Patents Examined by Anthony Weier
  • Patent number: 8512786
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a machine for stoning mangoes. The method includes a stage of blocking the mango fruit frontally of a cutting blade (3), which performs a first cut below the stone and a second cut above the stone; the cuts, performed with the same or with different blades, intersects a whole length in a longitudinal direction of the fruit and are performed by thrust-insertion of a cutting blade in the longitudinal direction of the stone. The machine for implementing the method includes one or more work stations (6, 7, 8, 9), each of which includes at least a blocking group (10) which blocks the fruit in a desired position thereof; at least a station includes a blade (3) with a shaped cutting profile which is provided with straight motion and performs the cuts envisaged by the method; sliding means (11) are provided to cause the straight motion of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: A.B.L. S.R.L.
    Inventors: Daniela Ascari, Luca Ascari
  • Patent number: 8512776
    Abstract: A capsule (1) contains beverage ingredients such as ground coffee, tea or other ingredients and is configured for insertion in a beverage production device (2) in order to have a liquid under pressure have enter the capsule (1) and to interact with the ingredients (3) in the capsule (11). The capsule (1) has a base body (4) and a foil member (5) closing the base body (4) by being attached to a flange-like rim (6) extending from the side wall (7) of the base body (4) of the capsule (1). The base body (4) of the capsule (1) comprises a resilient sealing member (8), the sealing member (8) being designed to be in sealing engagement with a bell member (9) of the beverage production device (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Alfred Yoakim, Gilles Gavillet, Jean-Paul Denisart
  • Patent number: 8495949
    Abstract: A apparatus for forming a beverage using a beverage formation device. Opening of a brew chamber may automatically enable the provision of beverage precursor liquid from a reservoir to a heating tank that is used (heated or not) to form a beverage. For example, opening of the brew chamber may cause a valve to be opened or otherwise permit flow of beverage precursor liquid from the reservoir to the heating tank. The valve may open simultaneously and automatically with a brew chamber lid, and may close when the brew chamber lid is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Keurig, Incorporated
    Inventors: Ian Tinkler, Mary Carter, William Sawyer, Richard Pasquini
  • Patent number: 8481099
    Abstract: Processes for converting by-products of citrus, such as peels and juice from juice sacs attached to the peel after hand or mechanical peeling into high quality dietary fiber, naringin, juice, and oil. The processes involve pressing peels to release juice from vesicles and then grinding peels in water to create a slurry. Peel color and oil is removed by a flotation technique. Decolorized citrus peel particles—or pulp—are debittered with water in steps of boiling and washing. Dietary fiber obtained after debittering is dried and packaged for commercial use. The process promotes environmental responsibility by reducing standard citrus waste—a high BOD waste product, by overcoming discharging problems with industrial waste, by converting an environmentally undesirable product—peels, juice, and oils—into a value-added ingredient, by drastically reducing discharge and penalty cost of waste, and by eliminating the use of solvents that generate pollution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Del Monte Corporation
    Inventors: Karim Nafisi-Movaghar, Loren L. Druz, Claudine Pepper Victoria
  • Patent number: 8479637
    Abstract: An apparatus for brewing a beverage, which includes an elongated member having a plurality of disks stacked along an axis of the elongated member; a filter having at least one slot and adapted to fit over the plurality of disks; and an elongated housing member having first and second slots on opposite sides of the elongated housing member, wherein the elongated housing member is adapted to fit over the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: John A. Fedor
  • Patent number: 8479639
    Abstract: A beverage preparation system, a method of preparation and a device for securely engaging with a cup unit for preparing a beverage. A potable liquid is supplied within the cup unit but kept separate from a capsule brewing element containing a predetermined quantity of edible ingredients also disposed within the cup unit. The brewing element is constructed in a shape which retains its integrity without any external support even under pressure such as needed for espresso drink preparation. The beverage preparation device operates by extracting the potable liquid from the cup unit, processing it in a heating/cooling chamber, and returning the processed liquid at a predetermined pressure and time duration to the cup unit. The operation is performed in accordance with preprogrammed instructions associated with an instruction source provided on a sealed cover of the cup unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Shalom Levin
  • Patent number: 8481098
