Patents Assigned to Nestec S.A.
  • Publication number: 20150040770
    Abstract: A machine (1) for preparing a beverage from at least one ingredient (2) comprises: an ingredient processing module (30); an ingredient passage (40) for inserting an ingredient from outside such machine into the ingredient processing module; and a cover (10) that is movable between a position covering the ingredient passage and a position uncovering the ingredient passage. The cover (10) is slidable, in particular translationally and/or manually slidable, from the covering to the uncovering positions and/or vice versa. The cover (10) is associated with at least one fluid-escape opening (10a, 10b, 10b) through which vapour and/or steam can escape from the passage (40) when the cover is in the covering position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Peter Mori, Francois Besson, Antoine Cahen
  • Publication number: 20150044661
    Abstract: Apparatuses for performing consumer testing and methods for using same are provided. Methods for administering consumer research are also provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides apparatuses having a rotatable platform with at least one divider separating the platform into at least two sections, where each of the at least two sections includes a life-like scenario configured for use by a consumer participant during a consumer research test. Such apparatuses provide flexibility and efficiency of time, space and cost for performing consumer research since the research may be performed in a timely fashion, in a number of different life-like scenarios, in a limited amount of space, and may be directly observed from one location or using one set of audio/visual equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventor: Linda Grace Moore
  • Patent number: 8951020
    Abstract: A beverage production module that includes a pump for delivering a fluid from a tank to an extraction chamber, a power source for the pump and a controller for operating the pump and for controlling the voltage applied from the power source to the pump. The controller is adapted to operate the pump both at a normal operation voltage over a predefined time at a reduced voltage level. The invention further relates to a method for operating the pump of the beverage production module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Guido Piai, Stefan Etter
  • Patent number: 8950254
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a beverage machine (1) comprising a tank (2), which holds a liquid for preparing a beverage, and a dispenser (7), to which the tank is connectable, wherein the tank (2) comprises a valve (8); the dispenser comprises an opening (9) for receiving the valve in connection of the tank on the dispenser; at least one ultrasonic transceiver (3) is disposed in the dispenser (7) or tank (2), the ultrasonic transceiver being designed to emit and receive ultrasonic waves (4a, 4b) in the liquid, in order to determine the distance (d) from the transceiver to the liquid level (5), wherein it further comprises a control unit (6), which is connected to the ultrasonic transceiver (3) which is adapted to determine the distance (d) changing with time and as a result the volume (V) of the liquid flowing out of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Raphael Bernhardsgruetter, Ralph Kugler, Yann Epars, HansPeter Pleisch, Vincent Martin
  • Publication number: 20150037768
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides personalized methods for preventing and/or reducing early childhood obesity that are based upon identifying a child's individual risk of obesity and tailoring methods to prevent or reduce obesity. The methods are based on early inception, anticipatory guidance, sequential guidance, and nutritionally and developmentally appropriate dietary and parental feeding behaviors guidance, all specifically targeting factors that have been associated with childhood obesity. The methods use an obesity risk calculator to tailor the methods to address an individual child's risk with regard to specific modifiable factors associated with obesity. The present methods may help instill early healthy eating habits and nutritious food preferences for infants and young children, promote an appropriate early growth trajectory, and a long term weight status that is consistent with public policy recommendations and associated with long term health.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Jose Maria Saavedra, Heidi Marie Storm, Anne McLaughin Dattilo, Nancy Anne Moore, Keriann Hunter Uesugi
  • Publication number: 20150034127
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a beverage preparation machine (1) for preparing a beverage from a food substance contained in a capsule (12) by injection of a fluid into said capsule (12), said machine comprising:—a capsule holder (8) for holding a capsule, said holder (8) having a cup-shaped body (27), a handle portion (28), and a dispensing opening (29) through the bottom portion (30) of said body (27);—a fluid conduction system comprising a fluid reservoir (2), a fluid pump, optionally a fluid heater, said reservoir, pump and heater being connected by fluid pipes;—a brewing head (3) having an aperture for receiving said capsule holder (8), and an injection support (17) connected to the fluid conduction system;—an injection plate (18) supported by said support (17), said injection plate (18) comprising an upper surface (23) with a fluid coupling (32) connected to the fluid conduction system through said support, said injection plate (18) further comprising a fluid conducting channel (24) connecting the flui
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Talon, Alfred Yoakim
  • Patent number: 8944805
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of, and a device for delivering a predetermined (1) volume of beverage into a thermoplastic container formed from a heated preform, the preform being positioned in a mold, characterized in that the method includes a step of injecting at least some beverage into a recess in the preform so as to promote expansion of the preform inside the mold, the mold defining the shape of the container, a longitudinal displacement of a stretch rod (10) carried out during a given period ensuring longitudinal elongation of the heated preform, the stretch rod being immobile at the end of the given period, and a volume of beverage greater than a predefined fraction of the predetermined volume, preferably equal to 50%, being present in the recess at said end of the given period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Guillaume Chauvin, Fabio Chimetto, Klaus Hartwig
  • Patent number: 8939326
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a dispensing container (1) A for probiotics (2) in a viscous or liquid carrier (3), the probiotics (2) having a higher specific weight than the viscous or liquid carrier (3), wherein the container (1) comprises a reservoir (4) for holding the carrier (3) and a dispensing head (5) being in fluid connection with the reservoir (4), the dispensing head (5) comprising at least one outlet (6), wherein the concentration of the probiotics (2) decreases from the outlet (6) of the dispensing head (5) towards a bottom portion (1a) of the reservoir (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Karl-Josef Huber-Haag
  • Patent number: 8940352
    Abstract: Frozen aerated packaged ice confection with very high softness at ?18° C. which keeps this property without shrinkage or layering up to the final consumer over the product shelf life contains polyol and vegetable fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Mario Ambrogi, Stefano Bertini
  • Patent number: 8936819
    Abstract: A receptacle holding unit (1) for a device for preparing a beverage from an ingredient contained in a receptacle (2) having: —a first part (10); —a second part (20) that is movable towards the first part, in particular along a longitudinal axis (1?), into a closed position for holding the receptacle in such unit and relatively apart from the first part into an open position for inserting the receptacle into such unit and/or for removal therefrom; —a fastening device (11, 21) having a fastened configuration for fastening together the first and second parts (10, 20) in the closed position and an unfastened configuration such to enable movement of the first and second parts out of the closed configuration; and —an actuator (30) movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration to drive the first part and the second part between the open and the closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Alexandre Perentes, Enzo Bonacci, Patrick Caprotti, Andrew Gunstone
  • Patent number: 8936821
    Abstract: The present invention relates to frozen aerated products including products manufactured by low-temperature extrusion with superior creaminess. In particular, the invention is concerned with a partially coagulated protein system induced by controlled coagulation of milk protein which imparts outstanding sensory attributes on frozen confectionery including low-temperature extruded frozen products, in particular when containing low fat. A method of producing such frozen aerated confectionery product and the products obtainable from the method are also part of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Madhavi Ummadi, Madansinh Vaghela, Aaron Beth Butterworth, Nirav Chandrakant Pandya, Bridgett Lynn McCune, Christophe Joseph Etienne Schmitt
  • Patent number: 8932579
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions of rosmarinic acid or its derivatives and to the use of a hydrolytic enzyme or of microorganism containing or producing hydrolytic enzymes in these compositions. The invention also pertains to methods for improving the biological effects of the rosemary extracts and for administering such compositions to a human or animal subject for improving the skin, coat, hair or health of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignees: Nestec S.A., L'Oreal
    Inventors: Vanessa Crespy, Isabelle Castiel, Rachid Bel-Rhlid, Nicolas Page, Thomas Raab
  • Patent number: 8925442
    Abstract: A device (1) has: a cartridge seat (10) arranged to receive an ingredient cartridge (2) for extraction; a beverage outlet (35) connected to this cartridge seat for dispensing beverage during extraction; and a liquid injection arrangement (50, 60, 61, 70, 80, 81) comprising a pump (60) for pressurizing and circulating liquid from a source (50) via the cartridge seat into the beverage outlet. The liquid injection arrangement further comprises a valve (80?) between the pump and the cartridge seat. The liquid injection arrangement is configured to release via the valve (80?) pressure from this pressurized liquid in the injection arrangement and maintain liquid in the injection arrangement from the pump (60) to the cartridge seat (10) after the pump is stopped, so as to inhibit dripping from the beverage outlet (35).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Patrick Baudet, David Larzul, Alain Jaccard, Blaise Rithener
  • Patent number: 8919242
    Abstract: A method for preparing a food liquid from a food substance contained in a single-use capsule. The method includes passing water through the substance, driving the capsule in centrifugal rotation while introducing water into the center of capsule, passing water through the substance to form a food liquid, and piercing at least one liquid delivery outlet in the capsule at least partially by the effect of the pressure rising in the capsule as a result of the centrifugation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Alexandre Perentes, Christian Jarisch
