Patents Examined by R. B. Penland
  • Method of limiting consumption of animal feeds and a self limiting feed product
    Patent number: 5030471
    Abstract: A method of controlling consumption of animal feed is disclosed which is capable of limiting consumption to a desired level per animal without the use of special equipment or additional labor for this purpose. The feed composition includes a basal supplement containing an effective amount of sodium hydroxide to control consumption of the feed composition to the desired level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Inventors: David C. Weakley, Kent J. Lanter, Danny L. Williams
  • Method for preventing diet-induced carnitine deficiency in domesticated dogs and cats
    Patent number: 5030458
    Abstract: A method is described for preventing diet-induced Carnitine deficiency in domesticated dogs and cats. A daily prophylactic amount of gamma-butyrobetaine is administered to the pet either as a dietary supplement in an amount of 1.0 to 5.0 grams of gamma-butyrobetaine per day, or gamma-butyrobetaine is provided as an additional ingredient to a commercial pet food in an amount of 1.0 to 5.0 grams of gamma-butyrobetaine per kilogram pet food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Inventors: Austin L. Shug, Bruce W. Keene
  • Method of raising meat producing animals to increase lean tissue development
    Patent number: 5028440
    Abstract: A method is provided for raising meat producing domestic animals to increase lean tissue development. .beta.-hydroxcy-.beta.-methylbutyric acid or an edible salt thereof (HMB) is administered to the animals in an effective amount for a sufficient length of time to obtain a substantial increase in lean tissue weight. Feed compositions for use in practicing the method are also provided. The method and feed compositions are particularly adapted for use with ruminants, including beef cattle and lambs, since HMB is not subject to appreciable rumen destruction. The method can also be practiced with other domestic animals, including chickens, and turkeys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven L. Nissen
  • Chemically treating forage
    Patent number: 5026571
    Abstract: The effect of different chemical treatments applied to barley straws, timothy and alfalfa hays were determined. Treatments consisted of four concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (3%, 5%, 7% and 9%) in combination with 4% ethanolamine with or without the addition of sodium hydroxide, which was added to increase the pH. The ability of each treatment to improve the nutritive value of the forage and their effect on rumen function was ascertained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Her Majesty The Queen in right of Canada as represented by the Minister of Agriculture
    Inventor: Leslie J. Halliday
  • Method for preparing freeze-dried rice
    Patent number: 5026570
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making freeze-dried rice comprising boiling rice in water which contains acetic acid and sodium chloride and freeze-drying the boiled rice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Futaba Shokuhin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshio Shibata
  • Jerky-style pet products
    Patent number: 5026572
    Abstract: A method of making a jerky-type product is provided which uses multiple extrusion steps. First, a blend of a wet beef product and a high protein flour are mixed and then cooked by extruding the first blend at a temperature sufficient to at least partially cook the beef in the first blend. Next, a second blend is formed which includes the extruded product of the first extrusion step and additional wet beef. The second blend is then cooked by extruding the second blend at a temperature sufficient to cook the wet beef in the second blend. Finally, the material from the second blend is processed into jerky form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: ConAgra Pet Products Company
    Inventor: Denny W. Neiberger
  • Delignification of non-woody biomass
    Patent number: 5023097
    Abstract: A non-woody biomass is delignified through extrusion technology, utilizing hydrogen peroxide and an alkali agent, to break down complex biomass materials. The process is useful in forming a highly absorbant fiber material for use as a dietary fiber or an absorbant fiber. Alternatively, the process is useful for preparing dietary feeds for ruminant animals, as well as produce a broad range of alcohols or polymers from the non-woody lignocellulosic substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Xylan, Inc.
    Inventor: George J. Tyson
  • High integrity natural nitrogenous granules for agriculture
    Patent number: 5021247
    Abstract: A method of preparing high integrity natural nitrogenous granules for agriculture by heating natural nitrogenous materials under alkaline conditions until the materials develop adhesive properties, forming the materials into granules by mechanical means, and heating the natural nitrogenous granules until they harden; and the compositions formed by this method. The granules for agriculture include natural fertilizers, secondary nutrients, micronutrients, and natural animal feed protein supplements. The method also provides natural based plant food and animal feed supplement granules containing natural or synthetic additive substances which are useful in agriculture. The natural materials used in the method include poultry waste, poultry feather meal, hair meal, seafood meal, blood meal, bone meal, soybean meal, food waste, and grain by-products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Harmony Products, Inc.
