Patents Examined by Anthony Weier
  • Patent number: 9918490
    Abstract: A plant (1) for cold extraction of puree, or juice, from a food product of vegetable origin, or animal includes a treating machine, for example a softening machine (20) downstream of which a machine is provided for extracting (30) in which it is obtained the extraction of juice, or puree, from a food product of vegetable origin. Upstream of the treating machine (20) a division machine is provided (40, 40?) in which a division means is arranged to divide the starting food product of vegetable origin into parts of predetermined size. More in detail, in case of fresh vegetables, i.e. preserved at a temperature set between about 2 and 4° C., a division means is provided (40) arranged to provide the division of the vegetable product (100) into parts (105) of size set between 50 mm and 130 mm, advantageously, set between 80 mm and 110 mm, for example about 100 mm, which is fed to the above described treating machine (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventor: Alessandro Bertocchi
  • Patent number: 9918586
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling operation of a beverage forming machine arranged for use with cartridges of different types, or receiving an upwardly flowing beverage from a cartridge. A beverage outlet may be movable to receive beverage from a cartridge of a first type, and to not receive beverage from a cartridge of a second type. Different cartridge characteristics may be detected by multiple detectors, e.g., for detecting a presence/absence of a cartridge, a cartridge type and/or an authorization feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Y. Smith, Jonathan Alexander Brodie, Stuart Jay Foster, James E. Shepard, Yoav Rabino, Ian Tinkler
  • Patent number: 9913484
    Abstract: A method using a membrane-concentration method and a freeze-concentration method includes: a membrane-concentration step in which a fluid to be treated is cooled and a membrane-concentrated fluid is prepared by membrane-concentrating the solid content concentration thereof by more than 1.5 times; an ice crystal generation step in which said membrane-concentrated fluid is cooled, ice crystals of said membrane-concentrated fluid are generated in said membrane-concentrated fluid, and a mixed fluid to be treated is formed wherein said mixed fluid to be treated is comprised of said ice crystals and a concentrated fluid to be treated produced from said membrane-concentrated fluid by generating said ice crystals in said membrane-concentrated fluid thereby said membrane-concentrated fluid is concentrated; and an ice crystal separation step in which said mixed fluid is separated into said concentrated fluid to be treated and said ice crystals, and said separated concentrated fluid to be treated is retrieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: MEIJI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazunori Kashiwagi, Takefumi Ichimura, Yoshinori Satake, Tetsu Kamiya, Toshihiro Omori, Hiroki Matsubara
  • Patent number: 9913488
    Abstract: Provided are compositions, and methods of making the same, including a liquid egg product and a plant fiber, where the plant fiber has at least one of a carrot fiber, an oat fiber, and a corn fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Nali Marie Prchal Book, Brenda K. Knapp-Polzin, Donald Andrew Moss, Robert Ralph Prochnow, Brenda Lee Stepp
  • Patent number: 9907322
    Abstract: The invention provides protein compositions containing structured protein products having protein fibers that are substantially aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: SOLAE LLC
    Inventors: Matthew K. McMindes, Eduardo Godinez, Izumi Mueller, Mac W Orcutt, Patricia A. Altemueller
  • Patent number: 9909089
    Abstract: A device for distributing a fermented liquid uniformly over a fermented cap includes a joint member, an impeller, a shaft and a flow conditioner. The joint member has a top opening, a bottom opening, a side opening, a through-opening extending from the top opening to the bottom opening and a side-through-opening extending from the side opening to the through-opening. The impeller includes a one-piece conical shaped body that has a central-through-opening. The shaft extends through the through-opening of the joint member and through the central-through-opening of the impeller. The flow conditioner extends from the bottom of the joint member and surrounds the shaft. The bottom of the flow conditioner is shaped to match the shape of the fermentation tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventors: Alexander Mitchell, Evan Schneider
  • Patent number: 9907426
    Abstract: Assemblies, machines, systems, and methods for the generation of superheated are discussed A steam super-heat assembly is employed for generating superheated steam for the preparation of coffee-based beverages. The assembly includes a body that includes an internal cavity, a heating element that includes heating surfaces positioned within the internal cavity, and a flow path within the internal cavity. The body also includes an input that enables fluid access into the internal cavity and an output that enables fluid egress out of the internal cavity. The heating element heats the heating surfaces of the heating element. The flow path enables fluid to flow from the input, through the internal cavity of the body, and to the output of the body. The heating surfaces form a portion of the flow path. When the fluid flows through the internal cavity, the fluid is in direct physical contact with the heating surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Seattle Espresso Machine Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Camille Prefontaine, Devin Walker
  • Patent number: 9888701
    Abstract: A device and method for preparing a cup of tea from a tea bag or tea leaves, for reusing the tea bag or tea leaves, and for handling and containing the spent tea bag or leaves is described. The device is configured to remotely dip a tea bag or tea leaves into a hot cup of water, retrieve the tea bag or tea leaves after dipping, and apply pressure onto the spent tea bag or tea leaves to squeeze out undiffused flavor. The device is additionally configured to encapsulate the spent tea bag or tea leaves to prevent undesirable drippings from the tea bag or tea leaves that could scald the user's skin, and to obscure from view the unattractive, damp, and used tea materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: Scott Edward Parazynski
  • Patent number: 9888710
    Abstract: Provided are methods of manufacturing a cooked egg product having irregular shaped egg curds similar in shape, size, and mouthfeel to that of freshly cooked scrambled eggs. Liquid egg product is optionally first preheated then transferred to a belt oven and cooked to form a layer of cooked egg product. The layer of cooked egg product is then transported through an agitator, which initially breaks down the layer of cooked egg product, and subsequently is passed through a forming plate to shape the cooked egg product into irregular shaped egg curds similar in appearance to that of freshly cooked scrambled eggs. This process allows for a simplified ingredient deck and reduces the number of fines present in the final product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Steve Grinnell, Donald Andrew Moss, Donald R. Roberts, Theresa Wagner
  • Patent number: 9883683
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for making a coffee beverage, the composition having roast and ground coffee having a X50 of from 700 to 1250 ?m; and a milk powder with a X50 of from 50 ?m to 3 mm; wherein the ratio by weight of the roast and ground coffee to the milk powder is from 4:1 to 2:3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Kraft Foods R&D, Inc.
    Inventor: Julie Almant
  • Patent number: 9883377
    Abstract: Method and automatic beverage-dispensing unit (“ABU”) capable of automatically preparing beverage in accordance with an order via a communications network are included. In one aspect, ABU includes a communication device, a beverage preparing device, and a beverage dispenser wherein the communication device communicates with a user via a wireless communications network. The beverage preparing device, in one example, includes a pod mixer and a liquid receptacle, wherein the pod mixer is configured to select a first pod from multiple pods in accordance with the order from a user. The liquid receptacle prepares liquid substance such as water based on the pod selected. The beverage dispenser mixes the pod and the liquid substance to produce a beverage which is stored in a temperature controlled dispensing compartment for pickup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventor: Bi Cheng
  • Patent number: 9877495
    Abstract: Present embodiments generally relate to a sweetened soluble beverage component and a single-serve beverage cartridge for use with a single-serve coffee brewer. In some embodiments, the cartridge includes a cup, a lid and a single serving of sweetened soluble beverage component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: STARBUCKS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Christopher Charles
  • Patent number: 9877608
    Abstract: A device for dispensing beverages having a brewing group, a boiler, a duct connecting the latter to the brewing chamber and means for supplying cold water to the duct of hot water, a proportional electrovalve arranged to control the supply of cold water, and at least one temperature sensor downstream the supply point of cold water, with respect to the water flow, in order to detect the temperature of the brewing water supplied to the brewing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: CARIMALI S.P.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Doglioni Majer, Maurizio Boffelli, Marco Liberali
  • Patent number: 9872583
    Abstract: A portable nested cook-set includes a cook pot having a pot sidewall with a retention projection and defining an upwardly opening pot interior chamber, a press-pot piston having a piston sidewall and a lower end portion defining an upwardly opening piston interior chamber, and a storage container having an exterior portion and a selectively sealable interior storage chamber. The piston sidewall has a sidewall opening and a retention notch positioned to removably receive the retention projection therein. The press-pot piston sidewall is dimensioned to be selectively storable at least partially within the cook pot. The storage container having an exterior portion with a lower portion dimensioned to be selectively storable at least partially within the piston interior chamber. The storage container and the press-pot piston being releasably threaded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Pacific Market International, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Carl Beckman, Andrew C. F. Wahl, Evan M. Choltco-Devlin
  • Patent number: 9867384
    Abstract: A device for making Greek yogurt from traditional yogurt is shown. The device includes an outer bowl and an inner strainer that nests within and rotates relative to the outer bowl. At least a portion of the inner strainer is perforated. The device also includes a removable inner lid that that covers and seals the inner strainer when placed thereon. The inner lid rotates with the inner strainer when positioned thereon. The inner lid also includes a first engagement structure for engaging a corresponding second engagement structure of a drive assembly. The device also includes an outer lid that encloses the inner strainer and inner lid within the outer bowl when positioned thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Inventor: Fong Lin
  • Patent number: 9867494
    Abstract: A reciprocating coffee filter and method is shown. One embodiment provides a coffee maker including a housing to receive a filter basket, a coffee filter basket to receive a coffee filter, and a reciprocation assembly connected to the housing and the coffee filter basket, the reciprocation assembly to oscillate a filter basket during a brewing process. Another embodiment provides a method for filling a coffee filter within a filter basket with coffee grounds, pouring hot water on the coffee grounds to brew the coffee, and oscillating the filter basket to increase coffee ground and hot water interaction while brewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Inventor: Spencer Frazer
  • Patent number: 9862537
    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 comprises 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: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Vincent Jan Steenhof, Bernardus Henricus Kok, Joseph Theodoor Knitel
  • Patent number: 9854933
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes an extraction assembly for use in an automatic espresso brewer. The extraction assembly includes components and methods for controllably extracting espresso beverage from a quantity of brewing substance. The components, assemblies, and methods facilitate improved control and operation of the extraction assembly and improve the reliability of the extraction assembly. The brewing substance is compacted between a pair of opposing pistons. Compacting force is monitored through at least one sensor carried on the extraction assembly to provide a signal to a controller. A predetermined compacting force may be programmed into the system for all brewing cycles or dependent upon the brewing substance used. The pair of pistons operates relative to a brew chamber for use in the espresso extraction process. The pistons provide compacting force and boundaries within the chamber and facilitate removal of a spent brewing substance puck at the end of the brewing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventors: Suresh Radhakrishnan, Jason Ray Lieving, Daniel Hansen
  • Patent number: 9854935
    Abstract: A home carbonation machine including a gas canister connectable to a carbonation head and a non-metal carbonation tube including an integrally formed metal tip set at distal end thereof and where the carbonation tube is connectable to the carbonation head in order to transport injected carbon dioxide from the gas canister to a bottle of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SodaStream Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Guy Danieli, Avi Cohen, Israel Baumberg
  • Patent number: 9857342
    Abstract: A device to adjust concentration of a first gas in a fluid to a target concentration (Cf) is provided. The device includes a container, having a first opening, the container is configured to receive a first volume (VL) of the fluid through the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Murthy Tata