US4006257A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vacuum treating fruit pieces in aqueous solutions consisting of sodium bisulfite or sodium sulfite and citric acid
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-08-07
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Granted: 1977-02-01
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Expires: 1995-08-07
Abstract
Abstract Fruit is prepared for refrigerated storage by cutting the fruit into convenient pieces, and then subjecting the fruit to soaking under vacuum in a solution containing sodium bisulfite or sodium sulfite and citric acid in definite ranges. These ranges are preferably inversely related in a substantially straight-line relationship, so that the high end of one range is used in conjunction with the low end of the other. The fruit pieces are also preferably immersed in a preliminary holding solution containing sodium bisulfite or sodium sulfite and table salt prior to the soaking. Fruit prepared in this way can be held indefinitely under ordinary refrigeration without freezing. The process is particularly suitable for apples.
Inventors
- 👤 Clarence H. Kolk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 13:53
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23B; A23B7/00; A23B7/14; A23B7/04; A23B7/05; A23B7/10; A23B7/144; A23B7/148
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of processing fruit, including cutting the fruit into pieces and soaking the pieces in an aqueous solution of citric acid and a member selected from the group consisting of sodium bisulfite and sodium sulfite, wherein the improvement comprises: soaking said pieces under vacuum in an aqueous solution consisting of said member selected from the group consisting of sodium bisulfite and sodium sulfite in a concentration to produce said member selected from the group consisting of sodium bisulfite and sodium sulfite in the juice of said pieces in a range between 192 and 256 parts per million parts of the juice in said pieces by weight, and citric acid in a range between 31/2 to 41/2 milli-liters per 100 grams of the juice in said pieces including the citric acid that may be present in said fruit, draining said pieces, and holding the same for use.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of processing fruit, including cutting the fruit into pieces and soaking the pieces in an aqueous solution of citric acid and a member selected from the group consisting of sodium bisulfite and sodium sulfite, wherein the improvement comprises: soaking said pieces under vacuum in an aqueous solution consisting of said member selected from the group consisting of sodium bisulfite and sodium sulfite in a concentration to produce said member selected from the group consisting of sodium bisulfite and sodium sulfite in the juice of said pieces in a range between 192 and 256 parts per million parts of the juice in said pieces by weight, and citric acid in a range between 31/2 to 41/2 milli-liters per 100 grams of the juice in said pieces including the citric acid that may be present in said fruit, draining said pieces, and holding the same for use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said soaking is continued for at least 2 minutes, and under a vacuum of approximately 30 inches of mercury.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said soaking is preceded by the immersion of said pieces in a solution containing table salt in approximately 12,000 parts per million parts by weight of water and a member selected from the group consisting of sodium bisulfite and sodium sulfite in approximately 1,200 parts per million by weight of water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as defined in claim 3, wherein said immersion is continued for a period of between five and thirty minutes and said pieces are then transferred directly to said soaking operation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said ranges are inversely related on a substantially straight-line basis.
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) | 1980-02-01 | 1980-08-02 | 1981-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-01 | 1984-08-02 | 1985-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-01 | 1988-08-02 | 1989-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |