Treating Unshelled Egg Patents (Class 426/298)
  • Patent number: 11937618
    Abstract: A protein-rich composition can be provided from egg albumen via a process that involves diafiltering with purified water an egg albumen concentrate. Collected retentate from the diafiltration step constitutes a protein-rich composition which, on a dry basis, can include less than 1% (w/w) lipids. The composition can be spray dried to a protein isolate solid which is substantially free of sugars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: MICHAEL FOODS, INC.
    Inventors: Noel G. Rudie, Alicia Stube, Daniel L. Vance, Todd D. Bohman
  • Patent number: 9289002
    Abstract: A batch processing control system for a shell egg pasteurizer controls the time and temperature in which batches of shell eggs are held in a pasteurization bath in accordance with a predetermined pasteurization protocol for designated egg size and start temperature. The predetermined pasteurization protocol is preferably statistically verified to optimize batches of eggs having the designated size and start temperature. The system also includes reporting software that generates daily reports to track each respective batch and verify that the batch has been pasteurized according to the statistically verified protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: National Pasteurized Eggs, Inc.
    Inventor: Hector Gregorio Lara
  • Patent number: 9138104
    Abstract: An exemplary aspect comprises a device for separating an egg yolk from an egg white, comprising: (a) a yolk chamber component comprising a first opening and a second opening; and (b) a vacuum chamber component comprising an opening, wherein the second opening of the yolk chamber component is detachably connected to the opening of the vacuum chamber component. Another exemplary aspect comprises a method of separating an egg yolk from an egg white, comprising: (a) compressing a vacuum chamber component, wherein the vacuum chamber component is detachably connected to a yolk chamber component, and wherein the yolk chamber component is empty; (b) placing the first opening of the yolk chamber component against an egg yolk; and (c) releasing pressure on the vacuum chamber component until the egg yolk is drawn into the yolk chamber component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: QUIRKY, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Fusco, Aaron Saxton, Nicholas Oxley
  • Publication number: 20150079247
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the formulation and process for preparation of a fried egg product that may be frozen for future heating in a microwave or other oven or griddle, for consumption by an individual. Various ingredients are added and mixed to each of the liquid egg white and liquid egg yolk portions. The liquid egg white portion is preheated and then deposited within a mold for slow cooking under controlled temperature and humidity conditions. The liquid egg yolk portion is preheated and then added to the mold for placement on the egg white portion. Following a short period of cooking, the mold containing the formulated fried eggs is transported to a freezer unit for freezing, then is removed from the mold for packaging and storage. At a future time, the frozen formulated fried egg product may be thawed and reheated for consumption by an individual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: MICHAEL FOODS, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Merkle, Hershell R. Ball, JR., Jason W. Mathews
  • Publication number: 20150030734
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing homestyle egg product portions on a commercial scale is described. The apparatus includes a plurality of moving heated pockets, and a plurality of mixers. Each heated pocket is capable of holding an egg product portion, and each mixer is capable of stirring an egg product portion held in a heated pocket to yield a stirred egg product portion. The apparatus can further include a plurality of groupers. Each grouper is capable of gathering stirred egg product portions held in a moving heated pocket. Methods for producing homestyle egg product portions on a commercial scale are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Robert E. Lee, Aaron K. Martin, Donald R. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20140342063
    Abstract: An eggshell extraction utensil for selecting, isolating and removing eggshell fragments from a viscous fluid such as egg whites in a container. The utensil includes a handle, strainer portion and lip. The shape of the strainer portion is designed to maximize contact with a container edge and provide ease of use for the intended purpose. A lip extends from the strainer portion to more easily capture eggshell portions. By using the utensil, one may easily extract eggshell fragments during the preparation of certain recipes that require egg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Clifford W. Heinrich
  • Patent number: 8871287
    Abstract: A method for arranging eggs in a container. Eggs placed in receptacles of the container come to a resting orientation, by virtue of eh contouring of the receptacle, such that a long axis of the first egg is tilted toward a rear portion of the container at nearly uniform angles slightly offset from a vertical axis, and parallel side-to-side. Using features of the container, movement of eggs from their resting orientation, as well as twisting (spinning) about their long axes is resisted during marking, shipping or handling. The orienting of eggs in the receptacles or compartments thereof may be aided by use of an egg orienter. Tilting of the eggs may be facilitated by using receptacles or compartments which are asymmetrically contoured with respect to the vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: TEN Media, LLC
    Inventors: Mitchell Barry Chait, Richard Blackburn, Marco Armand Hegyi
  • Publication number: 20140272037
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooking eggs that differentiates the exposure of cooking heat to the yolk and albumin of the uncooked egg by controlling both the geometry of the yolk and the albumin and their relative exposures to cooking heat, which includes a body for holding an egg white component of a egg, the body having a bottom surface and one or more side surfaces extending from the bottom surface, and at least one concave recess within the body, the recess facilitating retention and support of an egg yolk component of the shelled egg and holding the egg yolk in a substantially spherical shape, wherein the body and the recess are arranged such that the egg yolk component is shielded at least partially by one or more additional elements in comparison to the egg white component when the egg is in place within the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Leonard I. Frenkil, SR.
  • Patent number: 8815320
    Abstract: A process for producing a composition containing biologically active follistatin from a biological source, which composition is preserved and, especially pathogen free and is storage stable, preferably at room temperature. Further, the invention relates to the composition containing biologically active follistatin, which composition is available by the production process. The invention provides a process for producing a composition containing biologically active follistatin from avian eggs, or from raw animal blood serum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Myos Corporation
    Inventors: Waldemar Buxmann, Volker Heinz, Stefan Toepfl
  • Publication number: 20140193550
    Abstract: An egg yolk separator device comprises uniquely configured structures for selectively grabbing an egg yolk from an egg albumen as supported upon a surface. A suction bulb and a tubular structure coupled to the suction bulb enable a user to selectively provide a suction force directed away from the inlet-outlet orifice toward the suction bulb for directing an egg yolk into the tubular structure. The orifice is sized and shaped to receive an egg yolk having a yolk weight, and the selectively provided suction force is greater than the yolk weight for directing the egg yolk into the yolk-receiving structure via the yolk inlet-outlet orifice. The tubular structure may further include a belly compartment that may house the egg yolk for further or later deposition and the bulb may further include a flattened side for preventing rotation of the device and maintaining the belly compartment in a downwardly extended direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventor: Junli Wang
  • Publication number: 20140099414
    Abstract: Ready to eat cold egg tarts, with a variety of ingredient combinations suitable for healthy consumption. Serving size can be a single serving, or a six pack of servings for convenience such that the inherent nutritional aspects of eggs are able to be included in consumer's diets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventor: Alice Chang
  • Publication number: 20140079851
    Abstract: A device and method are provided for separating an egg yolk from an egg white. The device is a handheld device which utilizes an elastic top dome connected to a rigid bottom funnel. The top dome is hermetically sealed to the bottom funnel. A user compresses the top dome to create an internal vacuum in the device which is utilized to draw an egg yolk into the device and away from the egg white. A user may then compress the top dome to evacuate the egg yolk from the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventor: Paul Osterberg
  • Publication number: 20130344209
    Abstract: An eggshell extraction utensil for selecting, isolating and removing eggshell fragments from a viscous fluid such as egg whites in a container. The utensil includes a handle, strainer portion and lip. The shape of the strainer portion is designed to maximize contact with a container edge and provide ease of use for the intended purpose. A lip extends from the strainer portion to more easily capture eggshell portions. By using the utensil, one may easily extract eggshell fragments during the preparation of certain recipes that require egg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Clifford W. Heinrich
  • Publication number: 20130330455
    Abstract: A process for producing a composition containing biologically active follistatin from a biological source, which composition is preserved and, especially pathogen free and is storage stable, preferably at room temperature. Further, the invention relates to the composition containing biologically active follistatin, which composition is available by the production process. The invention provides a process for producing a composition containing biologically active follistatin from avian eggs, or from raw animal blood serum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Deutsches Institut fuer Lebensmitteltechnik e.V.
    Inventors: Waldemar Buxmann, Volker Heinz, Stefan Toepft
  • Patent number: 8545916
    Abstract: A method for separating a yolk from albumen of an egg including the steps of assembling the yolk and albumen in a bowl, providing a container that encloses a chamber and has an orifice sized to receive therein the yolk, arranging the orifice to communicate in flow series with the chamber to deliver the yolk thereto, positioning the yolk in the orifice by spatial movement between the orifice and the yolk from the bowl when the container is in a squeezed condition thereof, stripping the yolk of the albumen so as to allow the albumen to return to the bowl while the yolk enters the chamber when the container has moved to a released condition thereof, and changing between the released condition and the squeezed condition is accomplished by alternately squeezing or releasing the container to create or release the vacuum in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Sergio Maestoso
  • Publication number: 20130251863
    Abstract: Apparatus for treating items with a treatment gas to decontaminate the items includes a chamber which receives the items. The chamber has a gas inlet in fluid communication with a distribution duct positioned within the chamber. The duct distributes the treatment gas throughout the chamber to prevent gas stratification. The chamber may also have a gas outlet for exhausting the chamber, a treatment gas source providing gas, such as ozone, carbon dioxide, or other treatment gas to the chamber. A vacuum pump is used to lower the pressure within the chamber and a purge pump is used to flush the treatment gas from the chamber upon completion of the treatment. A liquid reservoir is used to maintain a desired humidity within the chamber. A heat exchanger is used to maintain a desired temperature within the chamber, and a fan is used to circulate the treatment gas within the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: The Ohio State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Ahmed Yousef, Jennifer Perry, David Kasler, Sudhir Kartikeya Sastry
  • Publication number: 20130196033
    Abstract: Crisp bread snack food products based on traditional bread recipes from around the world and a method for producing the products on a commercial processing line. The crisp bread snack food products are shelf-stable and have flavors substantially similar to the traditional breads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: FRITO-LAY NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ashish ANAND, Heidi KLEINBACH-SAUTER, Vamshidhar PUPPALA, Pramila SRIVASTAVA, Ngoc TRINH
  • Patent number: 8475858
    Abstract: The present invention includes methods and devices for mass producing cooked, cooled egg products having a grill fried egg appearance. One device includes a portion for positioning whole, intact, shelled eggs positioned laterally across and above a cooking mold conveyor, and a portion for cracking the eggshells and depositing the eggs into cooking molds on the conveyor. Some devices and methods include an egg yolk splitter for rupturing the egg yolk sac to deposit a whole egg having a ruptured egg yolk into each mold. Other devices and methods include irregular shaped egg molds for providing a mass produced cooked egg having a natural, irregular shaped outlines and/or surfaces. Devices and methods according to the present invention can be used to produce irregular, outlined shaped cooked egg products including whole eggs, formulated eggs, or eggs made from scrambled egg mixes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Michael Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan E. Hairsine, Jason W. Mathews, Ted A. Kurpgeweit, Dale E. Weaver
  • Patent number: 8455030
    Abstract: A method for processing a package of eggs is disclosed which comprises adjusting a position of one or more of the eggs, after the eggs have been placed in the package, so that each of the eggs assumes a particular orientation within the package. In some embodiments, the method may also comprise marking information on a surface of one or more of the eggs after the position of the one or more of the eggs has been adjusted. Additionally, in some embodiments, the position of the one or more eggs may be adjusted using an egg orienter positioned above a conveyor of an egg packing station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: TEN Media, LLC
    Inventors: Mitchell Barry Chait, Allan Irwin Brown, Marco Armand Hegyi, Greg Anderson
  • Publication number: 20120258218
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device, by which eggs in shells are subjected to heat treatment using a liquid or gaseous or vaporous medium, wherein pasteurization is carried out at a temperature in a range from 70 to 75° C. The object of the invention is to destroy or temporarily render dormant harmful microorganisms that can be destroyed at low heat, and further harmful microorganisms and viruses that cannot be destroyed at low heat, wherein altering of the eggs and/or denaturation of the proteins thereof should be prevented. It is proposed to subject the eggs, prior to pasteurization, to a preheating step at a temperature of substantially 60° C., followed by shock-like cooling to 4° to 5° C., and to carry out pasteurization for a duration of between 12 to 18 seconds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventor: Ismail Koyun
  • Publication number: 20120148714
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of monitoring breaking of eggs by an egg breaking apparatus in a cyclic process, where eggs are broken using a plurality of egg breaking devices, each egg breaking device breaking one egg having shell and contents at a time and where the contents of each egg is collected in an egg receiving device, each egg receiving device receiving the contents of only one egg in each process cycle. An operator monitors the contents received in the egg receiving devices and identifies egg receiving devices containing abnormal contents using a pointing device. This identification is detected by a detection device and communicated to a reject mechanism, which causes the contents of the identified egg receiving device to be discharged into a rejected product receptacle. The detection device may be a remote sensor, an integrated part of the pointing device or a device located on each of the egg receiving devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Sanovo Technology A/S
    Inventor: Jan Holm HOLST
  • Patent number: 8197874
    Abstract: A method of producing baked egg using a horizontal rotating cylinder-type continuous frying apparatus, which baked egg has a small size and a strong fried flavor, is disclosed. Egg liquid is sprayed onto the inner surface of a heating drum while rotating the heating drum to solidify the egg liquid and then to make the solidified egg liquid detach from the inner surface of the heating drum, which egg liquid is sprayed within an area of the inner surface of the heating drum, which area expands at an angle of 60° to 150° in the direction of rotation of the heating drum from a rotation origin defined as the intersection of a vertical line and the rotation axis of the heating drum, wherein the angle is indicated taking the angle of the direction of the vertical line as 0°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuya Hori, Eiji Kawase, Yuuki Hiruma
  • Patent number: 8187650
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an egg tray that is used to sterilize an egg or to boil the egg soft or hard and in which an egg is washed, heated, sterilized, boiled soft or hard, dried, coated, inspected, cooled, and packed to increase the safety and the value of commodity of foods and to increase the productivity, a fixer for layering the egg trays to fix them, and a method for processing an egg by using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Joong-Min Park
  • Publication number: 20120009312
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing homestyle egg product portions on a commercial scale is described. The apparatus includes a plurality of moving heated pockets, and a plurality of mixers. Each heated pocket is capable of holding an egg product portion, and each mixer is capable of stirring an egg product portion held in a heated pocket to yield a stirred egg product portion. The apparatus can further include a plurality of groupers. Each grouper is capable of gathering stirred egg product portions held in a moving heated pocket. Methods for producing homestyle egg product portions on a commercial scale are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: CARGILL, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Robert E. LEE, Aaron K. Martin, Donald R. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20110274798
    Abstract: A method for producing an improved dried egg white includes preparing a dried egg white by drying a liquid egg white so that the dried egg white after drying has a pH of 9 or more, and dissipating carbon dioxide contained in the dried egg white, wherein, by dissipating carbon dioxide contained in the dried egg white, the pH of the dried egg white is increased to 0.01 to 1 to obtain a pH of 9.5 or more and carbon dioxide concentration in a sealed 250 ml vial is decreased to 1% or less, when 25 g of the improved dried egg white is stored in the vial at 75° C. for 24 hours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Q.P. CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayuki WATANABE, Ryo SASAHARA, Toshiharu TANAKA, Hideaki KOBAYASHI, Minori KAYANUMA, Kayo SUGIURA, Nanako ABE, Kazuyuki INOUE, Ryoji TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20110177217
    Abstract: A method for processing a package of eggs is disclosed which comprises adjusting a position of one or more of the eggs, after the eggs have been placed in the package, so that each of the eggs assumes a particular orientation within the package. In some embodiments, the method may also comprise marking information on a surface of one or more of the eggs after the position of the one or more of the eggs has been adjusted. Additionally, in some embodiments, the position of the one or more eggs may be adjusted using an egg orienter positioned above a conveyor of an egg packing station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Mitchell Barry Chait, Allan Irwin Brown, Marco Armand Hegyi, Greg Anderson
  • Patent number: 7951409
    Abstract: A method of marking an egg is disclosed and comprises applying radiant energy to the shell of an egg so as to cause discoloration of the eggshell, thereby forming a marking comprising at least a traceability code and a freshness date. Apparatus is also disclosed for applying markings on eggs being processed by an egg-handling machine that is designed and configured to transport a plurality of eggs therethrough, wherein the apparatus comprises a radiant energy source located in proximity to the egg-handling machine, the radiant energy source being configured to apply radiant energy to the eggs as the eggs are transported past the radiant energy source to selectively discolor the shell of the eggs and form markings on the shell, including a freshness date and a traceability code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: NewMarket Impressions, LLC
    Inventor: Bradley E. Parker
  • Patent number: 7851008
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a high fat to protein ratio egg yolk product and a method of preparing same. More particularly, the invention pertains to a dried high fat to protein ratio egg yolk product which substantially maintains the functional characteristics of whole egg yolk, is convenient to use, and has a long shelf life. The present invention also relates to a method of utilizing such a high fat to protein ratio product in making egg containing bakery products, mayonnaise and other food products. A process for preparing a dried high fat to protein ratio egg yolk which comprises: (a) separating an egg yolk from a whole egg; (b) concentrating the fat to protein ratio of the egg yolk so that the ratio is greater than 2.0:1, and (c) drying the concentrated egg yolk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Inventors: James Stewart Campbell, Ian Gordon Cooke
  • Publication number: 20100291271
    Abstract: The present invention includes methods and devices for mass producing cooked, cooled egg products having a grill fried egg appearance. One device includes a portion for positioning whole, intact, shelled eggs positioned laterally across and above a cooking mold conveyor, and a portion for cracking the eggshells and depositing the eggs into cooking molds on the conveyor. Some devices and methods include an egg yolk splitter for rupturing the egg yolk sac to deposit a whole egg having a ruptured egg yolk into each mold. Other devices and methods include irregular shaped egg molds for providing a mass produced cooked egg having a natural, irregular shaped outlines and/or surfaces. Devices and methods according to the present invention can be used to produce irregular, outlined shaped cooked egg products including whole eggs, formulated eggs, or eggs made from scrambled egg mixes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: MICHAEL FOODS OF DELAWARE, INC.
