US4710390A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ingestible, high density, compressed-tablet fruit fiber composition
Assignee: Warner Lambert Co LLC
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Filing: 1987-04-10
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Granted: 1987-12-01
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Expires: 2007-04-10
Abstract
Abstract An ingestible, high-density compressed-tablet fruit fiber composition having a high dietary fiber content is prepared by blending at least one fruit fiber source preferably apple fiber, having a maximum starch content of about 25%, with a microcrystalline cellulose compression aid; mixing water with the blend at a rate ratio of about 1.5:1 to about 2.5:1 based on the weight of water to the weight of the blend, for a time sufficient to form a cohesive, deformable, plastic mass; drying the plastic mass; milling the dried product to recover granules having a particle size of about 125 to about 840 microns; blending the granules with a tableting lubricant and compressing into a high-density, high fiber tablet. The low starch content provides for increased hardness and structural tablet integrity with less compressive force, thereby producing high quality tablets.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W. Schumacher
- 👤 Mary B. Houston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:44
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23L; A23L33/00; A23L33/20; A23L33/21; A23L33/24; A23L7/00; A23L7/10; A23L7/115; A23P; A23P10/00; A23P10/20; A23P10/28; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S426/00; Y10S426/804
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A method for preparing an ingestible, high density, compressed-tablet fruit fiber-composition which comprises: (A) blending at least one fruit fiber source having a maximum starch content of about 25% by weight of said fruit fiber and a microcrystalline cellulose compression aid to form a homogenous blend; (B) mixing water with the blend of step (A) at a weight ratio of about 1.5:1 to about 2.5:1, based on the weight of water to the weight of the blend, for a time sufficient to form a cohesive, deformable, plastic mass; (C) drying the plastic mass of step (B) to a moisture content of less than about 8% by weight, based on the weight of the dried material; (D) milling the dried product of step (C) to recover granules having a particle size of about 125 to about 840 microns; (E) blending the granules of step (D) with a tableting lubricant; and (F) compressing the composition of step (E) into a tablet to form a high density, fruit fiber tablet containing about 30% to about 95% dietary fiber, based on the total weight of the compressed-tablet fruit-composition.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
184 words
A method for preparing an ingestible, high density, compressed-tablet fruit fiber-composition which comprises: (A) blending at least one fruit fiber source having a maximum starch content of about 25% by weight of said fruit fiber and a microcrystalline cellulose compression aid to form a homogenous blend; (B) mixing water with the blend of step (A) at a weight ratio of about 1.5:1 to about 2.5:1, based on the weight of water to the weight of the blend, for a time sufficient to form a cohesive, deformable, plastic mass; (C) drying the plastic mass of step (B) to a moisture content of less than about 8% by weight, based on the weight of the dried material; (D) milling the dried product of step (C) to recover granules having a particle size of about 125 to about 840 microns; (E) blending the granules of step (D) with a tableting lubricant; and (F) compressing the composition of step (E) into a tablet to form a high density, fruit fiber tablet containing about 30% to about 95% dietary fiber, based on the total weight of the compressed-tablet fruit-composition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein, in step (A), the dietary fiber from the high fiber source is present in amounts of about 20% to about 90% by weight, based on the total weight of the compressed-tablet fruit fiber-composition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein, in step (A), the high fiber source additionally includes a fiber selected from the group consisting of other fruit fibers and grain fibers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein, in step (A), the fruit fiber source is apple fiber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein, in step (A), the microcrystalline cellulose is present in amounts of about 5% to about 75% by weight, based on the total weight of the compressed-tablet fruit fiber-composition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein, in step (D), the dried product is milled to recover granules having a particle size of about 125 to about 710 microns.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein, in step (A), a sweetening agent is additionally present.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein, in step (D), the dried product is milled to obtain granules having a particle size of about 210 to about 840 microns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein, in step (E), at least one flavor is additionally present.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein, in step (A), the fruit fiber source is a combined with corn fiber, the dietary fiber from both fiber sources is present in amounts of about 20% to about 80% by weight; and the microcrystalline cellulose is present in amounts of about 7% to about 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the compressed-tablet fiber-composition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein, in step (D), the dried product is milled to recover granules having a particle size of 149 to 590 microns.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein, in step (D), the dried product is milled to recover granules having a particle size of about 250 to 840 microns.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein, in step (F), a high density fiber tablet containing about 35% to about 90% dietary fiber is formed based on the total weight of the compressed-tablet fiber-composition.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
