US4002772A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of increasing the permeability of cellular materials
Assignee: General Foods Corp
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Filing: 1970-06-22
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Granted: 1977-01-11
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Expires: 1990-06-22
Abstract
Abstract Cellular food materials have been found to possess a relatively soft texture when they are frozen while under a gas pressure of greater than about 50 psig. This pressure freezing treatment also renders the foodstuff more permeable and porous, resulting in a product that will cook faster, can be dehydrated and rehydrated more quickly, and is more responsive to infusion or extraction processes.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerhard J. Haas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:48
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23B; A23B7/00; A23B7/04; A23B2/00; A23B2/80; A23B2/90; A23B2/92; A23P; A23P30/00; A23P30/30; A23P30/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of increasing the permeability of cellular food material, without substantially disrupting the cell structure, comprising the steps of: a. placing the cellular foodstuff in a pressure vessel, b. raising the pressure in the vessel to greater than about 50 p.s.i.g. with a gas selected from the group consisting of methane, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, dichlorodifluoromethane and air, the pressure being sufficient to permeate the cellular material with the gas. c. completely freezing said pressurized cellular material at about -20°C. to -25°C., and then d. releasing the pressure on the completely frozen cellular material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of increasing the permeability of cellular food material, without substantially disrupting the cell structure, comprising the steps of: a. placing the cellular foodstuff in a pressure vessel, b. raising the pressure in the vessel to greater than about 50 p.s.i.g. with a gas selected from the group consisting of methane, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, dichlorodifluoromethane and air, the pressure being sufficient to permeate the cellular material with the gas. c. completely freezing said pressurized cellular material at about -20°C. to -25°C., and then d. releasing the pressure on the completely frozen cellular material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the frozen material is thawed and contacted with a fluid in which a substance to be extracted from said material is soluble.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the frozen material is thawed and contacted with a fluid containing a substance to be infused into said material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the frozen material is dehydrated and then contacted with a fluid containing a substance to be infused into said material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 4 wherein the method of dehydration is air-drying.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the frozen material is dehydrated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein the method of dehydration is freeze-drying.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
A freeze-dried, cellular, food material produced in accordance with claim 6.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the cellular material is selected from the group consisting of fruits and vegetables.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for producing a soft, frozen cellular food material, selected from the group consisting of fruits and vegetables, without substantially disrupting the cell structure, comprising the steps of: a. placing the cellular foodstuff in a pressure vessel, b. raising the pressure in the vessel to greater than about 1000 p.s.i.g. with a nitrogen containing gas, c. completely freezing said pressurized cellular material at about -20°C to -25°C, and then d. releasing the pressure on the completely frozen cellular material.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for producing a soft, frozen cellular food material, selected from the group consisting of fruits and vegetables, without substantially disrupting the cell structure, comprising the steps of: a. placing the cellular foodstuff in a pressure vessel, b. raising the pressure in the vessel to greater than about 1000 p.s.i.g. with a nitrogen containing gas, c. completely freezing said pressurized cellular material at about -20°C to -25°C, and then d. releasing the pressure on the completely frozen cellular material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
A soft, frozen food product produced in accordance with claim 10.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-01-11 | 1980-07-12 | 1981-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-11 | 1984-07-12 | 1985-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-11 | 1988-07-12 | 1989-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |