Patents by Inventor Erich Windhab

Erich Windhab has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240049750
    Abstract: The invention relates to a product having a foam structure with a set ratio of gas pores open to the product surface and closed to the product surface. The invention also relates to a method with four embodiments according to the invention for the defined mechanical opening of closed foam pores. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device having four embodiments according to the invention for the defined mechanical opening of closed foam pores. The invention also relates to the use of products designed according to the invention as meat analogs or plant protein-based textured multiphase foods, more particularly vegetable or fruit composites. Particular advantages of the invention relate to the targeted influencing of the deformation and texture properties of foamed products and their accessibility from the outside for quick and easy filling of the open pores with fluid systems which introduce additional functionalities into the product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: ETH ZÜRICH
    Inventors: Erich WINDHAB, Joel ZINK, Cédric SAX
  • Publication number: 20240049748
    Abstract: The invention relates to a product having a foam structure with foam pores which are partially open to the surface and are filled, partially or completely, with a fluid. The invention further relates to a method having embodiments for filling open foam pores in a defined manner. The invention also relates to a device having embodiments for filling open foam pores in a defined manner. The invention furthermore relates to the use of the foam products designed and filled according to the invention as main components for plant protein-based meat analogs. Particular advantages of the invention are the simplified multifunctionality of the products according to the invention in terms of their sensory and nutritional properties for adaptation to preferences and needs of certain target groups including individual customization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: ETH ZÜRICH
    Inventors: Erich WINDHAB, Joel ZINK, Cédric SAX, Bhaskar MITRA
  • Publication number: 20230347588
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for 3D printing of food, pharmaceutical products, cosmetics, and plastic or ceramic composite products, and to an apparatus for executing a method for 3D printing of these articles and products manufactured according to the method, and a control or regulating system for the apparatus for executing the method, and the use of the product bodies manufactured according to the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Erich WINDHAB, Christoph DENKEL, Karl-Heinz SELBMANN
  • Publication number: 20220304341
    Abstract: The present invention relates to products from porous materials, generated by foaming with gas hydrates or gas hydrate slurries dosed into matrices of biological, organic or inorganic materials in their liquid to paste-like state. A method of producing a water phase continuous slurry comprising gas hydrates, a method of producing a porous powder or foam as well as the use of gas hydrates for producing a porous powder or foam or for gasifying viscous liquid are also claimed. The porous powder or viscous foam, wherein the powder or foam has a closed porosity of 15% to 100%, or 20% to 50%, or 25% to 35%, or 30 to 35%, or about 30%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Erich Windhab, Zuzana Sedivá
  • Publication number: 20220298322
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a porous sponge-like formulation that can well absorb water, oil and organic solvents separately or combined. Methods of preparing said formulation and its use in medical, pharmaceutical, biotechnological, chemical as well as in wound care, home care, (agro-)environmental and construction material applications are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Erich Windhab, Loredana Malafronte, Socrates Foschini, Judith Wemmer
  • Publication number: 20220295827
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing protein-containing foamed food products, comprising the steps: metering raw materials into an extruder, wherein at least one raw material is a protein, mixing the raw materials into the extruder to produce a mixture, extruding the mixture to produce an extrudate, and leading the extrudate out of the extruder through a cooling die with cooling of the extrudate to a temperature of less than 100° C., wherein pores are formed in a controlled manner in the extruder, by providing a gas, by introducing the gas into the extruder or by forming the gas based on a reaction of a gas-forming compound added as a raw material with a gas-releasing compound added as a raw material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Michael WEINBERGER, Erich STIRNEMANN, Erich WINDHAB, Bhaskar MITRA
  • Publication number: 20220240535
    Abstract: The invention relates to products for the production of chocolate products and chocolate-like products, whereby sweetening and/or mass-providing filling substances obtained from the cocoa fruit pulp or also from the placenta and/or the cocoa fruit shell replace, either wholly or in part, the conventional sweetening and mass-providing filling components, in particular sugar, in such products. The invention relates not only to a suitable process for the production of such products, but also to the use of such products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicants: KOA Switzerland GmbH, ETH Zurich
    Inventors: Ursina KRAHENMANN, Erich WINDHAB
  • Publication number: 20220022468
    Abstract: A dough-based food product, an apparatus and method for production thereof. A food product matrix to be foamed includes a proportion of a starch-containing raw material and a proportion of water. Gas that has been dissolved or is to be dissolved is introduced into the food product matrix to be foamed. The gas is dissolved under pressure in the food product matrix to be foamed. Gas bubbles are formed by expansion and increasing the volume with a resulting reduction in density of the dough as a result of bubble growth for formation of a foamed food product matrix of the food product to be produced. The foam is then stabilized. Gas is introduced into and dissolved in the aqueous component of the food product matrix to be foamed in a subcritical state below the critical point and at a pressure of 10 bar?p<gas critical pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicants: Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Roland Murten AG
    Inventors: Volker LAMMERS, Erich WINDHAB
  • Patent number: 11134691
    Abstract: A dough-based food product, an apparatus and method for production of the dough-based food product. A food product matrix to be foamed includes a proportion by weight of a starch-containing raw material and a proportion by weight of water. Gas that has been dissolved or is to be dissolved is introduced into the food product matrix to be foamed. The gas is dissolved under pressure in the food product matrix to be foamed. Gas bubbles are formed by expansion and increasing the volume with a resulting reduction in density of the dough as a result of bubble growth for formation of a foamed food product matrix of the food product to be produced. The foam is then stabilized. Gas is introduced into and dissolved in the aqueous component of the food product matrix to be foamed in a subcritical state below the critical point and at a pressure of 10 bar?p<critical pressure of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignees: EIDGENÖSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH, Roland Murten AG
    Inventors: Volker Lammers, Erich Windhab
  • Publication number: 20180317501
    Abstract: A dough-based food product, an apparatus and method for production of the dough-based food product. A food product matrix to be foamed includes a proportion by weight of a starch-containing raw material and a proportion by weight of water. Gas that has been dissolved or is to be dissolved is introduced into the food product matrix to be foamed. The gas is dissolved under pressure in the food product matrix to be foamed. Gas bubbles are formed by expansion and increasing the volume with a resulting reduction in density of the dough as a result of bubble growth for formation of a foamed food product matrix of the food product to be produced. The foam is then stabilized. Gas is introduced into and dissolved in the aqueous component of the food product matrix to be foamed in a subcritical state below the critical point and at a pressure of 10 bar?p<critical pressure of the gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Applicants: Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Roland Murten AG
    Inventors: Volker LAMMERS, Erich WINDHAB
  • Patent number: 8567250
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining the texture of food material, comprising the steps of applying a vibrational impact with a predetermined frequency to the food material, measuring the vibrational response of the food material to the vibrational impact, and comparing the vibratiorial response with at least one reference value, determined prior to the measurement. The food material is in a liquid or a semi-solid state and/or contained within a container body (16), such as a pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Kraft Foods R&D, Inc.
