Patents Examined by Drew E Becker
  • Food condition maintaining device
    Patent number: 9962037
    Abstract: The inventive food holding apparatus comprises a holding area that accommodates food and warms the food with heat radiated by a bottom surface and with warm convection air. Part of the convection air forms an air curtain having a Bernoulli effect that removes excess moisture from the external surface of the food and maintains the food in a warm, crisp condition. The apparatus conditions food to attain a biologically safe noncooking temperature and to retain its freshly cooked texture and internal moisture for more than two hours. This lets restaurants serve the food longer to its customers, allowing efficient batch cooking and significantly decreasing food waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Meister Cook, LLC
    Inventor: Erik Magner
  • System and method for manufacturing pet treats by high-pressure processing
    Patent number: 9961920
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing cattle ears into pet treats by high-pressure processing are provided. The cattle ears are covered with a liquid, such as water, and exposed to high hydrostatic pressures for about one minute. The high hydrostatic pressures remove hair and implants from the cattle ears while preserving the texture and consistency of the ears, which are appealing to dogs and other pets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: JBS USA, LLC
    Inventors: Rebecca Deveau-Greene, LaWayne Larson
  • Method for producing stuffed food and corresponding unit
    Patent number: 9943100
    Abstract: This method for producing stuffed food(s), each stuffed food including an outer envelope in a first food product, and an inner stuffing in a second food product, includes the following steps: providing a sheet of the first food product, and a roller of the second food product, and winding the sheet around the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: FROMAGERIES BEL
    Inventors: Victor Da Ponte, Gerard Soudiere, Dominique Queste
  • Coffee maker and coffee brewing method based on color
    Patent number: 9936835
    Abstract: A coffee maker and a method of brewing coffee are disclosed. The coffee maker includes a first roaster fitted, a second roaster fitted, and a funnel detachably attached to the first roaster providing a passage for a first amount and a second amount of coffee beans. Further, a grinder including a discharge door and a blade is detachably attached to a bottom of the funnel, a brewing container detachably attached to the bottom of the grinder. A color panel is included with a plurality of buttons, each of the plurality of the buttons corresponds to a color of a coffee desired after brewing, and a coffee-color controller configured to control the first temperature and the second temperature of the first roaster and the second roaster, respectively, based on the color of the coffee selected from the color panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Inventor: Abdullah Ghali Alshammary
  • Cooking aid
    Patent number: 9913480
    Abstract: A cooking aid includes a sheet of flexible burn resistant material and a composition disposed on one face of the sheet. The composition contains a mixture of vegetable or animal oil with a melting point below 20° C., vegetable or animal fat with a melting point above 20° C., and one or more herbs, spices and flavor enhancers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Jose Krauch, Peter Hangarter, Johan Jacob Van Der Pol, Jorg Resemann
  • Slow compression stretch packaging
    Patent number: 9888694
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for controlling temperature loss and shrinkage of meat after an animal is slaughtered for food. Shrinkage is controlled by compressing the meat during cooling, the compression offsetting a natural tendency of the meat to contract and providing a measure of control over the shaping of the meat. Apparatus for the process includes one or more rigid rings for placement around the meat. Each ring is wrapped with a thread secured rigidly to one side of the ring and secured movably to the other side such as to allow the length of thread on the second side of the rigid ring to form at least one winding around the meat. As the meat cools, the thread shrinks, applying the thermal contraction of the thread along the ring to constrict the winding around and thus longitudinally elongate the meat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin William Millar
  • Grill accessory for providing food access and maintaining airflow control
    Patent number: 9883771
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a grill accessory for use with a kamado-style grill to enable a user to control the flow of heat throughout the grill and maintain temperature of the cooking chamber. The grill accessory may enable a user to control the flow of heat throughout the grill, providing the user with greater customization of cooking options. The grill accessory may further enable a user to visually inspect a cooking food item while reducing the amount of heat loss from the grill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: CAMANDER, INC.
    Inventor: Cortlandt Minnich
  • Method and apparatus for pasteurizing shell eggs using radio frequency heating
    Patent number: 9883682
    Abstract: Radio frequency (RF) energy is used to quickly heat the yolk portion of a shell egg. An anode and corresponding cathode are applied to each individual egg. As the egg is selectively and systematically rotated, RF energy and a stream of cooling fluid (preferably water) are simultaneously applied to the egg. This initiates pasteurization of the egg yolk while maintaining a low temperature in the heat-sensitive albumen (egg white) thus preventing denaturation of the albumen. Immediately after the RF yolk heating process, the egg is placed in a hot water bath designed to rapidly pasteurize the albumen as well as to minimize heat loss from the yolk and pasteurize any portion of the yolk that is not already pasteurized through the RF yolk heating process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignees: The United States of America, as represented by The Secretary of Agriculture, Trustees of Princeton
    Inventors: David J. Geveke, Andrew B. W. Bigley, Christopher D. Brunkhorst
  • Food toasting pouch
    Patent number: 9192263
    Abstract: A food toasting device comprising a pouch and optionally, a handle. A method of using the food toasting device comprising placing a desired quantity of a food product, such as nuts, in the pouch of the food toasting device, placing the food toasting device into an appliance for heating, turning on the appliance so that the food product is exposed to the desired amount of heat, waiting until the food product is sufficiently toasted, and removing the food toasting device containing the food product from the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Netcentrics Corporation
    Inventors: Dean Howard Hering, John Robert Dixon, Robert John Dougherty
  • Method of processing wheat flour, processed wheat flour obtained by the method and food utilizing the processed wheat flour
    Patent number: 9185916
    Abstract: A method of processing wheat flour that without detriment to secondary processability, improves the flavor and palate feelings thereof; processed wheat flour obtained by the processing method; and food utilizing the processed wheat flour. The method is characterized in that 10 to 55 pts·wt. of ethyl alcohol is homogeneously dispersed in 100 pts·wt. of wheat flour under such conditions that the total water content is ?20 wt. %, followed by evaporation of ethyl alcohol therefrom at ?50° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: LOTTE CO., LTD
    Inventors: Masanori Ito, Kazuhiro Sano, Takahiro Kitamura, Koji Murakami, Toshiyuki Koyama
  • Apparatus for cooking
    Patent number: 8911812
    Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a cooking apparatus for cooking a foodstuff. The cooking apparatus comprises a vessel configured to accept, in use, liquid therein; a closing sub-assembly configured to be releasably coupled to the vessel, the closing sub-assembly defining an aperture; a steam leading tube operatively coupled to the aperture, the steam leading tube configured to provide a passage, in use, for the steam generated within the vessel from the liquid towards an interior of the foodstuff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: Eduardo C. Suarez—Mason
  • Food steaming method and apparatus
    Patent number: 8828467
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for steam cooking food items in two consecutive steps whereby the food items contained in a food carrier are first preheated in water in a container which is being heated by a heater. After the food items are at or near the cooking temperature, the food carrier is raised above the water and into steam. A cover may be placed on the container so as to retain the steam within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Inventor: Kurt H. Roth
  • Apparatus and methods for reheating wedge shaped food products, such as one or more pizza slices
    Patent number: 8778435
    Abstract: Apparatus for heating a wedge-shaped food product, such as one or more slices of pizza, includes an assembly and a handle mechanically connected with the assembly. The assembly includes a first arm including a side wall and a floor, and a second arm including a side wall and a floor. The second arm is pivotably connected with the first arm such that the wedge-shaped food product can be held between the first arm and the second arm with the wedge-shaped food product being supported by the floors of the first and second arms and abutting the side walls of the first and second arms. Additional supports may be provided between the arms. The handle may be removeably connected with the assembly, for example, via a riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: John C. Pokotylo
  • Method and modular system for preparing a granulated confectionary product for making cores or pastilles
    Patent number: 8778434
    Abstract: A method and system for preparing a granulated product, whereby one or more ingredients are first ground in a centrifugal grinding unit, and then granulated in a centrifugal granulating unit before being fed to a centrifugal mixing and flavoring unit; each of the centrifugal units having a tubular outer shell having an axis and defining a processing chamber; and a powered shaft housed in the shell, coaxially with the axis, and fitted with a row of appendixes projecting radially from, and connected integrally and interchangeably to, the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Soremartec S.A.
    Inventor: Fabio Federici
  • Self-making bread method, bread machine and bread ingredient box thereof
    Patent number: 8778426
    Abstract: The self-making bread method includes: weighing a certain amount of ingredients according to a bread recipe and placing them in a bread ingredient box; putting the bread ingredient box into the corresponding containing region of the top portion of the bread machine; using the jagged ring of the bottom portion of said containing region to open the thin film of the bottom portion of the bread ingredient box, so the ingredients will fall into the mixing container in the bread machine; controlling the water delivering mechanism inside the bread machine to deliver a certain amount of water into said mixing container; starting the mixing device inside the bread machine, which mixes the ingredients into an appropriate dough; turning off the mixing device; energizing the electric heating tube in the bread machine, to bake the dough inside the mixing container into bread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen (Zhangzhou) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih Ming Wen, Shangqian Gao
  • Method for enhancing food safety
    Patent number: 8747929
    Abstract: The present invention relates to adhesive labels for use in food safety labeling systems and methods of using the adhesive labels to enhance food safety and food rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventor: J. Michael Milliorn
  • Device and method to simulate cooking stuffing in a bird
    Patent number: 8741374
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for simulating cooking stuffing in a bird, such as a turkey. Stuffing prepared with the device and method of the invention has both the appearance and taste of cooked-in-the-bird stuffing. In addition, the device and method of the invention allows the user to prepare simulated cooked-in-the-bird stuffing at any time, in any quantity and in less time compared to the several hours usually needed to cook stuffing in a bird. The invention, therefore, provides all the benefits of cooked-in-the-bird stuffing without the safety concerns of bacterial contamination when cooked in a bird.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventor: Kristy R. Mikula
  • Food product forming apparatus and process
    Patent number: 8741367
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a food product-forming apparatus, with a movable form-body, in which the food product is formed, and a knock out cup, which executes a knock-out-movement, that removes the food product from the form-body, whereas the knock out cup comprises an at least partially permeable bottom, through which a fluid-medium can be ejected and whereas, during the knock-out movement, a fluid-medium cushion is created, at least temporarily beneath the permeable bottom. The present invention furthermore comprises a process for the production of food products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: CFS Bakel B.V.
    Inventors: Hendrikus Petrus Gerardus Van Gerwen, Jacobus Johannes Maria Van Der Laak
  • Stuffed dough pocket with grasping extension
    Patent number: 8734875
    Abstract: A food product includes a pocket formed from dough, a portion of a food stuffing material captured within the pocket, and a protrusion coupled to the pocket. The protrusion is capable of being grasped and, when so grasped, the pocket is capable of being supported by the protrusion. A method of manufacturing such a food product is also disclosed. The food product relates to pocket-foods such as pierogies, ravioli, and similar foods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Innovaport LLC
    Inventor: John T. Pienkos
  • Systems and methods for processing eggs
    Patent number: 8715757
    Abstract: A package of eggs is disclosed which comprises a plurality of eggs arranged in one or more rows. The eggs are arranged in the package so that a long axis of each egg in the package is tilted toward the back of the package so as to be at least slightly offset from vertical. In some embodiments, each of the eggs in the package may have information laser marked on it in substantially the same location as the other eggs in the package, and the eggs may be oriented in the package such that information marked on each egg faces substantially the same direction as the information marked on the other eggs in the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: TEN Media, LLC
    Inventors: Mitchell Barry Chait, Allan Irwin Brown, Marco Armand Hegyi, Greg Anderson