By Isolating A Fluid Constituent Patents (Class 99/495)
  • Publication number: 20130171312
    Abstract: Processing of a bulk liquid including particles, including use of a rotating strainer surface with openings disposed on a circumference thereof, the openings allowing an extracted liquid in the bulk liquid to pass through the strainer surface while preventing particles from passing through the strainer surface, such that a concentration of particles in the extracted liquid is less than in the bulk liquid; an extracted liquid outflow port which outputs the extracted liquid from an interior region of the rotating strainer surface; and a motor configured to rotate the strainer surface at a speed sufficient to generate a centrifugal force or turbulence at the openings sufficient to prevent the particles from clogging the openings, wherein the strainer surface is rotated and the extracted liquid is output through the extracted liquid outflow port when the strainer surface is fully submerged in the bulk liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: SPX ADV DANMARK A/S
    Inventors: Michael Franklin Jørgensen, Klaus Pedersen
  • Publication number: 20130160658
    Abstract: A refrigerated automatic distributor (51) for juices extracted from fresh fruits (53) comprising a fruit or vegetable stocking store (52), a juice extraction device (54) for extracting juice from fruits or vegetables, a fruit moving mechanism for moving the fruits or vegetables between the stocking store and the extraction device, a mouth (26) of access to a container (33) for the juice and an electronic control unit (31). The distributor (51) further comprises a sealing device (41) for sealing the container (33) with the juice extracted and to be dispensed and in which the electronic control unit (31) is provided for activating the sealing device (41) on request of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: A.A.T. AGROINDUSTRY ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES S.P.A.
    Inventors: Salvatore Torrisi, Mario Venticinque
  • Publication number: 20130164423
    Abstract: One exemplary aspect comprises a device for spraying liquid, comprising: a liquid extractor having a top portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion of the liquid extractor adapted to be inserted into a liquid source, the liquid extractor comprising a portion defining a cavity for collecting liquid from the liquid source; and a spray dispenser comprising a top portion and bottom portion, and comprising a spray pump partially disposed within and extending from the top portion of the spray dispenser, the bottom portion of the spray dispenser configured to be coupled with the top portion of the liquid extractor, the spray pump comprising a tube having a lower end disposed within the cavity for collecting liquid from the liquid source. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the bottom portion of the liquid extractor comprises a lower end having a concave surface defining a plurality of openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Quirky, Inc.
    Inventors: Jordan Diatlo, Warren Yan, Timothy David Houle, Sandra Lynn O'Neill, Timothy Dean O'Neill
  • Publication number: 20130156915
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of distributing products which comprise a coconut water, the method comprising: procuring a coconut water that has been extracted from a coconut in a manner that prevented oxygen from contacting the coconut water during extraction from the coconut; manufacturing a product that includes at least a portion of the coconut water; and distributing the product to consumers. Additional embodiments of the present invention include extracting the coconut water by way of injecting a gas into the coconut, placing the coconut in a chamber and removing oxygen from around the coconut, collecting and utilizing coconut water collected in a manner which minimizes carbon emissions impact, packaging the product in a package material which comprises a barrier property that abates oxygen transfer, and extending the consumer benefit of the coconut water by distributing the product through a refrigerated supply chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventor: Nilang Patel
  • Publication number: 20130156914
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method of preventing oxygen from contacting coconut water during extraction from a coconut, the method comprising: penetrating the shell of a coconut with a probe, the probe further comprising a gas inlet and an egress port, the coconut further comprising a coconut water; injecting a gas under pressure into the coconut through the gas inlet; and allowing at least the gas pressure to effectuate the coconut water transfer, by way of the egress port, from the coconut to an oxygen free collection vessel. Additional embodiments of the present invention include conveying the coconut to a coconut water extraction point, placing the coconut in a chamber and removing oxygen from around the coconut, macerating the coconut to form a composting material, and processing the coconut from a mobile platform proximate the coconut groves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventor: Nilang Patel
  • Patent number: 8449934
    Abstract: An apparatus for easily removing excess moisture from blocks of tofu. The apparatus is constructed of a sturdy plastic material and is substantially box or rectangular shaped. It is designed to be approximately the size of a block of commercially available tofu. The container which holds the tofu has perforations on the bottom which permits the extracted moisture to drain out and away from the unit. The container with the tofu features four feet on the corners with a drain tray to capture the extracted moisture. There is a flat member that sits on the top of the tofu and an inner top lid that has a spring attached to it. The inner top lid engages a pair of arm like projections and the spring engages another tray that sits on the top of the tofu so that as the spring exerts pressure on the flat member on the tofu water is removed from the tofu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventor: Marie B. Kraft
  • Patent number: 8419932
    Abstract: A centrifuge operative in successive low speed and high speed modes serves to remove surface cooking oil from a continuous stream of fragile snack food products wherein the oil removal occurs in the high speed mode and products are discharged from the centrifuge with relatively low kinetic energy in the low speed mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Heat and Control Inc.
    Inventors: John Silvester, Leopoldo Zarate Andrade
  • Publication number: 20130081547
    Abstract: A squeeze-type juice extractor includes a base, a squeeze assembly installed on the base, and a feed assembly locked on the squeeze assembly. A drive member is disposed inside the base, a drive shaft is disposed at a top of the base. The drive member drives the drive shaft to rotate. The squeeze assembly includes a glass body, a mesh barrel fixedly installed in the glass body, and a screw rod located in the mesh barrel and connected to the drive shaft. A squeeze space is formed between the mesh barrel and the screw rod. An annular juice collection groove is formed at a bottom of the glass body and in communication with a juice outlet disposed on the glass body. An annular residue collection groove is formed at a bottom of the mesh barrel and in communication with a residue discharge passage disposed on the glass body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventor: Wei Hu
  • Publication number: 20130074708
    Abstract: A vertical juicer adapted to extract juice from a food including a bowl and a motor connected to the bowl. The vertical juicer also has a filter disposed in the bowl, an auger disposed in the filter, and a brush disposed between the bowl and the filter. A gear system includes a first gear disposed on the auger and a second gear disposed on the brush. Actuation of the auger by the motor causes the auger and first gear to rotate, and rotation of the first gear causes the second gear to rotate. Rotation of the second gear causes the brush to rotate around the filter and remove a food residue from the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: GREENFIELD WORLD TRADE, INC.
    Inventor: GREENFIELD WORLD TRADE, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130074707
    Abstract: A horizontal juicer for extracting juice from a food includes a base housing a motor and an extracting unit. The extracting unit is disposed adjacent the base. The horizontal juice includes a compression chamber having at least one first strainer disposed at a first end of the compression chamber, at least one second strainer disposed at a second end of the compression chamber. An intermediate portion is disposed between the at least one first strainer and the at least one second strainer. An auger is disposed in the compression chamber. The auger has a blade disposed spirally around a first end of the auger and a plurality of ribs disposed at a second end of the auger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: GREENFIELD WORLD TRADE, INC.
    Inventor: Greenfield World Trade, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8397631
    Abstract: A bowl and basket assembly kit is disclosed as including an upper basket part (202), a middle basket part (204) and a lower basket part (206) linked with one another and engageable with one another in a way to form a perforated basket (200), an upper bowl part (102), a middle bowl part (104) and a lower bowl part (106) releasably engageable with one another to form a bowl (100) for receiving the perforated basket (200), and an upper locking ring (110) and a lower locking ring (112) which are swivellable about a longitudinal axis (L-L) of the bowl (100), wherein when the upper bowl part (102), middle bowl part (104) and lower bowl part (106) are engaged with one another, each of the locking rings (110, 112) is swivellable between a respective first position in which relative movement between the bowl parts (102, 104, 106) is allowed and a respective second position in which relative movement between the bowl parts (102, 104, 106) is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventors: Kwok Kuen So, Abel Yiu Chung Wan
  • Patent number: 8383182
    Abstract: An apparatus for easily removing excess moisture from blocks of tofu. The apparatus comprises a container which holds the tofu. A first substantially flat plate member is disposed within such container and placed on top of the tofu. A second substantially flat plate member which has a spring attached thereon engages a pair of arm like projections disposed on upper surfaces and on opposite sides of the container member. The other end of the spring engages the upper surface of the first flat plate member that sits on the top of the tofu so that as the spring exerts pressure on the first flat plate member water is removed from the tofu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Marie B. Kraft
  • Publication number: 20130040024
    Abstract: A method for producing fruit products. The method includes presenting a fruit comprising at least one water insoluble component and at least one water soluble component. Removing at least a portion of the at least one water soluble component from the fruit, the removing comprising leaving at least a portion of the at least one water insoluble component. Providing at least one polyol in the at least a portion of the at least one water insoluble component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Leroy W. Fletcher, Tamis L. Root
  • Patent number: 8353244
    Abstract: An integrated cleaning and cutting device includes a case, a cover sealed the case, a basket received in the case, and a basket shelter mounted on the basket. A plurality of palings is formed on the basket. A drive mechanism is accumulated in the cover for driving the basket to rotate in the case. A cutting mechanism is fitted in the cover for cutting salad material. The cutting mechanism includes a blanking hole communicating with the basket in the case. The salad material is cleaned in the basket by the rotating of the basket in the case. On the other hand, the salad material can be cut and stored in the device, in which the basket and the cutting mechanism are equipped. Since the device has multiple functions such as cleaning, cutting and storage, it is utilitarian in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Inventor: Yan Kwong Wong
  • Patent number: 8353474
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for processing system foodstuff are shown and described. Food processing systems can hold and prepare food for consumption. The disclosed embodiments can be quickly and conveniently used to dry, grind, mill, dispense, or otherwise process foodstuff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Chef'n Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Holcomb, Adam A. Jossem
  • Patent number: 8347781
    Abstract: A food cooling device includes a cover, an electric motor powering a fan, and an automatic switch. The cover defines air intake openings beneath a motor housing, a bottom orifice, and vents between the air intake openings and the orifice. The bottom opening rests on a table, covering a plate containing hot food. A fan blade directs air toward the food, the air cools the food, and the heated air escapes through the vents. The cooling device is portable, light in weight, and easy to operate, making it suitable for use by small children as well as handicapped persons of all ages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: William Joseph Stack
  • Publication number: 20130000494
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-purpose juicer, which includes a frame assembly, a base assembly, and a drive assembly. The frame assembly includes a frame body, a head assembly fixed on the base assembly, and a function element. A terminal of the frame body matches with the head assembly to form an operation cavity for containing the function element. Another terminal thereof matches with the drive assembly such that the drive assembly drives the function element to operate in the operation cavity. The drive assembly can directly drive the function element to rotate it in the operation cavity. The function element may be altered according to different needs; however, other elements need not to be altered, thus the whole structure thereof is simple.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventor: Yan Kwong WONG
  • Patent number: 8322277
    Abstract: Devices and systems for compressing food articles are shown and described. Embodiments of the present invention can be used to squeeze, press, extrude, or otherwise process food articles. The disclosed embodiments can include a lever with a plurality of gear teeth, a base with a plurality of gear teeth, and a receptacle. The gear teeth can engage one another. The lever and base can be actuated to move a piston head into and out of the receptacle to compress food. A piston assembly of the compression tool can provide a mechanical advantage to provide relatively high compressive forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Chef'n Corporation
    Inventor: Jonah S. Griffith
  • Patent number: 8318227
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for removing fat floating on hot soup. A thermally conducting plate 14 having a flat underside is cooled to a temperature below that at which the flat solidifies and lowered onto the floating fat to cause the fat to congeal and adhere to its underside. The plate 14 is then raised to remove the adhering fat from the soup, and the fat adhering to the underside is scraped off by dragging the underside across a straight edge 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: Ilan Zadik Samson
  • Patent number: 8272317
    Abstract: A beverage system includes a pump that draws a set amount of a flavored concentrate into a mixing chamber (28) for mixing with water to form a beverage. A pump head (46) includes a piston opening that receives a piston (48) and a water port that defines a water flow path. A housing (62) includes an integral water port (40). Water from a water source flows along a water line and into the integral water port (40) of the housing (62). The water flows through the water port (40) of the pump head (46) and into the mixing chamber (28) to form the beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Minard, Mark E. Bush
  • Patent number: 8234974
    Abstract: A manually actuated juicing tool used to insert directly into a pomegranate fruit cut horizontally in half. Once cut horizontally, the pomegranate reveals sections of arils separated by membranes. The tool has a rigid horizontal handle that the user grasps with one hand. A round mid-shaft projects down from the handle a distance sufficient to allow the tool to be projected down to the base of the husk of the fruit while leaving the handle above the husk. At the base of the mid-shaft are two or more tines projected outwardly and slightly downwardly. The tine at its outward end is convex to match the symmetry of the husk of the fruit. On the bottom of the tine are tiny cutting spikes used to pierce the arils. The tine also contains small vertical extrusion holes to allow juice to flow above the tine while leaving all solids beneath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: Mark D. Hanlon
  • Publication number: 20120192728
    Abstract: A juice machine includes a lid, and the lid includes an upper casing, a feeding barrel, and a block member. The feeding barrel is installed on the upper casing, and the feeding barrel is hollow inside. The block member is surrounded around an external side of the bottom of the feeding barrel. The juice machine can enhance both juice squeezing efficiency and juice yield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventor: Jin Yi Huang
  • Patent number: 8215230
    Abstract: A collapsible salad spinner includes a bowl, basket, and lid. Each of the bowl and basket are formed such that they are collapsible, with the bowl and basket being collapsible while nested within one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Progressive International Corporation
    Inventor: Heather Curtin
  • Publication number: 20120137899
    Abstract: A juicer module is disclosed herein. The juicer module includes an open top juicer container, a lid which is provided with a material input through a side of the lid and coupled to an upper portion of the juicer container, a net drum fixedly arranged within the juicer container and a screw arranged within the net drum. The screw is provided with a spiral portion formed on a side surface of the screw and a rotary shaft to pass through the shaft hole of the juicer container. The juicer module may further include a guide rotary portion formed on an upper end of the screw, and the lid may be provided with a rotary guide for guiding the rotation of the screw, the rotary guide being in contact with an edge of the guide rotary portion when the juicer module is assembled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: NUC ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jong Boo Kim
  • Patent number: 8166873
    Abstract: An automatic juicer turns and pushes an upward facing juicing cone into a fruit for releasing and collecting juice. The juicer includes a base containing a motor, gear and shaft assembly which rises as a unit with the juicing cone. A fixed guide extends upward from the base and inner and outer shafts reside inside the fixed guide and are driven by the motor and gear assembly to rotate and advance the juicing cone into the fruit. The juicing cone, strainer and a bowl release and catch the juice. The outer shaft includes threads to vertically advance and retreat the outer and inner shafts when the outer shaft turns. The inner shaft rises with the outer shaft and lifts and rotates the juicing cone, thereby releasing juice from the fruit. The bowl is fixed to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventor: Adrian Rivera
  • Patent number: 8161872
    Abstract: An automatic juicer turns and pushes an upward facing juicing cone into a fruit for releasing and collecting juice. The juicer includes a base containing a clutch and gearing assembly connected to a motor. A center column assembly rotates and advances the juicing cone. The juicing cone, strainer, and a bowl release and catch the juice. The center column includes an outer column fixed to the base, a rotating drive shaft driven by the motor but not advancing vertically, and a driven shaft which rotates with the drive shaft and advances and retreats vertically. The bowl is fixed to the base. The strainer advances vertically with juicing cone but does not rotate. The juicing cone is attached to the driven shaft and rotates and advances vertically, thereby releasing juice from the fruit. Knife edges on the bottom of the juicing cone scrape pulp from the strainer to prevent clogging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Adrian Rivera
  • Patent number: 8133519
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for the production of a crystal slurry during the crystallization step of fractionation processes of edible oils and fats and related oil derivatives. The crystallization process for edible oil and fats is carried out in a crystallizer with stationary heat exchange elements, wherein the contents of said crystallizer are made to move along said heat exchange elements in an oscillatory manner without the use of an internal agitator. The crystallizer for edible oil and fats with stationary heat exchange elements is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: N.V. DeSmet Ballestra Engineering S.A.
    Inventors: Marc Kellens, Marc Hendrix, Gijs Calliauw
  • Patent number: 8091473
    Abstract: A juice extractor capable of extracting juice from vegetables, fruits or soymilk from beans is disclosed. The extractor includes a housing having a draff outlet port and a juice outlet port, a screw having an upper rotary shaft inserted in a rotary shaft hole of the housing and a lower rotary shaft with a plurality of screw spirals formed on an outer periphery thereof, and a mesh drum for extracting the juice toward the juice outlet port, and a rotary brush mounted between the housing and the mesh drum and having a brush holder. Various nutrients and intrinsic flavor contained in the vegetables or fruits are maintained to the fullest extent by employing a very low speed screw of a squeezing mode. Also, since the housing accommodating the screw is vertically fixed to an upper portion of a drive unit, the material is automatically moved downward without pressing the material down, and the draff is discharged while squeezing and grinding the materials put in an inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: Young-Ki Kim
  • Publication number: 20110297013
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable vacuumable juicer that comprises of juice-extracting members (11,12) and juice-collecting receptacle member (13) having a juice-dispensing spout (14), that are characterized in that all the mentioned elements are air-tightly fitted to each other by a sealing means (15) preferably in a form of an O-ring, allowing said receptacle member (13) to be vacuumized by a vacuumizing means (16) that is preferably a detachable vacuum or air suction pump (16a) that engages and communicates with a valve means (17), preferably a one-way check valve (19), that is air-tightly fitted into the spout (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventor: Frederic Charles Sciamma
  • Publication number: 20110296850
    Abstract: A strainer for use with combining beverages and cold food includes a bottom section sized for insertion into a beverage container, and a side section projecting substantially vertically from the bottom section and sized for insertion into a portion of such beverage container. A method for retaining ice in a container capable of holding a liquid includes placing a strainer capable of retaining ice in a container capable of holding a liquid, adding ice to the container such that at least some of the ice is retained by the strainer, placing a liquid in the container, and removing the strainer from the container. A strainer system includes a receiving cup for the strainer capable of being stored within the strainer, and may also include a sleeve member for engaging with the strainer to block holes in an upper region of the permeable side section of the strainer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventor: Daniel W. McDonald
  • Publication number: 20110283897
    Abstract: A household appliance has a container for receiving working material and a housing that is isolated from the container by a wall. A rotatable working tool disposed inside the container. A motor for driving the working tool has a stator and a rotor. The stator is disposed within the housing so as to be isolated from the working material of the container. The rotor is disposed within the container and the working tool is preferably fixed to a shaft of the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Chuan Hui Fang, Li Sheng Liu, Yue Li, Liang Guan
  • Patent number: 8028617
    Abstract: An easily-cleaning multifunctional soybean milk maker comprises a motor, a blade, a head unit, and a container, wherein a lower cover of the head unit being capped on the container, characterized in that a flow guider is securely fastened to the lower cover of the head unit, with the lower part of the flow guider immersed into water and the lower port of the flow guider being open. The blade fastened at the front end of the motor shaft is arranged within the flow guider and extends into water. Guiding holes are provided in the flow guider, and/or guiding channels in communication with the interior of the flow guider are provided on the lower cover of the head unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Shandong Joyoung Household Electrical Appliances Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xu'ning Wang, Jun Wang, Yunjie Wei
  • Publication number: 20110179955
    Abstract: The machine has a single body (1) which integrates mixers (4) in correspondence with containers (3) which contain the paste, a centrifuge (7) equipped with housings (11) designed to house in individualized manner and in radial arrangement each one of the containers (3) which contain the already mixed paste, means of pumping (12, 16, 17) or pressing which exerts a pressure on the liquid produced after the centrifugation, and a filter (14) positioned after the means of pumping (12, 16, 17) for the definitive production of the oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Amador Marquez Gomez, Telm Costa Escoda
  • Patent number: 7975948
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for processing system foodstuff are shown and described. Food processing systems can hold and prepare food for consumption. The disclosed embodiments can be quickly and conveniently used to dry, grind, mill, dispense, or otherwise process foodstuff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Chef'n Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Holcomb, Adam A. Jossem
  • Patent number: 7975605
    Abstract: A food processing device, e.g. a salad spinner, has a housing with a lid, a basket supported in the housing for rotation, and a drive mechanism supported by the lid for rotating the basket to spin water from salad in the housing. The drive mechanism has a crank handle and a drive transmission system coupling the handle to the basket to transmit a rotational driving force from the handle to rotate the basket. The drive transmission system has a first rotary gear arranged to receive the rotational driving force from the handle and a second rotary gear in driving engagement with the first gear for receiving the rotational driving force from the first gear to rotate the basket. The first and second gears have corresponding serial formations, e.g., recesses and protrusions, of respective circular cross-sections that are inter-engageable, one in the other, for transmission of the driving force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventors: Yiu Chung Wan, Lance Logan Hood
  • Patent number: 7977612
    Abstract: A container for microwavable food has a main container part for accommodating a food product to be cooked and open from above, a cover covering the main container part from above, and at least one insert accommodated in the container part and provided with a plurality of perforations for placing a food product to be steamed on the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventors: Mariean Levy, Marvin Levy, Paul Lam
  • Patent number: 7921769
    Abstract: A bowl and basket assembly (100, 200) is disclosed as including a perforated basket (104, 204) and a bowl (102, 202) for receiving said basket, the basket including a top body part (104a, 204a), a middle body part (104b, 204b) and a third body part (104c, 204c) connected with each other via a number of links (126, 205), in which the body parts are movable relative to one another between an expanded configuration in which the top body part (104a, 204a) sits on the middle body part (104b, 204b), and a collapsed configuration in which the middle body part (104b, 204b) is within the top body part (104a, 204a), and the third body part (104c, 204c) is within the middle body part (104b, 204b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Kwok Kuen SO
    Inventors: Kwok Kuen So, Yiu Chung Wan
  • Patent number: 7878113
    Abstract: A juice extractor may include a drive housing and a drive shaft extending outwardly therefrom to a juice extraction area. The juice extractor may further include a shaft seal that, in turn, includes a seal housing and at least one positioning ring contained within the seal housing and surrounding a corresponding drive shaft. The seal may also include at least one sealing ring contained within the seal housing adjacent the at least one positioning ring and surrounding the corresponding drive shaft. The at least one positioning ring may be radially spaced from the corresponding drive shaft when the corresponding drive shaft is aligned along the seal axis, and the at least one sealing ring may sealingly engage the corresponding drive shaft and be radially spaced from adjacent portions of the seal housing when the corresponding drive shaft is aligned along the seal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: John Bean Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael L. Suter, Scott Jackson
  • Patent number: 7866259
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with a food processor base and a method for using the same. The food processor base includes a seat, a drive shaft and a motor. The drive shaft is rotated by the motor. The apparatus includes an outer bowl, a cover for the outer bowl, and a perforated inner bowl. The outer bowl may include a connector for being seated on the seat of the food processor base. The inner bowl is positioned within the outer bowl and is connectable to the drive shaft of the food processor base for rotation of the inner perforated bowl within the outer bowl. The inner perforated bowl has a one to one rotation with the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Innovative Products for Life Inc.
    Inventors: Hatim Zaghloul, Mohammed Mali, Hussein Desouki, Sisso El-Hamamsy
  • Patent number: 7861647
    Abstract: A kitchen utensil is disclosed as including a body member, a switch member, and a suction member, wherein when said suction member rests on a support surface, said switch member is swivellable relative to said body member and said suction member between a first position in which the space between said suction member and said support surface is of a first volume and a second position in which at least part of said suction member is moved away from said surface whereby the space between said suction member and said support surface is of a second volume which is larger than said first volume to releasably secure said utensil to said support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventors: Kwok Kuen So, Abel Yiu Chung Wan
  • Publication number: 20100275790
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a continuous curding machine for tofu products, designed to be capable of manufacturing clean tofu products in that it will not cause a leakage of soymilk and seams and/or wrinkles on the tofu, sanitary and simple in mechanism, easy to perform transport of tofu to following processes, and capable of forming a deep coagulation compartment so as to enable “tatedori” (taking the depth of the coagulation compartment to be the longest side of the tofu). The machine is equipped with the conveyor belt C that transports coagulating coagulant-added soymilk as well as with a concave member 10 disposed underneath the belt. The belt C is conveyed as it is shaped into concave in accordance with the form of the said concave member 10 disposed underneath, and forms a coagulating compartment 10a, 10b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: TAKAI TOFU & SOYMILK EQUIPMENT CO.
    Inventors: Toichiro Takai, Toshiaki Shinde
  • Publication number: 20100263555
    Abstract: A salad, rice and other foods washer and spinner includes an angled bowl and cover with a cranking handle that turns a basket and basket lid inside the bowl via a gear set. A twin speed gear set is disclosed which allows a different velocity of spin when the cranking handle is turned in one direction than when it is turned in the other direction. A bowl is angled with respect to a base member and a covering lid includes water inlet on a higher side of the lid that allows water from a faucet or jug to be directed through the cover and onto the basket lid where it is dispersed into the basket volume via holes in the basket lid, with water escaping, if desired through an outlet grille.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Pat Y. Mah, Alexander Joshef Kalogroulis, K.K. Tung, Michael Ng
  • Publication number: 20100251906
    Abstract: A rotatable greens drying device that includes a lid, a rotatable colander, a drive mechanism for rotating the colander, and a receiving ring fan which transfers rotational force from the drive mechanism to the rotatable colander. The fast moving, drier air circulated by the receiving ring fan naturally helps evaporate moisture from the surface of the greens and it helps expel water through container holes. This embodiment also allows air exposure of the leafy contents via the perforations within the spinning colander which further reduces surface moisture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Timothy Corcoran Repp, Thomas B. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20100251907
    Abstract: The invention discloses a hand held fat skimmer, which includes an apparatus, consisting of a fat collecting section, a cooling section in thermal communication with the fat collecting section and a handle or gripping area. The apparatus may also include one or more triggers or scraper actuation mechanisms. The preferred embodiment of this invention is one in which the cooling section has a scraper mechanism. The scraper is disposed on the fat collection section. In an optional embodiment scraper is motorized. The scraper may be in mechanical communication with the handle and fat collecting section when then trigger is engaged or when the scraper actuation mechanism is moved. The fat collecting section may also consist of a cooling section in thermal communication with the fat collecting section and a handle or a gripping area. The apparatus can be expanded or collapsed. The cooling section can be expanded and collapsed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: PRODUCTS OF TOMORROW, INC.
    Inventor: JUAN FERNANDEZ
  • Publication number: 20100229736
    Abstract: Devices and systems for compressing food articles are shown and described. Embodiments of the present invention can be used to squeeze, press, extrude, or otherwise process food articles. The disclosed embodiments can include a lever with a plurality of gear teeth, a base with a plurality of gear teeth, and a receptacle. The gear teeth can engage one another. The lever and base can be actuated to move a piston head into and out of the receptacle to compress food. A piston assembly of the compression tool can provide a mechanical advantage to provide relatively high compressive forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Chef'n Corporation
    Inventor: Jonah S. Griffith
  • Patent number: 7779754
    Abstract: A canned food pressing device includes a top piece, wherein the top piece is adapted to conform to the shape of a circular can and has multiple columns of vertically aligned gripping teeth. The top piece is also adapted to facilitate gripping and turning. The device also includes a bottom piece, having multiple columns of vertically aligned arcing teeth, wherein the vertically aligned arcing teeth are adapted to mate with the vertically aligned gripping teeth. The bottom piece is also adapted to facilitate gripping and turning. In addition, the bottom piece includes a magnet for lifting a magnetic can lid. Both the top piece and bottom piece also include alignment markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: William J. Souza
  • Patent number: 7779756
    Abstract: A juice extractor may include a juice extraction assembly and a drive assembly connected thereto. The drive assembly may include a shaft, at least one cam having a hub, and a shaft-hub coupler frictionally securing the shaft and the hub of the at least one cam together. For example, the at least one cam may include at least one cup-drive cam. Each of the shaft and the hub of the at least one cup-drive cam may be cylindrically shaped and devoid of keying. Accordingly, the cup-drive, shaft-hub coupler permits ready attachment of the cup-drive cam to the drive shaft. One or more orifice tube-drive cams may be similarly secured to the shaft with a frictional shaft-hub coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: John Bean Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis L. Klipp, Francisco Celso Brocchetto
  • Patent number: 7779753
    Abstract: A tied tea ball equipped with a serving string by which the tea ball can be lowered into and removed from a vessel of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Yaji, Inc.
    Inventor: Winnie Yu
  • Patent number: 7775157
    Abstract: An apparatus for easily removing excess moisture from blocks of tofu. The apparatus comprises a container which holds the tofu. A first substantially flat plate member is disposed within such container and placed on top of the tofu. A second substantially flat plate member which has a spring attached thereon engages a pair of arm like projections disposed on upper surfaces and on opposite sides of the container member. The other end of the spring engages the upper surface of the first flat plate member that sits on the top of the tofu so that as the spring exerts pressure on the first flat plate member water is removed from the tofu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Inventor: Marie B. Kraft
  • Publication number: 20100203222
    Abstract: A processing process and a processing equipment for the extrusion of oilseeds during the process of pretreating oilseeds for solvent extraction of oil to produce oils. The process and a processing equipment provides a reasonable parameters for the processing process for the extrusion of oilseeds, and the reasonable structure and parameters of the processing equipment for the extrusion of oilseeds which has a whole of cylinder-conical-cylinder combinational screws having a relatively small length-diameter ratio and a relatively large compression ratio, so that the extruded oilseed materials have a residual oil <1.0% and the extraction capability is increased by 60%-130% compared to prior art equipments. The processes and equipments for oilseeds cracking, softening, flaking and cooking used in the traditional process of pretreating oilseeds for solvent extraction of oil can be eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventor: Shen Dechao