Patents by Inventor Michael D. Engesser

Michael D. Engesser has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20120276259
    Abstract: Methods and formulations for forming a rolled cookie dough configuration for shipment, display and storage. The rolled configuration can be frozen and/or refrigerated and be subsequently unrolled prior to use. The cookie dough can be formulated so as to unroll into a flat sheet configuration without cracking, breaking and/or sticking together. When unrolled, the flat sheet configuration can be sliced/cut with cookie cutters to create specially shaped cookie units for baking. Excess dough can be trimmed and rerolled for further cutting with a cookie cutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Christine O'Connor, James Fischer, Michael D. Engesser
  • Patent number: 8236364
    Abstract: Methods and formulations for forming a rolled cookie dough configuration for shipment, display and storage. The rolled configuration can be frozen and/or refrigerated and be subsequently unrolled prior to use. The cookie dough can be formulated so as to unroll into a flat sheet configuration without cracking, breaking and/or sticking together. When unrolled, the flat sheet configuration can be sliced/cut with cookie cutters to create specially shaped cookie units for baking. Excess dough can be trimmed and rerolled for further cutting with a cookie cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: General Mills Marketing, Inc.
    Inventors: Christine O'Connor, James Fischer, Michael D. Engesser
  • Publication number: 20100068349
    Abstract: A low or no sugar sweet roll product or intermediate is provided wherein at least a portion of the sweetness of the sweet roll product is provided by a non-nutritive sweet flavorant provided in combination with at least one sugar alcohol having a molecular weight less than about 350. Additionally, specific formulations of non-nutritive sweet flavorant with defined sugar alcohols and/or polydextrose are provided when the non-nutritive sweet flavorant and sugar alcohol is in the filling component or the icing component of the sweet roll product or intermediate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: General Mills Marketing, Inc.
    Inventors: Patricia W. Hahn, Susan H. Messick, Cara J. Sekerak, Michael D. Engesser
  • Patent number: 7033634
    Abstract: The present invention provides improvements in dairy products especially cultured dairy products such as stirred style yogurt. The improvement provides aerated or whipped yogurt products and methods of preparing such improved whipped yogurt products. The improvement resides in part in the post fermentation addition of a hydrated emulsifier blend to cultured yogurt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Engesser, Michael D. Engesser, Maeve Murphy, James E. McGuire
  • Patent number: 7028448
    Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is provided suitable for dispensing at least first and second components in desired ratios especially for multi-component packaged food products. The apparatus comprises a hopper having an outlet at its lower end and a first auger having a hollow shaft disposed within the hopper having component conveying flights and a drive means for rotating the auger. A first component is conveyed by the auger flights and dispensed at an outlet while a second component is conveyed though a hollow shaft of the auger. The apparatus can include a second rotationally driven auger that is positioned within the hollow shaft of the first auger having conveying flights. The second component can be conveyed via the second auger within the hollow shaft. The second auger's shaft also can be hollow whereby a third component can be conveyed through the second hollow shaft of the second auger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Engesser, Andrew A. Peterson, Steve D. White
  • Patent number: 7005157
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for preparing at least pasteurized hydrated emulsifier compositions. The methods for preparing an aseptic hydrated emulsifier comprise the steps of: A. Preparing a hydrated emulsifier blend of lactylated mono- and di-glycerides; B. Treating the hydrated blend to at least pasteurize the blend to form an at least pasteurized hydrated emulsifier blend; and, C. Cooling the at least pasteurized hydrated emulsified blend to refrigerator temperatures forming a cooled pasteurized hydrated emulsifier blend. The hydrated emulsifier described herein is also useful in the aeration of food products such as yogurt, other refrigerated milk products, ready-to-spread frostings, fermented and unfermented soy, rice and nut milk products, beverages, and whipped toppings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Engesser, Michael D. Engesser, Maeve Murphy, James E. McGuire
  • Patent number: 6904737
    Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is provided suitable for dispensing at least first and second components in desired ratios especially for multi-component packaged food products. The apparatus comprises a hopper having an outlet at its lower end and a first auger having a hollow shaft disposed within the hopper having component conveying flights and a drive means for rotating the auger. A first component is conveyed by the auger flights and dispensed at an outlet while a second component is conveyed though a hollow shaft of the auger. The apparatus can include a second rotationally driven auger that is positioned within the hollow shaft of the first auger having conveying flights. The second component can be conveyed via the second auger within the hollow shaft. The second auger's shaft also can be hollow whereby a third component can be conveyed through the second hollow shaft of the second auger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Engesser, Andrew A. Peterson, Steve D. White
  • Publication number: 20040020941
    Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is provided suitable for dispensing at least first and second components in desired ratios especially for multi-component packaged food products. The apparatus comprises a hopper having an outlet at its lower end and a first auger having a hollow shaft disposed within the hopper having component conveying flights and a drive means for rotating the auger. A first component is conveyed by the auger flights and dispensed at an outlet while a second component is conveyed though a hollow shaft of the auger. The apparatus can include a second rotationally driven auger that is positioned within the hollow shaft of the first auger having conveying flights. The second component can be conveyed via the second auger within the hollow shaft. The second auger's shaft also can be hollow whereby a third component can be conveyed through the second hollow shaft of the second auger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Michael D. Engesser, Andrew A. Peterson, Steve D. White
  • Publication number: 20030224101
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for preparing at least pasteurized hydrated emulsifier compositions. The methods for preparing an aseptic hydrated emulsifier comprise the steps of: A. Preparing a hydrated emulsifier blend of lactylated mono- and di-glycerides; B. Treating the hydrated blend to at least pasteurize the blend to form an at least pasteurized hydrated emulsifier blend; and, C. Cooling the at least pasteurized hydrated emulsified blend to refrigerator temperatures forming a cooled pasteurized hydrated emulsifier blend. The hydrated emulsifier described herein is also useful in the aeration of food products such as yogurt, other refrigerated milk products, ready-to-spread frostings, fermented and unfermented soy, rice and nut milk products, beverages, and whipped toppings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Eric R. Engesser, Michael D. Engesser, Maeve Murphy, James E. McGuire
  • Publication number: 20030224089
    Abstract: The present invention provides improvements in dairy products especially cultured dairy products such as stirred style yogurt. The improvement provides aerated or whipped yogurt products and methods of preparing such improved whipped yogurt products. The improvement resides in part in the post fermentation addition of a hydrated emulsifier blend to cultured yogurt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Eric R. Engesser, Michael D. Engesser, Maeve Murphy, James E. McGuire