DEL MONTE CORPORATION Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150216204 | Apparatus, Systems and Methods for Manufacturing Food Products - Apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed to manufacture a plurality of edible pieces in a continuous process where each piece is generally different in thickness, shape, size and/or texture from another piece, so as to create, in the aggregate product distribution, pieces of randomly varying thickness, size, shape and/or texture. More specifically, the present invention, in its various embodiments, provides a process for manufacturing pet jerky treats comprising: grinding proteinaceous material, mixing said proteinaceous material with preservatives and flavor enhancers to form a blend of foodstuff, extruding said foodstuff through at least one die opening that is at least partially irregular to form at least one strip of extrudate that is at least partly irregular in shape, transporting said strip in a first longitudinal direction to a first cutting operation, cutting said strip at a first cutting angle to form a first set of pieces, transporting said first set of pieces in a second longitudinal direction to a second cutting operation, cutting said first set of pieces in said second cutting operation at a second angle to form a second set of pieces, such that the said second set of pieces cumulatively produced during a process run generally appear to be of random sizes and shapes. | 08-06-2015 |
20150017315 | Apparatus, Systems and Methods for Manufacturing Food Products - Apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed for manufacturing semi-moist meatballs. An illustrative embodiment provides a method of manufacturing generally spherical pet treats comprising: (a) providing a ground mix of proteinaceous material, flavor enhancers and preservatives to a portioning device that divides said mix into smaller portions of roughly uniform volume, (b) placing said portions on a first belt of a first conveyor moving at a first speed in a longitudinal direction, (c) periodically pressing said portions with a second belt of a second conveyor, where said second belt operates in a plane at a height above, and substantially parallel to, said first belt, said second belt moving at a second speed in substantially the same longitudinal direction as said first belt, while also oscillating back and forth in a lateral direction that is at an angle to said longitudinal direction, such that said portions are transformed into generally spherical shapes. | 01-15-2015 |
20140199456 | Apparatus, Systems and Methods for Manufacturing Food Products - Apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed for manufacturing slices of sausages that appear to have been cut from a conventional round sausage log at an angle. An illustrative embodiment provides a manufacturing process for making portions to be finished into angled pet treats comprising: (a) providing a ground mix of proteinaceous material, flavor enhancers and preservatives to a forming chamber comprising: a fixed base surface, a fixed top surface, and a movable intermediate section insertable between said base and top surfaces, said intermediate section having a plurality of die cavities that each have a central axis oblique to the surface of said intermediate plate, said top surface having a plurality of feeder holes that overlap at least partially with said die cavities, (b) filling said plurality of die cavities via said feeder holes with said foodstuff, thereby forming a plurality of portions in shapes and dimensions that generally correspond to the shapes and dimensions of said die cavities, (b) moving said intermediate section containing said plurality of portions out of said chamber, (c) forcibly ejecting said portions with a plurality of longitudinal elements that reciprocate in and out of said die cavities along said central axis, thereby forming angled pet treats. | 07-17-2014 |
20140199428 | Apparatus, Systems and Methods for Manufacturing Food Products - Apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed for manufacturing slices of sausages that appear to have been cut from a conventional round sausage log at an angle. An illustrative embodiment provides a manufacturing process for making portions to be finished into angled pet treats comprising: (a) providing a ground mix of proteinaceous material, flavor enhancers and preservatives to a forming chamber comprising: a fixed base surface, a fixed top surface, and a movable intermediate section insertable between said base and top surfaces, said intermediate section having a plurality of die cavities that each have a central axis oblique to the surface of said intermediate plate, said top surface having a plurality of feeder holes that overlap at least partially with said die cavities, (b) filling said plurality of die cavities via said feeder holes with said foodstuff, thereby forming a plurality of portions in shapes and dimensions that generally correspond to the shapes and dimensions of said die cavities, (b) moving said intermediate section containing said plurality of portions out of said chamber, (c) forcibly ejecting said portions with a plurality of longitudinal elements that reciprocate in and out of said die cavities along said central axis, thereby forming angled pet treats. | 07-17-2014 |
20130273125 | Appetizing and Dentally Efficacious Animal Chews - Described herein are chewable articles intended to be provided to animals for purposes including dental cleaning, breath freshening, nutrition, administration to the animal of beneficial agents, satisfaction of the animal's urge to chew, and general enjoyment by the animal. The chews are made to be appetizing to the animal, to satisfy an urge to chew, to effect abrasive cleaning of the animal's teeth, to deliver one or more active agents to the oral cavity of the animal, or a combination of these. The chews have a resilient, chewable texture and are shaped to facilitate dental cleaning, to facilitate oral grasping by the animal, to appeal to human owners of the animal, to enhance the human-animal bond, or a combination of these. Also disclosed are apparatus and methods for making such chewable articles and for formulating and using them to effect dental health in animals. | 10-17-2013 |
20130236611 | GALVANIC PACKAGE FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND PRESERVATION METHOD - A package for fruits and vegetables having galvanic functionality is formed by using two or more metals with different galvanic activity properties on the surface of a nonmetallic substrate. The metals may be deposited electrolytically, by vacuum, autocatalytically, or by other methods. The metals are selected to create a galvanic reaction after the package is filled with a low pH food product and its associated liquids, juices, brine, etc. The package may extend the shelf-life of the food product contained therein, for example, by making metal ions available to the food product. | 09-12-2013 |
20130230633 | FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PRESERVATION PROCESS - An HPP method for preserving a food item such as a fruit or vegetable may include the steps of: (a) placing a prepared fruit and/or vegetable in a container having a capacity less than about two gallons; (b) filling the container with a pH modifying solution or sauce to establish a pH in the container in the range of about 2 to about 6, and preferably about 4; (c) dearation; (d) sealing the container; and (e) applying pressure to the container in the range of about 2,000 to about 120,000 psi, preferably about 90,000 psi, for a time period in the range of about 1 to about 20 minutes, preferably about 5 minutes at a temperature in the range not lower than freezing and not greater than about 230° F. | 09-05-2013 |
20130040027 | MEAT-CONTAINING, STRIP SHAPED FOOD PRODUCT AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A flexible, strip-shaped food product is made by comminuting substantially frozen meat and heating the comminuted meat to at least partially denature the meat proteins and cooling the cooked meat. About 4% by weight to about 45% by weight of wheat flour is admixed with the cooked meat, along with other ingredients, to form a dough. Use of the wheat flour unexpectedly increases tensile strength of the dough and products baked from the dough, and maintains flexibility of the strip-shaped food products over an extended period of time. Cooking of the meat in the presence of salt unexpectedly increases water activity of the pieces, resulting in a product that has a skin and a moist middle, while maintaining tensile strength. The dough is rotary-molded into strip-shaped pieces. The rotary mold may have angled die cups. The strip-shaped dough pieces are then baked and dried. | 02-14-2013 |
20120276258 | FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PESERVATION PROCESS - An HPP method for preserving fruits may include the steps of: (a) placing a prepared fruit in a container having a capacity less than about two gallons; (b) filling the container with a pH modifying solution to establish a pH in the container in the range of about 2 to about 6, and preferably about 4; (c) deaeration; (d) adding a modifying medium such as a sweetener; (e) vacuum infusion of the solution into the prepared fruit; (f) sealing the container; and (g) applying pressure to the container in the range of about 2,000 to about 120,000 psi, preferably about 90,000 psi, for a time period in the range of about 1 to about 20 minutes, preferably about 5 minutes at a temperature in the range not lower than freezing and not greater than about 230° F. | 11-01-2012 |
20120064201 | GALVANIC PACKAGE FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND PRESERVATION METHOD - A package for fruits and vegetables having galvanic functionality is formed by using two or more metals with different galvanic activity properties on the surface of a nonmetallic substrate. The metals may be deposited electrolytically, by vacuum, autocatalytically, or by other methods. The metals are selected to create a galvanic reaction after the package is filled with a low pH food product and its associated liquids, juices, brine, etc. The package may extend the shelf-life of the food product contained therein, for example, by making metal ions available to the food product. | 03-15-2012 |
20120058227 | Dog Chew Treats - A dog chew treat is fashioned from a composition comprising sugar, fiber, and flour. Preferably, the sugar is dextrose, and the flour is pre-gelatinized wheat flour. The composition may be molded into the shape of a bone, or other treat. A palatant coating may be applied to the molded product. Colors may be added for different aesthetics such as a marbling pattern. Functional ingredients may be used to provide health benefits. | 03-08-2012 |
20110217435 | FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PESERVATION PROCESS - An HPP method for preserving a food item such as a fruit or vegetable may include the steps of: (a) placing a prepared fruit and/or vegetable in a container having a capacity less than about two gallons; (b) filling the container with a pH modifying solution or sauce to establish a pH in the container in the range of about 2 to about 6, and preferably about 4; (c) dearation; (d) sealing the container; and (e) applying pressure to the container in the range of about 2,000 to about 120,000 psi, preferably about 90,000 psi, for a time period in the range of about 1 to about 20 minutes, preferably about 5 minutes at a temperature in the range not lower than freezing and not greater than about 230° F. | 09-08-2011 |
20110203351 | Citrus Fruit Peeling Process - An efficient process for enzymatically peeling citrus fruit applies a vacuum to perforated fruit and, while maintaining that vacuum, introduces an enzyme solution to the perforated fruit. The fruit is infused with the enzyme by releasing the vacuum pressure. After incubating the enzyme, the albedo of the fruit is weakened and the citrus peel can be readily removed. The peeled fruit may be divided into sections and the encompassing membrane removed. | 08-25-2011 |
20100304002 | CAT TREAT - A pet treat having a sugar-based edible portion including a palatant material and a support portion. Incorporation of starch provides a hard-candy texture for the edible portion. The pet treat may be formed as a lollipop, a toy, or a lozenge using either a batch process or a continuous process. Features to interest a pet include a resilient mount, or a rotatable mount. An adhesive mount can attach the support to a variety of surfaces. A replaceable cover and rejuvenant container may be used. | 12-02-2010 |
20100303970 | CAT TREAT - A pet treat having a sugar-based edible portion including a palatant material and a support portion. Incorporation of starch provides a hard-candy texture for the edible portion. The pet treat may be formed as a lollipop, a toy, or a lozenge using either a batch process or a continuous process. Features to interest a pet include a resilient mount, or a rotatable mount. An adhesive mount can attach the support to a variety of surfaces. A replaceable cover and rejuvenant container may be used. | 12-02-2010 |
20100047824 | CITRUS FRUIT PEELING PROCESS - An efficient process for enzymatically peeling citrus fruit applies a vacuum to perforated fruit and, while maintaining that vacuum, introduces an enzyme solution to the perforated fruit. The fruit is infused with the enzyme by releasing the vacuum pressure. After incubating the enzyme, the albedo of the fruit is weakened and the citrus peel can be readily removed. The peeled fruit may be divided into sections and the encompassing membrane removed. | 02-25-2010 |