Patents by Inventor John C. Spruill

John C. Spruill 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).

  • Process for a non-clouding, concentrated tea extract
    Patent number: 4797293
    Abstract: A non-clouding, shelf-stable tea concentrate is prepared by lowering the pH of a freshly-prepared concentrate (8 to 24% soluble solids) to between 2.9 and 3.5, chilling the concentrate to between 30.degree. and 45.degree. F., clarifying the concentrate to remove precipitate, and then elevating the pH of the clarified concentrate to between about 3.9 and 4.3. Preferably the freshly prepared concentrate is prepared by using water which is at least 99% deionized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: General Foods Corporation
    Inventors: David N. Evans, Charles L. Fairchild, Karl C. Kramer, John C. Spruill, Gerard J. Wansor, Robert W. Wood
  • Tea brewing and dispensing apparatus
    Patent number: 4757752
    Abstract: A countertop, iced-tea brewing and dispensing apparatus includes means for heating a stream of water that thereafter passes through a bed of tea leaves at a ratio which will produce a beverage concentrate. The concentrate is collected in a reservoir where it is kept at between 120.degree. and 140.degree. F. The heated concentrate is combined with cold water at a ratio of at least four parts water per part concentrate and dispensed into a drinking vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: General Foods Corporation
    Inventors: Donald T. Robins, John C. Spruill, James R. Weldon, Robert W. Wood