Patents by Inventor John D. Efstathiou

John D. Efstathiou 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).

  • Patent number: 8282975
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a soft frozen liquid egg product including liquid egg, and at least one of incorporated air amount and at least one functional ingredient; wherein the soft frozen liquid egg product comprises a temperature ranging from about ?25° F. to about 31° F. prior to heating. Methods of making the soft frozen liquid egg product are also disclosed. The soft frozen liquid egg product can be used to make various food products. Methods of making various food products comprising the disclosed soft frozen liquid egg product are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: John D. Efstathiou, Matthew Van Natter, Michael Saunders, Noah M. Atlas
  • Publication number: 20090246334
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a soft frozen liquid egg product including liquid egg, and at least one of incorporated air amount and at least one functional ingredient; wherein the soft frozen liquid egg product comprises a temperature ranging from about ?25° F. to about 31° F. prior to heating. Methods of making the soft frozen liquid egg product are also disclosed. The soft frozen liquid egg product can be used to make various food products. Methods of making various food products comprising the disclosed soft frozen liquid egg product are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: John D. Efstathiou, Matthew Van Natter, Michael Saunders, Noah M. Atlas
  • Patent number: 7550616
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of polar lipid-rich materials and preferably phospholipids. Preferably the polar lipid-rich materials are separated and recovered from de-oiled native raw materials by extraction with water and alcohol and use of density separation to separate the resulting mixture. The invention also includes an improved process for de-oiling the native raw material before extraction and recovery of the polar lipids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator AG
    Inventors: Steffen M. Hruschka, Stefan Kirchner, Jürgen Rassenhovel, Willi Witt, Todd W. Gusek, John D. Efstathiou
  • Publication number: 20080206410
    Abstract: Described are homogenized liquid egg products, which may be prepared by subjecting liquid whole egg material to sufficient ultrasonic energy to prepare a homogenized liquid egg product. Also disclosed are methods for treating liquid egg material with ultrasonic energy to prepare homogenized liquid egg products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: John D. Efstathiou, Alexander Patist, Robert Ralph Prochnow
  • Patent number: 7211287
    Abstract: Presented herein are methods of treating egg products to increase shelf life, which include treating the egg products with high pressure. In addition, the egg products may be pasteurized before, during, or after the pressure-treatment. Optionally, the egg products may include one or more antimicrobial agents and/or acidifying agents. The method may be useful for producing a packaged egg product that has an extended shelf life as determined by bacteria population density in the product and/or organoleptic properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: John D. Efstathiou, Laura Huston, Jill M. Morriss
  • Patent number: 7094438
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a frozen concentrated liquid whole egg product and a process for making the frozen concentrated product. The product has from about 33 to about 49 weight solids, from about 51 to about 67 weight percent water and a viscosity at 40° F. of from about 1,000 to about 5,000 cps before or after thawing. The process includes heating liquid whole egg for a time and temperature which are effective for not coagulating the egg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventor: John D. Efstathiou
  • Publication number: 20040076734
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a frozen concentrated liquid whole egg product and a process for making the frozen concentrated product. The product has from about 33 to about 49 weight solids, from about 51 to about 67 weight percent water and a viscosity at 40° F. of from about 1,000 to about 5,000 cps before or after thawing. The process includes heating liquid whole egg for a time and temperature which are effective for not coagulating the egg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: John D. Efstathiou
  • Patent number: 6660321
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a frozen concentrated liquid whole egg product and a process for making the frozen concentrated product. The product has from about 33 to about 49 weight solids, from about 51 to about 67 weight percent water and a viscosity at 40° F. of from about 1,000 to about 5,000 cps before or after thawing. The process includes heating liquid whole egg for a time and temperature which are effective for not coagulating the egg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventor: John D. Efstathiou
  • Publication number: 20030012859
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a frozen concentrated liquid whole egg product and a process for making the frozen concentrated product. The product has from about 33 to about 49 weight solids, from about 51 to about 67 weight percent water and a viscosity at 40° F. of from about 1,000 to about 5,000 cps before or after thawing. The process includes heating liquid whole egg for a time and temperature which are effective for not coagulating the egg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Applicant: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventor: John D. Efstathiou
  • Patent number: 5665416
    Abstract: Simulated egg patties and simulated egg yolks, and methods of preparing them, are provided. The simulated egg patties and simulated egg yolks have superior mouthfeel and texture characteristics which are similar to a fried egg prepared from a fresh, natural egg. The simulated egg yolks are prepared by freezing a predetermined amount of egg yolk in a predetermined shape whereby the egg yolk structure is modified so that, upon thawing, the egg yolk is gel-like and essentially maintains its shape. The frozen egg yolk can be combined with, or essentially surrounded with, egg white and then cooked to form a simulated egg patty. Preferably the egg yolk is pre-cooled prior to freezing and the frozen egg yolk is tempered prior to cooking. Upon cooking, the egg yolk portion of the simulated egg patty or the simulated egg yolk has similar mouthfeel and texture to cooked fresh egg yolk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Michelle Mrozik Manderfeld, John D. Efstathiou, Arlene H. Voecks