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the preparation of a beverage having: a mixing chamber (1) for mixing a soluble ingredient (2) and a diluent, the chamber further having a top opening (4), a diluent inlet opening (5), a beverage outlet opening (6), sealing item (7) that is able to seal the top opening (4) of the mixing chamber (1) and to prevent any fluid from leaving the mixing chamber through said sealing item. The invention also relates to a method for using this device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Francisco Deolarte, Juan J. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 8475858
    Abstract: The present invention includes methods and devices for mass producing cooked, cooled egg products having a grill fried egg appearance. One device includes a portion for positioning whole, intact, shelled eggs positioned laterally across and above a cooking mold conveyor, and a portion for cracking the eggshells and depositing the eggs into cooking molds on the conveyor. Some devices and methods include an egg yolk splitter for rupturing the egg yolk sac to deposit a whole egg having a ruptured egg yolk into each mold. Other devices and methods include irregular shaped egg molds for providing a mass produced cooked egg having a natural, irregular shaped outlines and/or surfaces. Devices and methods according to the present invention can be used to produce irregular, outlined shaped cooked egg products including whole eggs, formulated eggs, or eggs made from scrambled egg mixes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Michael Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan E. Hairsine, Jason W. Mathews, Ted A. Kurpgeweit, Dale E. Weaver
  • Patent number: 8470385
    Abstract: A novel canola protein isolate including predominantly 2S canola protein and having equal to better solubility properties and improved clarity properties, has an increased proportion of 2S canola protein and a decreased proportion of 7S canola protein. The novel canola protein isolate is formed by heat treatment or isoelectric precipitation of aqueous supernatant from canola protein micelle formation and precipitation, to effect precipitation of 7S protein which is sedimented and removed. Alternatively, the novel canola protein isolate may be derived from a selective membrane procedure in which an aqueous canola protein solution containing 12S, 7S and 2S canola proteins is subjected to a first selective membrane technique to retain 12S and 7S canola proteins in a retentate, which is dried to provide a canola protein isolate including predominantly 7S canola protein, and to permit 2S canola protein to pass through the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Burcon Nutrascience (MB) Corp.
    Inventors: Martin Schweizer, Brent E. Green, Kevin I. Segall, Randy Willardsen
  • Patent number: 8460741
    Abstract: A novel canola protein isolate with predominantly of 2S canola protein and having equal to better solubility properties and improved clarity properties, has an increased proportion of 2S canola protein and a decreased proportion of 7S canola protein. The novel canola protein isolate is formed by heat treatment or isoelectric precipitation of aqueous supernatant from canola protein micelle formation and precipitation, to effect precipitation of 7S protein which is sedimented and removed. Alternatively, the novel canola protein isolate may be derived from a selective membrane procedure in which an aqueous canola protein solution containing 12S, 7S and 2S canola proteins is subjected to a first selective membrane technique to retain 12S and 7S canola proteins in a retentate, which is dried to provide a canola protein isolate with predominantly 7S canola protein, and to permit 2S canola protein to pass through the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Burcon Nutrascience (MB) Corp.
    Inventors: Martin Schweizer, Brent E. Green, Kevin I. Segall, Randy Willardsen
  • Patent number: 8455034
    Abstract: A packaged green tea beverage, wherein (A) the packaged green tea beverage contains from 0.08 to 0.5 wt % of non-polymer catechins, (B) a percentage of non-epicatechin body in the non-polymer catechins is from 5 to 25 wt %, (C) a percentage of gallate body in the non-polymer catechins is from 5 to 95 wt %, (D) pH is from 2.5 to 5.1, and (F) the packaged green tea beverage contains from 0.0001 to 20 wt % of at least one sweetener selected from fructose, glucose, sucrose, fructoglucose syrup and glucofructose syrup. A packaged green tea beverage containing non-polymer catechins in high concentration can be provided, which can not only reduce astringency but also provides for adequate sweetness and sourness without impairment of the taste and is suited for long-term storage while containing a sweetener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Fukuda, Hirokazu Takahashi, Ryo Kusaka, Eri Itaya
  • Patent number: 8455032
    Abstract: A carbonating device for carbonating an opened vessel including an inlet valve for receiving pressurized gas, an exit valve for expelling gas into a vessel to be carbonated, a trigger for opening the inlet valve, a trigger pressure regulator arranged to close the inlet valve, a discharge assembly, and a cap assembly, the discharge assembly coupled to and de-coupled from the cap and including a port for discharging gas to the cap, the discharge port being opened and closed by a valve and a pressure regulator arranged to automatically close the discharge valve in response to a pressure level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Ingazzi Limited
    Inventors: David Michael Gormley, Marcus Durant
  • Patent number: 8448566
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a beverage dispenser that comprises a hot water tank; a brew basket; a sprayhead for spraying hot water from said water tank to said brew basket in order to brew said brewable substance; a container for storing said freshly brewed liquid concentrate drips from said brew basket; a heat exchanger immersed in hot water inside said water tank for reheating said freshly brewed liquid concentrate when pumped from said container; a source of flavor ingredients preferably packed in disposable bag-in-box; a mixer and whipper for mixing and whipping simultaneously all of the following items: said reheated freshly brewed concentrate discharged from said heat exchanger, said flavor ingredients and hot water from said hot water tank to form a hot freshly brewed beverage mixed with flavored ingredients, filled with air bubbles and with a foamy topping; and a control system for activating said beverage dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventor: Sadeli Rezeki
  • Patent number: 8440247
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing flavored teas by using wood, and flavored teas prepared thereby. More specifically, the present invention relates to a preparation method of flavored teas with excellent palatability and flavors in which the method uses natural wood along with the appropriate flavoring time and temperature settings, and flavored teas prepared thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Amorepacific Corporation
    Inventors: Bum Jin Lee, Yu Jin Oh, Jin Oh Chung, Sang Jun Lee
  • Patent number: 8440244
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a chocolate drink containing at least 2% cacao. The inventive method includes a step involving inserting a capsule containing a concentrate of the chocolate drink into a coffee machine of the type which allows the pressure percolation of a dose of coffee. The invention also relates to the concentrate which is used to prepare the chocolate drink and to the capsules containing said concentrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Barry Callebaut AG
    Inventors: Philippe Troplin, Dirk De Clercq, Guy Raybaud, Jean-Paul LeCoupeau
  • Patent number: 8440246
    Abstract: By containing non-polymer catechins in high concentration, the physiological effects of the catechins are manifested, minerals indispensable to the living body are fortified, and the storage stability of a beverage is improved. A packaged beverage containing: (A) from 0.05 to 0.5% by mass of non-polymer catechins; (B) from 0.0012 to 0.12% by mass of calcium; (C) from 0.00012 to 0.006% by mass of magnesium; (D) from 0.000048 to 0.0024% by mass of zinc; (E) from 0.00004 to 0.002% by mass of iron; and (F) from 0.01 to 20% by mass of a sweetener, wherein a content mass ratio [(B)/(A)] of the calcium (B) to the non-polymer catechins (A) is from 0.001 to 1.0; (J) a percentage of gallate bodies in the non-polymer catechins is from 5 to 55% by mass; and pH is from 2.5 to 5.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Fukuda, Hirokazu Takahashi, Ryo Kusaka, Eri Itaya
  • Patent number: 8431174
    Abstract: Shown is a method of selectively separating milk fat globule membrane fragments and milk fat globules from whey. The method includes the steps of adding to whey an amount of a whey-soluble zinc salt and adjusting the pH of the whey to be less than 6.0. The amount of zinc salt added to the whey is sufficient to cause milk fat globule membrane fragments and milk fat globules contained in the whey to precipitate selectively from the whey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventor: Srinivasan Damodaran
  • Patent number: 8425969
    Abstract: An extract derives from plant parts of Rutaceae plant family to be incorporated into a cooking oil composition for reducing oil adsorption into food fried in the cooking oil composition thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: University Putra Malaysia
    Inventors: Suhaila Mohamed, Fatihanim Mohd Nor
  • Patent number: 8425957
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption. To that end, the assembly (1) is provided with at least a first covering (2) and a first ingredient (4) included in the at least first covering, the first ingredient including a substance such as milk powder/creamer, sugar and like additives soluble or extractable in a liquid such as water. The assembly is further provided with a second ingredient (14), the second ingredient including a soluble or extractable substance such as ground coffee or tea while the second ingredient forms part of a substantially rigid body (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Vincent Jan Steenhof, Joseph Theodoor Knitel
  • Patent number: 8425963
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for extracting a cap (16) having a first part (2), a second part (3) which is movable with respect to the second part (2) which is provided with a space for the cap and defines the cap extracting position in a closed position thereof, an introduction and positioning part having the cap guiding elements (6, 7) which are arranged in such a way that it is possible to insert the cap by gravity force and position it in an intermediate position and a beverage pouring system (19) in which the second movable part (3) displaces the cap from the intermediate position to the extraction position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Antoine Ryser, Christophe Boussemart, Jean-Luc Denisart, Antoine Cahen