    Inventors: Alan E. Hairsine, Jason W. Mathews, Ted A. Kurpgeweit, Dale E. Weaver
  • Patent number: 7833557
    Abstract: The method of impregnation treatment for foods comprises impregnating the foods with a liquid component or a gas component by contacting the foods with the liquid component or the gas component after vacuum treatment or in the vacuum state and/or cooling the foods in contact with the liquid component. The method of impregnation treatment for foods of the present invention enables readily impregnating various kinds of foods with various liquid components or gas components. The invention also provides a vitamin C-containing egg and a pidan-like egg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Meiji Seika Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventors: Munehiko Kuwa, Soichiro Kuwa, Kiyoshi Yamano
  • Patent number: 7799360
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for washing eggs with a wash mixture of water and composite particles that comprise a mixture of microbial nutrients bound together by a solid fatty acid material. The shells of eggs are contacted with the wash mixture and organic material is removed from the egg shells into the wash mixture. The composite particles in the wash mixture foster microbial degradation of the organic material within the wash mixture. The wash mixture leaves the egg shells whiter than enzyme solutions and maintains the cleaning action for a longer period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: BioNutraTech, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandra Hruza Ronning, Brian Joseph Molloy
  • Publication number: 20100166882
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising an egg white-chalcanthite component for preventing or treating cancer, and more particularly, to a composition for preventing or treating cancer, which comprises egg white-chalcanthite prepared by mixing a roasted chalcanthite with egg white to reduce the toxicity of the chalcanthite or comprises a mixture of the egg white-chalcanthite and a bamboo salt, and a method for preparing the same. The composition comprising the egg white-chalcanthite exhibits excellent anti-cancer activity, and thus is usefully applicable to pharmaceutical preparations for preventing or treating cancer or the manufacture of health functional foods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventor: Eun A. Choi
  • Publication number: 20100129501
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for inhibiting Listeria growth in pre-cooked egg products during refrigeration are described. According to one embodiment, a liquid egg material is combined with an antibacterial composition including Nisin and one or more organic acids or salts thereof prior to cooking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: CARGILL, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Tracy Blommer, Todd McAloon, Michael Saunders
  • Patent number: 7491417
    Abstract: Methods for reducing external and internal contamination of shell eggs by utilizing gaseous ozone applied under mild pressure, alone or in combination with UV radiation for external contaminants and gaseous ozone under mild pressure, a mix of carbon dioxide and ozone, heat, vacuum, or combinations thereof for internal contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: The Ohio State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Ahmed E. Yousef, Luis A. Rodriguez-Romo
  • Patent number: 7285302
    Abstract: The invention is relating to device for the controlled heating and cooling and conservation of eggs (18) that is provided with an oven space (13) with a carrier plate (7) with holders for the positioning of the eggs (18) substantially upright and a spray device (12) for the cooling of same with a coolant, and which is further provided with a heating element (11) for the generation of steam, whereby a fan (14) is provided that allow said steam to be subjected to a forced flow whereby this steam flows over the eggs (18) in order to heat the eggs, whereby said carrier plate (7) has openings (16) such that at least part of said steam is guided along the side of the eggs (18) to the underside of the carrier plate (7) so that the underside of the eggs (18) is heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Hugo Braeken
  • Patent number: 7166314
    Abstract: The method of impregnation treatment for foods comprises impregnating the foods with a liquid component or a gas component by contacting the foods with the liquid component or the gas component after vacuum treatment or in the vacuum state and/or cooling the foods in contact with the liquid component. The method of impregnation treatment for foods of the present invention enables readily impregnating various kinds of foods with various liquid components or gas components. The invention also provides a vitamin C-containing egg and a pidan-like egg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Placeram Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munehiko Kuwa, Soichiro Kuwa, Kiyoshi Yamano
  • Patent number: 7052726
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of pasteurizing an in-shell chicken egg comprising measuring the lowest temperatures of albumen and yolk on time and their location according to a prescribed method, and maintaining the lowest temperatures at the pasteurization temperature or higher for the necessary time. The method increases the stability of the egg as a food product, extends egg life, and improves the quality of albumen and yolk in the in-shell egg. Also the method reduces a problem of weight loss caused by pasteurizing Salmonella in the shelled egg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Safe Food Corporation
