Patents by Inventor Mark A. Pepper

Mark A. Pepper 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: 7108887
    Abstract: Juices are processed to remove naturally occurring components which detract from the quality of the fruit juice. Such components are removed by contacting the juice with an adsorptive rein in order to provide an enhanced fruit juice supply. Preferred juices are citrus juices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Tropicana Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Osvaldo A. Chu, Yongsoo Chung, Mark A. Pepper
  • Patent number: 7074448
    Abstract: A system and process for making a low-acid, single strength juice such as a not from concentrate (NFC) citrus juice are provided in which an initial single strength juice flow can be cooled to a temperature of not greater than about 45° F. and maintained at that temperature or below throughout the process (except during pasteurization). From the initial juice flow, a first portion of the juice is diverted from a second portion of the juice. Suspended solids are separated out from the first portion to provide a solids-reduced juice. The solids-reduced juice is subjected to ion-exchange deacidification. Preferably, a portion of the initial single strength juice flow is added to the deacidified juice immediately after deacidification in order to immediately lower the pH of the deacidified juice to a value that discourages microbial activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Tropicana Products, Inc.
    Inventors: D. Scott Lineback, Osvaldo A. Chu, Yongsoo Chung, Mark A. Pepper, Marcelo Perez Alvarez
  • Publication number: 20050175760
    Abstract: A process for deacidifying single strength juice, including not from concentrate (NFC) juice, uses an ion-exchange column. The process includes flowing water into the resin column and draining a fraction of the water from the column to create a head space in the column above the resin beads. Single strength juice is then introduced into the head space and into the resin column. Water is drained from the column until an SOI criterium is met. Single strength juice continues to be introduced into the resin column and treated liquid is directed to the production of deacidified single strength juice, typically until such time as the acidity of the treated liquid exceeds a pre-determined value. Treated single strength juice is removed from the resin column to create a head space in the column. Water then is introduced into the head space and liquid passes through the exit port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Inventors: Yongsoo Chung, Osvaldo Chu, D. Lineback, Mark Pepper, Marcelo Alvarez
  • Publication number: 20040161505
    Abstract: A process for deacidifying single strength juice, including not from concentrate (NFC) juice, uses an ion-exchange column. The process includes flowing water into the resin column and draining a fraction of the water from the column to create a head space in the column above the resin beads. Single strength juice is then introduced into the head space and into the resin column. Water is drained from the column until an SOI criterium is met. Single strength juice continues to be introduced into the resin column and treated liquid is directed to the production of deacidified single strength juice, typically until such time as the acidity of the treated liquid exceeds a pre-determined value. Treated single strength juice is removed from the resin column to create a head space in the column. Water then is introduced into the head space and liquid passes through the exit port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: Tropicana Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongsoo Chung, Osvaldo A. Chu, D. Scott Lineback, Mark A. Pepper, Marcelo Perez Alvarez
  • Patent number: 6730343
    Abstract: A process for deacidifying single strength juice, including not from concentrate (NFC) juice, uses an ion-exchange column. The process includes flowing water into the resin column and draining a fraction of the water from the column to create a head space in the column above the resin beads. Single strength juice is then introduced into the head space and into the resin column. Water is drained from the column until an SOI criterium is met. Single strength juice continues to be introduced into the resin column and treated liquid is directed to the production of deacidified single strength juice, typically until such time as the acidity of the treated liquid exceeds a pre-determined value. Treated single strength juice is removed from the resin column to create a head space in the column. Water then is introduced into the head space and liquid passes through the exit port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventors: Yongsoo Chung, Osvaldo A. Chu, D. Scott Lineback, Mark A. Pepper, Marcelo Perez Alvarez
  • Patent number: 6544577
    Abstract: Citrus pulp products are provided which incorporate components from pulp material separated from a citrus juice source. Naringin, limonin or other bitterant levels are reduced substantially in the pulp components. In particular applications, the debittered citrus pulp is a grapefruit-originating bland clouding agent, a citrus pulp wash bland clouding agent, or a citrus peel juice bland clouding agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Tropicana Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Osvaldo A. Chu, Mark A. Pepper
  • Publication number: 20030064144
    Abstract: Juices are processed to remove naturally occurring components which detract from the quality of the fruit juice. Such components are removed by contacting the juice with an adsorptive rein in order to provide an enhanced fruit juice supply. Preferred juices are citrus juices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Osvaldo A. Chu, Yongsoo Chung, Mark A. Pepper
  • Publication number: 20030064139
    Abstract: A process for deacidifying single strength juice, including not from concentrate (NFC) juice, uses an ion-exchange column. The process includes flowing water into the resin column and draining a fraction of the water from the column to create a head space in the column above the resin beads. Single strength juice is then introduced into the head space and into the resin column. Water is drained from the column until an SOI criterium is met. Single strength juice continues to be introduced into the resin column and treated liquid is directed to the production of deacidified single strength juice, typically until such time as the acidity of the treated liquid exceeds a pre-determined value. Treated single strength juice is removed from the resin column to create a head space in the column. Water then is introduced into the head space and liquid passes through the exit port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Yongsoo Chung, Osvaldo A. Chu, D. Scott Lineback, Mark A. Pepper, Marcelo Perez Alvarez
  • Publication number: 20030064140
    Abstract: A system and process for making a low-acid, single strength juice such as a not from concentrate (NFC) citrus juice are provided in which an initial single strength juice flow can be cooled to a temperature of not greater than about 45° F. and maintained at that temperature or below throughout the process (except during pasteurization). From the initial juice flow, a first portion of the juice is diverted from a second portion of the juice. Suspended solids are separated out from the first portion to provide a solids-reduced juice. The solids-reduced juice is subjected to ion-exchange deacidification. Preferably, a portion of the initial single strength juice flow is added to the deacidified juice immediately after deacidification in order to immediately lower the pH of the deacidified juice to a value that discourages microbial activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: D. Scott Lineback, Osvaldo A. Chu, Yongsoo Chung, Mark A. Pepper, Marcelo Perez Alvarez