IP Library Granted Patent US 12,342,839
Granted Patent B2
US 12,342,839 · App. 18/213,616 · Granted Jul 1, 2025

Compositions and methods for inhibiting precipitation of dyes in a beverage

Inventors: Daniel Piorkowski (Fairfield, CT); Thomas Plonski (White Plains, NY); Karl Ragnarsson (Buffalo Grove, IL)
Assignee: Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC
A23L2/58A23B70/10A23L2/52
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,342,839
App. No.
18/213,616
Granted
Jul 1, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A beverage product containing a first azo-component and a second azo-component in a weight about 1:999 to about 999:1; an electrolyte; and a solvent, wherein the first azo-component and the second-component remain in solution for at least thirty days.

Claims (56)

1. A beverage product comprising:

(a) a first food grade azo-dye and a second food grade azo-dye, wherein the first food grade azo-dye and the second food grade azo-dye are present in a combined amount of about 0.05 wt % to about 6 wt % of the beverage product;

(b) an electrolyte salt in an amount of 0.03 wt % to about 20 wt % of the beverage product, and

(c) a solvent,

wherein the second food grade azo-dye is different from the first food grade azo-dye, wherein the first food grade azo-dye and the second food grade azo-dye are each selected from Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6,

wherein the weight ratio of the first food grade azo-dye to the second food grade azo-dye is about 1:9 to about 9:1, and

wherein the beverage product is in the form of a solution and the first food grade azo-dye and the second food grade azo-dye remain in solution for at least seven days under refrigeration.

2. The beverage product of claim 1 , further comprising a third food grade azo-dye selected from Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6, wherein the first, second, and third food grade azo-dye are present in a combined amount of about 0.01 wt % to about 6 wt % of the beverage product.

3. The beverage product of claim 1 , wherein the first food grade azo-dye is Red 40 and the second food grade azo-dye is Yellow 5.

4. The beverage product of claim 1 , further comprising a non azo-dye colorant.

5. The beverage product of claim 4 , wherein the non azo-dye colorant is an anthocyanin-based natural color, Blue 1, turmeric, curcumin, cochineal, betanin, indigoid, or a combination thereof.

6. The beverage product of claim 4 , wherein the non azo-dye colorant is Blue 1.

7. The beverage product of claim 1 , wherein the beverage product contains no more than 0.12 wt % benzaldehyde.

8. The beverage product of claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio of the first food grade azo-dye to the second food grade azo-dye is about 1:4 to about 4:1.

9. The beverage product of claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte salt is included in an amount of 0.03 wt % to about 3 wt % of the beverage product.

10. A beverage product comprising:

(a) a first food grade azo-dye and a second food grade azo-dye, wherein the first food grade azo-dye and the second food grade azo-dye are present in a combined amount of about 0.05 wt % to about 6 wt % of the beverage product;

(b) an electrolyte salt in an amount of 0.03 wt % to about 20 wt % of the beverage product, and

(c) a solvent,

wherein the second food grade azo-dye is different from the first food grade azo-dye,

wherein the first food grade azo-dye and the second food grade azo-dye are each selected from Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6,

wherein the weight ratio of the first food grade azo-dye to the second food grade azo-dye is about 1:9 to about 9:1, and

wherein the beverage product is in the form of a solution.

11. The beverage product of claim 10 , further comprising a third food grade azo-dye selected from Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6, and wherein the first, second, and third food grade azo-dye are present in a combined amount of about 0.01 wt % to about 6 wt % of the beverage product.

12. The beverage product of claim 10 , wherein the first food grade azo-dye is Red 40 and the second food grade azo-dye is Yellow 5.

13. The beverage product of claim 10 , further comprising a non azo-dye colorant.

14. The beverage product of claim 13 , wherein the non azo-dye colorant is an anthocyanin-based natural color, Blue 1, turmeric, curcumin, cochineal, betanin, indigoid, or a combination thereof.

15. The beverage product of claim 13 , wherein the non azo-dye colorant is Blue 1.

16. The beverage product of claim 10 , wherein the beverage product contains no more than 0.12 wt % benzaldehyde.

17. The beverage product of claim 10 , wherein the weight ratio of the first food grade azo-dye to the second food grade azo-dye is about 1:4 to about 4:1.

18. The beverage product of claim 10 , wherein the electrolyte salt is included in an amount of 0.03 wt % to about 3 wt % of the beverage product.

19. A beverage product comprising:

(a) a food grade azo-dye in an amount of about 0.01 wt % to about 6 wt % of the beverage product;

(b) a non azo-component colorant;

(c) an electrolyte salt in an amount of about 0.03 wt % to about 20 wt % of the beverage product; and

a solvent, (d)

wherein the food grade azo-dye is selected from Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, or a combination thereof,

wherein the non azo-component colorant is an anthocyanin-based natural color, Blue 1, turmeric, curcumin, cochineal, betanin, indigoid, or a combination thereof, and

wherein the beverage product is in the form of a solution, and the non azo-component colorant is included in an amount effective to prevent precipitation of the food grade azo-dye for at least seven days under refrigeration.

20. The beverage product of claim 19 , wherein the non azo-component colorant is Blue 1.

21. The beverage product of claim 19 , wherein the beverage product contains no more than 0.12 wt % benzaldehyde.

22. The beverage product of claim 19 , wherein the non azo-dye is included in an amount of up to 2 wt % of the beverage product.

23. The beverage product of claim 19 , wherein the food grade azo-dye includes a combination of Yellow 5 and Red 40.

24. The beverage product of claim 19 , wherein the electrolyte salt is included in an amount of 0.03 wt % to about 3 wt % of the beverage product.

25. A beverage product comprising:

(a) a food grade azo-dye in an amount of about 0.01 wt % to about 6 wt % of the beverage product;

(b) a non azo-component colorant;

(c) an electrolyte salt in an amount of about 0.03 wt % to about 20 wt % of the beverage product; and

(d) a solvent,

wherein the food grade azo-dye is selected from Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, or a combination thereof,

wherein the non azo-component colorant is an anthocyanin-based natural color, Blue 1, turmeric, curcumin, cochineal, betanin, indigoid, or a combination thereof, and wherein the beverage product is in the form of a solution.

26. The beverage product of claim 25 , wherein the non azo-component colorant is Blue 1.

27. The beverage product of claim 25 , wherein the beverage product contains no more than 0.12 wt % benzaldehyde.

28. The beverage product of claim 25 , wherein the non azo-dye is included in an amount of up to 2 wt % of the beverage product.

29. The beverage product of claim 25 , wherein the food grade azo-dye includes a combination of Yellow 5 and Red 40.

30. The beverage product of claim 25 , wherein the electrolyte salt is included in an amount of 0.03 wt % to about 3 wt % of the beverage product.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 28, 2025
From: PIORKOWSKI, DANIEL; PLONSKI, THOMAS; RAGNARSSON, KARL
To: KRAFT FOODS GLOBAL BRANDS LLC
Reel/Frame 071233/0242 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 28, 2025
From: KRAFT FOODS GLOBAL BRANDS LLC
To: KRAFT FOODS GROUP BRANDS LLC
Reel/Frame 071428/0503 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 16892558 · Jun 4, 2020
Continuation 13767589 · Feb 14, 2013
Provisional Application 61599307 · Feb 15, 2012
Related Publication 20230329286A1 · Oct 19, 2023
References Cited (71)
US 4497835A · Winston · 1985 [cited by applicant]
US 4664925A · McShane · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 5336510A · Chang · 1994 [cited by applicant]
US 5478582A · Smith · 1995 [cited by applicant]
US 5780086A · Kirksey · 1998 [cited by applicant]
US 6139895A · Zablocki · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6737094B2 · Bernitt · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6777242B1 · Gautier · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 7205018B2 · Sherwood · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7794770B2 · Sherwood · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7799363B2 · Sherwood · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7842326B2 · Sherwood · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7897192B2 · Sherwood · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 7906160B2 · Sherwood · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 10687547B2 · Piorkowski · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 11737480B2 · Piorkowski · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20030134007A1 · Donhowe · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20040091589A1 · Roy · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20070014909A1 · Mai · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070014910A1 · Altemueller · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070172511A1 · Harrison · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070184177A1 · Harrison · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070298083A1 · Mehansho · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070298156A1 · Mehansho · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070299133A1 · Mehansho · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20080175977A1 · Harrison · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20090280147A1 · Alberius · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090298952A1 · Brimmer · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20100028444A1 · Matuschek · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100034894A1 · Szymczak · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100047426A1 · Matuschek · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100285201A1 · Catani · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20110008508A1 · Catani · 2011 [cited by applicant]
CA 937445 · 1973 [cited by applicant]
CN 101616606 · 2009 [cited by applicant]
EP 1121868 · 2001 [cited by applicant]
EP 2025364 · 2009 [cited by applicant]
GB 1114540 · 1968 [cited by applicant]
JP S50148562 · 1975 [cited by applicant]
JP 2003505018 · 2003 [cited by applicant]
WO 0101793 · 2001 [cited by applicant]
WO 2009086045 · 2009 [cited by applicant]
WO 2009086049 · 2009 [cited by applicant]
WO 2010017433 · 2010 [cited by applicant]
WO 2011103378 · 2011 [cited by applicant]
Australian Patent Application No. 2013221449, Patent Examination Report No. 1, dated Nov. 6, 2015, 3 pages. [cited by applicant]
Brazilian Patent Application No. 11 2014 020097-1, Technical Examination Report, dated prior to Mar. 17, 2020, 18 pages. [cited by applicant]
Canadian Patent Application No. 2,864,285, Office Action, dated Oct. 24, 2019, 3 pages. [cited by applicant]
Canadian Patent Application No. 2,864,285, Office Action, dated Sep. 3, 2020, 3 pages. [cited by applicant]
Chinese Patent Application No. 201380012412.0, Decision of Rejection, mailed Jul. 7, 2017, 16 pages. [cited by applicant]
Chinese Patent Application No. 201380012412.0, Notice on the First Office Action, mailed Sep. 15, 2015, 19 pages. [cited by applicant]
Chinese Patent Application No. 201380012412.0, Notice on the Second Office Action, mailed May 19, 2016, 22 pages. [cited by applicant]
Chinese Patent Application No. 201380012412.0, Notice on the Third Office Action, mailed Oct. 26, 2016, 20 pages. [cited by applicant]
Chinese Patent Application No. 201811055860.X, Notice on the First Office Action mailed Aug. 24, 2021, 32 pp. [cited by applicant]
European Patent Application No. 13706878.9, Communication pursuant to Article 94(3) EPC, dated Jan. 12, 2017, 6 pages. [cited by applicant]
European Patent Application No. 13706878.9, Communication pursuant to Article 94(3) EPC, dated Jun. 16, 2017, 5 pages. [cited by applicant]
European Patent Application No. EP18170038, International Search Report, dated May 22, 2018, 7 pages. [cited by applicant]
Fang, Yapeng, et al. “Origin and Thermodynamic Properties of the Instability of Synthetic Azo Colorants in Gum Arabic Solutions.” Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, 2007, vol. 55, No. 22, pp. 9274-9282. [cited by applicant]
Furia, Thomas E., CRC Handbook of Food Additives, 2nd Edition, vol. II; CRC Press, Inc., 1980, Boca Raton, Florida, 5 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Patent Application No. PCT/US2013/026273, International Search Report, mailed Jul. 29, 2014, 7 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Patent Application No. PCT/US2013/026273, Written Opinion, mailed Jul. 29, 2014, 8 pages. [cited by applicant]
Japanese Notice of Reasons for Refusal issued in Japanese Patent Application No. JP2021-015929, Jan. 4, 2022, 5 pp. [cited by applicant]
Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-557796, Office Action Summary, mailed Nov. 15, 2016, 5 pages (no English translation available). [cited by applicant]
Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-557796, Official Action, dated Jul. 18, 2016, 3 pages (no English translation available). [cited by applicant]
Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-125300, Office Action, dated May 26, 2020, 7 pages. [cited by applicant]
Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-7023716, Notice of Allowance, dated Dec. 19, 2019, 5 pages. [cited by applicant]
Mexican Application No. MX/a/2014/009734 Office Action, dated Apr. 27, 2018, 4 pages, (no English translation available). [cited by applicant]
Mexican Application No. MX/a/2014/009734 Office Action, dated Dec. 13, 2017, 6 pages, (no English translation available). [cited by applicant]
Mexican Patent Application No. MX/a/2014/009734 First Office Action dated Jul. 9, 2017, 5 pages (no English translation available). [cited by applicant]
Russian Patent Application No. 2014135179, Office Action, dated Aug. 28, 2014, 5 pages. [cited by applicant]
Sari Lehto, et al., “Comparison of food colour regulations in the EU and the US: A Review of Current Provisions.” Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A, (Year: 2017), vol. 34, No. 3, 335-355, DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2016.… [cited by applicant]