US4409251A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Controllably moisturized mold resistant cellulosic food casings
Assignee: Viskase Corp
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Filing: 1982-03-25
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Granted: 1983-10-11
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Expires: 2002-03-25
Abstract
Abstract Large size tubular cellulosic food casings used in making stuffed food products such as large sausage products, encased processed meat products, rolled meat products and the like, are controllably moisturized to an extent which permits elimination of any further pre-stuffing soaking and are provided with high concentrations of glycerine to maintain the water activity at a level sufficiently low to inhibit mold, yeast, and bacteria growth prior to stuffing the casing with foodstuff.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas E. Higgins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 06:54
CPC Classifications
A; A22; A22C; A22C13/00; A22C13/0013; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/13; Y10T428/1324
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
In an improved large size tubular cellulosic food casing controllably premoisturized to an extent that it can be stuffed without the addition of further moisture prior to stuffing, and having a moisture content of between about 17 and about 30 weight percent, based on the total weight of said casing, the improvement comprising the glycerine content in the casing being at least about 40 weight percent based on the total weight of dry cellulose in said casing, with the proviso that said glycerine content is sufficient to maintain the water activity in the casing at not greater than 0.80.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
In an improved large size tubular cellulosic food casing controllably premoisturized to an extent that it can be stuffed without the addition of further moisture prior to stuffing, and having a moisture content of between about 17 and about 30 weight percent, based on the total weight of said casing, the improvement comprising the glycerine content in the casing being at least about 40 weight percent based on the total weight of dry cellulose in said casing, with the proviso that said glycerine content is sufficient to maintain the water activity in the casing at not greater than 0.80.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
An improved casing of claim 1 which consists essentially of water, cellulose and glycerine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
An improved casing of claim 1 wherein the water activity is not greater than 0.77.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An improved casing of claim 1 wherein a fibrous support web is embedded in the walls of the casing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
113 words
An improved method of making a large size tubular cellulosic food casing for stuffing with food product without the further need for pre-stuffing moisturization which method comprises the step of: (a) adding moisture to produce a casing having between about 17 and about 30 weight percent moisture based on the total weight of casing, the improvement comprising the additional step of: (b) adding sufficient glycerine to the casing such that the casing glycerine content is at least about 40 weight percent based on the weight of dry cellulose in the casing, with the proviso that said glycerine content is sufficient to maintain the water activity in the casing at no greater than 0.80.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
113 words
An improved method of making a large size tubular cellulosic food casing for stuffing with food product without the further need for pre-stuffing moisturization which method comprises the step of: (a) adding moisture to produce a casing having between about 17 and about 30 weight percent moisture based on the total weight of casing, the improvement comprising the additional step of: (b) adding sufficient glycerine to the casing such that the casing glycerine content is at least about 40 weight percent based on the weight of dry cellulose in the casing, with the proviso that said glycerine content is sufficient to maintain the water activity in the casing at no greater than 0.80.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
An improved method of claim 5 wherein the casing consists essentially of water, cellulose and glycerine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
An improved method of claim 5 wherein the water activity is not greater than 0.77.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
An improved method of claim 5 wherein a fibrous support web is embedded in the walls of the casing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
176 words
In a process for preparing an encased food product having a stuffed diameter of not less than about 50 millimeters, wherein a large sized tubular cellulosic food casing having fibrous web embedded in its wall is provided, having a preadjusted moisture content of between about 17 and about 30 weight percent moisture based on the total weight of casing to impart to said casing sufficient extensibility and flexibility for the casing to be stuffed with a foodstuff without the addition of further moisture, and wherein said casing is stuffed with said foodstuff to form said encased food product, the improvement comprising incorporating into said casing a sufficient amount of glycerine such that the casing glycerine content is at least about 40 weight percent based on the weight of dry cellulose in the casing, with the proviso that said glycerine content is sufficient to maintain the water activity in the casing at no greater than 0.80, and stuffing said casing to form said encased food product without adding further moisture to said casing prior to said stuffing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
176 words
In a process for preparing an encased food product having a stuffed diameter of not less than about 50 millimeters, wherein a large sized tubular cellulosic food casing having fibrous web embedded in its wall is provided, having a preadjusted moisture content of between about 17 and about 30 weight percent moisture based on the total weight of casing to impart to said casing sufficient extensibility and flexibility for the casing to be stuffed with a foodstuff without the addition of further moisture, and wherein said casing is stuffed with said foodstuff to form said encased food product, the improvement comprising incorporating into said casing a sufficient amount of glycerine such that the casing glycerine content is at least about 40 weight percent based on the weight of dry cellulose in the casing, with the proviso that said glycerine content is sufficient to maintain the water activity in the casing at no greater than 0.80, and stuffing said casing to form said encased food product without adding further moisture to said casing prior to said stuffing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
An improved method of claim 9 wherein the water activity is not greater than 0.77.
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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) | 1986-10-10 | 1987-04-11 | 1987-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-10 | 1991-04-11 | 1991-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-10 | 1995-04-11 | 1995-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |