Patents by Inventor Fritz Kortschack

Fritz Kortschack 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).

  • Publication number: 20230292406
    Abstract: The invention relates to a special electrode arrangement for the targeted ohmic heating of different products, media or structures that are electrically conductive or contain electrically conductive constituents and have an inorganic or organic basis, including products of plant or animal origin, consisting of at least one electrode group comprising a plurality of individual electrodes. According to the invention, the individual electrodes are arranged at a distance apart from one another in an insulating carrier and, with the exception of an electrode surface region, are insulated from the product to be treated or the structure to be treated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventor: Fritz Kortschack
  • Patent number: 11528917
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating a food product by non-conventional resistive heating using. contact with spaced-apart electrically conductive electrodes connected to a power source that regulates current to the electrodes by pausing heating of the food product to a predetermined temperature. The electrodes are configured into two groups at a first distance from one another. Each electrode group has individual electrodes, similar to a comb-like set of needles, wherein neighboring needles of each group are at a second distance from one another that is greater than or equal to the first distance. Each set of needles penetrates the food product such that points of the needles leave penetration points, wherein the food product is accommodated in a space between two conveyor belts and the individual electrodes extend from at least one of the conveyor belts in the direction of the opposite conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Inventor: Fritz Kortschack
  • Publication number: 20220217817
    Abstract: The invention relates to a special electrode arrangement for the targeted ohmic heating of different inorganically or organically based products or structures that are electrically conductive or contain electrically conductive constituents, including products of plant or animal origin, consisting of at least one group of electrodes comprising at least two individual electrodes, formed as puncturing or penetrating electrodes. The puncturing or penetrating electrodes are electrically insulated from one another and likewise designed to be insulated with respect to the product or the structure to be treated, with the exception of a portion of the surface or of the electrode tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventor: Fritz Kortschack
  • Patent number: 10893681
    Abstract: A method for treating a food which is in an insulating encapsulation or casing or which will be introduced into same, by ohmic heating. The heating serves to treat sausage products in an intestine, such as Brühwurst (scalded sausage), hot dogs or similar food products. The food is brought into contact with spaced electrically conductive electrodes, wherein the electrodes are connected to a controllable power source. The electrodes are each in the form of at least one first and one second electrode group, wherein the electrode groups are at a distance AEG to one another. Each electrode group has a number of individual electrodes, similar to a comb-like set of needles, wherein the neighbouring individual electrodes of the comb-type set of needles are each at a distance AEE to one another. The respective comb-like set of needles penetrates the insulating encapsulation or the casing of the food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Inventor: Fritz Kortschack
  • Publication number: 20200359639
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating a food product by means of non-conventional resistive heating. The heating serves to treat sausage products in an intestine, such as Brühwurst (scalded sausage), hot dogs or similar food products. The respective food product is brought into contact with spaced-apart electrically conductive electrodes, wherein the electrodes are connected to a controllable power source. According to the invention, the electrodes are each in the form of at least one first and one second electrode group, wherein the electrode groups are at a distance AEG in relation to one another. Each electrode group has a number of individual electrodes, similar to a comb-like set of needles, wherein the neighboring individual electrodes of the comb-like set of needles are each at a distance AEE from one another. The distance AEG is greater than or at most equal to the distance AEE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventor: Fritz Kortschack
  • Publication number: 20190327983
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating a food which is in an insulating encapsulation or casing or which will be introduced into same, by means of non-conventional ohmic heating. The heating serves, in particular, to treat sausage products in an intestine, such as Brühwurst (scalded sausage), hot dogs or similar food products. The food is brought into contact with spaced electrically conductive electrodes, wherein the electrodes are connected to a controllable power source. According to the invention, the electrodes are each in the form of at least one first and one second electrode group, wherein the electrode groups are at a distance AEG to one another. Each electrode group has a number of individual electrodes, similar to a comb-like set of needles, wherein the neighbouring individual electrodes of the comb-type set of needles are each at a distance AEE to one another. The distance AEG is greater than or max. equal to the distance AEE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventor: Fritz Kortschack
  • Patent number: 10130108
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for enhancing the product quality and product safety of meat or foodstuffs of animal or vegetable origin by means of selective pressure and temperature treatment. According to the invention, fresh or warm meat of any form is packed in portions using a film container which has recoil abilities and therefore any liquid possibly escaping from the packed product distributes itself uniformly over the surface of the product. The packed portions are then placed in a container-like treatment device which has, mounted on the surfaces coming into contact with the product, a plurality of cushions, tubes or similarly elastic structures to which a pressure and temperature control medium may be applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignees: DEUTSCHES INSTITUT FÜR LEBENSMITTELTECHNIK E.V., TRITON GMBH
    Inventors: Volker Heinz, Fritz Kortschack
  • Publication number: 20170217613
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating and distributing foodstuffs, in particular meat or sausage products, the foodstuffs being enveloped by a packaging material or introduced into a packaging material. According to the invention, the foodstuff contained in and provided with the packaging is subjected to a targeted treatment in order to inactivate micro-organisms for the purposes of microbe reduction and a protective coating is applied to the packaging immediately afterwards or during this treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventor: Fritz Kortschack
  • Patent number: 9545122
    Abstract: The invention relates to a feed tank for use in a high-pressure system, said feed tank having a hollow space (3) for accommodating food items, a wall (1) and a temperature-control device (5). The invention further relates to a method for the simultaneous high-pressure and temperature treatment in a high-pressure tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignees: Deutsches Institut für Lebensmitteltechnik e.V., Triton GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Hukelmann, Stefan Töpfl, Volker Heinz, Fritz Kortschack
  • Publication number: 20160309729
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for processing raw materials and effectively producing meat- and sausage-based raw cured goods by means of a drying and aging process together with the addition of starter cultures, wherein the raw material or an already available intermediate product is exposed to a vacuum. According to the invention, moisture, in particular water or water vapor, released during the treatment under vacuum is bound by means of adsorbents in order to accelerate the drying process, wherein the adsorption process occurs in one or more stages depending on the desired degree of drying or the aw value of the raw material or intermediate product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: DEUTSCHES INSTITUT FÜR LEBENSMITTELTECHNIK E.V.
    Inventor: Fritz Kortschack
  • Publication number: 20160183543
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating food, in particular meat or sausage products, by means of a nonconventional heating process, in particular an ohmic heating process, having the following steps:—filling a dimensionally stable shell or a shell which is made dimensionally stable by additional means, said shell being made of a nonconductive material, with a filling material, in particular with sausage or a similar raw food product,—closing openings of the shell with conductive surfaces, in particular panels, plungers, or stoppers, and—conducting an electric AC voltage via the conductive surfaces and conducting the current through the filling material while the filling material moves relative to the conductive surfaces for a uniform ohmic heating process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Fritz Kortschack, Werner Gr. Kohorst
  • Publication number: 20150296817
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for enhancing the product quality and product safety of meat or foodstuffs of animal or vegetable origin by means of selective pressure and temperature treatment. According to the invention, fresh or warm meat of any form is packed in portions using a film container which has recoil abilities and therefore any liquid possibly escaping from the packed product distributes itself uniformly over the surface of the product. The packed portions are then placed in a container-like treatment device which has, mounted on the surfaces coming into contact with the product, a plurality of cushions, tubes or similarly elastic structures to which a pressure and temperature control medium may be applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Volker Heinz, Fritz Kortschack
  • Publication number: 20150282516
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for increasing food safety by means of a high-pressure treatment of raw materials or semi-finished products. A high-pressure treatment of the product is carried out during the production of the product while monitoring a product-specific dwell time in order to reduce the microbial count in a controlled manner without using heating processes. The products are then packed, stored, and transported to the consumer, where the product is thermally heated so as to be safe for human consumption, in particular with respect to the desired cut resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Volker Heinz, Fritz Kortschack
  • Publication number: 20140255588
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing reduced-fat foods such as meat products and sausage products, in particular raw, cooked, or boiled sausages, on the basis of a sausage meat made from a ground amount of meat, optionally a water addition, and the addition of salt, spices, auxiliary substances, and additives. According to the invention, animal tissue, in particular lean meat, treated with high pressure and/or skin treated with high pressure is fed to the mixture cut to produce the sausage meat as an at least partial fat substitute, whereby the protein content of the mixture is increased and the structure of the product is appealing and not similar to reduced-fat products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: DIL German Institute of Food Technologies
    Inventors: Fritz Kortschack, Volker Heinz, Bajo Bajovic
  • Publication number: 20140186499
    Abstract: The invention relates to a feed tank for use in a high-pressure system, said feed tank having a hollow space (3) for accommodating food items, a wall (1) and a temperature-control device (5). The invention further relates to a method for the simultaneous high-pressure and temperature treatment in a high-pressure tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicants: TRITON GMBH, DEUTSCHES INSTITUT FÜR LEBENSMITTELTECHNIK E.V.
    Inventors: Bernhard Hukelmann, Stefan Töpfl, Volker Heinz, Fritz Kortschack
  • Publication number: 20130133294
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preferably continuous packaging of products, in particular foods, with or without an already stabilized inherent shape such as fresh meat, meat products and sausage products, sausage meat emulsion or similar products by encasing them on all sides with single-layer or multilayer films that can be fed from the web. According to the invention flexible films that can be deformed without the action of heating and are self-resetting, are used as bottom web films, wherein the bottom web films are temporarily deformed by the action of pressure in order to form troughs for receiving product. The respective product is introduced as portions into the trough and fixed there, wherein it is fixed by a top web film or covering film, optionally supported by a restrainer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicants: TRITON GMBH, NORDENIA TECHNOLOGIES GMBH, DEUTSCHES INSTITUT FÜR LEBENSMITTELTECHNIK E.V.
    Inventors: Fritz Kortschack, Volker Heinz, Stefan Töpfl, Bernhard Hukelmann, Herbert Bader, Ralf Niepelt
  • Publication number: 20130059037
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the product features during the production of foodstuffs attributable to the product groups raw sausage and cooked sausage, pies, cooked meat products or similar products, in particular to obtain spreading properties or cutting properties. According to the invention, for the production of raw sausage the usual starting materials are salted, mixed and coarsely pre-chopped, not in a deep-frozen state, however. This mixture is subjected to fermentation and acidification, followed by a high-pressure treatment for the coagulation of protein, which simultaneously leads to an inactivation of microorganisms, with the mechanically separated raw meat materials remaining separated. This is followed by a fine comminution and filling. Similarly, for the production of cooked sausage usual starting materials are used, but are processed in the non-heated state, i.e. initially salted, mixed and coarsely pre-chopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicants: Deutsches Institut fur Lebensmitteltechnik e.V., Triton GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Heinz, Fritz Kortschack, Stefan Töpfl, Christian Hertel
  • Patent number: 8153179
    Abstract: Process for the simultaneous surface treatment, apportioning and shaping, as well as conservation of foodstuffs such as meat and sausage products, sausage meat or the like, even without the use of skins or case-shaped or bag-shaped foils. The product is first compacted between two shaping, at least partially structured plates. At the end of the compacting process, the product is separated into shaping sections by being mechanically brought into contact with corresponding zones of the shaping plates. A natural skin having a reduced aw value, shape-stabilizing and sterilizing properties is formed on the product surface by appropriately and controllably heating the product, preferably by means of the shaping plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Deutsches Institut fur Lebensmitteltechnik e.V.
    Inventor: Fritz Kortschack
  • Publication number: 20110223285
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the product characteristics during the production of foodstuffs, which are attributable to the product groups raw and cooked sausages, pies, cooked meat products or the like, especially to obtain a spreadable or cuttable product. According to the invention, during the production of raw sausage usual starting materials are salted, mixed and coarsely pre-minced, however, not in a deep-frozen state. Then this mixture is subjected to a fermentation and acidification. According to the invention, a high-pressure treatment is performed subsequently so as to allow a protein coagulation and simultaneously inactivate microorganisms, while the mechanically separated raw meat materials remain separated. Then a fine mincing and a filling are performed. During the production of cooked sausage usual starting materials are used, however, are processed in a non-heated state, that is, salted, mixed and coarsely pre-minced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicants: Deutsches Institut for Lebensmitteltechnik e.V., Triton GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Heinz, Fritz Kortschack
  • Publication number: 20110014323
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the automatable production of raw sausage by mincing and mixing parts or pieces of meat and adding starter cultures, spices or similar materials. According to the invention, the parts or pieces of meat are supplied as feed stock to the mincing and mixing space (14) over a transport system, especially a multi-piston/cylinder system (1, 2), which can be operated separately from the mincer on the drive side, as a function of the capacity of the mincer (5) or mincers (5) in such a manner, that damming up as well as an increase in temperature and, with that, damage to the feed stock, is avoided. A drying container (6), which takes up exchangeable adsorbents in order to take up water or water vapor from the material treated, is coupled to the mincing and mixing space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Volker Heinz, Fritz Kortschack