US4473591A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for the preservation of green color in canned vegetables
Assignee: Continental Group Inc
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Filing: 1982-12-15
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Granted: 1984-09-25
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Expires: 2002-12-15
Abstract
Abstract The natural color of canned green vegetables is retained by blanching the vegetables, prior to packing, in an aqueous solution of a metal ion selected from zinc and copper.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne P. Segner
- 👤 Thomas J. Ragusa
- 👤 W. Kenneth Nank
- 👤 William C. Hoyle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:18
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23B; A23B7/00; A23B7/06; A23B7/14; A23B7/153; A23B7/157
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for retaining the natural color of green vegetables which comprises subjecting said vegetable to a blanch solution for a period of time sufficient to blanch said green vegetable, said blanch solution containing a metal ion selected from the group consisting of zinc and copper ions, said metal ion being present in an amount sufficient to secure color retention in the blanched vegetable, said blanch solution being at a temperature of about 150° F. to about 212° F., and thereafter packing the vegetable in a container.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for retaining the natural color of green vegetables which comprises subjecting said vegetable to a blanch solution for a period of time sufficient to blanch said green vegetable, said blanch solution containing a metal ion selected from the group consisting of zinc and copper ions, said metal ion being present in an amount sufficient to secure color retention in the blanched vegetable, said blanch solution being at a temperature of about 150° F. to about 212° F., and thereafter packing the vegetable in a container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the blanched vegetables are hermetically sealed in a container and then thermally sterilized in the container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the metal ion is incorporated in the blanch water in an amount which is sufficient to raise the metal ion content of the vegetable product to a level which is at least twice the original metal ion content of the vegetables prior to blanching.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the metal ion concentration in the blanch solution is about 50 to about 500 parts per million.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the metal ion is zinc.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the metal ion is copper.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the container has incorporated on at least one wall surface thereof an alkaline earth metal compound selected from the group consisting of an alkaline earth metal salt, an alkaline earth metal oxide and an alkaline earth metal hydroxide, and then heating the container at a temperature of about 240° to 300° F. for a time sufficient to sterilize the vegetables packaged in the container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the alkaline earth metal compound is incorporated in a coating applied to the surface of the container at a concentration in the range of about 10 to about 60% by weight of the coating.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method in claim 7 wherein the alkaline earth metal compound is present at the surface of the interior container walls at a concentration in the range of about 5 to about 20 milligrams per square inch of container wall surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the compound is magnesium oxide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the vegetable is green peas.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the vegetable is green beans.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the vegetable is green peas.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the vegetable is spinach.
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) | 1987-09-25 | 1988-03-26 | 1988-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-09-25 | 1992-03-26 | 1992-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-09-25 | 1996-03-26 | 1996-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |