8584results about "Food preservation" patented technology

A device for preparing a fluid food at a desired consumption temperature on demand, comprising two reservoirs of water, a container containing a formula, a data processor and a controller for dispensing water of the correct temperature from each of the reservoirs and the formula from the container into a vessel. Also provided are methods for preparing specialized foods at desired consumption temperatures on demand, and methods for marketing both foods and food-preparation devices.

Devices and methods for RF heating of food, using techniques which allow uniformity and/or controlled non-uniformity.

The present invention is directed to a method of processing a fat-containing bean, e.g., cocoa beans, for producing solids comprising active polyphenols and/or fat-containing products, comprising extracting the fat to produce solids and fat-containing products. Additionally, the inventive method also provides cocoa compositions comprising at least one active polyphenol, wherein the concentration of the polyphenol(s) with respect to the nonfat solids is conserved with respect to the concentration of the active polyphenol(s) in the bean from which the compositions are derived.

A method and apparatus for generating plasma in a fluid. The fluid (3) is placed in a bath (2) having a pair of spaced electrodes (4, 6) forming a cathode and an anode. A stream of bubbles is introduced or generated within the fluid adjacent to the cathode. A potential difference is applied across the cathode and anode such that a glow discharge is formed in the bubble region and a plasma of ionized gas molecules is formed within the bubbles. The plasma may then be used in electrolysis, gas production, effluent treatment or sterilization, mineral extraction, production of nanoparticles or material enhancement. The method can be carried out at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. The electrodes may carry means to trap the bubbles in close proximity. Partitions may be present between the electrodes.

Methods are disclosed for sterilizing biological materials to reduce the level therein of one or more biological contaminants or pathogens, such as prions, responsible for the disease states known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) in mammals. These methods involve sterilizing biological materials with irradiation.

Methods of beverage and flowable food product production using steam injection are provided to efficiently destroy microorganisms able to withstand normal pasteurization temperatures. Microorganisms such as Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris and its spores may be eliminated from fruit juices and the like while minimizing organoleptic degradation due to heating. The apparatus is capable of pasteurizing, blending and controlling the product specifications of a finished beverage in a continuous matter.

An improved protein beverage which may provide a relatively high protein content, ranging from about 0.01% by weight to about 15% by weight, while optionally employing a carbonation concentration between about 0.1 volumes of carbonation (per volume of liquid drink) to about 6 volumes of carbonation. Preferably the protein is a protein, such preferably as whey protein, or others. The protein beverage may contain juice and/or an additive which provides energy generation enhancement. The protein beverage may be heat treated to inactivate pathogenic microbes in the presence of the carbonation which may be used to provide taste and mouth feel for the drink. Typically, the treatment for pathogenic microbe inactivation is carried out in the individual package used for storage and handling of the protein drink. The protein beverage may be prepared from a protein beverage concentrate, which may be in the form of a syrup concentrate or a powder concentrate.

Devices and methods for RF heating of food, using techniques which allow uniformity and/or controlled non-uniformity.

PCT No. PCT/GB98/02840 Sec. 371 Date Jul. 14, 1999 Sec. 102(e) Date Jul. 14, 1999 PCT Filed Sep. 18, 1998 PCT Pub. No. WO99/13741 PCT Pub. Date Mar. 25, 1999Food is rendered sterile by UV irradiation, preferably with UV at 265+/-15 nm. A sterilization unit may include UV sources (90, 100, 110, 120) and a heat source, which may be a broad band UV source, a source of IR or microwave radiation. A combined microwave/UV unit can be used to defrost frozen food and simultaneously sterilize it or maintain sterility. Heating prior to UV irradiation can enhance the sterilization, as can rapid cooling after irradiation. Irradiation can also be enhanced by displacing the food during irradiation e.g. by supporting it on a rotatable support (135) and/or by displacing it relative to the support surface.

System and method for preserving food. Embodiments of the system include a food compartment to store food and a user interface configured to receive user input relating to the preservation of the food stored. The system also includes a humidity sensor configured to sense a humidity level, an ozone generator configured to generate ozone gas, an ozone sensor configured to sense an ozone level and a gas sensor configured to sense a level of residual gases inside the food compartment. The system further includes a controller, responsive to the user interface, the humidity sensor, the ozone sensor and the gas sensor. In one embodiment, the controller preserves the food stored in the food compartment as a function of the user input, the humidity level, the ozone level, the residual gas level and as a function of a type of the food stored in the food compartment.

A pasteurization or sterilization process reduces fouling of a food or beverage composition containing protein during the heat treatment. An antifouling agent is added to the food or beverage composition that is selected from hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) with a hydroxypropyl molar substitution of greater than 3.0 and a weight average molecular weight (Mw) as measured by SEC of greater than 350,000 Dalton, methylhydroxypropylcellulose (MHPC) with a methoxyl content of greater than 17% and a hydroxypropyl content of greater than 3%, methylcellulose (MC) with a methoxyl content greater than 17% and a viscosity in water at ambient temperatures and a concentration of 2% of greater than 1,000 cps, or mixtures thereof, This food or beverage composition is then heated in a first heat exchanger at a temperature between 50 and 100° C. for a time of from about 2 seconds to 30 minutes for pasteurization or it is further heated to sterilization temperatures before being packaged out or further processed. The improvements of this process is that the heat exchangers are fouled at least 10% by weight less or run-time increased at least 10% as compared to when heat-treating a similar food or beverage composition without the antifouling agent.

The present invention relates generally to sweetener compositions comprising non-caloric or low-caloric high-potency sweeteners and methods for making and using them. In particular, the present invention relates to different sweetener compositions comprising at least one non-caloric or low-caloric natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener, at least one sweet taste improving composition, and at least one preservative. The present invention also relates to sweetener compositions and methods that can improve the tastes of non-caloric or low-caloric natural and/or synthetic, high-potency sweeteners by imparting a more sugar-like taste or characteristic. In particular, the sweetener compositions and methods provide a more sugar-like temporal profile, including sweetness onset and sweetness linger, and/or a more sugar-like flavor profile.

A lightwave oven for cooking with light having wavelengths in the visible, near visible, and infra-red spectral ranges uses one or more quartz halogen tungsten lamps or quartz arc bulbs positioned above and below the food item and delivers light energy in select ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum during select portions of the cooking cycle.

Disclosed is a fermented whey preparation produced by carrying out high-temperature sterilization of an aqueous whey protein solution having a solid content of 11 to 35% by weight and a pH value adjusted to 6.5 to 8.0, then subjecting the aqueous whey protein solution to lactic acid fermentation, and homogenizing the resultant fermentation liquor as such. The fermented whey preparation has a fermentation-derived unique and good flavor and, at the same time, has a refreshed and invigorating flavor and further has a velvety texture. The fermented whey preparation is also excellent in thermal stability and safety.

An apparatus is disclosed for the micro-organism surface sterilization of foods using, a "germicidal" such as light waves (e.g., ultraviolet), and in some cases in combination with (or replaced by) one or more of sound waves and ozone. The surface sterilizer apparatus may include a plurality of germicidal (e.g., ultraviolet) emitters for surface sterilization of foods that are, e.g., rotated in a drum or rotated via a screw auger. Assemblies of emitters for the germicidal may be constructed to be watertight (i.e., withstand a high pressure, heated water spray), and movable relative to the drum or screw conveyor for easy cleaning and maintenance. The apparatus may also include a controller (e.g., programmable logic controller) for controlling the sterilization process so that the apparatus does not endanger personnel nearby, and so that the food is properly sterilized. The controller may vary the amount of germicidal used, the rate that food traverses the apparatus, the inclination of the apparatus, and terminate sterilization processing when an unsafe condition is detected. The apparatus may be used in-line with other food processing equipment for the real-time sterilization of food. The controller may also communicate with food processing components upstream of the apparatus for controlling the flow of food to the surface sterilizer

A new method for the preparation of microencapsulated essential oils is disclosed. The microcapsules containing essential oils or a formulation containing thereof may be used for various non-agricultural applications.

A method for making surface corona discharge, which produces ozone gas and apparatus for producing the same are disclosed, in which a dielectric spacer/film having a specific capacity C' equal to or more than 200 nanofarad per square meter positioned between the base electrode and the net electrode. Said net electrode is a wire net or a perforated metal or a wire winding having an open area not less than about 70%, and a size of hole D equals to or less than about 0.7V/P, where V is a voltage in kilovolts and P is pressure of an ambient air or an oxygen in atmospheres. Net electrode has radius R of wire or radius of an edge of openings in the perforated metal equal to or more than about 1.6d, where d is the thickness of the said dielectric spacer/film, which is determined by a fundamental formula d=9k/C', where d is in millimeters, C' is in nF/m2, and k is dimensionless dielectric constant k of given material. Under disclosed parameters said surface corona is safe for human contact if said net electrode is grounded. Start voltage Vst of ozone production is determined by experimental formula Vst=0.7+60/C', kV, here C' in nF/m2. The even and high intensity corona surface and high ozone output takes place if the operating voltage is more than about 3Vst. AC power supply is applied to produce ozone gas at "home" voltage 0.7-1.0 kV and produces ozone gas more effectively at 2,5-3.6 kV. A method for disinfection and decontamination of objects by using the direct corona contact and apparatus for making the same is disclosed, in which safe corona surface is placed on said object and is acting by ozone, ultraviolet and ion bombing simultaneously in the unique environment, which takes place inside of the safe corona. A method for ozone disinfection and decontamination and devices for making the same is disclosed, in which said ozone generating element is placed in a closed container/room with or without treated objects and produce a high ozone concentration due to effective ozone dispersion from corona surface without blowing of air/oxygen through said container/room.

The present invention relates to a container for cooking food in a microwave oven. The container includes a tray having a bottom wall and a side wall that is attached to the bottom wall and extends upwardly from the bottom wall to define an interior cavity and a support means to provide support for a food product and elevate the food product with respect to the bottom wall. A continuous shielding layer is provided in the bottom wall and the side wall of the tray. The bottom wall and side wall of the tray along with the bottom of the food product define a free space under the food product that totally reflects microwave beams that pass through the food product back in the direction of the food product. The container of the invention reduces the formation of temperature gradients in the food product when it is heated and accelerates the microwave reheating of the food product. The container is particularly useful for reheating large blocks of frozen food.

An apparatus for applying RF energy to an object, comprising at least one slower-scanning, frequency source and at least one faster-scanning frequency source, and a controller which sweeps a range of frequencies using the faster-scanning source to measure RF absorption and controls the slower-scanning frequency source based on the sweep.

Supercooling refrigeration being a method of enhancing the quality of food frozen other than the quick freezing method is realized by simple construction, and there are provided a refrigerator and method of refrigeration capable of realizing high-quality freezing by simple construction. The refrigerator is one capable of food storage utilizing cold air generated by cooler (3), comprising supercooling case (81) adapted to hold stored food in a supercooling state such that freezing does not occur even at its freezing point or lower temperature for at least a given period of time. The supercooling case (81) consists of, for example, the downside case of up-and-down two stage case disposed in switching chamber (200) capable of switching to multiple temperature zones.

An approach for sterilizing microorganisms at a target object employs a flashlamp system including means for generating pulses of light, and for deactivating microorganisms within the target object by illuminating the target object with the pulses of light having been generated; a photo-sensitive detector positioned so as to receive a portion of each of the pulses of light as a measure of an amount of light illuminating the target object, for generating an output signal in response thereto; and a control system, coupled to the flashlamp system and the photo-sensitive detector, for determining, in response to the output signal, whether the pulses of light are sufficient to effect a prescribed level of deactivation of microorganisms at the target object. In accordance with this approach sterilizing microorganisms involves steps of generating a pulse of light; deactivating microorganisms at the target object by directing the pulse of light having been generated at the target object; receiving a portion of the pulse of light as a measure of an amount of the pulse of light illuminating the target object; generating an output signal in response to the receiving of the portion of the pulse of light; and determining, in response to the generating of the output signal, whether the pulse of light is sufficient to effect a prescribed level of deactivation of microorganisms at the target object.

The present invention relates to an aqueous decontaminating composition comprising(A) an amount of H2O2 less than or equal to 60% by weight, based on the total weight of said composition;(B) an RCO3H/RCO2H mixture, where R is methyl or ethyl, as indicated above, said mixture being present in an amount such that the weight ratio of said mixture to the hydrogen peroxide is between 0.15/1 and 0.85/1;(C) a silver component as a source of Ag ions, selected from the group consisting of silver salts and complexes, said silver component being present in an amount such that the weight ratio of said silver component to the hydrogen peroxide is between 0.0005/1 and 0.015/1;(D) a stabilizer present in an amount such that the weight ratio of said stabilizer to the hydrogen peroxide is between 0.0005/1 and 0.025/1; andwater to make up to 100% by weight. It further relates to the method of preparation and to the use of said composition.

A temperature-controlled appliance is provided with mutually-independent temperature-controlled compartments arranged close to each other. Each of the compartments comprises a casing formed of a heat-insulating layer, a thermal conductor arranged in the casing and provided with a heat-conducting surface located opposite a storage space in the casing, a Peltier device thermally connected with the thermal conductor, a power supply for feeding electric power to the Peltier device, and a controller for controlling electric power to be fed to the Peltier device so that a temperature in the casing is controlled.

It is possible to provide a three-dimensional image display device which can improved a final resolution balance and can prevent display blocking. A three-dimensional image display device includes: a two-dimensional image display device where pixels constituting a pixel group displaying an elemental image are arranged in a matrix shape; and an optical plate which has exit pupils corresponding to the pixel group and controls light rays from the pixels of the pixel group, wherein the exit pupils in the optical plate are constituted so as to be continued in an approximately vertical direction, and an angle formed between a direction in which the exist pupils are continued and a column direction of a pixel arrangement in the two-dimensional image display device is given by arc tan (1/n) when n is a natural number which is different from multiples of 3.

A system for preparation of high quality and healthy food by automatic means is provided. The system includes one or more sections for carrying out the one or more operations required for the preparation of food. The food is prepared using automated or semi-automated processes using one or more processing devices.

The invention relates to a method for producing coarse cereals rice by extruding a double screw, wherein, the coarse cereals rice takes five cereals as raw materials. The method comprises the following steps: pretreating the raw materials, stirring the raw materials in a mixing way, extruding and curing the raw materials at one time with a double screw extruder and a double screw extruding technology; graining and shaping the raw materials; drying the raw materials; and cooling the raw materials, etc. The coarse cereals rice absolutely takes five cereals as raw materials without any additives and ancillary materials. The coarse cereals rice has various external shapes according to requirements, has a compact structure without the need for polishing, stable quality, good edible quality, balanced nutrition and strong health function, is free of cleaning and convenient, can be stored for a long time, has good heat stability when being cooked, and can be eaten as staple food as the common rice. The invention has the advantages of high production, continuous production process which is especially suitable for large-scale industrialization production, stable product quality, low cost, small production floor space, etc.

An installation for sterilizing articles comprises an enclosure having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, a support device for moving the articles inside the enclosure, and two electron bombardment members disposed on different orientations relative to the articles to be sterilized and inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the articles.

Ultraviolet radiation is directed within an area at target wavelengths and/or target intensities. The target wavelength ranges and/or target intensity ranges of the ultraviolet radiation sources can correspond to at least one of a plurality of selectable operating configurations including a storage life preservation operating configuration, a disinfection operating configuration, and an ethylene decomposition operating configuration.

The invention relates to a compound biological antiseptic and preservation agent for food. The compound biological antiseptic and preservation agent is prepared by evenly mixing pure biological solid preparations or products such as epsilon-polylysine, nisin, natamycin, lysozyme, bacillus subtilis, ascorbic acid, a toona sinensis leaf extract, a water-soluble resveratrol preparation, tea polyphenol and chitosan. The compound biological antiseptic and preservation agent has a strong inhibition effect on spoilage bacteria and pathogenic bacteria in various foods and good inhibition action on oxidative deterioration of the food. Compared with the existing various preservatives, the compound biological antiseptic and preservation agent has the characteristics of broad antibacterial spectrum, high safety, high efficiency and convenience in use.

Ultraviolet radiation is directed within an area. The target wavelength ranges and/or target intensity ranges of the ultraviolet radiation sources can correspond to at least one of a plurality of selectable operating configurations including a sterilization operating configuration and a preservation operating configuration.