US4076850A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Composition and method for safely extending storage life of foods
Assignee: Dirigo Corp
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Filing: 1976-01-02
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Granted: 1978-02-28
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Expires: 1996-01-02
Abstract
Abstract A buffered aqueous solution of a small amount of bacterial inhibitor, such as methyl parabenzoic acid or a mixture of sorbic acid and sodium propionate extends the storage life under refrigeration of such products as shelled, hard-cooked eggs, cooked peeled shrimp, cooked and uncooked scallops, and cooked mushrooms.
Inventors
- 👤 John T. R. Nickerson
- 👤 John R. Darack
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:26
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23B; A23B2/00; A23B2/70; A23B2/725; A23B2/729; A23B2/742; A23B2/754
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A process for inhibiting the bacterial growth of certain food products while maintaining flavor and texture, said food products consisting of shelled hard-cooked eggs, cooked de-shelled shellfish and cooked mushrooms; said process comprising storing such food products under refrigeration in an aqueous solution comprising: A. a bacterial inhibitor selected from the class consisting of (1) approximately 0.08 to 0.20% methyl parabenzoic acid, and (2) a mixture of approximately 0.075 to 0.15% sorbic acid with approximately 0.22 to 0.45% sodium propionate, and B. a buffering agent in amounts sufficient to maintain the pH of the solution in the range of approximately 4.5 to 5.5 and selected from the group consisting of (1) a mixture of citric acid and sodium or potassium hydroxide, and (2) a mixture of a) sodium or potassium monohydrogen phosphate, b) sodium or potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and c) phosphoric acid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A process for inhibiting the bacterial growth of certain food products while maintaining flavor and texture, said food products consisting of shelled hard-cooked eggs, cooked de-shelled shellfish and cooked mushrooms; said process comprising storing such food products under refrigeration in an aqueous solution comprising: A. a bacterial inhibitor selected from the class consisting of (1) approximately 0.08 to 0.20% methyl parabenzoic acid, and (2) a mixture of approximately 0.075 to 0.15% sorbic acid with approximately 0.22 to 0.45% sodium propionate, and B. a buffering agent in amounts sufficient to maintain the pH of the solution in the range of approximately 4.5 to 5.5 and selected from the group consisting of (1) a mixture of citric acid and sodium or potassium hydroxide, and (2) a mixture of a) sodium or potassium monohydrogen phosphate, b) sodium or potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and c) phosphoric acid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the bacterial inhibitor is approximately 0.08 to 0.20% methyl parabenzoic acid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the bacterial inhibitor is a mixture of approximately 0.075 to 0.15% sorbic acid with approximately 0.22 to 0.45% sodium proprionate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the buffering agent is a mixture of citric acid and sodium or potassium hydroxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the buffering agent is a mixture of a) sodium or potassium monohydrogen phosphate, b) sodium or potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and c) phosphoric acid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the bacterial inhibitor is a mixture of approximately 0.075 to 0.15% sorbic acid with approximately 0.22 to 0.45% sodium propionate and the buffering agent is a mixture of citric acid and sodium or potassium hydroxide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the bacterial inhibitor is a mixture of approximately 0.75 to 0.15% sorbic acid with approximately 0.22 to 0.45% sodium propionate and the buffering agent is a mixture of a) sodium or potassium monohydrogen phosphate, b) sodium or potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and c) phosphoric acid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the buffering agent is a mixture of citric acid and sodium or potassium hydroxide and the bacterial inhibitor is approximately 0.08 to 0.20% methyl parabenzoic acid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the bacterial inhibitor is approximately 0.08 to 0.20% methyl parabenzoic acid and the buffering agent is a mixture of a) sodium or potassium monohydrogen phosphate, b) sodium or potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and c) phosphoric acid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
130 words
An aqueous solution which upon contacting certain food products inhibits bacterial growth while maintaining flavor and texture, said food products consisting of shelled, hard-cooked eggs, cooked de-shelled shellfish and cooked mushrooms; said solution comprising: A. a bacterial inhibitor selected from the class consisting of approximately 0.08 to 0.20% methyl parabenzoic acid and a mixture of approximately 0.075 to 0.15% sorbic acid with approximately 0.22 to 0.45% sodium propionate, and B. a buffering agent in amounts sufficient to maintain the pH of the solution in the range of approximately 4.5 to 5.5 and selected from the group consisting of: (1) a mixture of citric acid and sodium or potassium hydroxide, and (2) a mixture of a) sodium or potassium monohydrogen phosphate, b) sodium or potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and c) phosphoric acid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
130 words
An aqueous solution which upon contacting certain food products inhibits bacterial growth while maintaining flavor and texture, said food products consisting of shelled, hard-cooked eggs, cooked de-shelled shellfish and cooked mushrooms; said solution comprising: A. a bacterial inhibitor selected from the class consisting of approximately 0.08 to 0.20% methyl parabenzoic acid and a mixture of approximately 0.075 to 0.15% sorbic acid with approximately 0.22 to 0.45% sodium propionate, and B. a buffering agent in amounts sufficient to maintain the pH of the solution in the range of approximately 4.5 to 5.5 and selected from the group consisting of: (1) a mixture of citric acid and sodium or potassium hydroxide, and (2) a mixture of a) sodium or potassium monohydrogen phosphate, b) sodium or potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and c) phosphoric acid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The solution of claim 10 wherein the bacterial inhibitor is approximately 0.08 to 0.20% methyl parabenzoic acid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The solution of claim 10 wherein the bacterial inhibitor is a mixture of approximately 0.075 to 0.15% sorbic acid with approximately 0.22 to 0.45% sodium propionate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The solution of claim 10 wherein the buffering agent is a mixture of a) sodium or potassium monohydrogen phosphate, b) sodium or potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and c) phosphoric acid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The solution of claim 10 wherein the buffering agent is a mixture of citric acid and sodium or potassium hydroxide.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The solution of claim 10 wherein the bacterial inhibitor is a mixture of approximately 0.075 to 0.15% sorbic acid with approximately 0.22 to 0.45% sodium propionate and the buffering agent is a mixture of citric acid and sodium or potassium hydroxide.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
The solution of claim 10 wherein the bacterial inhibitor is a mixture of approximately 0.075 to 0.15% sorbic acid with approximately 0.22 to 0.45% sodium propionate and the buffering agent is a mixture of a) sodium or potassium monohydrogen phosphate, b) sodium or potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and c) phosphoric acid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The solution of claim 10 wherein the buffering agent is a mixture of citric acid and sodium or potassium hydroxide and the bacterial inhibitor is approximately 0.08 to 0.20% methyl parabenzoic acid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
The solution of claim 10 wherein the bacterial inhibitor is approximately 0.08 to 0.20% methyl parabenzoic acid and the buffering agent is a mixture of a) sodium or potassium monohydrogen phosphate, b) sodium or potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and c) phosphoric acid.
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) | 1981-02-27 | 1981-08-29 | 1982-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-27 | 1985-08-29 | 1986-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-27 | 1989-08-29 | 1990-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |