Patents Assigned to ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.
  • Patent number: 12185729
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure can relate to dough products and method of making the same. In one example embodiment of the disclosure, a method for making a yeast-based dough product may include preparing a yeast broth by dispersing an amount of yeast into water and mixing the amount of yeast with water until a homogenized solution is reached; mixing the yeast broth with a pre-blend of dry ingredients to form a batter, and without allowing a resting period, baking the batter at an elevated temperature. The amount of yeast utilized may be determined based at least in part on achieving instantaneous gassing without a rise in batter volume when mixing the yeast broth with the pre-blend of dry ingredients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Conagra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventor: Rongxuan Cai
  • Patent number: 12089622
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing sprouted popcorn kernels are provided, which can be popped into sprouted popped popcorn having unique organoleptic qualities. In an embodiment, a system incorporates a germination unit having one or more sensors to track the germination progress of unsprouted popcorn kernels and to automatically transition sprouted popcorn kernels to a drying process to provide dried sprouted popcorn kernels suitable for popping as a ready to eat product or for packaging for consumer popping preparation. The system promotes the preparation of commercial scale sprouted popcorn kernels through tracking of moisture content of the popcorn kernels through one or more processes of sprouted popcorn kernel production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Conagra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: Melissa Castrale, Andrew Wassinger, Aghogho Pedro, Jairus R. D. David
  • Patent number: 12084259
    Abstract: A food tray has a lower tray containing a first food product and an upper tray nested stably at least partly inside the lower tray, with the upper tray containing a second food product. An air permeable interface is provided between the upper tray and lower tray to allow venting of steam from the lower tray during cooking. A cover is provided for the food tray. Each of the lower tray and the upper tray are formed of a material that is suitable for use in a microwave or conventional oven. Various constructions may be used to create the air permeable interface, such as lugs, ledges and lips. The upper tray may sit above the lower tray. The trays are nested loosely for ease of removal of the upper tray from the lower tray. Various configurations of cover may be used such as a sleeve, carton or lid. The upper tray may contain the higher value food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Conagra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven M. Parsons
  • Patent number: 12075796
    Abstract: A pastry filling formulation and pastry food products including the pastry filling formulation are described having a freeze thaw stable thermoreversible gel with other ingredients including, but are not limited to, water, a sweetening agent, and one or more fruit additives (e.g., fruit flavor, fruit coloring, fruit puree, etc.). The freeze thaw stable thermoreversible gel permits the pastry filling to retain water during the thawing process from a frozen state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Conagra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: Chloe C. Patterson, Meg Harris, Brian M. Degner, Jess C. Sweley, Matthew A. Junge
  • Patent number: 12070047
    Abstract: A pastry filling formulation and pastry food products including the pastry filling formulation are described having a freeze thaw stable thermoreversible gel with other ingredients including, but are not limited to, water, a sweetening agent, and one or more fruit additives (e.g., fruit flavor, fruit coloring, fruit puree, etc.). The freeze thaw stable thermoreversible gel permits the pastry filling to retain water during the thawing process from a frozen state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Conagra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: Chloe C. Patterson, Meg Harris, Brian M. Degner, Jess C. Sweley, Matthew A. Junge
  • Patent number: 12059013
    Abstract: A frozen food product is described to include frozen foodstuffs combined with a polysaccharide, protein, or other water absorber, individually or in combination, separated from the food stuff through one or more mechanisms including but not limited to, suspension of the polysaccharide, protein, or other water absorber in oil, encapsulation of the polysaccharide, protein, or other water absorber, or a dry mixture of the polysaccharide, protein, or other water absorber and seasoning applied to frozen foodstuffs. As the frozen foodstuffs are cooked, water expressed from the foodstuffs activates or hydrates the polysaccharide, protein, or other water absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Conagra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher B. Puno, Sharon F. McGuire, Amanda R. Schlenker
  • Patent number: 11882862
    Abstract: The coating can have a low-sweetness perception. During manufacturing and processing, the coating maintains a flowability to allow a glaze state of the coating to be applied to a food. Upon cooling, the glaze state of the coating forms a glass state that provides a low-sweetness impact which facilitates application of savory taste perceptions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Conagra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Jensen, Jenny Viviana Bermudez Lopez, Kirsten Fletter, Jacqueline Mathews, Clinton L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11884473
    Abstract: Microwave cooking packages suitable for use as microwave popcorn packages include at least one panel (e.g., first and second panels) formed of a vertically rigid material. A flexible portion is attached to the panels. The flexible portion may be formed of a polyester film material such as a biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, which may be at least partially transparent. The flexible portion (and panels) defines a bag construction configured to contain a popcorn charge and to be expandable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration when the popcorn charge is subjected to a popping operation. The microwave cooking package may include a vent assembly configured to at least partially open when the bag configuration is in an expanded configuration to vent the bag construction. The vent assembly includes a first portion a second portion of the bag construction that is configured to be folded against the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Conagra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles T. Gorman, David W. France, Clifton Lachmansingh, Paul J. Warosh, Donald L Greenwood, Joseph C. Walsh, Nicholas P. Lupfer, John D. Culter
  • Patent number: 11839228
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing sprouted popcorn kernels are provided, which can be popped into sprouted popped popcorn having unique organoleptic qualities. In an embodiment, a system incorporates a germination unit having one or more sensors to track the germination progress of unsprouted popcorn kernels and to automatically transition sprouted popcorn kernels to a drying process to provide dried sprouted popcorn kernels suitable for popping as a ready to eat product or for packaging for consumer popping preparation. The system promotes the preparation of commercial scale sprouted popcorn kernels through tracking of moisture content of the popcorn kernels through one or more processes of sprouted popcorn kernel production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: CONAGRA FOODS RDM, INC.
    Inventors: Melissa Castrale, Andrew Wassinger, Aghogho Pedro, Jairus R. D. David
  • Patent number: 11793358
    Abstract: Formulation and dispenser systems create dairy based toppings for beverages. The dispensers include a container, valve, and an actuator for the valve. The formulations include a liquid product and a propellant. The liquid product includes a certain percentage of milkfat provided, for example, by heavy cream, skim milk, nonfat dry milk, sweeteners, and an emulsifier. The propellant is nitrous oxide or nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Conagra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: Samantha Lindsey, Steven R. Baker
  • Patent number: 11647770
    Abstract: The present invention is a food product and a method of creating the food product that satisfies the need for a homogenized dispersion that disperses throughout meat, wherein the particle size of macromolecular ingredients within the dispersion is reduced to form a more stable homogenized dispersion with increased ingredient functionality. This permeated meat offers added health benefits such as the substitution of the anti-oxidant rich olive oil for problematic animal fat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: Tracey Williams, Larry Quint, Brian M. Degner
  • Patent number: 11634262
    Abstract: An ovenable cooking apparatus for facilitating the cooking of food components while maintaining the separateness thereof may include a first container for holding a first food component, and a second container for holding a second food component. The separation of the first food component from the second food component maintains the surface area for the first and second food components to facilitate heating of the first and second food components. The first food component may have a liquid based content for producing steam when heated, and one or both of the first container and the second container may define a passage for providing airflow and steam flow for contacting the second container and/or the second foodstuff and heating or steaming the second food component. Additionally, the second container may be steam impermeable for cooking bread and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Pawlick, Keith Goerl, Michael R. Opat, Julia A. Zielke, Steven R. Baker, David W. France
  • Patent number: 11559075
    Abstract: A shelf stable fried product and a process for creating a shelf stable fried product is disclosed. Aspects include a process for managing fat migration, moisture migration, and cell degrading of a food product during frying. Aspects further include a resulting shelf stable food product that includes a crispy and/or crunchy texture and a desirable fat distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: Janet O. Wheeler, Deborah Dihel, Kevin Mellor, Jeffrey Schneider, Kristin Mills, Roger Samoray, Moses Sanchez
  • Patent number: 11478002
    Abstract: The coating can have a low-sweetness perception. During manufacturing and processing, the coating maintains a flowability to allow a glaze state of the coating to be applied to a food. Upon cooling, the glaze state of the coating forms a glass state that provides a low-sweetness impact which facilitates application of savory taste perceptions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Conagra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Jensen, Jenny V. Bermudez Lopez, Kirsten Fletter, Jacqueline Mathews, Clinton L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11253107
    Abstract: Formulation and dispenser systems create dairy based toppings for beverages. The dispensers include a container, valve, and an actuator for the valve. The formulations include a liquid product and a propellant. The liquid product includes a certain percentage of milkfat provided, for example, by heavy cream, skim milk, nonfat dry milk, sweeteners, and an emulsifier. The propellant is nitrous oxide or nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Conagra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: Samantha Lindsey, Steven R. Baker
  • Patent number: 11053062
    Abstract: A food tray has a lower tray containing a first food product and an upper tray nested stably at least partly inside the lower tray, with the upper tray containing a second food product. An air permeable interface is provided between the upper tray and lower tray to allow venting of steam from the lower tray during cooking. A cover is provided for the food tray. Each of the lower tray and the upper tray are formed of a material that is suitable for use in a microwave or conventional oven. Various constructions may be used to create the air permeable interface, such as lugs, ledges and lips. The upper tray may sit above the lower tray. The trays are nested loosely for ease of removal of the upper tray from the lower tray. Various configurations of cover may be used such as a sleeve, carton or lid. The upper tray may contain the higher value food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Conagra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven M. Parsons
  • Patent number: D944048
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Conagra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventor: David France
  • Patent number: D1000358
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Conagra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: David France, Steven R. Baker
  • Patent number: D1029639
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Conagra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: David France, Steven R. Baker
  • Patent number: D1032377
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: CONAGRA FOODS RDM, INC.
    Inventors: Amanda Humes, Jennifer Pawloski, Kristi Kan