Patents Examined by Arthur L. Corbin
  • Patent number: 7396553
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing condensed milk having a milk solids component of 32% to 40% by weight comprises the steps of mixing liquid milk having 10% to 14% milk solids and a first predetermined milk fat content with dried milk powder having a second predetermined milk fat content, in appropriate amounts so that the total weight percentage of milk solids in the mixture, from the liquid milk and from the dried milk powder, is 32% to 40% by weight of the mixture. Then, the mixture is permitted to stand for at least 30 minutes; after which it is pasteurized and recovered for further packaging and handling. Typically, the storage, mixing, and standing steps are carried out at temperatures of 2° C. to 25° C., and preferably below 10° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventor: Van Miller
  • Patent number: 7390518
    Abstract: A composition in the form of a chewing gum composition or a confectionery composition containing a stain removing complex of a stain removing agent and a cyclodextrin compound and methods of preparing and using the same to remove stains from dental material including teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Cadbury Adams USA, LLC
    Inventors: Petros Gebreselassie, Shiuh John Luo, Navroz Boghani
  • Patent number: 7387809
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved binder system to stabilize and improve yield for thermally processed meat products such as those that are used in canning or retort operations. More specifically, the present invention pertains to the novel starch/binder matrix that produces a meat product having enhanced moisture flavor and texture over those treated using currently available techniques. The novel matrix uses a combination of starches that provide differential water holding and moisture control for the meat products treated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: General Mills Cereals, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Thomas, Kyle A. Newkirk
  • Patent number: 7378116
    Abstract: Method and system for continuously producing pieces of liquid-filled gum material. An extruded rope of liquid-filed gum is sized and separated into individual pieces of gum. A rotating drum mechanism having a die ring and cutter ring with mating die members separate the rope of gum material into individual pieces. Pairs of cam-operated plunger members compress and form the pieces of gum material in the die cavities. Angled grooves in the die members prevent portions of the gum pieces from being chipped-off during formation. Guide pin members are positioned between rider members on the plunger members. A feed chute with air assist transfers the gum rope from a sizing table to the rotating drum mechanism. A stripper member insures that the formed pieces of gum material are removed from the drum mechanism. Portions of the drum mechanism can be selective heated and cooled, or not cooled at all. The invention provides a more efficient system for continuous, high production operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Cadbury Adams USA LLC
    Inventors: Joseph M. Bunkers, James Duggan
  • Patent number: 7378119
    Abstract: The present invention is an enhanced fresh meat composition and method of making the same. The fresh processed meat composition is made from post-rigor meat and includes a bicarbonate additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott J. Eilert, Curtis A. Cundith, Max England
  • Patent number: 7368283
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a stirred tank for storing yeast slurry to be supplied to fermentation tanks where fermented foods such as beer are fermented, is characterized in that a stirring impeller is provided within the stirred tank and so constructed that a maximum diameter of a rotation body defined by the rotation of the stirring impeller is 60-90% of the inner diameter of the stirred tank, and the height of the rotation body is 70% or more of a standard depth of the yeast slurry normally stored in the stirred tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignees: Kobelco Eco-Solutions Co. Ltd., Asahi Breweries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisayoshi Ito, Yukimichi Okamoto, Kimito Kawamura, Eiichi Jimbo
  • Patent number: 7364766
    Abstract: A novel toasted flavor additive for enhancing the toasted flavor and appearance of food products. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, toasted corn flavor additive (“TCF”) is made by the steps of cooking whole corn kernels in a solution of lime and water; steeping the corn; draining and washing the corn; grinding, sheeting and cutting the corn into pieces; toasting the pieces until significant browning has occurred beyond the level normally associated with consumed masa products; and grinding the toasted pieces into a powder that can be administered as toasted corn flavor additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheri Lynn Baker, John Mampra Mathew, Renu Mathew, Bruce Edward Rogers
  • Patent number: 7364761
    Abstract: A method for producing a chewing gum, as well as the chewing gum so produced, incorporates a physiological cooling agent, such as acyclic carboxamide, or combinations of physiological cooling agents. In another embodiment a combination of physiological cooling agents is made in a modified release structure. The modified release/cooling agents combination is preferably obtained by physically modifying the properties of the combination of cooling agents by coating and drying. When incorporated into gum, these particles are adapted to enhance the shelf stability of the flavor and/or produce a modified release when the gum is chewed. In another embodiment, the physiological cooling agent is present with menthol and menthone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
    Inventors: Fred R. Wolf, Gordon N. McGrew, Jeffrey S. Hook, Lindell C. Richey, Henry T. Tyrpin
  • Patent number: 7354613
    Abstract: Contacting a processed food product with an aqueous solution containing an effective amount of an alkali silicate reduces bacterial contamination of the product or retards bacterial growth on the product or both reduces bacterial contamination and retards bacterial growth on the product, without substantial detriment to the organoleptic properties of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Danisco A/S
    Inventors: Fredric G. Bender, George Weber
  • Patent number: 7351438
    Abstract: The invention is a chewing gum formulation in powder form, a process for producing it, and a chewing gum in tablet produced by direct compression of a the chewing gum formulation in powder form that is characterized by a chewability that remains unchanged throughout the chewing period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Gum Base Co. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Sozzi, Fabio Allasia
