Patents Assigned to Fiberstars, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20210161173
    Abstract: Methods enable formation of coarse refined cellulose fibers that improve the texture and coarseness of meat analogs to more closely represent ground beef. The refined cellulose fibers can also be efficiently converted into gels and vegan protein mass. The coarse fibers have average lengths of diameters of over 1000 microns as compared to typical high quality, highly refined, fine cellulose fibers of <700 microns or less than 600 microns. The refined cellulose fibers (coarse or fine) may be blended with alginate and edible vegan oil to form gels when triggered with acid conditions that crosslink the alginate into a stable vegan gel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: Fiberstar, Inc.
    Inventors: Brock M. Lundberg, Shuai Li
  • Patent number: 9668507
    Abstract: The present technology may include a stabilized mass of egg composition having both yolk and albumin components whipped together and stabilized against separation by highly refined cellulose fiber material. The yolk and albumin components may be whipped into a foam in which at least 1% by volume of the foamed material comprises a gas, such as air, carbon dioxide, or nitrogen. The mass may flow as a liquid at 20 C and 760 mm Hg atmospheric pressure and 40% relative humidity. The mass may be in a frozen state. The mass may be in a dried powder state or dried solid mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: FIBERSTAR, INC
    Inventors: Olivia Richardson, Brock M. Lundberg, Amanda Wagner
  • Patent number: 9629790
    Abstract: A composition of matter is used as an ingredient in cosmetics comprising at least 0.5% by weight and preferably 1-30% by weight of highly refined cellulose fiber in a cosmetic composition. Additionally present in the composition are other conventional cosmetic ingredients as known in the art. This composition may include at least colorants (dyes and pigments), lipophilic materials, aqueous materials (water and aqueous solutions), waxes, binding agents (polymers, thickening agents), emollients, emulsifiers, thickening agents, antioxidants, natural and synthetic oils and extracts, clays, ultraviolet radiation absorbers, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: FIBERSTAR, INC
    Inventors: Brock Lundberg, Olivia Richardson, Laura Valverde
  • Publication number: 20090269376
    Abstract: A composition of matter is used as an ingredient in cosmetics comprising at least 0.5% by weight and preferably 1-30% by weight of highly refined cellulose fiber in a cosmetic composition. Additionally present in the composition are other conventional cosmetic ingredients as known in the art. This composition may include at least colorants (dyes and pigments), lipophilic materials, aqueous materials (water and aqueous solutions), waxes, binding agents (polymers, thickening agents), emollients, emulsifiers, thickening agents, antioxidants, natural and synthetic oils and extracts, clays, ultraviolet radiation absorbers, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: Fiberstar, Inc.
    Inventors: Brock Lundberg, Olivia Richardson, Laura Valverde
  • Patent number: 7220035
    Abstract: An illumination system for a video-imaging device has a light source and a collector of light from the light source. The collector is formed according to the principles of non-imaging optics and receives a portion of the light from the light source. The collector is configured to reduce the angular distribution of the collected light from the light source to match the requirements of a digital pixelation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Fiberstars, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger F. Buelow, II, Wayne R. Hellman, Juris Sulcs, John M. Davenport, Raymond A. Buchina, Gregory P. Frankiewicz
  • Patent number: 7198398
    Abstract: An adjustable-aim light pipe fixture, comprising a generally spherical eyeball for receiving an end of a light pipe is disclosed. The eyeball has a longitudinal axis coincident with a longitudinal axis of that portion of the light pipe that is received in the eyeball. A socket holds the eyeball. The socket comprises a first retainer ring and a second retainer ring. Each retainer ring has an interior surface with contact points to an outer surface of the eyeball. The first and second retainer rings are oriented with respect to each other so as to hold the eyeball in a fixed position when the first and second rings are pressed towards each other. Clamping structure clamps the first and second rings against each other in such manner as to hold the eyeball in fixed relation to the first retainer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Fiberstars, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger F. Buelow, II, John M. Davenport, Gregory P. Frankiewicz, Dave Bina
  • Patent number: 7190863
    Abstract: A solid light pipe arrangement with reduced Fresnel-reflection losses includes a light pipe with a solid core comprising a polymer. An optically clear substrate has first and second sides with an anti-reflective coating on at least one side. The substrate is adhered to an end-face of the core of the light pipe by adhesive material so as to create an optically clear interface between the substrate and the end-face that passes more than about 96 percent of transmitted light. A preferred method of applying an anti-reflective coating to an end-face of a core of a solid, polymeric light pipe comprises diverting uncrosslinked polymer used for forming a light pipe core, and using the diverted polymer as adhesive material between a substrate with at least one antireflective coating and the end-face of a light pipe having the same polymeric components, in the same proportions, as the diverted polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Fiberstars, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory P. Frankiewicz, Roger F. Buelow, II, Chris H. Jenson, John M. Davenport, Dave Bina
  • Patent number: 7182484
    Abstract: Disclosed is a light appliance and a cooling arrangement, comprising a light appliance and a substantially sealed enclosure for the light appliance that gives off unwanted heat into surrounding air within the enclosure during operation. The enclosure has an external wall at least part of which is thermally conductive. A medium, cooler than the external wall of the enclosure, contacts the external wall. An air circulating device is provided for circulating air, heated by the electrical appliance or by the air circulating device, to the thermally conductive portion of the external wall for removing heat from the air by thermally dissipating the heat into the cooler medium through said thermally conductive portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Fiberstars, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger F. Buelow, II, John M. Davenport, David Y. Lin
  • Patent number: 7164819
    Abstract: A light pipe with side-light extraction by light pipe-surface alteration includes an optical light pipe with a plastic light-carrying portion covered with a fluoropolymer cladding. A plurality of light-extraction devices is spaced along an active section of the light pipe for emission of side light over only a range from about 2 to 270 degrees of the cross-sectional circumference of the light pipe in the active section. The light-extraction devices have inlets passing through the cladding and optically contacting the plastic light-carrying portion. Another form of light pipe with side-light extraction by light pipe-surface alteration includes an optical light pipe with a plastic light-carrying portion. An active section of the light pipe for side light emission comprises an axisymmetrical change of area of cross section of the light pipe that generally diminishes from an inlet end of the active section, through the active section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Fiberstars, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris H. Jenson, John M. Davenport, Roger F. Buelow, II, Brian Doucet
  • Patent number: 7163326
    Abstract: A luminaire with directional side-light extraction comprises a light pipe with a light-carrying core. The light pipe has light-extraction structure along a first longitudinal side of the luminaire, which is confined to a radial swath of the luminaire, along the longitudinal axis of the luminaire, of substantially less than 180°. For efficiency, the second end has light-saving structure for directing saved light from the second end towards the first end, at redirection angles other than an excluded range of redirection angles, so long as the photon content of light at so-called alpha redirection angles is at least 10 percent of the photon content of light at so-called beta redirection angles, where the excluded range of redirection angles is defined by: |?r|<=20° and |?r|<|?r|/10, where ?r is the beta redirection angle and ?r is the alpha redirection angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Fiberstars, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Cassarly, Thomas L. R. Davenport, John M. Davenport, Chris H. Jenson
  • Patent number: 7163329
    Abstract: A light pipe fixture with adjustable beam spreads comprises a bayonet assembly having a generally tubular coupling for receiving a light-dispensing end of a light pipe, and a receiver assembly. The receiver assembly has a generally tubular coupling for receiving therewithin the bayonet assembly coupling at adjustable levels of penetration of the bayonet assembly coupling within the receiver assembly coupling. The receiver assembly further comprises an optical lens and a hollow portion for focusing a light beam from the end of the light pipe through the lens. The radial interior surface of the receiver assembly coupling and the radial exterior surface of the bayonet assembly coupling may be configured so the receiver assembly coupling slidably and lockingly receives the bayonet assembly coupling in any of a plurality of positions along the length of the receiver assembly coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Fiberstars, Inc.
    Inventors: Dave Bina, John M. Davenport, Roger F. Buelow, II, Gregory P. Frankiewicz
  • Patent number: 7094317
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved method for refining cellulose that produces a highly refined cellulosic material. The method comprises soaking raw material from primarily parenchymal cell wall structures in an aqueous solution which need not contain an agent to modify the fiber (e.g., a mild alkalizing or alkaline agent and/or solution) using reduced temperatures and pressures, and refining the material with a plate refiner so that a waste water stream is reduced in volume. The mass is dried to produce the HRC fiber. The HRC fiber displays a water retention capacity of about 25 to at least about 56 g H2O/g dry HRC and retains moisture under conditions that are ordinarily used to remove moisture from materials. The highly refined fiber product can also provide excellent thickening properties and can be used in a wide variety of materials, including edible materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Fiberstar, Inc.
