PepsiCo, Inc.

Integrated systems for automatically dispensing, mixing, and often packaging multiple components to create a final product, frequently incorporating sensors and control for quality, customization, and unattended operation.

Methods and compositions for developing new protein sources (e.g., microbial, plant-based blends) or utilizing controlled fermentation processes to create novel food products, improve nutritional profiles, or enhance specific characteristics like texture or flavor.

Containers or packaging components featuring active mechanisms for controlled release, preparation, or delivery of their contents, such as liquids, bulk materials, volatile compounds, or single-serve portions.

Development of food compositions, beverages, or powders designed to provide specific health benefits beyond basic nutrition, such as weight management, anti-aging, exercise support, or targeted disease prevention/treatment, often incorporating bioactive compounds or probiotics.

Integrated systems within refrigerators for dispensing chilled water, ice, or preparing beverages, often including filtration, storage components, and user interface controls.

Innovations in formulating food products by manipulating specific ingredients, emulsifiers, flavor compounds, or processing aids to achieve desired sensory properties (taste, aroma, texture) or enhance shelf stability.

Multi-layer polymer films engineered to provide superior barrier properties against gases (e.g., oxygen), moisture, or aromas, often incorporating heat-sealing or resealing mechanisms for food and product preservation.

Systems designed to streamline and automate various commercial transactions, including mobile-enhanced processes, secure online checkouts, customer service interactions, and privilege issuance, often leveraging digital authentication.

Self-contained or portable units designed for maintaining specific temperatures for food, beverages, or sensitive items during transport, often incorporating active cooling or smart monitoring features.

Design of refrigerator interiors with reconfigurable, detachable, or specialized compartments, bins, and accessories to optimize storage, organization, and accessibility of items.

Innovations in the mechanical design, aesthetic features, and integrated functionalities of refrigerator doors, including hinges, handles, internal wiring, and lighting.

Techniques and equipment for transforming raw food materials into finished products, focusing on efficiency, quality, texture modification, or specific physical alterations like extrusion, drying, or selective material removal.

Integration of sensors, cameras, and processing units to monitor internal conditions, manage food inventory, or automate food preparation and preservation tasks within a refrigerator.

Techniques and hardware for autonomous systems to gather and interpret data about their surroundings, including obstacle detection, object recognition, and depth estimation, to inform control decisions.

Innovations in creating food products from plant proteins and other ingredients that closely mimic the texture, appearance, and taste of traditional animal-based meat or fish, often involving specific protein structuring or layering techniques.

Innovations in the core gameplay features, display technologies, and player interaction methods for electronic gaming machines and systems. This includes novel ways to trigger awards, display outcomes, and control game actions.

Equipment and techniques specifically designed for effectively mixing and agitating high-viscosity fluids, slurries, or suspensions, often found in industrial, chemical, or battery manufacturing processes where material flow is challenging.

Use of specialized materials and structures, such as vacuum insulation panels or phase change materials, to improve thermal efficiency and maintain stable temperatures within refrigeration appliances.