Forming Hollow, Tubular, Or Open-ended Cavity Patents (Class 426/514)
  • Patent number: 5807599
    Abstract: A method for making a food product utilizes an aliquot of dough disposed in a predetermined shape about a cooking member made of a material which has a chemical composition essentially impervious to cooking temperatures. The dough is cooked, e.g., boiled or baked, at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period. The cooking member is maintained in the dough during the cooking thereof. After the cooking of the dough at the predetermined temperature for the predetermined period, the cooking member is removed from the cooked dough, thereby creating a chamber in the cooked dough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventors: Joshua Weisberger, Peter J. Wilk
  • Patent number: 5795613
    Abstract: A dried crisp cheese piece is disclosed in a first preferred form including a nonmelting cheese dried to its final moisture content by microwave energy. The nonmelting cheese generally includes a pH of greater than about 5.7. The final moisture content of the dried cheese piece is preferably between 2 and 8% by weight. The final dried cheese piece is unpuffed and requires no refrigeration. A process for making the dried cheese piece is also disclosed. The process essentially includes subjecting the nonmelting cheese having particular thickness dimensions to microwave energy to reduce the cheese piece from an initial moisture content to a final moisture content ranging from about 2% to 8%. The drying step can be practiced using forming pans to obtain finished products having various three dimensional shapes and configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Specialty Cheese Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Scharfmann, Ludwig Zoller
  • Patent number: 5795603
    Abstract: A process of making a filled bagel dough product and the product formed thereby. The product has the outward appearance of a conventional bagel, but has a core filling such as a natural or imitation cream cheese provided within the bagel dough shell. More particularly, a method and device by which a conventional bagel making apparatus as found in most bagel shops can be adapted to making filled, rolled bagel dough products. The invention further concerns a bagel which, in addition to being improved in flavor and texture, can be produced with much less baking time than a conventional solid bagel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Inventor: Alvin Burger
  • Patent number: 5795607
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing rolled wafer cones to be filled with ice-cream and frozen for storage. The process comprises pouring dough of high sugar content on an endless, heated baking surface, forming a strip of dough; baking the strip of dough into a thick, strip of wafer; compressing the strip of wafer and at the same time or afterwards, cutting the strip of wafer into individual pieces of wafer; and rolling the pieces of wafer into cones. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Franz Haas Waffelmaschinen Industriegesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Franz Haas, Johann Haas
  • Patent number: 5789005
    Abstract: A method of packaging an edible product, which significantly simplifies the manufacturing procedure, includes the introduction of an insert (8) into the base of a cavity (4) of a disposable package (2), which also serves as a mold, before pouring-in the product in a liquid form. The package (2) consists of a pair of shells (2) with opposing concavities, heat sealed along their edges (3). The method is applicable in the food industry, particularly in the manufacture of sweets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Unifill S.P.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Tabaroni, Andrea Bartoli
  • Patent number: 5783239
    Abstract: Articles of frozen confectionery which effervesce upon consumption contain frozen granitas and effervescent reagents. In one embodiment, first and second frozen granitas which contain differing effervescent reagents, where the reagents, in aqueous solution, react to produce carbon dioxide, are prepared and then admixed. In another embodiment, frozen granitas are admixed with a dry mix of effervescent reagents where the reagents, in aqueous soltuion, react to produce carbon dioxide. In either embodiment, the admixture is metered into a mold and tamped to obtain an article which also may include a shell or coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Ginette Callens, Philip Igor Cathenaut
  • Patent number: 5759605
    Abstract: A pressure plate facing fabric is secured to the pressure plate of a bagel forming machine. The fabric is positioned to form an acute angle with the circulating belt of the machine to avoid build-up of dough at the feed-in end of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: A.M. Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Atwood
  • Patent number: 5728418
    Abstract: Twisted quick cooking pasta having, in transverse section, the shape of a helix having at least one blade attached to an axis, the axis being hollow, the wall thickness of the axis and of the blade or blades being between 0.3 and 1.1 mm, and the degree of twisting being such that it has a density of between 0.2 and 0.7 g/cm.sup.3, the volume being defined as the cylindrical space occupied by the pasta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Thomas Wilhelm Hauser, Lorenzo Panattoni
  • Patent number: 5705217
    Abstract: A method for producing chocolate articles having an outer shell (5) of solid chocolate, wherein a mould cavity (2) is filled with a tempered chocolate mass (3). Then a "supercooled" cooling member (1) is immersed into the chocolate mass (3) and lifted clear of it again after a residence time of 2 to 3 seconds. The produced chocolate shells (5) have a completely uniform wall thickness and an accurately predetermined shell volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Aasted-Mikroverk ApS
    Inventor: Lars Aasted
  • Patent number: 5693351
    Abstract: At least one opening is formed in the periphery of a sealed filled pasta product in sealed edges of two superposed leaves of pasta having a filling material between the leaves to form a filled pasta product having at least one formed opening in its periphery. The filled pasta product may be dried or may be blanched and dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Herman Jacob Cuperus
  • Patent number: 5681605
    Abstract: A pretzel stick having a hollow portion along a longitudinal center is prepared by baking a material which consists essentially of 100 parts by weight of grain flour, 5-50 parts by weight of saccharides, 5-60 parts by weight of oils and fats, and 0-60 parts by weight of starch. The preparation process of the pretzel stick comprises the steps of preparing the material, extruding the material through a ring nozzle so that the extruded material has a cylindrical shape with a hollow portion along the longitudinal center thereof, baking the extruded material, cutting the baked material to a constant length, and injecting a filling material having an adjusted viscosity into the hollow portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Lotte Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Takemori, Toshinobu Tsurumi, Masahiro Takagi, Shunichi Terasaki
  • Patent number: 5645872
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for processing food into a tubular shape is provided in which a die for processing the food includes a guide plate having a material outlet and a cylindrical feed pin having a water outlet at its center co-axially housed in the material outlet. The guide plate and feed pin cooperatively define a ring-like opening. Food material is extruded out of the ring-like opening in a tubular shape. Simultaneously, hot water is expelled out of the water outlet of the feed pin, flows into and fills a hollow inside the tubular food material. The hot water in the hollow prevents the wall of the tubular food material from collapsing and also accelerates coagulation of the food material. Food material is thus continuously processed into a tubular shape. An extruding die for performing the described method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Mitsutoyo Kiko, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Noritaka Funahashi
  • Patent number: 5635230
    Abstract: A method and a system for the production of shells of fat-containing, chocolate-like masses. A cooling member (1) having a temperature below 0.degree. C. is immersed in a predosed mass in a mould cavity (2). The cooling member (1) comprises protruding, peripheral engagement parts (4) having a recess (7, 8) which defines a reception volume that geometrically determines the upper, annular rim of the shell (10). This obviates further processing of the shell rim before the shell is joined with other parts. A tight joint is simultaneously ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Aasted-Mikkoverk ApS
    Inventor: Lars Aasted
  • Patent number: 5622742
    Abstract: A baking pan and method of use for baking plural stuffed pizzas and/or plural stuffed sandwiches therein. Each of the pizzas and/or sandwiches includes a dough shell and a stuffing within the shell. The pan basically comprises a base panel and four cavities. The base panel is a planar sheet of circular profile and having a rounded flanged peripheral edge. Each cavity is frusto-conically shaped and includes a generally planar bottom wall and a frusto-conical side wall flaring upward and outward therefrom. Each sidewall terminates at its upper end in a rounded top peripheral edge which is disposed slightly above the base panel. The rounded top edge of each cavity is arranged for joining a respective portion of baking dough disposed within its associated cavity to a sheet portion of baking dough disposed over the base panel and on top of its cavity along the periphery of the rounded top peripheral edge to form a stuffed dough shell having a joined seam extending about the periphery of the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Inventor: Vincenzo Carollo
  • Patent number: 5558894
    Abstract: A process for making a half-product used in forming puffed food products, the apparatus having two rollers, with at least one of them being a cutter roller having cutting teeth, rotating against each other. Product flows between the two rollers in the form of dough strips and an air nozzle is disposed between them to provide air flow causing deformation of the product and forming an air pocket. The teeth may be on both rollers and in meshing contact with one another. The teeth also have a V-shape with a rounded radius at the cutting end so that it rolls into the dough product and back out thereof to form a large sealing surface between the two pieces of dough and forming an improved seal so that when the food product is fried the sealed area does not split open from increased pressure inside the hollow food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Recot, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Henson, Stephen L. Rice
  • Patent number: 5549921
    Abstract: A method of making long ropes of a gelled water-based formed product on a substantially continuous basis by mixing together a thermal-gelling gum and an aqueous product base, filling under pressure a plurality of confining conduits maintained at a temperature below the gelation temperature of the mixture, and controlling the filling of the conduits sequentially to provide a selected static residence time of the mixture in the conduits and to sequentially push the formed product out of the conduits after that time so formed product emerges substantially continuously from the conduits collectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Jasper, Wyman & Sons
    Inventors: Frederick L. Robinson, Ernest J. Hedberg, Michael A. Kuhni, Everett L. Ramsdell
  • Patent number: 5514402
    Abstract: A secondary pan is positionable in a main pan in centered relationship to the main pan on top of pizza dough in the main pan to provide raised radial inner and outer peripheral dough rims of greater thickness than the central part of the pizza dough and radial inner and outer peripheral edges for decreasing the time required to bake the dough. After removing the secondary pan from the main pan, pizza topping is placed on the annular central portion of the dough or baked pizza crust and baked. Each of the pans has an inner and an outer frustoconical wall with the lower base edge of the respective wall being joined to the respective inner and outer base edge of the base of the respective pan. The minor base edges of the outer peripheral walls are joined to the respective base while the major base edges of the inner peripheral walls are joined to the respective base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Inventor: Preston N. Williams
  • Patent number: 5500178
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing hollow molded articles having a beautiful surface at a low cost and by a simple and efficient process includes providing a hollow elastic molding die made of an elastic film and having an opening port, feeding a material to be molded of an amount smaller than the internal volume of the elastic molding die into the elastic molding die through the opening port, closing the opening port, solidifying the material to be molded while the elastic molding die is rotated to all directions, and parting the solidified hollow molded article from the elastic molding die. Arrangement for preventing the elastic molding die from being deformed while it is rotated to all directions includes holding it firm by a solid holding member conforming to the external shape thereof or by positioning it in a fluid or powdery material holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignees: Asahi Denka Kogyo Kabushikikaisya, Okamoto Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Hayashi, Hiroshige Kohno, Akinori Watanabe, Itaru Horiguchi
  • Patent number: 5487905
    Abstract: Cannelloni is prepared by, initially, forming and blanching a longitudinally extending pasta strand and then cutting the strand into a plurality of longitudinally-extending strips positioned side-by-side. Each strip is passed in a direction of its longitudinal extent to and by a roller having a configuration of a curved surface so that it is contacted by the roller surface to curve the strip so that the curved strip has an upper concave curved surface and a lower convex curved surface, the curved strip is transported on a conveyor belt so that the convex surface is carried by the belt, a filling is deposited onto the concave surface and the curved strip is formed, in particular, by passing the curved strip and filling through a ring positioned above the belt, into a tube for enclosing the filling and so that the strip overlaps, and then, the tube is cut into tubular pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Lars Askman, Werner Leonhardt, Ingemar Svahn
  • Patent number: 5462757
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing tart shells uses a manually operated hinged die and press arrangement in which the die is shaped with a female receptacle for receiving a foil tart case and the press has a male portion for compressing dough into the tart case and squeezing the dough to form a continuous constant thickness layer across the inside of the tart case. To prevent adhesion of the male portion in the dough, a sheet of plastic film is placed over the tart shell and the dough ball when inserted into the case. The plastic film prevents adhesion of the dough to the male portion and the plastic film can be readily removed after the compression is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventors: Caroline Booy, Robert Booy
  • Patent number: 5395229
    Abstract: A dough shield is disclosed for an apparatus for forming and rolling dough into ring-shaped pieces such as bagels. The apparatus has a flat conveyor belt wrapped into a forming tube having a V-shaped notch. The dough shield extends upward at a leading end thereof from said notch and downward at a trailing end inside the forming tube. The dough shield has a dough guiding surface which prevents excess dough from leaving the confines of the wrapped belt and forming tube and clogging up and fouling the equipment. In another embodiment, the shield is arranged between the tube and the belt along its length. The dough shield is ogive-shaped in plan view and concave downward in a vertical plane. The shield is provided with an adjustment bracket for adjusting the vertical height of the shield with respect to the forming tube and mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: AM Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Thomas A. Atwood
  • Patent number: 5391387
    Abstract: Partially formed products (2) are placed in molds (8) and a fluid such as air or an edible filler is injected into the partially formed products (2), e.g. by needles 17[see FIG. 6], so as to cause expansion and thereby produce final products (2) having the shape of the molds (8). Each mold (8) may comprise an upper mold part (14) and a lower mold part (11). The lower mold parts (11) may be mounted on a chain conveyor (9, 9b, 9c) [see FIG. 1] or a rotating cylinder (28) [see FIG. 12] so that the partially formed products (2) are moved towards and the final products (2) are moved away from a reciprocating assembly (12, 13) which carries the upper mold parts (14). Preferably, the final products (2) are retained in the upper mold parts (14) and then ejected by a blast of air. The invention enables complicated shapes to be formed at high production rates while using an economical amount of chocolate or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: A.C. Machines Limited
    Inventor: Michael D. Peters
  • Patent number: 5370888
    Abstract: A process for the manufacture of chocolate confectionery by entrapping a fatty cream with fine gas bubbles. The confectionery is manufactured by preparing a shell chocolate with open end in a mold, feeding under pressure a fine gas bubble entrapping fatty cream base into the shell chocolate through the opening to fill the shell, scraping off excessively charged fatty cream, solidifying the fatty cream in the shell, pouring a chocolate base on the solidified fatty cream to close the opening of the shell chocolate, scraping off excessively charged chocolate base, solidifying the chocolate base, and demolding the product. A stencil plate can be used, when the gas bubble entrapping fatty cream is charged into the shell of shell chocolate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Meiji Seika Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventors: Iwao Hachiya, Tetsuo Koyano, Mitsuo Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 5240729
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for continoulsy producing a heated roll-shaped food, a horizontal type of cylindrical or bell-shaped heating drum is rotated and heated while coated with a scorch-retarding oil film on the inner peripheral surface thereof and raw material is poured onto the inner peripheral surface thereof. The raw material is heated while spreading out on the inner peripheral surface of the heating drum with aid of fluidity of the raw material and the rotation of the drum. The heated raw material swells up along the inner peripheral surface of the heating drum, and is exfoliated from the inner peripheral surface due to its weight and reversed at a head edge portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Ahjikan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasumitsu Hamazaki, Motoharu Tachikawa, Kiyotaka Aoki, Hideaki Hosaka
  • Patent number: 5227186
    Abstract: A doughnut making machine and apparatus has a hopper for the dough of a type which exudes gluten or other sticky substances when compressed, the hopper terminates in a lower cylinder which co-acts with the cutting surfaces on a lower cutting piston. An extruding piston pushes the dough out between the cutting edge of the cylinder and the cutting piston and, thereafter, with retraction of the cutting piston, the dough is severed into a conventional toroidal shape and falls in cooking oil in a frying tank. Cooking oil from the frying tank is distributed onto the cutting edges of the piston and the cutting edge of the cylinder by various distribution techniques. Cooking oil is picked up from the frying tank using a dipstick and is transmitted to the dough cutting surfaces using gravity and capillary action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Belshaw Bros., Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Belshaw
  • Patent number: 5223297
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for forming a formable food mass, comprising food pieces with or without a binder, in selected shapes; and this invention describes the apparatus used to prepare the formable food mass without the use of binders, wherein the food pieces are optionally chilled to from about 25.degree. F. to about 35.degree. F. prior to compressing the food pieces into the desired shape; optionally the apparatus has a chilled mold cavity maintained at from about -5.degree. F. to about 5.degree. F. during compression of the food pieces therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Ezra Theys, Russell G. Taylor, Bruce Bertelsen, Albert Obey, John Hoyrup, Frank Knafelc
  • Patent number: 5219599
    Abstract: Meat products which, before and after preparation, have the aroma, appearance, and taste of meat products of a comparable character but contain substantially less cholesterol and/or saturated fats and typically retain their juiciness and taste upon standing after being cooked for a longer time than conventional meat products do. The reduced cholesterol/saturated fat content is realized by in part substituting for natural adipose an artificial adipose based on an emulsion of: (a) blood plasma, preferably from the same specie of animal as the meat from which the product is made, and (b) cholesterol-free or low cholesterol fats and oils which may also be free of saturation or have a low degree of saturation. Various agents can be employed to convert the blood plasma/lipid emulsion to a gelatinous form in which it closely resembles a natural adipose; and the adipose can be formulated so that it will become colorless as the product is prepared by cooking like natural adipose does.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: LipiDyne Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Cox, R. W. Duffy Cox, Florence F. Cox
  • Patent number: 5194283
    Abstract: Composite fresh or semi-hard cheeses are made from predrained lactic or rennet curds by co-extrusion and cutting into portions of various shapes. In the case of semi-hard cheeses, the portions are vacuum-wrapped in a plastic film and then ripened. The products obtained may be used as such.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Dupas, Claude Parmantier
  • Patent number: 5186970
    Abstract: A food forming method comprising forcing a food material through a die of a forming apparatus to form said food material into any one of a linear product, a sheet, a pipe or tube and a ring, wherein a zone external to said die is evacuated to a reduced pressure so that said food material is drawn out by suction.A food forming apparatus that carries out the method is also disclosed, which comprises a food extrusion zone to an extrusion end of which a die having an orifice shaped corresponding to the shape of a final food product is fitted, and a suction chamber which encloses the outside of said die and whose inside is evacuated to a reduced pressure by a vacuum means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Yugenkaisha Matsubei
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ogiwara, Tatuya Miyata, Akihiro Oda
  • Patent number: 5171586
    Abstract: An apparatus for molding reconstituted culled olive product in a slurry or plastic form comprising a plurality of molds, each of the molds being comprised of two halves which when brought together in face to face engagement define at least one cylindrical cavity; a plurality of elongated cylindrical rods, one for each of the cavities; a first endless belt to carry the molds vertically and incrementally over a predetermined horizontal course, and to return the molds back to the start of the course; an injection device disposed at a station below the horizontal course, the device being provided with a supply of the olive product in slurry form and adapted to inject a predetermined quantity of the product into each mold cavity having a rod inserted therein when the mold is disposed in the station; and a second endless belt adapted to carry the plurality of rods over a course which includes a rod insertion station disposed horizontally from the mold injection station, a tannic acid tank, a product coloring tank,
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Inventor: George F. Heath
  • Patent number: 5128163
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and a method for forming a formable food mass, comprising food pieces without a binder, in selected shapes; and this invention relates to the apparatus used to prepare the formable food mass without the use of binders, wherein the food pieces are optionally chilled to from about 25.degree. F. to about 35.degree. F. prior to compressing the food pieces into the desired shape; optionally the apparatus has a chilled mold cavity maintained at from about -5.degree. F. to about 5.degree. F. during compression of the food pieces therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Ezra Theys, Russell G. Taylor, Bruce Bertelsen, Albert Oey, John Hoyrup, Frank Knafelc
  • Patent number: 5100685
    Abstract: A doughnut making machine and apparatus has a hopper for the dough of a type which exudes gluten or other sticky substances when compressed, the hopper terminates in a lower cylinder which co-acts with the cutting surfaces on a lower cutting piston. An extruding piston pushes the dough out between the cutting edge of the cylinder and the cutting piston and, thereafter, with retraction of the cutting piston, the dough is severed into a conventional toroidal shape. Edible release oil is distributed onto the cutting edges of the piston and the cutting edge of the cylinder by various distribution techniques. The method by which doughnuts are extruded in a generally toroidal shape while distributing a film of edible release oil onto the dough cutting surfaces and then severing the formed toroidal shaped doughnut from the cutting surfaces whereby the doughnut contacts the release oil on the dough cutting surface and freely releases from the cylinder's cutting edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Belshaw Bros., Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Belshaw, John P. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 5035905
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a center-filled confectionary rope having a soft candy center. The apparatus of the invention includes a forming nose over which a rectangular sheet of candy is passed to form a continuous, hollow, substantially cylindrical outer layer of candy. A frustoconical extruder attached to the lower surface of the forming nose is provided for extruding a soft candy into the hollow portion of the cylindrical outer layer of candy as it is being formed by the forming nose. The combination of candy exterior and soft candy center is then passed through a forming chute which imparts to the confectionary a desired cross-sectional geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventor: Leslie F. Knebl
  • Patent number: 4963377
    Abstract: A device for removing a portion of a roll, comprising an elongated hollow shaft having a handle at one end thereof. The other end is formed into two separated jaws, with one jaw extending beyond the other jaw. The edges of the jaws are sharpened and serrated. The device is inserted in an elongated roll, wiggled with the roll, and a portion of the soft interior of the roll is then removed. Sandwich filling, such as hot meat balls, luncheon meats, cheese, vegetables, or any mixture of the same, is then inserted into the roll, and tamped in place. The invention also contemplates the method of removing a portion of the roll and filling the roll to from a sandwich.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Inventor: Paul Rimmeir
  • Patent number: 4929458
    Abstract: A method of making a tortilla cone with a closed apex, and including a kit to help facilitate the operation so that a large number of tortilla cones may be formed and cooked at one time. The kit and method of using it includes a set of cone forming molds each consisting of a pliable metallic conical body having an overlapping convex surface about which a tortilla patty may be positioned and wrapped in cone form so as to close the cone form at its apex. The method of using the kit includes using a first mold as a female receptacle and using a second mold as both a female and male receptacle to wrap a tortilla patty to the mold and secure the same between the two molds. An inventive method of making the taco cone mold includes taking a sheet of thin pliable metallic material, such as aluminum, and cutting out a circular disc from the sheet. The pliable disc is then formed into a cone-shaped cylinder by wrapping the disc around a cone shaped dowel so that a pair of its sides overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Inventor: Leo P. Smietana
  • Patent number: 4915964
    Abstract: A method of making a tortilla cone with a closed apex, and including a kit to help facilitate the operation so that a large number of tortilla cones may be formed and cooked at one time. The kit and method of using it includes a set of cone forming molds each consisting of a pliable metallic conical body having an overlapping convex surface about which a tortilla patty having a tear shape may be positioned and wrapped in cone from so as to close the come form at its apex. The method of using the kit includes using a first mold as a female receptacle and using a second mold as both a female and male receptacle to wrap a tortilla patty to the mold and secure the same between the two molds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Inventor: Leo P. Smietana
  • Patent number: 4882175
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming a confectionary product into a rolled tape. A mass of a confectionary product, such as bubble gum, is formed into a thin, flat, generally rectangular sheet. The flat sheet is then rolled about the leading edge of the sheet. The rolled flat sheet is cut in planes generally perpendicular to the leading edge. Consequently, individual pieces of the confectionary product are produced in the predetermined width and in the form of a rolled tape. Preferably, the sheet of confectionary product is scored along lines perpendicular to the leading edge before the sheet is rolled up to thereby facilitate separation of the individual pieces of confectionary product after the sheet is rolled up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
    Inventors: Ronald L. Ream, Robert D. Riedy, Michael McHale
  • Patent number: 4880653
    Abstract: A continuous process for producing pretzels is disclosed in which an essentially dry mixture containing flour, corn starch hydrolysates and salt is introduced into an extruder; water is injected into the extruder barrel to bring the water level of the mixture to between 19% and 25%; the material is extruded at non-cooking temperature to form a self-supporting ribbon of extrudate; the extrudate is sprayed with a caustic solution; and the sprayed extrudate is baked. The claimed process is adaptable to the continuous production of a filled pretzel product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: Frito-Lay, Inc.
    Inventors: Lewis C. Keller, Cecil A. Bowles
  • Patent number: 4859165
    Abstract: An extruder for food, having; a rotary cylinder fitted to a tip of an extrusion nozzle for extruding a food material; at least one feed opening formed in the outer periphery of the rotary cylinder, from which a different food material is fed; a stationary cylinder so fitted as to cover the feed opening in slidable contact with the outer periphery of the rotary cylinder, and having a circular space formed around the corresponding outer periphery of the rotary cylinder; and a feed pipe from which the different food material is fed into the circular space of the stationary cylinder. This extruder enables application of a variety of patterns of a spiral, wavy or like form, with use of such a simple structure that the rotary cylinder and the stationary cylinder are fitted to the tip of a nozzle. Due to the simplicity in the structure, it is also possible to perform with ease maintenance such as cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Yugenkaisha Matsubei
    Inventor: Chikako Hoashi
  • Patent number: 4795652
    Abstract: A method of forming an edible food container from viscous dough comprises the steps of mixing the dough, forming the dough into a generally continuous sheet, and cutting the sheet of dough into generally parallelogram shaped pieces of a predetermined length and width. Each of the dough pieces is wrapped around a shaping surface of a shaping mandrel so that the first and second ends of each dough piece engage each other to form a generally continuous covering of dough around the shaping mandrel. Excess dough extending beyond the ends of the shaping surface of the mandrel are trimmed away and the dough on the mandrel is showered with a caustic soda. The dough is then baked and cooled on the mandrel. After cooling, the baked dough is twisted with respect to the mandrel to remove the edible food container from the mandrel. In the preferred embodiment, the shaping mandrel is cone shaped for forming a cone shaped edible food container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: Cooper Concepts, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian A. Cooper
  • Patent number: 4780328
    Abstract: A process of preparing a frozen rolled cod tail wherein a cod tail is rolled around a spindle, then frozen partially or completely, afterwards removed from the spindle and, if necessary, frozen completely. The frozen rolled cod tails may be filled later when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Yngve R. Akesson, Else M. Andersen, Mats Olofsson
  • Patent number: 4777058
    Abstract: A biologically stable animal food composition as described having a crunchy shell of a low water activity consisting essentially of edible starch- and protein-containing flour at least partially surrounding a deformable core of a low water activity including edible protein and water soluble solids, which composition retains the distinct textures of the shell and core even after prolonged ambient exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Star-Kist Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald G. Chandler, Kent D. Crosby
  • Patent number: 4759939
    Abstract: A continuous process for producing pretzels is disclosed in which an essentially dry mixture containing flour, corn syrup solids and salt is introduced into an extruder; water is injected into the extruder barrel to bring the water level of the mixture to between 19% and 25%; the material is extruded at non-cooking temperature to form a self-supporting ribbon of extrudate; the extrudate is sprayed with a caustic solution; and the sprayed extrudate is baked. The claimed process is adaptable to the continuous production of a filled pretzel product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Assignee: Frito-Lay, Inc.
    Inventors: Lewis C. Keller, Cecil A. Bowles
  • Patent number: 4651634
    Abstract: A custom cone machine for the use on or off the place of dispersement for use of edible containers to serve varying types of food, such as dairy products, salads, etc. fresh and of varying ingredients commensurate with the type of food served. The machine is fully automatic in the timing, cooking and ejection of the finished cone. The injection of the batter requiring approximately 3 seconds, is with a hand held batter injector that does not require any particular skill in its use. Due to is being automatic in all phases of the cooking and ejection cycle, eliminates the handling of hot cones and equipment by the operator and is a distinct safety advantage over the present on-site cone making machines.Due to its unique injection and cycling action varying shapes, designs and sizes of food or dairy products, edible serving containers can be produced in a like manner as of the cones by the design and shape of the cooking heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Inventor: Sherwin L. Barton
  • Patent number: 4624855
    Abstract: In a process of making a rolled wafer cone from a baked flat wafer blank made from a sugar-containing wafer dough, the baked wafer blank is rolled to form a wafer cone in a winding mold while the wafer blank is still in a soft, deformable state after the baking operation. Thereafter the rolled wafer cone is permitted to harden. In order to ensure the production of wafer cones having consistently exactly the same shape, it is proposed that the wafer cone which is unrestrained at least in part is shortened in the winding mold to a predetermined length while the wafer cone is adapted to be plastically deformed. For this purpose the rolled wafer cone disposed in the winding mold is subjected to a plastic deformation only at one end or only at both ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Franz Haas Waffelmaschinen Industriegesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Franz Haas, Sr., Franz Haas, Jr., Johann Haas
  • Patent number: 4613509
    Abstract: A process for producing center-filled food products comprises forming a hollow cylindrical shell of edible material having a single continuous longitudinal slit. The shell is conditioned until it is able to maintain its hollow, cylindrical shape and longitudinal slit without external support, and may subsequently be dried to a shelf stable moisture content. The shell is then filled through the longitudinal slit with an edible food substance which is substantially stable at product storage temperatures. The shell may then be cut to final product size, externally coated with seasoning, and packaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: Frito-Lay, Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell Ward, Surinder Kumar, Melba Mack, Lewis Keller, Margaret Fitzwater
  • Patent number: 4569848
    Abstract: A snack-type confectionary product is comprised of a hollow, substantially tubular body, made of extruded cooked biscuit with particular characteristics of lightness, crispness and digestibility, with the ends closed or open, stuffed with more or less fluid cream with or without grains and fruit, possibly covered with chocolate and grains of various kinds. A process is also provided for the production of the confectionary product described above, involving the high temperature extrusion cooking of said biscuit, as well as subsequent operational phases for completing the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1986
    Assignee: Perugina S.p.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Giorgetti, Franco Romani, Enrico Strino
  • Patent number: 4563358
    Abstract: An edible composition comprises an integrally extruded net formed of an edible material e.g. a cereal-based, sugar-based or fat-based material. The composition has a novel appearance and unexpectedly good eating qualities. The net may be tubular planar or curved and may be filled and/or coated with a compatible edible material.In the case of a tubular filled net, the net is preferably produced by extending the edible net-forming material through a pair of relatively rotating or oscillating dies having mutually engaging grooved surfaces. When the grooves in one die mate with the grooves in the other die, integral joints between individual strands in the net are formed. When the grooves in one die are separated from the grooves in the other die, the individual strands are formed. A center-filling, which may support the extruded net, is extruded through the center of the net-forming die arrangement to provide a center filling to the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Assignees: F. B. Mercer Limited, Cadbury Schweppes Limited
    Inventors: Frank B. Mercer, Maurice S. Jeffery, Keith F. Martin
  • Patent number: 4541978
    Abstract: An elastomeric spring is formed by extruding a rubbery material into a reinforcing sleeve in a mold during relative motion between the mold and nozzle, and thereafter vulcanizing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: J. Robert Dieckmann, Michael L. Lauber, Mark R. Roodvoets
  • Patent number: D319913
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Inventor: Frederick A. George