Patents by Inventor Jeffrey K. Leppla

Jeffrey K. Leppla 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: 5322703
    Abstract: Green coffee beans are dried prior to roasting to a moisture content of from 0.5 to 7%. The drying is conducted at from 70.degree. to 325.degree. F. (21.degree. to 163.degree. C.) for from 1 minute to 24 hours. The dried green beans are fast roasted to a Hunter L-color of from 10-16. The dried roasted beans are blended with non-dried coffee beans roasted to a Hunter L-color of from 17-24 and having a moisture content before roasting of greater than about 7%. The blend contains from 1-50% of the dried dark roasted beans and from 50-99% of the non-dried roasted beans. The blend has a surprisingly high yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mary R. Jensen, Steven J. Kirkpatrick, Jeffrey K. Leppla
  • Patent number: 5227188
    Abstract: Roasted coffee granules are admixed with roasted coffee non-granules in critical weight ratios. The smaller coffee non-granules include flaked coffee, flaked coffee fines, ground coffee fines, and coffee agglomerates. The larger coffee granules include roast and ground coffee. The coffee granules and coffee non-granules are densified to between 0.41 to 0.56 grams/cc. The compact coffee has the flowability, flavor, aroma and strength of roast and ground coffee. At equal volumes, the compact coffee results in more brewed coffee than conventional roast and ground coffee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey K. Leppla, Steven J. Kirkpatrick, William C. Papa