US4402988A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fruit juice impregnated plantains
Assignee: A Duda and Son Inc
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Filing: 1982-03-23
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Granted: 1983-09-06
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Expires: 2002-03-23
Abstract
Abstract A plantain impregnated with fruit juice, particularly orange juice, having a unique taste and texture. Plantains are selected with ripeness such that the sugar content is derived from at least 70% conversion of the starch to sugar, peeling the plantains and then apply a high vacuum to the plantains. The plantains are then immersed in a solution of fruit juice. When the vacuum is released, the plantains are held immersed in the fruit juice for a sufficient dwell time. The impregnated fruit is then removed and it is frozen. The fruit prior to impregnation is desirably preserved from fungus attack by ripening the plantains in a low humidity of about a maximum of 40% relative humidity and/or contacting the plantains with a fungicide, such as that containing chlorine.
Inventors
- 👤 George B. Macfie, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 09:30
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23B; A23B7/00; A23B7/04; A23B7/05; A23L; A23L19/00; A23L19/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
The process of impregnating plantains with fruit juice comprising: selecting plantains having a sugar content derived from at least a 70% conversion of starch to sugar, peeling said plantains, applying at least a 29 inch vacuum to said plantains for at least 10 seconds, immersing said vacuum treated plantains in a solution of fruit juice for a time sufficient to initiate impregnation of said plantains with said fruit juice, releasing said vacuum and thereafter holding said plantains immersed within said solution for a dwell time of at least 10 seconds, removing said fruit juice impregnated plantain from said immersion, and freezing the juice impregnated plantain.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
The process of impregnating plantains with fruit juice comprising: selecting plantains having a sugar content derived from at least a 70% conversion of starch to sugar, peeling said plantains, applying at least a 29 inch vacuum to said plantains for at least 10 seconds, immersing said vacuum treated plantains in a solution of fruit juice for a time sufficient to initiate impregnation of said plantains with said fruit juice, releasing said vacuum and thereafter holding said plantains immersed within said solution for a dwell time of at least 10 seconds, removing said fruit juice impregnated plantain from said immersion, and freezing the juice impregnated plantain.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 including, said plantain having at least 85% conversion of starch to sugar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 including, said plantain being essentially black in external coloring and of soft texture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 including, artificially ripening said plantain in a low humidity of about a maximum of 40% R.H.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 including, controlling fungus growth on said plantains before applying said vacuum by contacting said plantains with a fungicide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 5 including, applying said fungicide within 2 to 24 hours of the time of harvest.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 including, the dwell time being between 10 seconds and one minute.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 including, said dwell time being between 30 to 40 seconds.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The process of claim 1 including, said plantain having at least 85% conversion of starch to sugar, said plantain being essentially black in external coloring and of soft texture, and artificially ripening said plantain in a low humidity of about a maximum of 40% R.H.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
The process of claim 9 including, said plantain having at least 85% conversion of starch to sugar, said plantain being essentially black in external coloring and of soft texture, controlling fungus growth on said plantains before applying said vacuum by contacting said plantains with a fungicide, and applying said fungicide within 2 to 24 hours of the time of harvest.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
The process of claim 1 including, said plantain having at least 85% conversion of starch to sugar, said plantain being essentially black in external coloring and of soft texture, artificially ripening said plantain in a low humidity of about a maximum of 40% R.H., and the dwell time being between 10 seconds and one minute.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
The process of claim 1 including, said plantain having at least 85% conversion of starch to sugar, said plantain being essentially black in external coloring and of soft texture, artificially ripening said plantain in a low humidity of about a maximum of 40% R.H., and said dwell time being between 30 to 40 seconds.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 11 or 12 wherein, said fruit juice is orange juice.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the process of claim 1.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the process of claim 13.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2647838A
Cited
US3037867A
Cited
GB994125A
Cited
US3620765A
Cited
US3843810A
Cited
US4049837A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-09-05 | 1987-03-07 | 1987-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-05 | 1991-03-07 | 1991-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-05 | 1995-03-07 | 1995-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |