US4371562A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for improving the functionality of protein materials
Assignee: General Foods Corp
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Filing: 1981-06-08
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Granted: 1983-02-01
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Expires: 2001-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A high polymer material, e.g. polyvinylpyrrolidone, is mixed with an aqueous protein slurry composed of helical protein molecules. The pH of the slurry is then raised to about 8 to 12 to allow ingress of the high polymer material internally in the protein molecules. Thereafter, the slurry pH is reduced to about 5 to less than 8 to entrap a portion of the high polymer material within the protein molecules.
Inventors
- 👤 Herman H. Friedman
- 👤 Joseph Giacone
- 👤 Charles J. Cante
- 👤 John R. Frost
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:10
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23J; A23J3/00; A23K; A23K20/00; A23K20/20; A23K40/00; A23K40/20; A23K40/25; A23K50/00; A23K50/40; A23K50/42; A23L; A23L11/00; A23L11/05; A23L11/07; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S426/00; Y10S426/802; Y10S426/805
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for improving the functionality of a protein material comprising the steps of: (a) forming a non-solubilized, mixable, aqueous protein slurry composed of helical protein molecules, said slurry having greater than 20% solids concentration; (b) mixing polyvinylpyrrolidone with said slurry, said mixing being effective to cause complete dispersion of said polyvinylpyrrolidone in said slurry; (c) raising the pH of the slurry to within the alkaline range of from about 8 to about 14 and maintaining contact between the protein and the polyvinylpyrrolidone for a period of time effective to allow ingress of the polyvinylpyrrolidone internally in the helical protein molecules, and thereafter; (d) reducing the pH of the slurry to the range of from about pH 5 to less than pH 8 in order to entrap a portion of the polyvinylpyrrolidone within the helical protein molecules.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for improving the functionality of a protein material comprising the steps of: (a) forming a non-solubilized, mixable, aqueous protein slurry composed of helical protein molecules, said slurry having greater than 20% solids concentration; (b) mixing polyvinylpyrrolidone with said slurry, said mixing being effective to cause complete dispersion of said polyvinylpyrrolidone in said slurry; (c) raising the pH of the slurry to within the alkaline range of from about 8 to about 14 and maintaining contact between the protein and the polyvinylpyrrolidone for a period of time effective to allow ingress of the polyvinylpyrrolidone internally in the helical protein molecules, and thereafter; (d) reducing the pH of the slurry to the range of from about pH 5 to less than pH 8 in order to entrap a portion of the polyvinylpyrrolidone within the helical protein molecules.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the protein will comprise 10% to 50% by weight of the slurry.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the solids concentration of the slurry will be greater than 40% by weight of the slurry.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the raising of the pH of the slurry is in the range from pH 8 to pH 12.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the raising of the pH of the slurry is in the range from pH 9 to pH 10.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the polyvinylpyrrolidone has a molecular weight of about 360,000.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the level of polyvinylpyrrolidone used to effect the change in the protein functionality is in the range from 0.2% to 4% by weight of the slurry.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the reduction of the pH in the slurry of step (d) is effected by adding polyvinylpyrrolidone ingredients used in the formulation of a pet food.
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) | 1986-01-31 | 1986-08-02 | 1987-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-31 | 1990-08-02 | 1991-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-31 | 1994-08-02 | 1995-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |