The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 29, 2013
Filed:
Jan. 29, 2009
Ulrich Loeser, Sauerlach, DE;
Erich Windhab, Hemishofen, CH;
Stefan Padar, Lupsingen, CH;
Bruno Pfister, Hüntwangen, CH;
Ulrich Loeser, Sauerlach, DE;
Erich Windhab, Hemishofen, CH;
Stefan Padar, Lupsingen, CH;
Bruno Pfister, Hüntwangen, CH;
Kraft Foods R&D, Inc., Northfield, IL (US);
Abstract
The invention relates to a method of determining the texture of food material, comprising the steps of applying a vibrational impact with a predetermined frequency to the food material, measuring the vibrational response of the food material to the vibrational impact, and comparing the vibratiorial response with at least one reference value, determined prior to the measurement. The food material is in a liquid or a semi-solid state and/or contained within a container body (), such as a pipe. In a second aspect, the invention relates to an apparatus () for determining the texture of food material, wherein the apparatus comprises a device () for generating a vibrational impact, such as a piezo actuator, a device () for measuring vibrations, such as a vibrometer, a holding mechanism, comprising a container body () for containing the food material therein or a string to attach the food material thereto, and an analyser for comparing measured vibrations with at least one reference value, determined prior to the measurement.