Including Vaporization, E.g., Distillation, Concentration-evaporation, Etc. Patents (Class 426/492)
  • Patent number: 11559068
    Abstract: A concentrated orange carrot permeate, wherein a) the amount of fructose is 2.5 to 30.0 wt. % on a dry matter basis, b) the amount of glucose is 3.0 to 20.0 wt. % on a dry matter basis, c) the amount of sucrose is 0.5 to 60.0 wt. % on a dry matter basis, and d) the dry matter is 55 to 85 wt. %, wherein the amounts of fructose and glucose are determined according to ASU L 31.00-12, wherein the amount of sucrose is determined according to ASU L 31.00-13, and wherein the dry matter is determined according to ASU L 26.11.03-1a. A caramelized concentrated orange carrot permeate, a mix of the concentrated orange carrot permeate and the caramelized concentrated orange carrot permeate, to the use of said products in food applications and to food products containing concentrated orange carrot permeate and/or caramelized concentrated orange carrot permeate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: GNT GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Marcus Volkert, Anke Kiesslich, Hendrik Hoeck
  • Patent number: 9677035
    Abstract: A device and a method for heating a fermentable starting material for beverage production wherein a heat transporting medium is transported in a heat transporting medium circuit in a first flow direction via a heat storage device for storing/emitting heat, a heating medium for heating the heat transporting medium, and a heat emission chamber in which the heat is transferred from the heat transporting medium to the fermentable starting material flowing in a line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: O. SALM & CO. GES.M.B.H.
    Inventor: Albert Welledits
  • Patent number: 9173429
    Abstract: A method for producing a concentrated cereal-based extract for the production of food products, in particular clear and haze-free cereal-based beverages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: HARBOES BRYGGERI A/S
    Inventor: Bernhard Griese
  • Patent number: 9005692
    Abstract: A process of reducing the agricultural residue (AR) content of a citrus oil, comprising (a) vacuum batch-distilling an AR-containing cold-pressed citrus oil to give a low-AR distillate and a high-AR residue; (b) subjecting the high-AR residue from (a) to thin film evaporation to give a high-AR distillate and a low-AR residue; (c) subjecting the high-AR distillate from (b) to a further batch distillation to give a redistilled low-AR distillate and a waste high-AR redistilled residue; and (d) combining the distillate of (a), the residue of (b) and the redistilled distillate of (c) to give a low-AR citrus oil. The oil thus produced has not only a reduced content of ARs such as insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and miticides, but it also contains most or even all of the desirable citrus components substantially eliminated by conventional distillation processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Givaudan S.A.
    Inventors: Konstantin Froes, Mary Amanda McKee, Sarah Angela Priddy, Susan L. Wightman
  • Publication number: 20140227417
    Abstract: Provided is a concentrated coffee extract solution having a rich sweet aroma and a clear aftertaste. The concentrated coffee extract solution contains the following components (A) and (B): (A) at least one pyrazine selected from 2-methylpyrazine, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2,6-dimethylpyrazine, ethylpyrazine, 2-ethyl-5-methylpyrazine, 2-ethyl-6-methylpyrazine, 2-ethyl-3-methylpyrazine, 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine and 3,5-dimethyl-2-methylpyrazine, and (B) at least one guaiacol selected from guaiacol, 4-ethylguaiacol and 4-vinylguaiacol. A content weight ratio [(B)/(A)] of the component (B) to the component (A) is 0.6 or smaller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinobu HAYAKAWA, Sayaka DOMON, Yoshikazu OGURA
  • Publication number: 20140220183
    Abstract: A crystal comestible product and method of making it are provided. The crystal comestible product is suitable for use as a food additive, a flavor additive, a nutritional additive, and decoration. The crystal comestible product includes a matrix of edible crystals surrounding air pockets and free spaces, providing a light crunchy crispy texture. The crystal comestible product may include ingredients that add flavor, color, nutritional value, texture, structure, or stability. Suitable ingredients include fresh herbs, fresh flowers, spices, natural and synthetic flavors, nuts, vitamins and minerals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: David G. Sasuga, JuWon Park
  • Publication number: 20130280398
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of chewable honey without loss of its nutritional values and a honey chew bar obtained through such process, said chewable honey bar providing sustained energy to the consumer without loss of nutritional values and flavour of natural honey. During the process, an additional flavour may be added, comprising of additives, natural flavour, artificial flavour and nature identical flavour for example being selected of strawberry, vanilla, coffee, chocolate, rose, cloves or any other such flavor to the Honey.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: PRAKASH KEJRIWAL
  • Publication number: 20130164424
    Abstract: A process is provided for preparing a salt product with reduced sodium content including the step of providing a concentrated brine, which is typically seawater, to which has been added potassium chloride. The mixture is transferred to a crystalliser unit where at least a portion of the mix is transferred to the crystalliser through a washing column. Liquid is evaporated from the crystalliser such that crystals form, crystals are passed from the crystalliser through said washing column to a separating unit such that in the passing through the washing column the crystals are rinsed with the brine portion being transferred as a counter current through the column. The inventive process is characterised by recycling of the brine from which the salt crystallises, thus all main ingredients of the mixed input brine reach a steady equilibrium concentration in the mother liquor in the crystalliser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: ARCTIC SEA SALT
    Inventors: Egill Einarsson, Eidur Helgi Sigurjonsson
  • Publication number: 20130052298
    Abstract: This invention relates, inter alia, to various plant-based electrolyte compositions, methods of preparing them and methods of using them. One embodiment concerns a plant-based electrolyte composition comprising a plant-derived electrolyte content high in potassium relative to sodium, and a plant-derived carbohydrate content less than about 6% weight/volume. Another embodiment concerns a method for re-hydrating an individual or preventing dehydration or over-hydration of an individual or for preventing or treating potassium deficiency in an individual, by administering to the individual a plant-based electrolyte composition. The electrolyte compositions can be prepared from sugarcane juice, sugar beet juice, sweet sorghum juice, palm syrup, maple sap, vegetable juice or fruit juice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Bandupala Wijesinghe, Kodanda Ram Reddy Mereddy, Roger Anthony Stanley
  • Publication number: 20130045318
    Abstract: To provide a salty taste enhancer which exerts a flavor enhancing effect comparable to sodium chloride without imparting any undesirable flavor such as harsh taste or odd smell, a method for producing the same, a kelp extract comprising the salty taste enhancer, and a food or drink having enhanced salty taste and flavor which comprises the salty taste enhancer or the kelp extract. A salty taste enhancer which comprises a volatile component with a molecular weight of less than 200 derived from a kelp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: TAKASAGO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiko Watanabe, Azusa Nakatoh, Takeshi Oikawa
  • Patent number: 8329241
    Abstract: Treated Brassica seeds and their extracts for use as a flavor and/or a flavor modifier in consumables. Treatment includes heating, and optionally grinding methods and/or recovery methods. Consumables include foods, beverages, health-care products, oral hygiene and oral care products, beauty-care products, and tobacco products. The extract contains elevated amounts of flavor and flavor modifier. One flavor modifier of the extract may be 2-furfurylthiol (“FFT”). A process for producing treated Brassica seeds extract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Givaudan SA
    Inventors: Eva Binggeli, Klaus Gassenmeier, Jeff Molnar, Peter Schieberle
  • Publication number: 20120276274
    Abstract: A process of reducing the agricultural residue (AR) content of a citrus oil, comprising (a) vacuum batch-distilling an AR-containing cold-pressed citrus oil to give a low-AR distillate and a high-AR residue; (b) subjecting the high-AR residue from (a) to thin film evaporation to give a high-AR distillate and a low-AR residue; (c) subjecting the high-AR distillate from (b) to a further batch distillation to give a redistilled low-AR distillate and a waste high-AR redistilled residue; and (d) combining the distillate of (a), the residue of (b) and the redistilled distillate of (c) to give a low-AR citrus oil. The oil thus produced has not only a reduced content of ARs such as insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and miticides, but it also contains most or even all of the desirable citrus components substantially eliminated by conventional distillation processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Konstantin Froes, Mary Amanda McKee, Sarah Angela Priddy, Susan L. Wightman
  • Patent number: 8257769
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for recovering volatile compounds from an aqueous tea extract by distilling the said extract by fractional distillation comprising condensing of vapors, separating the oil phase condensate from the aqueous phase and refluxing the substantially oil-free aqueous phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Sameer Harnam Israni, Vijay Mukund Naik, Gurmeet Singh, Suranjan Sircar
  • Patent number: 8247012
    Abstract: The invention can be used in varies industries, in particular, in the food, paper, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The inventive method consists in separating unpasteurized cow milk in a separator, wherein a skimmed milk and fats are separated. Said method is characterized in that it consists in pasteurizing said skimmed milk in a pasteurizer at a determined temperature, in cooling said milk and conveying it to an intermediate balance tank from which the milk is supplied to a micro-filtering membrane-type filter for dividing it into casein and whey proteins, in supplying the separated casein protein to a membrane-type ultrafiltration-defiltration filter, wherein the concentrated product is transferred to a drier for drying, and in cooling and packing the thus produced water-soluble casein flour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventors: Vytautas Fedaravicius, Adomas Juska
  • Patent number: 8172987
    Abstract: An energy-efficient extractive distillation process for producing anhydrous ethanol from aqueous/ethanol feeds containing any range of ethanol employs an extractive distillation column (EDC) that operates under no or greatly reduced liquid reflux conditions. The EDC can be incorporated into an integrated process for producing anhydrous ethanol used for gasoline blending from fermentation broth. By using a high-boiling extractive distillation solvent, no solvent, is entrained by the vapor phase to the EDC overhead stream, even under no liquid reflux conditions. The energy requirement and severity of the EDC can be further improved by limiting ethanol recovery in the EDC. In this partial ethanol recovery design, ethanol which remains in the aqueous stream from the EDC is recovered in a post-distillation column or the aqueous stream is recycled to a front-end pre-distillation column where the ethanol is readily recovered since the VLE curve for ethanol/water is extremely favorable for distillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignees: AMT International Inc., CPC Corporation, Taiwan
    Inventors: Fu-Ming Lee, Tzong-Bin Lin, Jyh-Haur Hwang, Hung-Chung Shen, Kuang-Yeu Wu, Lindsey Vuong, Fong-Cheng Su, Po-Sung Cheng, Tai-Ping Chang
  • Publication number: 20120093992
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for stripping wort, with the apparatus including a receptacle that has a wort inlet and a wort outlet, and a heater on the side wall of the receptacle as well as a distributor device which applies the wort to the heating surface of the heater, such that the wort runs down the heating surface as a film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Peter Gattermeyer, Christian Dorr
  • Publication number: 20110305816
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method for preparing an umami active fraction for enhancing umami taste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Sander Dubbelman, Nikolaos Mavroudis, Peter Ravestein
  • Patent number: 8048462
    Abstract: From palm oil, valuable compounds like the tocochromanols, carotenoids, phytosterols and other can be derived in the new process. Fractions derived from crude palm oil, already enriched to some extent in tocochromanols, carotenoids, phytosterols, and others, are treated by supercritical fluid technology in a unique combination of counter current separation with selective adsorption and desorption using supercritical fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Carotech SD. BHD
    Inventors: Gerd Brunner, Kai Gast, Meng-Han Chuang, Sendil Kumar, Philip Chan, Wan Ping Chan
  • Patent number: 8048468
    Abstract: Provided are a glyceride oil composition derived from a fish oil and a preparation method thereof. The composition includes docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) with a content of 45 to 95% by weight and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) with a content of 0.001 to 13% by weight among constituent fatty acids, and a saturated fatty acid having 16 to 18 carbon atoms, which is bonded at 1- and 3-positions, with a content of 0.001 to 5% by weight among constituent fatty acids, in which a weight ratio of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)/docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) is 0.5 to 8 and a weight ratio of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)/eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is 3.5 to 15. The glyceride oil composition derived from fish oil has nutritional and physiological superiority due to containing a great amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as DHA and DPA in a form of glyceride, and can minimize disadvantages of EPA such as inhibition of ?-6 fatty acid metabolism by containing a low amount of EPA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Ilshin Wells Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Hun Yoon, Kwang-Hoon Yoon, Gi-Wang Han, Moon-Won Lee, Young-Ho Lee, Sang-Hyuk Park
  • Patent number: 8021520
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for preparing liquid from solid materials such as medicinal materials. It includes liquid and materials for preparing the liquid at the beginning and the end of the process. The device uses a steam generator, an intermediate switch valve and a material chamber, which are connected sequentially with pipes, and further includes an outlet pipe, which is at the bottom of the material chamber. The method involves the steps of: distillation and absorption; immersion; and repetition. The device and method for preparing liquid alternates the distillation and immersion steps, which reduces harmful substance in the prepared liquid that would otherwise occur by conventional methods. The method not only extracts soluble effective matter, but also reduces loss of volatile effective matter. Ultimately, the method makes the steps for preparing liquid simple and clear, and it can prepare liquid quantitatively, effectively and without pasty and shrinkable characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Shenzhen Zofu Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Linlin Yao
  • Patent number: 8002953
    Abstract: An energy-efficient extractive distillation process for producing anhydrous ethanol from aqueous/ethanol feeds containing any range of ethanol employs an extractive distillation column (EDC) that operates under no or greatly reduced liquid reflux conditions. The EDC can be incorporated into an integrated process for producing anhydrous ethanol used for gasoline blending from fermentation broth. By using a high-boiling extractive distillation solvent, no solvent is entrained by the vapor phase to the EDC overhead stream, even under no liquid reflux conditions. The energy requirement and severity of the EDC can be further improved by limiting ethanol recovery in the EDC. In this partial ethanol recovery design, ethanol which remains in the aqueous stream from the EDC is recovered in a post-distillation column or the aqueous stream is recycled to a front-end pre-distillation column where the ethanol is readily recovered since the VLE curve for ethanol/water is extremely favorable for distillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignees: AMT International Inc., CPC Corporation, Taiwan
    Inventors: Fu-Ming Lee, Kuang-Yeu Wu, Lindsey Vuong, Fong-Cheng Su, Tzong-Bin Lin, Jyh-Haur Hwang, Hung-Chung Shen, Po-Sung Cheng, Tai-Ping Chang
  • Patent number: 7993695
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is a novel transformation process of fruits and vegetables for manufacturing industrial derivatives such as hypoallergenic juices, puree and concentrates, etc. mainly intended for individuals suffering from OAS (Oral Allergy Syndrome) following the consumption of traditional industrial derivatives, but also for general consumption to prevent sensitization in atopic patients. In a second aspect, the present invention also relates to the products obtainable by means of said process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignees: Oreste Vittore Brenna
    Inventors: Carlo Pompei, Oreste V. Brenna
  • Patent number: 7879379
    Abstract: Method of pretreating citrus waste to break cell structure, pasteurize or sterilize citrus waste solids and remove inhibitory peel oil components (e.g., limonene) involving optionally reducing the particle size of the citrus waste prior to preheating, preheating the citrus waste through indirect heating in a preheater reactor to form preheated citrus waste and conveying the preheated citrus waste to a main reactor, heating the citrus waste through a combination of (simultaneous) indirect heating and direct heating to produce treated citrus waste solids that are pasteurized and a vapor containing water and peel oil components, separating the pasteurized citrus waste solids and the vapor containing water and peel oil components, and collecting the separated vapor containing water and peel oil components by condensation. The method optionally includes cooling the pasteurized citrus waste solids followed by saccharifying with enzymes and fermentation to produce ethanol or other products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, Renewable Spirits LLC
    Inventors: Wilbur Widmer, David Stewart, Karel Grohmann, Mark Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20110008508
    Abstract: A syrup composition comprising a natural syrup and a soluble food ingredient, wherein the syrup has a solids content of at least about 33% by weight based on the total weight of the syrup composition, and wherein the syrup composition has a caloric content of less than about 8 kcals per teaspoon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Steven J. Catani, Keith Sutter
  • Publication number: 20100303963
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of chewable honey without loss of its nutritional values and a honey chew bar obtained through such process, said chewable honey bar providing sustained energy to the consumer without loss of nutritional values and flavour of natural honey. During the process, an additional flavour may be added, comprising of additives, natural flavour, artificial flavour and nature identical flavour for example being selected of strawberry, vanilla, coffee, chocolate, rose, cloves or any other such flavor to the Honey.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventor: Prakash Kejriwal
  • Publication number: 20100285195
    Abstract: A method of improving the taste of an extract of a fruit from the Cucurbitaceae family provided as a liquid comprising the extract is offered, said method comprising heating the liquid to a temperature above 60° C. such that at least one off-flavor material is removed by evaporation. The use of the method in making a beverage or a foodstuff is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Leanne Fisher, Carole Ann Bingley, Marion Magdalena Horn, Peter Horn
  • Patent number: 7765920
    Abstract: An air-lift dryer for processing a high-lactose aqueous fluid (HLAF), such as permeate from ultrafiltration of whey fluid, is provided. The air-lift dryer has an enclosed drying chamber with diverging interior sidewalls that define an intermediate interior space having a cross-sectional area that increases as the diverging interior sidewalls extend away from a lower portion toward an upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Relco Unisystems Corporation
    Inventor: A. Kent Keller
  • Publication number: 20100178409
    Abstract: Provided are liquors or spirits that compensate for the oily and grass-like smell of perillaldehyde, the primary aroma component of Perilla frutescens var. crispa (shiso), to ensure that the fresh and natural fragrance of shiso is developed in a balanced way. In the process of making distilled liquors or spirits, the temperature of the distillation feed charged into a distillation vessel is managed appropriately, whereby the aroma components of shiso used as part of the feed can be recovered in a balanced way to produce distilled liquors or spirits having the fresh and natural fragrance of shiso. According to the distillation method of the present invention, no extra equipment investment is required and distilled liquors or spirits of good quality can be obtained with a minimum production cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: SUNTORY HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventor: Takanori Kashima
  • Publication number: 20100055279
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a continuous process for producing a fruit and/or vegetable paste comprising separating a continuous stream of fruit and/or vegetable juice into a low solids serum stream and a high solids pulp stream and concentrating the serum stream in a concentrator before recombining it with the pulp stream to produce a recombined stream; wherein the Brix concentration of the recombined stream is automatically adjusted to a constant level by combining the concentrated serum stream, the pulp stream and/or the recombined stream with an adjustable amount of a diluent stream and by automatically adjusting the flow rate of the diluent stream to compensate for fluctuations in the Brix concentration of the pulp stream and/or the concentrated serum stream. The invention also provides a plant for the production of a fruit and/or vegetable paste that can suitably be used to operate the aforementioned continuous process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Sander Dubbelman, Mark van Dijk
  • Patent number: 7670634
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a vacuum stripping process having a first stripping vessel (2); at least one second further downstream stripping vessel (3), said at least one second further downstream stripping vessel (3) containing at least two trays (12), (13), (14) and (15) each provided with sparging (16), (17), (18) and (19) respectively, and further having a collector (4) connecting said first stripping vessel (2) and said at least one second stripping vessel (3), said collector (4) being provided with inlet openings above each said tray (12), (13), (14) and (15) and said collector (4) being connected to a pump (5) with a discharge into said first stripping vessel (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: De Smet Engineering N.V.
    Inventors: Marc Kellens, Dimitri De Suray
  • Publication number: 20100047422
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for enriching the aroma profile of beverages, especially beer and wine, by means of extraction, using pervaporation, of aromas from the original beverage and subsequent addition of the extracted aromas to the beverage, after total or partial dealcoholization. The original beverage (1) is fed to the membrane separation module (4) wherein the permeate side (5) is under vacuum, provided by a vacuum pump (12). The feed contacts with the membrane surface and the aromas are selectively permeated to the permeate side of the membrane, where they suffer evaporation. The vapor permeate stream (5) is condensed (10) at an appropriate temperature, which can be cryogenic. After the aroma extraction, the beverage (6) is fed to a dealcoholization unit (14) for obtaining a non-alcoholic drink (15), however depleted in aroma compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Adélio Miguel Magalhães Mendes, Luis Miguel Palma Madeira, Margarida Dias Catarino
  • Patent number: 7651714
    Abstract: A method for processing a high-lactose aqueous fluid (HLAF), such as permeate from ultrafiltration of whey fluid, is provided. The method includes a step of drying the partially crystallized HLAF in an air-lift dryer which has diverging sidewalls to form a product rich in crystalline alpha-lactose monohydrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Relco Unisystems Corporation
    Inventor: A. Kent Keller
  • Patent number: 7651712
    Abstract: A method for processing a high-lactose aqueous fluid (HLAF), such as permeate from ultrafiltration of whey fluid, is provided. The process includes introducing a highly concentrated high-lactose aqueous fluid into a cooling, concentrating, crystallizing apparatus in which the highly concentrated high-lactose aqueous fluid is exposed to mixing and to movement of a gaseous fluid at a temperature, moisture content and air speed effective to create a cooling, concentrating, crystallizing cascade to generate a partially crystallized high-lactose aqueous fluid and spraying the partially crystallized high-lactose aqueous fluid into an enclosed drying chamber containing hot air to form a high-solids crystalline product rich in crystalline alpha-lactose monohydrate crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Relco Unisystems Corporation
    Inventor: A. Kent Keller
  • Patent number: 7651711
    Abstract: A method for processing a high-lactose aqueous fluid (HLAF), such as permeate from ultrafiltration of whey fluid, is provided. The process includes introducing highly concentrated high-lactose aqueous fluid into a cooling, concentrating, crystallizing apparatus, exposing the highly concentrated HLAF to a gaseous fluid to create a cooling, concentrating, crystallizing cascade to form a partially crystallized HLAF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Relco Unisystems Corporation
    Inventor: A. Kent Keller
  • Patent number: 7651713
    Abstract: A method for processing a high-lactose aqueous fluid (HLAF), such as permeate from ultrafiltration of whey fluid, is described. The process includes spraying a partially crystallized high-lactose aqueous fluid upward into an air-lift dryer having diverging sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Relco Unisystems Corporation
    Inventor: A. Kent Keller
  • Patent number: 7601377
    Abstract: An method for processing a fluid, having a vacuum chamber having an associated heater, to heat a condensable gas therewithin, a spray nozzle to atomize a cool fluid, having a non-condensible gas dissolved therewithin, a vacuum line to maintain reduced pressure in the vacuum chamber and remove non-condensing gas, and a control, for maintaining steady state conditions in the vacuum chamber by controlling pressure and temperature conditions. Gases condenses on the atomized droplets to release a latent heat of vaporization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Millisecond Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Yuri Vasilvevich Aksenov, Michael Nikolaevich Ivanovsky, Nikolai Ivanovich Loginov, Albina Vasilyevna Milovidova, Valentine Alexeevich Morozov, Nikolai Nikolaevich Ponomarev-Stepnoi, Boris Alexandrovich Chulkov, Alexander Lvovich Shimkevich, Joel B. Grae
  • Publication number: 20090175995
    Abstract: Control of flavor characteristics of and fresh taste in fruit juice, particularly citrus fruit juice, and especially orange juice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: TROPICANA PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Margaret Havekotte, Thomas Hofmann, Anneke Glabasnia, Cheryl Nagle, Michael J. Morello, Todd A. Rakofsky, Rachel L. Jordan
  • Publication number: 20080206438
    Abstract: A process for treating tomato concentrates obtainable by concentration by evaporation, having a dry residue in percentage by weight higher than 15%, generally at least of about 18%, comprising the following steps: I) mixing of the tomato concentrate (component a)) with water (component b)); II) liquid separation by a separation solid-liquid apparatus, wherein the mass to be filtered is maintained under a slow stirring; III) addition of water and/or serum to the solid mass obtained in II).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Aurelio Romeo
  • Patent number: 7368144
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for obtaining extracts based on polyphenol compounds contained in cocoa, characterised in that it includes: using fresh beans, which have not been pre-treated or defatted, said fresh beans whereof their pulp and shell have been eliminated, so as to obtain clean almonds; grinding said almonds, in the presence of solvent(s); macerating the ground almonds in conditions enabling extraction of the desired compounds; filtering the macerated mixture; recuperating an extract containing said compounds from the filtrate. The invention also concerns the extracts and their uses for cosmetic, food and therapeutic purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Barry Callebaut France
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Lecoupeau, Joseph Vercauteren
  • Patent number: 7241465
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing a high-lactose aqueous fluid (HLAF), such as permeate from ultrafiltration of whey fluid, are described. The preferred process includes concentrating HLAF containing from about 1 to about 35% solids, wherein at least 50% of the solids are lactose, to form a concentrated HLAF containing from about 45 to about 65% solids; further concentrating the HLAF to form a highly concentrated HLAF containing from about 70 to about 80% solids; cooling the highly concentrated HLAF with a gaseous fluid to create a cooling, concentrating, crystallizing cascade to further concentrate the HLAF to form a partially crystallized HLAF containing from about 78 to about 88% solids; and drying the partially crystallized HLAF in an air-lift dryer to form a product rich in crystalline alpha-lactose monohydrate. An air-lift dryer having diverging sidewalls and methods of using same are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Relco Unisystems Corporation
    Inventor: A. Kent Keller
  • Patent number: 7217435
    Abstract: A concentrated cherry nutraceutical is prepared by extracting cherry juice from cherries and repeatedly freezing the cherry juice and separating cherry juice of increased concentration while maintaining the juice at freezing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Mary A. Smith
  • Patent number: 7198812
    Abstract: The invention relates to confectionery of long shelf-life in the form of a soft, creamy, foamed mass of stable form, comprising milk components, edible fats, sugar and/or artificial sweeteners and water, whereby at least part of the edible fat is in crystalline form at room temperature. The confectionery contains no lactose crystals which may be detected by the consumer, the milk protein content is 6 to 20 wt. %, the fat-free milk dry mass is in the range of 16 to 55 wt. % and the denaturation level of the milk protein is ?20%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Inventors: Ubaldo Lo Forte, Salvatore Venneri
  • Patent number: 7195791
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing arachidonic acid. In one embodiment, Mortierella sect. schmuckeri microorganisms are cultured in fermentation medium, preferably containing a component of a complex nitrogen source. Further disclosed is a food product which includes Mortierella sect. schmuckeri microorganisms or lipid isolated from such microorganisms to enhance the arachidonic acid content of the food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Martek Biosciences Corporation
    Inventor: William R. Barclay
  • Patent number: 7169428
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of separating components from milk, and the apparatus used therefor. The invention also relates to compositions prepared from the separated components. The present invention relates to nutritional milk compositions and products which are designed to include per serving size a specified percentage range of one or more components separated from milk. The compositions of the present invention can optionally include non-essential but nutritionally functional components. The complete nutritional milk compositions of the present invention can be provided as unflavored milks, flavored milks, ice creams and yogurts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Select Milk Producers Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Dunker, Michael J. McCloskey, Timothy J. Gomez
  • Patent number: 7157109
    Abstract: A natural re-hydrating and energizing beverage based on coconut water, fruit juices and incorporated nutritive components, to produce a natural isotonic beverage with a striking or gasified aspect in a mixture of coconut water, concentrated fruit juices (pineapple, passion fruit and lemon) and components that confer and/or incorporate energetic and vitamin characteristics as well being gasified by means of direct injection of CO2 into a basic syrup of the product itself that is already formulated, as well as the addition of mineral salts, vitamins and stimulant extracts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Marc Kipfer
  • Patent number: 7097736
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for recycling dairy wastewater wherein the wastewater is supplied to at least one first evaporation apparatus to produce a water distillate and sludge. The sludge is then supplied to at least one second evaporation apparatus arranged in series with the first evaporation apparatus. The process results in recycled water and a final sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Torsten Jonsson, Jan Hellstrom, Helena Eliasson, Lars-Ola Myrefelt
  • Patent number: 7026001
    Abstract: A concentrated vegetable and/or fruit product is obtained by reverse osmosis by a method of first preparing a vegetable and/or fruit product including seeds, epidermis and/or sarcocarp as a solid component, causing it to flow down under a pressured condition to a concentration unit having an inlet, an outlet and tubular membrane modules connected in series such that it is supplied to the tubular membrane modules through a single-axis eccentric screw pump attached to the inlet and discharging a concentrated product from the tubular membrane modules through another single-axis eccentric screw pump which is attached to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Kagome Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Kawana, Kazuo Kagitani, Katsunobu Sumimura, Kiro Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 6979472
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing a soluble coffee extract which, when reconstituted, produces an intensified in-cup brew color without altering the flavor of the cup of coffee. The method includes heating a coffee extract at a temperature and for a time selected to produce an intensified color coffee extract without altering the flavor of the coffee. The intensified color coffee is either immediately dried to form dried intensified color coffee or cooled while in the liquid state. The soluble coffee produced by this method has intensified color while its flavor remains unaltered. As desired, the soluble coffee may be packaged as an instant coffee, combined with traditional soluble coffee, incorporated into a liquid coffee product or combined with sugar, creamer, and flavors to form various soluble coffee products. Alternatively, the coffee exact may be directly incorporated into a ready-to-drink or a concentrated liquid coffee product without undergoing a drying step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Paul Apiscopa, Lawrence Patrick Tighe, David Brian Griffith
  • Patent number: 6924381
    Abstract: A solvent extraction free, process for producing refined soybean oil that is high in calcium and/or magnesium is described in which mechanically extracted crude soybean oil is subjected to a two-stage process to separate hydratable and nonhydratable phospholipids. In the first stage, the crude oil is intimately mixed with water or with a weakly acidic aqueous solution, e.g., a aqueous solution of citric acid or a similar organic acid, to form gums of the hydratable phospholipids. After removing the gums from the oil, e.g., by centrifuging, the oil from the first degumming is intimately mixed with a weakly basic solution, e.g., an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide or sodium metasilicate, to produce soapstock and reduce the magnesium and calcium in the oil to less than 100 ppm, followed by separation of the soapstock, e.g., by centrifuging. Free fatty acids are then removed through physical refining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Carolina Soy Products, LLC
    Inventor: Robert B Dawson
  • Publication number: 20040208967
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for converting liquid products for the cheese making or casein producing industry into substantially free-flowing powdery products, by subjecting the liquid product to heating to a temperature above the crystallisation temperature of any component in the liquid product in a heat exchanger, flash separating volatile components from said heated liquid product to obtain a past concentrate, pre-cooling a fraction of said past concentrate, and drying said combination product. By the pre-cooling it is possible to create lactose crystals by an extremely rapid in-line pre-cooling without any significant increase in viscosity (which would lead to an un-pumpable paste). It is assumed that only a fraction of the paste gets into contact with the walls of the cooler causing a rapid formation of a high number of seed crystals. Further, it is assumed that the seed promote the formation of lactose crystals during the subsequent drying process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventor: Jens Getler