US4158706A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Food preservation
Assignee: Nestle Purina PetCare Co
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Filing: 1977-07-25
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Granted: 1979-06-19
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Expires: 1997-07-25
Abstract
Abstract A method of preparing stable high moisture food products such as pet food products is disclosed which enables nutritious farinaceous-proteinaceous food materials to be preserved in a stable, nutritious and wholesome form without refrigeration or resorting to canning and autoclaving techniques. The preserved materials may be packaged in transparent, flexible containers and stored under ambient conditions for periods of a year or more. The method involves impregnating the materials with a preservative such as succinic acid, pyruvic acid, or fumaric acid, forming the materials, and packaging the formed food product.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas J. Ernst
- 👤 Edward V. Oborsh
- 👤 Foppe E. Oreel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:21
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23K; A23K30/00; A23K10/00; A23K10/20; A23K50/00; A23K50/40; A23K50/48; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S426/00; Y10S426/805
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of producing a nutritionally and therapeutically beneficial pet food material having a long shelf life and resistance to bacterial and mold spoilage on storage under ambient conditions and in conventional packaging materials which are permeable to bacterial penetration comprising mixing nutritious, proteinaceous-farinaceous food sources comprising meat components which are ground in a frozen condition, and then subjected to a heat treatment to melt the frozen meat and partially cook it prior to addition of the additional components of the mixture, with a preservative material selected from the group consisting of succinic acid, fumaric acid, pyruvic acid or mixtures thereof in an amount effective to substantially reduce the initial bacterial contamination of the food components when subjected to heat, and effective to preserve the heat treated food from subsequent bacterial contamination and growth of storage under ambient conditions; adding a heat thickening agent to the mixture; heating the preservative treated mixture for a time and at a temperature effective to cooperate with the preservative treatment to substantially reduce bacterial contamination of the pet food and preserve the food from subsequent bacterial contamination and growth; and effective to heat set the thickening agent to form a moldable mixture; and subsequently forming the mixture into formed particles.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of producing a nutritionally and therapeutically beneficial pet food material having a long shelf life and resistance to bacterial and mold spoilage on storage under ambient conditions and in conventional packaging materials which are permeable to bacterial penetration comprising mixing nutritious, proteinaceous-farinaceous food sources comprising meat components which are ground in a frozen condition, and then subjected to a heat treatment to melt the frozen meat and partially cook it prior to addition of the additional components of the mixture, with a preservative material selected from the group consisting of succinic acid, fumaric acid, pyruvic acid or mixtures thereof in an amount effective to substantially reduce the initial bacterial contamination of the food components when subjected to heat, and effective to preserve the heat treated food from subsequent bacterial contamination and growth of storage under ambient conditions; adding a heat thickening agent to the mixture; heating the preservative treated mixture for a time and at a temperature effective to cooperate with the preservative treatment to substantially reduce bacterial contamination of the pet food and preserve the food from subsequent bacterial contamination and growth; and effective to heat set the thickening agent to form a moldable mixture; and subsequently forming the mixture into formed particles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the formed food particles are subjected to a surface browning step prior to packaging.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the additional thickening agent is added to the mixture prior to forming.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the product contains expanded protein fibers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the mixture is cooled to a temperature of approximately 90° F. prior to forming into molded food particles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the preservative material is added to the mixture at a level above about 1.5% by weight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the preservative was added to the mixture at a level of between about 1.5 to 3% by weight.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the preservative material is succinic acid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the preservative material is pyruvic acid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the preservative material is fumaric acid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the formed food product has a moisture content above about 50% by weight.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the thickening agent is selected from the group consisting of heat setting starches, cereal flours, egg albumen, wheat gluten, vegetable gums, synthetic gums, proteins and mixtures thereof.
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) | 1982-06-18 | 1982-12-18 | 1983-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-06-18 | 1986-12-18 | 1987-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-06-18 | 1990-12-18 | 1991-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |