Patents Examined by Preston Smith
  • Patent number: 9192173
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing individual portions of meat with a predetermined shape and size, during which one, two or more frozen pieces of meat of any shape, whose total weight corresponds to the total weight of the desired portions of meat, are shaped inside the cavity of a press mold to form a coherent piece of meat, and the frozen piece of meat is subsequently divided, in particular, stamped into the portions of meat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Nienstedt GmbH
    Inventor: Petra Groneberg-Nienstedt
  • Patent number: 9187573
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for modifying starches comprising subjecting a non-pregelatinized starch and/or flour to a superheated steam treatment, wherein said superheated steam treatment is carried out in a reaction chamber of a reactor, said reaction chamber having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, and wherein the temperature of the superheated steam at the inlet of the reaction chamber is in the range of 150 to 650° C., preferably 250 to 550° C., more preferably 350 to 450° C., and wherein the temperature of the superheated steam at the outlet of the reaction chamber is in the range of 105 to 155° C., preferably 115 to 140° C., more preferably 115 to 125° C. The invention further refers to the starches obtained and baby foods, infant foods, sauces, soups, puddings, dressings, bakery creams, gravies and beverages comprising said starches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Marc Charles Florent Berckmans, Stephane Jules Jerome Debon, Alexander Marie Ghislain Verbiest, Joel Rene Pierre Wallecan
  • Patent number: 9185916
    Abstract: A method of processing wheat flour that without detriment to secondary processability, improves the flavor and palate feelings thereof; processed wheat flour obtained by the processing method; and food utilizing the processed wheat flour. The method is characterized in that 10 to 55 pts·wt. of ethyl alcohol is homogeneously dispersed in 100 pts·wt. of wheat flour under such conditions that the total water content is ?20 wt. %, followed by evaporation of ethyl alcohol therefrom at ?50° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: LOTTE CO., LTD
    Inventors: Masanori Ito, Kazuhiro Sano, Takahiro Kitamura, Koji Murakami, Toshiyuki Koyama
  • Patent number: 9187231
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable beverage assembly kit having a serving container and beverage ingredients, for fast distribution to an end user, the components necessary to construct a beverage and container for serving therein, comprising: a disassembled beverage container configured for drinking directly therefrom; and a shaker configured to store within the shaker the disassembled beverage container within a first compartment and the beverage ingredients within a second compartment, separate from the first compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Inventors: William Peter Burtner, Douglas Milton Burtner
  • Patent number: 9185923
    Abstract: A method for printing a three-dimensional crystalline structure such as a chocolate layer wherein, after printing, the material has a desired crystal structure. An embodiment can include printing a liquid first layer of material with a printer onto a second layer of material having a crystal structure. Subsequently, the printed liquid first layer is processed to solidify the first layer. During the processing of the printed liquid first layer, the second layer functions as a crystal seed layer through physical contact with the printed liquid first layer and the second layer crystallizes with the crystal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Allen Mantell, Andrew W. Hays, Zahra C. Langford
  • Patent number: 9185876
    Abstract: A method and system for homogenizing a fibrous, viscous food mass 1, in particular pasta filata, such as mozzarella, for example, wherein a feed quantity of the food mass 1 is initially fed continuously to a homogenizing device comprising a container, wherein in a subsequent step the food mass 1 exiting an outlet gap of the container is fed to a shaping and/or cooling device disposed underneath the container, wherein the shaping and/or cooling device forms a filling gap between two rollers, each of which, in particular, is equipped with a belt, and shapes the food mass 1 into a food strip, wherein the outlet gap of the container is oriented at least substantially parallel to the filling gap, wherein the opening width of the outlet gap 5 and/or the feed quantity are set such that the food mass located in the container can settle for the purpose of homogenization, wherein the fibers of the food mass entering the filling gap are aligned substantially in the processing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hochland SE
    Inventors: Dieter Kuhn, Oskar Milz, Andreas Mueller
  • Patent number: 9187203
    Abstract: The technical problem to be solved by this invention is to develop a polyester resin container that can be retort-processed at a temperature in the range of above 120° C. to about 130° C. The object of this invention is to provide a polyester resin container, which is capable of improving the productivity and quality of retort foods, and a molding process thereof. The process of this invention is a double blow molding process, which comprises a primary blow molding step in which a preform is biaxially drawn and blow molded into a primary intermediate product, a thermally shrink-molding step in which the primary intermediate product is heated and forcibly shrink-molded into a secondary intermediate product, and a secondary blow molding step for blow molding the secondary intermediate product into a container, wherein a mold temperature higher than 210° C. is used in the secondary blow molding step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: YOSHINO KOGYOSHO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Shimizu, Toshimasa Tanaka, Takao Iizuka
  • Patent number: 9011953
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the treatment of heat-sensative fluid food products (P) in a UHT system (1), particularly dairy such as milk, cream, milk protein concentrate. The invention has the task, in a UHT system whose basic structure using an infusion chamber is described in [4], of ensuring an equal and constant dwell time as well as an equal and constant temperature trend for the entire treated food product downstream of an outlet of a mechanism in which the food product is subjected to direct heating by the introduction of steam, and to minimize fouling during heat maintenance of the food product in this area. This is achieved using process technology in that: The heated food product (P*) upstream of its heat main undergoes a predetermined pressure increase (?p) at a predetermined, unchanging location, and The pressure level upstream of the location before the relief lies above the pressure upstream of the location before the pressure increase (?p) (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: GEA TDS GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Kowalik, Ludger Tacke, Ludger Leiwering, Uwe Schwenzow, Dietrich Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 8999422
    Abstract: Improved processes for the production of engineered feed or food ingredients by extrusion comprise the steps of directing a dry fraction and a byproduct slurry fraction in serial order through a preconditioner and twin-screw extruder in order to create a wet extrudate, which is thereafter dried. The dry fraction is selected from sources of plant-derived starch and/or protein, sources of animal-derived functional proteins, and mixtures thereof. The slurry fraction comprises aqueous byproduct slurries from meat, dairy, vegetable, and fruit processing. The extrusion processes yield high-quality ingredients without the need for conventional rendering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: LaVon Wenger, Marc L. Wenger
  • Patent number: 8993025
    Abstract: A fryer is provided for cooking food in a small volume of oil. The fryer includes a main body with a seat for supporting a tilted tank designed to contain the volume of oil in a bottom angular portion thereof. The fryer also includes a heater, and at least one mixing blade inside the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: De' Longhi Appliances S.R.L.
    Inventor: Giuseppe De'Longhi
  • Patent number: 8962056
    Abstract: Techniques are described to increase product viscosity in fiber-containing food slurries having a given amount of food solids. The techniques employ one or more PSR operations as the last unit operation prior to filling to reduce particle size within the food slurry and increase product viscosity. In one or more implementations, the PSR operation may comprise an aseptic cold PSR operation such as aseptic cold homogenization. In embodiments, the PSR operation may further be controlled to reduce variability in the viscosity of the finished product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods EDM, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorge K. Succar, Jerry J. Costales, Khaled Khatib, Jennifer R. Mancuso
  • Patent number: 8956679
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a starch composition with high total dietary fiber (TDF) that retains its TDF upon processing. In particular, over 50% of such fiber is retained upon extrusion processing. Such starch is useful in the manufacture of high fiber food products, including extruded products such as breakfast cereals and snacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Corn Products Development Inc.
    Inventors: Monika Okoniewska, Ian L. Brown, Wolfgang Bindzus, Ralph M. Trksak
  • Patent number: 8945645
    Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a process for the simultaneous concentration and rectification of grape must with the retention of the volatile aromas precursors. The process consists in the integration of nanofiltration in concentration/diafiltration modes, with electrodialysis. The nanofiltration membranes exhibit selective permeation controlled by steric hindrance mechanisms and/or electrostatic interactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Instituto Superior Tecnico
    Inventors: Maria Norberta Neves Correia de Pinto, Victor Manuel Geraldes Fernandes, Isabel Margarida Martins Lopes Catarino Gomes
  • Patent number: 8859025
    Abstract: A method for separating fat particles from lean particles. The method includes providing a mixture comprising a fluid, fat particles, and lean particles; introducing the mixture to an inlet of a chamber, wherein the chamber has an upper outlet and a lower outlet distal to the inlet; irradiating the mixture with UVc energy as the mixture is transferred through the chamber; allowing particles less dense than the fluid to be carried out from the chamber through the upper outlet; and allowing the particles more dense than the fluid to be carried out from the chamber through the lower outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Safefresh Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Anthony J. M. Garwood
  • Patent number: 8828463
    Abstract: Packaging of bananas in containers, for example polyethylene bags, having designed permeabilities to oxygen, carbon dioxide, and ethylene. The bags preferably include a gas-permeable membrane comprising (1) a microporous film, and (2) a polymeric coating on the microporous film. The containers enable storage and/or ripening of bananas under controlled conditions. Using the new containers, bananas can be ripened while they are being transported, or in conventional ripening rooms without opening the containers in which they have been transported, or after they have left a ripening room. In addition, bananas can be preserved in a satisfactory ripened state for longer periods of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Inventor: Raymond Clark
  • Patent number: 8808773
    Abstract: A process for treating a milled product to reduce microbial activity at a high confidence level is disclosed. A sterile ready to eat milled product at a high confidence of sterility is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventors: Glen Lester Weaver, Edith D. Akins-Lewenthal, Bradley T. Allen, Scott R. Baker, Dean Hoerning, Anthony E. Petersen, Richard William Schumacher, Benjamin Warren
  • Patent number: 8771771
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a food composition prepared by a method of sterilizing. More specifically to a sterilizing process designed to be used in an aseptic process that comprises the steps of transferring said food composition into a heating unit; passing an electric current through said composition; maintaining a power to mass flow rate range through said heating unit from about 125 kJoules/kg to about 750 kJoules/kg; adjusting a flow rate to maintain said food composition temperature exiting the heating unit from about 75° C. to about 175° C.; and cooling said food composition to a final temperature from about 5° C. to 100° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: The Iams Company
    Inventors: Scott Wayne Keller, Dean Larry DuVal, Raul Victorino Nunes
  • Patent number: 8771776
    Abstract: A method to produce a food product comprises the steps of providing a plurality of flint corn kernels; drying the flint corn kernels; popping the flint corn kernels; cooling the porous, airy, elastic foam particles produced during popping; cutting with a moving blade said porous, airy foam particles into pieces having a width greater than 0.005 inches to produce an elastic, air entrained popcorn flour occupying a volume; and, vacuum packaging the elastic popcorn flour to reduce the volume occupied by the popcorn flour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventors: Todd W Gocha, Joseph Dileonardo
  • Patent number: 8747933
    Abstract: A can cooker includes a main body that is generally cylindrical in shape having a bottom portion, wall portion, neck portion, and lid ring. The bottom portion, wall portion, and neck portion may be integrally formed and connected to one another. A lid is sized and shaped to fit within a part of the neck portion. The lid includes an outer lip that engaged with lid ring on the main body in such a way that a seal is formed between the lid ring and the outer lip. The lid is secured to the main body through a plurality of latches. Handles may be placed on the exterior surface of the lid and main body to ease use and transportation of the can cooker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: Seth D. McGinn
  • Patent number: 8741368
    Abstract: A method for deep-frying foods in which the foods to be deep-fried are delivered to hot oil or fat and transported out of the hot oil after a predetermined residence time, wherein a steam zone with superheated steam is generated above a free surface of the oil, which shields the oil from the ambient air, and from which a flow of steam corresponding to an amount of water evaporating from the deep-fried foods is withdrawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Mars, Inc.
    Inventor: Siegfried Schmidt