You can freely build on How Clarence Birdseye Invented Modern Frozen Food
This patent expired in 1947. Every claim — 0 independent, 0 dependent — is now unenforceable. Anyone can use, reproduce, manufacture, sell, or offer for sale this technology without a license.
Original assignee
Frosted Foods Co Inc
Patent granted
1930
Expired
1947
Forward citations
14
What this patent covers
The patent details a method for preserving food by placing it into small, uniform containers and subjecting them to rapid, intense cold. By accelerating the freezing process, the invention prevents the growth of large, jagged ice crystals that typically puncture cell walls in meat, fish, and vegetables. This preservation technique ensures that when the food is thawed, it retains its original cellular structure, flavor, and nutritional quality.
What is now free to use
All 0 claims of US 1773079 are in the public domain. Specifically:
The 0 dependent claims add narrowing limitations and are also free.
What is NOT covered
Patent expiry frees this specific invention. Separately-patented improvements made after expiry may still be protected.
Does not cover slow-freezing methods that result in large ice crystal formation
Does not cover the chemical preservation of food through additives or pickling
Does not cover the specific mechanical design of the refrigeration units themselves
Does not cover freeze-drying or dehydration processes
Who is building on this today
General Foods Corporation acquired Birdseye's company and scaled the technology globally. Today, major food conglomerates like Nestlé and Conagra continue to refine these rapid-freezing principles in their industrial supply chains.
Products built on expired version of this technology
Frozen vegetable bags in supermarket freezers
Flash-frozen fish fillets
Pre-packaged frozen meals
How to cite this patent in your documentation
Frosted Foods Co Inc. US Patent 1773079. Method of preparing food products. Granted 1930, expired 1947. Now in the public domain.
Note: This is a convenience citation. Consult a patent attorney for formal freedom-to-operate analysis.
PatentBrief is an educational resource and does not provide legal advice. Patent expiration information is derived from USPTO records and may not reflect continuation patents, divisional filings, or separately-patented improvements. For commercial use or production decisions, obtain a formal freedom-to-operate (FTO) opinion from a registered patent attorney.