US 7,537,794 B2
Animal chew
David Baldus, 11806 W. Potter Rd., Wauwatosa, Wis. 53226 (US)
Filed on May 20, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/134,559.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/573130, filed on May 21, 2004.
Prior Publication US 2005/0260306 A1, Nov. 24, 2005
Int. Cl. A23K 1/14 (2006.01); A23K 1/18 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 426—635  [426/637; 426/302; 426/805] 4 Claims
 
1. A process for making an animal chew comprising the following order or steps:
a) washing a sweet potato to remove all dirt and debris; then
b) heating the washed sweet potato at a temperature of about 60 to 90° F. (16 to 32° C.) for a time sufficient to reduce breakage of the sweet potato; then
c) slicing the washed sweet potato into segments of desired shape and thickness with a furrowed surface; then
d) exposing the segmented sweet potato to water heated to a temperature between about 200 and 220° F. (93 and 104° C.) for a time sufficient to eliminate any debris; then
e) steaming the segmented sweet potato at a temperature and time sufficient to stop all enzymatic activity; then
f) dehydrating the steamed sweet potato to a moisture content of between about 11 and 20%; then
g) storing the dehydrated sweet potato in a moisture-controlled environment for up to three weeks; and then
h) treating the dehydrated sweet potato of step (g) with additional nutrients or flavorants.