Alcohol Containing Patents (Class 426/592)
  • Patent number: 6472009
    Abstract: Passing an alcoholic beverage through a solid substance that has pores whose diameter allows only ethyl alcohol to pass through and fixes said alcohol by adsorption, said solid substance being either a Y-type zeolite or a monolithic-type microporous substance. In the beverage from which alcohol is partially or totally removed, the process makes it possible to retain in their entirety the molecules that are responsible in particular for the color, the aroma, and the taste of wine, and in particular cliousclatine and/or trypotophan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Societe Cool S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Georges Berrebi, Yvan Gaillard, Jean-Louis Guth
  • Patent number: 6468566
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a protein having the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, or a protein having ferulic acid decarboxylase activity and having an amino acid sequence wherein one or more amino acid residues are deleted, substituted or added in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1; a gene encoding said protein; a recombinant vector comprising said gene; a transformant carrying said recombinant vector; a process for producing 4-vinylguaiacol, vanillin or vanillic acid, or a distilled liquor, wherein an enzyme source having ferulic acid decarboxylase activity which is derived from said transformant is used; and a process for producing a distilled liquor, wherein yeast having an enhanced ferulic acid decarboxylase activity is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Ago, Yasuhiro Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20020150667
    Abstract: Addition of juniper berry oil to a malt beverage after completion of the brewing process, in an amount below the threshold where it imparts any perceptible juniper berry flavor to the beverage, mitigates or nullifies bitterness imparted the hops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: Joseph L. Owades
  • Patent number: 6419930
    Abstract: A pharmacological composition including a component having pressure reductive activity obtained from Mycoleptodonoides aitchisonii fruit body which is safe and cheap, harvested constantly year-round by artificial cultivation, with equal quality, and useful for prevention and/or amelioration of symptom of hypertension caused by angiotensin I converting enzyme or the like. The invention also includes foods or beverages containing the pharmacological compositions, and methods of preventing or treating hypertension by administration of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Kirin Beer Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taku Sato, Nobuhito Shiragaki, Tomoe Kawatsu, Toshihiko Hori
  • Patent number: 6403140
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gelatinous jellying product containing water, a sweetening agent and a jellying agent, and to the use of the product for preparing gelatinized products. The invention also relates to gelatinized products prepared by using the aforementioned jellying product. The invention describes especially an alcohol-containing gelatinized product that has been manufactured with a jellying product according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Sohkar Oy
    Inventors: Ilkka Tiainen, Juha Oravainen, Timo Piilola
  • Patent number: 6399351
    Abstract: A novel pectate lyase belonging to a novel family of polysaccharide lyases has good performance in industrial processes under neutral or alkaline conditions such as laundering and textile processing. The pectate lyase may be derivable from Bacillus species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Novozymes A/S
    Inventors: Mads Eskelund Bjørnvad, Jens Toenne Andersen, Kirk Schnorr, Martin Schülein, Lars Kongsbak
  • Publication number: 20020004094
    Abstract: A process for producing a liquor utilizing a coconut as the fermentation container and final container for distribution to consumers. The process includes the steps of filling pre-selected coconuts with ethanol, after emptying the water, to dissolve part of the cavity's internal walls thereby absorbing the fragrance of the coconut. The ethanol is allowed to stay inside the coconut for a predetermined amount of time and then added to a mixture of ethanol and sugar cane juice, fifty percent of each, in a predetermined proportion to enhance the aroma of the liquor. The resulting mixture is then placed inside the coconut's cavity where it is allowed to go through the process of fermentation for about 21 days. The coconut is then capped and stored for future consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventors: Rodolfo Minaya Rancier, Mercedes Rancier Minaya
  • Patent number: 6331320
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing aromatic compounds or polymers thereof from a plant material in a short period of time and by a simple procedure. Concretely, the process treats the plant material with supercritical water or subcritical water to liberate aromatic compounds, which are contained in the plant material, and/or aromatic compounds, which have been generated upon decomposition of components of the plant material, to the outside of the plant material, and isolates the liberated aromatic compounds to produce aromatic compounds or polymers thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Suntory Limited
    Inventors: Koichi Nakahara, Takahisa Fujii, Wataru Miki, Kenzoh Nagami, Kunio Arai
  • Publication number: 20010041210
    Abstract: Slush ice is produced in a liquid by adding a freezing point-depressing agent and particles to the liquid to form a liquid mix, and then cooling the liquid mix by heat exchange with a refrigeration circuit, ice crystals being formed in the liquid mix at nucleation sites provided by the particles. A slush ice of nonfrozen liquid and ice particles is produced and ice formation on the conduit in which the liquid mix flows is avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Michael Kauffeld, Kaj Rosenstedt, Lars Bay Moller, Frank Elefsen
  • Patent number: 6287614
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the organoleptic properties of various alcoholic beverages by reducing the sensory perception of acids and tannins in wine, brandies, sherries, cognacs, spirits, beer, tea, coffee and fruit juice, including but not limited to any alcoholic beverages that have been aged in wood barrels or had the addition of wood or wood chips added to improve or enhance the flavor. The product to be treated can be either placed upon, inside or channeled through a magnetic field produced by permanent magnets, strong enough to achieve the desired results. The minimum gauss strength of said magnets should be strong enough to achieve said results depending upon whether the liquid to be treated is stationary, contained in a bottle, barrel or tank, or is moving through a pipe line during the manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Inventor: Jacqueline Peiffer
  • Publication number: 20010018086
    Abstract: A process for producing an aged beverage, preferably a distilled spirit that is aged in contact with wood, in which raw or partially aged beverage is processed in a closed system with controlled heat and oxygen levels, and in contact with a beverage aging wood product. In certain embodiments ethyl acetate is added to the raw beverage prior to the aging process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventors: Remy F. Gross, John P. Delmore, Walter E. Buske
  • Patent number: 6265010
    Abstract: A method and a device for preparing a drink glass with a salt-coated rim in which juice from a lime or lemon is deposited in an open-topped recess formed in the top of a lid for a wide-mouthed salt container, and the drink glass is inverted down onto the lid to have its rim wetted by the juice before being dipped into salt in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: Richard E. Franco
  • Publication number: 20010002269
    Abstract: A method of making, combining, and using a balanced multi-phase food mixture and a multi-phase beverage made thereof is incorporated into carbonated herb beverage, aerated tea, fast fermented grain drink, amino acid flavored beverage, alcohol soaked cocktail drink, and aerated vegetable beverage. The liquid phase comprises total small molecular mineral and sugar up to 350 mOsm, pH 3.5-7.8, sweetener up to 7 wt %, alcohol up to 3 wt %, protein up to 30 wt %, fiber 20-37 gram per 2000 calories, at least 30% of calories are derived from complex carbohydrate, and up to 5% by volume gas, which will release a meaningful smell when being consumed. The solid phase includes at least 10% by weight plant mix, complex carbohydrate, protein, fat, and a combination thereof The beverage is natural and balanced referred to physiological body composition for normalizing body composition and fluid metabolism toward optimal body fitness with increased sensory experience and satiety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Publication date: May 31, 2001
    Inventor: Iris Ginron Zhao
  • Patent number: 6238712
    Abstract: A method for producing an aged tea material, which includes mixing an alcoholic beverage and a lactic acid-fermented material with a tea material for drinking, swelling the tea material for drinking, and then aging the tea material for drinking; and a method for producing a tea beverage, which includes adding water to the aged tea material as produced above, and extracting water-soluble components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Ariake Nori
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Nakashima
  • Publication number: 20010001676
    Abstract: A method of treating beverage which comprises contacting the beverage with polyvinyl polypyrrolidone and subsequently centrifuging the beverage to remove the polyvinyl polypyrrolidone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Applicant: ISP INVESTMENTS INC.
    Inventor: James Phillip O'Reilly
  • Patent number: 6232373
    Abstract: The preparation and the use of pulverulent compositions consisting of (a) from 10 to 90% by weight of cellulose, (b) from 5 to 60% by weight of an alkali metal caseinate, and (c) from 5 to 85% by weight of a polymer c1) an N-vinyllactam polymer obtained by copolymerization of from 90 to 99.5% by weight of one or more N-vinyllactam monomers and from 0.5 to 10% by weight of a crosslinking monomer, or c2) a polymer obtained by copolymerization of from 50 to 99.5% by weight of at least one vinyl heterocyclyl monomer having a PKa of at least 3.8, from 0 to 49.5% by weight of another copolymerizable monomer and from 0.5 to 10% by weight of a crosslinking monomer, or c3) a mixture of the polymers c1) and c2). The compositions are used in the treatment of biological liquids of plant origin in an unfermented or partially or completely fermented state for sensory stabilization of the liquids with a view to preserving taste and color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Lappas, Bernhard Fussnegger, Gabriele Müller, Knuth Horst Jung, Georg Tasser
  • Patent number: 6207208
    Abstract: A process for reducing the propensity of riboflavin-containing malt beverages employs the treatment of beer or its intermediates with Fuller's earth absorbents and, in particular, colloidal magnesium aluminum silicates, especially attapulgite and montmorillonite clays. This process effects absorbance of riboflavin contained in such beer or its intermediates and can be shown to improve the stability of a treated beer against the formation of skunky off-flavors following exposure to visible wavelengths of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Labatt Brewing Company Limited
    Inventors: Anthony J. Irwin, Robert L. Barker, Peter Pipast
  • Patent number: 6203826
    Abstract: A process for making a low-alcohol wine is provided. The process includes the steps of separating grape juice into a high-sugar fraction and a low-sugar fraction prior to fermentation, blending additional grape juice into the low-sugar fraction to form a mixture and then fermenting the mixture to form a low-alcohol wine. In the case of red wine, a low-alcohol product can also be made by separating the must into a high-sugar fraction and low-sugar fraction prior to fermentation, blending additional must into the low-sugar fraction to form a mixture and then fermenting the mixture to form a low-alcohol red wine. The present invention permits the production of a low-alcohol wine without sacrificing the full body, aroma and character of traditional wine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Constellation Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Calvin
  • Patent number: 6203836
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for treating wood particles for use in flavoring aqueous liquids to mask undesirable taste components and to increase the extractability and reactivity of flavor enhancing components. Wood particles are contacted with a solution of aqueous ethanol, the solids separated and heated for at least fifteen minutes at temperatures up to 220° C. Also disclosed is a process for using such wood particles for treatment of aqueous liquids and aqueous liquids treated with such wood particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Kairos Corporation
    Inventors: Remy F. Gross, II, Charles Barbier
  • Patent number: 6183982
    Abstract: A fermentation device and a method for making a substance using the device are provided. The fermentation bung may have an outer plug that includes a central inner annular hole and a one or more holes surrounding the central hole, the outer plug fitting within a bung hole in a barrel in which a substance is going to be fermented. The device may further include an inner plug with a centrally extending stem that frictionally fits into the central inner annual hole of the outer plug to secure the inner plug into the outer plug and also have a top portion which covers the one or more holes surrounding the central hole. During the fermentation of the substance, the gases produced during fermentation may be vented through the device since the top portion of the inner plug may flex slightly to permit the escape of the gas. However, the device prevents any ambient air from entering the barrel since the top portion of the inner plug is covering the one or more holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Ferm-Rite, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Nastasia
  • Patent number: 6177123
    Abstract: An aroma powder based on an alcohol-containing liquid, in particular a wine powder, which, when used in foods, in particular soups, sauces and desserts, gives rise to the same flavor impression as the addition of the underlying alcohol-containing liquid. The aroma powder displays little taste of its own, is readily free-flowing and meterable, particularly in the dry form, and is non-hygroscopic or only slightly hygroscopic. The aroma powder contains aroma-active constituents of an alcohol-containing liquid and, as a carrier for the aroma-active constituents, a high-amylose starch product, in particular pea starch and pea amylose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Bestfoods
    Inventors: Rolf Stute, R. Klingler
  • Patent number: 6166091
    Abstract: 2,3,4-trihydroxycyclopentanone represented by the following formula [I], its optically active substance or salt thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Takara Shuzo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaoru Kojima, Katsushige Ikai, Tatsuji Enoki, Nobuto Koyama, Ikunoshin Kato
  • Patent number: 6159513
    Abstract: A method of packaging and preparing a mixed drink and the mixed drink mixer package therefor, wherein pre-measured mixer ingredients are packaged in a container that is marketed and sold with extra head-space for the subsequent addition and shaking of ingredients according to the consumer's taste, and preferably with a strainer for straining the mixed drink prior to serving. The consumer may prepare the drink by adding an alcoholic beverage and, if desired, ice through the wide opening of the container. Blending of the ingredients may be accomplished by shaking the container, which is provided with a removable, leak-proof cap. The ingredients may be strained through the detachable strainer when they are poured from the container, or the container itself may be used as a drinking vessel, thus minimizing the time, effort, and inconvenience of amassing a variety of containers and implements that are associated with prior art methods of packaging the ingredients for mixed drinks and preparing mixed drinks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Mott's, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Judlowe, Denise Lefebvre
  • Patent number: 6106883
    Abstract: A method for suspending inclusions in an acidic or alcoholic liquid composition is provided. The method includes the steps of preparing a pre-gel solution including gellan gum in water, providing a liquid composition having inclusions, incorporating the pre-gel solution into the liquid composition, and acidifying the liquid composition to produce a beverage and suspend the inclusions in the beverage. Alternatively, the liquid composition can be provided without inclusions and the inclusions may be added after the pre-gel solution is incorporated into the liquid composition to form a suspending solution or after the suspending solution is acidified to produce a beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Bush Boake Allen, Inc.
    Inventors: Linda Sokolik, James A. Lewis, William F. Chalupa
  • Patent number: 6045839
    Abstract: Ice is prepared by freezing a diluent, such as oolong tea, lemon water, green tea, mineral water, or pickled ume extract in water, and crushing the frozen diluent into lumps of varying sizes. The lumps are sprayed with water to bind them together and are refrozen under pressure in the form of multi-void ice blocks. The ice blocks are packaged in cups and sealed by a film cap. A plurality of cups containing the ice blocks are provided in a case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventor: Katsuzo Somura
  • Patent number: 6045852
    Abstract: A method and composition for clarifying a beverage solution used to prepare a fermented beverage is provided. A clarifying mixture including an organic clarifier and carbohydrate is added to the beverage solution to precipitate proteins to allow the clarifying agent to be independent of pH controls and to allow a cleaner and fresher taste after use. The addition of fruit sugars not only allows for a rapid solubility but also provides clearer and cleaner-tasting beers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Charvid Limited Liability Co.
    Inventor: Charles Bullick Talley
  • Patent number: 6019995
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method for increasing meat production while reducing fat in ruminant and non-ruminant animals and for increasing egg production in poultry and milk production in ruminant animals. The method includes mixing ingredients that include 190 proof ethanol in a concentration of about 9% by weight of a food supplement with clay and a nitrogen source such as urea to form the food supplement. The food supplement for ruminant animals additionally includes a condensed distiller's soluble fraction. The mixed ingredients are added to an animal feed such as corn. The animal feed and supplement are fed to an animal at least one per day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Inventor: Ben A. Steensma
  • Patent number: 6013288
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing beer having a reduced content of purine compounds by using wort having a reduced content of purine nucleosides as a result of decomposing purine nucleosides into purine bases by using nucleoside phosphorylase or nucleosidase, or decomposing purine nucleosides into purine bases during fermentation and having the purine bases metabolized by yeast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Suntory Limited
    Inventors: Yuji Shibano, Hideko Yomo, Takehiro Matsumoto, Hirofumi Koda, Yoshihide Suwa, Teruo Amachi, Haruyo Hatanaka, Sakayu Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6013302
    Abstract: A method of preparing a fruit salad dressing is provided including the steps of blending a predetermined amount of fruit to render a first mixture; boiling milk and a seasoning; cooling the milk to generate a second mixture; providing alcohol, juice and vanilla; and blending the alcohol, juice, vanilla and the first mixture with the second mixture in a predetermined order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventor: Roselyne Vertil
  • Patent number: 6001410
    Abstract: Described is the use of a recombinant single-strand monellin taken alone or further together with sclareolide and/or succinic acid for enhancing the alcoholic impact of a fruit liqueur beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
    Inventors: Paul L. Bolen, Nicholas Kossiakoff, Regina D. Hawn, Lewis G. Scharpf, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6001406
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the removal of polyphenols and proteins simultaneously from a beverage by contacting the beverage with an ion exchanger that is capable of adsorbing both types of substances. The characteristic feature of the ion exchanger to be used is that it is a water-insoluble porous hydrophilic matrix to which ion exchanging groups are covalently bound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignees: Intermag GmbH, Pharmacia Biotech AB
    Inventors: Michael Katzke, Ralf Helmut Nendza, Jan Berglof, Per Vretblad
  • Patent number: 5993865
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a beverage containing proteins and/or peptides and is characterized in that it contains Cereal-LT and/or homologues as herein defined and/or a modified Cereal-LTP fraction obtainable from the Cereal-LTP and/or homologues by heating, boiling and/or mashing the Cereal-LTP and/or homologues in water at a pH between 3 and 7. The invention also concerns a method for preparing it and a use of a foam-forming additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Carlsberg A/S
    Inventors: Lene M.o slashed.lskov Bech, Steen Bech S.o slashed.rensen, Pia Vaag, Marianne Muldbjerg, Thorkild Beenfeldt, Robert Leah, Klaus Breddam
  • Patent number: 5972402
    Abstract: To eliminate from non-fermented or fermented fruit juices obtained from fruit or grapes, in particular wine, the undesirable odors and/or taste caused by sulphur or sulphur compounds, called "Bockser", it is proposed according to the invention to add hardly soluble or insoluble organic Cu-compounds to the liquid, which, by reacting with the sulphur or sulphur compounds, form insoluble sulphides that can easily be separated from the liquid by precipitation. Particularly suitable for this are copper salts of citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid or stearic acid or mixtures of these salts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Erbslohr-Getranke-Technologie GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Willy Scholl, Heinz Eschnauer
  • Patent number: 5961707
    Abstract: By fluidized-bed spray granulation, dextrin granules having a high content of enclosed alcohol are obtained from dextrin/water/alcohol mixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Haarmann & Reimer GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Mothes, Jurgen Hinderer, Reinhard Boeck
  • Patent number: 5955137
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a protein having the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, or a protein having ferulic acid decarboxylase activity and having an amino acid sequence wherein one or more amino acid residues are deleted, substituted or added in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1; a gene encoding said protein; a recombinant vector comprising said gene; a transformant carrying said recombinant vector; a process for producing 4-vinylguaiacol, vanillin or vanillic acid, or a distilled liquor, wherein an enzyme source having ferulic acid decarboxylase activity which is derived from said transformant is used; and a process for producing a distilled liquor, wherein yeast having an enhanced ferulic acid decarboxylase activity is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Ago, Yasuhiro Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 5922389
    Abstract: A cask for storing alcoholic beverage is made of a pre-treated wooden material, such as oak wood, wherein the method of pre-treatment includes soaking the wood in a salt solution and heating or toasting the wood thereafter to produce a color change in the wood. Is has been found that impregnating the wood with salt extracts is beneficial in respect of flavoring and coloring the alcoholic beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: The Scotch Whisky Research Institute
    Inventors: Gordon Mark Steele, Kenneth John Gibson Reid, Andrew Frank Ward
  • Patent number: 5902628
    Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of one or more tannic acid compounds to reduce the lingering sweet aftertaste of artificially-sweetened beverages, in particular sucralose-sweetened cola beverages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: PepsiCo., Inc.
    Inventor: Syed H. Shamil
  • Patent number: 5897904
    Abstract: Methods for producing a liquor having a high alcohol content are disclosed. Such methods employ mild conditions for increasing the alcohol content of the liquor, resulting in decreased levels of by-products that may adversely affect the taste. The high proof liquor generated by the methods disclosed herein is suitable for the preparation of alcoholic beverages such as brandy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: TFE Partnership
    Inventors: Andrew J. Friedman, Brian L. Nordwall
  • Patent number: 5876995
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus for generating bioluminescence, and combinations of these systems and apparatus with inanimate articles of manufacture to produce novelty items are provided. These novelty items, which are articles of manufacture, are designed for entertainment, recreation and amusement, and include toys, paints, slimy play material, textiles, particularly clothing, bubbles in bubble making toys and other toys that produce bubbles, balloons, personal items, such as bath powders, body lotions, gels, powders and creams, toothpastes and other dentifrices, soaps, body paints, and bubble bath, foods, such as gelatins, icings and frostings, beverages such as beer, wine, champagne, soft drinks, and glowing ice, fountains, including liquid "fireworks" and other such jets or sprays or aerosols of compositions that are solutions, mixtures, suspensions, powders, pastes, particles or other suitable formulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Inventor: Bruce Bryan
  • Patent number: 5871798
    Abstract: A method is disclosed of preparing a beverage in the form of a dilute aqueous solution, suspension or dispersion of an encapsulated product. The capsule is added to a potable liquid, and the capsule material breaks down when submerged in the liquid to release its contents and itself dissolve. A primary advantage of providing the product in this way is that it can be confined within the capsule in liquid form, and can therefore disperse or dissolve in water more readily. Additionally, the capsule would normally sink to the bottom of the body of water before releasing its contents, thereby ensuring that the contents are released within the body of water, and not at the surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: R. P. Scherer
    Inventors: Keith Graeme Hutchison, Kelvin Royce Garnett
  • Patent number: 5868997
    Abstract: A method for sterilizing process fermentation vessels with a concentrated alcohol and water mixture integrated in a fuel alcohol or other alcohol production facility. Hot, concentrated alcohol is drawn from a distillation or other purification stage and sprayed into the empty fermentation vessels. This sterilizing alcohol/water mixture should be of a sufficient concentration, preferably higher than 12% alcohol by volume, to be toxic to undesirable microorganisms. Following sterilization, this sterilizing alcohol/water mixture can be recovered back into the same distillation or other purification stage from which it was withdrawn. The process of this invention has its best application in, but is not limited to, batch fermentation processes, wherein the fermentation vessels must be emptied, cleaned, and sterilized following completion of each batch fermentation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Midwest Research Institute
    Inventor: Charles E. Wyman
  • Patent number: 5866191
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a beverage composition which remains substantially liquid at freezer temperatures as low as at least 0.degree. F. (about -18.degree. C.). These beverages, which can optionally contain alcohol, contain, as an ice crystal formation inhibitor, either glycerol or propylene glycol, generally from about 6 to about 20 percent of said composition on a volume basis, and usually from about 10 to about 15 percent of said composition. These beverages, when placed in a freezer, remain soft and can be readily poured, squeezed or spooned into an appropriate serving container for consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: John J. Mancuso
  • Patent number: 5853782
    Abstract: An arrangement for continuous addition of nitrogen gas to a beverage such as beer, mineral water or still drink comprises a pump (2) arranged to increase the pressure of a flow of beverage to a desired high level. In the arrangement there are also tubes (5) to add a predetermined amount of nitrogen gas under pressure directly to the pressurized flow of beverage and at least one static mixer (4) to mix gas and beverage and disperse the nitrogen gas in the beverage. A holding cell is connected to the static mixer in which holding cell the nitrogen gas is completely dissolved in the still pressurized beverage of the holding cell. Valves (15) are arranged at the outlet of the holding cell to lower the pressure to a level which is suitable for packaging of the beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Alfa Laval AB
    Inventor: Ebbe Larsson
  • Patent number: 5853789
