Patents Examined by Drew Becker
  • Patent number: 8668947
    Abstract: A first preliminary product comprising individual frozen pieces of a first food and a second preliminary product comprising individual frozen pieces of a second food are combined by precompacting the frozen individual pieces of the first preliminary product in a premolding process so as to form a concavity in the first preliminary product and placing the frozen individual pieces of the second preliminary product into the concavity of the first preliminary product to form a single frozen starting product that is put into at least one mold cavity. There the single frozen starting product is molded into a ready-to-prepare frozen end product by compacting the single frozen starting product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nienstedt GmbH
    Inventors: Petra Groneberg-Nienstedt, Michael Gutmann
  • Patent number: 8663726
    Abstract: An object is to provide a method and an apparatus for lapping strip-shaped food dough onto a transporting unit without repeatedly applying tension or relaxation. A method of lapping food dough in which strip-shaped food dough being continuously conveyed is lapped onto the transporting unit configured to transport the food dough in a direction intersecting a conveyance direction of the food dough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Rheon Automatic Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Oderaotoshi, Tomokuni Akutsu, Hiroyuki Okaizumi, Norio Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8658234
    Abstract: A method of in-molding a food item in a package defining at least one cavity for holding the food item and having an opening for accessing the food item. Liquid food product is introduced into the at least one cavity and allowed to solidify to form a solid food product, which is then unseated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Lion Rock Licensing Corp.
    Inventors: David Smith, David Riemersma, Mark Peters, Kevin Keough
  • Patent number: 8658232
    Abstract: A capsule system for preparing beverages by centrifugation of a capsule in a centrifuging brewing device. The system includes a set of different capsules each one for selectively delivering a beverage having specific characteristics that differ from the other capsules of the set. The capsules have a body with a sidewall and a free rim, an upper wall and an extractable or infusible ingredient therein. The capsules are configured with an insertion diameter of the body of the capsule designed for insertion in a rotary capsule holder of the centrifuge brewing device in a referential position, wherein the different capsules in the set having bodies of different storage volumes obtained by a variable depths of the body in the set but the same insertion diameter for all capsules of the set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Alfred Yoakim, Jean-Paul Denisart, Antoine Ryser, Alexandre Perentes
  • Patent number: 8647692
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a combined process for generating steam in a steam-baking oven. The oven (2) comprises a baking chamber (3) containing at least one air heating element (10) and at least one fan (4) to keep the air moving inside the baking chamber (3); the oven (2) is associated with a steam generator (5) and is connected to a water supply (6). The combined process includes a saturation step, in which the steam generator (5) is activated until a substantial steam saturation is obtained in the baking chamber (3), and a spraying step in which the steam generator (5) is deactivated and the steam is produced by spraying water onto the heating elements (10); the steam generator (5) is temporarily and periodically activated during the spraying step to keep the steam quality substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Giorik S.p.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Giazzon, Massimo Tesser, Paolo Candiago
  • Patent number: 8623438
    Abstract: A dehydrated avocado in pieces that is a semi-porous, rigid and fragile solid preserving the organoleptic properties of the fresh fruit and having a dry base weight chemical composition of 17.6 grams to 30.4 grams of carbohydrates, 6.8 grams to 8.4 grams of proteins, 61.2 grams to 69.2 grams of oil, 0.5 grams to 1.5 grams of water and 5.6 grams to 8.4 grams of fiber is produced selecting the avocado at a ripeness level higher than the climacteric maximum; pre-cooling; scalding; cutting the tip, wherein the tip is the section of the fruit immediately behind the petiole; removing the skin; slicing with the pit included; applying vacuum and microwave dehydration; and removing the pit sections from the slices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventors: Erwin Hermann Schlager Riebl, Marco Antonio Fedelli Garrido
  • Patent number: 8609168
    Abstract: The invention relates to a food cooking control method and device. The method includes the following steps in which: at least one temperature detection device is inserted into a food; a final equilibrium temperature is defined; the detection device is positioned inside the food in a pre-determined detection zone so that a temperature (TC) can be obtained at all times during cooking; the TC temperature data obtained are processed using the detection device; the temperature of the surface through which the food receives heat (TP) is determined and processed and the variation in temperature TC is evaluated at least to the first derivative. The device includes a detection device intended to be inserted into the food, a device for determining the thickness of the food and a device for inserting the detection device into the food to a pre-determined depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Point Just, S.L.
    Inventors: Joan Ceravalls Pujol, Jose Bosch I Estrada, Jose Maria Gomez Cama, Francisco Miguel Tarzan Lorente, Antonio Pardo Martinez
  • Patent number: 8609167
    Abstract: The disclosure is a method of operating a commercial cooking equipment, in particular a hot-air steamer or fan oven, comprising the following method steps: a) selecting a product requiring cooking having an assigned cooking program or selecting at least one cooking parameter having assigned selectable products; b) loading the cooking equipment with a selected product; c) starting the associated cooking program; d) displaying the name of the program and at least the remaining cooking time; e) associating in automated manner further products or cooking programs that fit in with the cooking program of the first selected product in dependence on cooking parameters, in particular, the cooking temperature and/or the cooking humidity and/or the fan speed; f) displaying the selectable products or selectable cooking programs; g) selecting, on demand, a further product which matches the first product in accordance with the associating process; h) loading the cooking equipment with the further product; i) starting the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Convotherm Elektrogerate GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Ernst, Lutz Riefenstein
  • Patent number: 8591976
    Abstract: A pouch, designed to be attached, either directly or indirectly, to a container, is provided with two end portions, each of which is formed with an elongated slit. When the pouch is directly attached atop a container, the end portions are pulled over the lid and catch a rim portion of the container. When the pouch is placed upon a lid covered container, the end portions of the pouch can catch or engage the lid. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a pair of spaced slits extends from each elongated slit, thereby creating a tab or flap in each end portion. The flap is configured to either directly catch a rim of the container or be tucked under the lid, i.e., between the lid and the container, to attach the pouch to the lid and, indirectly, the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil E. Zaporski, Anthony W. Swenson
  • Patent number: 8591977
    Abstract: A method for filtering beer, wherein the beer to be produced is guided into a filter. For the improvement of the filtering output, the beer to be produced is subjected to a shaking process before being introduced into the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Ralf Schneid
  • Patent number: 8580325
    Abstract: Vase apparatus and decorating methods for associating flowers and other decorative items with cakes and other food products are described. Vase embodiments include a water-holding reservoir having a bottom wall, an upright rim, and plural flower-stem-receiving wells. Each well is defined by at least one well wall depending from the bottom wall and has an opening capable of receiving water from the reservoir. Vase embodiments may include a reservoir of various shapes and sizes. Vases may be placed on a cake or other food product permitting the cake or food product to be attractively and easily decorated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventors: M. Kathleen Meisinger, David A. Meisinger
  • Patent number: 8574646
    Abstract: A solid food product is molded in a mold cavity and is thereafter packaged in the mold cavity. The mold cavity is formed in a sheet and includes a side wall which extends from the sheet and a bottom wall which includes an inverting portion which extends from said side wall and a central portion. The central potion of the bottom wall includes a plurality of ridges which form a decorative design. A liquid food product is introduced into the mold cavity and allowed to solidify to form a molded solid food product. The central portion of the bottom wall is thereafter pushed into the mold cavity to invert said inverting potion and to push the molded food product away from the central portion of the bottom wall. The molded food product includes ridges which correspond to the ridges in the bottom wall of the mold cavity. A lid is attached to the sheet to enclose and package the molded food product within the mold cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Lion Rock Licensing Corp.
    Inventors: David Smith, David Riemersma, Mark Peters, Kevin Keough
  • Patent number: 8574653
    Abstract: An extrusion process incorporates a forming manifold where a tubular flow of a second material is intermittently interrupted while a core flow of a first material is discharged substantially continuously. Subsequently, the core flow is severed to form individual food items or treats for humans, animals, and the like, where the tubular flow results in an outer component surrounding an inner component which protrudes from one or both ends of the outer component. Material of the core flow is bone-like, while material of the tubular flow is meat like. Material of the tubular flow may include material from the core flow subjected to mixing in a static mixer to achieve a marbled texture of the outer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Del Monte Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Barnvos, Hilda Fleischman, Davor Juravic, William Keehn, Steven Bautista, Eric J. Lew, Yomayra Diaz, Franjo Baltorinic
  • Patent number: 8563057
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a smokable planar or hose-type food casing or food casing film for food packagings, such as, e.g., sausage casings, shrink bags or the like on polymer basis, which is for the first time manufactured in the jet-blasting process from a homogeneous molten plastic material consisting of a plastic mixture consisting of at least of PA (polyamide) with PVAL (polyvinyl alcohol) and PEBAX (polyether block amide). The food casing or food casing film has a water vapor permeability that is at least 1 kg/m2 within 24 h. Its oxygen permeability at a film thickness of 30 ?m is less than 2.1 cm3/m2 within 24 h. Moreover the present invention for the first time proposes a method for manufacturing it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Kuhne Anlagenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Jürgen Schiffmann
  • Patent number: 8563065
    Abstract: Extruded, directly expanded, high fiber reduced calorie food products, such as a ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal or sweet or savory snack, are produced at high production rates without substantial loss of extrusion functionality and extrudability by replacing a substantial portion of at least one flour with a gelatinized, enzyme-resistant starch type III ingredient or bulking agent as a reduced-calorie, high fiber flour replacer. The resistant starch type III ingredient or bulking agent contains an enzyme-resistant starch type III having a melting point with an endothermic peak temperature of at least about 140° C., and may have a water-holding capacity of less than 3 grams water per gram of the starch-based bulking agent. The total dietary fiber retention of the gelatinized, starch-based bulking agent may be at least about 90% by weight after extrusion using a die temperature of least about 100° C., and a die pressure of at least about 150 psig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Global Brands LLC
    Inventors: Jeanny E. Zimeri, Lynn Haynes, Allan R. Olson, Vijay Kumar Arora, Louise Slade, Harry Levine, Meera Kweon
  • Patent number: 8551548
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing co-extruded food products, comprising the processing steps of: A) co-extruding an elongate dough strand with an enclosing casing, B) bringing the encased elongate food strand into contact with a salt solution for a maximum of 5 seconds, and C) dividing the encased elongate food strand into separate products. The present invention also relates to a device for manufacturing co-extruded food products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Stork Townsend B.V.
    Inventors: Marcus Bernhard Hubert Bontjer, Sigebertus Johannes Jacobus Jozef Meggelaars, Paulus Johanus Maria Thoonsen, Kasper Willem Van Den Berg
  • Patent number: 8551545
    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. Another method for opening comprises heating the container such that the barrier film layer ruptures upon heating, thus providing for components of the food product to combine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC
    Inventors: Daniel R. Feldmeier, Metty Poei, Mary Amanda Lamp, Brian Patrick Lawless, David J. Smith, Edward L. Dickinson, Patsy Anthony Coppola, Stephen K. Guerrera, Robert Reid Andrews
  • Patent number: 8541037
    Abstract: A packaged bottle beverage has a base component of the beverage in a container wider vacuum separate from an additive in a sealed compartment of an ingredient release closure. Upon opening the sealed compartment, suction is created forcing the additive to quickly and thoroughly exit the ingredient release closure, a region of relatively higher pressure, and flow into the base component in the container, a region of relatively lower pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Georgia Crown Distributing Co.
    Inventor: James Clayton Bell
  • Patent number: 8541038
    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: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC
    Inventors: Daniel R. Feldmeier, Metty Poei, Mary Amanda Lamp, Brian Patrick Lawless, Paul Edward Doll, Edward L. Dickinson, Patsy Anthony Coppola, Stephen K. Guerrera, David J. Smith, Gregorio Ramon Maramba Abesames
  • Patent number: 8535744
    Abstract: A device and method for creating fruit juice utilizing a flexible bag having an upper fruit receiving portion for receiving a piece of fruit therein and a lower juice receiving portion, such portions separated by a mesh screen. There is a resealable closure member at the top of the fruit receiving portion. The flexible bag with fruit therein is then frozen and later thawed. The fruit receiving portion with fruit therein is squeezed to release juice from the fruit which passes through the mesh screen into the juice receiving portion which is accessible through a channel defined in the fruit receiving portion and mesh screen through which a straw can be passed into the juice receiving portion for drinking the juice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventor: Hamid Taghaddos