Patents Assigned to Kellogg Company
  • Patent number: 5560900
    Abstract: Disclosed are a process for converting low value hydrocarbon streams to hydrogen and/or synthesis gas products and a transport reactor useful in the conversion process. In the transport reactor, carbon produced is deposited on a circulating inert particulated carrier. The carbon deposited is partially oxidized to supply heat for the endothermic reactions. Reaction effluent gas leaving the transport reactor can be processed to remove particulate matter, sulfur compounds, and acid gases; condense the steam; and separate hydrogen from carbon monoxide to produce a purified hydrogen and/or syngas product. The present process has the flexibility to continuously handle all types of low value hydrocarbon feeds substantially without process disruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: The M. W. Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Eusebius A. Gbordzoe, Gunnar B. Henningsen, Darryl W. Hertz
  • Patent number: 5534275
    Abstract: The invention provides for a ready-to-eat cereal product fortified with ferric EDTA as the iron source. The cereal product comprises about 0.1 to about 300 mg of ferric EDTA product per ounce of said cereal product, preferably 13 to 140 mg per ounce. The total iron content present is in the range of about 0.1 to about 39 mg per ounce of the cereal product, and preferably about 1.8 to 18 mg per ounce. The cereal product can also be fortified with a ferric EDTA complex in combination with an additional iron fortificant. The invention also provides for a method to prevent or treat iron-deficiency anemia by administering a ferric EDTA fortified ready-to-eat cereal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Humbert, Leila Saldanha, John Kepplinger
  • Patent number: 5527254
    Abstract: Unitary blank includes a shroud blank and a tray blank connected by webs therebetween. The unitary blank is folded along a first line of demarcation so that the web overlaps the shroud blank, then along a parallel second line of demarcation so that the tray overlaps the web and the shroud. End portions are then folded toward a center line running perpendicular to the lines of demarcation to form a unitary preform for a two part shipping and display container. According to one embodiment the tray blank is provided with handles and the unitary blank is folded so that the tray blank is outside the shroud blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Kellogg Company
    Inventor: Diale Taliaferro
  • Patent number: 5523483
    Abstract: An integrated ammonia/urea process and a plant for carrying out the same. The process comprises recycling a high pressure purge stream made up mostly of air from the urea synthesis cycle to the autothermal reformer in a syngas production unit of the ammonia process. In such a manner, compression energy required for ammonia synthesis can be reduced since a portion of the high pressure air feed to the autothermal reactor is supplied by the urea purge stream recycle. In addition, the equipment needed to clean up the urea purge stream is largely eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: The M. W. Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Vishnu D. Singh, Meghji N. Shah, Richard B. Strait
  • Patent number: 5516541
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing a sweetener coating on a food product. A superheated pressurized solution of the sweetener is sprayed on a heated food product to form a coating thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Kellogg Company
    Inventors: James C. Breslin, Alicia A. Perdon, James B. Holder, Stephen J. Kalchik, Jerald L. Longman
  • Patent number: 5505049
    Abstract: A process for removing nitrogen from liquefied natural gas (LNG) using an enhanced surface, reflux heat exchanger is disclosed. A relatively warm high pressure LNG stream is directed countercurrently in heat exchange with a cool low pressure LNG stream to chill the high pressure stream and partially vaporize the low pressure LNG stream in the reflux heat exchanger. Vapor produced thereby strips the low pressure LNG stream of nitrogen. The cool low pressure LNG stream is produced by expansion of the chilled high pressure LNG stream. Vapor produced by the expansion is combined with the vapor produced in the exchanger and withdrawn overhead. Product LNG which is lean in nitrogen is withdrawn from the bottom of the exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: The M. W. Kellogg Company
    Inventors: David A. Coyle, Felix J. Fernandez de la Vega, Charles A. Durr, Ashutosh Rastogi
  • Patent number: 5505369
    Abstract: Unitary preform includes a knocked-down flat shroud having sidewalls received inside a knocked-down flat tray and adhered thereto for handling by a conventional case packer having a single magazine. The shroud is releasable when the case is packed to provide a display tray for product packed therein. Handles in the tray provide means for releasing adhesive. Alternatively, the tray may be received inside the shroud. Methods of manufacture include steps of folding and adhering separately formed flat parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Kellogg Company
    Inventor: Diale Taliaferro
  • Patent number: 5500094
    Abstract: A vessel unheading device and method especially suited to handle shot coke produced in a delayed coker unit of a petroleum refining process. The device includes a car having mounted thereon one or more bottom head retracting support members which can be laterally positioned below the head assembly. The support member includes a vertically retractable member suitable for elevating a bearing plate mounted at an upper end thereof into pivotable load bearing engagement with the head, and a horizontally retractable member having one end attached to the bearing plate and another end attached to the vertically retractable member for applying a pivot force. Shot coke or other debris is captured from the opened vessel by a mobile chute wheeled into position adjacent the unheading car. Following complete retraction, the head is transported to a remote location for maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: The M. W. Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Joseph Fruchtbaum, Dave P. McConathy, Daniel J. Quintana, Harold D. Sloan
  • Patent number: 5490920
    Abstract: A gravity sedimentation unit for thickening or clarifying a solids containing liquid is disclosed. The unit comprises a settling basin for receiving the feed and permitting the suspended solids to settle. A pump moves around the basin to discharge solids accumulating at the bottom. Support and vertical positioning of the pump is effected by a pump suspension which comprises a winch and a solids level detector. Horizontal positioning of the pump is effected by a bridge-type crane including a traverse with a drive for moving the traverse over the basin and a motorized trolley for moving the pump suspension back and forth along the traverse. Control of the pump travel is effected by a controller programmed to carry out regular search patterns through the basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: The M. W. Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Joseph Fruchtbaum, Frederick B. Kronmiller
  • Patent number: 5464644
    Abstract: A ready-to-eat cereal product contains a substantial portion of typical cereal grain component, such as bran, wheat and the like, together with a therapeutic quantity of psyllium. The quantity of psyllium is sufficient to reduce the cholesterol level of humans and animals when part of the diet. The psyllium may be added as an intermediate psyllium product prepared by directly expanding psyllium husks, either by itself or together with minor amounts of other ingredients. The psyllium intermediate is preferably added during the process for making the final cereal product after the typical cereal grain components have been totally or partially cooked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Richard D. Wullschleger, Shirley C. Chen, Frederick A. Bowman, Larry V. Hawblitz
  • Patent number: 5457625
    Abstract: The present invention optimizes the relationship of variables associated with a process having inputs and outputs such that the process has controlled variables, manipulated variables, associated variables and disturbance variables, to maximize production rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: The M. W. Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Kian Y. Lim, Henry B. McAnally, III, William B. Stewart, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5453177
    Abstract: An integrated three-column process for recovering hydrocarbon distillate products from a hydroprocessing or hydrocracking reactor effluent stream and a hydrocarbon distillate product recovery train are disclosed. According to the present recovery process, an effluent stream from the cracking reactor is cooled and separated into light and heavy phase streams. The heavy phase stream is depressurized and stripped of light end components in a steam stripping column. The light phase stream is further cooled to separate a liquid stream which is combined with the light ends from the stripper and fed to a debutanizer. A C.sub.4 -rich light end stream taken overhead from the debutanizer is condensed to produce LPG product stream(s). A C.sub.4 -lean heavy end stream removed from the bottoms of the debutanizer is combined with a heavy end bottoms stream from the stripper and fed to a fractionator for fractionation into product distillate streams such as light and heavy naphtha, jet fuel, diesel oil, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: The M. W. Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Goebel, Michael G. Hunter
  • Patent number: 5453559
    Abstract: A hybrid condensation-absorption process and unit is disclosed for the recovery of olefins. A mixed-component stream containing hydrogen, methane and olefins is compressed and refrigerated against propylene refrigerant to partially condense the stream. The condensate is stripped of volatile components and fed to a fractionation unit such as a deethanizer. The volatile components stripped from the condensate and the non-condensed vapor from the mixed-component stream are fed to a solvent absorption unit to remove olefins which are absorbed in the solvent. The olefins-rich solvent is regenerated to recover olefins and lean solvent. The lean solvent is recirculated to the absorption unit. The olefins recovered from regeneration of the solvent are fed to the fractionation unit along with the pre-stripped condensate. Vapor from the absorption unit is cryogenically processed to recover a crude hydrogen product, a fuel gas product and residual olefins which can be recycled to the absorption unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: The M. W. Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Christopher L. Phillips, Vijender K. Verma
  • Patent number: 5447621
    Abstract: An integrated middle distillate upgrading process and unit are disclosed. A middle distillate side-stream of a conventional single stage hydrocracking process is circulated to a hydrotreating stage such as an aromatics saturation reactor and/or a catalytic dewaxing reactor to effect middle distillate upgrade. The upgraded product is then finished in a fractionation stage side-stripper column. The integrated hydrotreating reactor can share the duty of existing hydrocracker stage equipment and take advantage of existing process heat to eliminate the need for much of the equipment generally required by a stand-alone hydrotreating reactor of the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: The M. W. Kellogg Company
    Inventor: Michael G. Hunter
  • Patent number: 5447702
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for desulfurizing a gas and regenerating a sorbent is disclosed. The sulfur-containing feed gas which can be an effluent gas from a coal gasification reactor, for example, is desulfurized with a particulated metallic oxide sorbent in a transport riser. The sulfided sorbent is than separated from a desulfurized effluent gas and regenerated by contact with an oxygen-containing gas in a transport riser. The regenerated sorbent is separated from an SO.sub.2 containing offgas and recycled to the desulfurization step. The degree of sorbent conversion in the desulfurization step is held at a low level and the sorbent regeneration rate is increased to avoid excessive temperature rise in the regeneration step. In such manner, sorbent cooling can be substantially eliminated. The regeneration riser preferably comprises a once-through lift riser to minimize the riser transport gas requirements to just oxidant gas or oxidant gas mixed with a reduced amount of diluent gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: The M. W. Kellogg Company
    Inventors: William M. Campbell, Gunnar B. Henningsen
  • Patent number: 5443205
    Abstract: A shipping/display container includes top panels and side panels hingedly attached thereto forming a shroud. The container includes a bottom panel and lower side panels hingedly attached thereto forming a tray. The side panels of the shroud are disposed inside the lower side panels and against the bottom panel. The lower side panels of the tray have at least two flaps attached to at least two lower side panels of the tray at lines of demarcation therebetween. The flaps are adhered to the side panels of the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Kellogg Company
    Inventors: James O. Robotham, Noel J. Mertz
  • Patent number: 5439692
    Abstract: Softness retention characteristics of raisins are improved by applying to the surface of the raisins a pure edible polyalcohol humectant, preferably glycerol, at a rate of 20-28% based on the weight of the raisins. The humectant is then infused into the raisins under vacuum conditions with occasional tumbling for a time efficient to enable the raisins to absorb the humectant to an amount of about 10-19% by weight. The raisins are then removed from the humectant solution and thereafter dried to a moisture content of 7-20%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Miguel Guzman, George Sousa, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5421167
    Abstract: An enhanced method is disclosed for recovering olefins from a cracking furnace effluent stream in an olefins plant. In accordance with this method, a liquid hydrocarbon stream, preferably obtained from the compressor area drier liquids and/or from the deethanizer or depropanizer, is injected into the reaction effluent stream to condition the reaction effluent stream for enhanced condensation against propylene refrigeration. Also disclosed is an olefins plant utilizing liquid hydrocarbon injection and an improvement to existing olefins recovery process technology using liquid hydrocarbon injection for vapor stream conditioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: The M. W. Kellogg Company
    Inventor: Vijender K. Verma
  • Patent number: D373452
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Harold Gobble, Michael Bauman, Gerry Johnson, Douglas R. Zimmermann
  • Patent number: D374755
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Harold Gobble, Michael Bauman, Gerry Johnson, Douglas R. Zimmermann