Patent US4554167A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4554167A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for agglomerating aspartame and acid-containing mixes
Assignee: General Foods Corp
•
Filing: 1984-06-14
•
Granted: 1985-11-19
•
Expires: 2004-06-14
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a method for agglomerating a comestible mix without the addition of moisture. At least 30% of a food-acid chosen from the group consisting of anhydrous citric acid, malic acid and combinations thereof, and at least 3% aspartame is blended with other food approved materials like bulking agents, flavorants, colorants, starches or proteins. The blending is effected at an elevated temperature, the temperature being 140° to 200° F. The blending period is for a time effective to produce a desired agglomerate size. The product is cooled and then may be packaged for direct consumption. Agglomerates consisting of aspartame and the food acid can be made with as little as 0.5% aspartame.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard M. Sorge
- 👤 Ronald W. Ponzoni
- 👤 Myron D. Shoaf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:33
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23L; A23L2/00; A23L2/52; A23L2/68; A23L27/00; A23L27/30; A23L27/31; A23L27/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for producing a stable, freeflowing agglomerate of aspartame and a food acid comprising the steps of: (a) blending at least about 0.5% by weight aspartame and at least 30% by weight of a food acid selected from the group consisting of anhydrous citric acid, malic acid and combinations thereof, said blend being free of ingredients which melt at or below 200° F. and said blend having an available moisture content of below 8% by weight; (b) applying heat to the blend to raise the blend temperature to between 140° and 200° F. and maintaining the blend temperature within said range for a period of time effective to agglomerate the blend without the addition of added moisture; and (c) cooling the agglomerated blend.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for producing a stable, freeflowing agglomerate of aspartame and a food acid comprising the steps of: (a) blending at least about 0.5% by weight aspartame and at least 30% by weight of a food acid selected from the group consisting of anhydrous citric acid, malic acid and combinations thereof, said blend being free of ingredients which melt at or below 200° F. and said blend having an available moisture content of below 8% by weight; (b) applying heat to the blend to raise the blend temperature to between 140° and 200° F. and maintaining the blend temperature within said range for a period of time effective to agglomerate the blend without the addition of added moisture; and (c) cooling the agglomerated blend.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the blend is continuously agitated during heating step (b).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the agglomerated blend is agitated during the cooling step (c).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 3 wherein flow agent, is added to the agglomerated blend before the blend is cooled.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the flow agent is magnesium oxide or tricalcium phosphate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the blend constitutes a beverage mix and contains at least 3% aspartame, a flavor agent and a color agent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the blend is heated to between 140° and 185° F.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the blend is heated to between 140° and 165° F.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the available moisture content of the blend is below 6% by weight.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the available moisture content of the blend is below 3% by weight.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the blend of step (a) contains at least 50% by weight of the food acid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the blend contains at least 3% by weight aspartame.
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) | 1988-11-18 | 1989-05-20 | 1989-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-11-18 | 1993-05-20 | 1993-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-11-18 | 1997-05-20 | 1997-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |