US4520037A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Edible emulsion having an improved microbiological stability
Assignee: Lever Brothers Co
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Filing: 1983-07-07
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Granted: 1985-05-28
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Expires: 2003-07-07
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed an edible emulsion comprising at least two differently formulated aqueous phases containing microbiologically labile nutrients and ingredients inhibiting bacterial growth, said aqueous phases being present in the form of discrete, differently formulated drops dispersed in a continuous phase, wherein an effective amount of each ingredient inhibiting bacterial growth is concentrated along with a nutrient in part of the dispersed aqueous drops and none of the nutrients is present unprotected.
Inventors
- 👤 Grahame Gould
- 👤 Anthony Crossley
- 👤 David P. J. Moran
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:35
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23D; A23D7/00; A23D7/015; A23D7/005; A23D7/0056
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
An edible emulsion comprising at least two differently formulated aqueous phases containing microbiologically labile nutrients and ingredients inhibiting bacterial growth, said aqueous phases being present in the form of discrete, differently formulated drops dispersed in a continuous plastic fat phase, wherein an effective amount of each ingredient inhibiting bacterial growth is concentrated along with a nutrient in at least part of the total aqueous phase and none of the nutrients is present unprotected.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
An edible emulsion comprising at least two differently formulated aqueous phases containing microbiologically labile nutrients and ingredients inhibiting bacterial growth, said aqueous phases being present in the form of discrete, differently formulated drops dispersed in a continuous plastic fat phase, wherein an effective amount of each ingredient inhibiting bacterial growth is concentrated along with a nutrient in at least part of the total aqueous phase and none of the nutrients is present unprotected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An edible emulsion according to claim 1, wherein the fat phase constitutes 30-65 wt.% of the total emulsion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An edible emulsion according to claim 1, wherein the emulsion contains an emulsifier preventing intermingling and coalescence of the differently formulated drops.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An edible emulsion according to claim 3, wherein the emulsifier comprises a polyglycerol fatty acid ester.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An edible emulsion according to claim 1, wherein the ingredient inhibiting bacterial growth consists of a water-activity depressing agent, an acid or a preservative.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
An edible emulsion according to claim 1, wherein one aqueous phase is present in the form of dispersed discrete drops (i) containing a salt and a nutrient, and another aqueous phase is present in the form of dispersed, discrete drops (ii) containing an acid and a nutrient.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
An edible emulsion according to claim 6, wherein drops (i) contain 6-12% of sodium chloride and a nutrient, and drops (ii) contain a sufficient amount of an acid to achieve a pH ranging from 1.5 to 5.5, and a nutrient.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
An edible emulsion according to claim 6, wherein the nutrient present in drops (i) is a protein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
An edible emulsion according to claim 6, further comprising a third aqueous phase in the form of drops (iii) which are substantially free from nutrients and ingredients inhibiting bacterial growth.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
An edible emulsion according to claim 1, wherein each of the aqueous phases ranges from 5 to 75 wt.%.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
77 words
A process for producing an edible emulsion according to claim 10, comprising: dispersing in a continuous plastic fat phase at least two differently formulated aqueous phases containing microbiologically labile nutrients and ingredients inhibiting bacterial growth, in the form of discrete, differently formulated drops, wherein an effective amount of each ingredient inhibiting bacterial growth is concentrated along with a nutrient in at least part of the total aqueous phase and that none of the nutrients is present unprotected.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 12, wherein the fat phase constitutes 30-65 wt.% of the total emulsion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 11, wherein an emulsifier preventing intermingling and coalescence of the differently formulated drops is incorporated in the emulsion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 13, wherein the emulsifier comprises a polyglycerol fatty acid ester.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 11, wherein the ingredient inhibiting bacterial growth consists of a water activity depressing agent, an acid or a preservative.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
A process according to claim 11, wherein one aqueous phase is dispersed as discrete drops (i) containing a salt and a nutrient and another aqueous phase is dispersed as discrete drops (ii) containing an acid and a nutrient.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process according to claim 16, wherein drops (i) contain 6-12% of sodium chloride and a nutrient and drops (ii) contain a sufficient amount of an acid to achieve a pH ranging from 1.5 to 5.5, and a nutrient.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 17, wherein a protein is incorporated in drops (i).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 11, wherein each of the aqueous phases ranges from 5 to 75 wt.%.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
58 words
A process according to claim 11, comprising: (a) producing at least two separate emulsions by separately dispersing each of said differently formulated aqueous phases in a plastic fatty phase; (b) separately cooling and texturizing said emulsions; (c) mixing the texturized emulsions by applying a mild shear regime preventing coalescence and intermixing of the differently formulated, dispersed aqueous phases.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 20, wherein step (b) is carried out in a Votator apparatus.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 20, wherein step (c) is carried out in a static mixer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process according to claim 22, further comprising a recirculation step (d) involving recirculating each of the emulsions obtained in step (b) prior to intermixing the emulsions in step (c).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to claim 22, further comprising a recirculation step (e) involving recirculating as a single stream at least one of the aqueous phases into a separate container prior to emulsification and intermixing.
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) | 1988-05-27 | 1988-11-26 | 1989-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-05-27 | 1992-11-26 | 1993-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-05-27 | 1996-11-26 | 1997-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |