US4814190A — Process for producing semi-moist cranberries and …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 153 words

A process for producing a sweetened, semi-moist cranberry product having a moisture content in the range of 10% to 40% comprising: (a) rupturing cranberries; (b) coating said ruptured fresh or frozen cranberries with an effective amount of sugar to initiate osmotic liquid sugar exchange; (c) continuing the osmotic liquid-sugar exchange within the cranberries in which juices migrate outward from the cranberries and sugar migrates into the cranberries by the osmotic exchange until the sugar concentration reaches an equilibrium across the cranberries to produce a mixture of sugared cranberries and sugared cranberry syrup. (d) separating the syrup from the cranberries; (e) rinsing the cranberries to remove surface sugar and syrup from outside the cranberries; (f) drying the sweetened cranberries in a vacuum atmosphere of up to 400-1200 microns Hg; and (g) suddenly releasing the vacuum atmosphere within 1 to 2 minutes to collapse the cranberries to a relatively wrinkled solid, chewy and palatable condition.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 153 words

A process for producing a sweetened, semi-moist cranberry product having a moisture content in the range of 10% to 40% comprising: (a) rupturing cranberries; (b) coating said ruptured fresh or frozen cranberries with an effective amount of sugar to initiate osmotic liquid sugar exchange; (c) continuing the osmotic liquid-sugar exchange within the cranberries in which juices migrate outward from the cranberries and sugar migrates into the cranberries by the osmotic exchange until the sugar concentration reaches an equilibrium across the cranberries to produce a mixture of sugared cranberries and sugared cranberry syrup. (d) separating the syrup from the cranberries; (e) rinsing the cranberries to remove surface sugar and syrup from outside the cranberries; (f) drying the sweetened cranberries in a vacuum atmosphere of up to 400-1200 microns Hg; and (g) suddenly releasing the vacuum atmosphere within 1 to 2 minutes to collapse the cranberries to a relatively wrinkled solid, chewy and palatable condition.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 22 words

The process as set forth in claim 1 in which the ratio of cranberries to sugar, by weight is 3 to 1.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 13 words

The process as claimed in claim 2 in which the sugar is sucrose.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 21 words

The process as claimed in claim 1 in which the ratio of cranberries to sugar, by weight, is 2 to 1.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 18 words

The process as set forth in claim 4, in which the sugar is a high fructose corn syrup.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 30 words

The process as set forth in claim 1 in which the soluble solids of the cranberries Brix ranged from 19° Brix to 33° Brix after sugar equilibrium had been reached.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 25 words

The process as set forth in claim 1 in which the water content of the semi-moist cranberry product range is at least 12% by weight.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 28 words

The process as set forth in claim 1 including combining portions of citrus peel with the cranberries before sweetening the combined fruits as set forth in step (b).

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 16 words

The process as set forth in claim 8 in which the citrus fruit comprises orange peel.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 10 words

The product as produced by the process in claim 1.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 10 words

The product as produced by the process of claim 8.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 41 words

The process of claimed in claim 1 in which said sugared fruit syrup of steps (c) and (d) is diluted with water and is dried until moisture level reaches from 1-2% and the dried sugared fruit syrup has a crystalline form.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 42 words

The process as claimed in claim 1 in which said sugared fruit syrup of steps (c) and (d) is diluted with water and is dried until the moisture level reaches from 4-9% and the dried fruit syrup has reached a taffy-like consistency.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 160 words

A process for producing a sweetened, semi-moist fruit product comprising any one of blueberries, cherries or sliced cranberries having a moisture content in the range of 10% to 40% by weight comprising; (a) coating the fruit with an effective amount of sugar to initiate osmotic liquid-sugar exchange, (b) continuing the osmotic liquid-sugar exchange within the fruit in which the juices of the fruit migrate outward and sugar migrates into the fruit by the osmotic exchange until the sugar concentration reaches an equilibrium across the fruit to produce a mixture of sugared fruit and sugared fruit syrup; (c) separating the sugared fruit syrup from the fruit; (d) rinsing the fruit to remove surface sugar and syrup from the outside of the fruit; (e) drying the sugared fruit in a vacuum atmosphere of up to 400-1200 microns Hg; (f) suddenly releasing the vacuum atmosphere within 1 to 2 minutes to collapse the fruit to a relatively wrinkled solid, chewy and palatable condition.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 160 words

A process for producing a sweetened, semi-moist fruit product comprising any one of blueberries, cherries or sliced cranberries having a moisture content in the range of 10% to 40% by weight comprising; (a) coating the fruit with an effective amount of sugar to initiate osmotic liquid-sugar exchange, (b) continuing the osmotic liquid-sugar exchange within the fruit in which the juices of the fruit migrate outward and sugar migrates into the fruit by the osmotic exchange until the sugar concentration reaches an equilibrium across the fruit to produce a mixture of sugared fruit and sugared fruit syrup; (c) separating the sugared fruit syrup from the fruit; (d) rinsing the fruit to remove surface sugar and syrup from the outside of the fruit; (e) drying the sugared fruit in a vacuum atmosphere of up to 400-1200 microns Hg; (f) suddenly releasing the vacuum atmosphere within 1 to 2 minutes to collapse the fruit to a relatively wrinkled solid, chewy and palatable condition.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 41 words

The process as claimed in claim 14 in which said sugared fruit syrup of steps (b) & (c) is diluted with water and is dried until the moisture level reaches from 1-2% and the dried fruit syrup has a crystalline form.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 10 words

The product as produced by the process of claim 14.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 39 words

The process as claimed in claim 15 in which said sugared fruit syrup of steps (b) and (c) is diluted with water and dried until the moisture level reaches from 4-9% and the syrup has reached a taffy-like consistency.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1992-03-20	1992-09-19	1993-03-21	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1996-03-20	1996-09-19	1997-03-21	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2000-03-20	2000-09-19	2001-03-21	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Process for producing semi-moist cranberries and the product therefrom

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