Patents Examined by Marianne Cintins
  • Patent number: 5039541
    Abstract: A process for removing sterols and specifically cholesterol from fats or oils such as anhydrous milk fat by passing liquid fat or oil over an absorbent or adsorbent material, where the ratio of fat or oil to absorbent or adsorbent is from preferably about 0.8:1 to 0.3:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: New Zealand Dairy Research Institute
    Inventor: Alan R. Keen
  • Patent number: 5039542
    Abstract: A method for stretching dough comprising two pairs of rollers and means for imparting vibrations to the dough positioned between the pairs of rollers is provided. In this method, vibrations are imparted to dough, which causes the thixotropic effect in the dough. Such dough can be readily stretched by being subjected to a tensile stress caused by the difference in the peripheral speed of the pairs of rollers. Therefore, dough can be stretched without subjecting it to high pressure during the stretching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Rheon Automatic Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Torahiko Havashi
  • Patent number: 5037661
    Abstract: The invention herein is a method of reducing cholesterol in egg yolks by extracting cholesterol with substantially low moisture alcohol extractant and then hydrolyzing with selected proteolytic enzymes, such that the resulting product is useful in producing emulsified products like mayonnaise, salad dressings, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Kraft General Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Zohar M. Merchant, Anilkumar G. Gaonkar, R. G. Krishnamurthy
  • Patent number: 5037660
    Abstract: The invention comprises a method for structuring of fermented milk products, wherein a starting milk having a fat content of at least 1 to 40% by weight, after standardization of the fat and dry solids content, is pasteurized and homogenized and fermented in the absence of binders or slime formation, wherein a coagulum of the fermented and not yet cooled product, which depending on the fat content may or may not contain added fat-free dry milk solids, is subjected to a controllable shearing force or energy dissipation, as a result of which slightly viscous characteristics result (which, after a period of standing, change to highly viscous characteristics), and to cooling to 10.degree. C. or less with subsequent filling of containers with the product so formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Melkunie Holland B.V.
    Inventors: Francisus M. Driessen, Petrus B. G. Kluts, Jacob Knip
  • Patent number: 5037662
    Abstract: The present invention discloses that the water permeability across the surface membrane of harvested fruits and vegetables can be substantially increased by treating such surfaces with a degradation enzyme. The resulting products are not only more easily dehydrated but can be used to incorporate desirable substances into the interior of the treated fruit or vegetable, such as sweeteners, stabilizers, preservatives, flavor enhancers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Genencor International Inc.
    Inventors: Ayrookaran J. Poulose, Matthew Boston
  • Patent number: 5037659
    Abstract: In accordance with the method of the present invention for manufacture of low-fat cheese from skim milk, the fat level of milk is adjusted to less than about 1 percent to provide the low fat milk utilized in the method. The low fat milk is subjected to membrane treatment to provide a retentate. A lactic acid-producing culture and a coagulating enzyme are added to the retentate. The coagulating enzyme is added in a coagulating amount. The retentate is then fermented while subjecting the retentate to movement sufficient to prevent formation of a coagulum and to form curd particles having a size in the range of from about 3 to about 22 microns. After fermentation, the retentate is evaporated under turbulent conditions to provide a low-fat cheese having at least of about 50 percent solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Kraft General Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. Trecker, Susan P. Monckton, Brent K. Pope
  • Patent number: 5034232
    Abstract: A flavored imitation meat protein material having a fibrous structure is produced by cooking an aqueous mixture of a protein raw material, a flavor material and optionally egg white with a twin-screw extruder and extruding through a die with the expansion of the extruded material. A fried product obtained from the flavored imitation meat protein material is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Fuji Oil Company, Limited
    Inventors: Isamu Sugitani, Yoichi Kawasaki, Tatsuo Ueda, Nobuhiro Ohtsubo, Yoshiaki Ueki
  • Patent number: 5034235
    Abstract: Methods for food product preservation by inactivation of microorganisms and/or enzymes by applying pulses of very intense, very short duration pulses of light in the visible and near visible frequencies to the surface of food products to be preserved. Also disclosed are packaging methods and apparatus utilizing such intense, short pulses of polychromatic, incoherent light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Maxwell Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Dunn, R. Wayne Clark, John F. Asmus, Jay S. Pearlman, Keith Boyer, Francois Painchaud, Gunter A. Hofmann
  • Patent number: 5030466
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing bread of a good quality from frozen dough. In this method dough is stretched while being subjected to vibrations so that the dough can be stretched without imparting pressure exceeding the yield point of its elasticity. Thus during the stretching step the gluten network of the dough is unharmed. Further, the dough is rested at least five minutes within a temperature range of 0.degree. C. to 16.degree. C., before it is stretched. Such a dough rested at such a cool condition can be readily stretched, and the stability of the stretched dough is improved over the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Rheon Automatic Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Kageyama, Mikio Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5030470
    Abstract: A process of converting unfrozen blocks of a mozzarella cheese into a comminuted form suitable for shipment or storage is disclosed. The process involves dicing or shredding the unfrozen cheese blocks; placing the particles of cheese in a fluidized bed freezer to completely freeze each particle rapidly (e.g., within 7 minutes), and keeping the cheese in the fluidized bed until it is completely frozen and its temperature has dropped to below 0.degree. F.; removing the particulate, frozen cheese from the fluidized bed soon enought to avoid moisture loss (e.g., within 10 minutes); optionally spraying the cheese with an aqueous solution or dispersion of a cheese additive (e,g., sodium citrate); and the packaging the cheese while it is still frozen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Leprino Foods Company
    Inventors: Lester O. Kielsmeier, Richard L. Barz, Wesley J. Allen
  • Patent number: 5028447
    Abstract: Oil and water emulsions which contain a phospholipoprotein material whcih has been modified by phospholipase A, and at least one native starch based thickening agent, are prepared by subsequently gelatinizing the thickening agent, incorporating the modified phospholipoprotein containing material into the gelatinized thickening agent, then incorporating the oil (which may at least partially be replaced by a low-calorie fat substitute) and finally homogenizing the mixture obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: Van den Bergh Foods Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Bert Schenk
  • Patent number: 5028436
    Abstract: In a process for separating the dissolved and undissolved constituents of milk, a microporous membrane with a pore size in the range of 0.1 to 2 .mu.m is pretreated with an aqueous solution, dispersion or emulsion of lipids or peptides and the milk is separated on the pretreated membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Inventor: Kailash K. Gauri
  • Patent number: 5028441
    Abstract: An edible material is produced from grassy materials such as corncob, the husks of rice, barley or buck-wheat etc. by cultivating a fungus of edible mushrooms in a medium containing the grassy material to have the medium digested and removing the specific odor therefrom by heating or fermenting the digested medium. The edible material is nutritious, has good odor and can be served as feed to animals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Inventor: Hisakazu Ikeda
  • Patent number: 5026566
    Abstract: A method of drying a water-containing foodstuff or beverage at a temperature above ambient, is characterized by incorporating trehalose into the foodstuff or beverage which is to be dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Quadrant Bioresources, Limited
    Inventor: Bruce J. Roser
  • Patent number: 5024845
    Abstract: A mutant strain of Schizosaccharomyces #442 (ATCC46954) requiring both glucose and L-malic acid for growth has been produced which is capable of completely utilizing L-malic acid without substantial depletion of glucose. The mutant strain is known as Schizosaccharomyces malidevorans Rodriguez-Thornton #11 (ATCC20771). The yeast is capable of being used to remove L-malic acid from mediums including both L-malic acid and glucose thus making it possible to remove L-malic acid from juices without affecting sweetness, or from grape juices during wine-making conditions without affecting the quantities of glucose available for alcohol fermentation.The invention extends to juice products and wine made using such mutant strains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: Massey University
    Inventors: Roy J. Thornton, Susan B. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 5024848
    Abstract: A process whereby sweetened condensed milk (SCM) is used as a starting material. The SCM is pumped to a stainless steel refrigerated holding tank where it is diluted to 50.degree.-65.degree. brix (solids) with water. The product is then pumped into a continuous vacuum dryer, through a deaerator to control foaming and then into a feed pan. A stainless steel feed roll rotates in the feed pan and picks up SCM product which then deposits a uniform layer of the SCM on a continuous stainless steel belt. The clearance between the feed roll and the stainless steel belt is 0.015 to 0.025 inches. The SCM product then goes through three heat zones at which vapor is driven off. Heat zone 1 preconcentrates and degasses the SCM. This increases the area and volume of product so that is can withstand rapid evaporation occurring in heat zone 2. Heat zone 2 includes a hot drum at which a major portion of the drying occurs. Heat zone 3 adds additional heat to collapse puff and control final moisture content of the SCM crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: Crystals International
    Inventor: Cindy E. Little
  • Patent number: 5023100
    Abstract: An edible fish oil is disclosed which contains EPA and DHA. This oil, with significantly reduced undesirable impurities, is obtained by subjecting fish oil to vacuum steam distillation contacting the oil with an adsorbent and recovering the oil. The oil can be combined with a vegetable oil and/or Rosemary extract antioxidant to improve its oxidative stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Kabi Vitrum AB
    Inventors: Stephen S. Chang, Yongde Bao, Timothy J. Pelura
  • Patent number: 5021255
    Abstract: A cheese croquette product which is composed of mix of a first and second main mixture. In one example, the first main mixture is composed of two component mixtures, a first heated component mixture of 4 pounds of vegetable oil, 1/2 pound salt and 1/4 ounce yellow dye heated in 8 liters of water. This first hot component mixture is then mixed with a second component mixture composed of 20 pounds of flour, 1 and 1/2 pounds Romano cheese and 2 ounces of mono sodium glutamate. The first main mixture may be stored and later mixed when desired with a second main mixture. The second main mixture is composed of about 42 pounds cream cheese, 2 pounds non-fat milk, and 4 pounds Romano cheese. The product of the two main mixtures is then cut and shaped into croquette sized portions which may then be breaded in a conventional manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Inventor: Rene Castillo
  • Patent number: 5019410
    Abstract: A yeast package is provided which can be used during the second fermentation in a bottle for the production of sparkling wines starting from basic wine containing sugar. A drastic reduction in time and in labor is possible due to easy separation of yeast and beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Gist-Brocades NV
    Inventors: Teresa H. Pors, Johannes B. Van Der Plaat
  • Patent number: 5019408
    Abstract: Methods of ultrapasteurizing liquid whole egg products in continuous flow, high temperature, short time pasteurization equipment are provided. The equivalent point method is preferably used to evaluate the total thermal treatment received by the product in this equipment. Also disclosed is a method of making liquid whole egg products having preselected, extended, refrigerated shelf lives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Swartzel, Hershell R. Ball, Jr., Mohammad-Hossein Hamid-Samimi