  • Patent number: 5620735
    Abstract: Simulated egg patties and simulated egg yolks, and methods of preparing them, are provided. The simulated egg patties and simulated egg yolks have superior mouthfeel and texture characteristics which are similar to a fried egg prepared from a fresh, natural egg. The simulated egg yolks are prepared by freezing a predetermined amount of egg yolk in a predetermined shape whereby the egg yolk structure is modified so that, upon thawing, the egg yolk is gel-like and essentially maintains its shape. The frozen egg yolk can be combined with, or essentially surrounded with, egg white and then cooked to form a simulated egg patty. Preferably the egg yolk is pre-cooled prior to freezing and the frozen egg yolk is tempered prior to cooking. Upon cooking, the egg yolk portion of the simulated egg patty or the simulated egg yolk has similar mouthfeel and texture to cooked fresh egg yolk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Michelle M. Manderfeld, John D. Efstathiou, Arlene H. Voecks
  • Patent number: 5368870
    Abstract: A process for fortifying an R-T-E cereal (especially puffed or shredded) with beta carotene is provided. By adding the heat labile beta carotene to a cooked cereal mass prior to piece forming and finish drying, a beta carotene fortified R-T-E cereal is obtained which surprisingly not only has not lost significant vitamin activity, but even more surprisingly exhibits superior vitamin stability upon storage than when equivalent amounts are applied topically to the cereal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Efstathiou
  • Patent number: 5258189
    Abstract: A process for fortifying an R-T-E cereal with beta carotene is provided. By adding the heat labile beta carotene to a cooked cereal mass prior to piece forming and finish drying, a beta carotene fortified R-T-E cereal is obtained which surprisingly not only has not lost significant vitamin activity, but even more surprisingly exhibits superior vitamin stability upon storage than when equivalent amounts are applied topically to the cereal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Efstathiou
  • Patent number: 5176936
    Abstract: Disclosed are puffed ready-to-eat breakfast cereal products having a high Total Dietary Fiber content which nonetheless exhibit desirable crispness. The cereal products are characterized by specific densities of about 0.075 to 0.35 g/cc. The Total Dietary Fiber content of the cereal compositions is about 2.5-12 g/oz or about 9% to 42%. The total fat content of the puffed cereal is less than about 4%. The cereal base is in the form of a hollow, pillow shaped piece comprising a thin shell surrounding the hollow core. In preferred embodiments, the cereal is provided with a low level of a sugar presweetening coating. Also disclosed are processes for preparing the puffed high fiber R-T-E cereals from pellets in sheet form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean W. Creighton, John D. Efstathiou
  • Patent number: 5151283
    Abstract: Disclosed are puffed, barley based ready-to-eat breakfast cereal products having a high soluble fiber content. The cereal products are characterized by specific densities of about 0.2 to 0.35 g/cc. The soluble fiber content of the cereal compositions is about 3 g/oz or about 10%. The insoluble fiber content is less than about 1.5 g/oz or about 5%. The soluble fiber to insoluble fiber ratio is at least about 2:1. The total insoluble fiber content is less than about 19%. The total fat content of the puffed cereal is less than about 4%. The cereal comprises about 15% to 90% of a barley flour fraction high in soluble fiber. Also disclosed are processes for preparing the puffed barley R-T-E cereals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Karen B. Foehse, John D. Efstathiou, James R. Stoll
  • Patent number: 5066506
    Abstract: Disclosed are high temperature, high pressure, short residence time methods for heat treating whole cereal grains which upon milling form raw whole grain flours which exhibit enhanced storage stability. The heat treatment step involves introducing the cereal grain into a zone of high pressure and temperature. Conventional continuous cereal puffing gun apparatus are useful to practice the process. Thereafter, the whole grain is introduced to a second zone of lower pressure but wherein the pressure differential is insufficient to cause puffing. After cooling without further drying, the treated grains can be milled to form the raw whole grain flours. The whole grain flours are especially useful in the preparation of whole grain cereal products such as whole grain R-T-E corn flakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean W. Creighton, John D. Efstathiou, John A. Merboth
  • Patent number: 4676988
    Abstract: Disclosed are juice-milk beverages exhibiting minimal curdling and/or precipitation; new juice components and milk components for such beverages; and ion exchange methods of preparing such components and beverages. The milk component is prepared by first decationizing milk by contacting with a cation exchanging resin to a pH of below 3.2 to 1.5, and then anion exchanging to a pH of 3.5 to 4.5. The juice component is decationized to a pH of 2.5 to 1.3, deanionized to a pH of 8-11.5, and then acidulated by cation exchange to a pH of 3.0 to 4.5. Blends of the juice and milk are then essentially homogenized and then optionally pasteurized or sterilized and/or carbonated to prepare the new beverages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Efstathiou, Robert Dechaine, Robert Zoss
  • Patent number: D334274
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean W. Creighton, John D. Efstathiou
  • Patent number: D347515
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean W. Creighton, John D. Efstathiou