Patents Examined by Helen Pratt
  • Patent number: 6827965
    Abstract: Food products containing whole chia seeds or a gluten-free agglutinant derived therefrom are made by mixing a food material with water, adding whole chia seeds or an agglutinant derived therefrom in an agglutinating amount, and reducing the water activity of the mixture. Other ingredients such as honey, syrups, and sprouted grains can also be mixed with the chia seeds. The gluten free varieties are of especial value for those individuals who are allergic to the gluten in wheat and other grains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Fitzpatrick
  • Patent number: 6824802
    Abstract: The invention relates to a food composition having an increased shelf stability and robustness when stored in microbiologically sensitive conditions which comprises an acidifying preservative system adapted to reduce the microbial growth in the composition and a neutralizing system which is inactivated in said microbiologically sensitive conditions and is adapted to activate on demand upon reactivating conditions of the neutralizing system are met so that the neutralizing system acts on the acidifying preservative system to neutralize its sourness and/or acidity thereby improving the taste perception of the composition. The invention also relates to a dry blend usable as a preservative system in food, particularly deferred cooking food that requires storage in microbiologically sensitive conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Derrick Bautista, David Collins-Thompson
  • Patent number: 6821536
    Abstract: This invention relates to a composition that contains quercetin, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, caffeine, epigallocatechin gallate, epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, and polypheron E.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Quercegen Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Christian Lines, Mitsunori Ono
  • Patent number: 6811803
    Abstract: A composition for stabilizing avocado meat is disclosed that comprises acids from cultured dextrose, erythorbic acid, ascorbic acid, quercetin and inulin that are present in weight ratios of about 1:2-2.5:2.25-2.75:0.9-1.1:6-7, respectively. That composition is admixed in a color-stabilizing amount with avocado meat to form a color-stabilized avocado concentrate. A method for the preparation of a color-stabilized avocado concentrate is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Inventor: Eric Carre
  • Patent number: 6811800
    Abstract: Calcium fortified protein-containing beverages and processes for making them are disclosed. Such beverages are stable, contain high levels of soluble calcium and are hedonically acceptable. Unlike other calcium fortified protein-containing beverages, such beverages can be produced using a process that is similar to that used to produce regular dairy milk. Such beverages can be consumed neat or easily incorporated into other food or beverage products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Co.
    Inventors: Ashok Prem Chand Luhadiya, David Kee Yang, Matthew Thomas Heisey
  • Patent number: 6808725
    Abstract: Disclosed is a composition which includes one or more natural isomers of reduced folate selected from the group consisting of (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 polyglutamyl derivatives thereof; and an essential nutrient preparation which includes folic acid and a vitamin other than ascorbic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: South Alabama Medical Science Foundation
    Inventors: Steven W. Bailey, June E. Ayling
  • Patent number: 6808729
    Abstract: Basic cleaning compositions using toxicologically-acceptable ingredients for treating food such as produce, e.g., fruits and vegetables, and edible animal proteins are provided. Liquid formulations comprising, optionaly, less than about 0.5% detergent surfactat, such as potassium alkyl sulfate, that does not affect palatability and basic buffer to provide a pH of at least 10.5 are applied to food products immediately before consumption and allowed to stay for at least about one half minute to significantly reduce microorganism contamination. The food can be consumed without rinsing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Brian Joseph Roselle, Thomas Edward Ward, David Kent Rollins
  • Patent number: 6808726
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a food additive slurry composition is disclosed which comprises preparing a precursor by mixing water, a polyvalent metal compound and an organic acid having a carboxyl group, then adding to the precursor a phosphoric acid source and an alkali metal by the specific method. The obtained food additive slurry composition is not only excellent in dispersibility, dispersion stability in liquid and flavor, but low in slurry viscosity and good in handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Maruo Calcium Company Limited
    Inventors: Hisakazu Hojo, Naoki Kubota, Yoshimasa Morisaki
  • Patent number: 6808730
    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: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Mionix Corporation
    Inventors: Maurice Clarence Kemp, Robert Blaine Lalum, David E. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6803064
    Abstract: Ready to drink beverage compositions containing a nutritionally significant amount of calcium and a process for making the same. Calcium sulfate is used as the sole source of calcium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Pepsico, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Given, Pei K. Chang, Patricia Amenedo, William Mutilangi
  • Patent number: 6800310
    Abstract: An improved, low-fat cereal product contains clusters of base cereal comprising crisp, friable cereal preferably principally or all crisp cereal comprised of crisp rice, flaked cereal and/or puffed cereal. The clusters are prepared by binding together a plurality of crisp cereal pieces by applying in sequence, liquid oil, dry binder mix and a liquid sugar mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: George M. Squire, Dale W. Cox, Elizabeth L. Walker, William P. Citarella, Christopher Kallgren
  • Patent number: 6797302
    Abstract: The present invention relates to environmentally friendly processes and compositions for prevention of qualitative deterioration and quantitative loss of plant matter and foodstuffs, during all stages of storage and handling, including pre- and post-harvest, pre- and post-planting, distribution and marketing. The processes and compositions of the present invention can also be used to prevent sprouting and rooting, and to promote fecundity of certain plant matter. The processes and compositions of the present invention can also be used to eliminate or reduce quantities of harmful organisms and substances from soil, other growth media and substrates, equipment, materials water, workspaces and surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventors: Nimrod Ben Yehuda, Eliahu Margalit
  • Patent number: 6797300
    Abstract: A method of producing and using a solution, and the solution itself, for extending the shelf life of fresh flowers, fruits and vegetables after they are harvested which includes the steps of extracting juice from the flowers, flowering plant parts, fruits or vegetables, filtering the juice, disintegrating the parts from which the juice is extracted, extracting an enzyme or enzymes from the parts using a solvent without the denaturing the enzymes, removing the parts and mixing the remaining ingredients with the extracted juice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: Alejandro Mendez
  • Patent number: 6790469
    Abstract: The present invention provides both a process and apparatus for treating tubers in storage with chlorpropham (CIPC) dust or the dust of any other similar organic compound. The process includes the steps of forming minute particles of solid CIPC particles from a larger block or chunks of solid CIPC, and inducting the particles into an airstream which transports the particles to a tuber storage shed. For a preferred embodiment of the invention, the blocks or chunks of solid CIPC are fed into a hammer mill or like apparatus, which pulverizes the solid CIPC. Insufficiently fine particles are returned to the mill for further pulverization. Fine powder consisting of particles, each of which has a major dimension of less than about 5 micrometers, is transported by the ducted airstream from the separator to a storage shed containing a pile of tubers. The powder filters through the pile and coats exposed surfaces of the exposed tubers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Industrial Ventilation, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Robbs, Michael B. Machurek
  • Patent number: 6787178
    Abstract: A health drink is disclosed which is composed of (A) 3-15% by mass of soymilk calculated as a solid content, (B) 0.2-8% by mass of egg white calculated as a solid content, (C) 0.1-5% by mass of a sweetener calculated as a solid content, and (D) the balance of water (providing that A+B+C+D total 100% by mass).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6787169
    Abstract: The invention relates to a physiological food salt product which consists primarily of minerals and contains hydrate forms of an alkaline earth metal ammonium chloride to control the taste, hygroscopic properties and physiological nutritional properties of the product. The invention also relates to the use of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Inventor: Juhani Mäki
  • Patent number: 6787172
    Abstract: Disclosed are improved orange juice products and processes of preparing the products. Included is a natural enhancement powder which originates from the flavedo of citrus peel such as orange peel or tangerine peel. The peel flavedo is washed with an organic solvent suitable for use in food processing, dried and reduced in particle size and added as a powder to the orange juice in order to enhance the juice, such as raise the Color Value of the orange juice, typically by at least 1 OJ Index unit or more. By this approach, an orange juice which is Grade B in color is changed into an orange juice which meets Grade A color criteria. Other juice enhancements also are realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Tropicana Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard N. McArdle, Stephen A. Letourneau
  • Patent number: 6783781
    Abstract: A method and formulation for stabilizing fruit concentrate powders, using stabilizing substrates such as magnesium salt, citric acid, and gum, in a vacuum drying system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Douglas G. Mann
  • Patent number: 6773737
    Abstract: Basic cleaning compositions using toxicologically-acceptable ingredients for treating food such as produce, e.g., fruits and vegetables, and edible animal proteins are provided. Liquid formulations comprising anionic and/or nonionic detergent surfactant, such as potassium alkyl sulfate, that does not affect palatability, electrolyte to provide at least about 0.04 molarity of cations and basic buffer to provide a pH of at least 8.5 are applied to food products immediately before consumption and can significantly reduce microorganism contamination in less than about one minute. The food can be consumed without rinsing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Brian Joseph Roselle, Thomas Edward Ward, David Kent Rollins
  • Patent number: 6770316
    Abstract: A flavored filling having a low water activity. The filling includes a flavoring agent, an edible oil, and humectant. The edible oil can include a high and a low melting temperature oil. The high melting point oil, when used, can act as a crystal seeding agent during the formation of the filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: The J.M. Smucker Company
    Inventors: James A. Jindra, John P. Hansen