Patents Examined by Helen Pratt
  • Patent number: 6461650
    Abstract: The invention concerns a preparation for supplementing a beverage as a combined product for simultaneous or separate use or to be formed in situ comprising an efficient dose of calcium carbonate or of magnesium hydroxycarbonate in a Ca/Mg weight ratio ranging between 1 and 6, such that the resulting beverage is enriched in calcium or magnesium in soluble form. The invention also concerns a method for enriching a beverage in calcium and magnesium with said supplementing preparation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique
    Inventor: Christian Remesy
  • Patent number: 6461651
    Abstract: Sodium-free iron II EDTA complexes useful for the preparation of iron-fortified processed foods are described. The complexes are prepared from water soluble ferrous salts and EDTA.Na2H2, EDTA.Na2Ca, EDTA.Na2Mg and EDTA.2(NH4)H2. The iron complexes can be combined with nutritional and/or non-nutritional diluents or carriers to formulate food additive iron-fortificant compositions. Iron fortified processed foods are prepared by supplementing recipes for unfortified food products with the ferrous iron EDTA complexes alone or as a component of a multicomponent food additive composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Leusner, Arthur J. Friedman
  • Patent number: 6458398
    Abstract: The invention includes a method of reducing the microbial population on food in a container. The method generally involves the application of both a surfactant and ozone containing wash liquor to the food. The method includes introducing a wash liquor into the container, thus contacting the food with the wash liquor and wetting the food. A surfactant is then added to the wash liquor. This surfactant containing wash liquor is then allowed to contact the food for a period of time. Next, a combination of ozone gas, oxygen and/or air is mixed into the wash liquor to form an ozonated wash liquor. This ozonated wash liquor then remains in contact with the food for a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Eco Pure Food Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Durand M. Smith, Dale S. Winger, Joshua N. Brown
  • Patent number: 6458395
    Abstract: The present invention provide a gelatinous food product for supplying balanced nutrition, which is a gel of an emulsified mixture comprising 10 to 50 wt. % of total solid content on a dry weight basis and 50 to 90 wt. % of water, the solid content contains 30 to 90 wt. % of saccharide, 5 to 40 wt. % of lipid, 2 to 60 wt. % of protein, 0.2 to 5 wt. % of organic acid, 0.2 to 5 wt. % of organic acid salt, 0.2 to 5 wt. % of emulsifying agent and 0.2 to 5 wt. % of gelling agent, the food product having a pH of 3.3 to 4 and being a composite of an isoelectric gel of the protein and a heat-soluble gel formed with the gelling agent. The invention also provides a process for preparing the food product. The gelatinous food product of the invention is particularly suitable for nutrition of patients with dysphagia, since it comprises various nutrients in suitable proportions and has good eating qualities, for instance, ease of swallowing even by patients with dysphagia, owing to the soft jelly form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Otsuka Foods Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuo Emoto
  • Patent number: 6455086
    Abstract: Basic food cleaning compositions using food compatible ingredients for treating food such as produce, e.g., fruits and vegetables, and edible animal proteins are provided with specific non-substantive perfume. Liquid and solid powder formulations diluted with water also containing non-substantive perfume are applied to food products immediately before consumption and allowed to stay for at least about one half minute to significantly reduce microorganism contamination. With the preferred processes, the food can be consumed without rinsing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Toan Trinh, Brian Joseph Roselle, Alex Haejoon Chung, Philip Anthony Geis, Thomas Edward Ward, David Kent Rollins
  • Patent number: 6455095
    Abstract: A dietary supplement for legume protein containing galactosidase, methionine, medium chain fatty acids or their derivatives, and optionally thermogenic additives, antioxidants, vitamins and spices. Improved legume protein is also provided, wherein the dietary supplement is already admixed with the legume protein. It may be formulated as a dried powder that can easily be reconstituted as refried beans, protein shakes, soups and the like. Alternatively, ready-to-eat foods may be prepared as described. A method of reducing body weight is also provided, the method being consuming at least a single serving of legume protein per day, wherein said legume protein is as described above. Methods of weight control, include avoiding the consumption of foods with a high glycemic index and consuming foods with a low glycemic index and also avoiding the consumption of foods that stimulate the appetite and consuming foods that satiate the appetite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: ThermoBean L.P.
    Inventors: Leonard J. Wong, Thomas S. Parker
  • Patent number: 6451360
    Abstract: A composition for human or animal consumption for supplying folate which includes a natural isomer of reduced folate, such as (6S)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 5-methyl-(6S)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 5-formyl-(6S)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 10-formyl-(6R)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 5,10-methylene-(6R)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 5,10-methenyl-(6R)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 5-formimino-(6S)-tetrahydrofolic acid, and their polyglutamyl derivatives is disclosed. Such compositions include multivitamin preparations (with or without minerals and other nutrients); breakfast foods such as prepared cereals, toaster pastries and breakfast bars; infant formulas; dietary supplements and complete diet and weight-loss formulas and bars; animal feed (for example pet foods) and animal feed supplements (such as for poultry feed). The amount of the natural isomer of a reduced folate in a composition for human consumption can range between about 5% and about 200% of the daily requirement for folic acid per serving or dose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: South Alabama Medical Science Foundation
    Inventors: Steven W. Bailey, June E. Ayling
  • Patent number: 6451361
    Abstract: A bioavailable water soluble animal feed mineral composition which provides buffering of animal digestive fluids to near-neutral pH comprising an alkali metal magnesium phosphate hydrate providing a total of between 1.5 and 4.7 equivalent weights of alkali metal and magnesium per molecule of phosphorus. Water of hydration amounting to between 6 and 12 percent is required for effectiveness. An effective composition, Na2Mg(PO4) 0.8 H2O, is prepared by stepwise reaction of sodium carbonate and magnesium oxide with orthophosphoric acid in a rotating pan equipped for high intensity mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Agri-Nutrients Technology Group, Inc.
    Inventor: William P. Moore
  • Patent number: 6447832
    Abstract: A process effective for providing a deflavored coconut concentrate is provided. More specifically, a coconut concentrate is processed to separate coconut oil from coconut concentrate fibrous material. The separated oil is deodorized and blended back with the coconut concentrate fibrous material to extract further flavorings from the coconut concentrate fibrous material. The separation and reblending steps are repeated until the desired degree of deflavoring has been obtained at which point the fibrous material and the final deflavored oil are blended together to form the deflavored coconut concentrate. The present process allows the production of deflavored coconut concentrate without adversely affecting the color and functionality, including the texture enhancing ability, of the coconut concentrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Jackie Epps, Mathilda Doorley
  • Patent number: 6447833
    Abstract: A novel peanut butter stabilizer, suitable for preventing the separation of oils from peanut butter during storage, is disclosed. The peanut butter stabilizer contains: (a) a substantially completely hydrogenated edible oil fraction having an Iodine Value of less than 10, and (b) a concentrated monoglyceride fraction having an Iodine Value between 15 and 70, wherein the weight ratio of the hydrogenated edible oil fraction (a) to the concentrated monoglyceride fraction (b) is between 9:1 and 1:9. In a preferred embodiment, the peanut butter stabilizer contains (a) substantially completely hydrogenated cottonseed oil having an Iodine Value less than 8, and (b) partially hydrogenated soybean distilled monoglyceride having an Iodine Value between 20 and 60, wherein the weight ratio of the substantially hydrogenated cottonseed oil (a) and the partially hydrogenated soybean distilled monoglyceride (b) is about 3:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Archer-Daniels-Midland Company
    Inventor: Neil Widlak
  • Patent number: 6444246
    Abstract: The resistance to caking of normally hygroscopic materials, such as spray-dried hydrolyzed vegetable protein, upon exposure to high humidity conditions may be improved by increasing the average minimum dimension of the hygroscopic material and a carrier material to 125 to 2,000 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: McCormick & Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Lewis M. Popplewell, J. Mark Black, Michael G. Madsen
  • Patent number: 6440483
    Abstract: A product and method for producing a fruit product from a fruit, the fruit including soluble fruit components. The method for producing a fruit product, the fruit product including soluble fruit components, extracts a desired amount of the soluble fruit components from the fruit and infuses the extracted fruit with an infusion liquid having an amount of sugar and an amount of soluble fruit components, the amount of soluble fruit components formulated to diffuse a predetermined amount of the soluble fruit components remaining in the extracted fruit into the infusion liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Decas Cranberry Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Reza Ghaedian, Andre LaPerriere
  • Patent number: 6440482
    Abstract: A beverage containing a mixed sodium potassium polyphosphate glass with a high potassium to sodium ratio and a low level of insoluble material is provided. The mixed sodium-potassium polyphosphate glass has the formula (K,Na)(n+2)O(PO3)n, and contains less than 10% by weight insoluble material. These materials are effective in controlling yeast, mold, and bacterial growth. The beverage comprises about 100 ppm to about 3000 ppm of a polyphosphate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Astaris, LLC
    Inventors: Lulu S. Henson, Darlene A. Marcolini
  • Patent number: 6440476
    Abstract: A method to extend the shelf-life, reduce the microbial load, and enhance product appearance and quality in leafy vegetables or other fresh commodities of the like comprising applying directly to the leafy vegetable a stabilized aqueous alkali or alkaline earth metal hypobromite solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Eric R. Myers, Anthony W. Dallmier
  • Patent number: 6436453
    Abstract: A mineral or vitamin fortification ingredient which does not deleteriously affect palatability and appearance of foods is obtained by encapsulation of the mineral or vitamin in a grindable, glassy matrix composition. At least one edible oil is included in the encapsulating composition to prevent substantial adverse interaction between the mineral or vitamin encapsulant and the glass-forming matrix material, and to achieve controlled release of the encapsulant from the glassy matrix. The oil also reduces or eliminates the use of added water as a plasticizer thereby avoiding the need for substantial evaporation or drying to achieve a non-rubbery, grindable encapsulated ingredient. The oil assists in plasticizing the matrix material for extrudability and the prevention of undesirable browning or discoloration of the encapsulating matrix composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernhard H. van Lengerich, Jamileh Lakkis
  • Patent number: 6428837
    Abstract: Enzymatically blocked-deesterified pectins that display pseudoplasticity and substantially no phase separation in aqueous solutions comprising at least one polyvalent cation, and processes for producing the same. Enzymatically blocked-deesterified pectins prepared by deesterifying isolated high methoxyl pectins with enzymes. Processes for suspending particulates using enzymatically blocked-deesterified pectins enzymatically blocked-deesterified pectins prepared by deesterifying isolated high methoxyl pectins with enzymes. Compositions and stabilized aqueous systems containing enzymatically blocked-deesterified pectins prepared by deesterifying isolated high methoxyl pectins with enzymes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: CP KELCO APS
    Inventors: Gary Luzio, Susan C. Forman, Timothy C. Gerrish
  • Patent number: 6426112
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved soy protein products, soy plants and seeds, and methods to produce the soy protein products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventor: William L. Boatright
  • Patent number: 6426111
    Abstract: This invention describes compositions of meltable organic acid and carbonate salt suitable for providing effervescence when dissolved in water and protection for additional ingredients from oxidation or reaction with atmospheric moisture during storage. In the production of stable chlorine tablets citric acid is melted then mixed with powdered carbonate and the viscous combination then combined with hypochlorite producing compounds such as calcium hypochlorite or halazone to form stable forms suitable for use in disinfecting applications. Melted acid-bicarbonate mixtures are used to make instant carbonated drinks wherein evolved carbonate is trapped in a closed container to improve the level of carbonation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Inventor: Gerald Phillip Hirsch
  • Patent number: 6423354
    Abstract: This invention relates to a low pH, nutritionally balanced food composition which has extended shelf life, high antimicrobial activity, and which includes casein proteins and a method manufacturing same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventor: Woodrow C. Monte
  • Patent number: 6419974
    Abstract: Refrigerated cultured dairy products such as yogurt having enhanced anti-mold stability are prepared by including minute quantities of a cultured dairy ingredient having been cultured with a propionic acid forming culture. The propionic bearing cultured dairy ingredient such as whey is added to a milk base that is then heat treated prior to inoculation and fermentation with a yogurt culture. Premature protein coagulation that can occur during the heat treatment step is minimized by adding minute quantities of a calcium sequestrant to the milk base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Ellen M. Silva, Mayank T. Patel, James McGuire, Timothy T. Johnson