Patent Description:
Canned food products come in many forms. Such products can be loaf type products having variations in texture and appearance, meat loaf products having a distinct appearance and texture, or aerated mousse products having their typical airy texture and appearance. These products are typically prepared by comminuting raw meat and mixing it with water, salt, spices, curing agents, gelling agents and, if necessary, fats to form a batter that is then heated. The heated batter is then filled into containers such as cans to form, after retorting and cooling, a meat loaf. Variations in loaf texture and appearance are achieved by varying particle size in the batter and by varying the type and level of binders in the batter.

Another common form of canned food products is meat or meat analog chunks (<CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>) or slices (<CIT>) in gravy or sauce. Other variations include the meat or meat analog chunks in loaf (<CIT>), aspic, or gel form. Further variations in canned food product image include distinct bi-layering of chunks and loaf forms (<CIT>) or multi-layering of these (<CIT>). Other variations are made by introducing a center filling where the center filling layer is a loaf batter of a different color or texture or both, or where the center filling is chunks in gravy (<CIT>). For this product, the center filling was visible on removal of the lid (top) and on emptying (bottom).

These canned food products are adequate for their purpose. However, consumers of canned food products, including pet owners and caregivers, are continually seeking novel yet appealing canned food product forms or varieties. There is, therefore, a need for new canned food products that bring variety and appeal to consumers, including meat-filled type products that are highly desirable by the consumer.

<CIT> describes a canned pet food product having a base layer and an upper layer.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide canned food products comprising a can containing a meat emulsion encasing one or more hydrocolloid dispersions according to claim <NUM>.

Further disclosed are food products comprising a meat emulsion encasing one or more hydrocolloid dispersions.

It is a another object of the invention to provide methods for making food products containing a meat emulsion encasing one or more hydrocolloid dispersions that have a different appearance and texture when compared to the meat emulsion.

Further disclosed are multi-pack packages of the canned food products of the invention.

One or more of these or other objects or disclosure are achieved by providing food products comprising a meat emulsion encasing one or more hydrocolloid dispersions. The one or more hydrocolloid dispersions have a unique texture and a unique appearance when compared to the meat emulsion. Due to the low miscibility or non-miscibility of the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions and the meat emulsion, the food products have two distinct and separate phases - an inner phase corresponding to the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions and an outer phase corresponding to the meat emulsion.

Other and further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

The term "encased" means that one or more hydrocolloid dispersions are completely or substantially enclosed by a meat emulsion, where the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions are substantially enclosed if less than <NUM>% of the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions are visible on the surface for the food product.

The term "can" means a rigid retortable container, e.g., a metal container such as a metal or metal alloy can, a plastic container, a glass container, and combinations thereof.

The term "canned" means that a food product is contained in a can.

The term "companion animal" means domesticated animals such as cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, hamsters, mice, gerbils, horses, cows, goats, sheep, donkeys, pigs, and the like.

All percentages expressed herein are by weight of the total weight of the food composition unless expressed otherwise. For example, an ingredient in an amount of <NUM>% by weight means that the amount of the ingredient is <NUM>% of the total weight of the food composition. Thus, if the total weight of the food composition is <NUM> grams, the actual amount of the ingredient corresponding to <NUM>% by weight would be <NUM> grams.

In one aspect, the invention provides food products comprising a can, the can comprising one or more hydrocolloid dispersions in the interior of the can, each of the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions is a flowable sol having a creamy appearance selected from the group consisting of xanthan, carboxy methyl cellulose, konjac, guar, agar agar, gum arabic, locust bean gum, cassia, acacia, alginate, carobe or a combination thereof and comprising from about <NUM> to about <NUM>% of the food product; and a meat emulsion encasing the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions, wherein the meat emulsion comprises muscle meat and collagen or wherein the meat emulsion comprises a fribrillar protein and at least one polysaccharide. Generally, the meat emulsion forms an outer matrix encasing the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions and the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions and the meat emulsion have a different appearance, texture, or other distinguishing property when compared. In one embodiment, the invention provides a food product including a firmly set meat emulsion forming an outer matrix encasing one or more hydrocolloid dispersions.

It is disclosed that the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions and the meat emulsion comprise any suitable amount of the food product. In various embodiments, the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions comprise from about <NUM> to about <NUM>% of the food product
The one or more hydrocolloid dispersions comprise from about <NUM> to about <NUM>% of the food product. In certain embodiments the meat emulsion comprises the remaining <NUM> to <NUM>% of the food product.

The one or more hydrocolloid dispersions are in the form of a flowable sol. The one or more hydrocolloid dispersions are in the form of a flowable sol that gives a creamy or sauce-like appearance comprising from about <NUM> to about <NUM>% of the food product.

The one or more hydrocolloid dispersions comprise xanthan, carboxy methyl cellulose, konjac, guar, agar agar, gum arabic, locust bean gum, cassia, acacia, alginate, carobe, or a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the meat emulsion comprises fibrillar protein and polysaccharides. Suitable fibrillar proteins include myosin, actin, actomyosin, collagen, and mixtures thereof, e.g., protein from bovine, equine, ovine, avian, porcine, caprine, ovine, and piscine. Examples of suitable polysaccharides include starches, gums, or mixtures thereof.

In another embodiment, the meat emulsion comprises muscle meat and collagen. The resulting food product is a firmly set protein matrix encasing one or more hydrocolloid dispersions. The one or more hydrocolloid dispersions comprise from about <NUM> to about <NUM>% of the food product and the meat emulsion correspondingly comprises the remaining <NUM> to <NUM>% of the food product.

The one or more hydrocolloid dispersions and the meat emulsion are not miscible or have low miscibility and thus form two different phases that do not mix when the food product is formed. The food product is therefore composed of two separate phases - an inner phase corresponding to the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions and an outer phase corresponding to the meat emulsion.

In various embodiments, at least one of the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions and the meat emulsion comprise additional ingredients. For example, one or more of the hydrocolloid dispersions and/or the meat emulsion comprise visible pieces of real or simulated ingredients for aesthetic appeal or nutritional function. In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions or the meat emulsion comprise solubilized or dispersed nutritional ingredients, flavor or aroma compounds, or encapsulated flavors or nutrients for release during retorting, in the mouth or in the alimentary tract.

In another aspect, the invention provides methods for making food products according to the invention. The methods comprise forming one or more hydrocolloid dispersions, forming a meat emulsion, filling the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions and the meat emulsion into a can such that the meat emulsion encases the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions. In an embodiment, a method for making the food product comprises forming the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions, separately forming the meat emulsion, pumping the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions into a can, and pumping the meat emulsion into the can such that the meat emulsion encases the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions. In preferred embodiments, the methods further comprise the steps of placing a lid on the can after the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions and the meat emulsion have been filled into the can, sealing the can (hermetically sealing the can), and retorting the can. Generally, the can is subsequently cooled or allowed to equilibrate to room temperature. The resulting food product is a firmly set meat emulsion forming an outer matrix completely or substantially encasing the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions.

The can is retorted at any suitable temperature for a suitable time. For example, the can is retorted at a temperature of from about <NUM> to <NUM> for from about <NUM> to about <NUM> minutes. In preferred embodiments, the can is retorted at from about <NUM> to about <NUM> for from about <NUM> to about <NUM> minutes.

The can is cooled to any suitable temperature. For example, the can may be cooled to a temperature of <NUM> to <NUM>. In an embodiment, the can is cooled to <NUM> to <NUM>. The can may be cooled by allowing it to set until it equilibrates to room temperature or may be cooled to room or any other temperature using refrigeration or other suitable means.

The filled can may be inverted before retorting.

The food product of the invention is useful as a food product for any animal that consumes such food products, e.g., humans, felines, canines, bovines, equines, ovines, avians, porcines, caprines, ovines, and the like. In preferred embodiments, the food product is a companion animal food product, e.g., a pet food for dogs or cats. In more preferred embodiments, the food product is a food product for dogs or cats.

In an alternative embodiment, a method for making the food product comprises filling the can by pumping half of the meat emulsion into the can, followed by pumping the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions onto the meat emulsion, and pumping the remaining half of the meat emulsion onto the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions so that it covers the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions. The method may further comprise the steps of placing a lid on the filled can, hermetically sealing the filled can, retorting the filled can, and cooling the retorted can.

An alternative method for making the food product comprises delivering the meat emulsion to a can and injecting the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions into the meat emulsion. The food product may also be produced by co-extruding the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions at a first rate and the meat emulsion at a second rate and adjusting the first rate and the second rate to allow the meat emulsion to encase the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions.

Meat emulsions and hydrocolloid dispersions and methods for making such emulsions and dispersions are known to skilled artisans.

It is disclosed that, the invention provides multi-pack packages useful for conveniently providing the canned food products of the invention to consumers. The multi-pack packages comprise a plurality of cans containing a canned food product of the invention arranged in an array and one or more devices for retaining the cans in the array. It is further disclosed that the multi-pack packages have one or more handles affixed to the packages to facilitate handling and transporting the packages. It is further disclosed that, the devices are boxes made from paper, plastic, polymers, and combinations thereof. It is further disclosed that the devices can be systems of connected plastic rings affixed to each of the containers. It is further disclosed that, the devices can be wrappings of plastic of similar materials, e.g., twelve cans stacked in an array and wrapped in plastic. It is further disclosed that, the multi-pack packages further comprise one or more indicia describing the contents of the containers in the packages, e.g., labels, printing on the packages, stickers, and the like. It is disclosed that, the devices further comprise one or more windows that permit the package contents to be viewed without opening the multi-pack package. It is dis closed that, the windows are a transparent portion of the devices. or that the windows are missing portions of the devices that permit the containers to be viewed without opening the multi-pack package.

The invention can be further illustrated by the following examples, although it will be understood that these examples are included merely for purposes of illustration and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention unless otherwise specifically indicated.

A <NUM> batch of meat emulsion (outer matrix casing) preparation was made according to the formulation shown in Table <NUM>(a). The meats and fish ingredients, which were in a frozen state, were crushed to break up into less than <NUM> chunks. These chunks were then ground with a meat grinder and extruded through die plates with openings of <NUM> diameter. The ground meats were transferred to a Rietz mixer and, with continuous mixing, water and all remaining ingredients were added while the temperature of this mixture was raised to <NUM> using direct steam injection. Mixing was continued for an additional <NUM> minutes, by which time the mixture was homogenous. This mixture was then emulsified with a Kinematica emulsifier.

In parallel, a <NUM> of a starch/hydrocolloid based emulsion was prepared as follows using the formulation shown in Table <NUM>(b). <NUM> of water was heated to <NUM> in a steam-jacketed stainless steel vessel. A high speed/high Tekmar disperser was then inserted into the water with the blades at a depth approximately <NUM>% from the surface of the water. All of the other ingredients were mixed together in a plastic bag. With the disperser running, the mixture of ingredients was slowly poured into the vortex created by the high speed rotation of the disperser.

Mixing was continued for a minute after all of the solids were fully dispersed. The temperature of the dispersion was maintained at <NUM> to <NUM> until filling into cans was completed.

The ingredients were combined in an <NUM> gram can as follows. <NUM> grams of a meat emulsion was metered into a can. This was immediately followed by metering <NUM> grams of a starch/hydrocolloid dispersion and topping off with <NUM> grams of the meat emulsion. The can was then lidded, hermetically sealed, retorted at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes, and cooled to room temperature (<NUM> to <NUM>). The can was opened and the contents examined. The food product in the can was a hydrocolloid dispersion completely encased by a meat emulsion.

