Patents Assigned to Nestec S.A.
  • Publication number: 20140154371
    Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of inactivation of bioactive components in milk during pasteurization for preservation. The invention discloses a method of pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment of whole milk, skimmed milk, semi-skimmed milk or whey, or other liquid compositions comprising milk components or fractions. The invention is based on the finding that by selecting one or more specific process parameters, such as the PEF treatment chamber design, the specific energy applied, the field strength, pulse type, start temperature, it is possible to effectively eliminate microorganisms from the composition while conserving the activity of bioactive components in the composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Alexander Mathys, Stefan Toepfl, Claudia Siemer, Laurent Favre, Jalil Benyacoub, Carl Erik Hansen
  • Publication number: 20140154394
    Abstract: The present invention relates to filling compositions comprising an encapsulated oil, and optionally a free liquid oil. The encapsulated oil comprises at least 40% w/w of a liquid oil encapsulated in a matrix material. The invention also relates to processes for the preparation of the filling composition and its use in composite food products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Judith Arfsten, Everton De Padua Chicaroni, Emmanuel Heinrich, James William Outram, Anwesha Sarkar
  • Patent number: 8739686
    Abstract: A capsule-based beverage production machine that comprises a module designed for producing a beverage on the basis of ingredients which are contained in a capsule. The module comprises: means for retaining the capsule in a fixed position, and means for perforation of the capsule, wherein the perforation means are controlled to perforate the capsule after the capsule is retained in the fixed position by the retaining means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Matthieu Ozanne, Antoine Ryser
  • Patent number: 8741622
    Abstract: The present invention relates in general to the field of Bifidobacteria. In particular, the present invention relates to the field of Bifidobacteria with a modulated stress resistance. One embodiment of the present invention is a Bifidobacterium with a constitutively modulated DnaK, GrpE and/or CIpB expression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Bernard Berger, Enea Rezzonico, Fabrizio Arigoni
  • Patent number: 8742082
    Abstract: The invention provides (1) genes differentially expressed in animals administered fatty acid amides that affect one or more of food intake, satiety, lipid metabolism, and fat utilization and (2) compositions and methods relating to the use of the genes to identify new compounds that affect one or more of food intake, satiety, lipid metabolism, and fat utilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Delphine Tissot-Favre, Frederic Destaillats, Clementine Thabuis, Jean-Charles Martin
  • Patent number: 8739735
    Abstract: The invention provides a composition suitable for use as an animal litter comprising a first component having a density less than that of liquid and a second component having a density of at least 5 lb/ft3 (80 mg/cm3) greater than the first component. The invention is based upon the discovery that adding liquid such as urine to a composition having two components with significant differences in density, one of which is less than the density of the liquid, will result in the component with the lesser density floating to the top of the liquid while the component with the greater density will segregate below the component with the lesser density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Yimin Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140147551
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a baby food product comprising at least one food ingredient selected from the group consisting of vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, egg, legumes, aromatic herbs, nuts and any combination thereof, a hydrolyzed whole grain composition, an alpha-amylase or fragment thereof, which alpha-amylase or fragment thereof shows no hydrolytic activity towards dietary fibers when in the active state, and wherein the baby food product has a viscosity in the range 301-1000 mPa·s.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Olivier Yves Roger, Christelle Schaffer-Lequart, Anne-Sophie Wavreille
  • Publication number: 20140147549
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of nutrition, in particular performance nutrition. In particular, the present invention relates to a novel carbohydrate bar comprising glucose and fructose in a ratio in the range of 3:1 to 1:1. The carbohydrate bar of the present invention can be used to treat or prevent problems with the gastrointestinal tract while allowing for an enhanced blood sugar maintenance and/or an increased exogenous carbohydrate oxidation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Asker JEUKENDRUP, Trent STELLINGWERFF, Eric Scott ZALTAS
  • Publication number: 20140148579
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrolysate obtainable by hydrolysing a substrate comprising at least one animal protein by a food-grade bacterium in an environment of less than 2 wt % salt content. The present invention further relates to a process for producing a hydrolysate, comprising the steps of a) mixing a substrate with a food-grade bacterium, and b) incubating the mixture of step a) under conditions of less than 2 wt % salt content, wherein the substrate comprises at least one animal protein. The hydrolysate or the hydrolysate obtainable from the process in accordance with the present invention is superior in flavour, aroma, texture and nutritional value, and may be used or further processed to obtain a food product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Bee Gim Lim, Thang Ho Dac
  • Patent number: 8733230
    Abstract: Devices for the preparation of a liquid food or beverage. One device includes a housing, pump, pump support for securing the pump to the housing, a rigid duct that is connected by an elastic sealing member to the housing and to an inlet or outlet of the pump. The pump support includes an elastic support member for resiliently supporting the pump chamber in the housing. Another device includes a pre-suction chamber connected to a liquid inlet of a pump and being designed to intermittently provide liquid to said liquid inlet. A further device includes a connector of at least one elastic sealing member designed to absorb vibrations from a pump of the device and to enable a relative movement of a duct and a liquid inlet or outlet of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Leo Bühler, Stefan Etter, Thomas Hodel, Renzo Moser, Michael Meier
  • Patent number: 8733288
    Abstract: Animal litters and methods of making and using such litters are disclosed herein. The animal litters comprise (a) a plurality of absorbent particles comprising (i) a non-swelling particle and (ii) a clumping material coated on the non-swelling particle and (b) a plurality of one or more filler particles that are not associated with the absorbent particles. The filler particles provide additional functionality to the litters, e.g., controlling odor, absorbing moisture, releasing fragrance, controlling microorganisms, controlling dust, reducing density, reducing weight, and combinations thereof. The litters are made by producing the absorbent particles using conventional means and combining the absorbent particles with one or more filler particles that impart the desired characteristic to the litters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Adam Winkleman, Igor Sokolik, Ying Tang, Wendell Ray Guffey, Yimin Zhang, Regina Pratt, Seth Johnson, Brian Mayers, Patrick Reust, Eric Keller
  • Patent number: 8734881
    Abstract: A capsule for the production of a beverage from a beverage production machine that provides a capsule holder with relief and recessed elements. The capsule includes an inverted cup-shaped body forming a chamber containing a beverage forming ingredient, a bottom injection wall, a sidewall and a flange-like rim; and a delivery wall which is sealed to the body and comprises a relatively flat outer surface extending from the central axis of the capsule to the flange-like rim of the body and at least one portion of porous material capable of providing a backpressure that is greater than the backpressure of the beverage forming ingredient in the chamber. Also, a system and method for the production of a beverage from the previously described capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Alfred Yoakim, Alexandre Perentes, Arnaud Gerbaulet
  • Patent number: 8733624
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a single-layer cardboard package (1) for food products comprising a front panel (2), a back panel (3), four side panels (4), said front panel comprising precuts (5) defining an openable portion (2a) of the front panel and a non-openable portion (2b) of said front panel, characterized in that: (i) the non-openable portion of said front panel further comprises a locking slot (6), and (ii) a locking element (7) is fixed onto the openable portion (2a) of said front panel so as to extend its length, said element (7) comprising a tongue portion (8) to be inserted into said locking slot (6) to lock said openable portion (2a) in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Luis Fernando Rueda
  • Patent number: 8733287
    Abstract: The invention provides litter box assemblies useful for managing animal waste. In a general aspect, the litter box assembly includes an animal litter box, a litter fragmenting device attached to the litter box, and an optional hopper attached to the litter fragmenting device. The hopper can store an animal litter that has improved absorption capabilities after being fragmented by the litter fragmenting device. The invention also provides kits useful for making the litter box assemblies and using such litter box assemblies for managing animal waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Nathan Foster Huck, Dan Kenneth Dixon, Michael Edward Leiweke, Stephen Andrew Wurth
  • Patent number: 8733229
    Abstract: A device for producing a beverage from a capsule, comprising a motor-driven extraction module which comprises a first jaw member and a cooperating second jaw member, wherein in an opened state of the extraction module the jaw members are distanced from each other while in the closed state the jaw members tightly enclose a capsule space, a motor for controlling the transfer of the extraction module between the closed and opened state, and a knee lever arrangement, being functionally connected to the motor and to at least one of the jaw members and being designed to convert the motor drive action into a closure force, i.e. a force with which the first and second jaw member are approaching each other, which is increasing during the course of the closure movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Jarisch, Jean-Luc Denisart, Antoine Ryser, Patrick Kern
  • Patent number: 8733234
    Abstract: An appliance is arranged for frothing a body of a milk-containing liquid contained in a frothing tank. Such appliance includes an air incorporation device that is arranged to dip or to be immersed in such body of liquid during frothing for incorporating air thereinto; and a steam supply arrangement having a steam outlet that is arranged to be immersed in such body of liquid during frothing for incorporating steam thereinto. The steam outlet and the air incorporation device are arranged to be at spaced apart locations in such body of liquid during frothing so as to form steam bubbles at the steam outlet separately from air bubbles that are being formed by the air incorporation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Christophe S. Boussemart, Alexa Perrin
  • Publication number: 20140141146
    Abstract: A composition in the form of a gel for preparing a food product, the composition comprising water, flavourings, salt and gelling agents, where the gelling agents comprise at least agar and xanthan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Yu Wang, Rebecca Lian Hwee Peng
  • Publication number: 20140141990
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of using a panel of serological and genetic biomarkers to distinguish IBS subjects from healthy subjects and/or to differentiate IBS subtypes from each other. The present invention also provides a method of using one or more psychological measures of a subject in conjunction with a panel of serological and/or genetic biomarkers to further aid in diagnosing IBS or discriminating IBS subtypes from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Michael P. Jones, Nicholas J. Talley
  • Publication number: 20140137748
    Abstract: A receptacle holding unit (1) for a device for preparing a beverage from an ingredient contained in a receptacle (2) comprises: -a first part (10) with a first engagement arrangement (11); -a second part (20) that has a second engagement arrangement (21) pivotally movable relative to the first engagement arrangement (11) about a longitudinal axis (1?) between a closed position for holding the receptacle in such unit and an open position for inserting the receptacle into such unit and/or for removal therefrom; and -a piercing device (20C) having at least one piercing element (29) for piercing the receptacle (2), this device being assembled to and held by the second part. At least one piercing element (29) is off this axis (1?) and is angularly fixed relative to the first part (10) about this axis (1?) when the second engagement arrangement (21) is pivotally moved relative to the first engagement arrangement (11) about this axis (1?) between the closed and open positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Alexandre Perentes, Enzo Bonacci, Parick Caprotti, Andrew Gunstone
  • Publication number: 20140141983
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for personalized therapeutic management of a disease in order to optimize therapy and/or monitor therapeutic efficacy. In particular, the present invention comprises measuring an array of one or a plurality of biomarkers at a plurality of time points over the course of therapy with a therapeutic agent to determine a mucosal healing index for selecting therapy, optimizing therapy, reducing toxicity, and/or monitoring the efficacy of therapeutic treatment. In certain instances, the therapeutic agent is a TNF? inhibitor for the treatment of a TNF?-mediated disease or disorder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Sharat Singh, Nicholas Hoe, Steve Lockton, Scott Hauenstein, Linda Ohrmund