Patents Examined by Drew Becker
  • Processed tea leaf product obtained by extrusion
    Patent number: 8524308
    Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for producing a tea wherein water-insoluble components of tea leaves have been made soluble in water and the natural umami components inherent to tea leaves have been increased. It also provides a technique for manufacturing a tea-based alcoholic drink which has “tea leaf-origin aroma”, “umami and body” and “mild alcoholic aftertaste” in a good balance. Tea leaves are processed with an extruder at a temperature of 80 to 150° C. and under a pressure of 0.2 to 30 MPa for 5 to 600 sec while supplying 1 to 100 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of the tea leaves, of water or an aqueous sugar solution, Thus, a processed tea leaf product is stably produced while avoiding blowout from the outlet. A tea extracted from this processed tea leaf product shows a significantly improved taste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Suntory Beverage & Food Limited
    Inventors: Koji Nagao, Koichi Nakahara, Hideki Maki, Mika Kimura
  • Embossed cereal piece
    Patent number: 8512782
    Abstract: A food piece with a first dough sheet having a first inner surface, a first outer surface, and a first peripheral edge. The food piece also includes a second dough sheet having a second inner surface, a second outer surface, and a second peripheral edge. The first peripheral edge of the first dough sheet is joined together with the second peripheral edge of the second dough sheet to define a perimeter. The food piece also includes an embossment positioned within the perimeter. The embossment extends upon at least one of the first outer surface and the second outer surface and includes at least one line along which the first and second dough sheets are joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Kellogg Company
    Inventors: Joseph George Akamittath, Charles Aden Smith, Dave Helsen
  • Device and a method for the micro-particulation of filter residues
    Patent number: 8512785
    Abstract: In order to specify a device (1) and a method for the micro-particulation of filtration residues comprising a mechanical treatment and a heat treatment, in particular of whey proteins in ultra-filtration whey concentrates, which in each case permit a particularly high yield of particles in a preselectable size range in a manner which spares resources, it is suggested to provide a separate heat treatment device (5) as well as a separate mechanical treatment device (9) or for the heat treatment and the mechanical treatment to be carried out separately from one another with respect to space and time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Dieter Krüsemann
  • System and methods for transporting or storing oxidatively-degradable foodstuff
    Patent number: 8512780
    Abstract: Disclosed are packaging systems and methods useful in extending the storage-life of foodstuff such as fresh fish. The packaging systems and methods can be used to transport or store the foodstuff for an extended period of time. The packaging systems preferably use a fuel cell to maintain a reduced oxygen level in the environment surrounding the foodstuff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Global Fresh Foods
    Inventors: Laurence D. Bell, David G. Schanzer, Brian J. Westcott
  • Method and apparatus for producing blocks of cheese
    Patent number: 8512792
    Abstract: A method for producing blocks of cheese from curd, wherein a curd mass is deposited in at least one cheese mold provided with a follower and in the at least one cheese mold is subjected to a vacuum treatment and pressing treatment, which pressing treatment is carried out while the at least one cheese mold is situated in a holder in which a vacuum prevails, wherein the vacuum treatment comprises at least a first and a second step, wherein in the first step in the holder with the aid of vacuum pump means a vacuum with a first vacuum pressure is created to draw air and whey entrained with the air from the curd mass, and in the second step the vacuum pressure in the holder is reduced further to a second vacuum pressure, which has a value at which the whey present in the curd mass starts to boil and residual air and free whey are pushed from the curd mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Harrie Spijkerman
  • Combined particulate solid and liquid container and method of using same
    Patent number: 8496983
    Abstract: A combined particulate solid and liquid container includes a base for holding a particulate solid; and a top removably attached to the base. The top includes a reservoir for holding a liquid and has an opening defined by a lower part projecting downwardly from the reservoir. The top also includes a port door removably attached to the opening and having a thermally-conductive insert projecting upwardly from the port door and into the reservoir when the port door covers the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Guateplast S.A.
    Inventors: Susan Rybar Michaeli, Roberto Tomas Rybar
  • Capsule for the preparation of a beverage
    Patent number: 8491948
    Abstract: Capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage machine comprising an enclosure containing one or more beverage ingredients, filtering means delimiting at least one filtering side of the enclosure, beverage flow guiding means for guiding the beverage to a beverage outlet of the capsule, a shell and a protective cover that is attached to the shell in order to form a gas tight container for the beverage ingredients. The capsule further comprises an overflow wall that is positioned in the path of the brewed liquid after the filtering means and comprises at least one overflow aperture. The capsule further comprises opening means comprising an opening element configured to open the gas-tight container in order to create the beverage outlet. The beverage flow guiding means and the opening element are integrally housed in the gas-tight container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Matthieu Ozanne, Loic D'Hoine, Joel Bourdeau
  • Cat treat
    Patent number: 8491950
    Abstract: A pet treat having a sugar-based edible portion including a palatant material and a support portion. Incorporation of starch provides a hard-candy texture for the edible portion. The pet treat may be formed as a lollipop, a toy, or a lozenge using either a batch process or a continuous process. Features to interest a pet include a resilient mount, or a rotatable mount. An adhesive mount can attach the support to a variety of surfaces. A replaceable cover and rejuvenant container may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Del Monte Corporation
    Inventors: Tracy Grammer, Davor Juravic, William Keehn, Steven Bautista, Eric J. Lew
  • OTG (on the go) specialty multi-beverage container systems
    Patent number: 8475856
    Abstract: A multi-beverage container and mixing system to increase the convenience of mixing and transporting a variety of powder-based beverages in a single unit. The multi-beverage container employs a lid equipped with compartments designed to house multiple powder drink mixes and a container housing designed to accommodate water for mixing. At user activation, powder drink mix is released from a compartment and is mixed with the water to create the desired beverage for instant consumption by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: Andrew Sheehan
  • Method and system for preparing a liquid extract from a cell using centrifugal forces
    Patent number: 8475860
    Abstract: A method for preparing a liquid comestible from a cell by passing liquid through the substance using centrifugal forces, wherein gas contained in the cell is controllably purged from the cell as liquid fills the cell. In one embodiment, the method includes prewetting the substance in the cell by filling liquid in the cell and rotating the cell at a first rotational speed; and then extracting the liquid comestible from the cell in an extraction phase which comprises continuing to fill liquid into the cell and rotating the cell at a second rotational speed that is higher than the first rotational speed. The invention also discloses a cell for use in these methods which cell includes a filter for preventing solids from being carried by gas during the gas purge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Colantonio, Enzo Bonacci, Jean-Paul Denisart, Alfred Yoakim, Antoine Ryser
  • System and method for producing a dehydrated food product
    Patent number: 8460731
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing a dried food product said process comprising treating a dried food with an aqueous acidulant, in an amount and for a period of time which is sufficient to modify a surface of the food to increase water permeability; dehydrating the acidified food to obtain a desired moisture content with heat; cooling the heated dehydrated acidified food; and infusing the cooled dehydrated acidified food with an infusate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Jack G. Mazin
  • Systems and methods for processing eggs
    Patent number: 8455030
    Abstract: A method for processing a package of eggs is disclosed which comprises adjusting a position of one or more of the eggs, after the eggs have been placed in the package, so that each of the eggs assumes a particular orientation within the package. In some embodiments, the method may also comprise marking information on a surface of one or more of the eggs after the position of the one or more of the eggs has been adjusted. Additionally, in some embodiments, the position of the one or more eggs may be adjusted using an egg orienter positioned above a conveyor of an egg packing station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: TEN Media, LLC
    Inventors: Mitchell Barry Chait, Allan Irwin Brown, Marco Armand Hegyi, Greg Anderson
  • Method and system for determining level of doneness in a cooking process
    Patent number: 8455027
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining when meat is cooked to a desired degree of doneness, the method continuously calculating the arithmetic integral of the meat's temperature (T) minus some threshold temperature (Tt) to determine an Energy Impulse (EI) value. Each level of doneness for a particular type of meat is represented by a range of EI values resulting from the integration of a time-based function of the meat's temperature. When the desired EI value is reached, the meat has been cooked to the desired doneness level, a signal is generated that indicates the meat is cooked to the desired doneness level and the cooking process is terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Robert Hyram Samples, Jr.
  • Systems and methods for processing eggs
    Patent number: 8455026
    Abstract: A package of eggs is disclosed which comprises a plurality of eggs arranged in one or more rows. The eggs are further arranged in the package so that a long axis of each egg in the package is offset no more than a particular number degrees from a long axis of each other egg in the package. Further, a package of eggs is disclosed which comprises a plurality of eggs arranged in one or more rows, wherein eggs are arranged in the package such that long axes of all of the eggs in each row of eggs in the package form approximate right angles with respect to a line intercepting bottoms of receptacles holding the eggs in such a row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: TEN Media, LLC
    Inventors: Mitchell Barry Chait, Allan Irwin Brown, Marco Armand Hegyi, Greg Anderson
  • Method for preparing a beverage or food liquid and system using brewing centrifugal force
    Patent number: 8431175
    Abstract: A capsule, device, system and method for preparing a liquid food or beverage. The capsule comprises an enclosure containing one or more extractable or infusible ingredients and configured and dimensioned to have a perimeter and be radially symmetrical about a central axis to facilitate rotation; and an opening arrangement that allows liquid food to leave the capsule after passing through the ingredient(s), wherein the opening arrangement is configured and positioned near or upon the perimeter of the enclosure to allow the liquid food to leave the capsule radially due to the application of the centrifugal forces. The method and device introduce liquid into the capsule to form the liquid food while applying centrifugal forces to the capsule to urge the liquid to pass through the ingredient(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Alfred Yoakim, Jean-Paul Denisart, Antoine Ryser, Alexandre Perentes
  • Capsule for infusion beverages
    Patent number: 8420139
    Abstract: The invention relates to a capsule and a device for preparing an infusion beverage, such as coffee, tea, or milk beverages. The capsule comprises two parallel extending wall sections, which are connected to each other by a sealing connection. A pressurized liquid or gaseous medium can be conducted through an access to the sealing connection of the capsule with the aid of a supply line in a holder of the device such that the sealing connection is partially undone. As a result, an opening is produced in the capsule. An infusion fluid can be conducted through the opening, wherein the fluid can then become mixed with a powder or granules present in the capsule into an infusion beverage. The infusion beverage can be discharged through a further opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Nestec S. A.
    Inventor: Jacques Richiger
  • Galvanic package for fruits and vegetables and preservation method
    Patent number: 8420140
    Abstract: A package for fruits and vegetables having galvanic functionality is formed by using two or more metals with different galvanic activity properties on the surface of a nonmetallic substrate. The metals may be deposited electrolytically, by vacuum, autocatalytically, or by other methods. The metals are selected to create a galvanic reaction after the package is filled with a low pH food product and its associated liquids, juices, brine, etc. The package may extend the shelf-life of the food product contained therein, for example, by making metal ions available to the food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Del Monte Corporation
    Inventors: Karim Nafisi-Movaghar, Loren Druz
  • Food package for segregating ingredients of a multi-component food product
    Patent number: 8409645
    Abstract: A food package for segregating ingredients of a multi-component food product, such as the multiple components of a sandwich, the package comprising an outer container to house a first food component and at least one flexible envelope or barrier film layer that encloses at least one intermediate food component allowing for separation of the intermediate food component during extended periods of storage and prior to opening the product. A method for opening the package comprises applying a pulling force to an externally located protruding end portion of the envelope, such that the envelope peels apart and separates into ruptured layers that are pulled out of the food product and out of the outer container by the continual pulling force from the protruding end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC
    Inventors: Daniel R. Feldmeier, Metty Poei, Mary Amanda Lamp, Brian Patrick Lawless, Paul Edward Doll, David J. Smith, Edward L. Dickinson, Patsy Anthony Coppola, Stephen K. Guerrera, Gregorio Ramon Maramba Abesames
  • Single-use capsule for preparing a food liquid by centrifugation
    Patent number: 8409646
    Abstract: A single-use capsule for preparing a food liquid from a food substance contained in the capsule by introducing water in the capsule and passing water through the substance using centrifugal forces for producing the food liquid which is centrifuged peripherally in the capsule relatively to a central axis (A) of the capsule. The capsule includes an enclosure containing a predetermined amount of food substance, and a plurality of outlet openings for enabling the food liquid to leave the enclosure under the centrifugal forces exerted in the capsule, with the outlet openings being arranged at a substantially peripheral portion of wall of the capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Alfred Yoakim, Jean-Paul Denisart, Antoine Ryser
  • Method for shaping a food product by cryoextrusion employing predictive temperature regulation
    Patent number: 8404290
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is a method for shaping at least one food product by cryoextrusion, the extruder being provided with a double-walled jacket surrounding the extrusion screw and through which jacket a coolant flows, this jacket consisting of a single module or several independent modules, the cryoextrusion being temperature-regulated on the basis of a curve, determined for said product to be cryoextruded, representing, plotted on the X-axis, the difference D between the actual temperature of the product and the desired temperature setting for the product at the exit and, plotted on the Y-axis, the setting to be applied for the gas temperature at the exit of the module or modules, the curve being split into three linear zones: an abrupt (steep-slope) zone, around a difference D close to 0, surrounded by two quasi-plateau zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Franck Cousin, Willy Frederick, Pierre Kowalewski, Didier Alo