Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Antigen – epitope – or other immunospecific immunoeffector – Conjugate or complex
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-23
2001-05-29
Tate, Christopher (Department: 1651)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Antigen, epitope, or other immunospecific immunoeffector
Conjugate or complex
C426S648000, C426S599000, C426S655000, C426S489000, C426S465000, C426S443000, C426S658000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06238672
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of botanical and nutritional food products and more particularly to nutritional supplements prepared with powder made from the fruit of a cactus. Preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise novel compositions of cactus fruit powder and other beneficial ingredients prepared for human consumption.
BACKGROUND
The human physiological need for vitamins has been well established. Regular dietary consumption of vitamins is essential to good health. Various organizations and government agencies have published recommended quantities for vitamin consumption. One well known standard in the United States is the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) which recommends quantities for the daily intake of vitamins.
While the need for vitamins is well known, the average person fails to consume the recommended daily intake of vitamins through their normal diet. Often this is due to a busy work schedule that encourages the consumption of “fast food” that is high in fat and sugar content. For others, food rich in vitamin content may just not be readily available. Whatever the reason, many people do not consume enough vitamins in their daily diet.
Vitamin supplements have become common and are distributed in a variety of forms. Pills, capsules, elixirs, tablets and other forms abound on the market as a means for obtaining a proper daily vitamin intake. For some, this is an acceptable source of vitamins, however, many people cannot consume vitamins in these forms. Children and the elderly are especially averse to consumption of these products. This may be due to sensitive gag reflexes or a strong distaste for the product's form or taste. Regardless of the reason, many people find concentrated vitamin supplements unpalatable and unacceptable as a source of daily vitamin intake.
Natural foods are popular among health-conscious consumers today. Many people prefer to get their vitamins and other nutrients in a “natural” way from naturally occurring sources. “Natural” vitamins are now in high demand. These are vitamins which are found in a product in its natural state without vitamin supplements or vitamin “fortification.” Because many fruits have high vitamin content, fruit flavors are often associated with healthy vitamin-rich products.
Among these natural vitamin containing foods, the health-conscious consumer often prefers a flavor which is unique or exotic and mildly sweet. This gives the perception of a healthy substance that is not high in calories. Unique and exotic tastes are often preferred and perceived to be more refreshing so long as they can be associated with a natural fruit, vegetable, herb or other natural source.
The majority of Americans, and people of many other cultures, are accustomed to consuming stimulants as a part of their daily routine. In the United States, the stimulant of choice is currently caffeine. Millions of cups of coffee are imbibed each morning to kick-start the day and throughout the day to provide a pick-me-up in the afternoon or evening. Cola drinks are also a source of caffeine which are consumed in large amounts. Other cultures prefer tea as a source of caffeine stimulant. The addictive nature of caffeine may explain its widespread acceptance and enormous consumption rate. Caffeine-containing drinks continue to be popular despite effects that are detrimental to the body. Caffeine can be detrimental to the digestive tract as well as other systems. Caffeine's addictive effects and a user's psychological dependence on caffeine's stimulation make it difficult to abandon after continued use. An alternative product which can provide gentle stimulation would be a welcome alternative to caffeine-containing drinks.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a completely natural, natural-tasting, nutritional supplement which contains many essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids as well as the benefits of selected herbs and, in some embodiments, royal jelly. An unique or exotic flavor is provided through the use of cactus fruit or products created from cactus fruit or its juice. In some preferred embodiments, ginseng berry products or ginseng berry juice is combined with cactus fruit products to add nutrients and flavor.
Accordingly, it is an object of preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide a nutritional supplement with a unique or exotic flavor.
It is another object of preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide a nutritional supplement comprised of products created from natural juices with naturally occurring vitamins.
It is an additional object of preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide a source of vitamins, amino acids, minerals, herbs and/or other nutrients for those who are averse to consuming tablets, capsules and similar items.
A further object of preferred embodiments of the present invention is to provide a source of vitamins, amino acids, minerals, herbs and/or other nutrients that can be easily consumed with fast food or while the consumer is on-the-go.
An additional object of preferred embodiments of the present invention is to provide a nutritional supplement that will naturally stimulate the mind and body.
Another object of preferred embodiments of the present invention is to provide a stimulating food supplement that provides an alternative to caffeine consumption without the addictive or health-repressing qualities of caffeine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a powder made from cactus fruit and other select ingredients. A preferred genus of cactus is the Cereus genus with several preferable species such as
Cereus grandiflorus, Cereus giganteus
and
Cereus thurberi
. Another preferred genus is the Opuntia which includes many preferred species including
Opuntia strigil, Opuntia basilaris, Opuntia rufida, Opuntia phaeacantha, Opuntia engelmannii, Opuntia erinacea, Opuntia humifusa, Opuntia phaecantha, Opuntia chlorotica, Opuntia polycantha, Opuntia violacea, Opuntia spinosbacca, Opuntia lindheimeri
and
Opuntia macrorhiza
. The species within the Opuntia genus of cactus have relatively flat, oval-shaped pads, similar to the leaves or branches of a bush, which may or may not have spines thereon. Cactus fruit or “pears” generally grow around the perimeter of the oval-shaped pads on these cacti. In the practice of the present invention, juice or a juice/pulp mixture is derived from the cactus fruit. In some presently preferred embodiments, juice or pulp may also be derived from the cactus pads or stems.
Cactus fruit grow in several varieties with varying color, seed content, sugar content and size. Colors range from green and yellow to purple, orange and red. Fruits generally range in size from 110 grams to 150 grams. Seed content, by weight, typically ranges between 2 and 4 grams per fruit while sugar content generally ranges between 11% and 16%. Cactus fruit used in a preferred embodiment of the processes and compositions of the present invention are red with average to high sugar content obtained from the
Cereus Grandiflorus
species.
Laboratory analysis of the juice from cactus fruit used for the preferred embodiment of the present invention shows a high concentration of essential vitamins. The following Table 1 gives the result of a laboratory analysis of the cactus juice squeezed from the
Cereus Grandiflorus
cactus used in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
TABLE 1
Thiamin
116.6
ug/gram of
Broadbent Berne S.
E. Excel International Inc.
Hulse Dale E.
Kirton & McConkie
Tate Christopher
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