Patents by Inventor Alistair David Smith

Alistair David Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11191286
    Abstract: A capsule for use in a brewing device is provided, comprising a body part, which defines a cavity and which has a flange, a lid which is attached to the flange and tea material enclosed within the capsule, characterized in that the shape of the flange is defined by two intersecting circular arcs when viewed from above. A brewing device which comprises a capsule holder for receiving the capsule is also provided, the capsule holder comprising a sidewall which is circular when viewed from above and which has an upper rim, a shelf on at least part of the inside of the sidewall, a filter and an openable and closable passage on the opposite side of the filter from the upper rim. A method of preparing a tea-based beverage in the brewing device using the capsule is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: David Murray Cross, Michael Paton, Cristian Simion Popa, Alistair David Smith, Daniel Thomas Toon, Terence John Wilby
  • Publication number: 20190357563
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a frozen confectionery product and more preferably a peelable frozen confectionery product. Accordingly, the present invention provides a frozen confectionery product comprising; i) a frozen body (10) with a top end (101) and a stick end (102) comprising; a) an outer gel layer (11); b) an intermediate layer frozen confection (12); c) an inner core (13) comprises of a liquid or semisolid substance; and ii) a stick element (14) partially inserted and attached with the frozen body (10) at the stick end (102); wherein the outer gel layer (11) is provided with at least two peeling lines (15) starting from the stick end (102) of the product, said peeling lines allowing to peel-off the gel layer (11) starting from the stick end (102).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a UNILEVER
    Inventors: Duangporn DEEPADUNG, Visit MANOPAKARAT, Oraphan SIHA, Alistair David SMITH
  • Patent number: 10143214
    Abstract: A method of preparing a tea beverage in a capsule-based brewing device is provided, the device comprising an infusion chamber (10); a capsule holder (20) sized and shaped so as to receive a capsule (30); a filter (25); an openable and closable passage (29) which terminates in an orifice (40); a vessel (60) located beneath the orifice (40) and having a spout (63); the method comprising the steps of: introducing liquid and infusible beverage material from the capsule (30) into the infusion chamber (10) so as to brew the beverage; and then after brewing has taken place for a sufficient time, opening the passage (29) to allow the beverage to flow from the infusion chamber (10) through the filter (25), along the passage (29), through the orifice (40), into the vessel (60) and out from the spout (63).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: CONOPCO, INC.
    Inventors: Ahmad Bittar, David Murray Cross, Michael Paton, Alistair David Smith, Daniel Thomas Toon
  • Patent number: 10004353
    Abstract: A capsule for use in a brewing device is provided, the capsule having a body part, which defines a cavity, a lid which is attached to the body part and which closes the cavity, the lid having lines of weakness which define an opening region having an area of from 75 mm2 to 300 mm2; and tea material enclosed within the cavity, wherein at least 75% by weight of the tea material particles have a size of from 2 to 10 mm. A method of preparing a tea-based beverage in a brewing device using the capsule is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: CONOPCO, INC.
    Inventors: David Murray Cross, Michael Paton, Cristian Simion Popa, Alistair David Smith, Terence John Wilby
  • Publication number: 20170135364
    Abstract: A method of preparing a tea beverage in a brewing device is provided, the device comprising an infusion chamber with a bottom rim which defines an opening; a capsule holder for receiving a capsule, the capsule holder comprising a filter and an openable and closable passage; the method comprising: inserting a capsule into the capsule holder; connecting the capsule holder to the infusion chamber; introducing liquid into the capsule so that the liquid and tea material mix and flow into the infusion chamber and brew the beverage; and then opening the passage to allow the beverage to flow from the infusion chamber through the filter and out through the passage. A capsule containing tea material for use in the method is also provided, the capsule comprising a body part, which is a single, impermeable piece which defines a cavity with a volume of from 10 to 24 cm3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a UNILEVER
    Inventors: David Murray Cross, Michael PATON, Cristian Simion POPA, Alistair David SMITH, Daniel Thomas TOON, Terence John WILBY
  • Publication number: 20160302613
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a capsule for a beverage production machine, the capsule comprising: an ingredient enclosed within the capsule; and an identifier; wherein the identifier is an area of conductive material incorporating a code pattern, the code pattern consisting of a predetermined arrangement of one or more discontinuities formed in the conductive material, and wherein the capsule comprises an orientation member for directing the alignment of the capsule within the beverage production machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a UNILEVER
    Inventors: David Murray CROSS, Michael PATON, Alistair David SMITH, Daniel Thomas TOON, Daniel Mark WALTER
  • Publication number: 20160045059
    Abstract: A capsule for use in a brewing device is provided, the capsule comprising: a body part, which defines a cavity, a lid which is attached to the body part and which closes the cavity, the lid having lines of weakness which define an opening region having an area of from 75 mm2 to 300 mm2; and tea material enclosed within the cavity, wherein at least 75% by weight of the tea material particles have a size of from 2 to 10 mm. A method of preparing a tea-based beverage in a brewing device using the capsule is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a UNILEVER
    Inventors: David Murray CROSS, Michael PATON, Cristian Simion POPA, Alistair David SMITH, Terence John WILBY
  • Publication number: 20150297018
    Abstract: A method of preparing a tea beverage in a capsule-based brewing device is provided, the device comprising an infusion chamber (10); a capsule holder (20) sized and shaped so as to receive a capsule (30); a filter (25); an openable and closable passage (29) which terminates in an orifice (40); a vessel (60) located beneath the orifice (40) and having a spout (63); the method comprising the steps of: introducing liquid and infusible beverage material from the capsule (30) into the infusion chamber (10) so as to brew the beverage; and then after brewing has taken place for a sufficient time, opening the passage (29) to allow the beverage to flow from the infusion chamber (10) through the filter (25), along the passage (29), through the orifice (40), into the vessel (60) and out from the spout (63).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a UNILEVER
    Inventors: Ahmad BITTAR, David Murray CROSS, Michael PATON, Alistair David SMITH, Daniel Thomas TOON
  • Publication number: 20150296827
    Abstract: A method of preparing a tea beverage in a brewing device is provided, the device comprising an infusion chamber with a bottom rim which defmes an opening; a capsule holder for receiving a capsule, the capsule holder comprising a filter and an openable and closable passage; the method comprising: inserting a capsule into the capsule holder; connecting the capsule holder to the infusion chamber; introducing liquid into the capsule so that the liquid and tea material mix and flow into the infusion chamber and brew the beverage; and then opening the passage to allow the beverage to flow from the infusion chamber through the filter and out through the passage. A capsule containing tea material for use in the method is also provided, the capsule comprising a body part, which is a single, impermeable piece which defines a cavity with a volume of from 10 to 24 cm3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a UNILEVER
    Inventors: David Murray Cross, Michael Paton, Cristian Simion Popa, Alistair David Smith, Daniel Thomas Toon, Terence John Wilby
  • Patent number: 9078455
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process comprising the steps of: expressing juice from a supply of fresh tea leaves thereby to produce leaf residue and tea juice; subjecting the supply of fresh tea leaves and/or the tea juice to a fermentation step thereby to at least partially ferment the tea juice; and combining the at least partially fermented tea juice with substantially unfermented tea material comprising active endogenous enzymes, thereby to form a mixture; and subjecting the mixture to an enzyme deactivation step thereby to prevent fermentation of the substantially unfermented tea material in the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: David George Sharp, Alistair David Smith
  • Publication number: 20150190010
    Abstract: A method of preparing a beverage in a brewing device is provided, the device comprising an infusion chamber (10) with a bottom rim (12) which defines an opening; a capsule holder (20) for receiving a capsule (30), the capsule holder comprising a sidewall (24) having an upper rim (23), a filter (25) and an openable and closable passage (29) on the opposite side of the filter from the upper rim; the method comprising the steps of: inserting a capsule (30) containing infusible beverage material into the capsule holder (20); connecting the upper rim (23) of the capsule holder (20) to the bottom rim (12) of the infusion chamber (10); introducing liquid into the capsule (30) and releasing the beverage material from the capsule so that the liquid and beverage material mix and flow into the infusion chamber (10) so as to brew the beverage; and then after brewing has taken place, opening the passage (29) to allow the beverage to flow from the infusion chamber (10) through the filter (25) and out through the passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a UNILEVER
    Inventors: David Murray Cross, Michael Paton, Cristian Simion Popa, Alistair David Smith, Daniel Thomas Toon
  • Publication number: 20150173558
    Abstract: A capsule holder for receiving a capsule containing tea material is provided, the capsule holder comprising a sidewall having an upper rim, means for supporting the capsule within the capsule holder, so that the capsule partially covers the area inside the upper rim, a filter situated beneath the intended location of the capsule and an openable and closable passage on the opposite side of the filter from the upper rim. A brewing device comprising the capsule holder and a method of brewing a tea-based beverage in the brewing device are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a UNILEVER
    Inventors: David Murray Cross, Michael Paton, Cristian Simion Popa, Alistair David Smith, Daniel Thomas Toon, Terence John Wilby
  • Publication number: 20150164263
    Abstract: A capsule for use in a brewing device is provided, comprising a body part, which defines a cavity and which has a flange, a lid which is attached to the flange and tea material enclosed within the capsule, characterized in that the shape of the flange is defined by two intersecting circular arcs when viewed from above. A brewing device which comprises a capsule holder for receiving the capsule is also provided, the capsule holder comprising a sidewall which is circular when viewed from above and which has an upper rim, a shelf on at least part of the inside of the sidewall, a filter and an openable and closable passage on the opposite side of the filter from the upper rim. A method of preparing a tea-based beverage in the brewing device using the capsule is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: Conopco Inc., d/b/a UNILEVER
    Inventors: David Murray Cross, Michael Paton, Cristian Simion Popa, Alistair David Smith, Daniel Thomas Toon, Terence John Wilby
  • Publication number: 20150150409
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a capsule for a beverage production machine, the capsule comprising: —an ingredient enclosed within the capsule; and —an identifier; wherein the identifier is an area of conductive material incorporating a code pattern, the code pattern consisting of a predetermined arrangement of one or more discontinuities formed in the conductive material, and wherein the capsule comprises an orientation member for directing the alignment of the capsule within the beverage production machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a/ UNILEVER
    Inventors: David Murray Cross, Michael Paton, Alistair David Smith, Daniel Thomas Toon, Daniel Mark Walter
  • Publication number: 20130236617
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for storing a packaged liquid product, wherein the liquid product comprises expressed tea juice and has a total tea solids content of at least 4% by weight of the liquid product, the method comprising storing the packaged liquid product for a storage period of at least two weeks wherein the packaged liquid tea product is not subjected to a temperature exceeding 37° C. for more than 10 days during the storage period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Gary Mycock, Alistair David Smith, Helen Jane Woolley
  • Publication number: 20130011518
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process comprising the steps of: expressing juice from a supply of fresh tea leaves thereby to produce leaf residue and tea juice; subjecting the supply of fresh tea leaves and/or the tea juice to a fermentation step thereby to at least partially ferment the tea juice; and combining the at least partially fermented tea juice with substantially unfermented tea material comprising active endogenous enzymes, thereby to form a mixture; and subjecting the mixture to an enzyme deactivation step thereby to prevent fermentation of the substantially unfermented tea material in the mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: David George Sharp, Alistair David Smith