US4775545A — Process for producing sweetened fruit

Claim 1

Independent Claim 130 words

A process for preparing sweetened raisins having a low water activity relative to their moisture content, which process comprises: (a) bathing raisins having a moisture content of less than about 8 weight percent in an aqueous sugar solution having about 70 to 95 weight percent sugar, at least about 90 weight percent of which is fructose, at a temperature of about 5° to 110° C. for a sufficient length of time to increase the fructose/glucose weight ratio of the raisins by at least 15 percent and to increase the moisture content by at least 50 percent while maintaining the water activity of the raisins at less than about 0.5; and (b) separating the sweetened raisins having a low water activity relative to their moisture content from the aqueous sugar solution.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 130 words

A process for preparing sweetened raisins having a low water activity relative to their moisture content, which process comprises: (a) bathing raisins having a moisture content of less than about 8 weight percent in an aqueous sugar solution having about 70 to 95 weight percent sugar, at least about 90 weight percent of which is fructose, at a temperature of about 5° to 110° C. for a sufficient length of time to increase the fructose/glucose weight ratio of the raisins by at least 15 percent and to increase the moisture content by at least 50 percent while maintaining the water activity of the raisins at less than about 0.5; and (b) separating the sweetened raisins having a low water activity relative to their moisture content from the aqueous sugar solution.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 17 words

The process of claim 1 wherein the sugar in the aqueous sugar solution consists essentially of fructose.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 19 words

The process of claim 2 wherein the bathing is conducted at a temperature of about 20° to 80° C.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 27 words

The process of claim 3 wherein the raisins have a moisture content of less than about 6 weight percent prior to bathing in the aqueous sugar solution.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 96 words

A process for preparing sweetened fruit having a low water activity relative to its moisture content, which process comprises: (a) obtaining a fruit; (b) drying the fruit to reduce its moisture content by at least about 50 percent; (c) bathing the dry fruit in an aqueous sugar solution having about 70 to 95 weight percent sugar, at least about 75 weight percent of which is fructose, at a temperature of about 5° to 110° C.; and (d) separating the sweetened fruit having a low water activity relative to its moisture content from the aqueous sugar solution.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 96 words

A process for preparing sweetened fruit having a low water activity relative to its moisture content, which process comprises: (a) obtaining a fruit; (b) drying the fruit to reduce its moisture content by at least about 50 percent; (c) bathing the dry fruit in an aqueous sugar solution having about 70 to 95 weight percent sugar, at least about 75 weight percent of which is fructose, at a temperature of about 5° to 110° C.; and (d) separating the sweetened fruit having a low water activity relative to its moisture content from the aqueous sugar solution.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 17 words

The process of claim 5 wherein the sugar in the aqueous sugar solution consists essentially of fructose.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 19 words

The process of claim 6 wherein the bathing is conducted at a temperature of about 20° to 80° C.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 22 words

The process of claim 5 wherein the aqueous sugar solution comprises about 1 to 5 weight percent of an edible calcium compound.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 19 words

The process of claim 5 wherein the fruit is selected from the group consisting of bananas, raisins, and strawberries.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 37 words

An improved process for preparing sweetened fruit by bathing a fruit in an aqueous sugar solution, wherein the improvement comprises drying the fruit prior to bathing to reduce its moisture content by at least about 50 percent.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 37 words

An improved process for preparing sweetened fruit by bathing a fruit in an aqueous sugar solution, wherein the improvement comprises drying the fruit prior to bathing to reduce its moisture content by at least about 50 percent.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 24 words

The process of claim 10 wherein the fruit is dried prior to bathing to reduce its moisture content by at least about 67 percent.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 27 words

A process of claim 10 wherein said sugar solution has about 70 to 95 weight percent sugar, at least about 75 weight percent of which is fructose.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 19 words

A process of claim 10 wherein said fruit is selected from the group consisting of bananas, raisins, and strawberries.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 31 words

A process of claim 1 wherein said process further comprises drying said raisins prior to said bathing to reduce the moisture content of said raisins by at least about 50 percent.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 18 words

A process of claim 14 wherein said drying reduces said moisture content by at least about 67 percent.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 18 words

A process of claim 5 wherein said drying reduces said moisture content by at least about 67 percent.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1991-10-04	1992-04-04	1992-10-04	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1995-10-04	1996-04-04	1996-10-04	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1999-10-04	2000-04-04	2000-10-04	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Process for producing sweetened fruit

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