Patents by Inventor Garth Hoffmann

Garth Hoffmann 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: 12055468
    Abstract: Sampling probe devices, systems and methods for sampling frozen or solid meltable products. Such systems can include a heating element for placing against the frozen or solid product and a sampler with a cover fabricated at least partly from a microbial sampling medium so the cover absorbs a liquid sample from the product. Methods of sampling include heating the product and contacting the product with the cover until sufficient liquid sample is absorbed by the cover of the sampler. The cover can be weighed after sampling and compared to a before-sampling weight to confirm sufficient liquid was obtained. The sample can be tested as an aggregate sample that is representative of the lot or batch of product being sampled, including testing without an enrichment procedure. Systems utilizing automated heated-sampling plates and radiative heaters are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Fremonta Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Wilhelmsen, Yongqing Huang, Florence Wu, Garth Hoffmann, Wei Wu
  • Publication number: 20230397680
    Abstract: Manual samplers and sampling methods that facilitate improved dexterity and ease of use and that can be manufacture quickly and cost effectively are provided herein. Such sampler can include sampling sheet(s) with a pocket defined by seams to accommodate a user's entire hand for manual sampling of one or more products, in particular aggregate sampling of multiple products. Samplers can include entry seams to fit along the user's writs to retain the sampler on the user's hand and/or interior seams that engage the user's digits to improve dexterity while contact sampling of uneven surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Yongqing Huang, Wei Wu, Florence Wu, Garth Hoffmann, Eric Wilhelmsen
  • Publication number: 20220412850
    Abstract: Sampling probe devices, systems and methods for sampling frozen or solid meltable products. Such systems can include a heating element for placing against the frozen or solid product and a sampler with a cover fabricated at least partly from a microbial sampling medium so the cover absorbs a liquid sample from the product. Methods of sampling include heating the product and contacting the product with the cover until sufficient liquid sample is absorbed by the cover of the sampler. The cover can be weighed after sampling and compared to a before-sampling weight to confirm sufficient liquid was obtained. The sample can be tested as an aggregate sample that is representative of the lot or batch of product being sampled, including testing without an enrichment procedure. Systems utilizing automated heated-sampling plates and radiative heaters are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Eric Wilhelmsen, Yongqing Huang, Florence Wu, Garth Hoffmann, Wei Wu
  • Publication number: 20220214255
    Abstract: Sampling probe devices and methods for sampling frozen or solid meltable products are provided herein. Such devices can include a sampling probe with heating element and a cover fabricated at least partly from a microbial sampling medium that fits over the probe and heating element so that when the heated probe is placed against the frozen or solid product, the cover absorbs a liquid sample from the product. Methods of sampling include heating the probe and contacting the product with the cover until sufficient liquid sample is absorbed by the cover. The cover can be weighed after sampling and compared to a before-sampling weight to confirm sufficient liquid was obtained. The sample can be tested as an aggregate sample that is representative of the lot or batch of product being sampled, including testing without an enrichment procedure. Systems utilizing automated heated-sampling plates and radiative heaters are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Eric Wilhelmsen, Yongqing Huang, Florence Wu, Garth Hoffmann, Wei Wu