US4001459A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fibrous protein materials
Assignee: General Foods Corp
•
Filing: 1974-06-18
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Granted: 1977-01-04
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Expires: 1994-06-18
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a method for producing fibrous protein materials useful for meat analogs. According to this method, an aqueous mixture of a heat coagulable protein is frozen by cooling the mixture in a manner and at a rate effective to produce elongated ice crystals generally aligned perpendicular to the surface of cooling, freeze drying the frozen mass, and heat setting the dried protein material. The properties of a wide variety of meat products can be simulated.
Inventors
- 👤 Myung Ki Kim
- 👤 Joaquin Castro Lugay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:33
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23J; A23J3/00; A23J3/22; A23J3/24; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S426/00; Y10S426/802
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for preparing a texturized protein material comprising: a. preparing a mixture comprising heat coagulable protein and water; b. cooling the mixture to freeze the water into elongated ice crystals and to separate the protein into we11-defined, well-ordered, substantially independent zones; c. freeze drying the frozen mass resulting from the operation of step (b); and d. heating the resulting freeze dried material to coagulate the protein.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for preparing a texturized protein material comprising: a. preparing a mixture comprising heat coagulable protein and water; b. cooling the mixture to freeze the water into elongated ice crystals and to separate the protein into we11-defined, well-ordered, substantially independent zones; c. freeze drying the frozen mass resulting from the operation of step (b); and d. heating the resulting freeze dried material to coagulate the protein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the cooling of step (b) is effected by cooling a single surface of the mixture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein the single surface is planar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein the single surface is spherical, hemispherical or cylindrical.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the cooling of step (b) is effected by cooling two opposed surfaces of the mixture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the pH of the mixture comprising protein and water is adjusted to increase the solubility of the protein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the mixture comprising protein and water further comprises fat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the mixture comprising protein and water further comprises flavoring and seasoning.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the heat set texturized protein material is soaked in water to rehydrate it.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 9 wherein the water used for rehydration has flavoring and seasoning dissolved therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein at least two protein materials are employed in the mixture comprising protein and water.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A texturized protein material having a well-defined, well-ordered structure comprised of substantially independent protein fibers, the material being prepared according to the process of claim 1.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-01-04 | 1980-07-05 | 1981-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-04 | 1984-07-05 | 1985-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-04 | 1988-07-05 | 1989-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |