Patents by Inventor Josip Simunovic

Josip Simunovic 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: 11882856
    Abstract: System and method for thermally treating a flowable product includes an apparatus including a waveguide for providing electromagnetic energy, a conduit for receiving a flowable material, and an applicator for delivering electromagnetic energy from a generator to the waveguide. The waveguide includes first and second arms that each comprise an output that is isolated from the output of the other arm by a phase shift, such that any reflected electromagnetic energy exits the arm through the input port and does not flow into the opposing arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignees: SinnovaTek, Inc., North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Michael Druga, Josip Simunovic, Thomas Kenner, Steven Giunta
  • Publication number: 20220346413
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a method of extracting bioactive agents from biomass using continuous microwave-assisted extraction. The disclosed method includes contacting the biomass with a solvent and optionally homogenizing the biomass. Then blending the biomass and the solvent and continuously passing the biomass though one more microwave assisted extraction units, thereby exposing the biomass to microwave energy. The solvent is separated from the biomass, where the separated solvent is the bioactive agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Michael DRUGA, Amanda VARGOCHIK, Josip SIMUNOVIC
  • Patent number: 11419354
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a system and method of extracting bioactive agents from biomass using continuous microwave-assisted extraction. The disclosed system includes a plurality of microwave modules that exposes the biomass to continuous microwave energy, and an extraction module to extract bioactive agents from the biomass. In some embodiments, the biomass is exposed to subcritical water treatment in the microwave modules. The disclosed system enables bioactive agent to be extracted effectively, in a relatively short period of time compared to conventional extraction methods and allows for an enhanced extraction yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignees: NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY, SINNOVATEK, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Druga, Amanda Vargochik, Josip Simunovic
  • Patent number: 11172699
    Abstract: The invention relates to a composition having polyphenols, protein and a final moisture content of at least about 0.1% by weight and methods of making the same. In some aspects, a composition of the invention includes about 5% to about 40% polyphenols by weight and about 60% to about 90% protein by weight. In other aspects, methods of producing compositions including polyphenols and protein are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignees: NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY, SINNOVATEK, INC.
    Inventors: Mary Ann Lila, Josip Simunovic, Michael Druga, Amanda Vargochik
  • Publication number: 20210000143
    Abstract: System and method for thermally treating a flowable product includes an apparatus comprising a waveguide for providing electromagnetic energy, a conduit for receiving a flowable material, and an applicator for delivering electromagnetic energy from a generator to the waveguide. The waveguide includes first and second arms that each comprise an output that is isolated from the output of the other arm by a phase shift, such that any reflected electromagnetic energy exits the arm through the input port and does not flow into the opposing arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Druga, Josip Simunovic, Thomas Kenner, Steven Giunta
  • Publication number: 20200029611
    Abstract: The invention relates to a composition comprising polyphenols, protein and a final moisture content of at least about 0.1% by weight and methods of making the same. In some aspects, a composition of the invention comprises about 5% to about 40% polyphenols by weight and about 60% to about 90% protein by weight. In other aspects, methods of producing compositions comprising polyphenols and protein are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Mary Ann Lila, Josip Simunovic, Michael Druga, Amanda Vargochik
  • Publication number: 20190373926
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a system and method of extracting bioactive agents from biomass using continuous microwave-assisted extraction. The disclosed system comprises a plurality of microwave modules that exposes the biomass to continuous microwave energy, and an extraction module to extract bioactive agents from the biomass. In some embodiments, the biomass is exposed to subcritical water treatment in the microwave modules. The disclosed system enables bioactive agent to be extracted effectively, in a relatively short period of time compared to conventional extraction methods and allows for an enhanced extraction yield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Michael DRUGA, Amanda VARGOCHIK, Josip SIMUNOVIC
  • Patent number: 10502637
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to simulated food particles. In one possible configuration and by non-limiting example, the disclosure includes a method for design and control of properties of simulated food particles for process monitoring and validation of aseptically processed multiphase foods and biomaterials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: HBC Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: Josip Simunovic, Pablo Marcelo Coronel
  • Publication number: 20190316971
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to simulated food particles. In one possible configuration and by non-limiting example, the disclosure includes a method for design and control of properties of simulated food particles for process monitoring and validation of aseptically processed multiphase foods and biomaterials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Josip Simunovic, Pablo Marcelo Coronel
  • Patent number: 10390550
    Abstract: Systems and method for thermal preservation (sterilization) of heterogenous and multiphase foods and biomaterials in order to achieve their shelf stability at ambient level temperatures. Flowing heterogenous, multiphase foods and biomaterials are exposed to single or multiple stages of electromagnetic energy under continuous flow conditions within conduits passing through the electromagnetic energy exposure chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignees: HBC Holding Company, LLC, North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Josip Simunovic, James Michael Drozd
  • Patent number: 10359319
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to simulated food particles. In one possible configuration and by non-limiting example, the disclosure includes a method for design and control of properties of simulated food particles for process monitoring and validation of aseptically processed multiphase foods and biomaterials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: HBC Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: Josip Simunovic, Pablo Marcelo Coronel
  • Publication number: 20170273324
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for thermally treating flowable materials using electromagnetic radiation, and foods and materials obtained thereby. Also provided are methods of continuous flow thermal treatment of biomaterials, apparatuses for performing the same, and products prepared using the methods and/or apparatuses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Josip Simunovic, Kenneth R. Swartzel, Van-Den Truong, Gary Dean Cartwright, Kandiyan Puthalath Sandeep, David L. Parrott, Pablo Coronel
  • Patent number: 9713340
    Abstract: An electromagnetic system includes a channel and at least one chamber comprising a first end and a second end. The channel traverses at least a portion of a longitudinal length of the at least one chamber, whereby the channel enters the chamber at the first end and exits the chamber at the second end. The channel includes an internal cavity for allowing materials to flow therein and be exposed to electromagnetic energy. In one embodiment, the chamber is designed so that the materials in the channel is exposed to lower electromagnetic energy at the first end of the chamber and exposed to a higher electromagnetic energy at the second end of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignees: North Carolina State University, Aseptia, Inc.
    Inventors: James Michael Drozd, Josip Simunovic
  • Publication number: 20170196244
    Abstract: Modular systems and related methods for thermally treating flowable materials using microwave radiation, and materials obtained thereby. Also provided are modular devices for continuous flow thermal treatment of materials, methods employing the same, and products prepared using the devices and/or methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Applicant: North Carolina State University
    Inventor: Josip Simunovic
  • Patent number: 9615593
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for thermally treating flowable materials using electromagnetic radiation, and foods and materials obtained thereby. Also provided are methods of continuous flow thermal treatment of biomaterials, apparatuses for performing the same, and products prepared using the methods and/or apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignees: North Carolina State University, Industrial Microwave Systems, L.L.C., The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Josip Simunovic, Kenneth R. Swartzel, Van-Den Truong, Gary Dean Cartwright, Kandiyan Puthalath Sandeep, David L. Parrott, Pablo Coronel
  • Publication number: 20160377568
    Abstract: A product is provided into a first end of a conduit so that the product flows toward a second end of the conduit. The conduit may include a first pair of probes attached at a first location and a second pair of probes at a second location. The product's conductivity in the conduit at the first location is monitored using the first set of probes, and the product's conductivity at the second location is monitored using the second set of probes. An marker material is introduced into an entry port of the conduit so that the marker material flows with the product. The marker material's conductivity is different than the products conductivity. At a first time, the first set of probes detects the conductivity of the product has changed due to the introduction of the marker material, and at a second time, the second set of probes also detects such change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Druga, John Alan Duff, Josip Simunovic
  • Publication number: 20160324195
    Abstract: Systems and method for thermal preservation (sterilization) of heterogenous and multiphase foods and biomaterials in order to achieve their shelf stability at ambient level temperatures. Flowing heterogenous, multiphase foods and biomaterials are exposed to single or multiple stages of electromagnetic energy under continuous flow conditions within conduits passing through the electromagnetic energy exposure chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Josip Simunovic, James Michael Drozd
  • Patent number: 9404952
    Abstract: A product is provided into a first end of a conduit so that the product flows toward a second end of the conduit. The conduit may include a first pair of probes attached at a first location and a second pair of probes at a second location. The product's conductivity in the conduit at the first location is monitored using the first set of probes, and the product's conductivity at the second location is monitored using the second set of probes. An marker material is introduced into an entry port of the conduit so that the marker material flows with the product. The marker material's conductivity is different than the product's conductivity. At a first time, the first set of probes detects the conductivity of the product has changed due to the introduction of the marker material, and at a second time, the second set of probes also detects such change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Aseptia, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Druga, John Alan Duff, Josip Simunovic
  • Publication number: 20160165909
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for thermally treating flowable materials using electromagnetic radiation, and foods and materials obtained thereby. Also provided are methods of continuous flow thermal treatment of biomaterials, apparatuses for performing the same, and products prepared using the methods and/or apparatuses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Josip Simunovic, Kenneth R. Swartzel, Van-Den Truong, Gary Dean Cartwright, Kandiyan Puthalath Sandeep, David L. Parrott, Pablo Coronel
  • Publication number: 20160153883
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to simulated food particles. In one possible configuration and by non-limiting example, the disclosure includes a method for design and control of properties of simulated food particles for process monitoring and validation of aseptically processed multiphase foods and biomaterials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Josip Simunovic, Pablo Marcelo Coronel