Patents Examined by Luana Z Long
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Patent number: 9296504Abstract: Implementations of the present invention extend to sanitary systems, methods, and devices configured to package food items with an even coating of an accurate amount of sanitizing agent, such as an antimicrobial agent. In one implementation, an exemplary system comprises a combination of air nozzles, anti-bacterial spray nozzles or spray headers, metering valves, and timers to achieve uniform distribution of an antimicrobial solution into a product package, and subsequently provide a uniform distribution of the antimicrobial solution to the food item.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2012Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: National Beef Packing Company, LLCInventors: Phillip W. Blattner, James C. Graves, Gary B. Hersh, David Michael Kalscheur, Steven Joseph Scott, Joaquin L. Urias
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Patent number: 9283293Abstract: A method for pasteurizing a continuous product chain in a device having an inlet, heat-up, pasteurization, and cooling regions all divided into treatment zones, and a transporter for passing products through these regions includes heating up, pasteurizing, and cooling by heat transfer between the products and a spray medium with which the products are sprayed, for each of the treatment zones, adapting a temperature of the spray medium to cause a desired consequence to heat transfer in the treatment zone, and varying a pasteurization process by changing a volumetric flow rate of the spray medium in at least one treatment zone between a maximum value and a minimum value.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2011Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: KHS GmbHInventors: Andre Ratke, Thomas Stienen
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Patent number: 9282848Abstract: Capsules for holding in an interior space a portion of a product for preparing a food product include a first part (501) and a second part (502), arranged along a direction of extension (A). The first and second parts define at least a portion of an interior space (S) for holding a portion of a food product. At least one of the first and second parts of the capsule may include a substantially rigid connector portion (533) with at least one inlet for connecting to the apparatus wherein the at least one inlet defines a first flow direction for a fluid to be introduced into the inlet which first flow direction extends more than about 45 degrees to the direction of extension of the capsule. An apparatus may include an actuator for cooperating with the capsule.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2009Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: MDS Global Holding p.l.c.Inventors: Marcel Hendricus Simon Weijers, Edward Hendrik Debski, Jorn Veldhuis, René Anthonius Weimar
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Patent number: 9227777Abstract: The invention proposes a capsule (9) for use in a beverage production device, the capsule containing ingredients for producing a nutritional liquid when a liquid is fed into the capsule (9) at an inlet face (8) thereof, the capsule (9) furthermore containing heat sensitive bioactive ingredients such as probiotic microorganisms (21) which are physically separated from the other nutritional ingredients in the capsule.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2009Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Matthew David Steven, Conchita Tran, Frederic Doleac, Heinz Wyss
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Patent number: 9226513Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, apparatuses, methods and products directed to non-contact printing of confectionery products. The confectionery products may include an edible substrate having a surface and an edible ink printed on the edible surface. The edible ink may cover at least about 5% of the surface. An apparatus of the present disclosure may include a removal device for removing at least a portion of a rolling compound from a confectionery material and a printing device for non-contact printing an edible ink-indicia on the confectionery material. An apparatus of the present disclosure may also include a detection device detecting the presence of confectionery material at a predetermined position.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2007Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. CompanyInventors: Ronald L. Ream, Enrique Valdez, William R. Gleffe
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Patent number: 9199779Abstract: Describe are food packages having features such as multiple containers in a single package and multiple pieces for a package; the packages can contain multiple food products including (for example) cereal and milk, for consumption together in a convenient manner.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2009Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignees: General Mills, Inc., Dairy Management, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Zoss, Linda Baggio, Jeffrey Enz, Michael J. Engstrom, Dan Genord
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Patent number: 9045262Abstract: Describe are food packages having features such as multiple containers in a single package; the packages can contain multiple food products including (for example) cereal and milk, for consumption together in a convenient manner.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2009Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: General Mills, Inc.Inventor: Robert A. Zoss
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Patent number: 9034404Abstract: A bottled drink includes a cap and a bottle where a granular supplement containing multiple constituents in a stable manner is stored in the cap and a solution suitable for dispersing the granules is filled in the bottle. Granules which contains mutually incompatible multiple chemical agents or nutritional constituents and whose surface is coated with polyglyceryl fatty acid ester are stored in the cap of the bottle and the bottle is filled with a solution whose viscosity at a shear deformation speed of 0.01 s?1 is 10 to 300 Pa·s.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2012Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: FANCL CORPORATIONInventors: Kaori Aibe, Masatoshi Honjo, Tatsuo Nakamura, Sachiko Endou
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Patent number: 8986761Abstract: The disposable capsule for the production of an aromatic beverage comprises a container having a closed base which can be perforated for the inlet of water, and an open base closed by at least a filter through which the beverage can exit, said filter having a peripheral edge applied to a peripheral profile of said open base of the container, the peripheral profile of the open base to which the peripheral edge of said filter conforms having a peripheral development at a variable height with respect to the axis of the container.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2010Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Azionaria Construzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.p.A.Inventor: Massimo Scrivani
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Patent number: 8986764Abstract: A single-use capsule for preparing a food liquid from a food substance contained in the capsule by introducing water in the capsule and passing water through the substance using the centrifugal forces for producing the food liquid which is centrifuged peripherally in the capsule relatively to a central axis of the capsule corresponding to an axis of rotation during the centrifugation. The capsule has upper and bottom walls, a widening side wall connecting to the upper and lower walls and an enclosure containing a predetermined amount of a food substance. The upper wall has a peripheral outlet region which is perforable and dedicated for providing outlets for the release of the liquid.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2008Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Alfred Yoakim, Jean-Paul Denisart, Antoine Ryser, Alexandre Perentes
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Patent number: 8962050Abstract: A container for holding novelty items, toys or candies that is an openable closed-shape with a lock/release plug. The closed-shape can be repeatedly opened and closed to remove and refill the novelty items. The container can be any closed-shape required for end use. A lock/release plug is used to both open and lock the closed-shape into a closed state. The lock/release plug is dimensioned to fit within the interior diameter of the closed-shape. The closed-shape has slots proximate each open end that interact with compression tabs on the lock/release plug. A center stop assists in aligning the compression tabs with the slots. The container can be configured to be a hula hoop or be adorned on one's body, such as a necklace or a bracelet.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2008Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Inventor: Domenick Merlino
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Patent number: 8920857Abstract: A system and method for a beverage container configured to test for a contaminated beverage in the beverage container comprises a base of the beverage container, an upper portion of the beverage container, and a sidewall with an inner surface and an outer surface that extends from the base to the upper portion, and a testing material. A portion of the beverage container is the testing material configured to visibly react when the portion of the beverage container is contacted with the contaminated beverage.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2011Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Inventors: Michael T. Abramson, John C. MacDonald
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Patent number: 8916217Abstract: Disclosed are nutritional compositions comprising a peroxide-treated aseptic package and a nutritional liquid contained therein, wherein the nutritional liquid comprises beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) and at least one of fat, carbohydrate, and protein. The HMB provides a buffering effect in the nutritional liquid to thus minimize an acidic pH shift that is prevalent in aseptically sterilized packages, and thus helps maintain product stability over time.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2011Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Abbott LaboratoriesInventors: Paul W. Johns, Ann M. Kensler
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Patent number: 8906435Abstract: A system for preparing a beverage includes an exchangeable capsule, an apparatus including a receptacle for holding the exchangeable capsule, and a fluid dispensing device for supplying a fluid to the exchangeable capsule. The exchangeable capsule includes a circumferential wall, a bottom, and a lid. The wall, bottom and lid enclose an inner space including the extractable product. The receptacle includes bottom piercing means for piercing an entrance area of an alternative capsule for creating an entrance opening for supplying the fluid to the extractable product. The entrance area of the capsule includes an entrance filter for supplying the fluid to the extractable product therethrough. The filter is a multi-layer filter including at least a first layer and a second layer bonded together. The first layer has a higher tear strength than the second layer and the second layer has a higher stiffness than the first layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2011Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.Inventors: Ralf Kamerbeek, John Henri Flamand, Angenita Dorothea Post van Loon, Hendrik Cornelis Koeling
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Patent number: 8889204Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus to ease the consumption of drink and food including a sleeve of flexible material, a perforation formed in one end of the sleeve configured to be removed and form an opening in communication with a chamber formed in the sleeve. The apparatus also includes a straw with a first end to be inserted into the chamber through the sleeve, and a second end with at least one prong to be inserted into the chamber and the food. The second end may be inserted through the opening. The invention also provides a method of consuming food and drink from an apparatus. The invention further provides a method of assembling a snack apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Inventor: Matthew Conroy
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Patent number: 8877274Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for creating and maintaining modified and controlled atmospheres (MA/CA) in a rigid sealable container having at least one refrigeration unit with an integrated oxygen reduction structure. The refrigeration unit provides the necessary ambient atmosphere movement for the oxygen reduction structure, such as a hydrogen fuel cell. The systems and methods are useful in the, storage, transport, distribution, processing and packaging of fresh perishables with a focus on altering the natural gaseous environment around the perishables such that fresh shelf-life is extended. The systems may operate in a power generation/power production mode, such that the fuel cells maintain the MA/CA environment while providing both primary and back-up power.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2014Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Fresh Food Solutions LLCInventor: Laurence Don. Bell
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Patent number: 8871287Abstract: A method for arranging eggs in a container. Eggs placed in receptacles of the container come to a resting orientation, by virtue of eh contouring of the receptacle, such that a long axis of the first egg is tilted toward a rear portion of the container at nearly uniform angles slightly offset from a vertical axis, and parallel side-to-side. Using features of the container, movement of eggs from their resting orientation, as well as twisting (spinning) about their long axes is resisted during marking, shipping or handling. The orienting of eggs in the receptacles or compartments thereof may be aided by use of an egg orienter. Tilting of the eggs may be facilitated by using receptacles or compartments which are asymmetrically contoured with respect to the vertical axis.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2012Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: TEN Media, LLCInventors: Mitchell Barry Chait, Richard Blackburn, Marco Armand Hegyi
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Patent number: 8859024Abstract: A container has first and second sections with an opening into hollow interiors. They mate together to form a sealed enclosure, and to form a ridge having a cross-sectionally curved outer surface. An appendage is connected to the ridge including an aperture for receiving a hook. A coating of edible material is on the outer surface of at least a portion of at least one of the first and second sections. An external flange extends around the periphery of the opening of the first section, an internal flange extends around the periphery of the opening of the second section, wherein the internal flange is sized to contact and fit inside the external flange during mating. An aperture passes through the internal flange, wherein mating the first and second sections causes the external flange to cover and seal the internal flange aperture.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2010Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Candy Treasure, LLCInventor: Kevin M. Gass
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Patent number: 8840943Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-colored baked cake cone typically for holding ice cream or other confection novelties. This cone is made of a dough bi-layer that includes at least a first layer of a conventional cake dough that contains sugar and a second layer of a modified cake dough that imparts at least one color other than brown to the cone after baking. The cone is typically associated with a sleeve that is at least partially transparent to display the multicolor cone.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2007Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventor: Thomas Amend
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Patent number: 8834946Abstract: A system and method for a beverage container configured to test for a contaminated beverage in the beverage container comprises a base of the beverage container, an upper portion of the beverage container, and a sidewall with an inner surface and an outer surface that extends from the base to the upper portion, and a testing material. A portion of the beverage container is the testing material configured to visibly react when the portion of the beverage container is contacted with the contaminated beverage.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Drinksavvy, Inc.Inventors: Michael T. Abramson, John C. MacDonald