US4431677A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for producing a pineapple core bulking agent
Assignee: General Foods Corp
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Filing: 1982-03-08
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Granted: 1984-02-14
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Expires: 2002-03-08
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a process for producing a pineapple core bulking agent comprising coarsely grinding or slicing pineapple core to obtain particles or slices of 1/4 inch or less, water-washing to remove soluble carbohydrates, contacting with alcohol to remove colors and flavor constituents, removing water and alcohol, and finally milling to the consistency of flour. The pineapple core bulking agent obtained from this process is especially useful as a partial replacement for high-caloric ingredients such as flour, fat and/or sugar to prepare a food product with at least a one-third reduction in calories, more preferably from 50% to 75% or higher. The pineapple core bulking agent has a high water binding capacity of from 10 to 30 grams of water per 1 gram of pineapple core bulking agent.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E. Altomare
- 👤 Robert J. Beale
- 👤 Adolph S. Clausi
- 👤 William R. Romig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:27
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23L; A23L33/00; A23L33/20; A23L33/21; A23L33/22; A23L19/00; A23L19/03; A23L19/07; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S426/00; Y10S426/804
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A process for producing a pineapple core bulking agent which comprises: (a) coarsely grinding pineapple cores to obtain particles or slices of pineapple core less than 1/4 inch in thickness; (b) washing the pineapple core particles or slices with water to remove a majority of soluble carbohydrates; (c) contacting the water-washed pineapple core particles or slices with an alcoholic solution; and (d) removing water and alcohol from said pineapple particles or slices to produce a bland, decolorized pineapple core bulking agent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A process for producing a pineapple core bulking agent which comprises: (a) coarsely grinding pineapple cores to obtain particles or slices of pineapple core less than 1/4 inch in thickness; (b) washing the pineapple core particles or slices with water to remove a majority of soluble carbohydrates; (c) contacting the water-washed pineapple core particles or slices with an alcoholic solution; and (d) removing water and alcohol from said pineapple particles or slices to produce a bland, decolorized pineapple core bulking agent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 1 which further comprises removing water from the water-washed pineapple core particles or slices by a dewatering procedure
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein the dewatering procedure consists of screw pressing, centrifugation, alcoholic dehydration or sieving.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the alocholic solution is selected from the group consisting of isopropanol, methanol and ethanol.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 4 wherein the alcoholic solution is isopropanol.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 5 wherein the isopropanol is of a concentration greater than 70 weight percent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the contacting of the water-washed pineapple core particles or slices with the alcoholic solution is accomplished by continuous countercurrent extraction, batch extraction or single column leaching.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the removal of alcohol and water from the pineapple core particles or slices is accomplished by vacuum-drying, fluid-bed-drying or air-tray-drying.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 1 further comprising the step of finely comminuting the pineapple core bulking agent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process according to claim 9 wherein the finely comminuted pineapple core bulking agent is of an average particle size of 100 microns or less.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process according to claim 9 wherein the finely comminuted pineapple core bulking agent is of an average particle size of 50 microns or less.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein said pineapple core bulking agent is non-caloric.
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) | 1987-02-13 | 1987-08-15 | 1988-02-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-02-13 | 1991-08-15 | 1992-02-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-02-13 | 1995-08-15 | 1996-02-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |