US5378418A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of making articles of edible or easily biodegradable material
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1992-09-21
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Granted: 1995-01-03
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Expires: 2012-09-21
Abstract
Abstract The articles are made by mixing an animal protein product of meat, from which the fat has been removed by extraction with a gas in liquid or overcritical state, and starchy grain or vegetable material, plus other additives if necessary, into a mixture of semifluid to pasty consistency. The mixture obtained is extruded, with the addition of water, to form a substantially plastically workable material which is put into the desired shape by means of injection molding. The method may be used for making articles such as disposable tableware and cutlery for households and the catering trade, packaging, or casings.
Inventors
- 👤 Erhard Berger
- 👤 Ernst Haussener
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:07
CPC Classifications
A; A21; A21D; A21D2/00; A21D2/08; A21D2/36; A21D13/00; A21D13/30; A21D13/32; A21D13/33; A21D13/40; A21D13/48; A21D2/24; A21D2/26; A21D2/261
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of making articles of edible or easily biodegradable material without using either a plasticizer or a lubricant, comprising: a) producing an animal connective tissue protein product by removing fat from animal connective tissue using carbon dioxide in a liquid or over critical state, b) mixing the animal connective tissue protein product with a starchy grain or vegetable material to form a mixture having a semifluid to pasty consistency, c) extruding the mixture with the addition of water to form a plastic reworkable material, and d) molding the extruded material by injection molding to form said articles.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of making articles of edible or easily biodegradable material without using either a plasticizer or a lubricant, comprising: a) producing an animal connective tissue protein product by removing fat from animal connective tissue using carbon dioxide in a liquid or over critical state, b) mixing the animal connective tissue protein product with a starchy grain or vegetable material to form a mixture having a semifluid to pasty consistency, c) extruding the mixture with the addition of water to form a plastic reworkable material, and d) molding the extruded material by injection molding to form said articles.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of making articles of edible or easily biodegradable material without using either a plasticizer or a lubricant, comprising: a) producing connective tissue protein by removing fat from animal connective tissue using a gas in a liquid or over critical state, b) forming a mixture, comprising: i) 2-40% by weight of connective tissue protein, ii) 60-90% by weight of whole wheat flour, iii) 0-5% by weight of table salt, and iv) 0-10% by weight of sugar, the percentages by weight being relative to the total mass of the solids content, c) extruding the mixture with the addition of about 10% by weight of water during extrusion to form a plastically workable material, and d) molding the extruded material by injection molding to form said articles.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of making articles of edible or easily biodegradable material without using either a plasticizer or a lubricant, comprising: a) producing connective tissue protein by removing fat from animal connective tissue using a gas in a liquid or over critical state, b) forming a mixture, comprising: i) 2-40% by weight of connective tissue protein, ii) 60-90% by weight of whole wheat flour, iii) 0-5% by weight of table salt, and iv) 0-10% by weight of sugar, the percentages by weight being relative to the total mass of the solids content, c) extruding the mixture with the addition of about 10% by weight of water during extrusion to form a plastically workable material, and d) molding the extruded material by injection molding to form said articles.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of making articles of edible or easily biodegradable material, without using either a plasticizer or a lubricant, comprising: a) producing connective tissue protein and removing fat from animal connective tissue using a gas in a liquid or over critical state, b) forming a mixture, comprising: i) 8-40% by weight of connective tissue protein, ii) 2-40% by weight of grain flour, iii) 20-90% by weight of a plant-fiber-based filler selected from the group consisting of straw, ramie and wood, and iv) 0-10% by weight of flavoring or colorant substances, the percentages by weight being relative to the total mass of the solids content, c) extruding the mixture with the addition of about 10% by weight of water during extrusion to form a plastically workable material, and d) molding the extruded material by injection molding to form said articles.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of making articles of edible or easily biodegradable material, without using either a plasticizer or a lubricant, comprising: a) producing connective tissue protein and removing fat from animal connective tissue using a gas in a liquid or over critical state, b) forming a mixture, comprising: i) 8-40% by weight of connective tissue protein, ii) 2-40% by weight of grain flour, iii) 20-90% by weight of a plant-fiber-based filler selected from the group consisting of straw, ramie and wood, and iv) 0-10% by weight of flavoring or colorant substances, the percentages by weight being relative to the total mass of the solids content, c) extruding the mixture with the addition of about 10% by weight of water during extrusion to form a plastically workable material, and d) molding the extruded material by injection molding to form said articles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the starchy grain or vegetable material is selected from the group consisting of wheat, oats, rye, corn, millet, rice, potatoes, manioc, peas, and beans, further comprising the step of crushing the starchy grain or vegetable material prior to mixing with the animal protein product.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of adding to the mixture prior to extrusion up to 5% by weight of salt, relative to the total solids content.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the extrusion is carried out in such a way that the extruded material is subjected to temperatures of up to 300° C. for from 10 seconds to 2 minutes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the temperatures are from 180°-200° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein extrusion takes place at a pressure of at least 2.07 MPa (300 psi) to 5.86 MPa (850 psi).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8, wherein extrusion takes place at a pressure of about 3.85 MPa (550 psi).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of extrusion and injection molding are carried out in succession in a single installation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 carried out directly by means of an injection-molding installation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 carried out by means of an injection-molding installation combined with an extruder.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the gas:; is carbon dioxide.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the extrusion is carried out in such a way that the extruded material is subjected to temperatures of up to 300° C. for from 10 seconds to 2 minutes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the temperatures are from 180°-200° C.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2, wherein extrusion takes place at a pressure of about 3.85 MPa (550 psi).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the steps of extrusion and injection molding are carried out in succession in a single installation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 2 carried out directly by means of an injection-molding installation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 carried out by means of an injection-molding installation combined with an extruder.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the gas is carbon dioxide.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the extrusion is carried out in such a way that the extruded material is subjected to temperatures of up to 300° C. for from 10 seconds to 2 minutes.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 21, wherein the temperatures are from 180°-200° C.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 3, wherein extrusion takes place at a pressure of about 3.85 MPa (550 psi).
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the steps of extrusion and injection molding are carried out in succession in a single installation.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 3 carried out directly by means of an injection-molding installation.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 3 carried out by means of an injection-molding installation combined with an extruder.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 2, which further comprises step b), iv) adding food coloring.
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