Patents Examined by Helen Pratt
  • Patent number: 6586036
    Abstract: A process for significantly increasing the rate of hydration of food crop seeds, such as brown and wild rice, without loss of the nutritious and beneficial portions of the seeds, is disclosed. In this process, the seed of interest is bombarded with an abrasive particulate, which is preferably entrained in a pressurized stream of gas, sufficient to create microperforations in the water resistant outer coat of said seed. These microperforations in the treated seed significantly increase the rate of hydration of the seed and hence decrease cooking time accordingly. Moreover, this process effects improved hydration without removing any significant portions of the outer coat or layers of the seed which lie underneath the outer coat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventor: Harmeet S. Guraya
  • Patent number: 6579559
    Abstract: The invention provides a treating method of forming a protection layer having strong abrasion resistance and oxidation resistance and having a thickness of micron order of a surface of a polished grain or a processed granular material obtained by kneading and solidifying a starch so as to make it hard to be changed in quality, thereby improving a storage capacity for a long time. Further, the invention provides a treating method of forming a fine particulate starch attached to the grain or the granular material into a paste state so as to combine with the protection layer. The surface treating method has a step of applying a high humidity hot wind to the polished grain or the granular material so as to heat a surface layer portion, a step of forming a starch in the heated portion into a paste state and further making the starch into an alpha state, and a step of cooling and forming a fine layer of the alpha starch on the surface portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Ochi International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiichi Isogaya
  • Patent number: 6576277
    Abstract: Methods of making a calcium fortified, tartaric acid-containing product that is essentially free of tartrate precipitates, and products made by this method. The tartaric acid concentration of a precursor is adjusted to form an adjusted precursor. An additive containing a calcium-based compound is mixed with the adjusted precursor to make the fortified product. The compound may be calcium gluconate, a variety of other compounds or mixtures thereof. The fortified product, when stored at approximately 70° F., may remain essentially free of tartrate precipitate for at least sixteen weeks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Welch Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Stacy A. Livisay, James P. Lavoie
  • Patent number: 6576286
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions of cactus fruit extracts combined with ginseng berry extracts and foods and drink products made therefrom. The novel beverages and extracts of the present invention may be used in food products and drinks to enhance flavor and nutritional value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: E Excel International
    Inventor: Jau-Fei Chen
  • Patent number: 6576281
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method for inhibiting trimethylamine formation per se from raw fishery products by incorporating trehalose and/or maltitol, an agent having trehalose and/or maltitol as effective ingredients to inhibit trimethylamine formation per se from raw fishery products, and an edible fishery product with satisfactory flavor and taste obtained by using the method or the agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Hayashibara Seibutsu Kagaku Kenkyujo
    Inventors: Hiroto Chaen, Kazuyuki Oku, Toshio Miyake
  • Patent number: 6572914
    Abstract: The present invention relates to beverage supply systems for beverages comprising a flavor composition which comprises an oil phase and an aqueous phase. The flavor composition is concentrated such that it can separate into aqueous and oil phase under usual transport conditions and is provided in a unitized quantity corresponding to a batch supply for dilution to the desired beverage or an integer fraction of such a single batch supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Co.
    Inventor: Axel Horst Borlinghaus
  • Patent number: 6572908
    Abstract: The use of a highly acidic metalated organic acid composition (“HAMO”) as a food additive. The HAMO is used to reduce biological contaminants, and thus preserve, a nutriment. The HAMO is being absorbed in, or adsorbed on, a nutriment material to give a prepared nutriment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Mionix Corporation
    Inventors: Maurice Clarence Kemp, Robert Blaine Lalum, David E. Lewis, Robert H. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 6572906
    Abstract: The present invention provide an anti-fading agent for a pigment, characterized by comprising as active ingredients at least one oligosaccharide selected from the group consisting of nigerooligosaccharide, maltooligosaccharide and panose, when so required, in addition of an antioxidant. The anti-fading agent of the invention can advantageously inhibit fading in colors (including fading in colors by light irradiation and heat treatment) of natural pigments such as anthocyanin-based pigments, flavonoid-based pigments, carotenoid-based pigments and the like, and is useful for colored beverage and food products, pharmaceutical drugs, cosmetics and the like with which the fading in colors may be a problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: San-Ei Gen F.F.I., Inc.
    Inventors: Yutaka Higashimura, Kazuhiro Emura, Noriko Kuze, Junko Shirai, Takatoshi Koda
  • Patent number: 6569482
    Abstract: A method for surface treating animal tissue is provided by the invention. The method includes the steps of providing animal tissue having an average size of between about 0.5 inch and about 16 inches in length, introducing the animal tissue into a bath provided at a temperature of between about 80° C. and about 150° C. for between about 25 seconds and about 150 seconds, and recovering the animal tissue from the water bath. A pasteurization unit is provided for continuous processing of animal tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Excel Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Schaefer, Jerome D. Leising, M. James Riemann
  • Patent number: 6569477
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel compositions containing calcium and/or other minerals (as single mineral compositions or as multiple mineral compositions), methods for making these compositions, and methods for delivering the compositions. The compositions provide soluble bioavailable calcium and/or other minerals at a high concentration due to the high solubility attained through the processing method contained in this patent. Addition by these methods of other mineral(s) to calcium increases the stability and solubility of the calcium. The compositions of the present invention are powders that can be reconstituted in aqueous solutions. The compositions of the present invention also are very stable, allowing for a long shelf life of the compositions and of foods supplemented with the compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Mintech, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven N. Lederman
  • Patent number: 6569487
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for processing vegetable products comprising an aqueous fraction, for producing vegetable-based foods. The invention is characterized in that it consists in: arranging vegetable products and crystallized sugar in a chamber, the weight of sugar representing at least 20% of the vegetable product weight; allowing the sugar to flow by gravity inside the chamber around the vegetable products, while maintaining the chamber at a temperature not higher than room temperature; recirculating the sugar which has flowed to the base of the chamber, so as to ensure that it is constantly circulated around the vegetable products and that the sugar is absorbed by the vegetable products, and that part of the aqueous fraction of the vegetable products is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Jean Villard (SARL)
    Inventor: Jean Villard
  • Patent number: 6562384
    Abstract: Certain coating formulations provide an adhesive effect that enhances points of contact between the individual pieces of food to be joined in deep-fried unified food servings. Batter mixes for restaurant food coating compositions in accordance with the present invention comprise 35%-75% adhesion component, 2%-11% viscosity component, and 5%-50% crispness component. Batter mixes for processor food coating compositions in accordance with the present invention comprise 30%-70% adhesion component, 10%-25% film-forming component, 3%-9% viscosity component, and 8%-40% crispness component. Both compositions may additionally comprise 0.1%-2% leavening component, 0.1%-15% flavoring component, 0.1%-1% coloring component, and/or 0.1%-1% processing aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Kerry Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph M. Bavone
  • Patent number: 6562396
    Abstract: The invention concerns a rice-converting installation comprising a chamber with an inlet and an outlet, means for heating the chamber and means for causing the chamber to vibrate and passing rice therein from the inlet to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Rivoire et Carret-Lustucru
    Inventors: Chantal Minier, Isabelle Arekion, Olivier Lepez
  • Patent number: 6562387
    Abstract: An ambient stable beverage that contains a preservative system that contains cinnamic acid, dimethyl dicarbonate and at least one essential oil. The beverage contains a minimum concentration of preservatives and has a pleasant taste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Lipton, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Michael Kirby, David Savage, Malcolm Stratford
  • Patent number: 6558723
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to products, including preservative systems and compositions (e.g., foods, beverages, health care products, personal care products, herbicidal products, and containment devices). The products contain a constituent comprising an isothiocyanate compound. The products may further contain a preservative selected from sorbate preservatives, benzoate preservatives, and mixtures thereof. The present disclosure further relates to methods of preserving products by incorporating the foregoing preservative systems into such products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Co.
    Inventors: Athula Ekanayake, John Robert Bunger, Paul Ralph Bunke
  • Patent number: 6558718
    Abstract: Nutrient clusters for food products such as for addition to Ready-To-Eat cereals by providing, in a preferred form of the present invention, nutrient products such in the form of aggregates or clusters comprising a first particulate component; a nutrient powder blend, and sufficient binder to adhere the powder to the particulates. The nutrient clusters are in the form of pieces each weighing from about 0.3 to 5 g. and having a moisture content of about 2% to 10%. Disclosed are methods of preparing such nutrient clusters involving applying a liquid binder to the particulates to form sticky particulates, adding a powdered nutrient blend and curing the mixtures to form hardened dried nutrient clusters. The nutrient cluster can contain 100% US recommended daily allowance (“USRDA”) of essential vitamins and minerals and can contain added macronutrients such as soy proteins, soluble fiber, and/or calcium in nutritionally dense form in as little as 5 to 15 g of nutrient clusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Evenson, James R. Borek, Barrie R. Froseth, Daniel L. Green, Jamileh Lakkis, Bernhard Van Lengerich
  • Patent number: 6555145
    Abstract: A novel encapsulated product is provided and includes: at least one active ingredient; at least one compressible material; and at least one tableting material; wherein the encapsulated product is in the form of a caplet having a diameter of from about 1 millimeter to about 7 millimeters and a length from about 1 millimeter to about 7 millimeters. A method for preparing the encapsulated product is also provided. The encapsulated product may be incorporated into a food item, a confectionery product or chewing gum product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Capricorn Pharma, Inc.
    Inventor: Subraman Rao Cherukuri
  • Patent number: 6551649
    Abstract: The invention concerns the use of rice having an amylose content less than 15 wt. % for preparing converted rice capable of being cooked in five minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Rivoire et Carret-Lustucru
    Inventors: Chantal Minier, Isabelle Arekion, Olivier Lepez
  • Patent number: 6548103
    Abstract: A process for making a low fat nut spread having high protein and high fiber. The process comprises the steps of: (a) preparing a protein containing oil suspension; (b) preparing a sugar containing oil suspension; and (c) combining the protein containing oil suspension and the sugar containing oil suspension to form the nut spread. The “protein containing oil suspension” comprises high amounts of protein and fiber. The “sugar containing oil suspension” comprises high amounts of sugar. The resultant nut spread has a protein to fat ratio of greater than about 0.68:1 and a fiber to fat ratio of greater than about 0.18:1. The nut spread has good flavor and texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Co.
    Inventors: Vincent York-Leung Wong, Richard Joseph Sackenheim, Susana R. Waimin Siu
  • Patent number: 6548102
    Abstract: A process including: mixing a high-fat soybean liquid with at least one demulsifier; and separating the resulting cream component from the reduced-fat liquid component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Sunrich, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Fenske, William D. Fenske