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EP0437360A1 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Hydrocolloid bulking agent and compositions including same

Assignee: Warner Lambert Co LLC
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Filing: 1991-01-10
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-01-10
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Abstract

Abstract A hydrocolloid-based composition comprising crosslinked alkaline earth metal alginate microspheres having a diameter of from 1.0 to 200 micrometres, useful as a low calorie, low fat bulking agent and lubricant in a variety of edible materials.

Inventors

  • 👤 James J. Shaw
  • 👤 Shiuh J. Luo
  • 👤 Frank J. Bunick

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-06 21:51
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23L; A23L29/00; A23L29/03; A23C; A23C9/00; A23C9/152; A23C9/154; A23C9/1544; A21; A21D; A21D2/00; A21D2/08; A21D2/14; A21D2/18; A21D2/183; A23G; A23G3/00; A23G3/34; A23G3/346; A23L13/00; A23L13/40; A23L13/42; A23L13/422; A23L29/20; A23L29/206; A23L29/256; A23G2200/00; A23G2200/06

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim 37 words
A process for producing a hydrocolloid-based composition, which process comprises: (a) reacting an alkali metal alginate with a multivalent cation to form hydrocolloid-based microspheres having a diameter of from 1.0 to 200 micrometres; (b) recovering the microspheres.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 18 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the microspheres have a diameter of from 5 to 100 micrometres.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 20 words
A process according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the microspheres have a diameter of from 10 to 50 micrometres.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 16 words
A process according to any preceding claim, wherein the alkaline earth metal alginate comprises calcium alginate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 73 words
A process according to any preceding claim, which additionally includes incorporating the microspheres in an edible or other consumable material selected from natural and artificial meat, processed meat and meat by-products, baby food, jelly and jams, gelatin and puddings, peanut butter, frostings and icings, baked goods, dairy products, dressings, juices, sauces, pet foods, cereals, nut additives, instant breakfasts, confectioneries and gums, chocolates, soups, ice cream, non-dairy toppings and beverages, toothpaste and shaving cream.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 31 words
A process according to claim 5, wherein the natural and artificial meat, processed meat and meat by-products are selected from sausage, bacon, corned beef hash, pepperoni, bologna, hot dogs and spam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 27 words
A process according to claim 5, wherein the baked goods contain flour and are selected from dough, cookies, pastries, filled pastries, cakes, cupcakes, doughnuts, breads and pies.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 31 words
A process according to claim 5, wherein the dairy products are selected from butter, yogurt, margarine, sour cream, cream cheese, milk, evaporated milk, milk concentrate, cheese and cheese products and mayonnaise.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 16 words
A process according to claim 5, wherein the dressings are selected from meat and vegetable dressings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 26 words
A process according to claim 5, wherein the juices are selected from orange juice, apple juice, pineapple juice, cranberry juice, lemon juice, lemonade and grapefruit juice.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 29 words
A process according to claim 5, wherein the sauces are selected from spaghetti sauce, gravy mixes, seasoning sauce, barbecue sauce, taco and salsa sauces, steak sauces, ketchup and mustard.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 20 words
A process according to claim 5, wherein the pet foods are selected from cat food, dog food and fish food.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 23 words
A process according to claim 5, wherein the confectioneries and gums are selected from candies, pressed tablets, lozenges, chewing gum and bubble gum.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 19 words
A process according to claim 13, wherein the candies are selected from chocolates, nougats, fondant cremes, caramel and marshmallow.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 37 words
A process according to any one of claims 5 to 14, wherein the hydrocolloid-based composition comprises from 33 to 50% by weight of the edible or other consumable material, based on the total weight of that material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 54 words
A process according to claim 1, which process comprises: (a) providing an aqueous solution of an alkali metal alginate; (b) providing a reaction solution comprising an organic solvent which includes therein a multivalent cation; (c) atomizing the aqueous alkali metal alginate into the reaction solution to form hydrocolloid-based microspheres; and (d) recovering the microspheres.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 72 words
A process according to claim 1, which process comprises: (a) providing an aqueous solution of an alkali metal alginate; (b) providing a reaction solution comprising an organic solvent which includes therein a multivalent cation; (c) passing the aqueous solution and the reaction solution through a spray nozzle to blend the solutions prior to or upon exiting from an orifice of the spray nozzle, to form hydrocolloid-based microspheres; and (d) recovering the microspheres.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 78 words
A process according to claim 1, which process comprises: (a) providing an aqueous solution of an alkali metal alginate and a sequesterant; (b) providing a solution of a calcium salt; (c) passing the solutions through feedtubes of a spray nozzle into a mixing chamber of the spray nozzle, to mix the solutions; (d) atomizing the alginate mixture through an orifice of the spray nozzle into a calcium releasing bath to form hydrocolloid-based microspheres; and (e) recovering the microspheres.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 74 words
A process according to claim 1, which process comprises: (a) heating an aqueous solution of a calcium salt to approximately 160°C; (b) adding an alkali metal alginate to the aqueous solution, ensuring that the temperature of the aqueous solution does not fall below 160°C, to form calcium alginate; (c) atomizing the calcium alginate through a heated orifice of a spray nozzle into a cooling chamber, to form hydrocolloid-based microspheres; and (d) recovering the microspheres.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2786764A Cited
US2859115A Cited
DE3028371A1 Cited
EP0273823A1 Cited
WO1989012403A1 Cited

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