Comminuted Patents (Class 426/646)
  • Publication number: 20090117235
    Abstract: A healthier meat product, and process for making same, comprising a mixture of meat and at least one edible oil high in polyunsaturated fat and/or monounsaturated fat, the oil preferably being naturally occurring and unhydrogenated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: Vincent Staudenmyer
  • Patent number: 7521077
    Abstract: The invention relates to a portioning apparatus and a method. The apparatus includes a hopper and augers to push flowable material to a rotor. Retractable vanes on the rotor push the flowable material toward a fill slot as the rotor rotates. Below the fill slot, there is a mold plate with front and back mold cavities. In a front fill position, the mold plate is positioned so the front mold cavities are filled with flowable material from the fill slot while flowable material in the back mold cavities are pushed out by back knockouts. In a back fill position, the flowable material in the front mold cavities are pushed out by front knockouts while the back mold cavities are filled with flowable material from the fill slot. The mold plate reciprocatively oscillates between the front fill position and the back fill position for high output of portioned material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Inventor: James Douglas Azzar
  • Patent number: 7476410
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stable meat product and method of making such a product by mixing a raw communicated meat with a salt mix and a carotenoid stabilizing composition to form a complex that after thermal processing allows the meat product to retain its interior and exterior color, flavor, and/or texture during storage in a food composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: Prem S. Singh, Deijing Fu, James Costelloe, Thomas Henry
  • Patent number: 7476409
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a color stable meat product for storage in an egg product and the method of making such products by adding a color agent to a raw meat or by adding a color coating to a processed and/or cooked meat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: Prem S. Singh, Deijing Fu, James Costelloe, Thomas Henry
  • Patent number: 7476407
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a food product containing a liquid egg product and a stable meat product that retains its color, flavor, and/or texture while being stored for an extended period of time in the characteristic altering environment of the liquid egg product and a method of making such a product. A meat composition is mixed with a salt mix and a carotenoid stabilizing composition to form a complex that after thermal processing allows the meat product to retain its interior and exterior color, flavor, and/or texture during storage in a liquid egg product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: Prem S. Singh, Deijing Fu, James Costelloe, Thomas Henry
  • Publication number: 20080286437
    Abstract: A sausage product and a method for producing the sausage product, wherein the sausage product includes one or more of raw sausages, scalded sausages and cooked sausages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2006
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Peter Eisner, Klaus Muller, Christian Zacherl, Josef Pointner
  • Publication number: 20080268112
    Abstract: The invention provides ground meat and meat analog compositions having reduced fat and cholesterol. The ground meat compositions comprise a structured plant protein product and optionally meat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: SOLAE, LLC
    Inventors: Terry Rolan, Izumi Mueller, Thomas J. Mertle, Kristen J. Swenson, Colleen Conley, Mac W. Orcutt, Lamont E. Mease
  • Publication number: 20080248167
    Abstract: The present invention provides processed meat compositions comprising structured protein products having substantially aligned protein fibers and reprocessed meat products. The processed meat products of the invention have improved nutritional profiles and favorable textural characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: SOLAE, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew K. McMindes, Valdomiro Valle
  • Publication number: 20080199594
    Abstract: A method for enhancing a food product is provided. The enhanced food product is a bratwurst sausage product and the method comprises the steps of cooking the bratwurst sausage product, soaking the cooked bratwurst sausage product in a liquid bath, bringing the liquid of the liquid bath and the bratwurst sausage product contained in the liquid bath to a non-boiling simmer, cooling the liquid of the liquid bath and the bratwurst sausage product contained in the liquid bath, removing the bratwurst sausage product from the liquid bath, and alternatively re-heating the bratwurst sausage product for immediate consumption or freezing the bratwurst sausage product for later consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Paul EISENHAUER
  • Publication number: 20080182002
    Abstract: Novel processes for the production of soy protein isolates having reduced off-flavors from conventional hydrolyzed soy protein isolates are disclosed. One embodiment includes an extraction and separation process for removing bitter components to achieve soy protein isolates with reduced bitter flavor. The produced soy protein isolates are suitable for use in a number of food products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: Solae, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel U. Staerk, Parthasarathi Ghosh
  • Publication number: 20080124441
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pipe-burger includes the steps of: (a) mixing a predetermined amount of texture-rich meat with flavoring ingredients to form a burger meat; (b) extruding the burger meat into a tubular pipe mold to form an elongated pipe-burger meat in a skinless manner; (c) cooking the elongated pip-burger meat to form a cooked pipe-burger meat with coarse fiber; (d) providing a burger bun having an elongated burger cavity which is corresponding to the cooked pipe-burger meat; and (e) disposing the cooked pipe-burger meat into the burger cavity of the burger bread to form a burger product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: Shlomy Weingarten
  • Patent number: 7378119
    Abstract: The present invention is an enhanced fresh meat composition and method of making the same. The fresh processed meat composition is made from post-rigor meat and includes a bicarbonate additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott J. Eilert, Curtis A. Cundith, Max England
  • Publication number: 20080069860
    Abstract: The present invention is generally related to the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in domestic animals. It is specifically directed to compositions containing phosphate binders that are palatable to domestic animals and methods using such compositions. In a composition aspect, the present invention provides a composition that includes: a rare earth compound (e.g., lanthanum oxycarbonate or lanthanum carbonate hydroxide), calcium salts (e.g, calcium carbonate or calcium acetate), aluminum salts (e.g., aluminum hydroxide or a hydrophilic exchange resin; and an ingredient of domestic animal food, wherein the ingredient is selected from a group consisting of chicken, beef, lamb, chicken meal or lamb meal, corn, rice, bone meal, fish meal, fish, egg product, beef, beef meal, corn gluten meal, poultry by-product meal, wheat flour, beef tallow, maple syrup, honey, apple, flaxseed, flaxseed meal, rice bran and germ, oats, barley, and wheat bran.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Allison Wren, Roy Graham, Randy McElreath, Michael Molnar
  • Patent number: 7306820
    Abstract: Disclosure is made of a method for thawing frozen ground fish meats which comprises almost uniformly milling a frozen ground fish meat mass and then thawing it by elevating temperature. Disclosure is further made of a process for producing materials for fish paste products which involves the step of mixing under stirring the ground fish meat thus thawed together with additives with the use of a pin mixer. Disclosure is furthermore made of a process for producing kamaboko which comprises molding the material for fish paste products thus obtained, passing electric current therethrough, thus heating the molded products due to the electrical resistance within the same, subjecting the products to suwari gelation by heating for a definite time and then further heating the same. The method of the present invention is widely usable in the industrial fields with the use of frozen ground fish meats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kibun Shokuhin
    Inventors: Masahito Hoashi, Hisashi Nozaki, Kikuo Tashima, Yuji Sakayori
  • Publication number: 20070269582
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for making a pastrami sausage comprising providing a meatcut for use in making pastrami, during the meat cut in a salt spice mixture comprising salt, pepper and one or more of cloves, sugar, garlic, bay leaves, onion, paprika, mayoram, mace, mustard seeds, juniper berries, coriander, and ginger for about one to three weeks, smoking the meat over low heat for from about four to about six hours to import a smoked flavor to the meat, grinding the cured and smoked meat to produce a ground meat product; and filling a sausage casing with the ground meat product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventor: Philip R. Carter
  • Patent number: 7282235
    Abstract: A flexible, strip-shaped food product is made by comminuting substantially frozen meat and heating the comminuted meat to at least partially denature the meat proteins and cooling the cooked meat. About 4% by weight to about 45% by weight of wheat flour is admixed with the cooked meat, along with other ingredients, to form a dough. Use of the wheat flour unexpectedly increases tensile strength of the dough and products baked from the dough, and maintains flexibility of the strip-shaped food products over an extended period of time. Cooking of the meat in the presence of salt unexpectedly increases water activity of the pieces, resulting in a product that has a skin and a moist middle, while maintaining tensile strength. The dough is rotary-molded into strip-shaped pieces. The rotary mold may have angled die cups. The strip-shaped dough pieces are then baked and dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Del Monte Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Lombard, Kenchu Tham, Haitao Ni, Paul Ziemba, Harry Levine
  • Publication number: 20070207258
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a food product containing a liquid egg product and a stable meat product that retains its color, flavor, and/or texture while being stored for an extended period of time in the characteristic altering environment of the liquid egg product and a method of making such a product. A meat composition is mixed with a salt mix and a carotenoid stabilizing composition to form a complex that after thermal processing allows the meat product to retain its interior and exterior color, flavor, and/or texture during storage in a liquid egg product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Prem S. Singh, Deijing Fu, James Costelloe, Thomas Henry
  • Publication number: 20070207255
    Abstract: Disclosed are plant protein compositions prepared from a non-hexane, non-alcohol treated plant material having a Protein Dispersibility Index of at least 65%. Also disclosed are plant protein compositions prepared from a high pressure liquid extracted plant material having a Protein Dispersibility Index of at least 65%. The plant protein compositions comprise at least 65% dry weight protein or a protein to fat ratio of at least 6 to 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: SPECIALTY PROTEIN PRODUCERS, INC.
    Inventor: Donald L. Crank
  • Publication number: 20070207251
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a color stable meat product for storage in an egg product and the method of making such products by adding a color agent to a raw meat or by adding a color coating to a processed and/or cooked meat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Prem S. Singh, Deijing Fu, James Costelloe, Thomas Henry
  • Publication number: 20070207257
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stable meat product and method of making such a product by mixing a raw communicated meat with a salt mix and a carotenoid stabilizing composition to form a complex that after thermal processing allows the meat product to retain its interior and exterior color, flavor, and/or texture during storage in a food composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Prem S. Singh, Deijing Fu, James Costelloe, Thomas Henry
  • Publication number: 20070172576
    Abstract: Improved restructured meat products are provided which exhibit enhanced texture, tenderness, juiciness, and flavor. The meat products are formed by mixing together brine-treated, essentially gristle free raw meat strips (e.g., beef, poultry, pork or mixtures thereof) in the form of strips and ground beef containing naturally-occurring fat, followed by forming the mixture into steak-like bodies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Antonio Mata
  • Patent number: 7214398
    Abstract: A pH increasing material is placed in contact with the surface of an initial comminuted meat product. This contact with the pH increasing material increases the pH of the initial meat product to produce an intermediate meat product. The method also includes the step of removing the pH increasing material and applying mechanical action to the intermediate, pH increased meat product. The method may also include placing a pH lowering gas at a neutralizing pressure in contact with the surface of the intermediate meat product to decrease the pH of the meat product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Freezing Machines, Inc.
    Inventor: Eldon Roth
  • Patent number: 7201932
    Abstract: A meat product or a processed meat product coated with a film of curdlan gel is prepared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignees: Organo Corporation, Takeda-Kirin Foods Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Toyoda, Masahiro Kimura
  • Patent number: 7163707
    Abstract: A process for cooking a food in oil and/or fat is provided. A dry protein mixture, a dry alkaline protein mixture, an aqueous alkaline protein mixture or an aqueous acidic protein is added to a food prior to cooking. The dry protein mixture, dry alkaline protein mixture, aqueous alkaline protein mixture and aqueous acidic protein solution comprise myofibrillar proteins and sarcoplasmic proteins substantially free of myofibrils and sarcomeres. The amount of oil and/or fat absorbed by the food during cooking is substantially reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Proteus Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Kelleher, Peter G. Williamson
  • Patent number: 7160567
    Abstract: A peptide composition derived from a protein composition when added to uncooked food effects moisture retention during cooking of the food. The peptide composition is derived from a dry protein mixture or an aqueous acidic protein solution which, in turn, is derived from animal muscle tissue. The peptide composition is added to uncooked poultry, meat or fish prior to cooking. The dry protein mixture and aqueous acidic protein solution comprise myofibrillar proteins and sarcoplasmic proteins substantially free of myofibrils and sarcomeres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Proteus Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Kelleher, Peter G. Williamson
  • Patent number: 7114671
    Abstract: A device for separating the hard components for a grinder used in the field of the food industry, and more particularly of the mincing of meat, downstream of one or several cutting assemblies, includes a grid for stopping hard components which is associated with a separating cutter of for draining hard components towards the center, in order to cause them to pass into a collecting tube which is screwed into a supporting grid or spider according to an adjustable depth. The collecting tube includes, an axial recess capable of receiving the end of a driving shaft of the cutters of the grinder, so that the latter can be held transversely and rotate in it and, peripherally with respect to the axial recess, at least one channel allowing the transit of hard components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: ETS David Guy
    Inventor: Guy David
  • Patent number: 7108882
    Abstract: A method for surface treating animal tissue is provided by the invention. The method includes the steps of providing animal tissue having an average size of between about 0.5 inch and about 16 inches in length, introducing the animal tissue into a bath provided at a temperature of between about 80° C. and about 150° C. for between about 25 seconds and about 150 seconds, and recovering the animal tissue from the water bath. A pasteurization unit is provided for continuous processing of animal tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Excel Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Schaefer, Jerome D. Leising, M. James Riemann
  • Patent number: 7090881
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method comprising the following steps: chopping up more or less noble meat, in a chopper; at the output of the chopper conveying the minced meat into a meat pump, continuously presented in the form of a tube or a continuous flattened strip; unwinding a film capable of forming a scaling sheath around the continuous tube or strip of minced meat; passing the sheathed minced meat tube or strip in a rolling device for spreading the minced meat into a strip configuration in a thin layer, in a compacting and texturing configuration not revealing the meat parts themselves; continuously unwinding in a dehydrating solution bath; curing the drawn minced meat strip at the output of the bath removing the sheath-forming film; and conveying the thin rolled minced meat strip to a cutting and packaging station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Adiv Development
    Inventors: Jean Sirami, Pascal Lhoutellier
  • Patent number: 7074442
    Abstract: A consumable ground poultry product is obtained from spent laying hens using a mechanical deboning machine equipped with a filter and temperature and pressure controls. The leghorn is produced to have an appearance and texture similar to ground beef.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Crider Poultry, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Crider, III, Phil Hudspeth, May Winston
  • Patent number: 7045162
    Abstract: An enclosure treatment method includes introducing a pH increasing material into an enclosure adapted to contain meat products. Introducing the pH increasing material creates a desired pH increasing gas content in the atmosphere within the enclosure. The method also includes the step of maintaining the pH increasing gas content in the enclosure atmosphere while meat products are contained in the enclosure. The pH increasing gas in the enclosure atmosphere is absorbed into water in the enclosure to increase the pH of the water. The water affected in the present treatment process may be moisture collecting on various surfaces within the enclosure, or may be moisture within the meat products being stored in the enclosure. In any event, the increased pH is inhospitable to most microbes and reduces or suppresses microbe activity in the water either by retarding propagation or killing microbes outright.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Freezing Machines, Inc.
    Inventor: Eldon Roth
  • Patent number: 7037544
    Abstract: A manipulating apparatus (10) receives a plurality of previously frozen pieces of pH modified foodstuffs or workpieces (23) and physically manipulates or stresses the workpieces while they remain in a frozen state. The physical manipulation causes relative movement between various points within the volume of the workpieces (23) and kills microbes within the foodstuff. One preferred pH modifying arrangement includes a supply of NH3 gas (11) and a pump (9) for placing the comminuted foodstuffs to be processed and the NH3 gas together under an operating pressure for a period of time sufficient to increase the pH of the foodstuffs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Freezing Machines, Inc.
    Inventor: Eldon Roth
  • Patent number: 7033636
    Abstract: A low cholesterol protein composition derived from animal muscle tissue is provided. The low cholesterol protein composition is added to meat or fish prior to cooking to retain moisture during cooking in the fish or meat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Proteus Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen D. Kelleher
  • Patent number: 7026007
    Abstract: Method of pork meat products production (cooked—sausages—salamis of comminuted meat) with direct incorporation of olive oil and maximum possible animal fat substitution, which includes the following phases: a. Mixing of lean pork meat with water, salt, polyphosphates, preservatives, vegetable proteins, milk proteins and starch; b. Addition of olive oil and mixing; c. the mixture is encased with simultaneous application of vacuum and is pasteurized; d. cooling of the product. Products based on meat with incorporation of olive oil, which are produced according to this method, have an excellent stability as far as structure is concerned (compactness) and the sensory characteristics of olive oil which these products contain remain unchangeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Creta Farm Anonimos Viomichaniki & Emporiki Etaireia
    Inventor: Emmanouil Domazakis
  • Patent number: 7001630
    Abstract: An animal protein-containing food product contains animal protein, water and an amount of an alkali silicate effective to enhance the moisture retention of the muscle food product. A method for treating an animal protein-containing food product to improve the moisture retention of the food product includes the step of contacting the muscle food product or food product ingredient with an alkali silicate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Danisco A/S
    Inventor: Fredric G. Bender
  • Patent number: 6855364
    Abstract: A meat or fish composition which retains moisture during cooking is provided. A dry protein mixture or an aqueous acidic protein solution derived from animal muscle tissue is added to the meat or fish prior to cooking. The dry protein mixture and aqueous acidic protein solution comprise myofibrillar proteins and sarcoplasmic proteins substantially free of myofibrils and sarcomeres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Proteus Industries, INC
    Inventors: Stephen D. Kelleher, Peter G. Williamson
  • Patent number: 6844018
    Abstract: An intermediate combination is formed and then mixed to produce a final mixed product. The intermediate combination includes a first meat product preferably having a first pH and a second meat product preferably having a different pH. The first meat product in the intermediate combination comprises a plurality of pieces of the first meat product at a temperature below the freezing point of the first meat product. However, the second meat product in the intermediate combination is at a temperature at or above the freezing point of the second meat product. As the intermediate combination is then mixed, the frozen pieces of first meat product become evenly distributed in the second meat product prior to thawing and commingling with the second meat product to produce a substantially homogeneous final mixed product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Freezing Machines, Inc.
    Inventor: Eldon Roth
  • Publication number: 20040265470
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the recovery of commercial slaughter waste streams for use in the manufacture of commercial pet food products, wherein; waste materials are collected following the commercial slaughter of animals selected from the group consisting of bovine mammals, ovine mammals, porcine mammals, poultry and fish; the greater part of those materials are size-reduced as necessary; then heated; whereupon the proteinaceous fraction, lipidaceous fraction and aqueous fraction are substantially separated from one another; and wherein each of the proteinaceous fraction, lipidaceous fraction and aqueous fraction are subsequently used in the production of commercial pet foods or components thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Rachel Ciantar, David P. Alexander, Ian W. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6830773
    Abstract: Processed meat products, which include high protein content modified oilseed material, are described. The modified oilseed material typically includes at least 85 wt. % protein (dry solids basis) and has a relatively high average molecular weight, e.g., at least about 40 wt. % of the material has an apparent molecular weight greater than 300,000 daltons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Cargill, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Porter, Harapanahalli S. Muralidhara, Ian Purtle, Jagannadh V. Satyavolu, William H. Sperber
  • Patent number: 6800307
    Abstract: A cooked sausage is provided comprising a mixture of a meat emulsion and a fermented milk product preferably having a pH of 4.6 or more. The fermented milk product is substantially homogeneously dispersed through the meat emulsion and the mixture has a pH of about 5.5 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Bernard Matthews PLC
    Inventors: Bernard Trevor Matthews, David John Joll, Werner Koppers, Friedrich Buse
  • Publication number: 20040170745
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for rapidly producing dry and/or semi-dry sausage products through the use of a single extrusion step that is capable of both drying and cooking the sausage product. The present invention is capable of production of non-conventionally shaped sausage products for use as food and pizza toppings, snacks and ready to eat meal pieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Kyle A. Newkirk
  • Publication number: 20040170746
    Abstract: A process for rapidly producing dry or semi-dry sausage product is provided. The process involves the steps of the mixing of ground meat along with an amount of a previously prepared dried sausage, either from the present batch being prepared or from another batch that holds similar qualities to the current batch under preparation. The present process produces dry or semi-dry sausage products in less than 5 hours and preferably less than 3 hours. In addition, the resulting sausage product may be shaped like a conventional pepperoni product as well as a number of unique shapes and configurations not typically associated with conventional sausage products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Kyle A. Newkirk, James S. Thorson, Vicky V. Hoel
  • Patent number: 6780449
    Abstract: Processes for preparing a food product and products produced by such processes comprise vacuum tumbling a food product with an aqueous flavor solution and/or with a dispersion of a lipid in an aqueous starch solution. Optionally, the processes may further comprise freezing the vacuum tumbled food product in a liquid freeze bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Azure Waves Seafood, Inc.
    Inventor: Harith A. Razaa
  • Publication number: 20040146631
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method comprising the following steps: chopping up more or less noble meat, in a chopper; at the output of the chopper conveying the minced meat into a meat pump, continuously presented in the form of a tube or a continuous flattened strip; unwinding a film capable of forming a scaling sheath around the continuous tube or strip of minced meat; passing the sheathed minced meat tube or strip in a rolling device for spreading the minced meat into a strip configuration in a thin layer, in a compacting and texturing configuration not revealing the meat parts themselves; continuously unwinding in a dehydrating solution bath; curing the drawn minced meat strip at the output of the bath removing the sheath-forming film; and conveying the thin rolled minced meat strip to a cutting and packaging station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Jean Sirami, Pascal Lhoutellier
  • Patent number: 6749884
    Abstract: The present invention provides meat products comprising fat contents less than halves of those of conventional meat products and soy protein, and, possessing plasma-cholesterol-suppressing property. Due to reduced fat contents and addition of soy protein with the plasma-cholesterol-suppressing property, the meat products of the invention can improve plasma lipids without reducing favorable texture and taste of the meat products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Nippon Meat Packers, Inc.
    Inventors: Fumiki Morimatsu, Shinichiro Katsuda, Mikako Sato, Masayo Nakagami
  • Patent number: 6733810
    Abstract: A method of producing a pH enhanced foodstuff includes increasing the pH of an initial foodstuff, preferably by placing an initial foodstuff in contact with ammonia gas or aqueous ammonia (54) and applying mechanical action to the material (56). After the pH adjustment, the method includes reducing at least the surface temperature of the pH enhanced foodstuff to below the freezing temperature of the pH enhanced foodstuff (58). The method then includes placing the frozen or partially frozen pH enhanced foodstuff in contact with carbon dioxide gas while maintaining the surface temperature of the pH enhanced foodstuff below the freezing temperature of the material (60). The carbon dioxide treatment may be performed in a mixing vessel (24) fitted with agitators (25) and suitable connections for producing a carbon dioxide gas atmosphere in the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Freezing Machines, Inc.
    Inventor: Eldon Roth
  • Patent number: 6713108
    Abstract: A pH increasing material is placed in contact with the surface of an initial comminuted meat product. This contact with the pH increasing material increases the pH of the initial meat product to produce an intermediate meat product. The method also includes the step of removing the pH increasing material and applying mechanical action to the intermediate, pH increased meat product. The method may also include placing a pH lowering gas at a neutralizing pressure in contact with the surface of the intermediate meat product to decrease the pH of the meat product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Freezing Machines, Inc.
    Inventor: Eldon Roth
  • Publication number: 20040047975
    Abstract: The subject invention relates to a method of making pepperoni flakes or pepperoni. The applications for this invention are broad and would encompass any flavoring for a meat topping or ingredient product. Generally, the subject invention includes the use of fat raw materials rather than a lean/fat blend, the use of an emulsifier to reduce fat particle size and connective tissue, and a low moisture protein ratio of the end product. In addition, this method results in a rapid speed of the process. The product mixture is ground, cooked, and conveyed to a drum drier. The speed of the drum drier is determined by the desired moisture protein ratio, which is 1.6:1 or less for pepperoni.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Gale F. Kunert, Steven C. Wobschall
  • Patent number: 6699520
    Abstract: Bacon chips, bacon patties and bacon pizza topping products are provided from meat sources which include ends and pieces of cured bacon bellies which are bound together by an uncooked meat trimmings binder which has the brine flavor of the bacon ends and pieces and which is preferably porcine. These coarsely ground meat components are shaped and placed into condition for slicing. When sliced to between about 12 and about 16 slices per inch and suitably cooked to a cooking yield of about 25 to about 30 weight percent, cooked bacon chips are provided. When sliced to about 6 to about 10 slices per inch and cooked to a suitable cook yield of between about 35 weight percent and less than about 40 weight percent, bacon patties are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Paulos, Gregory K. Choate
  • Publication number: 20040037944
    Abstract: There is provided a pet food product comprising an edible protein-rich body having reduced moisture content and a structure providing textural firmness capable of inducing thorough chewing behaviour in a pet to which it is fed and, through such behaviour, inhibiting the development of periodontal disorders in the pet animal. The food body preferably has a browned outer surface, achieved by exposure of the body to a source of dry heat. A method of producing such body includes steps of providing a coherent, edible, protein-rich body, causing moisture content of the body to be in the range from about 20% to 50% by weight and causing the body to have a structure capable of inducing thorough chewing by a pet. The method preferably includes reducing the moisture content of the body after it has been formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Carolyn Jean Cupp, Michael J. Saylock, Michael G. Rayner, Lorenzo Brescia
  • Publication number: 20040037943
    Abstract: A pet food is provided, comprising an edible, formulated, protein-rich body having a seared appearance, a moisture content of 20% to 60% by weight and a structure providing firmness of texture, such as to be resilient under initial pressure of biting by a pet animal and highly palatable. Protein content is preferably at least 20% by weight. The seared appearance is produced by exposure to a source of dry heat, such as in roasting, grilling, frying and baking and enhances palatability. Palatability may be enhanced further by reducing the pH of the food body, for example by applying an acid coating and allowing the acid to react with sugars in the body in a thermal browning reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Michael J. Saylock, Dan Dixon