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).
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Patent number: 11191286Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 2, 2013Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Conopco, Inc.Inventors: David Murray Cross, Michael Paton, Cristian Simion Popa, Alistair David Smith, Daniel Thomas Toon, Terence John Wilby
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Publication number: 20190357563Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2017Publication date: November 28, 2019Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a UNILEVERInventors: Duangporn DEEPADUNG, Visit MANOPAKARAT, Oraphan SIHA, Alistair David SMITH
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Patent number: 10143214Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 2, 2013Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: CONOPCO, INC.Inventors: Ahmad Bittar, David Murray Cross, Michael Paton, Alistair David Smith, Daniel Thomas Toon
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Patent number: 10004353Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: CONOPCO, INC.Inventors: David Murray Cross, Michael Paton, Cristian Simion Popa, Alistair David Smith, Terence John Wilby
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Publication number: 20170135364Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2016Publication date: May 18, 2017Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a UNILEVERInventors: David Murray Cross, Michael PATON, Cristian Simion POPA, Alistair David SMITH, Daniel Thomas TOON, Terence John WILBY
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Publication number: 20160302613Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2016Publication date: October 20, 2016Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a UNILEVERInventors: David Murray CROSS, Michael PATON, Alistair David SMITH, Daniel Thomas TOON, Daniel Mark WALTER
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Publication number: 20160045059Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2014Publication date: February 18, 2016Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a UNILEVERInventors: David Murray CROSS, Michael PATON, Cristian Simion POPA, Alistair David SMITH, Terence John WILBY
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Publication number: 20150296827Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2013Publication date: October 22, 2015Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a UNILEVERInventors: David Murray Cross, Michael Paton, Cristian Simion Popa, Alistair David Smith, Daniel Thomas Toon, Terence John Wilby
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Publication number: 20150297018Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2013Publication date: October 22, 2015Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a UNILEVERInventors: Ahmad BITTAR, David Murray CROSS, Michael PATON, Alistair David SMITH, Daniel Thomas TOON
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Patent number: 9078455Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 9, 2011Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Conopco, Inc.Inventors: David George Sharp, Alistair David Smith
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Publication number: 20150190010Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2013Publication date: July 9, 2015Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a UNILEVERInventors: David Murray Cross, Michael Paton, Cristian Simion Popa, Alistair David Smith, Daniel Thomas Toon
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Publication number: 20150173558Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2013Publication date: June 25, 2015Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a UNILEVERInventors: David Murray Cross, Michael Paton, Cristian Simion Popa, Alistair David Smith, Daniel Thomas Toon, Terence John Wilby
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Publication number: 20150164263Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2013Publication date: June 18, 2015Applicant: Conopco Inc., d/b/a UNILEVERInventors: David Murray Cross, Michael Paton, Cristian Simion Popa, Alistair David Smith, Daniel Thomas Toon, Terence John Wilby
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Publication number: 20150150409Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2013Publication date: June 4, 2015Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a/ UNILEVERInventors: David Murray Cross, Michael Paton, Alistair David Smith, Daniel Thomas Toon, Daniel Mark Walter
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Publication number: 20130236617Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2011Publication date: September 12, 2013Inventors: Gary Mycock, Alistair David Smith, Helen Jane Woolley
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Publication number: 20130011518Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2011Publication date: January 10, 2013Inventors: David George Sharp, Alistair David Smith