Patents Assigned to Sara Lee
  • Patent number: 7790211
    Abstract: A package including a gas and an at least partly foamable liquid (2) by means of which a refreshment can be prepared, wherein the package is provided with manually operable means (7) with which a displacement of the gas and the liquid in the package can be effected such that foam formation occurs in the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventors: Armin Sjoerd Eijsackers, Age Willem Tanja
  • Patent number: 7786889
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an atmosphere device (1) with a user interface (3) for controlling the setting of a lighting unit (2a) and/or a fragrance unit (2b) of the atmosphere device (1), thus determining the atmosphere conditions in a room. The user interlace (3) is based on a system comprising a detecting device (4) and transponders (6). By bringing the transponders (6) within the range of detection by the detecting device (4), the transponders (6) will send a return signal, which signal controls the settings of the atmosphere device (1). Each transponder (6) is programmed to control a particular color or a specific light intensity and/or a particular odor spectrum and intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignees: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Sara Lee Household and Body Care Espana S.L.
    Inventors: Lucas L. D. Van Der Poel, Cristina Sala Camps
  • Patent number: 7767246
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a coffee concentrate, wherein the coffee is subjected to two extractions, while the second extraction is carried out at a higher temperature than the first extraction. The method is suitable for preparing liquid as well as solid concentrates. The method produces a new concentrate that forms a further aspect of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventors: Joannes Hubertus Petrus Maria Smits, Adrianus Cornelis Maria Hellemons
  • Patent number: 7762180
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a beverage fit for consumption with a fine-bubble froth layer, in particular cappuccino. The invention provides a beverage unit, which dispenses under pressure a beverage to be processed to a beverage processing path, through which, in use, the beverage flows to obtain the beverage with the fine-bubble froth layer. The beverage processing path successively includes a nozzle and a buffer reservoir, the nozzle being positioned relative to the buffer reservoir such that, in use, it generates a liquid jet squirting into the buffer reservoir to obtain the beverage with the fine-bubble froth layer. The buffer reservoir is provided with an outlet path for discharging the beverage from the buffer reservoir, the liquid flow path, upstream of the nozzle, further including an additive holder which, in use, can be filled with a product to be dissolved in the beverage, such as concentrated milk or milk powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventors: Gustaaf Frans Brouwer, Diederik Kraan
  • Publication number: 20100176211
    Abstract: Air deodorizer provided with a container for being at least partly filled with a deodorizing fluid and a hollow wick, wherein the container, or a part connected thereto, abuts on the wick around said hollow wick, such that leakage between the outer wall of the wick and the container is substantially prevented, wherein the wick is provided with a seal for preventing leakage through the hollow part of the wick, which seal is at least partly arranged within the hollow part of the wick.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventor: Dirk Jan Bulsink
  • Patent number: 7748311
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for preparing a consumable beverage with a fine-bubbled foam layer. The invention comprises a beverage unit for dispensing the beverage under pressure and at least one nozzle which is in fluid communication with the beverage unit for supplying the beverage to the nozzle for generating a jet of the beverage by means of the nozzle. The apparatus further comprises a collecting unit into which the jet spouts to obtain the beverage with the fine-bubbled foam layer. The collecting unit comprises a chamber with at least one outflow opening for dispensing the beverage with the fine-bubbled foam layer and a jet impact element included in the chamber with a top which is clear of an inner wall of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventors: Gustaaf Frans Brouwer, Antonius Comelis Hubertus van der Pluijm
  • Publication number: 20100143203
    Abstract: A fragrance generator comprises a housing for containing a volatile liquid to provide a vapour. The housing has a wall of which at least a part is permeable to the vapour. The generator further comprises an actuator for diffusing the vapour emerging from the volatile liquid to an environment outside the housing. The generator is provided with an electric circuit comprising a solar energy converter arranged to convert solar energy into electric energy for feeding the actuator and the circuit comprises a capacitor for accumulating the electric energy from the solar energy converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventors: Jordi Miro Amenos, Carlos Feliu Fontoba, Joan Vilana Balastegui
  • Patent number: 7703383
    Abstract: Method for preparing cappuccino wherein at least one coffee pad filled with ground coffee and an instant and/or liquid creamer are utilized, the method further comprising the following method-steps: hot water is forced under pressure through the coffee pad for obtaining coffee extract;—the coffee extract is supplied under pressure to at least one nozzle for obtaining a coffee extract jet, the coffee extract jet is aimed at a first buffer reservoir already filled with the creamer so that in the first buffer reservoir the cappuccino is formed and the cappuccino is discharged from the first buffer reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventor: Joseph Theodoor Knitel
  • Patent number: 7698993
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a beverage fit for consumption with a fine-bubble froth layer, such as coffee or milk with a fine-bubble froth layer, provided with a beverage unit for dispensing under pressure a beverage to be processed, at least one nozzle, which is in fluid communication with the beverage unit for feeding the beverage to the nozzle to generate a jet of the beverage by means of the nozzle, and a collecting unit, into which the jet squirts to obtain the beverage with the fine-bubble froth layer. The collecting unit is then provided with a tubular chamber with at least one open end for dispensing the beverage with the fine-bubble froth layer, the nozzle and the collecting unit being in fluid communication with each other such that the jet squirts against an inner wall of the tubular chamber for beating, in the tubular chamber, air into the beverage to obtain the beverage with the fine-bubble froth layer, which, in use, leaves the tubular chamber via the at least one open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Sara Lee/DE N. V.
    Inventors: Gustaaf Frans Brouwer, Hendrikus Christinus Maria Wessels, Antonius Cornelis Hubertus van der Pluijm
  • Publication number: 20100019059
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air-freshening dispensing device, including a housing having a pair of mounts for mounting respective containers provided in outer sections of the housing; and a switchable shutter element arranged for selectively shutting access of an airflow to any of the outer sections. According to the invention, the shutter element is provided in a mid section between the outer sections and communicatively coupled to an air inlet. An air outlet provides throughput of the airflow through the mid section and the device further includes a clamp for clamping the unit onto an outlet channel to provide an airflow into the air inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: SARA LEE/DE N.V.
    Inventors: Dirk Jan Bulsink, Caspar Barry Bogerd
  • Patent number: 7636978
    Abstract: A polishing implement for polishing a shoe or the like, including a structure to be handheld provided with an absorbing fiber layer for forming a first polishing layer; and a sachet provided on or to be provided on the structure for containing the polishing product. According to the invention, the sachet includes a fiber layer impregnated with polishing product and, in closed condition, screened off by a protective layer while in opened condition, the impregnated fiber layer forms a second polishing layer for applying the polishing product to the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventor: Willem Peter Blokpoel
  • Publication number: 20090314167
    Abstract: A system for preparing a predetermined amount of beverage suitable for consumption, provided with an exchangeable holder (102), and an apparatus provided with a fluid dispensing device which is detachably connected to the holder for dispensing a first fluid under pressure to a first mixing chamber (110) of the exchangeable holder. The exchangeable holder is provided with a storage space (108) which is filled with a second fluid and a fluid communication (114) between the storage space and the first mixing chamber for dispensing the second fluid to the first mixing chamber. The holder further comprises a fluid communication seal (138) for bringing the fluid communication into operation through removal of the sealing action of the fluid communication. The fluid communication is a channel having a first curvature (171) in longitudinal direction of the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventors: Gerbrand Kristiaan De Graaff, Hendrik Comelis Koeling, Ka Cheung Tsang, Ralf Kamerbeek
  • Publication number: 20090272275
    Abstract: A system (1) for preparing a predetermined amount of beverage suitable for consumption, provided with an exchangeable holder (2, 102), and an apparatus (4) provided with a fluid dispensing device (6) which is detachably connected to the holder (2, 102) for dispensing at least one amount of at least a first fluid, such as water, under pressure to the exchangeable holder (2, 102), wherein the exchangeable holder (2, 102) is provided with at least one storage space (8, 108) which is filled with a second fluid, such as a concentrate, the holder (2, 102) further being provided with at least one first mixing chamber (10, 110), the exchangeable holder (2, 102) comprising a first holder part (198) and a second holder part (199), the first holder part (198) comprising a substantially flat contacting surface (166), and the at least one storage space (8, 108) and the first mixing chamber (10, 110) each comprising a wall (167, 168) offset relative to the contacting surface (166), which, each, form part of the first holde
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: SARA LEE/DE N.V.
    Inventors: Gerbrand Kristiaan De Graaff, Hendrik Cornelis Koeling, Ka Cheung Tsang, Ralf Kamerbeek
  • Patent number: 7591217
    Abstract: A beverage device for making a beverage with a foam layer on top, comprising foaming means for generating foam from said beverage, said foaming means comprising at least one inlet opening (18) for receiving beverage under pressure and at least one outlet opening (38,39) for the beverage with the foam. To obtain a fine and stable foam layer on the beverage, the beverage device is characterized in that the foaming means comprises means for generating a spray (48) of beverage, and said foaming means further comprises a collision surface (34) which, in use, is hit by said spray (48) of beverage, thereby generating foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignees: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Sara Lee/De N.V.
    Inventors: Hans Kodden, Wilhelmus Johannus Joseph Maas, Joeke Noordhuis
  • Patent number: D605954
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Sara Lee Household and Body Care Nederland B.V.
    Inventor: Bjorn Weggelaar
  • Patent number: D606642
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Sara Lee Household and Body Care Nederland B.V.
    Inventor: Bjorn Weggelaar
  • Patent number: D606884
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Sara Lee Household and Body Care Nederland B.V.
    Inventor: Bjorn Weggelaar
  • Patent number: D611289
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignees: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventor: Alexander Paul Johannus de Visser
  • Patent number: D617196
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Sara Lee Household and Body Care Nederland B.V.
    Inventor: Bjorn Weggelaar
  • Patent number: D625135
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignees: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Sara Lee/De N.V.
    Inventor: Graeme Antony Warburton