    Inventor: William P. Moore
  • Multicolor confection extrusion system
    Patent number: 5019404
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing a multi-colored aerated confection product utilizing individually adjustable multi-orifice extrusion systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Kraft General Foods, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Meisner
  • Nutritional drink compositions
    Patent number: 5017389
    Abstract: A nutritional drink composition formulated for dogs and other animals includes various compounds including water, dextrose, glycine, electrolytes (including sodium potassium and chlorine), sodium carbonate and other vitamin and mineral supplements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Inventor: Scott T. Green
  • Apparatus for sub-dividing hay bales
    Patent number: 5017399
    Abstract: A method for cutting a generally oblong, compressed bale of hay or forage into a plurality of elongated sub-sections, is disclosed. The method comprises moving compressed bales continuously through a sawing section having a first and second series of saws arranged transversely for progressively cutting the bale at a series of vertical and horizontal planes to form the hay sub-sections. The cut sub-sections are caused to fall on a conveyor belt which dispenses them from the end of an outlet chute. The sawing of the bale minimizes leaf and fibre damage, and the cut subsections of hay readily break apart to make them easily consumable by livestock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Inventors: Donald Montano, Ernest Montano
  • Process for obtaining improved yields from plants used for hay making by using a coating agent
    Patent number: 5013566
    Abstract: Alfalfa, grass and other hay crops are sprayed with a coating agent such as a terpene to prevent leaf-shedding during drying or harvesting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Inventor: Michael J. Sampson
  • Fudge sauce and frozen confection
    Patent number: 5011704
    Abstract: A fudge sauce which is flowable at freezer temperatures and a ready-to-eat dessert including it are provided. The fudge sauce comprises water, a mixture of saccharides to control the freezing point with balanced sweetness, a starch effective to build viscosity at freezer temperatures, a fat component to provide a desirable mouthfeel and a hydrophilic colloid to stabilize the viscosity. Desirably, the fudge sauce exhibits a relatively stable viscosity within the range of normal serving temperatures. In one embodiment, the sauce is combined as a center filling in an ice cream bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Kraft General Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Smagula, Michael R. Tancredi
  • Method of pelleting dry pellets from a mixture containing thermo-hardened ingredients, particularly for use as fish feed, and the machine for carrying out the process
    Patent number: 5009908
    Abstract: Method and machine for pelleting dry pellets from the mass (11) containing thermo-hardening substances, particularly for use as fish feed, where the mass is first compressed and then heated to a thermo-hardening temperature and finally cooled. The bi-products from heating, such as fat, other liquids or gas, are drained off in or near the heating zone (6) and are brought in contact with and thereby returned to the thermo-hardened mass after this has been cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: Akva A/S
    Inventors: Ole Molaug, Steinar Risa
  • Whey permeate-derived sweetener
    Patent number: 5009899
    Abstract: The present invention includes a whey permeate-derived dry sweetener made from a condensed whey permeate and a method of feeding animals the dry whey permeate sweetener. The condensed whey permeate is at least partially caramelized and has a protein level of less than approximately 8% and a lactose level of at least approximately 79% on a dry matter basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: Land O'Lakes, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill L. Miller, H. Bruce Perry, Robert DeGregorio
  • Lipid pelletization methods, apparatus and products
    Patent number: 5006361
    Abstract: Solid lipid pellets containing 65% to 95%, or higher, lipid concentration suitable for use in or as animal food supplements and/or feed rations wherein: a mixture containing at least water and an edible algin-like coagulant is formed in a mixing chamber (11,12); a liquified lipid is added to form a gel-like algin/water/lipid emulsion; and, the emulsion is deposited in discrete quantities (30) into a metal ion bath (29) causing the emulsion to "set" in a lipid pellet integral and solid throughout its entire structure. The lipid pellets may be packaged for delivery to points of consumption and/or admixed with other feed materials to form nutritive animal feed rations. Small amounts of ammonia and/or bentonite may be added to the aqueous mixture to increase the lipid adsorptive capacity thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Inventor: James P. Cox
  • Packaging of roughage material
    Patent number: 5006357
    Abstract: A process is described for drying and packaging moisture-sensitive materials such as roughages and other feedstuffs for animals. The process involves producing particles, drying the particles, cooling the particles, and then compressing them into a container or package. The package can be sealed to keep out moisture. Preservatives, molasses, or other additives may be included with the particles before packaging. The types of feedstuff or other material which is processed and packed may vary. Blends of particles can also be packaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Inventor: Carlton R. Bert
  • Semi-moist pet food having free gravy and process for preparation thereof
    Patent number: 5004624
    Abstract: A shelf-stable, semi-moist pet food, wherein partly farinaceous solid pieces are covered by or immersed in an aqueous free gravy. The solid pieces are prepared to be resistant to significant swelling or disintegration when in contact with an aqueous liquid, preferably by incorporating binding means such as vital wheat gluten. A preferred aqueous gravy has a pH of less than about 4.7 and a sufficiently low water activity so that the gravy itself is also shelf stable. The mixture of gravy and solid pieces has a water activity of less than about 0.9 and a pH of less than about 4.7 to resist microbiological growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Star-kist Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis L. Koschak, Felicisimo S. Sarno
  • Aqueous foaming composition and method for homogenizingly incorporating water into lipophilic materials
    Patent number: 5004623
    Abstract: A lipophilic mass is liquefied or ground to a powder and there is incorporated therein by blending a foam of fine air or gas bubbles in water, then it is allowed to cool and degas. The foam is stabilized by the addition of a foamer, for instance an amphipatic surfactant, and may contain viscosity enhancers and thickeners. The method is applied to the hydration of chocolate in order to improve its storage stability and heat resistance; the foamer can be a whipped solution of egg-white or of esters of fatty acids with polyols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Claude Giddey, Georges Dove
  • Microbial product and process for producing same from vegetable brine
    Patent number: 5002778
    Abstract: A process for producing silage from fermentable forage chop is provided. The process consists of first preparing a microbial product by incubating fermentable vegetable matter in a brine and isolating the microbial product from the brine. The forage chop is then inoculated with the microbial product at a rate of from 10.sup.2 -10.sup.7 colony-forming units/g forage chop. The microbial product is characterized, and an improved pickling tank producing the microbial product is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Curtice-Burns, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Grant