Patents Examined by Cynthia L. Nessler
  • Patent number: 5932272
    Abstract: A food gel composition is obtained by preparing an aqueous sol of lactoserum proteins and a polysaccharide so that, by weight based upon the sol weight, the lactoserum proteins are in an amount of from 5% to 15% and so that the polysaccharide is in an amount of from 0.05% to 0.25%, and then the sol is subjected to a hydrostatic pressure of from 200 MPa to 800 MPa for from 1 minute to 20 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Nestec, S.A.
    Inventors: Alois Raemy, Paulo Fernandes
  • Patent number: 5928512
    Abstract: A small filter cartridge is particularly adapted to be attached to the neck of a conventional plastic soft drink bottle to filter contaminated water contained in the bottle by passing the water through the filter as it is discharged from the bottle. The flexible bottle walls are squeezed to pressurize the water and facilitate flow through the filter element. The filter includes a uniquely positioned check valve which allows pressure equalization of the bottle interior in a simple and efficient manner. The filter is attached directly to the neck of the bottle and embodiments are disclosed in which the element is inserted completely within the bottle and mounted entirely outside the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Plymouth Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Hatch, Robert S. Frank
  • Patent number: 5928696
    Abstract: The extraction of native products is rendered difficult by the fact that attraction forces act between the liquid native products which are not water-soluble and the tissue incorporating them, and that other constituents are dissolved or present in the form of particles in suspension in the products during the extraction process. The initial substance mixture is, therefore, processed together with a water-soluble, organic solvent and optionally water to form a paste. The addition of the water-soluble, organic solvent enables the substance mixture to be separated cleanly into an aqueous phase and an organic phase in the centrifugal field, no further cleaning being necessary for the organic phase. The process according to the invention has a wide area of application. In principle, it can be applied to all substance mixtures containing liquid, organic substances, in particular to vegetable and animal tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Dr. Frische GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Best, Karlheinz Brunner, Katja Hegwein, Rainer Ricker, Rainer Frische
  • Patent number: 5919510
    Abstract: The method for manufacturing frozen aerated products includes the use of a device having two endless screws, identical and parallel, meshing with each other and turning in the same direction, located in a casing fitted at one of its ends with a nozzle and at the other with a device for feeding with composition to be frozen and, in an intermediate area, with a device for feeding with air, the casing being provided with a jacket in which refrigerating fluids circulate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Gilles Fayard, Michel John Arthur Groux
  • Patent number: 5904943
    Abstract: A texturised foodstuff is made by mixing a gell forming edible hydrocoloid (EH) with an edible filamentous fungus (EFF), gelling the EF to form a firm mass and mixing particles of the mass with EF in less gelled condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Zeneca Limited
    Inventors: Timothy John Andrew Finnigan, Janine Anne Stephens
  • Patent number: 5902482
    Abstract: A back-flushable filter cartridge includes a cylindrical exterior fluid-permeable filter media cage, a cylindrical interior fluid-permeable core element coaxially disposed within the filter media cage so as to establish therebetween an interior space, and longitudinally pleated filter media surrounding the core element and disposed in the interior space such that individual pleats thereof extend substantially radially outwardly from the core element. An annular space is established between outer longitudinal folds of the pleated filter media and the filter media cage. The pleated filter media is radially expandable into the established annular space to allow individual adjacent pleats of the pleated filter media to circumferentially separate from one another in response to fluid flowing in a radial direction from the core element toward the filter media cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: USF Filtration & Separations Group, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Seeley, Lillo C. Brocato, Anthony C. Shucosky
  • Patent number: 5895684
    Abstract: To prepare a light confectionery composition, a sugar-containing liquid dehydrated in a boiler is beaten together with a beating agent and compressed air in a beating vat under pressure, and the beaten composition is discharged discontinuously from the beating vat. To this end the beaten composition is fed discontinuously from the beating vat to a pressurized buffer tank in which the pressure is held essentially at a specific value, for example 2.8 bar, while the beaten composition is discharged continuously from the pressurized buffer tank and expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Ter Braak B.V.
    Inventor: Johannes Gerardus Ter Braak
  • Patent number: 5888567
    Abstract: Articles of frozen confectionery which provide a spiral pattern are obtained by extruding frozen confectionery material through a plurality of nozzle member tubes which are aligned successively and which each have a shape to provide a product which has a shape which includes an arc portion and a tangent portion, the arc portion extending from the tangent portion so that the arc portion is defined thereby as two semi-circular portions of differing diameter connected by the tangent portion. Each successive tube of the plurality of aligned tubes has an interior cross-section hollow larger than the cross-section hollow of the preceding tube, and each preceding tube is fitted into the succeeding tube to deliver extrudate within the suceeding tube and additional frozen confectionery material is introduced into each successive tube to add layers to the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Nestec S. A.
    Inventor: Alain Daouse
  • Patent number: 5885631
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process of manufacturing gum having various colors and patterns and more particularly, a process of manufacturing the gum product representing fantastic visual effects. In the common process of manufacturing a gum, separately prepared soft gum pieces having various colors and patterns are charged into a hopper, together with powdered sugar and then, by dispersing and rolling the gum pieces on a hard gum sheet, gum pieces are freely adhered to the gum sheet where each part has the different colors and patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Lotte Confectionery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ik Boo Kwon, Young Youll Chang, Eui Sun Lee, Jang Hyuk Ahn
  • Patent number: 5879560
    Abstract: A back-flushable filter cartridge includes a cylindrical exterior fluid-permeable filter media cage, a cylindrical interior fluid-permeable core element coaxially disposed within the filter media cage so as to establish therebetween an interior space, and longitudinally pleated filter media surrounding the core element and disposed in the interior space such that individual pleats thereof extend substantially radially outwardly from the core element. An annular space is established between outer longitudinal folds of the pleated filter media and the filter media cage. The pleated filter media is radially expandable into the established annular space to allow individual adjacent pleats of the pleated filter media to circumferentially separate from one another in response to fluid flowing in a radial direction from the core element toward the filter media cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: USF Filtration & Separations Group Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Seeley, Lillo C. Brocato, Anthony C. Shucosky
  • Patent number: 5876774
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for increasing the solidification rate of a fat-based confection and to a fat-based confection product wherein the improvement comprises 0.1 to 2.0% insoluble fiber by weight effective for increasing the rate of solidification of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Shantha Chandrasekaran Nalur, Stephen J. Destephen
  • Patent number: 5869118
    Abstract: Liquid, nutritionally complete formulas are disclosed with improved physical stability. The nutritionally complete formulas are pourable, yet are able to hold minerals, insoluble fiber and flavoring agents such as cocoa powder in suspension without the formation of a sediment that is not readily redispersible. The invention comprises the use of gellan gum at a concentration of between 10-500 parts per million. Although gellan gum alone is sufficient, the nutritionally complete formula may also comprise other stabilizers such as carrageenan and/or carboxymethylcellulose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Jeffrey G. Morris, Normanella T. Dewille, Gregory A. Snowden, Michael A. Chandler, Amanda L. Gunn, Rohini P. Mulchandani, Steven L. Hartline
  • Patent number: 5866188
    Abstract: The present invention is a comestible composition including a new spheroidal polycrystallite product. In the present invention amorphous sugar is transformed to crystalline sugar by hydrating rather than dehydrating sugar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Fuisz Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Gerald E. Battist, Garry L. Myers, Richard C. Fuisz
  • Patent number: 5858234
    Abstract: A two piece suction strainer for use with a centrifugal pump is provided. The strainer includes a cage having the form of a basket and a cover having an integral hub formed as a hose shank fitting. The cover is securely placed in the open end of the cage basket. The hose is directly attached onto the hub. The cage and the cover preferably are injection molded from a high impact plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Inventor: Nami K. Sukun
  • Patent number: 5853785
    Abstract: A dry mix for preparing a slush beverage. When the dry mix is dissolved in water at a 15% solids level, the liquid has an onset melting point greater than -6.5.degree. C. and a viscosity of less than 10 mPas at 14.7.degree. C. The mix contains at least 2% of water-soluble, low-viscosity hydrocolloid and preferably contains insoluble particles to function as an ice crystal nucleating agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Inc.
    Inventors: Dalip K. Nayyar, Walter W. Schulok, Fouad Z. Saleeb, Eileen M. Modesta
  • Patent number: 5851385
    Abstract: A strainer for use with a dry hydrant having a fluid inlet includes an inlet tube having a first end and a second end, the first end being substantially capped, and the second end being connected to the dry hydrant fluid inlet. A plurality of apertures are formed in the inlet tube and are disposed between the first end and the second end. The apertures are disposed in a substantially v-shaped pattern, whereby an apex of the substantially v-shaped pattern is spaced proximal to the second end. In one embodiment of the present invention, the apertures spaced proximal to the first end of the inlet member have diameters greater than diameters of the apertures spaced proximal to the second end of the inlet member. In operation in a dry hydrant system, the strainer provides for uniform suction zone throughout the inlet pipe, and provides uniform fluid drafting flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Schlumberger Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley Leo Merrett
  • Patent number: 5846418
    Abstract: The point-of-use water treatment system for treating water to be dispensed from a container includes a filter media positioned adjacent a water input opening of the container, through which water is filtered into the container. The filter media includes a water soluble disinfectant positioned thereon or therein, with the preferred disinfectant tetraglycine hydroperiodide, chloramine-T, or calcium hypochlorite. The disinfectant dissolves in the water as it passes through the filter, and reduces the biological activity of microbiological agents in the water. A point-of-use method of the present invention which reduces microbiological contamination in a predetermined volume of water to be dispensed from a container which utilizes a filter media containing a water soluble disinfectant impregnated thereon is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Teledyne Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Martin Thompson, Daniel L. Glidden
  • Patent number: 5843307
    Abstract: A unit for the treatment of water by ozonization including, on the one hand at least one apparatus for the production of ozonized white water and, on the other hand, at least one contactor in a way that the mixing of the water to be treated and the white water occurs in said contactor. The installation for the production of ozonized white water includes a device for dissolution of ozone under pressure in a carrier liquid. In a first embodiment, allowing the treatment of high flows, a portion (typically 5 to 15%) of the main flow of the fluid to be treated is diverted to the vessel for the production of ozonized white water according to the invention, then reintroduced into the main flow within a contactor allowing the whole flow to be treated. In a second embodiment, corresponding more to the treatment of comparatively lower flows, the total flow of fluid is treated directly in the vessel for the production of ozonized white water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Gie Anjou Recherche
    Inventors: Michel Faivre, Nathalie Martin, Vincent Boisdon
  • Patent number: 5843503
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed where plastic extrudable food product is provided such as by a food cooker extruder and is mixed with an additive to form a patterned food product, such as by a pattern forming die. The cross-sectional area of the patterned food product is reduced from an inlet end to an outlet end by a factor of at least 50:1 at an average convergence angle of <45.degree. while maintaining the cross-sectional pattern to form a reduced cross-sectional patterned dough, and then is extruded through a die port having an opening equal to the reduced cross-sectional area to form a complexly patterned extrudate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Clanton, Julie L. Holmstrom, Peter A. Huberg, Gerald J. Rudolph, Scott A. Tolson, James N. Weinstein
  • Patent number: 5840353
    Abstract: A process for providing a tomato-based product comprising the following steps: a) applying ultra high pressure to a tomato piece, such that polygalacturonase is inactivated and pectinmethylesterase and preferably peroxidase are not inactivated; b) incubating the tomato piece with endogenous pectinmethylesterase to achieve a desired consistency and preferably with peroxidase to achieve a fresh aroma and/or flavour profile; and c) inactivating the pectinmethylesterase and any peroxidase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Lipton, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Wilding, Elizabeth Mary Woolner