    Abstract: Tonyu containing alcohol and the method for producing the Tonyu. Alcohol is added to beans soaked in water, Go or the liquid obtained after filtrating Go. Further, Tonyu containing alcohol is distilled under reduced pressure to obtain Tonyu with high solid content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Co. Lim Marushou
    Inventors: Masami Hoshino, Miyoko Yamasaki, Nobuyuki Ohshima
  • Patent number: 5811144
    Abstract: A process for the production of a hopped malt beer wherein a processing liquid containing riboflavin is hopped to form the desired beverage. The improvement comprises subjecting that processing liquid to an effective amount of actinic radiation of a wavelength adopted to decompose the riboflavin and thereby reduce the amount thereof, whereby a beer having enhanced light stability is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Labatt Brewing Company Limited
    Inventors: Joseph Raymond Luc Bordeleau, David John Hastings, Michael Jerome McGarrity
  • Patent number: 5811305
    Abstract: Quantitative determination and evaluation of the flavor stability of fermented alcoholic beverages are performed by measuring the changes of the amount of spin adduct from the formation behavior of active oxygen with passage of time using an ESR apparatus and either determining the value on the time axis of the inflection point of changes of the amounts of spin adduct (defined as the active oxygen formation lag time) or determining the amount of spin adduct after a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of measurement (defined as the active oxygen formation activity). The longer the active oxygen formation lag time or the lower the active oxygen formation activity, the greater the oxygen resistance of the fermented alcoholic beverage, thus making it possible to evaluate that fermented alcoholic beverage as having good flavor stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Suntory Limited
    Inventors: Miyoko Ono, Masaaki Uchida
  • Patent number: 5762991
    Abstract: A continuous process of producing beer is described. Starch-containing raw materials are disintegrated and are optionally processed to form malt, a wort is produced from the disintegrated and optionally malted raw materials, and the wort is subjected to alcoholic fermentation. In that process all process steps are performed continuously. The mash is initially heated in a reactor system to a temperature of 75.degree. to 85.degree. C. The grain residue is removed from the mash. The wort is subsequently hopped and is heated to a temperature from 105.degree. to 140.degree. C. This is succeeded by a flash evaporation, a removal of the dregs and a cooling of the wort, which is subsequently fermented at 6.degree. to 25.degree. in the presence of a biocatalyst. The fermenting process may be succeeded by a partial or full continuous de-alcoholization of the beer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Metalgesellschaft Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Dziondziak, Rudolf Bonsch, Roland Herbert Bodmer, Michael Karl Hans Eichelsbacher, Peter Mitschke, Ulrich Heinrich Friedrich Sander, Eberhard Julius Friedrich Schlichting
  • Patent number: 5744183
    Abstract: Wines and other alcoholic beverages are treated to remove sulfides by passing the beverage through a filter medium comprising polyvinyl polypyrrolidone, polyvinylimidazole, or a copolymer of the monomers of these two polymers, the polymer or copolymer having been pretreated with a solution of a metallic salt, preferably copper sulfate or silver nitrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Inventors: Robert M. Ellsworth, Gordon Burns
  • Patent number: 5728412
    Abstract: This invention disclosed herein provides an alcohol acetyl transferase ("AATase"), an AATase encoding gene and a yeast having an improved ester producing ability due to transformation with the AATase encoding gene, This invention also provides a process for producing an alcoholic beverage having an enriched ester flavor using the transformed yeast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Kirin Beer Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Fujii, Akihiro Iwamatsu, Hiroyuki Yoshimoto, Toshitaka Minetoki, Takayuki Bogaki, Naoshi Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 5681606
    Abstract: A method is disclosed of preparing a beverage in the form of a dilute aqueous solution, suspension or dispersion of an encapsulated product. The capsule is added to a potable liquid, and the capsule material breaks down when submerged in the liquid to release its contents and itself dissolve. A primary advantage of providing the product in this way is that it can be confined within the capsule in liquid form, and can therefore disperse or dissolve in water more readily. Additionally, the capsule would normally sink to the bottom of the body of water before releasing its contents, thereby ensuring that the contents are released within the body of water, and not at the surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: R. P. Scherer
    Inventors: Keith Graeme Hutchison, Kelvin Royce Garnett