US4451488A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Food bar
Assignee: Quaker Oats Co
•
Filing: 1983-09-02
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Granted: 1984-05-29
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Expires: 2003-09-02
Abstract
Abstract A shelf stable, intermediate moisture, food bar having a soft and chewy texture with good taste is disclosed. Lowered sugar content and good texture and taste characteristics are maintained through the use of a combination of at least two polyhydric alcohols in varying ratios, one of which comprises a sugar alcohol and the other either glycerol or propylene glycol. In preferred embodiments the two polyhydric alcohols are glycerol and sorbitol employed in a ratio of glycerol to sorbitol in the range 1:1 to 5:1. Despite a low total sugar content the water activity may be maintained in the 0.2-0.55 range through the use of such polyhydric alcohols while achieving a soft texture.
Inventors
- 👤 Milton L. Cook
- 👤 William L. Keyser
- 👤 Paul Swanson
- 👤 Michael W. Zielke
- 👤 Walter J. Zielinski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:30
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23G; A23G3/00; A23G3/34; A23G3/36; A23G3/48; A23L; A23L7/00; A23L7/10; A23L7/117; A23L7/126; A23L7/135; A23L7/139; A23P; A23P10/00; A23P10/20; A23P10/28; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S426/00; Y10S426/81
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
In a, dry, ready to eat food bar of the type containing (a) a mixture of dry ingredients selected from the group consisting of grains, fruits, nuts, chocolate chips, and vegetables; (b) flavorings and salt; (c) antioxidant; (d) shortening; (e) sugar; and (f) at least about 3% glycerol; and having a moisture content in the range 4-8%, a water activity between about 0.2 to about 0.55 and a soft chewy texture, the improvement wherein: sorbitol is present in a ratio 1:1 to 1:5, based on the weight of the glycerol, to mask the bitter flavor of the glycerol.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
In a, dry, ready to eat food bar of the type containing (a) a mixture of dry ingredients selected from the group consisting of grains, fruits, nuts, chocolate chips, and vegetables; (b) flavorings and salt; (c) antioxidant; (d) shortening; (e) sugar; and (f) at least about 3% glycerol; and having a moisture content in the range 4-8%, a water activity between about 0.2 to about 0.55 and a soft chewy texture, the improvement wherein: sorbitol is present in a ratio 1:1 to 1:5, based on the weight of the glycerol, to mask the bitter flavor of the glycerol.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The food bar of claim 1 wherein the mixture of dry ingredients is selected from the group consisting of oat flakes, wheat flakes, almonds, coconut, rice, raisins and chocolate chips.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The food bar of claim 1 wherein the water activity is between 0.31 and 0.4.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The food bar of claim 1 wherein the sugar is selected from the group consisting of corn syrup, invert sugar, and sucrose.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The food bar of claim 1, wherein the glycerol to sorbitol ratio is 2.9:1.0.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
104 words
In a ready to eat granola bar having good flavor, soft chewy texture, a moisture content in the range 4-8% and a water activity between about 0.2 to about 0.55 of the type containing (i) a mixture of dry ingredients selected from the group consisting of grains, fruits, nuts, chocolate chips and vegetables (ii) salt, (iii) flavoring, (iv) antioxidant, and (v) a binder system comprising shortening, sugar, and at least about 3% glycerol, the improvement wherein: sorbitol is present in the binder system in a ratio of 1:1 to 1:5 based on the weight of glycerol, to mask the bitter flavor of the glycerol.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
104 words
In a ready to eat granola bar having good flavor, soft chewy texture, a moisture content in the range 4-8% and a water activity between about 0.2 to about 0.55 of the type containing (i) a mixture of dry ingredients selected from the group consisting of grains, fruits, nuts, chocolate chips and vegetables (ii) salt, (iii) flavoring, (iv) antioxidant, and (v) a binder system comprising shortening, sugar, and at least about 3% glycerol, the improvement wherein: sorbitol is present in the binder system in a ratio of 1:1 to 1:5 based on the weight of glycerol, to mask the bitter flavor of the glycerol.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The granola bar of claim 6, wherein the mixture of dry ingredients is selected from the group consisting of oat flakes, wheat flakes, almonds, coconut, rice, raisins and chocolate chips.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The granola bar of claim 6, wherein the water activity is between 0.31 to 0.4.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The granola bar of claim 6, wherein the sugar is selected from the group consisting of corn syrup, invert sugar, and sucrose.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The granola bar of claim 6, wherein the ratio of glycerol to sorbitol is 2.9:1.0.
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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) | 1987-05-29 | 1987-11-28 | 1988-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-05-29 | 1991-11-28 | 1992-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-05-29 | 1995-11-28 | 1996-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |