Patents Assigned to Mars Incorporated
  • Publication number: 20220000074
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mounting base (300) for attaching a portable electronic device (402) to a collar apparatus (400). Mounting base (300) includes a frame (102) and a latch (200). Latch (200) is moveable between a latched position and an unlatched position. Latch (200) includes an actuator (206) with a button (208) that may be depressed by a user to manually move latch (200) between the latched and unlatched positions. A portable electronic device (402) includes an insertion portion (410) that is received in a receiving aperture (108) in the frame (102). Once the insertion portion (410) is inserted, the device (402) may be rotated manually to engage latch (200). During rotation, a lock stub (216) on latch (200) engages a corresponding feature on insertion portion (410), thereby preventing counter-rotation of device (402). Additionally, one or more tabs (120) on frame (102) interfere with corresponding structure on insertion portion (410) to secure device (402) onto mounting base (300).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: MARS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Robert W. Mott, JR., Kyu Sang Lee, Stanley John Withouski, IV
  • Patent number: 11213047
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to food compositions, particularly pet food compositions, having a high content of plant protein. The plant protein is prepared by processing Brewer's Spent Grain (BSG), having a moisture content of about 15% to about 35% by weight, so as to reduce the particle size of the BSG and separating the processed BSG so as to provide a low particle size, high protein fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: MARS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Brad Woonton, John Carney, Paul Jones, Apiporn Adulpichit, Mathuros Ruangwan, Ken Quail, Mathew Rees, John Kalitsis
  • Publication number: 20210401408
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are kits and related methods for testing the oral microbiome of an animal for presence of one or more bacteria, e.g, associated with an oral disease or disorder, such periodontal disease, good oral health, or both, in a sample collected from the animal. The kit includes a sample collection device having a handle and a head opposite the handle. The kit further includes a dry container for storing the sample collection device. The container has an open position for receiving at least a portion of the head and a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: MARS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Lucy Jane HOLCOMBE, Corryn Victoria WALLIS, Avika Kishorlal RUPARELL, Frank Edward MARS
  • Patent number: 11203459
    Abstract: There is disclosed packaging for edible product comprising a base component and a separate lid component. The base component is formed from a folded blank and has an opening which provides access to a hollow interior for storing edible product. The lid component is bonded to the base component so as to close the opening and inhibit access to the interior. The lid component comprises an access panel which can be moved with respect to the base component to open the packaging and provide access to the interior through the opening. There is also disclosed a method for manufacturing a packaged product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: MARS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kevin Topfer, Daniel Reaney, David Reed
  • Publication number: 20210386097
    Abstract: Cat food products are provided. The cat food product may comprise a single sealed container comprising 10 g to 40 g of a complete and balanced semi-moist or wet cat food, or may comprise a plurality of such sealed containers. Methods of providing a cat food are also provided and comprise filling a container with from 10 g to 40 g of a complete and balanced semi-moist or wet cat food and sealing the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Applicant: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Jerry K. Franks, Tiffany L. Bierer, Francis S. Shields, Alessandra Collier, Neil A. Willcocks
  • Patent number: 11192674
    Abstract: Dispensing devices and methods are provided. A dispensing device comprises an opening accessing an insertion path thereof, two opposing surfaces configured to compress a flexible package inserted into the insertion path while moving across the flexible package in two directions, and an opener configured to bend an opening region of the package out of a plane defined by the flexible package and further configured to cut a distal portion of an opening region of the flexible package. A method of dispensing product from a flexible package is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: MARS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Uwe Nehus, Stefan Eberhardt, Davide Ronchi
  • Patent number: 11185100
    Abstract: Amino acids present in domains of an umami taste receptor are described herein, wherein the amino acids interact with at least one nucleotide derivative and/or at least one transmembrane compound that potentiates, modulates, increases, and/or enhances the activity of the umami receptor. Such compounds can be used in flavor compositions to enhance the umami taste and/or palatability of food products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: MARS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Scott Joseph McGrane, Andrew John Taylor, Richard Masten Fine, Boris Klebansky, Matthew Ronald Gibbs
  • Patent number: 11185094
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing multiple extruded products having different characteristics from the extruded stream of a single main extruder are provided. A satellite extruder assembly is removably attached to a main extruder allowing for the production of a plurality of different extrusion products from a single stream from one main extruder that is divided into multiple streams channeled to a plurality of satellite extruders. Each of the extruders may be operated at different temperature, pressure, moisture and shear conditions. Additional components may be selectively added to one or more of the material streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Neil Willcocks, Bruce Keen, Keith Chisholm, James Suttle
  • Patent number: 11178892
    Abstract: The present invention, in an embodiment, is a product having an outer shell with at least one first legume and an inner portion with at least one second legume. In an embodiment, the at least one first legume is different from the at least one second legume and the outer shell includes at least a first layer and a second layer where the first layer is different from the second layer. In an embodiment, the product is a ready-to-eat food and the outer shell is crispy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Cesar Vegas Morales, Amy Dombroski
  • Publication number: 20210352935
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides a hypoallergenic palatable composition. The composition includes at least about 25% of at least partially hydrolysed proteins and at least about 10% of crude fibers by weight, based on the total weight of dry matter of the composition. The composition can be used to achieve weight loss and/or weight management of pet animals affected with adverse food reactions (AFR), particularly cutaneous adverse food reactions (CAFR).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: MARS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Benedicte Garzino, Marie-Anne Hours, Helene Charles, Matthieu Filippini
  • Patent number: 11172692
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and their uses, specifically provides supplements for equines, in particular horses and ponies. Such a composition is ideal for horses and ponies where promoting, supporting or maintaining calm behavior is desired or required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Patricia Harris, Verity Beaton, Clare Barfoot
  • Publication number: 20210345652
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides a flavor composition that can provide and/or enhances a peanut flavor. In certain embodiments, the flavor composition comprises aroma compounds that contribute to a peanut flavor. Also provided herein are methods of producing a food product and/or enhancing a roasted peanut flavor of a food product using the compounds and/or flavor compositions disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: MARS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: John Didzbalis, Johanna Sprenger, Peter Schieberle
  • Publication number: 20210337830
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a diet or foodstuff comprising linoleic acid in an amount ranging from 7 g/Mcal to 9 g/Mcal for sustaining or improving skin quality of a healthy pet. In some embodiments, the diet or foodstuff further comprises zinc in an amount of about 50 mg/Mcal. It further pertains to a diet or foodstuff comprising linoleic acid in an amount ranging from 7 g/Mcal to 9 g/Mcal for use in a method for treating a pet animal affected with a skin disorder or disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Applicant: MARS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Adrian WATSON, David ALLAWAY, Gaelle THOMAS
  • Patent number: 11160335
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a collar attachment comprising a disk having a first collar band loop integrally formed with the disk along a first arcuate perimeter portion of the disk and a second collar band loop integrally formed with the disk along a second arcuate perimeter portion of the disk that is opposite the first arcuate perimeter portion of the disk; a keyhole in the disk; friction attachment means formed in an underside of the disk and configured to receive at least a first tab of an attached device and to snugly hold the first tab against the underside of the disk after rotation of the attached device in the keyhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven Eidelman, David Isbister, Todd Pelman, Stephen Senatore, Gadi Amit, Inbal Etgar, Solene Bourgeois
  • Patent number: 11154077
    Abstract: A dusted pet food kibble and a process for dusting a pet food kibble comprising providing a pet food kibble in the form of a core matrix, providing a powder comprising a first component that can comprise an active ingredient, such as Probiotic microorganism particles, and dusting the powder onto the pet food kibble to form a dusted kibble. The dusting can occur substantially free of a binder. An animal feed comprising a kibble in the form of a core dusted with active ingredients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: MARS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Patrick Joseph Corrigan, Michelle Marie Houston, Gregory Dean Sunvold
  • Publication number: 20210327589
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to methods of determining a feline's susceptibility to developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) and to methods of preventing and/or reducing a risk of developing CKD for a feline. In certain embodiments, the biomarkers comprise creatinine, urine specific gravity or urea.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicant: MARS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Richard Bradley, Ilias Tagkopoulos, Vincent Biourge, Alexandre Feugier, Sebastien Delmotte, Phillip Watson
  • Publication number: 20210315244
    Abstract: A flavor composition comprising at least one compound that modulates, increases and/or enhances the activity of a GPR92 receptor that can be used to enhance palatability of pet food products is described herein. Also disclosed herein are methods for identifying said compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: MARS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Scott Joseph McGrane, Matthew Ronald Gibbs, Carlos Juan Hernangomez de Alvaro, Jerry Wallace Skiles
  • Patent number: D932732
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Joanne Johansson, Helena Skinn, Joel Cockcroft, Wayne Morris, Adam Smith, Keith Kristiansen, Roland Charriez, David Demar, Philip Ryan
  • Patent number: D933331
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Joanne Johansson, Helena Skinn, Joel Cockcroft, Wayne Morris, Adam Smith, Keith Kristiansen, Roland Charriez, David Demar, Philip Ryan
  • Patent number: D937673
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: MARS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Eric Rosendall, Jen Coniglio, Rich Funk