    Inventors: Joong-Min Park, Yong-Sik Cho
  • Patent number: 7011739
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of sanitizing the shells of eggs, which are used for human consumption and also as hatchlings. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of sanitizing eggs using an electrostatic sprayer with electrolyzed oxidizing water produced from an electrolyte solution. It is the overall objective of the present invention to provide a method for sanitizing eggs comprising the steps of passing an electrolyte solution through a water electrolysis machine in combination with feed water to produce electrolyzed oxidizing water, and then spraying the eggs with the electrolyzed oxidizing water by using an electrostatic sprayer which creates a negative charge on the spray droplets as they leave the sprayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Inventors: Gene Harkins, Brian Warren
  • Patent number: 6974599
    Abstract: The present invention relates to producing a safer shell egg through thermal treatment. The present invention provides methods of producing a shell egg wherein the albumen and the yolk of the shell egg receives a thermal treatment sufficient to pasteurize the shell egg and thereby combat the risk of salmonella. The present invention provides methods of providing thermal treatments to the shell egg through introduction of the shell egg into an aqueous solution of a predetermined temperature and maintaining the shell egg in the solution for a predetermined time sufficient to cause the required reduction in salmonella. The predetermined times and temperatures may be characterized by use of the equivalent point method of thermal evaluation, by use of the F0 line for shell egg or by other methods of determining the reduction in salmonella.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: University of Missouri System at Columbia
    Inventors: Joseph M. Vandepopuliere, Owen J. Cotterill
  • Patent number: 6800315
    Abstract: Methods for reducing external and internal contamination of shell eggs by utilizing gaseous ozone applied under mild pressure, alone or in combination with UV-light for external contaminants and gaseous ozone under mild pressure, a mix of carbon dioxide and gaseous ozone, heat, vacuum, or combinations thereof for internal contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: The Ohio State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Ahmed E. Yousef, Luis A. Rodriguez-Romo
  • Publication number: 20040166213
    Abstract: A method of processing eggshells to separate outer eggshell portions and the membrane portions. The eggshells are dried to remove moisture content and cause at least some separation of the membrane portions from the outer eggshell portions. A first amount of the membrane portions is separated by sieving from the eggshells. The remaining eggshell component is directed to a processing chamber with an impacting zone, where the remaining eggshell component is impacted to reduce the particle size of at least the outer eggshell material to form smaller particles. The outer eggshell particles are collected to a valve, and the membrane portion is pneumatically removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: MFI Food Canada LTD.
    Inventor: John H. Thoroski
  • Publication number: 20040058040
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of pasteurizing an in-shell chicken egg comprising measuring the lowest temperatures of albumen and yolk on time and their location according to a prescribed method, and maintaining the lowest temperatures at the pasteurization temperature or higher for the necessary time. The method increases the stability of the egg as a food product, extends egg life, and improves the quality of albumen and yolk in the in-shell egg. Also the method reduces a problem of weight loss caused by pasteurizing Salmonella in the shelled egg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Joong-Min Park, Yong-Sik Cho
  • Publication number: 20040047956
    Abstract: The invention is relating to device for the controlled heating and cooling and conservation of eggs (18) that is provided with an oven space (13) with a carrier plate (7) with holders for the positioning of the eggs (18) substantially upright and a spray device (12) for the cooling of same with a coolant, and which is further provided with a heating element (11) for the generation of steam, whereby means (14) are provided that allow said steam to be subjected to a forced flow whereby this steam flows over the eggs (18) in order to heat the eggs, whereby said carrier plate (7) has openings (16) such that at least part of said steam is guided along the side of the eggs (18) to the underside of the carrier plate (7) so that the underside of the eggs (18) is heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Hugo Braeken
  • Patent number: 6692784
    Abstract: There is provided a process for pasteurizing in shell chicken eggs (2) carried in stacks (1) by placing the eggs in a heated fluid bath (4) having a temperature of between about 128 to 145 degrees F., allowing the eggs to dwell in the heated fluid bath until there is a log reduction of at least 4.6 of any Salmonella bacteria within the eggs, removing the eggs from the heated liquid bath and into a gaseous atmosphere (26), and contacting the eggs with an antibacterial fluid (28) containing an antibacterial agent. Preferably, the eggs are thereafter contacted with a sealant such as wax. In the gaseous atmosphere the eggs further pasteurize to at least a 5 logs reduction of the bacteria by way of residual heat in the eggs. During cooling in the gaseous atmosphere, the eggs suck the antibacterial fluid into the eggs between the inside of the shells and the membranes and provide antibacterial barriers in the eggs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: L. John Davidson
  • Publication number: 20040009271
    Abstract: There is provided a process for pasteurizing in shell chicken eggs (2) carried in stacks (1) by placing the eggs in a heated fluid bath (4) having a temperature of between about 128 to 145 degrees F., allowing the eggs to dwell in the heated fluid bath until there is a log reduction of at least 4.6 of any Salmonella bacteria within the eggs, removing the eggs from the heated liquid bath and into a gaseous atmosphere (26), and contacting the eggs with an antibacterial fluid (28) containing an antibacterial agent. Preferably, the eggs are thereafter contacted with a sealant such as wax. In the gaseous atmosphere the eggs further pasteurize to at least a 5 logs reduction of the bacteria by way of residual heat in the eggs. During cooling in the gaseous atmosphere, the eggs suck the antibacterial fluid into the eggs between the inside of the shells and the membranes and provide antibacterial barriers in the eggs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: L. John Davidson, Myron A. Wagner
  • Patent number: 6632464
    Abstract: A method of pasteurizing in-shell chicken eggs by heating eggs until a central portion of the yolks of the eggs is at a temperature between 128° F. to 138.5° F. That temperature is maintained and controlled for times within parameter line A and parameter line B of FIG. 1 and sufficient that any Salmonella species present in the yolk is reduced by at least 5 logs but insufficient that an albumen functionality of the egg measured in Haugh units is substantially less than the albumen functionality of a corresponding unpasteurized in-shell egg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventor: Leon John Davidson
  • Patent number: 6455094
    Abstract: The present invention provides the discovery that efficient heating of shell eggs can be achieved using convection currents of humidity controlled air. The humidity controlled air heating process described herein provides an efficient and attractive means of pre-heating and/or pasteurizing (i.e., pre-heating and holding) intact shell eggs. Also provided are pasteurized shell eggs produced by the inventive methods. As further aspects, the present invention also provides methods of cooling shell eggs as well as surface sanitizing shell eggs using humidity controlled air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignees: Michael Foods, Inc., Belovo S.A.
    Inventors: Hershell R. Ball, Fabien De Meester, James D. Schuman
  • Publication number: 20020090429
    Abstract: There is provided a process for pasteurizing in shell chicken eggs (2) carried in stacks (1) by placing the eggs in a heated fluid bath (4) having a temperature of between about 128 to 145 degrees F., allowing the eggs to dwell in the heated fluid bath until there is a log reduction of at least 4.6 of any Salmonella bacteria within the eggs, removing the eggs from the heated liquid bath and into a gaseous atmosphere (26), and contacting the eggs with an antibacterial fluid (28) containing an antibacterial agent. Preferably, the eggs are thereafter contacted with a sealant such as wax. In the gaseous atmosphere the eggs further pasteurize to at least a 5 logs reduction of the bacteria by way of residual heat in the eggs. During cooling in the gaseous atmosphere, the eggs suck the antibacterial fluid into the eggs between the inside of the shells and the membranes and provide antibacterial barriers in the eggs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: L. John Davidson, Myron A. Wagner
  • Patent number: 6410060
    Abstract: This invention relates to the method of non-invasively fortifying eggs with iodine as a dietary supplement without compromising the structural integrity of the egg. The eggs are placed in a solution comprising iodide or iodate salts of alkali or alkali earth metals at an effective concentration for a duration of between a few seconds to a few days. Iodine then passes through the egg shell to the interior of the egg until an adequate internal iodine concentration of iodide or iodate salts is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Biophile Corporation
    Inventors: Pichit Suvanprakorn, Lerson Tanasugarn, Anusig Limahksohn, Sangsom Sinawat, Prakrom Vuthipongse
  • Patent number: 6406727
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for pasteurizing egg products utilizing high frequency radio waves to heat the egg products being pasteurized. Suitable products to be treated include liquid egg products, packaged liquid egg products, and shell eggs. The methods may be used with either continuous processing systems or batch processing systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignees: North Carolina State University, Michael Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad Hamid-Samimi, Kenneth R. Swartzel, Hershell R. Ball, Jr.