll is then removed. Sandwich filling, such as hot meat balls, luncheon meats, cheese, vegetables, or any mixture of the same, is then inserted into the roll, and tamped in place. The invention also contemplates the method of removing a portion of the roll and filling the roll to from a sandwich.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Inventor: Paul Rimmeir
  • Patent number: 4963386
    Abstract: Novel fat mimetic compounds are disclosed to be useful in reduced calorie foods. These compounds, which are here referred to as complex linked esters, consist of linked multi-ester or multi-ester/ether fragments joined by a polycarboxylate. These complex linked esters may be partially broken down in the body to produce digestion residues which are substantially non-digestible themselves and are sufficiently hydrophilic to enable the digestion residues to be incorporated in the normal stool. These fat mimetic compounds are useful as replacement for fats and oils for most food applications. Also disclosed are processes of synthesizing these compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Nabisco Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence P. Klemann, John W. Finley
  • Patent number: 4961950
    Abstract: A butter-like composition is produced which has a taste, texture and mouth feel which at least approximates that of butter and comprising a concentrated mixture of (a) at least one water-in-oil emulsion of a liquid dairy product, (b) at least one oil-in-water emulsion of a liquid dairy product, and (c) at least one water-in-oil emulsion of a vegetable fat. The ratio of (a) to (b) is at least about 6:4 but less than 9:1, the ratio of (a) and (b) to (c) is at least 1:3, and the total fat content of the composition is at least about 30%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Dairy Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Salah H. Ahmed, Anthony J. Luksas
  • Patent number: 4961951
    Abstract: Shortening compositions containing one or more dairy components are provided in a form in which they are pourable even though they may contain substantial amounts of a butter component such as whole, real butter. The shortening compositions have a eutectic characteristic wherein the solids content of the shortening composition is lower than the combined respective solids contents of the individual ingredients thereof, including a shortening base component such as an edible oil, the butter component and, when desired, a flake component. These shortening compositions exhibit a taste profile that is exceptionally close to that of real, whole butter, particularly when compared with products that do not include any real dairy components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Bunge Foods Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas G. Crosby
  • Patent number: 4961939
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions containing fish oil which are stabilized by enzyme systems which prevents or retards against the deleterious formation of malodorous alcohols and aldehydes thereby eliminating the undesired odor and off-flavor associated with the formation of these organic products. The enzyme system contemplated by the present invention include compositions of (a) aldehyde dehydrogenase plus alcohol dehydrogenase plus nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD); (b) aldehyde oxidase plus alcohol oxidase plus catalase; and (c) xanthine oxidase plus alcohol oxidase plus catalase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Nabisco Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Antrim, James B. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4961945
    Abstract: A food preservative composition comprising alum and citric acid and a method for using same. The composition retards deterioration of fruits, vegetables and meats, without substantially changing the flavor, appearance, odor or texture of the food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Inventor: Pearson: Bill C.
  • Patent number: 4960606
    Abstract: Shortening compositions containing one or more dairy components are provided in a form in which they are shelf-stable to the extent that they can be stored at room temperatures for extended periods of time. These compositions can be formulated so as to be pourable, and they contain up to about 20 weight percent or more of a butter component such as whole, real butter, together with relatively low levels of water and supersaturated levels of salt or the like. The shortening compositions exhibit a taste profile that is exceptionally close to that of real, whole butter, particularly when compared with products that do not include any real dairy components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Bunge Foods Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas G. Crosby