Patents Assigned to Thomas J. Lipton Co.
  • Patent number: 5409730
    Abstract: A method for preparing a product containing a continuous phase of heat settable meat emulsion and dispersed therein a discontinuous phase of a water-in-oil emulsion. The discontinuous phase itself has a continuous phase of fat and an aqueous gelling solution as a discontinuous phase. A product prepared by the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Thomas J. Lipton Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig D. Fischer, deceased, Dennis J. Breitbart, Arnold I. Epstein, Dale D. Zabel
  • Patent number: 5399224
    Abstract: Tags and thread are assembled together for the manufacture of tagged articles such as infusion packets in which each tag is attached to the packet by a length of thread. The thread is held in a looped form between the tag and the packet before use. For the assembly of the tags and thread and to increase the length of thread attaching each tag, means are provided for forming a doubled-over loop that can be trapped between the tag and the packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Thomas J. Lipton Co.
    Inventors: Geoffrey W. Vernon, Andrew Cleall
  • Patent number: 5384141
    Abstract: Tea extract is separated into a lighter colored and a darker colored phase by changing the natural self-separating capacity of the tea extract by concentrating the extract to 6-45 wt %, preferably 12-30 wt % solids, cooling the concentrate below 5.degree. C. and isolating the separated phases. The lighter colored phase is used in preparing clear cold-water soluble tea, reduced caffeine tea, isotonic tea. The darker colored phase may be used to prepare hot-water soluble instant tea, coloring agent, antioxidant or tea flavoring agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Thomas J. Lipton Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Dyks, Paul M. Hart, Hans U. Ter Meer
  • Patent number: 5366741
    Abstract: A dual compartment infusion packet has the compartments directly secured to each other at one end of the packet and separated by a V-fold of the packet material at the other end. A suspension thread has an intermediate portion lying within the fold and end portions extending therefrom through attachment means at the other end of the packet. The end portions are displaceable in the attachment means so that when tensioned they contract the packet to squeeze out liquid held in the packet after an infusion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Thomas J. Lipton Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Petrus W. Van Der Zon
  • Patent number: 5364020
    Abstract: A shipping display case is provided which employs attenuated side panels to take advantage of the compressive strength contribution of contained articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Thomas J. Lipton Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Vinod Bansal
  • Patent number: 5311724
    Abstract: Collating apparatus for stacking generally flat articles comprises a chute on opposite sides of which are two pairs of conveyor bands carrying supports for the articles. The conveyor bands are driven as two diagonally opposite pairs so that the stack builds on the supports of one pair of bands while a preceding stack built on the supports of the other pair of bands is discharged from the chute. The supports carried by the bands also comprise members which act on the completed stack to compress it before it is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Thomas J. Lipton Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey W. Vernon, James Goodwin, David Seaward, Thomas W. Bailey
  • Patent number: 5312318
    Abstract: Twin compartment packets, e.g. tea bags, are formed with the compartments connected at the heads of the packet and optionally at the tails. The packets are produced from a pair of compartmented tubular webs that are brought together with the compartments in register, the webs then being interconnected at the compartment end seals and severed at those seals to form the separate packets. Apparatus for performing the process deposits doses of tea at spaced intervals onto the two separate webs before forming them into the tubular compartmented webs, brings the compartments of the two webs into register, interconnects the registered compartments, and separates the interconnected compartments into individual packets while the web advances continously through the apparatus. The process is capable of high production rates because the webs are able to move through the successive stages at a uniform speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Thomas J. Lipton Co., Division of Conopco Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey W. Vernon, James Goodwin, Michael J. Cahill, William M. Buckley
  • Patent number: 5287681
    Abstract: A flexible heat-sealable web is shaped continuously into a tubular cross-sectional shape, e.g. as an intermediate stage in the production of infusion bags comprising severed and sealed lengths of the tubular shape. The web is drawn along a shaped shoe and side margins of the web are folded over opposite sides of the shoe by rollers and fingers to place the opposite side edges of the web in overlapping relationship against the shoe. The overlapped edges pass between a roller mounted in the shoe and an external heated roller to be pressed between the two rollers in order to lap weld the edges together as the web travels along the shoe. The shoe continues to form the web downstream of the welding station into a flattened tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Thomas J. Lipton Co., Divison of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey W. Vernon, James Goodwin
