Patents by Inventor Stefan Töpfl

Stefan Töpfl 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: 11969005
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating shell-fruits (3), in particular for producing shell-fruits (3) with improved shelling properties in comparison to untreated shell-fruits (3). The invention further relates to a device (1) for treating shell-fruits (3), in particular for producing shell-fruits (3) with improved shelling properties in comparison to untreated shell-fruits (3), comprising a hermetically sealable treatment chamber (2) for conditioning the shell-fruits (3). In order to provide a method and a device for treating shell-fruits which do not damage the contents of the kernel and simultaneously permit improved shelling of the shell-fruits and the opened shell to be better separated from the kernel, the method according to the invention comprises softening the shell of the shell-fruits (3) by applying an electric field, and the device according to the invention comprises at least one capacitor (4) for generating an electric field in the treatment chamber (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: ELEA SERVICE GMBH
    Inventors: Isabell Roeder, Vanessa Volkel, Stefan Topfl
  • Publication number: 20230036550
    Abstract: A method for frying a foodstuff (2) is shown, the cell membrane of which has been permeabilized, wherein the temperature of a frying medium (4) surrounding the foodstuff (2) is lowered from a starting temperature (8) at the beginning of the frying process to a final temperature (9) in a manner controlled in accordance with a predetermined temperature profile (7). Furthermore, a device (1) for producing a fried foodstuff (2) is shown, in particular for performing the above method, which comprises at least one frying container (3) for receiving a frying medium (4) and the foodstuff (2) to be fried, at least one temperature control device (5) for setting the temperature of the frying medium (4) in the frying container (3), and a control unit (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Kevin Hill, Robin Ostermeier, Stefan Topfl
  • Patent number: 11503844
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for continuously processing foodstuffs with pulsed electric fields, comprising a conveyor belt that is guided in a housing. The conveyor belt guide encompasses the longitudinal edges of the conveyor belt respectively in a recess that is arranged e.g. within the side walls of the housing and is preferably formed by the housing floor and the lateral insulator panels mounted at a distance from the housing floor on the inner side of the side walls or are formed as a groove within the lateral insulator panels. The upper strand of the conveyor belt is guided through the guides above the housing floor within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan Töpfl, Volker Heinz, Johann Isaak, Martin Stute
  • Publication number: 20200008449
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for continuously processing foodstuffs with pulsed electric fields, comprising a conveyor belt that is guided in a housing. The conveyor belt guide encompasses the longitudinal edges of the conveyor belt respectively in a recess that is arranged e.g. within the side walls of the housing and is preferably formed by the housing floor and the lateral insulator panels mounted at a distance from the housing floor on the inner side of the side walls or are formed as a groove within the lateral insulator panels. The upper strand of the conveyor belt is guided through the guides above the housing floor within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: Deutsches Institut für Lebenasmitteltechnik e.V.
    Inventors: Stefan TÖPFL, Volker HEINZ, Johann ISAAK, Martin STUTE
  • Publication number: 20190387783
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating shell-fruits (3), in particular for producing shell-fruits (3) with improved shelling properties in comparison to untreated shell-fruits (3). The invention further relates to a device (1) for treating shell-fruits (3), in particular for producing shell-fruits (3) with improved shelling properties in comparison to untreated shell-fruits (3), comprising a hermetically sealable treatment chamber (2) for conditioning the shell-fruits (3). In order to provide a method and a device for treating shell-fruits which do not damage the contents of the kernel and simultaneously permit improved shelling of the shell-fruits and the opened shell to be better separated from the kernel, the method according to the invention comprises softening the shell of the shell-fruits (3) by applying an electric field, and the device according to the invention comprises at least one capacitor (4) for generating an electric field in the treatment chamber (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Isabell Roeder, Vanessa Volkel, Stefan Topfl
  • Patent number: 9545122
    Abstract: The invention relates to a feed tank for use in a high-pressure system, said feed tank having a hollow space (3) for accommodating food items, a wall (1) and a temperature-control device (5). The invention further relates to a method for the simultaneous high-pressure and temperature treatment in a high-pressure tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignees: Deutsches Institut für Lebensmitteltechnik e.V., Triton GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Hukelmann, Stefan Töpfl, Volker Heinz, Fritz Kortschack
  • Publication number: 20140186499
    Abstract: The invention relates to a feed tank for use in a high-pressure system, said feed tank having a hollow space (3) for accommodating food items, a wall (1) and a temperature-control device (5). The invention further relates to a method for the simultaneous high-pressure and temperature treatment in a high-pressure tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicants: TRITON GMBH, DEUTSCHES INSTITUT FÜR LEBENSMITTELTECHNIK E.V.
    Inventors: Bernhard Hukelmann, Stefan Töpfl, Volker Heinz, Fritz Kortschack
  • Publication number: 20130133294
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preferably continuous packaging of products, in particular foods, with or without an already stabilized inherent shape such as fresh meat, meat products and sausage products, sausage meat emulsion or similar products by encasing them on all sides with single-layer or multilayer films that can be fed from the web. According to the invention flexible films that can be deformed without the action of heating and are self-resetting, are used as bottom web films, wherein the bottom web films are temporarily deformed by the action of pressure in order to form troughs for receiving product. The respective product is introduced as portions into the trough and fixed there, wherein it is fixed by a top web film or covering film, optionally supported by a restrainer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicants: TRITON GMBH, NORDENIA TECHNOLOGIES GMBH, DEUTSCHES INSTITUT FÜR LEBENSMITTELTECHNIK E.V.
    Inventors: Fritz Kortschack, Volker Heinz, Stefan Töpfl, Bernhard Hukelmann, Herbert Bader, Ralf Niepelt
  • Publication number: 20130059037
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the product features during the production of foodstuffs attributable to the product groups raw sausage and cooked sausage, pies, cooked meat products or similar products, in particular to obtain spreading properties or cutting properties. According to the invention, for the production of raw sausage the usual starting materials are salted, mixed and coarsely pre-chopped, not in a deep-frozen state, however. This mixture is subjected to fermentation and acidification, followed by a high-pressure treatment for the coagulation of protein, which simultaneously leads to an inactivation of microorganisms, with the mechanically separated raw meat materials remaining separated. This is followed by a fine comminution and filling. Similarly, for the production of cooked sausage usual starting materials are used, but are processed in the non-heated state, i.e. initially salted, mixed and coarsely pre-chopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicants: Deutsches Institut fur Lebensmitteltechnik e.V., Triton GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Heinz, Fritz Kortschack, Stefan Töpfl, Christian Hertel