  • Patent number: 7344745
    Abstract: A pet food composition containing chunks and a clear gellified sauce or base, said composition being obtainable by: i) incorporating at least one semi-refined gelling agent and/or semi-refined gelling biopolymer blend, in a mixture comprising meat and meat by-products, said mixture being used for the manufacture of the chunks; ii) mixing the manufactured chunks with a sauce or base containing no gelling agent; and iii) treating the mixture under conditions to release the pure gelling agent molecules from the chunks into the sauce or base to gelify it and to achieve chunk structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Paulo Fernandes, Annie Watelain, Patrick Pibarot
  • Patent number: 7344743
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of frozen convenience meals. More particularly the invention relates to frozen layered pasta products that are conveniently reheated from frozen form for consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Unilever Bestfoods, North America, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandro Panaioli, Valerio Simeone
  • Patent number: 7344746
    Abstract: A process for the direct hydrogenation of hop resin acids in the absence of a liquid, organic solvent by reacting the hop resin acids which hydrogen in the presence of a noble metal catalyst at a temperature at which the resin acids are sufficiently fluid to allow easy mixing with the catalyst and suitably facilitate the hydrogenation reaction. Alternatively, the necessary fluidity may be achieved at relatively low temperature by subjecting the reactants to a high pressure of CO2 gas such that the quantity of this gas that dissolves into the resin is sufficient to substantially reduce its viscosity. Particularly useful applications for the process are the conversion is iso-?-acids to tetrahydroiso-?-acids and rho-iso-?-acids into hexahydroiso-?-acids. The resinous products of the hydrogenation process may be readily converted to aqueous, alkaline solutions suitable for use in brewing beer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: S.S. Steiner, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. H. Wilson, Robert J. Smith
  • Patent number: 7338679
    Abstract: Novel gel compositions having a sarcocarp-like texture and taste (mouth feelings): and foods having a sarcocarp-like texture with the use the same. These novel gel compositions comprise pectin, a divalent metal ion and water optionally together with negatively charged gelling agent. The above-described pectin contains at least one member selected from among pectinic acid and its salts and forms heat-stable particles having a diameter of at least 100 ?m in the presence of water, or particles having an average diameter of 10 to 5000 ?m in the presence of water and calcium ion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: San-Ei Gen F.F.I., Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuro Uchida, Iwao Asai
  • Patent number: 7335390
    Abstract: The invention relates to a composition comprising a mixture of full fat, enzyme active, dehulled soybean flakes and potato flakes, for making a soy protein enriched and soy oil containing mashed potato product having excellent nutritional, taste and texture properties. Additionally, the invention relates to method for making said soy protein enriched and soy oil containing mashed potato product from said composition; and to said soy protein enriched and soy oil containing mashed potato product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: MicroSoy Corporation
    Inventors: Itaru “Terry” Tanaka, Safir Moizuddin, Bruce H. T. Liu
  • Patent number: 7335386
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel treatment composition and process for use thereof in treating food products and food intermediates to prevent acrylamide formation therein. The treatment composition may be used in single, home use settings as well as commercial applications for larger scale treatment of food products in the course of manufacture. The treatment composition of the present invention uses at least one of alpha-cyclodextrin, beta-cyclodextrin, gamma-cyclodextrin or combinations and modified derivatives thereof along with a suitable carrier such as in an aerosol, liquefied mister and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Gerneral Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Plank, Daniel J. Lewandowski, Douglas J. Novak
  • Patent number: 7332191
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved compositions comprising mixtures of toasted soybean flakes and potato flakes, for making highly soy protein enriched and soy oil containing mashed potato products having excellent nutritional, taste and texture properties. The toasted soybean flakes are made from full fat, enzyme active, dehulled soybean flakes. Additionally, the invention relates to methods for making said highly soy protein enriched and soy oil containing mashed potato products from said compositions; and to said highly soy protein enriched and soy oil containing mashed potato products per se.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: MicroSoy Corporation
    Inventors: Itaru “Terry” Tanaka, Safir Moizuddin
  • Patent number: 7332186
    Abstract: A three-phase center-filled gum or bubble gum candy lollipop product. An extruded gum or bubble gum material has a semi-liquid center-fill material added to it in a batch forming mechanism simultaneously with the formation of an exterior candy shell. The three-phase rope of material is formed into lollipop candy members in a forming machine and lollipop sticks are inserted into them. The formed lollipop products are then cooled, tumbled and prepared for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Cadbury Adams USA LLC
    Inventors: Bharat Jani, Marc Degady, Richard Mark Warrington, Demian Arenas, Edward M. Janos
  • Patent number: 7328648
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus of treating wine to improve the wine's taste. This is accomplished by treating the wine with a magnetic field formed by one or more magnets, preferably at least two magnets. These magnets are positioned with one magnet at the base of a container that is holding the wine and another magnet at the top of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventor: Robert S. Lutzker
  • Patent number: 7323202
    Abstract: A composition for coating foodstuffs is described, where the composition comprises a first polysaccharide that is negatively charged in the composition and gels under the influence of cations, and at least a second polysaccharide which is neutral in the composition. A method for producing an edible coating is also described, as well as a method for coating foodstuffs. A coating formed by the first-named method and a foodstuff which contains such a coating are furthermore disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: W. Ruitenberg Czn. N.V.
    Inventor: Johannes Goorhuis