Patents by Inventor Nicholas David Hedges

Nicholas David Hedges 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: 20230329307
    Abstract: Novel coated bulking agent particles for reduction of calories in fat-based food products comprising sugar. A coated bulking agent particle comprising from 2 wt % to 70 wt % bulking agent and from 30 wt % to 98 wt % coating composition comprising sugar and surface active agent; wherein the ratio of sugar to surface active agent in the composition is from 2000:1 to 4:1 and from 50 wt % to 100 wt % of the sugar is in crystalline form; wherein the bulking agent is coated with the coating composition; an agglomerated coated bulking agent particle; a process of preparing the particles and a fat-based confection composition comprising the coated bulking agent particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert C. Alexandre, Abdelfattah Bensouissi, Nicholas David HEDGES, John Turner MITCHELL, Nick Vaes, Simon David Wantling
  • Publication number: 20230329276
    Abstract: A composition comprising novel coated bulking agent particles for reduction of calories in fat-based food products comprising sugar. A coated bulking agent particle comprising from 2 wt % to 70 wt % bulking agent and from 30 wt % to 98 wt % coating composition comprising sugar and surface active agent; wherein the ratio of sugar to surface active agent in the composition is from 2000:1 to 4:1 and from 50 wt % to 100 wt % of the sugar is in crystalline form; wherein the bulking agent is coated with the coating composition, and, wherein the bulking agent is selected from the group consisting of exhausted cocoa powder, washed coffee powder, washed tea powder, cocoa-shell, wheat bran, corn bran, corn-cob fibre, rice bran, bamboo fibre, coconut fibre, potato fibre, apple fibre, and mixtures thereof; an agglomerated coated bulking agent particle; a process of preparing the particles and a fat-based confection N composition comprising the coated bulking agent particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Abdelfattah Bensouissi, Audrey Caspar, Nicholas David Hedges, John Turner Mitchell, Nick Vaes
  • Publication number: 20220142198
    Abstract: Novel coated bulking agent particles for reduction of calories in fat-based food products comprising sugar. A coated bulking agent particle comprising from 2 wt % to 70 wt % bulking agent and from 30 wt % to 98 wt % coating composition comprising sugar and surface active agent; wherein the ratio of sugar to surface active agent in the composition is from 2000:1 to 4:1 and from 50 wt % to 100 wt % of the sugar is in crystalline form; wherein the bulking agent is coated with the coating composition; an agglomerated coated bulking agent particle; a process of preparing the particles and a fat-based confection composition comprising the coated bulking agent particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a UNILEVER
    Inventors: Audrey CASPAR, Nicholas David HEDGES, John Turner MITCHELL
  • Publication number: 20180168186
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous composition in liquid form, which contains oil, milk protein, monosaccharides, disaccharides, and/or oligosaccharides, one or more emulsifiers, and a combination of water-insoluble cellulose-based fibres and one or more water-soluble hydrocolloids. The composition may be aerated, and may be used to be frozen quiescently to prepare a frozen confection. The invention also provides a method for preparation of the composition of the invention, and a method for freezing the aerated composition of the invention. The liquid composition can be distributed at temperatures above 0° C., and frozen at the point of use prior to consumption, such that much energy is saved as compared to distribution of frozen confections at temperatures below 0° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a UNILEVER
    Inventors: Nicholas David HEDGES, David John JUDGE, Penelope Eileen KNIGHT, Loyd WIX
  • Publication number: 20140170292
    Abstract: A chill, ambient or frozen aerated confection is disclosed whose microstructure is stable to temperature abuse for the frozen case or storage for the chill or ambient case. A synergistic stabilization effect regarding the combination of hydrophobin, a Secondary protein and a Co-surfactant is described that results in the observed stabilization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a UNILEVER
    Inventors: Andrew Richard COX, Nicholas David HEDGES, Damiano ROSSETTI, Penelope Eileen KNIGHT
  • Publication number: 20140050836
    Abstract: A frozen aerated confection is disclosed that is stable to temperature abuse. A synergistic stabilization effect regarding the combination of hydrophobin, a Secondary protein and a Co-surfactant is described that results in the observed stabilization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: CONOPCO, INC., D/B/A UNILEVER
    Inventors: ANDREW RICHARD COX, NICHOLAS DAVID HEDGES, DAMIANO ROSSETTI, JAKOB BROBERG KRISTENSEN
  • Publication number: 20130202539
    Abstract: The invention provides an oral care composition obtainable by: (i) preparing an oil-in-water emulsion by dispersing an oil phase into an aqueous continuous phase, the aqueous continuous phase comprising an oil-in-water emulsifier which is selected from one or more hydrophobins, so that emulsified particles of oil phase are formed which are emulsified with the one or more hydrophobins; and (ii) combining the emulsion so obtained with an oral care base formulation which is suitable for treating the surfaces of the oral cavity. Compositions of the invention demonstrate enhanced deposition of oil phase components onto oral cavity surfaces such as tooth enamel and tooth dentine, and in particular onto damaged surfaces such as scratched and demineralised enamel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Eleanor Margaret D'Agostino, Nicholas David Hedges, Asish Nandi, Jordan Todorov Petkov
  • Patent number: 8354503
    Abstract: Process for extracting hydrophobin from a solution wherein carrageenan is added to the solution and the pH of the solution is brought below 3.5, and the ionic strength of the solution is below 0.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas David Hedges
  • Patent number: 8236332
    Abstract: The present invention relates to emulsifier system comprising food-grade gelled particles and the preparation of particle stabilised emulsions with this emulsifier. The emulsifier system can be used in any fields of applications, such as food products, home and personal care applications and pharmaceutical applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Conopco Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas David Hedges
  • Patent number: 8187583
    Abstract: Improved oil-in-water emulsions are provided and a method for their manufacture. In particular, the emulsions comprise a means to control delivery of oil-soluble or water-soluble actives in a core comprising a liquid oil or gel oil continuous phase, which actives can be delivered with improved deposition to surfaces such as, in particular, the skin, gastro-intestinal tract and that defined by the oral cavity. The emulsions are also noted for their improved stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas David Hedges, John Turner Mitchell, Gleb Yakubov
  • Publication number: 20100240608
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an oil-in-water emulsion comprising a gelled particle emulsifier derived from naturally occurring food-grade polymers, the emulsion preferably being in the form of a food product or a home care product or a personal care product or a pharmaceutical product. Emulsifiers are limited in their use as they can cause allergic reactions in some people. There is thus a constant need for alternative emulsifiers. The goal of the present invention is to provide a stable emulsion which can be used in a wide number of applications. Thus an oil-in-water emulsion comprising 0.001-50%, preferably 0.001-30%, more preferably 0.001-10% w/w oil and 0.001 to less than 0.5%, preferably 0.001-0.4%, more preferably 0.01-0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: CONOPCO, INC., D/B/A UNILEVER
    Inventor: Nicholas David Hedges
  • Publication number: 20100197810
    Abstract: Improved oil-in-water emulsions are provided and a method for their manufacture. In particular, the emulsions comprise a means to control delivery of oil-soluble or water-soluble actives in a core comprising a liquid oil or gel oil continuous phase, which actives can be delivered with improved deposition to surfaces such as, in particular, the skin, gastro-intestinal tract and that defined by the oral cavity. The emulsions are also noted for their improved stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: CONOPCO, INC., d/b/a UNILEVER
    Inventors: Nicholas David Hedges, John Turner Mitchell, Gleb Yakubov
  • Publication number: 20100151525
    Abstract: Process for extracting hydrophobin from a solution wherein carrageenan is added to the solution and the pH of the solution is brought below 3.5, and the ionic strength of the solution is below 0.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: CONOPCO, INC., D/B/A UNILEVER
    Inventor: Nicholas David Hedges
  • Publication number: 20100112139
    Abstract: Gelled particles having a largest dimension of more than 0.1 ?m which are coated with hydrophobin are provided. Aerated and aeratable compositions comprising the particles are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: CONOPCO, INC., D/B/A UNILEVER
    Inventors: Elodie Aumaitre, Donald Bernard Farrer, Nicholas David Hedges, Anne-Marie Williamson, Bettina Wolf
  • Publication number: 20090087464
    Abstract: The present invention relates to emulsifier system comprising food-grade gelled particles and the preparation of particle stabilised emulsions with this emulsifier. The emulsifier system can be used in any fields of applications, such as food products, home and personal care applications and pharmaceutical applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventor: Nicholas David Hedges
  • Patent number: 6153245
    Abstract: A process for shaping a fish product comprises the steps of: a) placing a portion of frozen fish at a temperature of less than or equal to -5.degree. C., which portion comprises myotomes (2,4), in a device for shaping; and b) applying pressure to the shaping device to shape the fish; wherein the process causes substantially no intra-myotome deformation of the fish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Gorton's Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas David Hedges, Robert Hurling
  • Patent number: 6007864
    Abstract: A process for obtaining a frozen fish product comprises: treating frozen or non-frozen fish, which comprises molecules of myosin and molecules of actin, each molecule of myosin having a head region (6) and a tail region (8), such that the conformation of the head region of the molecule of myosin changes irreversibly and the conformation of the molecule of actin does not change completely and irreversibly; and storing the fish under freezing conditions. Suitable treatments for affecting the conformational change include application of pressure. The treated fish product has an increased resistance to frozen deterioration of texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Gorton's Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Rachel Mary Goodband, Nicholas David Hedges, Peter Wilding
  • Patent number: 5738897
    Abstract: Suspensions of hydrated gelled biopolymer particles obtainable by hydrating dry biopolymer particles at a temperature below T.sub.gel. Such suspensions may be used in food products such as edible spreads and ice creams or in personal care products such as skin creams and moisturizers, to impart a fatty-like character to the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Quest International B.V.
    Inventors: Michael John Gidley, Nicholas David Hedges
  • Patent number: RE44812
    Abstract: Process for extracting hydrophobin from a solution wherein carrageenan is added to the solution and the pH of the solution is brought below 3.5, and the ionic strength of the solution is below 0.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas David Hedges