Separating Solid From Liquid Material Patents (Class 426/495)
  • Publication number: 20110027441
    Abstract: A method of sterilizing a liquid food product includes flowing a food product to be sterilized through an input channel. The method also includes flowing the liquid food product through a heating channel that is fluidly coupled to the input channel. Further, the method includes flowing the food product through an output channel fluidly coupled to the heating channel. The output channel is adjacent the input channel, and the output channel, the input channel, and the heating channel are all integrated portions of a heat exchanger. Further still, the method includes transferring heat between the output channel and the input channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Geoffrey F. Deane, William Gates, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, David P. Tuckerman, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Ozgur Yildirim
  • Patent number: 7867400
    Abstract: A process of separating suspended solids from a fermentation liquor by subjecting the liquor to a solids-liquid separation stage, wherein the fermentation liquor is produced in a fermentation process for the production of a fermentation product, and which liquor comprises lignin, wherein the solids-liquid separation stage is assisted by a treatment system, characterised in that the treatment system comprises an anionic polymer, with the proviso that the treatment system and does not include a cationic polymer having an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of at least 4 dl/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Ciba Speacialty Chemicals Water treaments Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan Hughes, Rajesh Mistry, Kenneth Charles Symes
  • Publication number: 20100323075
    Abstract: [Task] High-quality soymilk is produced, with overflow of foam or bubbles avoided in an extracting step, and the extractability (extraction ratio) of the soymilk is simultaneously heightened. [Solving Means] An apparatus for producing soymilk includes heating units H1 and H2 for heating a soybean soup go1; a defoaming unit F for defoaming a heated soybean soup go2; an extracting unit B for separating a defoamed soybean soup go3 into soymilk Tn1, bean curd refuse Tn2 and a liquid residue Tn3; and pipe lines u11 and u12 for returning the separated liquid residue Tn3 to a position before the defoamng unit F or behind the heating unit H2 (H1) and feeding it again to the defoaming unit F, wherein the pipe lines u11 and u12 for feeding the separated liquid residue to the defoaming unit F are connected to a liquid residue discharge port B3j of the extracting unit B from which the liquid residue Tn3 having been separated is taken out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: TAKAI TOFU & SOYMILK EQUIPMENT CO.
    Inventors: Toichiro Takai, Toru Awazu, Toshio Hirata
  • Patent number: 7854956
    Abstract: Low sodium salt compositions containing a blend of sodium chloride and one or more magnesium, sodium and potassium salts are provided. Also provided are methods for making and using the compositions. Further provided are food products containing the compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Exportadora de Sal, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventor: Juan Antonio Flores Zuniga
  • Patent number: 7820225
    Abstract: Low sodium salt compositions containing a blend of sodium chloride and one or more magnesium, sodium and potassium salts are provided. Also provided are methods for making and using the compositions. Further provided are food products containing the compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Exportadora de Sal, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventor: Juan Antonio Flores Zuniga
  • Patent number: 7794772
    Abstract: The present invention has an object of providing a concentrated coffee extract which is rich in aroma component released when the roasted coffee beans are ground and has an amount of coffee oil controllable in accordance with the use and purpose, and a process for industrially producing the same. According to the present invention, the above object is achieved by separating an aroma component-containing distillate, a coffee oil-containing liquid, and a coffee extract from a slurry obtained by wet-grinding roasted coffee beans, and after the coffee extract is concentrated, adding back the aroma component-containing distillate and the coffee oil-containing liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Takasago International Corporation
    Inventors: Yukio Goto, Katsuya Uno, Shigeru Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20100196563
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tomato pulp composition wherein the particle size is not greater than 2.5 which does not contain seeds or peels from the tomato and has a lycopene concentration which is 5 to 15 folds higher than the lycopene concentration in the tomatoes from which said pulp is obtained. The invention further provides an industrial process for obtaining tomato pulp and tomato concentrate from tomato juice. The invention further provides a method for controlling the viscosity and lycopene concentration of tomato products, tomato concentrate or modified tomato juice, by separating a part of the pulp from the tomato juice from which said tomato products are obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Lycored Natural Products Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Morris ZELKHA, Dov Hartal, Zvi Albert
  • Publication number: 20100196981
    Abstract: A cellulosic feedstock composition including an oil content of up to 15% of the composition, a cellulose content of 40-99% of the composition, a hemicellulose content of 2-20% of the composition, a lignin content of less than 15% of the composition, a nitrogen containing organic compound content of less than 20% of the composition, a protein containing organic compound content of less than 20% of the composition, a mineral content of less than 5% of the composition, a sand content of less than 5% of the composition, and a dirt content of less than 25% of the composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Applied Cleantech, Inc.
    Inventors: Refael Aharon, Israel Biran, Ronny Banker
  • Publication number: 20100151100
    Abstract: A filter device and a method for the filtration of beer, where, for an improved and simplified filtration, the filter includes a nonfiltrate chamber having a nonfiltrate inlet and a nonfiltrate outlet, wherein the nonfiltrate flows into the nonfiltrate chamber substantially tangentially to the walls thereof, and the bottom of the nonfiltrate chamber is constructed at least partially as a filter. The filter also includes a filtrate chamber underneath the bottom, and a filtrate outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Klaus-Karl Wasmuht, Cornelia Stumpe, Kurt Stippler, Thomas Albrecht, Heinz Humele, Michael Thomas Stein
  • Publication number: 20100143565
    Abstract: A method of preparing a pre-blended beverage ingredient for use in the preparation of chilled beverages includes the steps of placing ice cubes or other pieces of solid ice together with a volume of liquid in a blending apparatus having vessel for receiving product to be blended and an impeller or other mixing or blending means arranged for high speed blending of product within the vessel, and then blending the ice within the liquid to produce a mixture of chilled liquid and a soft paste-like substance. The ice is substantially immersed in said volume of liquid prior to blending and any excess liquid is strained from the paste after blending.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Shane Robert McGill
  • Patent number: 7709040
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Zanichelli Ricerche S.R.L.
    Inventor: Aurelio Romeo
  • Publication number: 20100075015
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of preparing an alpha acid-enriched hop composition that contains a low level of beta acids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: Betal, LLC
    Inventors: Mitsunori Ono, Naoto Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7641928
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of dewatering whole stillage comprising subjecting whole stillage to one or more enzymes capable of degrading a whole stillage component and separating the material obtained in step i) into a solid fraction and a liquid fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Novozymes North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Jump, Gregory DeLozier, Jiyin Liu
  • Patent number: 7641929
    Abstract: A method of adjusting a sediment content of a drink by a centrifuge. The method includes the steps of feeding a starting product into a centrifugal drum, clarifying the starting product by a clarification process of sediment substances into a clear phase, a solids phase and a finely cloudy phase, and discharging the clear phase, the solids phase and the finely clouded phase from the centrifugal drum. Also disclosed is a centrifuge for adjusting a sediment content of a drink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator AG
    Inventors: Bernd Spiekermeier, Carsten Waubke
  • Patent number: 7608191
    Abstract: A process of separating suspended solids from a fermentation liquor by subjecting the liquor to a solids-liquid separation stage, wherein the fermentation liquor is produced in a fermentation process for the production of a fermentation product, and which liquor comprises lignin, wherein the solids-liquid separation stage is assisted by a treatment system, characterized in that the treatment system comprises an anionic polymer, with the proviso that the treatment system and does not include a cationic polymer having an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of at least 4 dl/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Ciba Specialty Chemicals Water Treatments Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan Hughes, Rajesh Mistry, Kenneth Charles Symes
  • Publication number: 20090246342
    Abstract: A method for purifying fluids without compromising the components of the fluid is disclosed. Fluid dairy, fruit, vegetable and/or beverage concentrates are processed using pasteurization and filtration steps selectively applied to separate phase-separated components of the fluid to eliminate contaminants including agro- and biological terrorism contaminants such as bacteria and viruses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: George H. Clark, Mary Ann Clark
  • Publication number: 20090232958
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for fractionating soybean protein into 7S globulin, 11S globulin or a lipophilic protein at a high purity with good efficiency, which relates to a fractionation technique for soybean protein into proteins having characteristic properties (7S globulin, 11S globulin and a lipophilic protein) and which is a process practicable at a food industrial level. It is found that soybean protein can be fractionated into 7S globulin, 11S globulin or a lipophilic protein at a high purity with good efficiency by extracting soybean milk from processed soybean which has been subjected to a water-insolubilization treatment specific to a desired protein and fractionating the resulting soybean milk or soybean curd refuse into the desired protein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Masahiko Samoto, Motohiro Maebuchi, Chiaki Miyazaki, Hirofumi Kugitani, Mitsutaka Kohno, Kensuke Fukui, Motohiko Hirotsuka
  • Patent number: 7588791
    Abstract: A process for increasing the concentration of PUFA triglycerides present in natural PUFA oils, in which a natural PUFA oil having a triglyceride content of more than 85% by weight, based on the total weight of the mixture, and having a total PUFA content of more than 39% by weight of total fatty acids is dissolved in an organic solvent or an organic solvent mixture, the mixture is allowed to stand at a temperature of from ?35° C. to ?100° C. for a period of more than five minutes, the mixture is separated into a supernatant comprising PUFA-triglyceride mixture and a sediment phase, the separation preferably taking place by filtration or centrifugation, and the solvent or solvent mixture, after the removal of the sediment phase, is separated from the supernatant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Nutrinova Nutrition Specialties & Food Ingredients GmbH
    Inventor: Dirk Fabritius
  • Publication number: 20090220663
    Abstract: A low-calorie solid, pourable composition for emulating sugar, the composition comprising an intense sweetener and at least one low-calorie bulking agent selected from maltodextrin, magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate, calcium stearate, colloidal silicon dioxide and starch or combinations thereof, and a process for the preparation of said composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2005
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: ALEMBIC LIMITED
    Inventors: Rajesh Kshirsagar, Mayank Joshi, Amresh Kumar
  • Patent number: 7582215
    Abstract: A process of separating suspended solids from a fermentation liquor by subjecting the liquor to a solids-liquid separation stage, wherein the fermentation liquor is produced in a fermentation process for the production of a fermentation product, which liquor comprises water, lignin and BOD, wherein the solids liquid separation stage is assisted by a treatment system, characterised in that the treatment system comprises either, (i) a cationic polymer having an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of at least 4 dl/g at a dose of above 2 kg/tonne based on dry weight of suspension, or (ii) a cationic polymer having an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of at least 4 dl/g and, (iii) an anionic polymer, and/or (iv) a cationic polymer of intrinsic viscosity of below 4 dl/g and a cationic charge density of at least 3 meq/g and/or (v) inorganic coagulants and/or (vi) charged microparticulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Ciba Specialty Chemicals Water Treatments Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan Hughes, Kenneth Charles Symes
  • Patent number: 7582444
    Abstract: Process for improving the separation efficiency of residual solid matter from the liquid phase of an aqueous acid hydrolysate of a naturally occurring polysaccharide comprising dissolved sugars, and residual acid wherein a flocculating agent(s) is added to the aqueous mixture in an effective amount, and a process of producing fermentation products comprising the steps of, (i) hydrolysing a particulate polysaccharide based plant derived material in an acid medium, and thereby forming an aqueous mixture comprising dissolved sugar and solid matter, (ii) subjecting the aqueous mixture to one or more separation stages in which solid matter are removed from the aqueous phase, (iii) adjusting the pH of the obtained aqueous phase to a pH of at least 4, (iv) fermenting the dissolved sugars of the aqueous phase by a microorganism to produce a fermentation product, (v) isolating the fermentation product, wherein in at least one separation stage in step (ii) a flocculating agent is added to the aqueous mixture in an effe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Ciba Specialty Chemicals Water Treatments Ltd.
    Inventor: Jonathan Hughes
  • Patent number: 7582326
    Abstract: Whey protein materials such as whey from cheese making processes, whey protein concentrates, and whey protein isolates, are deflavored by adjusting the pH of an aqueous composition of such whey protein materials to about 8.0 to about 12 using membrane electrodialysis to solubilize the whey proteins and to release the flavoring compounds and thereafter passing the pH-adjusted composition to an ultrafiltration membrane having a molecular weight cutoff up to about 50,000 Daltons under conditions at which the flavoring compounds pass through the membrane, leaving the retained whey protein material with improved flavor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Global Brands LLC
    Inventors: Peter H. Brown, Colin P. Crowley
  • Patent number: 7569245
    Abstract: Deboned meat is subjected to processing in a surimi-type procedure in order to substantially reduce the heme content and thus the color intensity of the deboned meat, with bone marrow components and fat also being removed. When desired, the washed meat is subjected to dewatering, such as by pressing, in order to provide a color and fat reduced deboned meat. Multiple-stage separation is practiced, and the protein yield of the washed meat is advantageously elevated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Iksoon Kang, Gary Robert Skaar, William Nathaniel Gale Barron, III, Cory Jay Painter, James Donald Colby, Henri K. Salman
  • Patent number: 7560132
    Abstract: Crushed and de-fatted oilseed is extracted with water at neutral, mildly basic or mildly acidic pH; and is filtered. The filter media allows passage of small fragments of solid cell meat into the filtrate. The filtrate is treated with a base to increase pH to over pH 9, and solids are separated out. Protein is separated from other constituents of the liquid and concentrated, for example by heat-induced or isoelectric precipitation and/or ultrafiltration. The remaining liquid is rich in sugars. The process results in one or more protein products suited for human or animal food ingredients or for production of cosmetics, a sugar rich product suitable for fermentation or use as a feed ingredient, and a fiber-protein animal feed ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: MCN Bioproducts Inc.
    Inventors: Rex W. Newkirk, David D. Maenz, Henry L. Classen
  • Patent number: 7556732
    Abstract: A must clarification device is provided comprising a vat into which the must is introduced in either a continuous flow or in batches. Located within a circular chamber in the vat is a turbine rotatable by external means. The must is introduced into the chamber by a centrally located pipe. An air pipe is located concentrically within the must pipe. The pipes are arranged to create a venturi effect to suck the air into the chamber. The turbine mixes the air and must and expells it from the chamber so that the air bubbles cause the impurities to rise to the surface where they are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Inoxpa, S.A.
    Inventor: Gunter Waidelich
  • Patent number: 7550167
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing a grapefruit-juice-based beverage that does not contain compounds in sufficient quantity to inhibit the intestinal CYP3A4 enzyme in vivo. The method includes the steps of clarifying grapefruit juice and treating the resulting clear serum with an absorption resin to remove soluble coumarins and furanocoumarins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Florida Department of Citrus
    Inventors: Wilbur W. Widmer, William S. Stinson, Jr., Patricia Q. Klim, legal representative, Martin Klim
  • Patent number: 7527820
    Abstract: A process of extracting carotenoids from a source of fruit or vegetable processing waste including the steps of: admixing the source, a first organic solvent and a surfactant to form a slurry, whereby surface tension in tissue cell structure of the source is decreased, enhancing penetration of the surfactant into the tissue cell structure so that the carotenoids and the surfactant may form a combination; treating the slurry with a second organic solvent which solubilizes the combination; separating the treated slurry into a liquid fraction and a solid fraction; and separating a first portion from the liquid fraction, the first portion including a solution of the second organic solvent and the combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Water Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Allen, Michael R. Rusnack
  • Publication number: 20090074941
    Abstract: A method of dewaxing a citrus oil by subjecting the oil to a filtration process, in which the oil is caused to flow parallel to a porous membrane during which process it is maintained at a temperature of less than about 11° C., said membrane having an average pore size of from about 0.05-5 micrometres. The method produces citrus oils that are dewaxed to an unusually high extent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Givaudan S.A.
