Viscofan has been granted a patent for cellulose casings designed to transfer food dye, specifically annatto, to stuffed products during processing. The casings feature two layers of regenerated cellulose, with a specific distribution of norbixin to enhance color transfer. GlobalData’s report on Viscofan gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Viscofan, Vinyl resin foam was a key innovation area identified from patents. Viscofan's grant share as of July 2024 was 49%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Color-transfer cellulose casings for stuffed products
The patent US12016342B2 describes a novel casing for stuffed products, specifically designed with two layers of cellulose. The inner layer consists of regenerated cellulose combined with annatto, which contains norbixin, while the outer layer is also made of regenerated cellulose and is concentric to the inner layer. Notably, the casing is characterized by the distribution of annatto, with 50% to 100% of its weight located in the inner half of the combined area of both layers. The annatto content in the casing ranges from 0.05% to 20% by weight relative to the cellulose. Additionally, the regenerated cellulose may be reinforced to enhance its properties.
The patent further outlines a method for producing this casing, which involves adding an oily bixin solution to viscose and extruding it through a specialized extruder with concentric circuits. The process includes hydrolyzing bixin to norbixin after extrusion, with specific parameters for the concentration of the oily bixin solution and the hydrolysis conditions. The method allows for flexibility in the amount of bixin solution added, ranging from 0.05% to 25% by weight of the viscose. The hydrolysis can be performed using alkaline compounds such as NaOH or KOH, and additional steps may include passing the norbixin through a plasticizer bath or applying a folding composition during the casing's formation. The resulting casing is suitable for various stuffed products, including sausages, thereby enhancing the functionality and appeal of the final product.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
