Patents Assigned to ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.
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Publication number: 20110120992Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2010Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: CONAGRA FOODS RDM, INC.Inventors: Charles Thomas Gorman, David W. France, Clifton Lachmansingh, Paul John Warosh, Donald L. Greenwood, Joseph C. Walsh, Nicholas P. Lupfer, John Dougherty Culter
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Publication number: 20110106582Abstract: Contact expectancy and normalization is described. A product can be normalized based on product complexity. The normalized product can be compared to a database of products having a similar product complexity to determine contact expectancy for the product. When a quantity of contacts is received, the quantity of contacts can be weighed based on the normalization of the product. The weighed quantity can then be compared to other weighed quantities of other products to facilitate an understanding of whether a product has an issue and/or achievement and to facilitate the allocation of quality control resources within an organization.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2009Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventor: Jeanne Louise Jones
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Publication number: 20110097449Abstract: A seasoning for food that provides taste enhancement and flavor potentiation is disclosed. The seasoning can be used for reducing dietary sodium intake. The portion of seasoning has a mean particle size of less than or equal to 20 microns. In one embodiment, the invention is a seasoning comprising a first seasoning component including a salt and a second seasoning component selected for at least one of complementing and reducing the amount of the first seasoning component required for flavoring a food product.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2010Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventors: Michael Jensen, Gordon Smith, Shawn Fear, Lance Schilmoeller, Clint Johnson
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Publication number: 20110091614Abstract: A container system is described. In one or more implementations, the container system comprises a lower container for receiving a first food component (or components) and an upper container assembly for receiving a second food component (or components) so that the second food component is separated from the first food component. The upper container assembly is configured for engagement with the lower container and is operable to be at least partially opened while the upper container assembly is engaged with the lower container to introduce the second food component into the lower container with the first food component. In one or more embodiments, a pull tab is coupled to the upper container assembly. The pull tab is configured to be pulled while the upper container assembly is engaged with the lower container to at least partially open the upper container assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2009Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventors: Yolanda A. Malone, Catherine M. Shapiro, Svava Maria Atladottir, Lynda Alison Deakin, John Robert Dixon, Joan Hernandez, Stephen Lee Kim, Gina Lynn Romero, Gabriel Matthew Trionfi, Martin Zabaleta, Lauren Rene Shimek
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Publication number: 20110083704Abstract: A clean in place gassing manifold comprises a gassing module comprising a hub, the gassing module and the hub being formed as a unitary device; and a complementary clean in place module for coupling the gassing module, the complementary clean in place module comprising a head that inserts into the hub of the gassing module. The gassing module coupled with the complementary clean in place module allow a cleaning solution to be pumped through the coupled modules at and above a minimum flow rate and a minimum velocity for effective cleaning.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2010Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: CONAGRA FOODS RDM, INC.Inventors: JERRY HOPKINS, Kevin G. Mellor
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Patent number: 7923047Abstract: A seasoning for reducing dietary sodium intake is disclosed. The portion of seasoning has a mean particle size of less than or equal to 20 microns. In one embodiment, the invention is a seasoning comprising a first seasoning component including a salt and a second seasoning component selected for at least one of complementing and reducing the amount of the first seasoning component required for flavoring a food product.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2007Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventors: Michael Jensen, Gordon Smith, Shawn Fear, Lance Schilmoeller, Clinton Johnson
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Patent number: 7919129Abstract: System and method for applying an antimicrobial agent, such as acidified calcium sulfate (ACS), to unpackaged meat products, in order to eliminate or reduce existing food borne bacterial pathogens and to prevent their growth when the meat products are stored. A conveyor transports unpackaged meat products to a spray chamber having nozzles positioned above and below the conveyor and meat products. The conveyor can be a wire conveyor having wires having a thickness so that they can support the food items, which can be eight to ten pounds, while being small enough so that the they do not block ACS solution sprays from the bottom nozzles, or do so to a negligible degree. The lower nozzles spray ACS solution through apertures of the conveyor and onto at least the bottom surfaces of the unpackaged meat products. The solution is sprayed with a sufficiently high pressure and sufficiently small drop size so that the ACS solution penetrates into tissues of the unpackaged meat products.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2006Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventors: Wayne P. Pruett, Jr., Kevin G. Mellor, Donald N. Sinnot, Gilbert L. Boldt
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Publication number: 20110056932Abstract: Microwaveable popcorn arrangements are provided, the arrangement being a bag having a popcorn charge of popcorn kernels and oil/fat component therein. The arrangements include folded bags having preferred, internal, seal and/or adhesive field configurations. The preferred configurations inhibit the undesired flow of oil/fat from the popcorn charge. Microwave popcorn products and methods of preparation and use, are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2010Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: CONAGRA FOODS RDM, INC.Inventors: Eric Craig Jackson, Denise Ellen Hanson, Charles Thomas Gorman, Matthew Roth, Paul John Warosh, Lance Schilmoeller, Jody Shands
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Patent number: 7850788Abstract: A clean in place gassing manifold comprises a gassing module comprising a hub, the gassing module and the hub being formed as a unitary device; and a complimentary clean in place module for coupling the gassing module, the complimentary clean in place module comprising a head that inserts into the hub of the gassing module. The gassing module coupled with the complimentary clean in place module allow a cleaning solution to be pumped through the coupled modules at and above a minimum flow rate and a minimum velocity for effective cleaning.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventors: Jerry Hopkins, Kevin G. Mellor
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Publication number: 20100183773Abstract: A package assembly includes a container that is configured for expansion in a generally vertical direction between a collapsed state and an extended state. The container includes a sidewall having a first axial end portion and an oppositely disposed second axial end portion. The sidewall is vertically compressed in the collapsed state and configured for expansion in a generally vertical direction to the extended state. A base portion is engaged with the first axial end portion of the sidewall. The base portion and the sidewall cooperatively define an interior region having an opening. A cover is engaged with the second axial end portion of the sidewall. The cover is configured for covering the opening to the interior region during cooking or heating.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2010Publication date: July 22, 2010Applicant: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventors: Yolanda A. Malone, Donald L. Greenwood, David W. France, Alison Wong, Anthony Piazza, Anke Pierik, Jon Le Fors, Lynda Deakin, Lauren Shimek, Eric Toyofuku, Alexander Coriano, III, Grace Hwang, Emilie Lasseron, Suzanne Gibbs Howard
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Publication number: 20100173063Abstract: An improved processing method and system for producing tomato paste and other food products affected by viscosity. Tomatoes are processed into tomato juice. The juice is provided to a decanter that separates or fractionates the juice into two portions—a thicker, more viscous cake portion and a thinner, less viscous serum portion. The serum portion is concentrated by removing a portion of water using an evaporator such as a thin film or juice evaporator. The cake portion can be concentrated if necessary with a drier. The serum and cake portions are re-combined to produce a tomato paste having improved color, texture, flavor and nutrition.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2010Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventors: Jorge K. Succar, Theodore G. Tishinski
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Patent number: 7708186Abstract: The present invention is a liquid-in-box container. A liquid-in-box container in accordance with the present invention may comprise: (a) a box; (b) a liquid-containing receptacle; (c) a spout; (d) a spout outlet aperture; (e) a first hand-hold aperture; (f) a second hand-hold aperture; (g) a third hand-hold aperture; and (h) a fourth hand-hold aperture.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2006Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventor: Adam Pawlick
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Publication number: 20100104720Abstract: Methods for producing a partially hydrated bean paste are disclosed. The methods include inputting a quantity of uncooked whole beans or split beans into an extruder comprising an inlet, one or more temperature zones in series downstream of the inlet, and a die downstream of the one or more temperature zones; rotating a screw assembly of the extruder to extrude the beans and force the beans through the one or more temperature zones, wherein a quantity of steam and a quantity of water is added to the beans as the beans are forced through each temperature zone; and forcing the beans exiting the final temperature zone of said one or more temperature zones in series through the die to produce a bean paste. The partially hydrated bean paste produced by the methods of the disclosure comprises a water content of at least about 45% by weight. The partially hydrated bean paste can be further processed into partially hydrated bean products, such as refried beans.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2008Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventors: Mark Dierking, Richard Schumacher, Jerry Hopkins
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Patent number: 7698997Abstract: An improved processing method and system for producing tomato paste and other food products affected by viscosity. Tomatoes are processed into tomato juice. The juice is provided to a decanter that separates or fractionates the juice into two portions—a thicker, more viscous cake portion and a thinner, less viscous serum portion. The serum portion is concentrated by removing a portion of water using an evaporator such as a thin film or juice evaporator. The cake portion can be concentrated if necessary with a drier. The serum and cake portions are re-combined to produce a tomato paste having improved color, texture, flavor and nutrition.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2005Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventors: Jorge K. Succar, Theodore G. Tishinski
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Publication number: 20100075001Abstract: A food dispensing apparatus comprises a first shell, at least one second shell disposed within the first shell, a nozzle coupled to the first shell and the at least one second shell, and a check valve disposed in the nozzle and coupled to the at least one second shell. The at least one second shell is suitable for containing a food component. The food dispensing apparatus is suitable for preventing air from entering the at least one second shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2008Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventors: Jorge Succar, David C. Sorrick, Mario Mikula, Lorenzo Brescia
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Publication number: 20100068353Abstract: A microwave popcorn package includes a flexible bag construction reinforced with a sidewall construction. The package is such that the flexible bag construction and the sidewall construction are expandable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. After the package is opened, the sidewall construction provides for a vertically rigid sidewall to provide a stand up bowl for access to the popped popcorn. The flexible bag construction may be fabricated from a generally transparent material so that the contents of the bag are visible when the package is in the expanded configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2009Publication date: March 18, 2010Applicant: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventors: Charles Thomas Gorman, David W. France, Clifton Lachmansingh, Paul John Warosh
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Patent number: D610903Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2008Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventors: Catherine M. Shapiro, Jess C. Sweley, Brian M. Degner, Darin Charles Koestring, Todd Preston Yunker, Kenneth Paul Meissbach
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Patent number: D630940Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2009Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventors: Catherine M. Shapiro, Jess C. Sweley, Brian M. Degner, Darin Charles Koestring, Todd Preston Yunker, Kenneth Paul Meissbach
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Patent number: D632956Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2010Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventors: Kasey Ann Fuller, Jordan R. French
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Patent number: D633385Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2010Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.Inventors: Steven Baker, Robert Ewart, Tracey Contreras Spungin, Joseph Vincent O'Malley, Michael R. Pfeiffer, Cori Ann Zazworsky, Lynda Deakin, Carly Price, Anastasios G. Karahalios, Geoffrey Baldwin, Ross Lockwood, Gil Palmon, Gary Schiffer