A meat emulsion was made as in Example <NUM> using the formulation show in Table <NUM>(a). The starch/hydrocolloid dispersion was made as in Example <NUM> but using the formulation shown in Table <NUM>. The konjac/xanthan hydrocolloid dispersion blend was doubled compared to that in Example <NUM>. The filling, canning, and retorting conditions were the same as in Example <NUM>. The can was opened and the contents examined. The food product in the can was a hydrocolloid dispersion completely encased by a meat emulsion.

Ingredients for a <NUM> batch of xanthan based (hydrocolloid) tablets were weighed out according to the formula shown in Table <NUM> and blended a dry blender for one minute to form a dry powder mix. The powder mix was then formed into tablets by compressing in a tablet press with force of <NUM> kilo Newton. Tablets of three different dimensions were made as shown in Table <NUM>.

Ingredients for a <NUM> batch of carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) based (hydrocolloid) tablets weighed out according to formula shown in Table <NUM> and made into tablets as shown in Example <NUM> and Table <NUM>.

A <NUM> meat emulsion preparation was made according to the formulation shown in Table <NUM>. The meat ingredients were weighed and macro ground in a meat grinder into pieces of about <NUM> in size. With continuous mixing, the dry ingredients (vitamin premix, minerals, colorants, corn starch, and carob gum) were mixed with the ground meat. Potable water and steam were added to reach a temperature between <NUM> to <NUM> and moisture <NUM>% (target <NUM> to <NUM>%), while mixing. Mixing was continued for an additional <NUM> minutes. The flavor blend was added at the end of the mixing before the emulsification step. The subsequent mix was then micro ground through <NUM> + <NUM> whole plates which resulted in a homogenous meat emulsion.

<NUM> of the meat emulsion from Example <NUM> was filled into a can and an <NUM> diameter xanthan-based tablet added to the center followed by an additional <NUM> of meat emulsion. The can was then lidded, hermetically sealed, and retorted at <NUM> for <NUM> minutes. During the retorting process, the xanthan-based tablet absorbed water forming a gel with the meat emulsion set solid around the gel. The can was opened and the contents examined. The food product in the can was a hydrocolloid dispersion completely encased by a meat emulsion.

Example <NUM> was repeated with the <NUM> diameter CMC-based tablet. During the retorting process, the xanthan-based tablet absorbed water forming a gel with the meat emulsion set solid around the gel. The can was opened and the contents examined. The food product in the can was a hydrocolloid dispersion completely encased by a meat emulsion.

Example <NUM> was repeated with <NUM> smaller (<NUM> diameter) xanthan-based tablets. During the retorting process, the xanthan-based tablets absorbed water forming <NUM> gel spots with the meat emulsion set solid around the <NUM> gel spots. The can was opened and the contents examined. The food product in the can was <NUM> hydrocolloid dispersions completely encased by a meat emulsion.

Example <NUM> was repeated with <NUM> smaller (<NUM> diameter) CMC-based tablets. During the retorting process, the CMC-based tablets absorbed water forming <NUM> gel spots with the meat emulsion set solid around the <NUM> gel spots. The can was opened and the contents examined. The food product in the can was <NUM> hydrocolloid dispersions completely encased by a meat emulsion.

Claim 1:
A canned food product comprising:
a can, the can comprising:
one or more hydrocolloid dispersions in the interior of the can; each of the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions is a flowable sol having a creamy appearance selected from the group consisting of xanthan, carboxy methyl cellulose, konjac, guar, agar agar, gum arabic, locust bean gum, cassia, acacia, alginate, carobe, or a combination thereof and comprising from about <NUM> to about <NUM> % of the food product; and
a meat emulsion encasing the one or more hydrocolloid dispersions; wherein the meat emulsion comprises muscle meat and collagen,
or wherein the meat emulsion comprises a fibrillar protein and at least one polysaccharide.