    Inventors: Andrew Finn, Alan Gabelman
  • Patent number: 7455997
    Abstract: A process of producing fermentation product comprising the steps of, (i) forming an acidified suspension of particulate plant derived material comprising a first polysaccharide which is more readily hydrolysable and a second polysaccharide which is more difficult to hydrolysable, (ii) allowing the first polysaccharide to undergo hydrolysis by action of the acid at a temperature of at least 50° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Ciba Specialty Chemicals Water Treatments Ltd
    Inventor: Jonathan Hughes
  • Patent number: 7449207
    Abstract: A method of making chunk tomato pieces from tomatoes. The tomatoes are introduced into a tomato preparation system where they are cleaned, de-stemmed, peeled and chopped. This creates a mixture of tomato chucks, seeds and juice. The tomato chunks are separated from the seeds and juice. The juice is separated from the seeds and subsequently added back to the chunks in proper proportions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Stanislaos Food Products
    Inventors: Mark Kimmel, Larry Koppes, Tuan Nguyen, Brandon Tulley, Eric Franzoi
  • Publication number: 20080220127
    Abstract: Low sodium salt compositions containing a blend of sodium chloride and one or more magnesium, sodium and potassium salts are provided. Also provided are methods for making and using the compositions. Further provided are food products containing the compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventor: Juan Antonio Flores Zuniga
  • Publication number: 20080171125
    Abstract: Methods are provided to prepare heat stable soy milk concentrates above 3.2× based on the level of protein that are thermally stable upon achieving an Fo of at least 5. One method removes soluble carbohydrates prior to concentration. Another method removes both soluble and insoluble carbohydrates prior to concentration. Yet other methods prepare soy milk concentrates using partially hydrolyzed soy protein isolate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: Ahmad Akashe, Wen-Sherng Chen, Danielle Elizabeth Perkins, Mark Richard Thomas Norton
  • Publication number: 20080145500
    Abstract: A sintered metal fiber medium as subject of the invention comprises at least a first metal fiber layer providing a first outer surface to the sintered metal fiber medium. The first metal fiber layer comprises metal fibers with an equivalent diameter D1. The medium has a mean flow pore size of less than 2 times the equivalent diameter D1. The metal fibers in the first metal fiber layer in the sintered metal fiber medium have a ratio of average fiber length L1 over diameter (L1/D1) which is preferably less than 110.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Constantine Stournaras, Constantina Andreouli, Zoi Tatoudi, Frank Verschaeve, Carl Vromant, Gerrit Van Betsbrugge
  • Patent number: 7378123
    Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions that involve whey protein isolates. Methods of the invention include purification processes for preparing whey proteins that are substantially nondenatured across a range of pH, including their isoelectric points. As such, they have low turbidity in solution across a wide range of pH values. Whey protein isolates can be integrated into compositions and solutions that have nutritional, pharmaceutical, and other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignees: Wisconsin Alumni Research, Grande Cheese Company
    Inventors: Mark R. Etzel, Thomas R. Helm, Harit K. Vyas
  • Publication number: 20080053899
    Abstract: This invention is directed to an integrated process and system for water treatment, in particular, an integrated process and system for water treatment in the beverage manufacture cycle. The water treatment process is directed to treating an influent water solution, a low sugar concentration solution, and a high sugar concentration solution. The water treatment system is directed to a system for treating an influent water solution, a system for treating a low sugar concentration solution, and system for treating a high sugar concentration solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: David Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7311837
    Abstract: In a process for the continuous recovery of free tartaric acid from raw materials containing potassium hydrogentartrate, the same are mixed with water and the potassium hydrogentartrate is dissolved. The process is improved in that the suspension is decanted, the clarified liquid is refiltered, the filtrate is cooled to crystallization temperature under a vacuum, the potassium hydrogentartrate crystals formed are dissolved, the solution is subjected to a cation exchange, and the tartaric acid solution obtained is evaporated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Lurgi AG
    Inventors: Dieter Stein, Rudolf Bonsch, Klaus Erb
  • Patent number: 7273554
    Abstract: The invention relates to a crossflow-filtration method for beverages, in particular beer, which comprises the following steps: a) the feed liquid is introduced into a filter module by means of a tangential flow through a filter membrane (6) in a first direction, whereby the filtrate flow on the filtrate side (19) of the filter module is maintained within predetermined threshold values; b) the entry pressure is reduced and the filter is backflushed by surges of filtrate initiated by a reversal of the flow direction transversally to the membrane; c) the feed liquid is optionally introduced in an inverse flow direction to that of step a) and the concentrate is evacuated on the non-filtrate (7) side of the module; d) the entry pressure is reduced and the filter is backflushed by surges of filtrate initiated by a reversal of the flow direction transversally to the membrane; e) steps a) to d) are repeated until the filtrate flow lies below the lower predetermined threshold value; f) to k) the filter is emptied by a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Sartorius Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Rodenberg, Bernhard Diel, Matthias Grabosch, Dieter Armgart
  • Patent number: 7229655
    Abstract: A silica xerogel, a process for making it, and a process for using it to reduce chill haze in beer includes incorporation in the xerogel of one or more alkali metals, optionally in combination with one or more alkaline earth metals. The pH of the xerogel is between 8.0 and 10.5, preferably between 8.5 and 10.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: PQ Corporation
    Inventors: Yatao Hu, Larissa Ding, Robert E. Patterson
  • 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: 7175869
    Abstract: Soy derived materials such as soy milk, soy flour, soy concentrates, and soy protein isolates, are deflavored by adjusting the pH of an aqueous composition of such soy derived materials using membrane electrodialysis to a pH of about 9 to about 12 to solubilize the soy proteins and to release the flavoring compounds and thereafter passing the pH-adjusted composition to an ultrafiltration membrane having a molecular weight cutoff up to about 50,000 Daltons under conditions at which the flavoring compounds pass through the membrane, leaving the retained soy material with improved flavor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter H. Brown, Colin P. Crowley, Xiao-Qing Han
  • Patent number: 7169425
    Abstract: Relatively low molecular weight components which contribute undesirable flavor, odor, appearance, functionality, and/or other characteristics to soy protein materials may be removed, in accordance with the present invention, by treating the materials with a size exclusion resin selective for removal of the low molecular weight components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Solae, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Ruppe, Theodore C. Busch, Houston Smith
  • Patent number: 7138152
    Abstract: A process of extracting carotenoids from a source of fruit or vegetable processing waste including the steps of: admixing the source, a first organic solvent and a surfactant to form a slurry, whereby surface tension in tissue cell structure of the source is decreased, enhancing penetration of the surfactant into the tissue cell structure so that the carotenoids and the surfactant may form a combination; treating the slurry with a second organic solvent which solubilizes the combination; separating the treated slurry into a liquid fraction and a solid fraction; and separating a first portion from the liquid fraction, the first portion including a solution of the second organic solvent and the combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Water Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Allen, Michael R. Rusnack
  • Patent number: 7122122
    Abstract: A cellulose/silica composite useful as a filter material is highly selective towards a solute that has been molecularly imprinted upon an inorganic gel coating formed on the cellulose. The filter material provides dual filtering functionality, as both a selective molecular sieve and as a particulate filter. A unique method for making the filter material is also set forth that imparts these attributes and performance capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel Marquez-Sanchez, Gustavo Larsen, Ahmad Akashe, David Vu, Rajinder S. Gill
  • Patent number: 7108881
    Abstract: Soy-containing fermented products, especially soy-containing yogurts, beverage, as well as methods for producing such products, are provided. The soy-containing fermented products are prepared using deflavored soy protein material, preferably deflavored soy milk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmad Akashe, Katie Das, Meredith Lane
  • Patent number: 7094439
    Abstract: Whey protein materials such as whey from cheese making processes, whey protein concentrates, and whey protein isolates, are deflavored by adjusting the pH of an aqueous composition of such whey protein materials to about 8 to about 12 to solubilize the whey proteins and to release the flavoring compounds and thereafter passing the pH-adjusted composition to an ultrafiltration membrane having a molecular weight cutoff up to about 50,000 Daltons under conditions at which the flavoring compounds pass through the membrane, leaving the retained whey protein material with improved flavor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmad Akashe, Cynthia Lynn Jackson, Ariel S. Cudia, John Wisler
  • Patent number: 7083819
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a soy protein concentrate having a low non-digestible oligosaccharide and high isoflavone content. The soy protein may have high saponin content. The method includes the use of a membrane in an ultrafiltration process to separate non-digestible oligosaccharides from protein, while retaining isoflavones and saponins with protein. The soy protein concentrate with a low non-digestible oligosaccharide and high isoflavone and saponin content is useful as a milk substitute and in drink mixes as well as an ingredient in other nutrition and health products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Solae, LLC
    Inventor: Navpreet Singh
  • Patent number: 7074448
    Abstract: A system and process for making a low-acid, single strength juice such as a not from concentrate (NFC) citrus juice are provided in which an initial single strength juice flow can be cooled to a temperature of not greater than about 45° F. and maintained at that temperature or below throughout the process (except during pasteurization). From the initial juice flow, a first portion of the juice is diverted from a second portion of the juice. Suspended solids are separated out from the first portion to provide a solids-reduced juice. The solids-reduced juice is subjected to ion-exchange deacidification. Preferably, a portion of the initial single strength juice flow is added to the deacidified juice immediately after deacidification in order to immediately lower the pH of the deacidified juice to a value that discourages microbial activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Tropicana Products, Inc.
    Inventors: D. Scott Lineback, Osvaldo A. Chu, Yongsoo Chung, Mark A. Pepper, Marcelo Perez Alvarez
  • Patent number: 7045163
    Abstract: Soy derived materials such as soy milk, soy flour, soy concentrates, and soy protein isolates, are deflavored by adjusting the pH of an aqueous composition of such soy derived materials to about 9 to about 12 to solubilize the soy proteins and to release the flavoring compounds and thereafter passing the pH-adjusted composition to an ultrafiltration membrane having a molecular weight cutoff up to about 50,000 Daltons under conditions at which the flavoring compounds pass through the membrane, leaving the retained soy material with improved flavor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmad Akashe, Ronald Louis Meibach
  • Patent number: 7037547
    Abstract: Soy-containing beverage comprising an aqueous liquid containing deflavored soy protein material are provided. Especially preferred beverage include flavored soymilk beverage and soymilk smoothies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmad Akashe, Ronald Louis Meibach
  • Patent number: 7033630
    Abstract: Methods of making a calcium fortified, tartaric acid-containing product that is essentially free of tartrate precipitates. The tartaric acid concentration of a precursor is adjusted to form an adjusted precursor. An additive comprising a calcium-based compound is mixed with the adjusted precursor to make the fortified product. The compound may be calcium gluconate, a variety of other compounds or mixtures thereof. The fortified product, when stored at approximately 70° F., may remain essentially free of tartrate precipitate for at least sixteen weeks. The fortified, tartaric acid-containing products processed by the disclosed methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Welch Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Stacy A. Livisay, James P. Lavoie