181 words
An ingestible, high density, compressed-tablet fruit fiber-composition prepared by: (A) blending at least one fruit fiber source containing a maximum starch content of about 25% by weight of the fruit fiber and a microcrystalline cellulose compression aid to form a homogenous blend; (B) mixing water with the blend of step (A) at a weight ratio of about 1.5:1 to about 2.5:1, based on the weight of water to the weight of the blend, for a time sufficient to form a cohesive, deformable, plastic mass; (C) drying the plastic mass of step (B) to a moisture content of less than about 8% by weight, based on the weight of the dried material; (D) milling the dried product of step (C) to recover granules having a particle size of about 125 to about 840 microns; (E) blending the granules of step (D) with a tableting lubricant; and (F) compressing the composition of step (E) into a tablet to form a high density fruit fiber tablet containing about 30% to about 95% dietary fiber, based on the total weight of the compressed-tablet fruit fiber-composition.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
181 words
An ingestible, high density, compressed-tablet fruit fiber-composition prepared by: (A) blending at least one fruit fiber source containing a maximum starch content of about 25% by weight of the fruit fiber and a microcrystalline cellulose compression aid to form a homogenous blend; (B) mixing water with the blend of step (A) at a weight ratio of about 1.5:1 to about 2.5:1, based on the weight of water to the weight of the blend, for a time sufficient to form a cohesive, deformable, plastic mass; (C) drying the plastic mass of step (B) to a moisture content of less than about 8% by weight, based on the weight of the dried material; (D) milling the dried product of step (C) to recover granules having a particle size of about 125 to about 840 microns; (E) blending the granules of step (D) with a tableting lubricant; and (F) compressing the composition of step (E) into a tablet to form a high density fruit fiber tablet containing about 30% to about 95% dietary fiber, based on the total weight of the compressed-tablet fruit fiber-composition.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
An ingestible, high density, compressed-tablet, fruit fiber composition according to claim 14 wherein, in step (A), the dietary fiber from the fruit fiber source is apple fiber present in amounts of about 20% to about 80% by weight, based on the total weight of the compressed-tablet fruit-fiber composition.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
An ingestible, high density, compressed-tablet, fruit fiber composition according to claim 15 in step (A), the apple fiber source is combined with a material selected from the group consisting of fruit fibers and grain fibers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
An ingestible, high density, compressed-tablet, fruit fiber composition, according to claim 16 wherein, in step (A), the apple fiber source is a combined with corn fiber.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
An ingestible, high density tablet according to claim 15 wherein in step (A) there is included a material selected from the group consisting of a food grade acidulent and a palatability enhancer selected from the group consisting of food grade waxes, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
An ingestible, high density, compressed-tablet, fruit fiber composition according to claim 15 wherein, in step (A), the microcrystalline cellulose is present in amounts of about 5% to about 75% by weight, based on the total weight of the compressed-tablet fiber-composition.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
An ingestible, high density, compressed-tablet, fruit fiber composition according to claim 18 wherein, in step (D), the dried product is milled to recover granules having a particle size of about 125 to about 710 microns.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
An ingestible, high density, compressed-tablet, fruit fiber composition according to claim 18 wherein, in step (A), a sweetening agent is additionally present.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
An ingestible, high density, compressed-tablet, fruit fiber composition according to claim 20 wherein, in step (D), the dried product is milled to obtain granules having a particle size of about 210 to about 840 microns.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ingestible, high density, compressed-tablet, apple fiber composition according to claim 20 wherein, in step (E), at least one flavor is additionally present.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ingestible, high density, compressed-tablet, fruit fiber composition, according to claim 22 having a hardness value of at least 22 Strong Cobb Units.
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) | 1990-11-30 | 1991-06-01 | 1991-12-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-30 | 1995-06-01 | 1995-12-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-30 | 1999-06-01 | 1999-12-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |