Patents by Inventor David A. Hester

David A. Hester 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).

  • METHODS, CAPSULES AND APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FOAMED DRINKS
    Publication number: 20100212507
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for the preparation of a foamed drink comprising the steps of: providing a capsule containing a foamable ingredient; providing a receptacle positioned to collect fluid escaping from the capsule; injecting liquid into the capsule to mix with the foamable ingredient; allowing the foamable ingredient mixed with the liquid to escape from the capsule into the receptacle; followed by injecting further liquid into the receptacle in a jet having a diameter of from about 0.5 to about 2 mm to produce foamed liquid in the receptacle. The invention also provides capsules, apparatus and systems specifically adapted for use in the method. Preferably, the food ingredient is a milk powder, and the method produces a hot foamed beverage such as a cappuccino coffee.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: Mars, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Hester, Glenn Harrison, John C. Cooke, Jon W. Shaw
  • Methods, capsule and apparatuses for the production of foamed drinks
    Patent number: 7335387
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for the preparation of a foamed drink comprising the steps of: providing a capsule containing a foamable ingredient; providing a receptacle positioned to collect fluid escaping from the capsule; injecting liquid into the capsule to mix with the foamable ingredient; allowing the foamable ingredient mixed with the liquid to escape from the capsule into the receptacle; followed by injecting further liquid into the receptacle in a jet having a diameter of from about 0.5 to about 2 mm to produce foamed liquid in the receptacle. The invention also provides capsules, apparatus and systems specifically adapted for use in the method. Preferably, the food ingredient is a milk powder, and the method produces a hot foamed beverage such as a cappuccino coffee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Mars, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Hayes, David A. Hester, Jon W. Shaw, Martin E. Colston, Geoffrey Furneaux, Elizabeth C. Charman, Glenn Harrison, John C. Cooke, David Hay, Michael Wright