    Inventors: Brock Lundberg, Dale C. Lindquist
  • Publication number: 20040086626
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved method for refining cellulose that produces a highly refined cellulosic material. The method comprises soaking raw material from primarily parenchymal cell wall structures in an aqueous solution which need not contain an agent to modify the fiber (e.g., a mild alkalizing or alkaline agent and/or solution) using reduced temperatures and pressures, and refining the material with a plate refiner so that a waste water stream is reduced in volume. The mass is dried to produce the HRC fiber. The HRC fiber displays a water retention capacity of about 25 to at least about 56 g H2O/g dry HRC and retains moisture under conditions that are ordinarily used to remove moisture from materials. The highly refined fiber product can also provide excellent thickening properties and can be used in a wide variety of materials, including edible materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Fiberstar, Inc.
    Inventors: Brock Lundberg, Dale C. Lindquist
  • Patent number: 6050715
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing illumination at selected locations includes assembling a fixture for supporting an end of an optical fiber cable in relation to a diffusive or dispersive lens that is installed in a surrounding medium with a portion of the lens protruding therefrom. The protruding portion of the lens may be severed substantially flush with the surrounding medium to provide an optical outlet port for illuminating flux supplied by the optical fiber cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Fiberstars, Inc.
    Inventor: Darrell A. Hunger
  • Patent number: 5779353
    Abstract: Lighting fixtures and lighting system and method for illuminating optical fibers and surrounding environment incorporate light sources into separate weather-resistant housings that provide improved air flow for cooling the internal light source, and include provisions for illuminating lengths of optical fibers by separate spaced light sources with synchronized sequences of interposed color filters to promote uniform color illumination of lengths of optical fibers by the separate fixtures. Spurious light flux from the light source within the housing that is not focused on ends of optical fibers emanates from a weather-resistant globe on the fixture through a baffle that controls the intensity and distribution of illuminating flux through the globe, and that confines the flow of cooling air within the housing for more efficient cooling of the light source within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Fiberstars, Inc.
    Inventor: Nilesh P. Kacheria
  • Patent number: 5708749
    Abstract: Lighting apparatus and method includes a body of optically transparent material including selected interior and exterior surface portions that are polished or otherwise smoothed to promote internal reflections of light flux and to inhibit lateral emission of internal light flux. Other selected portions of the interior or exterior surfaces are modified from smooth to refract or diffuse internal light flux for lateral emission of light flux from such surface portions of the body. The modified surface portions of the body may include grooved or otherwise roughened regions to a depth that inhibits surface wetting to relatively smooth surface condition which would diminish lateral emission of internal light flux. Alternative surface conditions for refracting or diffusing internal light flux to laterally-emitted light flux may be provided by laminated or layered light diffusers such as plastic tape or adhered glass or plastic beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Fiberstars, Inc.
    Inventor: Nilesh P. Kacheria
  • Patent number: 5479322
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for lighting optical fibers as well as surrounding regions includes a generally vertically oriented housing including a light source positioned near the upper end of the housing for directing radiant flux toward the ends of a plurality of optical fibers and for reflecting remaining portions of the radiant flux from the light source in a lateral direction into the surrounding regions. A light reflector is positioned in the housing for laterally reflecting a portion of the radiant flux, and includes a central aperture in the reflector to pass the central portion of the radiant flux therethrough to the ends of the optical fibers. The same reflector serves as a baffle on the lower side thereof to deflect moving air within the housing around the ends of the optical fibers and through the aperture in the reflector toward the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Fiberstars, Inc.
    Inventor: Nilesh P. Kacheria
  • Patent number: 5416875
    Abstract: A composite optical cable for lateral emission of light flux therefrom includes a plural number of sets of transparent optical fibers with each set of fibers assembled into a single cable and with a plurality of single cables assembled in the composite optical cable. The sets of optical fibers forming the single cables may be wound in one direction of rotation to form a spiral of fibers with length, and the single cables may be wound in the opposite direction of rotation to provide the composite optical cable. Selected masking schemes provide apertures at predetermined locations along the single cables through which light flux carried by the cables may be emitted for special lighting effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Fiberstars, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Keplinger, Nilesh P. Kacheria, George Awai, David R. Borck
  • Patent number: 5345531
    Abstract: A composite optical cable for lateral emission of light flux therefrom includes a plural number of sets of transparent optical fibers with each set of fibers assembled into a single cable and with a plurality of single cables assembled in the composite optical cable. The sets of optical fibers forming the single cables may be wound in one direction of rotation to form a spiral of fibers with length, and the single cables may be wound in the opposite direction of rotation to provide the composite optical cable. Selected masking schemes provide apertures at predetermined locations along the single cables through which light flux carried by the cables may be emitted for special lighting effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Fiberstars, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Keplinger, Nilesh P. Kacheria, George Awai, David R. Borck
  • Patent number: D465038
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Fiberstars, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher F. Bragg, David Y. Lin