  • Patent number: 5286510
    Abstract: Fat mimetic compositions which may be used in low/no fat salad dressings and processes for their preparation are disclosed employing a unique combination of microcrystalline cellulose, cold water swelling starch and gum to provide excellent fat-like properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Thomas J. Lipton Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Roland Bauer, Jo Ann Cuccurullo, Philip E. Dazo, Daniel J. Kochakji, Steven M. Rikon, Richard E. Rubow
  • Patent number: 5258188
    Abstract: In a process of preparing a tea extract, the extract is adjusted to 20.degree.-80.degree. C., treated with tannase at pH=4-7 and then subjected to ultrafiltration at 2.degree.-90.degree. C. using a membrane with an average molecular weight exclusion point of at least 5000 Daltons (preferably at least 30,000 Daltons). The extract may finally be subjected to an additional filtration, preferably microfiltration. Also an instant a cold-water soluble tea powder or granulate is claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Thomas J. Lipton Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Bart Barmentlo, Willem J. Bel, Bruin Hoogstad, Sidney Pendlington, Nigel K. Slater
  • Patent number: 5229157
    Abstract: A method of preparing an aerated vegetable product comprising starch, oil and a heat-setting material. The method involves mixing the individual components and thereafter aerating with a gaseous material. The method is for example well suited to the preparation of an aerated potato product which has a different taste and texture compared to mashed potato. Other vegetable products can be made from for example sweetcorn, carrot or pea. Furthermore, products made according to the invention can retain their structure after being frozen and subsequently reheated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Thomas J. Lipton Co., Division of Conopco Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Birch, John V. Stringer
  • Patent number: 5209942
    Abstract: A fat mimetic composition which may be used in a low/no fat salad dressing and processes for their preparation are disclosed employing a unique combination of microcrystalline cellulose, cold water swelling starch and gum to provide excellent fat-like properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Thomas J. Lipton, Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Roland Bauer, Jo Ann Cuccurullo, Philip E. Dazo, Daniel J. Kochakji, Steven M. Rikon, Richard E. Rubow
  • Patent number: 5135762
    Abstract: Twin compartment packets, e.g. tea bags, are formed with the compartments connected at the heads of the packet and optionally at the tails. The packets are produced from a pair of compartmented tubular webs that are brought together with the compartments in register, the webs then being interconnected at the compartment end seals and severed at those seals to form the separate packets. Apparatus for performing the process deposits doses of tea at spaced intervals onto the two separate webs before forming them into the tubular compartmented webs, brings the compartments of the two webs into register, interconnects the registered compartments, and separates the interconnected compartments into individual packets while the web advances continuously through the apparatus. The process is capable of high production rates because the webs are able to move through the successive stages at a uniform speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Thomas J. Lipton Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey W. Vernon, James Goodwin, Michael J. Cahill, William M. Buckley
  • Patent number: 5082674
    Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a lysophospholipoprotein (LPLP)-comprising foodstuff by incorporating dried LPLP or dried LPLP-comprising material, preferably having a moisture content of at most 10 wt %, at a level of 0.1-90 wt.% therein. The dried LPLP serves as a texture-modifying agent, a glossing agent, a freeze-thaw stabilizing agent, a heat-stabilizing agent and a syneresis-inhibiting agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Thomas J. Lipton Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Rebecca S. Carrell, Wietse van Dijk, Mervyn R. Goddard, John B. Hayes
  • Patent number: D329984
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Thomas J. Lipton Co.
    Inventor: Huberdina J. H. M. Walravens
  • Patent number: D333266
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Thomas J. Lipton Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Huberdina J. H. M. Walravens
  • Patent number: D338768
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Thomas J. Lipton Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey W. Vernon, Michael J. Cahill
  • Patent number: D338769
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Thomas J. Lipton Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey W. Vernon, Michael J. Cahill
  • Patent number: D338770
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Thomas J. Lipton Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey W. Vernon, Michael J. Cahill