US4663530A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Quantitative measurement of fat in dairy products
Assignee: MULTISPEC Ltd
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Filing: 1986-03-21
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Granted: 1987-05-05
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Expires: 2006-03-21
Abstract
Abstract An infrared transmission/absorption technique for the quantitative determination of fat in dairy products, particularly high-fat dairy products having fat concentrations between 15 and 60 w/o. A wave band characteristic of bending and scissoring of saturated carbon hydrogen bonds is employed, preferably a wave band at about 6.84 microns. It is further preferred to use the double wavelength, single cuvette system. Variations in accuracy caused by lipolysis and degree of homogenization are substantially reduced.
Inventors
- 👤 John Shields
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 09:14
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/02; G01N33/04; G01N33/06; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/25; G01N21/31; G01N21/35; G01N21/3577; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S250/00; Y10S250/91
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for direct infrared measurement of milkfat concentration in the range of 15 to 60 w/o in dairy products such as cream and ice cream, said method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting infrared energy through a test sample of the dairy product, (b) determining infrared absorption of the sample at a first wave band characteristic of bending and scissoring of saturated carbon-hydrogen bonds in milkfat fatty acid chains, and (c) quantitatively determining fat concentration in the sample as a function of absorption at said first wave band.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for direct infrared measurement of milkfat concentration in the range of 15 to 60 w/o in dairy products such as cream and ice cream, said method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting infrared energy through a test sample of the dairy product, (b) determining infrared absorption of the sample at a first wave band characteristic of bending and scissoring of saturated carbon-hydrogen bonds in milkfat fatty acid chains, and (c) quantitatively determining fat concentration in the sample as a function of absorption at said first wave band.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method set forth in claim 1 wherein said first wave band is in the range of about 6.75 to 7.1 microns.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method set forth in claim 1 comprising the additional steps: (d) determining infrared absorption of the sample at a second wave band adjacent to said first wave band but not characteristic of saturated carbon-hydrogen bonds, and wherein said step (c) comprises the step comparing absorption at said first wave band to absorption at said second wave band.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method set forth in claim 3 wherein said first wave band is centered at about 6.84 microns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method set forth in claim 4 wherein said second wave band is in the range of about 6.46 to 6.75 microns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method set forth in claim 4 wherein said second wave band is in the range of about 7.0 to 7.20 microns.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method set forth in claim 6 wherein said second wave band is in the range of about 7.11 to 7.15 microns.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of measuring fat concentration in dairy products comprising the steps of: irradiating a test sample with infrared energy, determining infrared absorption of said sample at a first wave band of said infrared energy characteristic of bending and scissoring of saturated carbon-hydrogen bonds, and quantitatively determining the fat concentration in said sample as a function of absorption at said first wave band.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of measuring fat concentration in dairy products comprising the steps of: irradiating a test sample with infrared energy, determining infrared absorption of said sample at a first wave band of said infrared energy characteristic of bending and scissoring of saturated carbon-hydrogen bonds, and quantitatively determining the fat concentration in said sample as a function of absorption at said first wave band.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method set forth in claim 8 wherein said first wave band is from 6.75 to 7.1 microns.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method set forth in claim 9 wherein said first wave band is at about 6.84 microns.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method set forth in claim 10 wherein said method comprises the additional step of determining infrared absorption of said sample at a second wave band in the range of about 6.46 to 6.75 and 7.0 to 7.20 microns, and wherein said step of quantitatively determining fat concentration comprises the step of comparing absorption at said first wave band to absorption at said second wave band.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method set forth in claim 11 wherein said second wave band is in the range of about 7.11 to 7.15 microns.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method set forth in claim 11 comprising the additional step, prior to irradiating said sample, of reducing diameter of fat globules in said sample to not greater than 3.5 microns.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method set forth in claim 10 wherein said first wave band has a band width of not greater than 110 mm.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-05-04 | 1990-11-03 | 1991-05-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-04 | 1994-11-03 | 1995-05-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-04 | 1998-11-03 | 1999-05-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |