Patents Assigned to Sara Lee/DE N.V.
  • Patent number: 8147886
    Abstract: The invention relates to a form-retaining pad, an assembly and a method for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption. For this purpose, the pad is provided with a covering, in which a water-soluble substance, such as milk powder/creamer and sugar, is included. The covering includes a top sheet and a bottom sheet. The pad is further provided with a form-providing stiffening body, placed between the top sheet and the bottom sheet, with the top sheet and the bottom sheet extending at least partly substantially parallel to each other and to a surface. The stiffening body has a top side adjacent to the top sheet and a bottom side adjacent to the bottom sheet, and, by providing a compartmenting wall configuration therein, has a grid structure transmissive to liquid, in which structure at least a part of the soluble substance is accommodated and each compartment formed by the wall configuration is surrounded by that wall configuration, the top sheet and the bottom sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sara Lee/ DE N.V.
    Inventors: Vincent Jan Steenhof, Bernardus Henricus Kok, Joseph Theodoor Knitel
  • Patent number: 8071147
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus (1) for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption from at least two ingredients and an amount of liquid such as water which is supplied to the ingredients, wherein a first ingredient has a substance to be extracted such as ground coffee, and a second ingredient has a substance such as milk powder/creamer, sugar and such additives, soluble in liquid such as water During a first period, the liquid having, at most, a first temperature, is supplied to the first and second ingredient for obtaining a first beverage part, and, during a second period, the liquid having, at least, a second temperature is supplied to the first and second ingredient for obtaining a second beverage part. The first and the second beverage parts are combined for obtaining the beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventors: Vincent Jan Steenhof, Joseph Theodoor Knitel
  • Patent number: 8039036
    Abstract: A method for the preparation of a beverage suitable for consumption such as, for instance, cappuccino, wherein use is made of at least one extraction pad (44) at least filled with a product to be extracted such as ground coffee (45), and at least one additive holder (32) at least filled with a soluble substance such as a flavoring and/or odorant and/or colorant, more in particular such as an instant and/or liquid creamer (35), the method further having the following method steps: the extraction pad (44) and the additive holder (32) are positioned relative to each other such that they lie clear of each other; hot water is pressed under pressure through the extraction pad (44) and contacted with the soluble substance (35) for obtaining an extract with the soluble substance (35) dissolved therein;—the extract with the soluble substance (35) dissolved therein is fed under pressure to at least one nozzle (28) for obtaining an extract jet; and the extract jet is aimed at an impact surface (16) for obtaining a bever
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventors: Joseph Theodoor Knitel, Vincent Jan Steenhof
  • Patent number: 7909268
    Abstract: A container for a substance to be sprayed, wherein the container comprises a reservoir for the substance, wherein the container is provided with operable spraying means connected to the reservoir for spraying the substance, wherein the spraying means are provided with at least two spaced apart outflow openings which can be brought into fluid communication with the reservoir for spraying the substance in at least two spray beams to surroundings. The invention further relates to a cap, evidently destined for such a container. Additionally, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing such a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventor: Johannes Antonius G. W. Zigmans
  • Patent number: 7861896
    Abstract: An assembly (1) for preparing mineral water in situ, including a container (2) filled with a mineral concentrate (4) and a dosing device (6) connected to the holder for dispensing the concentrate from the container in a dosed manner, the dosing device being provided with a housing (15) including an inlet (16), an outlet (18), a liquid flow path (20), a pump (22), and a magnetizable or magnetic operating element (24). The operating element is being included in the housing for carrying out a predetermined movement relative to the housing with the aid of a changing magnetic field and the operating element is mechanically connected to the pump for driving the pump when the operating element carries out the predetermined movement. The operating element is manufactured, from corrosion resistant steel, or the operating element is provided with a corrosion resistant coating such as gold, silver or Teflon or the operating element is manufactured, from a magnetizable and/or magnetic ceramic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Sara Lee/De N.V.
    Inventor: Arend Cornelis Jacobus Biesheuvel
  • Patent number: 7832328
    Abstract: A system for making a beverage, the system comprising a pad (7) and a holder (6) in which the pad (7) is placed in use, the pad being provided with a chamber in which a product (24) required for making the beverage is situated, the system defining, at least partly, a fluid path, while the fluid path extends, in use, at least through the product (24) in the pad (7), while in use a fluid is introduced into the fluid path under super-atmospheric pressure, wherein the system is designed for assuming two conditions, i.e. a froth condition in which a beverage with a froth layer is produced, and a froth-free condition in which a beverage substantially without froth layer is produced. Also is described a restriction element (15a, 16, 18, 19, 20) and a pad (7) and the use of such a system as a method for making beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventors: Hendrik Cornelis Koeling, Gustaaf Frans Brouwer
  • Patent number: 7790211
    Abstract: A package including a gas and an at least partly foamable liquid (2) by means of which a refreshment can be prepared, wherein the package is provided with manually operable means (7) with which a displacement of the gas and the liquid in the package can be effected such that foam formation occurs in the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventors: Armin Sjoerd Eijsackers, Age Willem Tanja
  • Patent number: 7767246
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a coffee concentrate, wherein the coffee is subjected to two extractions, while the second extraction is carried out at a higher temperature than the first extraction. The method is suitable for preparing liquid as well as solid concentrates. The method produces a new concentrate that forms a further aspect of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventors: Joannes Hubertus Petrus Maria Smits, Adrianus Cornelis Maria Hellemons
  • Patent number: 7762180
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a beverage fit for consumption with a fine-bubble froth layer, in particular cappuccino. The invention provides a beverage unit, which dispenses under pressure a beverage to be processed to a beverage processing path, through which, in use, the beverage flows to obtain the beverage with the fine-bubble froth layer. The beverage processing path successively includes a nozzle and a buffer reservoir, the nozzle being positioned relative to the buffer reservoir such that, in use, it generates a liquid jet squirting into the buffer reservoir to obtain the beverage with the fine-bubble froth layer. The buffer reservoir is provided with an outlet path for discharging the beverage from the buffer reservoir, the liquid flow path, upstream of the nozzle, further including an additive holder which, in use, can be filled with a product to be dissolved in the beverage, such as concentrated milk or milk powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventors: Gustaaf Frans Brouwer, Diederik Kraan
  • Publication number: 20100176211
    Abstract: Air deodorizer provided with a container for being at least partly filled with a deodorizing fluid and a hollow wick, wherein the container, or a part connected thereto, abuts on the wick around said hollow wick, such that leakage between the outer wall of the wick and the container is substantially prevented, wherein the wick is provided with a seal for preventing leakage through the hollow part of the wick, which seal is at least partly arranged within the hollow part of the wick.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventor: Dirk Jan Bulsink
  • Patent number: 7748311
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for preparing a consumable beverage with a fine-bubbled foam layer. The invention comprises a beverage unit for dispensing the beverage under pressure and at least one nozzle which is in fluid communication with the beverage unit for supplying the beverage to the nozzle for generating a jet of the beverage by means of the nozzle. The apparatus further comprises a collecting unit into which the jet spouts to obtain the beverage with the fine-bubbled foam layer. The collecting unit comprises a chamber with at least one outflow opening for dispensing the beverage with the fine-bubbled foam layer and a jet impact element included in the chamber with a top which is clear of an inner wall of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventors: Gustaaf Frans Brouwer, Antonius Comelis Hubertus van der Pluijm
  • Publication number: 20100143203
    Abstract: A fragrance generator comprises a housing for containing a volatile liquid to provide a vapour. The housing has a wall of which at least a part is permeable to the vapour. The generator further comprises an actuator for diffusing the vapour emerging from the volatile liquid to an environment outside the housing. The generator is provided with an electric circuit comprising a solar energy converter arranged to convert solar energy into electric energy for feeding the actuator and the circuit comprises a capacitor for accumulating the electric energy from the solar energy converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventors: Jordi Miro Amenos, Carlos Feliu Fontoba, Joan Vilana Balastegui
  • Patent number: 7703383
    Abstract: Method for preparing cappuccino wherein at least one coffee pad filled with ground coffee and an instant and/or liquid creamer are utilized, the method further comprising the following method-steps: hot water is forced under pressure through the coffee pad for obtaining coffee extract;—the coffee extract is supplied under pressure to at least one nozzle for obtaining a coffee extract jet, the coffee extract jet is aimed at a first buffer reservoir already filled with the creamer so that in the first buffer reservoir the cappuccino is formed and the cappuccino is discharged from the first buffer reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventor: Joseph Theodoor Knitel
  • Patent number: 7698993
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a beverage fit for consumption with a fine-bubble froth layer, such as coffee or milk with a fine-bubble froth layer, provided with a beverage unit for dispensing under pressure a beverage to be processed, at least one nozzle, which is in fluid communication with the beverage unit for feeding the beverage to the nozzle to generate a jet of the beverage by means of the nozzle, and a collecting unit, into which the jet squirts to obtain the beverage with the fine-bubble froth layer. The collecting unit is then provided with a tubular chamber with at least one open end for dispensing the beverage with the fine-bubble froth layer, the nozzle and the collecting unit being in fluid communication with each other such that the jet squirts against an inner wall of the tubular chamber for beating, in the tubular chamber, air into the beverage to obtain the beverage with the fine-bubble froth layer, which, in use, leaves the tubular chamber via the at least one open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Sara Lee/DE N. V.
    Inventors: Gustaaf Frans Brouwer, Hendrikus Christinus Maria Wessels, Antonius Cornelis Hubertus van der Pluijm
  • Publication number: 20100019059
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air-freshening dispensing device, including a housing having a pair of mounts for mounting respective containers provided in outer sections of the housing; and a switchable shutter element arranged for selectively shutting access of an airflow to any of the outer sections. According to the invention, the shutter element is provided in a mid section between the outer sections and communicatively coupled to an air inlet. An air outlet provides throughput of the airflow through the mid section and the device further includes a clamp for clamping the unit onto an outlet channel to provide an airflow into the air inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: SARA LEE/DE N.V.
    Inventors: Dirk Jan Bulsink, Caspar Barry Bogerd
  • Patent number: 7636978
    Abstract: A polishing implement for polishing a shoe or the like, including a structure to be handheld provided with an absorbing fiber layer for forming a first polishing layer; and a sachet provided on or to be provided on the structure for containing the polishing product. According to the invention, the sachet includes a fiber layer impregnated with polishing product and, in closed condition, screened off by a protective layer while in opened condition, the impregnated fiber layer forms a second polishing layer for applying the polishing product to the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventor: Willem Peter Blokpoel
  • Publication number: 20090314167
    Abstract: A system for preparing a predetermined amount of beverage suitable for consumption, provided with an exchangeable holder (102), and an apparatus provided with a fluid dispensing device which is detachably connected to the holder for dispensing a first fluid under pressure to a first mixing chamber (110) of the exchangeable holder. The exchangeable holder is provided with a storage space (108) which is filled with a second fluid and a fluid communication (114) between the storage space and the first mixing chamber for dispensing the second fluid to the first mixing chamber. The holder further comprises a fluid communication seal (138) for bringing the fluid communication into operation through removal of the sealing action of the fluid communication. The fluid communication is a channel having a first curvature (171) in longitudinal direction of the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventors: Gerbrand Kristiaan De Graaff, Hendrik Comelis Koeling, Ka Cheung Tsang, Ralf Kamerbeek
  • Patent number: D611289
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignees: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Sara Lee/DE N.V.
    Inventor: Alexander Paul Johannus de Visser
  • Patent number: D625135
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignees: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Sara Lee/De N.V.
    Inventor: Graeme Antony Warburton
  • Patent number: D655984
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignees: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Sara Lee/De N.V.
    Inventor: Stefan Andreesen