Big Heart Pet, Inc.

Mars, Incorporated

Sergio Alberto Jimenez-Marquez

John F Berry

Davor Juravic

Donald R Barnvos

Oscar Ortiz

Mark Donatucci

Melinda S Cope

Darin Y Matsubara

Adelmo Monsalve-Gonzalez

Lina Pruitt

Michael J Wilson

Yah-Hwa E Lin

Irene Luna Guzman

Rebecca Lynn Skolmutch

Cheri Elizabeth Myers

Palatable food products are provided with low bulk density of about 4-12 lb/ftand comprise an expanded matrix of intercommunicated pores defined by a skeletal structure of gelatinized starch. The products produce an audible crunch sound when crushed by applied force and include low calorie, energy-dense characteristics of about 2-6 Kcal/g. The total weight of the product comprises about 20-60% starch, about 30% or less flowable fat, about 2-12% water, and a coating of flavorants and/or aromants. The product can optionally comprise health promoting ingredients. The products are manufactured by extruding batched ingredients including starch and water under processing conditions to promote starch gelatinization to form a substantially homogenous dough that, after extrusion, expands into a porous matrix. The porous matrix can undergo vacuum infusion to fill the matrix with flowable fat, dry palatant, and wet palatant. After infusion, the porous matrix can be dust coated with dry palatant.

Palatable expanded food products and methods of manufacture thereof

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. Also disclosed are apparatus and methods for making such chewable articles, the methods including the use of a processing aid to lubricate the article-forming apparatus, such as extruders, portioners, and molds, and to reduce the power requirements of such apparatus in the forming process.

Methods for making 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.

Appetizing and dentally efficacious animal chews

The present invention relates to compositions of matter comprising a rice grain, which has been at least partially milled, and, on the surface of the rice grain, a coating comprising bran, a material which increases the fiber value of the composition, or a combination thereof. The present invention provides for compositions that may have the benefits of traditional white rice, i.e., soft mouth feel, short cook times, easy to digest, white appearance, long shelf-life, etc., with the benefits of brown rice, i.e., high nutritional value and enhanced flavor. Indeed, the nutritional value of the compositions of the present invention may be equal to or better than that of wholegrain brown rice. The present invention further relates to methods for the preparation of a whole grain rice composition. In one embodiment the methods comprises at least partially milling rice grains, and coating on the surface of the rice grains, a coating comprising bran, a material which increases the fiber value of the composition, or a combination thereof.

Whole grain rice compositions and coating methods

Growing community of inventors

El Segundo, CA, United States of America

Sergio Alberto Jimenez-Marquez