Pet food product and method of manufacturing a pet food product

Abstract

A pet food product filled with wet food in a package bag, wherein the net content of the wet food is 30 g or less, the wet food contains solid food materials, the largest size of the solid food materials in the wet food is 4 to 9 mm, and the wet food contains a meat paste.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to pet food products and methods for manufacturing pet food products.

[0002] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-193280, filed on November 13, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] Pet food can be divided into staple food and treats based on the feeding purpose. Pet food intended as staple food is called "complete nutrition food," which is designed so that pets can obtain the necessary nutrients simply by consuming this food and water.

[0004] On the other hand, "treats" are limited quantities of pet food intended for use as training, exercise, rewards, etc.

[0005] Based on purpose, the classification is divided into "complete nutritional food", "snacks", "therapeutic food", and "foods for other purposes" which do not belong to any of these categories.

[0006] In addition, based on moisture content, they are generally divided into dry food with a moisture content of about 10%, semi-wet food with a moisture content of about 15-35%, and wet food with a moisture content of about 80%.

[0007] Typically, wet grains are individually packaged, with a net weight of around 80g.

[0008] In recent years, with the miniaturization and aging of pets, their food intake has decreased, resulting in smaller portions of wet food per feeding. Consequently, there are situations where pet food cannot be finished in one sitting, and leftovers are stored in the refrigerator, leading to problems such as reduced flavor and refrigerator contamination.

[0009] As a product that needs to be consumed within a short period of time after opening, stick-shaped pet food is known. Furthermore, Patent Document 1 discloses a pet food product comprising: a container having a bottom, a peripheral wall, and a retaining portion, wherein the peripheral wall extends upward from the outer periphery of the bottom and surrounds the bottom, defining an upwardly opening receiving portion together with the bottom, and the retaining portion protruding outward from the peripheral wall; and wet food contained within the receiving portion.

[0010] Existing technical documents

[0011] Patent documents

[0012] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-179308 Summary of the Invention

[0013] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0014] Bar-shaped pet food or the wet food disclosed in Patent Document 1 is best used as a treat, but when used as a main meal or in combination with a main meal, there is the issue of small quantities. In addition, there is the issue of difficulty in adding large pieces of food.

[0015] Furthermore, since it's difficult to simply reduce the net content of existing wet food to fill it into bars, it's necessary to reduce the amount of larger ingredients or palatability-enhancing components. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the palatability of existing wet food for pets.

[0016] The present invention is made in view of the above circumstances, and its objective is to provide a pet food product that can maintain palatability and reduce the amount of food to be fed each time, and a method for manufacturing the pet food product.

[0017] Solution for solving the problem

[0018] The inventors of this application, through careful research, discovered that even in relatively small quantities, such as wet food with a net weight of less than 30g, the presence of larger ingredients can increase pets' satisfaction during meals. Furthermore, by using minced meat, which maintains a stable shape and size even in small quantities and further enhances palatability by improving the texture of the ingredients, the aforementioned issues can be resolved. More specifically, the present invention employs the following solution.

[0019] [1] A pet food product, which is filled with wet food in a packaging bag, wherein the net content of the wet food is less than 30g, the wet food contains solid ingredients, the largest solid ingredient in the wet food is 4-9mm in size, and the wet food contains minced meat.

[0020] [2] According to the pet food product described in [1], one side of the packaging bag is a bent portion of the sheet forming the packaging bag, and the other three sides are welded together.

[0021] [3] According to the pet food product described in [1] or [2], wherein the aspect ratio of the packaging bag is 1:2 to 2:1.

[0022] [4] The pet food product described in any one of [1] to [3], wherein the wet food comprises a broth portion and solid ingredients, and the total content of the solid ingredients is 30 to 45% by mass relative to the total amount of the wet food.

[0023] [5] According to the pet food product described in [1], the largest of the minced meat is 4 to 9 mm in size, and the largest of one or more other ingredients besides the minced meat is also 4 to 9 mm in size.

[0024] [6] A method for manufacturing a pet food product, wherein the method comprises: a step of supplying a film from a film roll; a step of folding the supplied film in a folded manner in the width direction; a step of heat-sealing the downstream end of the folded film in the flow direction; a step of heat-sealing the end of the film in the opposite direction to the folded portion; a step of filling wet food from above; a step of heat-sealing the upstream end of the folded film in the flow direction; and a step of cutting and separating the upstream end of the heat-sealed film in the flow direction to manufacture a pet food product in which wet food is filled in a packaging bag, wherein one side of the packaging bag is a folded portion of a sheet, and the other three sides are welded, the net content of the wet food is less than 30g, the wet food contains solid ingredients, the largest solid ingredient in the wet food is 4-9mm in size, and the wet food contains minced meat.

[0025] Invention Effects

[0026] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pet food product that maintains palatability and reduces the amount of food to be fed each time, as well as a method for manufacturing the pet food product. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of one implementation of a pet food product.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the manufacturing method of the pet food product according to this embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0029] In this instruction manual, "palliativeness" is an indicator of whether a pet likes to eat the food, which is determined by factors such as texture, taste, and smell.

[0030] In this specification, the moisture content values ​​are obtained by atmospheric pressure heating drying.

[0031] In the atmospheric pressure heating and drying method, the analyte is placed in a pulverizer and pulverized, and then passed through a 1 mm sieve. This pulverized analyte is used as the analytical sample. 2-5 g of the analytical sample is accurately weighed and placed in an aluminum weighing dish. The analytical sample is dried at 135°C for two hours. After cooling in a desiccator, the weight of the analytical sample is accurately weighed. The moisture content is calculated based on the weight difference of the analytical sample before and after drying.

[0032] More specifically, the sample to be analyzed is pulverized in a grinder and passed through a 1 mm sieve to form the analytical sample. The mass (W1 g) of an aluminum weighing vessel is pre-determined as constant weight. The analytical sample is placed in the aluminum weighing vessel and its mass (W2 g) is weighed. Next, the analytical sample is dried at 135°C for two hours using a forced-circulation hot air dryer. After cooling the analytical sample in a drying atmosphere (in a silica gel desiccator), its mass (W3 g) is weighed. Based on the obtained masses, the moisture content of the analytical sample is calculated using the following formula.

[0033] Moisture content of the sample (unit: mass%) = (W2 - W3) ÷ (W2 - W1) × 100

[0034] Moisture content is set as the value measured immediately after the finished product is opened within 30 days from the date of manufacture, or the value measured under the same conditions.

[0035] (Pet food products)

[0036] The pet food product in this embodiment is a pet food product filled with wet food in a package.

[0037] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a pet food product according to one embodiment is shown.

[0038] Figure 1 The pet food product shown has one side that is a bent portion of the sheet material forming the packaging bag, and the other three sides are welded together.

[0039] The aspect ratio of the packaging bag is preferably 1:2 to 2:1.

[0040] The net content of the pet food product in this embodiment is 30g or less, preferably 15g or more and 30g or less, and more preferably 20g or more and 30g or less.

[0041] The largest ingredient in the wet food of the pet food product of this embodiment is 4-9 mm in size, preferably 4-6 mm, and more preferably 5-6 mm.

[0042] If the size of the food is 4mm or larger, it can increase the pet's satisfaction while eating and improve palatability by enhancing the texture of the food.

[0043] The wet food in this embodiment is a wet-type pet food with a moisture content of 70% by mass or more. Specifically, it is preferably a pet food composed of solid ingredients and a broth portion. The upper limit of the moisture content is preferably 98% by mass or less, more preferably 90% by mass or less.

[0044] The wet food product of this embodiment contains minced meat as a solid ingredient. Specifically, minced chicken meat is preferred.

[0045] The size of the minced meat is preferably 4 to 9 mm, more preferably 4 to 6 mm, and even more preferably 5 to 6 mm.

[0046] In addition, the size of the minced meat is 4 to 9 mm, and the size of one or more other ingredients besides the minced meat is preferably 4 to 9 mm, more preferably 4 to 6 mm, and even more preferably 5 to 6 mm.

[0047] Other ingredients besides the minced meat can include vegetables such as carrots.

[0048] Other solid food ingredients are not specifically limited. Examples include meats (chicken, beef, lamb, pork, processed meat products, etc.), fish and shellfish (tuna, bonito, sardines, barracuda, sea bream, halibut, mackerel, horse mackerel, processed fish products, etc.), dairy products (milk, concentrated milk protein, cheese, etc.), eggs (egg whites, egg yolks, processed egg products, etc.), vegetables (cabbage, spinach, pumpkin, broccoli, green peppers, carrots, burdock, potatoes, asparagus, soybeans, green beans, green beans, processed vegetable products, etc.), grains (wheat, corn, processed grain products, etc.), and fungi (shiitake mushrooms, button mushrooms, etc.).

[0049] The combination of two or more solid ingredients is preferred. In this instruction manual, when using two or more ingredients, the ingredient with the highest content in the solid ingredients of the pet food is referred to as the main ingredient, and the ingredients other than the main ingredient are referred to as secondary ingredients.

[0050] The main ingredient is preferably selected from group (A) consisting of chicken, beef, lamb, pork, tuna, bonito, sardines, barracuda, sea bream, halibut, mackerel, and horse mackerel.

[0051] The total mass of the main ingredient relative to the solid ingredients is preferably 50-99% by mass, more preferably 60-95% by mass, and even more preferably 70-90% by mass.

[0052] The secondary ingredients should preferably be one or more of the solid ingredients listed above, other than the main ingredients.

[0053] It should be noted that when pet food contains two solid ingredients, each comprising 50% by mass, the ingredient included in group (A) above is considered the main ingredient, and the ingredient not included in group (A) is considered the secondary ingredient. When both ingredients are included in group (A), the ingredient with the larger longest diameter is considered the main ingredient, and the other is considered the secondary ingredient.

[0054] The broth can be liquid or gel-like. Generally, gels with lower fluidity are called jelly-like, and those with higher fluidity are called gel-like; there is no clear boundary between them.

[0055] The broth may contain water. It may also contain ingredients other than water. Examples of ingredients other than water include seasonings, thickeners, sugars, oils, and additives (such as preservatives, palatability enhancers, etc.).

[0056] The water content in the broth is adjusted to achieve the desired overall moisture content in the pet food.

[0057] The thickener can appropriately use known substances. Preferably, the thickener comprises a thickening polysaccharide. Examples of thickening polysaccharides include one or more selected from the group consisting of alginic acid, alginate, alginate esters, gum arabic, gelling polysaccharides, carrageenan, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), locust bean gum, xanthan gum, guar gum, psyllium husk gum, gellan gum, tamarind gum, tara gum, pullulan, pectin, methyl cellulose (MC), glucomannan, and mannan.

[0058] The wet food in this embodiment of the pet food product is obtained by mixing solid ingredients with broth.

[0059] You can mix the ingredients for the broth only beforehand, or you can mix the solid ingredients together with the broth ingredients.

[0060] The total content of solid ingredients relative to the total amount of wet food is preferably 30-45% by mass. If the solid ingredients are above the lower limit of the above range, good palatability is easily obtained, and if they are below the upper limit, good workability is easily obtained when filling the pet food into the packaging bag.

[0061] The pet food product described in this embodiment can be a snack or a complete nutritional food.

[0062] (Manufacturing methods for pet food products)

[0063] The method for manufacturing a pet food product according to this embodiment includes: a step of supplying a film from a film roll; a step of folding the supplied film in a folded manner in the width direction; a step of heat-sealing the downstream end of the folded film in the flow direction; a step of heat-sealing the end of the film in the opposite direction to the folded portion; a step of filling wet food from above; a step of heat-sealing the upstream end of the folded film in the flow direction; and a step of cutting and separating the upstream end of the heat-sealed film in the flow direction, thereby manufacturing a pet food product in which wet food is filled in a packaging bag, wherein one side of the packaging bag is a folded portion of a sheet, and the other three sides are welded together.

[0064] use Figure 2 The manufacturing method of the pet food product according to this embodiment will be explained in detail. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the manufacturing method of the pet food product according to this embodiment. First, a film is supplied from a film roll 3. Next, the film is folded in half along its width direction using a guide 5. While the film is being fed out by the rotation of a heat sealer 9, the end of the film in the direction opposite to the folded portion is heat-sealed. The downstream end of the film in the flow direction is heat-sealed using a heat sealer 11. Next, wet food is filled from a filling nozzle 7. Next, the upstream end of the folded film in the flow direction is heat-sealed using a heat sealer 11. Next, the upstream end of the film in the flow direction is cut and separated using a cutter 13, thereby producing a pet food product with wet food filled in a packaging bag. One side of the packaging bag is a folded portion of a sheet, and the remaining three sides are welded.

[0065] Compared to existing methods for manufacturing pet food products that involve preparing a bag with the portion other than the top welded together and filling the bag with wet food, the method for manufacturing pet food products in this embodiment allows for a continuous process of filling wet food while simultaneously heat-welding the film, thus simplifying the process.

[0066] If the largest ingredient in the wet grain is 4-9 mm in size, the ingredients can be prevented from being clamped when the ends of the film are heat-fused, thereby further improving productivity.

[0067] Specifically, the method for producing wet feed involves fully cooking chicken until it is cooked through to the core and then cooling it. The chicken is then extruded using a meat grinder with a 6mm opening, resulting in chicken mince with a diameter of 6mm. Additionally, mixed vegetables are chopped using a silent cutter.

[0068] Regarding liquid ingredients, they are prepared by mixing liquids such as water and soy sauce with thickeners and trace ingredients (antioxidants, vitamins, etc.) in a mixer beforehand.

[0069] Wet food can be produced by mixing 6mm Φ chicken mince, chopped mixed vegetables, and liquid ingredients.

[0070] If minced meat is used as the largest ingredient in the wet food, the shape and size of the ingredients can be stabilized, which can further prevent large ingredients from entering when filling the wet food and hindering the heat welding.

[0071] By setting the aspect ratio of the film (packaging bag) to a wide shape of 1:2 to 2:1, the nozzle width during filling can be increased, making it easier to fill large ingredients.

[0072] The method for manufacturing pet food products according to this embodiment can effectively manufacture pet food products.

[0073]

Example

[0074] The present invention will be described in more detail below using examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0075] (Manufacturing of pet food products)

[0076] The ingredients are mixed according to the formula shown in Table 1 to produce the wet food for each example.

[0077] Next, through use Figure 2 The same manufacturing method was used to produce the various pet food products.

[0078] (Evaluation of the texture of the ingredients)

[0079] Five judges visually assessed whether the food had a natural, ingredient-like appearance. The evaluation criteria shown in Table 1 are as follows.

[0080] A: Everyone's answer had a sense of food.

[0081] B: Three or four judges will give answers that have a sense of the ingredients.

[0082] C: There will be no more than two judges whose answers have a sense of food ingredients.

[0083] (Evaluation of manufacturing stability)

[0084] Manufacturing stability was evaluated according to the following criteria. The results are shown in Table 1. It should be noted that although no products received a C rating in this pet food product manufacturing, it is evident that manufacturing instability, particularly a C rating, occurs when the size of the ingredients exceeds 10mm.

[0085] A: There is no sealing problem, and the filling capacity is stable.

[0086] B: The filler capacity is unstable, and when setting the weight within a range of up to 15% of the net content, a measurement error of more than 10% may occur.

[0087] C: Poor sealing leads to concerns about manufacturing quality.

[0088] Table 1

[0089]

[0090] It has been confirmed that the pet food products of Examples 1 to 5, which have a net weight of 20g and a maximum ingredient size of 6 or 9mm (boiled chicken mince), can be manufactured.

[0091] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Structural additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention is not limited by the foregoing description, but only by the scope of the claims.

[0092] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0093] 3・・・Film roll

[0094] 5. Guide

[0095] 7. Filling nozzle

[0096] 9, 11... Heat sealing machine

[0097] 13... Cutter

Claims

1. A pet food product, wherein a packaging bag is filled with wet food, wherein, The net weight of the wet grain is less than 30g. The wet food contains solid ingredients. The largest solid food ingredient in the wet grain is 4–9 mm in size. The wet grain contains minced meat.

2. The pet food product according to claim 1, wherein, One side of the packaging bag is a bent portion of the sheet material forming the packaging bag, and the other three sides are welded together.

3. The pet food product according to claim 1, wherein, The aspect ratio of the packaging bag is 1:2 to 2:

1.

4. The pet food product according to claim 1, wherein, The wet food comprises a broth portion and solid ingredients, wherein the total content of the solid ingredients is 30-45% by mass relative to the total amount of the wet food.

5. The pet food product according to claim 1, wherein, The largest of the minced meat is 4-9 mm in size, and the largest of one or more other ingredients besides the minced meat is also 4-9 mm in size.

6. A method for manufacturing a pet food product, wherein, The manufacturing method of the pet food product includes: The process of supplying film from film rolls; The process of folding the supplied film in the width direction by folding it in half; The process of heat-sealing the downstream end of the folded film in the flow direction; The process of heat-welding the end of the film in the opposite direction to the bent portion; The process of filling wet grains from above; The process of heat-sealing the upstream end of the folded film in the flow direction; and The process involves cutting and separating the upstream end of the heat-fused film in the flow direction to manufacture a pet food product filled with wet food in a packaging bag. One side of the packaging bag is a bent portion of a sheet, and the remaining three sides are fused together. The net weight of the wet food is less than 30g, the wet food contains solid ingredients, the largest solid ingredient in the wet food is 4-9mm in size, and the wet food contains minced meat.

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