METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DEHYDRATING CO-EXTRUDED FOOD PRODUCTS

• US 20120073454A1
• Filed: 11/16/2011
• Published: 03/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hector Angel Flores, Jos Kobussen, Kasper Willem Van Den Berg, Marcus Bernhard Hubert Bontjer
• Original Assignee: Hector Angel Flores, Jos Kobussen, Kasper Willem Van Den Berg, Marcus Bernhard Hubert Bontjer
• Inventors: Kobussen, Jos, Bontjer, Marcus Bernhard Hubert, Van den Berg, Kasper Willem, Flores, Hector Angel
• Granted Patent: US 9,173,414 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 99/535
• CPC Class Codes: A22C 11/00 Sausage making chemical aspects A23L13/00; Apparatus for handling or conveying sausage products during manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: A22C 13/0006 Apparatus for making artificial collagen casings chemical aspects A22C13/0016
• CPC Class Codes: A22C 2013/0023 coextruded together with the food product
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 4/02 Preserving by means of inorganic salts apparatus therefor A23B4/26, A23B4/32
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 4/033 with addition of chemicals A23B4/037 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 4/24 Inorganic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 4/305 with inorganic salts
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2002/00 Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs

Abstract

A method for at least partially dehydrating the casing of co-extruded food products, wherein an aqueous salt solution is supplied to the exterior of the co-extruded food products. A device for at least partially dehydrating the casing of co-extruded food products.

Claims

1. Method for at least partially dehydrating the casing of co-extruded food products, comprising the processing steps of:

A) supplying an aqueous salt solution to the exterior of the co-extruded food products,

B) collecting the aqueous salt solution used during processing step A),

C) reconditioning the collected aqueous salt solution, and

D) reusing the reconditioned aqueous salt solution with the processing step A).

2. Method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that reconditioning of the aqueous salt solution during processing step C) comprises forced evaporation of water out of the salt solution.

3. Method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the forced evaporation of water out of the salt solution comprises of heating the salt solution.

4. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the collected aqueous salt solution is filtered.

5. Method as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the collected aqueous salt solution is filtered in a manner such that at least one component is substantially removed from the aqueous salt solution by means of absorption.

6. Method as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the collected aqueous salt solution is filtered in a manner such that at least one component is substantially removed from the aqueous salt solution by means of adsorption, for instance using active carbon.

7. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that an additive is added to the aqueous salt solution so as to prevent discolouration.

8. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that an additive is added to the aqueous salt solution so as to at least partially reverse discolouration.

12. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the aqueous salt solution is irradiated in order to at least substantially prevent discolouration thereof.

13. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the aqueous salt solution is irradiated in order to at least substantially reverse discolouration of the aqueous salt solution.

14. Method as claimed in claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the irradiation takes place by means of ultraviolet radiation.

9. Method as claimed in 7 or 8, characterized in that the additive comprises a strong oxidant, such as hydrogen peroxide.

10. Method as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the strong oxidant consists of a salt derivative of a strong oxidant, such as sodium percarbonate.

11. Method as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the strong oxidant consists of an acid derivative.

15. Device for at least partially dehydrating the casing of co-extruded food products, comprising:

a brining system for co-extruded food products,

supply means for an aqueous salt solution connecting onto the brining system, and

collecting means for the aqueous salt solution likewise connecting onto the brining system,

characterized in that the device is also provided with reconditioning means for reconditioning aqueous salt solution collected by the collecting means and feeding the supply means with a reconditioned aqueous salt solution.

16. Device as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that the reconditioning means comprise heating means for heating the collected aqueous salt solution.

17. Device as claimed in claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the reconditioning means are provided with dispensing mean for feeding an additive to the aqueous salt solution.

18. Device as claimed in any of the claims 15-17, characterized in that the reconditioning means are provided with irradiating means.

19. Device as claimed in any of the claims 15-18, characterized in that the reconditioning means are provided with a filter.