Patents Examined by Lela S Williams
  • Patent number: 8541039
    Abstract: A water purifying and flavor infusion device that includes a lower reservoir for storing filtered water, and a pitcher top removably affixed to the lower reservoir. The pitcher top includes a lid, an upper reservoir, and a filter housing affixed to and extending below the upper reservoir. The filter housing is adapted to contain a filter cartridge wherein the upper reservoir and the filter housing are in liquid communication. The device also includes an infusion tube for infusing filtered water with an additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Protect Plus LLC
    Inventors: Robert William Lackey, Robert Charles Beckman, Andrew Frederick Fay
  • Patent number: 8435581
    Abstract: An emulsifier having a primary emulsifying component of gum Arabic or modified starch and a secondary emulsifying component of pectin in a low amount is added to a beverage. The emulsifier has similar physical characteristics as conventional emulsifiers, with increased emulsifying capacity. Emulsifiers, such as gum Arabic or modified starch, conventionally used in food products can be easily replaced with the emulsifier to lower the cost of production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuan Fang, John Krulish, Rod Jendrysik
  • Patent number: 8425964
    Abstract: A single serve capsule (1) for the preparation of hot beverages such as coffee, cappuccino, tea or the like from soluble or ground preparations, having an outlet lid portion (1 b) located on a dispensing wall (F) in order to form a dispensing opening (11) after a liquid has been introduced into the capsule, as well as means for changing the area of said dispensing opening during the dispensing step of the beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Tuttoespresso S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luca Doglioni Majer
  • Patent number: 8277860
    Abstract: A method for stabilizing 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, which comprises reducing an oxygen dissolved in a solution containing 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, and food or drink containing 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Meiji Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kakuhei Isawa, Tadashi Nakatsubo, Satoshi Hayashi, Yasushi Kubota
  • Patent number: 8168246
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the instantization of powders for use in the food stuff and animal feed production, the particles of which comprise free surface fat, especially coconut milk powder, wherein lecithin and alginate in water or an aqueous liquid are sprayed onto the powder particles and are subsequently dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Degussa Texturant Systems, Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Steiger, Ilona Stoffels, Ilka Knickrehm
  • Patent number: 8147889
    Abstract: A method of decontaminating grain, nut, or seed products and a method for conditioning grain in a milling process for decontamination and to produce an improved milled product which will yield baked goods, for example, of increased size and extended shelf life. In the decontamination and/or conditioning procedure, the grain, nut, or seed product is contacted with an aqueous anolyte product which can be undiluted or can be diluted with non-activated water. In undiluted form, the aqueous anolyte product preferably has a pH in the range of from about 4.5 to about 7.5 and a positive oxidation-reduction potential of at least +550 mV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Giant Trading Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Duncan Kirkpatrick, Nickolas Speakman
  • Patent number: 8080273
    Abstract: A method and formulation are disclosed for using a mixture of inulin and surfactant to overcome adhesive and viscoelastic problems associated with using tortilla sheeters for processing rice-based dough to make rice crisps. The inulin decreases viscoelasticity whereas the surfactant decreases adhesiveness. The additive decouples the relationship between water content and the adhesiveness and viscoelasticity of the dough, allowing water content to be used to control other product variables such as product moisture content and oil take-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Dimitris Lykomitros, Dianne Renee Ripberger
  • Patent number: 8053016
    Abstract: An agglutinant compound and agglutinated product for reconstituting powders of vegetal origin, that allow employing a lamination or similar process, being said agglutinated product comprised of agglutinant compound and a vegetal mass formed by the powder of vegetal origin, that may range from 5-50% (mass/mass, regarding the powder mass used), with drying temperature ranging between 100-400° C., thickness between 0.05-2.50 mm and vegetal film humidity between 8 and 20%; being said agglutinant compound formed only by a mixture of polymers of hydroxylated organic acids, such as lactic acid and malic acid, and it may contain agents improving its agglutinant and sensorial properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: IOTI International Industria e Comercio de Produtos Aromaticos LTDA
    Inventors: Gilson Luiz Torrens, Bianca Iodice
  • Patent number: 8048469
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing the polyphenol oxidase activity in cocoa beans comprising the step of steaming non-fermented, non-roasted raw cocoa beans with water vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Kraft Foods R & D, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan George William Bradbury, Eva-Maria Berndt
  • Patent number: 8048464
    Abstract: A method for making a snack product having a target shape from expandable pellets is disclosed. The snack product is formed into a target shape by expanding the pellets inside a mold. As the pellets expand inside the mold, the mold walls restrain the pellets expansion in the direction normal to the mold wall surface. The pellets also adhere to one another as they expand. An edible binder material can be included to facilitate such adherence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Sabritas, S. De R.L. De C.V.
    Inventors: Fernando Ramirez, Roberto Guzman, Anamaria Garcia, Antonio Pacheco
  • Patent number: 8034390
    Abstract: An automated food processing system and method are provided that allow food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food. In one embodiment, an automated dispensing device dispenses a predetermined portion of food from a bulk storage container or food dispensing magazine to an automated fry device that can include at least one circular fry wheel having a plurality of food containing compartments. After the food is fried it is dispensed from the fry device to an automated packaging device. The automated packaging device dispenses food to a container that may be an individual portion-sized container that is retrieved, erected and held into position for filling by an automated container handling system. A conveyor system transports the filled container to a suitable pick-up location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald A. Sus, Ron Dorsten, Henry T. Ewald, Jenny Hong, Glenn Schackmuth, Christopher Juneau, Steven Konold, Richard Montafi, Benny Nunley, Charles E. Rose, David Bone, Tiffany C. Curry, Eddie R Mann, Mario G. Ceste, Curtis Clarence Pinnow, Ly Nguyen, Mitchell Strew, Andrew Courier, Kevin Keough, Richard Terrazzano, Douglas Christian Greening, John Meisner, John A. J. Wedel, John M. Corliss, Joseph Gerstmann, James Lozouski, William Day, Doug Jones, Roberto Nevarez, Keith Stanger, Jerry Sank
  • Patent number: 8029840
    Abstract: According to this method, the products are produced by continuously co-extruding a bead coated with a starting base comprising hydrocolloids so as to form a skin by calcium gelation when the sausage passes into the elongated gelation bath, said bead then being shared out into portions placed in trays. Many beads are co-extruded by parallel co-extrusion heads, transit into a common gelation bath, are brought side by side so as to then be placed into portions by given means acting on all said beads so as to form batches of identical products perfectly grouped and aligned so as to be loaded into their packaging tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Stork Townsend, B.V.
    Inventor: Jacques Le Paih
  • Patent number: 8021707
    Abstract: A filled candy cane formed by injecting a soft candy into a hardening, elongate candy. A method and means for same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Spangler Candy Company
    Inventors: Patrick L. Hurley, Stephen S. Kerr
  • Patent number: 7981455
    Abstract: An automated food processing system and method are provided that allow food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food. In one embodiment, an automated dispensing device dispenses a predetermined portion of food from a bulk storage container or food dispensing magazine to an automated fry device that can include at least one circular fry wheel having a plurality of food containing compartments. After the food is fried it is dispensed from the fry device to an automated packaging device. The automated packaging device dispenses food to a container that may be an individual portion-sized container that is retrieved, erected and held into position for filling by an automated container handling system. A conveyor system transports the filled container to a suitable pick-up location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald A. Sus, Ron Dorsten, Henry T. Ewald, Jenny Hong, Glenn Schackmuth, Christopher Juneau, Steven Konold, Richard Montafi, Benny Nunley, Charles E. Rose, David Bone, Tiffany Curry, Eddie R Mann, Mario G. Ceste, Curtis Clarence Pinnow, Ly Nguyen, Mitchell Strew, Andrew Courier, Kevin Keough, Richard Terrazzano, Douglas Christian Greening, John Meisner, John A. J. Wedel, John M. Corliss, Joseph Gerstmann, James Lozouski, William Day, Doug Jones, Roberto Nevarez, Keith Stanger, Jerry Sank
  • Patent number: 7935369
    Abstract: It is intended to provide germinating brown rice having an improved taste and cooking characteristics. Namely, germinating brown rice containing at least a direct reducing sugar component in an elevated amount compared with the starting brown rice and, if necessary, further containing ?-starch prepared by the gelatinization of a part of starch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Fancl Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroto Shinmura, Kota Nakagawa, Chie Sasaki, Hiromichi Aoto, Misaki Onishi
  • Patent number: 7906165
    Abstract: A method for making juice from açaí berries having the steps of: chilling the berries to below about 10° C.; extracting a skin from the berries in an extractor with water to obtain a mixture; acidifying the mixture; finishing the mixture; heating the mixture to from about 40° C. to about 60° C.; de-aerating the mixture; passing the mixture through at least one of the group consisting of a high shear mixer, a colloid mill and a hammer mill to yield juice; and pasteurizing the juice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Wm. Bolthouse Farms, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Richard Dragt, Santuscha Tjin Akwie Souza
  • Patent number: 7875306
    Abstract: A completely-water-soluble solid particle is based on at least one aroma and a support comprising water-soluble dietary fibers. The particle has a hardness of at least 0.2 GPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Maya Flowers S.A.
    Inventor: Dominique Cingotti