Patents by Inventor Kenneth A. Yunker

Kenneth A. Yunker 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: 6358552
    Abstract: An aroma product resulting from the recovery of aroma components from coffee. A slurry of coffee grounds in an aqueous liquid is subjected to stripping for stripping aroma components from the slurry. The stripping is carried out using gas in a substantially counter-current manner to provide an aromatized gas containing aroma components. The aroma components are then collected from the aromatized gas. The aroma components may be added to concentrated coffee extract prior to drying of the extract. The coffee powder produced has much increased and improved aroma and flavor and contains higher levels of furans and diketones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Zenon Ioannis Mandralis, Scott Westfall, Kenneth A. Yunker
  • Patent number: 6149957
    Abstract: A process for the recovery of aroma components from coffee. A slurry of coffee grounds in an aqueous liquid is subjected to stripping for stripping aroma components from the slurry. The stripping is carried out using gas in a substantially counter-current manner to provide an aromatized gas containing aroma components. The aroma components are then collected from the aromatized gas. The aroma components may be added to concentrated coffee extract prior to drying of the extract. The coffee powder produced has much increased and improved aroma and flavor and contains higher levels of furans and diketones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Zenon Ioannis Mandralis, Scott Westfall, Kenneth A. Yunker
  • Patent number: 5043177
    Abstract: A liquid absorbent is contacted with and atomized by an aromatics-laden gas resulting in transfer of the aromatics from the gas to the absorbent. The gas and aromatics-laden absorbent are then separated, and the aromatics-laden absorbent is collected. The aromatics may be obtained from an aromatics-bearing material, including vegatable materials such as roast and ground coffee, for example, by contacting the aromatics-bearing material with a gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Mark Chimel, Yousef Ghodsizadeh, Don Weitzenecker, Kenneth A. Yunker