Heat Treatment Of Package, E.g., Pasteurization, Sterilization, Etc. Patents (Class 426/407)
  • Patent number: 11856973
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, provided is a method for manufacturing a solid bouillon seasoning (A), said method comprising a step for preparing a mixture (E) which comprises a raw edible meat (B) and a bouillon (C) having a higher inosinic acid concentration (mass %) compared to the edible meat (B), and a step for drying the mixture (E) by the microwave vacuum drying method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Ariake Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kineo Okada
  • Patent number: 11490629
    Abstract: The methods and products disclosed herein relate to high solids concentrated dairy liquids that remain retort and shelf stable for an extended shelf life at ambient conditions with substantially no negative flavor notes typically found in the prior retorted dairy liquids. In one aspect, the stable concentrated dairy liquids have up to about 50 percent total solids, and in some approaches, between about 38 and about 50 percent total solids. In another aspect, the high solids concentrated dairy liquids may also include increased levels of sugar relative to the dairy solids and/or increased levels of sugar relative to the protein and fat to aid in achieving stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Anthony William Criezis, Bruce E. Campbell, Lisa Ann Dierbach, Nicholas J. Mendoza, Sarita V. Porbandarwala, Gavin M. Schmidt, Gregory Aaron Wiseman
  • Patent number: 11338494
    Abstract: A method comprising a first injection step, wherein a first predetermined volume of pressurized liquid is injected into the preform, the predetermined volume corresponding to a fraction of the container volume, the first injection step causing an expansion of the preform into a first intermediate container. The method further comprising a second injection step, wherein, once the first predetermined volume of liquid has been injected, the liquid injection speed is reduced and the pressurized liquid is further injected in the first intermediate container until a predetermined switch pressure in the liquid injection circuit is reached, the second injection step causing an expansion of the first intermediate container into a second intermediate container, and —a third injection step starting once the predetermined switch pressure is reached, wherein the liquid injection speed is decelerated until the liquid injection is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Discma AG
    Inventors: Franck Lhomme, Pascal Bernier
  • Patent number: 11140908
    Abstract: A revolutionized tuna process according to this invention generally comprising the steps of thawing of frozen tuna, de-heading and degutting, fileting, de-skinning, cleaning of the de-skinned tuna filet, pre-cooking, cooling, packing of the cleaned and pre-cooked tuna loin, and sterilizing the packed tuna loin or freezing the tuna loin. Not only does the process according to this invention reduces the energy utilization by half, it also significantly reduces the time required for cooking and cooling. Therefore, the whole processing time is significantly reduced from at least 8.0 hours in the conventional process to less than 30 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: THAI UNION GROUP PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Tunyawat Kasemsuwan, Pieter Berends, Jaturong Kitkumjornkun, Tongkarn Kaewthasee
  • Patent number: 10478462
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an agent for effectively suppressing an increase in a blood acetaldehyde level. More specifically, the present invention relates to an alcohol metabolism promoter comprising glycogen obtained from a Veneroida bivalve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: NICHIREI BIOSCIENCES INC.
    Inventors: Kenichi Nagamine, Hideya Tanabe
  • Patent number: 10039295
    Abstract: A method of flash pasteurizing a liquid product before the product is filled includes preheating the product for flash pasteurization, correction cooling the flash pasteurized product, and intermediately storing cooling water heated in the correction cooling of the flash pasteurized product. Waste heat obtained during at least one of a cooling of filled-in product or a recooling of not filled-in product is supplied to the intermediately stored cooling water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Volker Richter, Torsten Runge, Henri Fischer
  • Patent number: 9957181
    Abstract: Pasteurization system with purification of the process liquid, with a feed and evacuation conveyor system for containers. At least one treatment zone with sprinkling nozzles to spray the containers with a process liquid such as water, the treatment zone including a screening unit with a sedimentation area for the deposition of sediment from the process liquid, a closed-loop circuit to re-use the process liquid, with devices to remove the sediment from the sedimentation area for each zone and to feed the sediment into a central filter unit. The central filter unit has at least one filter module for the filtration of solid matter from the inputted sediment so that the filtered process liquid is conserved. Devices to return the filtered process liquid to one or several treatment zones are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventor: Jan Muenzer
  • Patent number: 9835391
    Abstract: A method for the heat recovery from a tunnel cooling apparatus, having one or several cooling cells for cooling products in containers by means of a cooling agent circulating in a coolant circuit, and a heat exchanger; including: controlling the circulating quantity of the coolant, and controlling the temperature of the coolant, wherein both the circulating quantity and the temperature of the coolant are measured and controlled on the basis of comparisons with predefined parameters, so that the thermal yield of the heat exchanger is optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Falko Jens Wagner, Jan Karsten Münzer, Johannes Eckstein
  • Patent number: 9713899
    Abstract: A blow molding device includes a blow molding mold to which a bottomed tubular preform is fitted, a blow nozzle that is fitted to a mouth tubular portion of the preform fitted to the mold, and a pressurized liquid supply unit configured to supply a pressurized liquid to the blow nozzle. The preform is to be molded into a shape conforming to a cavity of the mold by filling the liquid into the preform through the blow nozzle. The blow molding device further includes: a deaeration mechanism that is connected to the blow nozzle. The liquid is filled into the preform through the blow nozzle after air that is present within the preform fitted to the mold is sucked out by the deaeration mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: DISCMA AG
    Inventors: Mitsuru Shiokawa, Shinichi Tabata, Nobuyuki Tamura
  • Patent number: 9356263
    Abstract: A cylinder type lithium secondary battery may include an electrode assembly, a cylindrical can configured to retain the electrode assembly, a cap assembly coupled to a top opening of the cylindrical can, an electrolyte disposed in the cylindrical can, and a gasket between the cap assembly and the cylindrical can, the gasket including an adhesive layer having a reaction product of the electrolyte and a material of the gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Daekyu Kim
  • Patent number: 9095151
    Abstract: A method of making tuna salad with improved storage and organoleptic properties by retorting precooked tuna to an internal temperature of at least 100° C. for at least one minute, cooling the retorted tuna and combining the retorted with other appropriate ingredients for making tuna salad while maintaining the tuna and other ingredients at a temperature of ?1° C. to 4.4° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: MITSUI FOODS, INC.
    Inventor: Frank Simon
  • Publication number: 20150072051
    Abstract: The invention relates to olive processing, and includes methods for producing low-acid olives, as well as the olives produced thereby. In one aspect, the invention provides compositions directed towards packaged olive preparations having novel and beneficial characteristics, for example, olive preparations that are free of packing liquids such as brine solutions. In other aspects, the packaged olive preparations of the invention can have other beneficial properties, such as extended shelf life, have flavor infusions, and/or can be stuffed with various flavored stuffings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Abdulkadir Yussuf Sigal, Larry Brion McCutcheon, Jesus Lopez Garcia, Maria Valeria THEALL
  • Patent number: 8968645
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating containers, such as bottles, cans, or similar containers, by introducing at least one sterilization medium into a container when the container is at a first position on a movement path, and then stopping treatment when the container is at a second position on the movement path. A temperature of the container is then measured to determine if the measured container temperature lies within a predetermined range of temperature. If not, the length of the path between the first position and the second position is changed to thereby change the treatment procedure for subsequent containers, such that, after the subsequent containers have been treated according to the changed treatment procedure, the temperatures of the subsequent containers lie within the predetermined range of temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Euler, Detlef Mette, Jörg Beckmann
  • Publication number: 20140335248
    Abstract: A method of canning and processing a particulate edible product, the method comprising: providing a metal can body with one open end; filling the metal can body through said open end with the particulate edible product and a volume of liquid, the volume of liquid comprising no more than 30% of the internal volume of the metal can; fixing a lid to the metal can body to close the open end; and using an induction heating process to heat the liquid in the can and thereby process the product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Lucy Michelle Winstanley, Paul Charles Claydon, Christopher Paul Ramsey
  • Publication number: 20140248407
    Abstract: A retort sterilization device includes a water steam generation device for generating water steam and a heating pot, connected to the water steam generation device, for accommodating retort food. The water steam generation device includes a heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between liquid flowing in a liquid path and heating vapor flowing in the vapor path. A top end of the liquid path of the heat exchanger is connected via a water steam supply pipe to a water steam ejection section located in an internal area of the heating pot. The heat exchanger is connected to a liquid container. A bottom end of the liquid path of the heat exchanger is connected to the liquid container via a communicating tube. The liquid container is coupled to the heating pot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicants: Tomoda Selling & Sailing Co., Ltd., Tomoda Fisheries Co., Ltd., Houshou Co., Ltd, Wakisangyou Yugenkaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi TOMODA, Norio KADOWAKI, Hironobu TOMODA, Manabu MORIWAKI, Satoru KADOWAKI
  • Patent number: 8784920
    Abstract: In one embodiment of an apparatus and process for packaging foodstuffs or other materials in a rigid container sealed by a flexible cover, a desired quantity of material to be packaged containing or together with some water or other liquid is placed in the container, the flexible cover is secured on the container so as to leave at least one unsealed opening, the container is heated and/or placed in a partial vacuum to bring the liquid above its boiling point to cause or permit vapor generated by the boiling liquid to expel other gases from the container through the unsealed opening, and the container is sealed while gas or vapor is still flowing out of the container through the unsealed opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: St. Dalfour SAS
    Inventors: Jean-Francois M. Bardou, Roland Guezennec, Jean-Pierre Lhommond
  • Patent number: 8778429
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is shown for preparing liquid egg products, for example pure egg whites, whole eggs and egg products either alone or mixed with spices, vegetables or other ingredients, in a microwave oven. The container for preparing the liquid egg products is relatively inexpensive and disposable. In another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for preparing liquid egg products in a disposable, microwavable container in which the liquid egg product expands while cooking and partially removes the lid of the container to create a delicious meal of properly cooked, fresh egg product, that are ready for consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Eggology, Inc.
    Inventor: Brad M. Halpern
  • Publication number: 20140193554
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a ready-to heat, preservative free meal, comprising selecting at least one food product; preparing each food product; placing the prepared food products within a container; thermalizing; cooling down; and conditioning. The ready-to heat, preservative free meal comprises at least one of a protein portion, a portion of slow carbohydrates and a portion of vegetables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: FLEURY MICHON
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Boissinot, Jean-Sébastien Chasles
  • Patent number: 8758678
    Abstract: A machine for producing and dispensing liquid and semi-liquid consumer food products such as ice creams, whipped cream, yogurt and the like comprises a container for a basic product of the consumer food product, a feed and treatment circuit for the basic product, comprising a feed pump, dispensing means positioned at an outfeed end of the feed and treatment circuit, and a device for checking the bacterial load of the product during production/dispensing; an electronic control unit controlling and regulating the various steps for measuring the bacterial load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Ali S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gino Cocchi, Roberto Lazzarini, Gianni Zaniboni
  • Patent number: 8707861
    Abstract: An apparatus for pasteurizing a dry food product comprises an impingement chamber, a conveyor for conveying the dry food product through the impingement chamber; a heater and water supply assembly for generating heated, moist air, and a fan for circulating the heated, moist air through the impingement chamber and onto the dry food product. In operation, the moisture in the heated, moist air condenses on the surface of the dry food product and produces a heat of condensation which heats the surface of the dry food product. Moreover, this heat of condensation is sufficient to kill a percentage of any pathogenic microorganisms which may be present on the surface of the dry food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: John Bean Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ramesh M. Gunawardena, Zhijun Weng
  • Publication number: 20140044842
    Abstract: A maple sap beverage having an extended shelf life and process for the manufacture thereof in which a maple sap is adjusted to a standard pre-determined Brix value and then subjected to either (a) ultra-high temperature (UHT) pasteurization followed with aseptic packaging or (b) packaging followed by UHT. Additional maple sap products having extended shelf life are also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: FERONIA HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Paolo Cugnasca, Michael Farrell
  • Publication number: 20140023763
    Abstract: A pasteurization tunnel and a method for pasteurizing beverage packs are described, wherein the beverage packs are conveyed on at least two decks lying one upon the other and sprayed with a heated spraying liquid from spraying pipes extending each transversely to the conveying direction of the beverage packs. According to the invention, the spraying liquid is guided through the spraying pipes of the one deck into the spraying pipes of the other deck. Thereby, the maintenance efforts for removing deposits in sections of the spraying pipes where the flow is weak can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventor: Hans-Joachim Krause
  • Patent number: 8632831
    Abstract: Shelf stable microwave dessert packaged food products for individual servings comprise a novel, shielded packaging or container including a microwave shielded cup; a shelf-stable ready-to-heat uncooked product disposed within the cup, a modified low oxygen atmosphere in the headspace above the batter, and a peelably removable, low gas permeability sealing membrane. The articles provide high preparation abuse tolerance notwithstanding the low, controlled portion quantities (100 calorie) of batter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Perry, Joanne J. Garbe, Peter S. Pesheck
  • Patent number: 8609167
    Abstract: The disclosure is a method of operating a commercial cooking equipment, in particular a hot-air steamer or fan oven, comprising the following method steps: a) selecting a product requiring cooking having an assigned cooking program or selecting at least one cooking parameter having assigned selectable products; b) loading the cooking equipment with a selected product; c) starting the associated cooking program; d) displaying the name of the program and at least the remaining cooking time; e) associating in automated manner further products or cooking programs that fit in with the cooking program of the first selected product in dependence on cooking parameters, in particular, the cooking temperature and/or the cooking humidity and/or the fan speed; f) displaying the selectable products or selectable cooking programs; g) selecting, on demand, a further product which matches the first product in accordance with the associating process; h) loading the cooking equipment with the further product; i) starting the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Convotherm Elektrogerate GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Ernst, Lutz Riefenstein
  • Patent number: 8597702
    Abstract: A method to improve shelf life of a baked edible product includes baking dough in a sealable container that is provide with a lining of flexible material, thereby converting the dough into a baked edible product. Thereafter, a top surface of the baked edible product is covered using the flexible material and placed against a surface at baking temperature. The container may be inverted. Thereafter, the container and baked edible product is cooled in a dry and sterile atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Akimoto
  • Patent number: 8551427
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a transport container for accommodating products during a high-pressure treatment of these products. By means of the transport container, the products can be transported into and out of a chamber in which they are high-pressure treated. The transport container comprises a lower component and an upper component which are adapted to be connected to one another, the lower component as well as the upper component being configured for accommodating at least one product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Multivac Sepp Haggenmueller GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Tobias Richter
  • Publication number: 20130216671
    Abstract: A crown system includes a crown having a top surface and a bottom surface and a liner having a top surface that contacts a bottom surface of the crown. The liner is configured to absorb oxygen in a headspace and includes at least about 2.2 micromoles of sodium sulfite per cubic millimeter in a volume of the liner to a depth of about 0.003 millimeter from a bottom surface of the liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Anheuser-Busch, LLC
    Inventor: Anheuser-Busch, LLC
  • Patent number: 8512783
    Abstract: Containers for pressurized filling and pasteurization and methods of reducing creep in a pressurized pasteurizable container. The container is a blow-molded plastic container having a biaxially oriented wall of a structural polymer with a moisture content of no greater than a predetermined value at the start of a pressurized filling, capping, and pasteurization process. Also disclosed are pasteurizable containers having a desired shelf life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company LP
    Inventors: David Piccioli, Amit Agrawal, Ralph Armstrong
  • Patent number: 8507020
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for packaging perishable foods. A packaging method in accordance with several embodiments of the disclosure can include, for example, mating a tray with a product. The tray can include a compartment having a generally similar shape as the shape of the product. The method can further include gas flushing an internal atmosphere around a product, and sealing the product and the internal atmosphere between a lid and the tray. Additionally, the method can include pasteurizing the product with an application of substantially uniform high pressure to a surface area of the package (e.g., high pressure pasteurization).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Columbus Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary DesLauriers, Paul Wolfert
  • Patent number: 8498729
    Abstract: Manufacturing execution systems and methods thereof used to monitor and execute a baby formula manufacturing process are disclosed herein. Consequently, the methods and systems provide a means to perform validation and quality manufacturing on an integrated level whereby baby formula manufacturers can achieve data and product integrity and ultimately minimize cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: SMP Logic Systems LLC
    Inventor: Shane M. Popp
  • Patent number: 8448567
    Abstract: Hot or Cold soup made fresh from scratch, can or concentrate is prepared in a suitable container and after its preparation is kept cool, blended and re-circulated for long term shelf life until a serving is requested. This serving volume of soup is automatically pumped and heated to serving temperature (hot soup) and served in a suitable container like a cup or a bowl. The entire system where the soup resides is always kept refrigerated. The only portion of the soup that is heated after its preparation is the one dispensed. If it is a soup that is served cold the heating prior to dispensing is by-passed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Martin Batturs & Associates LLC
    Inventors: Jose V Martin, Angel Sanz
  • Publication number: 20130059048
    Abstract: A retort container includes a metal end applied and sealed to an all-thermoplastic container body by a crimp-seaming or double-seaming operation. The metal end has an outer curl joined to a chuck wall that extends down from the curl. One or both of the inner surface of the container side wall and the outer surface of the chuck wall has/have a heat-sealable material thereon. The metal end is crimp-seamed or double-seamed to the container body and the heat-sealable material(s) are heated to soften or melt such that the interface between the chuck wall and the side wall is fused. The interface is oriented along a direction relative to internal pressure exerted on the metal end such that stress on the interface caused by the internal pressure is predominantly shear stress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Trevor Price, Jeremy Morin
  • Patent number: 8377445
    Abstract: The disclosure features methods of making compositions that include a human lipid. The methods can include: obtaining whole human milk; separating the milk into a cream portion and a skim portion; processing the cream portion; and pasteurizing the processed cream portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Prolacta Bioscience, Inc.
    Inventors: Elena M. Medo, Scott Eaker
  • Publication number: 20130029020
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for recovering energy in the hot-fill of a liquid food product. The product is heat treated in a first section (5) of a heat exchanger (4) and is held at this temperature during a certain time interval. The temperature of the product is adapted to the hot-fill temperature in a second section (8) of the heat exchanger (4). The product is hot-filled in a filling machine (10) and the product surplus from the filling machine (10) is cooled in a fourth section (15) of the heat exchanger (4). The product surplus is finally cooled in a third section (12) of the heat exchanger (4) and recycled to production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventor: Bodo Rewolle
  • Patent number: 8348079
    Abstract: The invention concerns a closure for a cylindrical can (10) The closure includes a flexible member (11) of the easy-open type secured across the open end of the can (10). A rigid, screw cap (22) is screwed over the thus sealed end of the can. An annular, resilient member (24) depending downwardly from the underside of the end wall of the cap (22), engages the membrane (11) in the vicinity of the end flange (18) of the can body (10) thereby strengthening the seal between the membrane (11) and the flange (18). This advantageously permits cooking of the contents of the can with the flexible membrane (11) in situ, thereby giving rise to a can having an easy-open end, the contents of which can are cooked and sterilized using conventional processing lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Lawson Mardon Sutton Ltd.
    Inventors: Ian Baird-Smith, Andreas Ziegler, Reinhart Geisler, Werner Hammon
  • Patent number: 8281710
    Abstract: A tunnel pasteuriser comprises forward movement means (2) for moving products (3) to be pasteurised forward on a forward movement path along which there is a heating zone (4), a heat treatment zone (5) and a cooling zone (6). Each of said zones is divided into two or more sub-zones equipped with spraying means (10) for spraying a treatment liquid (11) onto the products (3) in transit in the sub-zone, and at least one tank (12) for collecting the liquid (11) that was sprayed on the products (3). In each heat treatment sub-zone (9) there are also means (20) for collecting the liquid (11) which wet the products (3) being treated. The collecting means (20) can be switched between a first operating condition in which they direct the liquid (11) collected towards the collection tank (12) of the relative heat treatment sub-zone (9), and a second operating condition in which they prevent the liquid (11) collected from reaching the tank (12) of the relative heat treatment sub-zone (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Sidel Holdings & Technology SA
    Inventors: Graziano Panella, Andrea Solfa
  • Patent number: 8257771
    Abstract: A method for heating and pasteurizing a material, comprising placing the material inside of a semi-sealed chamber at atmospheric pressure that contains an atmosphere produced by replacing air in the chamber with a gas component produced by spraying or injecting hot water droplets and steam at a temperature of at least 100° C. into the chamber which is heated to a temperature of at least 100° C. which is equal to or higher than the temperature of the sprayed hot water droplets and steam, which gas component has a humidity of at least 95% and contains no more than 1% oxygen; contacting said material to the gas component for exposing it to continual temperature variation during heating ranging from 10-50° C. inside the chamber at temperature(s) ranging from 90-180° C. for a time sufficient to heat or pasteurize it. An apparatus for performing this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignees: Umeda Jimusho Ltd., National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Taiyo Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Umeda, Yositaka Nadachi, Hiromu Shishido, Ryo Maruyama, Yukio Ogasawara, Takumi Yamamoto, Seiichiro Isobe
  • Patent number: 8250974
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for applying oscillating magnetic fields, particularly for treating liquid, pasty, semi-solid or granular products, to a method of use of such apparatus, and to a system incorporating it. The apparatus comprises at least one pipe of an electrically insulating material for conveying the products to be treated, at least one plurality of electrodes around the periphery of the pipe, and means for generating one high frequency oscillating electric voltage. Each of the electrodes has a substantially annular shape, with an inner surface having a minimum radial distance from the outer cylindrical surface of the at least one pipe, which is sufficient to prevent electric currents from passing to the product to be treated. The inner surface has at least one substantially conical edge with a predetermined conicity angle to allow use of relatively high voltages with no risk of discharges to air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Officine di Cartigliano SpA
    Inventor: Antonio Polato
  • 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: 20120021107
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to create a product, such as, but not limited to, a fruit juice, vegetable juice, fruit puree, soup, fruit cup or a combination of fruit and vegetables in solid or liquid form with extended shelf life without deterioration of color, texture, nutritional profile, or flavor which are typically associated with conventional processing methods. The disclosed apparatus and method avoids oxidation by creating an oxygen-free environment for produce processing followed by pasteurization treatment. The disclosed apparatus and method avoids degradation of nutrition content by maintaining stable processing temperatures and avoiding oxidation throughout all processing steps. Based on the type of produce to be processed, the particular processing steps are customized in order to optimize the nutritional profile of the particular fruit or vegetable product to be produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Andrew Knowlton, Cedric Chastenet de Gery
  • Patent number: 8096138
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for pasteurizing filled food containers having contents to be pasteurized includes spraying a heat transfer fluid onto the containers. As the contents increase in temperature, the flow rate of heat transfer fluid is decreased. The heat transfer fluid is at least about 20° F. hotter than the initial average temperature of the contents. In one embodiment, the temperature of the spent heat transfer fluid typically does not vary more than about 6° F. to 9° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Stokely-Van Camp, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok Shashikant Dhruv, Amos Rei-Young Wu
  • Publication number: 20110268855
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of delivering a predetermined volume of beverage into a thermoplastic container formed from a heated preform positioned in a mould, characterized in that the product includes a step of injecting at least some beverage into a recess in the preform so as to promote expansion of the preform inside the mould, the mould defining the shape of the container, a volume of beverage introduced during the injection step being at least equal to said predetermined volume, and, in addition, the method includes a step of sucking out a fraction of said volume of the beverage introduced until the volume of beverage remaining in the container is approximately equal to said predetermined volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Guillaume Chauvin, Fabio Chimetto, Klaus Hartwig
  • Patent number: 7901723
    Abstract: A food tray adapted to be removably located in a predetermined position in a compartment is provided having a tray body and a fixed movable stop member. The tray body includes a first end and a second end, a bottom and a sidewall structure defining a volume. The fixed movable stop member is located at one end of the tray body and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. When the tray is inserted in the compartment in the predetermined position, the fixed movable stop member is in the extended position and restrains further insertion of the tray into the compartment. A method of making a food tray in accordance with the invention is provided. Also provided is a method of storing food within a food tray to be contained in a pass-through compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel Calzada, James C. Purgatorio, Michael Theodos
  • Patent number: 7858028
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a product having a low content of microorganisms by using steam. A method according to the invention can be used to pasteurize or sterilize a product, while retaining the activity of one or more active substances that may be present in the product, and relates to a method wherein a product is dried with air. Furthermore, the invention relates to a product obtainable according to a method according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Nutricia N.V.
    Inventor: Thomas Ferdinand A. Pijls
  • Patent number: 7846486
    Abstract: The invention relates to a product sterilization or pasteurization method. The inventive method includes: transferring a product from outside to inside a pressurized inlet compartment of a chamber through at least one pressurizing airlock; loading the product onto a conveyor to transfer the product through the chamber from the inlet compartment to an outlet compartment; heating the product by dipping the product in hydrostatic columns while applying variable pressure and temperature; passing the product through an intermediate pressurizing compartment; cooling the product by dipping the product in hydrostatic columns while applying variable pressure and temperature; unloading the product from the conveyor at a pressurized outlet compartment; and transferring the product to the exterior from the outlet compartment through at least one atmospheric pressurization airlock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Inventor: Patrice Camu
  • Patent number: 7784248
    Abstract: A method involving the hot fill of foods in packaging containers constructed from a paperboard laminate comprises the food being filled in the packaging container with at least one component at a temperature of at least 80°, but below 100°, whereafter the packaging containers are closed and sealed and the packaging containers with their food contents are thereafter held hot during a predetermined period of time by contact with a heat holding medium at a temperature of at least 80°, but below 100°. The heat holding medium is present substantially in gas and/or vapour phase. An apparatus involving the hot fill of foods is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Bengt Andersson
  • Patent number: 7754262
    Abstract: A method is provided for preparing mixed greens. Greens are immersed in an aqueous solution containing phosphoric acid, calcium chloride and a natural antibiotic, dewatered from their surfaces, cooked and mixed in predetermined amounts. Following the application of a seasoning solution containing an organic acid and a natural antibiotic thereto, the mixed greens are vacuum packed and thermally sterilized. The mixed greens prepared according to the method can preserve their fresh texture senses for a long period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: CJ Cheiljedang Corp.
    Inventors: Chang Yong Lee, Ye Jin Oh, Heon Woong Jung
  • Patent number: 7749434
    Abstract: The invention refers to a device (1) and method for sterilizing partly formed packages (6) in a packaging machine. The device (1) comprises an inner chamber (2) and an outer chamber (3), the inner chamber (2) being provided with a sterilization unit (5). Further, it comprises a carrier unit (10), comprising a separating member (11) and a package carrying member (12), which is being adapted to rotate between a first position in which the package carrying member (12) is located in the outer chamber (3), and in which the separating member (11) separates the inner chamber (2) from the outer chamber (3), and a second position in which the carrier unit (10) has rotated a package (6) into the inner chamber (2) and in which the separating member (11) separates the inner chamber (2) from the outer chamber (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Lars Ake Naslund, Goran Hermodsson, Lars Martensson, Arun Deivasigamani, Paul Anderson
  • Patent number: 7740891
    Abstract: A hand-held oatmeal product is provided that is ready to eat. The oatmeal product may be packaged in a retortable pouch. Methods of making the oatmeal product are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: The Quaker Oats Company
    Inventors: David V. Foster, Christopher True
  • Patent number: 7722912
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for high-pressure pasteurization utilizes a basket (40) for holding food packages (95). The basket (40) is transported on a cart (60) from a loading station (90), to the high-pressure pasteurization processing apparatus (10) and back to an unloading station (100). Two robots (17, 18) are utilized to reduce cycle time of the high-pressure pasteurization vessels (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Hormel Foods Corporation
    Inventors: John P. Hotek, Jeffrey J. Morrison