  • Patent number: 8919240
    Abstract: The invention concerns a beverage production system comprising beverage ingredient containing capsules (1) comprising an identification member (6) and a beverage production machine for receiving said capsules, said machine comprising:—contact means (8) for physically contacting the capsule identification member (6) in order to read information thereof and—control means connected to the contact means and designed to control the operation of the beverage production machine (11) in response to the read information, the contact means (8) comprising:—at least one displaceable probe (81) which mechanically contacts the capsule identification member (6),—a resilient support member (82) in contact with the probe on one side and associated to a circuitry (9) on its other side, the parts of said resilient support member in contact with the probe presenting a shape able to be deformed,—discrete conductive parts (121) between the resilient support member (82) and the circuitry (9), wherein the contact means (8) comprises
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Matthieu Ozanne, Didier Vuagniaux
  • Patent number: 8921087
    Abstract: A process for the propagation of Theobroma cacao L. by somatic embryogenesis using explant material which is subjected to a) primary embryogenesis in the dark in a solid culture medium causing induction and expression to produce primary embryos, b) secondary embryogenesis i) in which the primary embryos are treated in the dark in a solid or liquid culture medium to produce and multiply embryogenic callus followed by ii) treatment of the embryogenic callus in the dark in a suitable liquid culture medium causing expression of the embryogenic callus to produce further new secondary embryos, c) pre-germination of the secondary embryos in a Petri dish on a solid medium, or in a bioreactor in a liquid medium, into pre-germinated secondary embryos at the cotyledonary stage, d) ex-vitro germination of the pre-germinated secondary embryos at the cotyledonary stage by sowing directly on a culture substrate in the greenhouse to produce the plantlets, and e) development of the plantlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Bruno Jean-Marie Florin, Bernard Masseret, Caroline Denise Monique Vachet
  • Patent number: 8915406
    Abstract: The invention concerns a dosing unit for a powder dispenser comprising two dosing chambers (2,3) each chamber comprising: one upstream inlet (21, 31) and one downstream outlet (22, 32), an upstream means (23, 33) for opening and closing the inlet, a downstream means (24, 34) for opening and closing the outlet, the upstream means (23, 33) closing the inlet (21, 31) when the downstream means (24, 34) opens the outlet (22, 32) and reciprocally, wherein the upstream means (23) of the first chamber closes the first chamber (2) when the upstream means (33) of the second chamber opens the second chamber (3) and reciprocally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Ruguo Hu, Rong Chen, Smith Yang
  • Patent number: 8916215
    Abstract: A capsule system for preparing beverages by centrifugation of a capsule in a centrifuging brewing device comprising: a set of different capsules (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E), each of the capsules for selectively delivering a beverage, each capsule (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E) containing at least one beverage substance, each capsule of the set comprising a body (2) having an enclosure (6) containing the beverage substance, an upper wall (4) for closing the body (2) and optionally a flange-like rim (3), wherein the capsule is designed to form, alone or in cooperation with the centrifuging brewing device, a restriction or restriction valve of the centrifuged liquid, wherein the back pressure of the restriction or restriction valve differs for at least two capsules of the set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Alfred Yoakim, Alexandre Perentes, Christian Jarisch
  • Patent number: 8916374
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of infant cereals. In particular, the present invention relates to the field of infant cereals that can be used to strengthen the immune system of the infant and/or that can be used to treat or prevent inflammatory disorders. For example these benefits can be provided by probiotic micro-organisms. An embodiment of the present invention relates to an infant cereal comprising non-replicating probiotic-micro-organisms, for example bioactive heat treated probiotic micro-organisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Annick Mercenier, Sophie Nutten, Guenolee Prioult
  • Patent number: 8915402
    Abstract: The invention is a depositing device (5) for depositing flowable food containing gas comprising a pressurized feed line conveying flowable food containing gas under pressure into the food; piston (60) means operatively connected to the feed line comprising a piston and a chamber (61); an outlet to deliver food at the atmospheric pressure into molds (85). The device comprises a pressure retaining means (9) arranged to retain the product in the chamber at the same pressure as the line pressure and to deliver the product through the outlet as pressure in the chamber increases from the line pressure upon descent of the piston in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Roy B. Nelson, William Walter Coatesworth, John Howard Walker, Jonathan Sutton, Richard Johnson Craggs