Scott J Fagan

US Patent:

20120051391, Mar 1, 2012

Filed:

Sep 1, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/873907

Inventors:

Scott FAGAN - Dallas TX, US

Assignee:

FRITO-LAY NORTH AMERICA, INC. - Plano TX

International Classification:

G01K 13/00
G01N 5/02

US Classification:

374 14, 73 73, 374E13001

Abstract:

A method for analyzing moisture content in an analyzer. In one embodiment a sample is introduced into an analyzer and an initial weight is obtained. The sample is then fortified where it is allowed to pick-up moisture. The temperature of the analyzer is increased and an initial fortified point is obtained wherein the sample has returned to its initial weight. Thereafter the analyzer obtains the final moisture content of the sample at a test finish time. In one embodiment satellite analyzers are biased against a standard analyzer so that more uniform results are obtained.

US Patent:

20130034628, Feb 7, 2013

Filed:

Aug 5, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/204514

Inventors:

Scott FAGAN - Dallas TX, US
Amanda GRZEDA - Allen TX, US
Michael Grant TOPOR - Little Elm TX, US

Assignee:

FRITO-LAY NORTH AMERICA, INC. - Plano TX

International Classification:

A23L 1/09

US Classification:

426 48

Abstract:

Acrylamide reducing agents are added to a sugar solution during the molasses making and sugar refining processes to maximize efficiency of the acrylamide reducing agents.

US Patent:

20130174634, Jul 11, 2013

Filed:

Mar 4, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/783591

Inventors:

Scott FAGAN - Dallas TX, US

Assignee:

FRITO-LAY NORTH AMERICA, INC. - Plano TX

International Classification:

G01N 33/00
G01N 25/00

US Classification:

73 101, 374 14

Abstract:

A method for analyzing moisture content in an analyzer. In one embodiment a sample is introduced into an analyzer and an initial weight is obtained. The sample is then fortified where it is allowed to pick-up moisture. The temperature of the analyzer is increased and an initial fortified point is obtained wherein the sample has returned to its initial weight. Thereafter the analyzer obtains the final moisture content of the sample at a test finish time. In one embodiment satellite analyzers are biased against a standard analyzer so that more uniform results are obtained.

US Patent:

20200110058, Apr 9, 2020

Filed:

Dec 5, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/704560

Inventors:

- Plano TX, US
Scott FAGAN - Dallas TX, US
Shahmeer Ali MIRZA - Dallas TX, US
Scott G. RICHARDSON - Gainesville TX, US
Chen C. SHAO - Plano TX, US

International Classification:

G01N 29/24
G01N 29/02
G01N 33/14
G01N 29/036
G01N 33/10

Abstract:

A photo acoustic non-destructive measurement apparatus and method for quantitatively measuring texture of a liquid. The apparatus includes a laser generating tool, an acoustic capturing device, and a data processing unit. The laser generating tool directs a laser towards a surface of a liquid contained in a container and creates pressure waves that propagate through the air and produce an acoustic signal. The acoustic capturing device records and forwards the signal to a data processing unit. The data processing unit further comprises a digital signal processing module that processes the received acoustic signal. A statistical processing module further filters the acoustic signal from the data processing unit and generates a quantitative acoustic model for texture attributes such as hardness and fracturability. The quantitative model is correlated with a qualitative texture measurement from a descriptive expert panel. Textures of liquids are quantitatively measured with the quantitative acoustic model.

US Patent:

20190017972, Jan 17, 2019

Filed:

Sep 17, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/132830

Inventors:

- Plano TX, US
Scott FAGAN - Dallas TX, US
Shahmeer Ali MIRZA - Dallas TX, US
Scott G. RICHARDSON - Gainesville TX, US
Chen C. SHAO - Plano TX, US

International Classification:

G01N 29/24
G01N 33/10
G01N 29/036
G01N 29/02
G01N 33/14

Abstract:

A photo acoustic non-destructive measurement apparatus and method for quantitatively measuring texture of a liquid. The apparatus includes a laser generating tool, an acoustic capturing device, and a data processing unit. The laser generating tool directs a laser towards a surface of a liquid contained in a container and creates pressure waves that propagate through the air and produce an acoustic signal. The acoustic capturing device records and forwards the signal to a data processing unit. The data processing unit further comprises a digital signal processing module that processes the received acoustic signal. A statistical processing module further filters the acoustic signal from the data processing unit and generates a quantitative acoustic model for texture attributes such as hardness and fracturability. The quantitative model is correlated with a qualitative texture measurement from a descriptive expert panel. Textures of liquids are quantitatively measured with the quantitative acoustic model.

US Patent:

20180328894, Nov 15, 2018

Filed:

Jul 25, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/044565

Inventors:

- Plano TX, US
Scott FAGAN - Dallas TX, US
Shahmeer Ali MIRZA - Dallas TX, US
Scott G. RICHARDSON - Gainesville TX, US
Chen C. SHAO - Plano TX, US

International Classification:

G01N 29/24
G01N 33/10
G01N 29/12
G01N 29/42
G01N 29/44
G01N 33/02
G01B 5/28
G01H 9/00

Abstract:

A photo acoustic non-destructive measurement apparatus and method for quantitatively measuring texture of a food snack is disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser generating tool, an acoustic capturing device, and a data processing unit. The laser generating tool directs a laser towards a food snack placed on a surface and creates pressure waves that propagate through the air and produce an acoustic signal. The acoustic capturing device records and forwards the signal to a data processing unit. The data processing unit further comprises a digital signal processing module that processes the received acoustic signal. A statistical processing module further filters the acoustic signal from the data processing unit and generates a quantitative acoustic model for texture attributes such as hardness and fracturability. The quantitative model is correlated with a qualitative texture measurement from a descriptive expert panel. Texture of food snacks are quantitatively measured with the quantitative acoustic model.

US Patent:

20180110368, Apr 26, 2018

Filed:

Oct 25, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/793651

Inventors:

- Plano TX, US
Scott FAGAN - Dallas TX, US

International Classification:

A47J 37/12
G01N 33/03
A23L 5/10

Abstract:

A fryer system and method for producing fried food pieces are disclosed herein. A fryer, located in a frying region of the fryer system, produces fried food pieces. An adjustable draining device, located in a draining region of the fryer system, is downstream from the frying region and controls a residence time of the fried food pieces in the draining region. A set of takeout conveyors bridges the frying region and the draining region and reduces a bed depth of the fried food pieces as the set of takeout conveyors transfers the fried food pieces from the fryer to the draining device. An enclosure at least partially encloses the frying region and the draining region to maintain a controlled environment within the draining region.

US Patent:

20180011069, Jan 11, 2018

Filed:

Sep 21, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/711592

Inventors:

- Plano TX, US
Scott FAGAN - Dallas TX, US
Shahmeer Ali MIRZA - Dallas TX, US
Scott G. RICHARDSON - Gainesville TX, US
Chen C. SHAO - Vernon Hills IL, US

International Classification:

G01N 33/10
G01H 9/00

Abstract:

A non-destructive measurement apparatus and method for quantitatively measuring texture of a food snack is disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser generating tool, an ultrasound excitation device, an acoustic capturing device, an ultrasound capturing device and a data processing unit. The laser generating tool and the ultrasound excitation tool direct energy towards a food snack placed on a surface and produce an acoustic signal and an ultrasound signal. The data processing unit further comprises a digital signal processing module that processes the received acoustic signal and ultrasound signal. A statistical processing module further filters the acoustic signal from the data processing unit and generates a quantitative acoustic model for texture attributes such as hardness and fracturability. The quantitative model is correlated with a qualitative texture measurement from a descriptive expert panel. Texture of food snacks are quantitatively measured with the quantitative acoustic model.