    Inventors: Ulrich Loeser, Erich Windhab, Stefan Padar, Bruno Pfister
  • Patent number: 8173195
    Abstract: Products that are aerated multiphase systems containing an aqueous continuous fluid phase which may include solutes thus forming an aqueous syrup and disperse phases like gas/air cells, water ice crystals and solid/semi-solid fat globules or aggregates thereof, whereas the disperse phases are that finely structured that their mean diameters are below phase specific critical maximum values and thereby generate a most preferred by consumers, full rich silky-creamy mouth feel at much lower fat content than usual in conventional related products like premium and super premium ice creams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Erich Windhab, Uwe Tapfer
  • Publication number: 20090217758
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining the texture of food material, comprising the steps of applying a vibrational impact with a predetermined frequency to the food material, measuring the vibrational response of the food material to the vibrational impact, and comparing the vibratiorial response with at least one reference value, determined prior to the measurement. The food material is in a liquid or a semi-solid state and/or contained within a container body (16), such as a pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Ulrich Loeser, Erich Windhab, Stefan Padar, Bruno Pfister
  • Publication number: 20070196553
    Abstract: Products that are aerated multiphase systems containing an aqueous continuous fluid phase which may include solutes thus forming an aqueous syrup and disperse phases like gas/air cells, water ice crystals and solid/semi-solid fat globules or aggregates thereof, whereas the disperse phases are that finely structured that their mean diameters are below phase specific critical maximum values and thereby generate a most preferred by consumers, full rich silky-creamy mouth feel at much lower fat content than usual in conventional related products like premium and super premium ice creams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventors: Erich Windhab, Uwe Tapfer
  • Publication number: 20070122488
    Abstract: Multimicrocapsules that include encapsulated components of at least one nutritionally, pharmacologically, or medically active functional substance, wherein, within an encapsulation of one or more layers of a first encapsulating material around a common capsule matrix, there are provided a first active functional component in an amount sufficient to provide functional benefits after being ingested by a subject and a component preserving or function enhancing substance present in an amount to preserve and enhance the functional benefits of the active functional component. The encapsulation delays release of the active functional component when the microcapsules are ingested by the subject and provides a synchronous or tuned release of the active functional component and component preserving or function enhancing substance in the intestine of the subject. Also, a process and apparatus for forming such microcapsules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventors: Erich Windhab, Michael Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20070110873
    Abstract: Products that are aerated multiphase systems containing an aqueous continuous fluid phase which may include solutes thus forming an aqueous syrup and disperse phases like gas/air cells, water ice crystals and solid/semi-solid fat globules or aggregates thereof, whereas the disperse phases are that finely structured that their mean diameters are below phase specific critical maximum values and thereby generate a most preferred by consumers, full rich silky-creamy mouth feel at much lower fat content than usual in conventional related products like premium and super premium ice creams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Applicant: Nestec, S.A.
    Inventors: Erich Windhab, Uwe Tapfer
  • Publication number: 20050126268
    Abstract: The inventive method uses the ultrasound Doppler method (UVP) in order to determine a local velocity profile perpendicular to a line for a fluid which flows through said line, carrying suspended or emulsified particles. The wall shear stress of said fluid is measured locally within the range of said local velocity profile. Specific rheological parameters of the flowing fluid thus examined, e.g. viscosity function (shear viscosity), flow limit etc., can be determined from the local velocity profile and the local wall shear stress associated therewith. A suitable model is adapted by iteratively adapting a model-based theoretic velocity profile to a measured velocity profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Boris Ouriev, Erich Windhab
  • Patent number: 6894178
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing seed crystal suspensions based on melted fat. In particular, the invention describes a process for generating stable microdisperse cocoa butter crystal suspensions which have a high ?VI modification share and using the seed suspensions in the seed crystallization of fat-based suspensions containing disperse solid particles such as chocolate, chocolate-like masses, or the like. The invention also describes an apparatus for carrying out the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Camille Bloch S.A.
    Inventors: Erich Windhab, Yuantong Zeng
  • Publication number: 20050049426
    Abstract: A method of producing seed crystal suspensions based on melted fat, particularly for the production of stable microdisperse cocoa butter crystal suspensions with a high ?VI modification proportion and their use in the seed crystallization of suspensions containing disperse solids particles such as chocolate, chocolate-like masses or the like, with a proportion of high melting ?VI crystal modification being adjusted is described. The entire seed crystal content in the seed crystal suspension is produced directly in a mechanical/thermal treatment step in a shearing/dilatation field of flow. Fatty crystals formed on a wall are continuously scraped off and mixed with the fat melt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Inventors: Erich Windhab, Yuantong Zeng
  • Publication number: 20050037110
    Abstract: Products that are aerated multiphase systems containing an aqueous continuous fluid phase which may include solutes thus forming an aqueous syrup and disperse phases like gas/air cells, water ice crystals and solid/semi-solid fat globules or aggregates thereof, whereas the disperse phases are that finely structured that their mean diameters are below phase specific critical maximum values and thereby generate a most preferred by consumers, full rich silky-creamy mouth feel at much lower fat content than usual in conventional related products like premium and super premium ice creams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Applicant: Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc.
    Inventors: Erich Windhab, Uwe Tapfer