In Search of New Technologies, Solutions
posted on June 8, 2009
More than 75 food professionals attended IP Exchange (IPEx), a business innovation forum designed to connect intellectual property (IP) holders with companies and individuals looking for new technologies or solutions to product development, manufacturing, and other challenges. IP holders at the Sunday afternoon event included universities, food processing companies, and suppliers.
One of the participants was the Ag Center, Research & Extension, Louisiana State Univ. (LSU). “More than 90% of our students get jobs in industry,” said Darryl L. Holliday, Graduate Assistant, Food Science Dept. “We need to work more with industry and bring them into our department.” Representatives from Kraft, Hershey, and other food companies expressed interest in many of the discoveries at the LSU tabletop display, particularly the areas of bitter flavor masking and nutraceutical additives. If a discovery is licensed or sold, the revenues are shared between the inventors (60%) and the university (40%).
Rich Products Corp. and Server Products Corp. showcased their dispensing technology for whipped topping and condiments. “The whipped topping trigger does not use aerosol and evacuates about 95% of the product from the flexible, LDPE bag,” said Chris Tirone, Director of New Platforms, Rich Products. A screw-on cap allows users to store the dispenser with unused product. “We received lots of interest from food manufacturers,” said Tirone. Target markets for the new dispenser include quick service restaurants, casual chains, and retail bakeries. Another dispenser can deliver uniform streams of condiments to hamburgers and sandwiches. “It dispenses about 98% of the product from the bag,” noted John Rayburn, Product Development Specialist, Server Products. Membrane-type valves that close tight (similar to closures on squeezable upside-down bottles) enable users to store unused product.
we will be looking to expand and further develop this program into a comprehensive initiative…..would love to hear from anyone who participated with your thoughts and ideas for growth. for those who did not participate….how can IFT support open innovation for all of you?